58 
IBIS ALBA. 
and heavy thunder storms, to observe tlie numero*** 
squadrons of these S|)anish curlen s, driviiui' to and 
turning' and tacking about high up in the air, u hen, 
their various evolutions in tlie different and opposil' 
currents of the wind, high in the clouds, their silver^ 
white plumage gleams and sparkles like the hri'dites' 
crystal, rellectiug the sunbeams that dart upon'’thei'’ 
between the dark clouds.” 
The white ibis is twenty-three inches lonn- 
thirty-seven inches in extent ; hill formed exactly lik' 
that of the scarlet species, of a pale red, blackish towariif 
the point; fiice a reddish flesh colour, and finely wrinklcdi 
mides, W'hitish ; whole plumage jiure white, ex-cept ahou' 
four inches of the tips of the four outer quill-feathcr'' 
which are of a deep and glossy steel blue: leirs 
feet pale red, ivebbed to the first joint. ” 
^^'Bse birds I frequently observed staiidino' on 
dead limbs of trees, and on the shore, restiiur on oB* 
leg, their body in aii almost perpendicular iiosition 
head and bill resting on the breast. This appears to W 
Iks most common mode of resting, and perh.ips sleepini-'' 
as, in all those which I examined, the plumage on th« 
upper ridge of the neck and upper part of the back wB’ 
evidently worn by this habit. The same is equall/ 
observable on the neck and back of the w-ood ibis! 
species rarely extends its visits nortk 
of Carolina, and even in that State is only seen forf 
lew weeks towards the end of sximmor. In Flori*^* 
they are common, but seldom remove to anv o-rc** 
distance from the sea. ® 
