BIRDS. 
[Chap. VIII. 
GALLOFEKDIX B1CALCARATUS. ' 
VI. GrRALiuE. — On reaching the marshy plains and 
shallow lagoons on either side of the island, the aston- 
ishment of the stranger is excited by the endless multi- 
tudes of stilt-birds and waders which stand in loog array 
within the wash of the water, or sweep in vast clouds 
above it. Ibises 1 , storks 2 , egrets, spoonbills 3 , herons 4 , 
and the smaller races of sand larks and plovers, are seen 
busily traversing the wet sand, in search of the red 
worm which burrows there, or peering with steady eye 
to watch the motions of the small fry and aquatic insects 
in the ripple on the shore. 
VII. Anseees. — Preeminent in size and beauty, the 
1 Tantalus leucocephalus, and eonia leucocephala). 
Ibis falcinellus. a pi a t a lea leucorodia, Linn. 
2 The violet-headed Stork (Ci- 4 Ardea cinerea. A. purpurea. 
