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TANTALIDiE. 
This is another group of birds, of which we possess 
only one example in our fauna, the Glossy Ibis, 
evidently of form intermediate between some of the 
herons and Scolopacvloc. The family has been de- 
nominated, from another genus, Tantalus , having 
all the proportions somewhat similar, hut much more 
developed. These birds, though partially aquatic, 
are gregarious, breed on trees, and many of them 
possess the large development of the secondary 
' quills which we saw in the cranes, while, in others, 
the elongated feathers of the neck and breast of the 
herons are represented. In the genus Ibis, as now 
restricted to the type of 7 . rubra, falcinellus, &c., 
we have the form more slender, and running into 
that of the curlew division of the Scolopacidce, and 
their habits are also more akin to them, frequenting 
the edges of marshes, the borders of rivers, and the 
sea shore. 
Genus Ibis. — Generic characters. — Bill long, 
curved at the base, compressed, thickened, and 
powerful ; mandible deeply grooved forits whole 
length ; tip, without development for sense 
of touch ; face, chin, and throat, sometimes 
naked; legs rather long, strong; tibiae par- 
tially naked ; feet strong ; toes joined by » 
