ZOOLOGY* 



107 



exceedingly destructive in fisli-preserves, and with difficulty 

 obtained but by the gun. Twelve or more species have been 

 occasionally found in Great Britain. See British Ornitho- 

 logy^ vols. 1, 2, 3. 



7. Tantalus. Ibis. Bill long, subulate, roundish, curving 



towards the point; sJcin in front of the eyes bare; 

 tongue short, broad ; nostrils oval ; toes palinated at 

 the base. 



In general habits, Bcarly approaching the last genus ; some 

 of the kinds are held sacred, from their devouring great 

 numbers of noxious reptiles. 



8. JSumenius. Curlew. I??7nong, curved; ?2o^ifr//^ linear ; 



tongue short, pointed ; toes connected as far as the first 

 joint by a strong membrane. 



These frequent the shores of the sea, rivers, and the 

 margins of lakes, and feed on small fish, aquatic worms, 

 insects, and plants ; they nestle on the ground, and the 

 young run as soon as excluded from the shell. Three species 

 are natives ot Great Britain. British Ornilhulogy^\o\. 1, 3. 



9. Scolopax. Sntpe. Bill strait, long, slender, the upper 



mandible extending somewhat beyond the lower; 

 nostrils linear, situated iw a furrow ; tongue pointed; 

 toes in some species coonec^^ed as in tiie last genus, in 

 other species all separate ; hind-toe veiy small. 



This family are all very shy, swift oa wing, and slmn the 



