GENUS FALCINELLUS (Bechstein). 



THE type of this genus is the Common Ibis of the British Islands, which is to be found in all the 

 countries of the old world in both hemispheres. 



FALCINELLUS IGNEUS (G. r Gray). 



GLOSSY IBIS. Genus : Falcinellus. 



THE Glossy Ibis has a wandering disposition that is too erratic to be termed migratory, for it has no 

 fixed home anywhere, but may be met with at all times and seasons within certain wide bounds. 

 Thus in Australia it has been found in all the colonies of the mainland except Western Australia. It 

 does not arrive at the period of fullest development till about its third year, when the plumage of both 

 sexes is alike. 



The egg laid by this bird is slightly rough, and of a uniform cold bluish-green. Length, 2 inches 

 1 ^ lines ; breadth, 1 inch 5 lines. 



Head, dark chestnut ; neck, throat, under surfaces, top of back, upper edge of wing, rich reddish- 

 chestnut ; rest of plumage, rich dark green, with metallic-bronze and purple reflections ; orbits, olive-green ; 

 irides, brown ; bill, legs, and feet, dull olive-brown. 



Habitats : Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, 

 Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, G.B., Richmond and Clarence River Districts, Interior, 

 Victoria and South Australia. [Ramsay.) 



