4 
WOOD TANTALUS. 
head to the middle of the neck is of a dusky brown, 
and rough and warty : beneath the beak is a con- 
siderable poiicli : tlie quills and the tail are black : 
the rest of the bird white ; except the thighs and legs, 
which are dusky. Both sexes are very similar. 
This species inhabits various parts of the tropical 
countries of America, particularly Carolina, Louisiana, 
and Georgia ; it is also common in Florida, and ex- 
tends as far south as Cayenne and Brazil. In the 
United States it is migratory ; but has never been 
found to the north of Virginia. Wilson, on the au- 
thority of his friend, Mr. Bartram, says, " this soli- 
tary bird does not associate in flocks ; but is generally 
seen alone, commonly near the banks of great rivers, 
in vast marshes or meadows, especially such as are 
covered by inundations, and also in the vast deserted 
rice plantations. He stands alone, on the topmost 
limb of tall dead cypress trees, his neck contracted 
or drawn in upon his shoulders, and his beak resting 
like a long scythe upon his breast ; in this pensive 
posture and solitary situation they look extremely 
grave, sorrowful, and melancholy, as if in the deepest 
thought. They are never seen on the sea-coast, and 
yet are never found at a great distance from it. They 
feed on serpents, young alligators, frogs, and other 
reptiles to which may be added fish. They are 
esteemed good eating by the French iidiabitants of 
Louisiana. 
