Order  II.  GRALL/E. 
Family  II.  Ardeidte. 
The  fifth  Subfamily, 
TANTALINiE,  or  Ibises, 
have  the  Bill  lengthened,  more  or  less  slender,  and  curved  throughout  its  length ;  the  sides  gradually 
compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  obtuse ;  the  Nostrils  lateral,  and  sometimes  placed  in  a  lengthened 
groove,  with  the  opening  always  linear  and  exposed  :  the  AVings  rather  long :  the  Tail  moderate  and 
even :  the  Tarsi  of  various  lengths,  usually  robust,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  or  hexagonal 
scales :  the  Toes  long ;  the  inner  toe  shorter  than  the  outer,  both  more  or  less  united  at  the  base ;  the 
hind  toe  long  and  usually  strong. 
Tantalus  Linn* 
Bill  lengthened,  broad  and  elevated  at  the  base,  the  basal  half  nearly  straight  and  the  apical  portion 
curved,  with  the  culmen  gradually  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  emarginated ; 
the  gonys  long  and  curved ;  the  nostrils  basal  and  lateral,  with  the  opening  pierced  in  the  substance 
of  the  bill,  longitudinal,  and  exposed.  Wings  long  and  pointed  ;  with  the  first  quill  rather  shorter 
than  the  second  and  third,  which  are  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short  and  even.  Tarsi  rather  slender, 
much  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  and  covered  with  hexagonal  scales.  Toes  long  and  rather  slender  ; 
the  inner  toe  shorter  than  the  outer,  and  both  united  at  the  base ;  the  hind  toe  long  and  slender ;  the 
claws  short,  broad,  and  obtuse.    The  head,  and  sometimes  the  neck,  denuded  of  feathers. 
The  species  of  this  genus  are  found  in  North  and  South  America,  and  also  in  India.  They  migrate  from  place  to 
place ;  arid  are  usually  seen  solitary,  in  swampy  parts  of  the  country,  or  on  the  banks  of  great  rivers,  searching  for  fish 
and  reptiles.  At  times  they  are  observed  perched  on  the  dead  branches  of  the  tall  trees,  with  their  long  bills  resting 
on  their  breasts.  They  are  stated  not  to  frequent  the  sea  coast.  The  nest  is  built  on  the  high  trees,  and  the  female 
deposits  from  two  to  three  eggs. 
1.  T.  loculator  Linn.  PI.  enl.  868.,  Cat.  Car.  i.  pi.  81.,  Wils. 
Amer.  Orn.  pi.  66.  f.  1.  —  Ibis  naudapoa  Vieill.  Azara,  No.  344.  ; 
T.  plumicollis  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  t.  85. 
2.  T.  leucocephalus  Forst.  Ind.  Zool.  pi.  20.  —  Tantalus  gange- 
ticus  Shaw,  Nat.  Misc.  pi.  223. 
3.  T.  Ibis  Linn.  PI.  enl.  38.9. —  Ibis  Candida  Bris.  ;  Tantalus 
rhodinopterus  Wagl. 
4.  T.  lacteus  Temm.  Pi.  col.  352.  =—  Tantalus  cinereus  Raffi.  ? 
*  Established  by  Linnanis  in  1750'. 
