FAMILY XIX. 
FALCATI, Illiger. 
GEVUS -S.h\l. — TAXTALVS. 
212. TJSTAI.ttS tOCUZATOIt, IIKN/EUS AND WILSON'. — WOOD lEI* 
WILSON, PLATE LXVI. riG. I. — EDINBUKOH COLLEGE JICSEUM- 
^ The wood ibis inliabita tbe lower parts of Louisians. 
Carolina, and Oeorgia; is very common in Florida, an<i 
extends as far south as Cayenne, Brazil, and various 
jutfts of South America. In the United States it is 
migratory ; but has never, to my knowledge, been fouu<l 
to the north of Virginia. Its favourite haunts ar*" 
watery savannahs and inland swaraiis, where it feeds oH 
fish and repliles. The French inhabitants of Louisiana 
esteem it good eating. 
With the particular manners of this species I am not 
personally acquainted ; hut the following characteristic 
traits are given of it by Mr William Bartram, who had 
the best opportunities of noting them. 
This solitary bird,” heohservp.s, “ docs not associate 
in flocks, hut is generally seen alone, commonlv neat 
the banks of great rivers, in vast marshes or meadons, 
especially such as are covered by inundations, and also 
111 the vast deserted rice plantations ; he stands alonri 
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: i» 
this pensive posture, and solitary situation, they look 
extremely grave, sorrowful, and melancholy, as if iO 
the deepest thought. They are never seen on the sc* 
coast, and yet are never found at a great distance from 
it. They feed on serpents, young- alligators, frogs, :ui^ 
other reptiles. * o j ©> 
* Travels, &c. p. 150. 
