42 



SCARLET IBIS. 



and of a pale red; chin also bare and wrinkled for about an inch; 

 whole plumage a rich glowing scarlet, except about three inches 

 of the extremities of the four outer quill feathers, which are of a 

 deep steel blue ; legs and naked part of the thighs pale red, the 

 three anterior toes united by a membrane as far as the first joint. 



Whether the female differs in the color of her plumage from 

 the male, or what changes both undergo during the first and se- 

 cond years, I am unable to say from personal observation. Being 

 a scarce species with us, and only found on our most remote 

 southern shores, a sufficient number of specimens have not been 

 procured to enable me to settle this matter with sufficient certainty. 



