S18 
SCARLET IBIS. 
the young when hatched black, soon after gray, and before they are 
able to fly white, continuing gradually to assume their red color until 
the third year, when the scarlet plumage is complete. It is also said 
that they usually keep in flocks, the young and old birds separately. 
They have frequently been domesticated. One of them which lived for 
some time in the museum of this city, was dexterous at catching flies, 
and most usually walked about, on that pursuit, in the position in which 
it is represented in the plate. 
The Scarlet Ibis measures twenty-three inches in length, and thirty- 
seven in extent ; the bill is five inches long, thick, and somewhat of a 
square form at the base, gradually bent downwards and sharply ridged, 
of a black color, except near the base, where it inclines to red ; irides 
dark hazel ; the naked face is finely Avrinkled, 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 
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 second 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. 
Note. — It would appear that this species inhabits the western coast 
of America. In the Appendix to the History of Lewis and Clark's 
Expedition, Vol. II., p. 514, under date of March 7, the Journalist says, 
"A bird of a scarlet color, as large as a common pheasant, with a long 
tail, has returned ; one of them was seen to-day near the fort." As all 
long legged birds fly with their legs in a horizontal position, the legs of 
that above mentioned must have been mistaken for a tail. — 6r. Ord. 
