260 



BIKDS. 



[Chap. VIII. 



GALLOPERDIX B1C ALC ARATUS. * 



VI. GrKALLiE. — 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 long 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. Ansekes. — Preeminent in size and beauty, the 



1 Tantalus leucocephalus, and conia leucocephala). 



Ibis falcinellus. 3 Platalea leucorodia, Linn. 



2 The violet-headed Stork (Ci- 4 Ardea cinerea. A. purpurea. 



