IBIDINiE. IBIS. 
139 
tellate ; toes rather long ; the first on the same plane as 
the rest, the second considerably shorter than the fourth, 
both connected with the third by basal webs ; claws small, 
arched, compressed, tapering. Bare space on the head 
varying, sometimes extending over a great part of the 
neck, always including the gular space. Plumage mode- 
rate ; wings long, broad, of about thirty quills, the second 
and third longest ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve fea- 
thers. 
These birds, chiefly inhabitants of warm climates, 
in their habits and food resemble the Herons, as well as 
in their mode of nestling. The young remain in the nest 
until fledged. In Britain only two species occur. 
GENUS CXVIIL IBIS. IBIS. 
The Tantali, of which there are no European species, re- 
semble Storks or Herons in every respect, excepting the form 
of the bill, which, although very large and stout, is nar- 
rowed and arcuate toward the end. The Ibises are similar 
to the Tantali, but have the bill more attenuated, and ap- 
proaching in structure to that of the Curlews. They are 
generally of moderate size, with the body ovate ; the neck 
long and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed. Bill 
very long, slender, rather thick at the base, arcuate, taper- 
ing, compressed, toward the end somewhat cylindrical, and 
slightly enlarged at the tip, which is obtuse ; upper mandible 
with the dorsal line arched, the ridge rather narrow, sepa- 
rated in its whole length by a narrow groove from the sides, 
which are erect and flat at the base, narrowed and convex 
toward the end, the edges sharp and direct, the tip rather 
obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle long, very narrow, 
with a groove extending from it to the tip, the sides erect 
and flat, beyond the middle convex, the edges inclinate, the 
tip obtuse ; the gape -line arcuate, commencing before the 
eyes. Mouth rather narrow ; upper mandible little concave, 
with two or four prominent lines ; tongue extremely short, 
triangular, flat, thin, obtuse ; oesophagus wide ; proventri- 
culus moderate ; stomach large, broadly elliptical, with its 
