Species III. TANTALUS ALBUS. 
WHITE IBIS. 
[Plate LXVI. Fig. 3.] 
Le Courli blanc du Bre*sil, Briss. v., p. 339, 10.— Buff, viii., p. 41. — Courly blanc 
d'Amtrique, PI. Enl. 915. — White Curlew, Catesby, i., pi. 82.— Lath. Syn. in., 
p. Ill, No. 9.— Arct. Zool. No. 363 * 
This species bears in every respect, except that of color, so strong a 
resemblance to the preceding, that I have been almost induced to believe 
it the same, in its white or imperfect stage of color. The length and 
form of the bill, the size, conformation, as well as color of the legs, the 
general length and breadth, and even the steel blue on the four outer 
quill feathers, are exactly alike in both. These suggestions, however, 
are not made with any certainty of its being the some ; but as circum- 
stances which may lead to a more precise examination of the subject 
hereafter. 
I found this species pretty numerous on the borders of Lake Pont- 
chartrain, near New Orleans, in the month of June, and also observed 
the Indians sitting in market with strings of them for sale. I met with 
them again on the low keys or islands off the peninsula of Florida. 
Mr. Bartram observes that " they fly in large flocks or squadrons, even- 
ing and morning, to and from their feeding places or roosts, and are 
usually called Spanish Curlews. They feed chiefly on cray fish, whose 
cells they probe, and with their strong pinching bills drag them out." 
The low islands above mentioned abound with these creatures and small 
crabs, the ground in some places seeming alive with them, so that the 
rattling of their shells against one another was incessant. My vener- 
able friend, in his observations on these birds adds, "It is a pleasing 
sight at times of high winds, and heavy thunder storms, to observe the 
numerous squadrons of these Spanish Curlews, driving to and fro, turn- 
ing and tacking about high up in the air, when by their various evolu- 
tions in the different and opposite currents of the wind, high in the 
clouds, their silvery white plumage gleams and sparkles like the brightest 
crystal, reflecting the sunbeams that dart upon them between the dark 
clouds." 
* Tantalus albus, Lath. Ind. Orn. p. 705, No. 9. — Gmel. Syst. p. 651, No. 6. 
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