430 GLOSSY IBIS. 
divisions of the globe, Europe excepted. In Jbis there are 
about twenty well-ascertained species, three inhabiting the 
United States, of which the present is the only one that ever 
visits Europe. In South America are found several beautiful 
species. ‘The true ibises may be subdivided into two secondary 
groups; those with the tarsi reticulated, and those which, like 
the present species, have them scutellated. ‘The former have 
shorter feet, and by their stouter bill, and the more extended 
nudity of the face, approach nearest to the Zantalc. 'Temminck 
wishes to divide them into the sections Sylvains and Riverains, 
Dr Wagler distributes them into three sections, which he 
calls Ibides lepopodiw, Ibides aspido-lepopodic, and Ibides 
aspidopodie / this last section being formed for our species 
alone, principally on account of its having the middle toe- 
nail pectinated. 
In the ibises, as in their kindred Zantalz, the females are 
considerably smaller than the males, but perfectly like them 
in colours. The young differ greatly from the adults until 
the third year. Their moult is annual and regular. 
They are dull and stupid birds, fearless, and allowing of a 
very close approach, so that they are easily shot. They fre- 
quent inundated places, the shores of lakes and rivers, and 
particularly grounds just left bare by floods, where their 
favourite food abounds. They live in flocks, but when once 
paired the sexes remain united for life. They feed on insects, 
worms, mollusca, and the ibises also on vegetable substances : 
they search their food in mud, and often throw it up with 
their bill, catching it as it descends in their throat. Shells, 
even of considerable size, they swallow entire, trusting to the 
muscular power of their stomach to crush them, for which 
their bill is too weak. The Vantalc are also well known to 
use their powerful bills against fishes and reptiles, but the 
true ibis never, notwithstanding the popular belief to the con- 
trary. When satisfied with feeding, they retire for digestion 
to the highest trees, where they stand in an erect posture, 
resting their heavy bill upon their breast. The Zbédes more 
ts. 
