ibis. 153 



the former, where the feathers have pale edges ; the upper parts of 

 the body are glossy green, appearing bronzed in different lights ; 

 the breast, belly, and under parts brown, glossed with green gold 

 on the breast ; quills and tail darker than the back, and with very 

 little gloss; legs dusky blue; between the toes a small membrane 

 at the base. 



Inhabits Italy, and some parts of Germany ; also very common 

 about the Caspian and Black Seas, ascending the rivers to breed ; is 

 frequent in flocks about the lakes, but none seen in Siberia : is not 

 uncommon on the Danube; and as it inhabits Italy for certain, and 

 met with also in India, there is not the least doubt of its being in the 

 intermediate parts, though not mentioned by authors.* 



In the drawings of Sir John Anstruther I find it represented in 

 several stages of growth ; when most complete, the head, neck, and 

 under parts are fine glossy chestnut ; back, wings, and tail, purplish 

 black, with a gloss of green ; wings and tail even in length ; the 

 rest as above described, except that the bare part round the eye is 

 bounded with white. 



In a bird full grown, but not complete in colour, the chestnut is 

 less bright, marked about the head and neck with a small portion of 

 brown ; belly, thighs, and vent, pale rufous chestnut. 



In a still younger subject the bare space round the eye seems 

 downy ; and the whole head and neck covered with short feathers, 

 of a purplish red, with numerous dots, or dashes of white; the rest 

 of the bird dull, deep, reddish brown ; beneath ash-colour, with a 

 gloss of purple and green, on the upper parts; legs dusky black 

 brown. — It is known in India, about Hindustan, by the name of 

 Kowahrie, or Cowarie ; in some drawings the shoulders are chestnut. 

 One of these in the Leverian Museum is said to have been shot in 

 Kent.f 



* Sonnini says, they are common on the banks of the Nile; are birds of passage, and 

 follow the course of that river, up to the Cataract. The Arabs call it Saheleck. — Trav. 

 iii. p. 11. t Lev. Mus. Catal. No. 5757. 



VOL. IX. X 



