P24) 
GLOSSY IBIS. 429 
the two genera of which it is composed within the respective 
limits of the two families which they connect, and which they 
called Cultrirostres and Longirostres. Although Mr Vigors 
and the modern English school have not adopted it (probably 
because it interfered with their whimsical quinary arrange- 
ment), they do not dismember it, but force the whole into 
their family Ardetde, with which even Ibis has, it is true, 
more real though less apparent affinity than with Scolopacide : 
as for Tantalus, there could be nodoubt. Goldfuss has done 
the same. 
The Zantalide all have a very long bill, stout at the base, 
subulate, falcate, and cylindrical at tip, the edges bent in and 
sharp. Their corneo-membranous tongue is remarkably short, 
flat, cuneate-acuminate, entire, posteriorly furcate-emarginate. 
Their face is destitute of feathers, and their throat somewhat 
dilatable into a pouch. Their neck is long. Their feet long, 
equilibrate, and always four-toed: the naked space of the tibia 
considerable: the toes long, bordered with a narrow membrane 
connecting the fore toes at base. The hind toe is articulated, 
with the tarsus low down, and is half as long as the middle, 
bearing with its whole length on the ground. The wings are 
moderate, obtuse, tubercular. The tail short, composed of 
but twelve feathers. The falcate shape of the bill will at once 
distinguish them from any of the Ardeide; and the naked- 
ness of the face from the Scolopacidee. 
The Zbis may be known from the true Tantalus by having 
a comparatively slender bill, depressed and curved from the 
base ; instead of being very stout at the base, compressed, and 
curved only towards the tip. In Ibis, the upper mandible is 
deeply furrowed its whole length, and entire. In Zantalus it 
is not furrowed, and is notched. The nostrils are pervious 
and wide open in the latter; half-closed by a membrane in 
the former. The head is warty and entirely bald in Zantalus, 
while in J6cs the nakedness generally extends over the face 
and throat merely. 
Tantalus only contains four species, one in each of the five 
