n.  GRALL  j;. 
Family  II.  Ardeim. 
Th, 
^ Subfamily, 
ha 
TANTALINiE,  or  Ibises, 
tbe  5‘i]  ] 
(j  more  or  less  slender,  and  curved  throughout  its  length ; the  sides  gradually 
gfoovc  . which  is  obtuse ; the  Nostrils  lateral,  and  sometimes  placed  in  a lengthened 
eveij  • ^ opening  always  linear  and  exposed  : the  Wings  rather  long : the  Tail  moderate  and 
Scales . of  various  lengths,  usually  robust,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse  or  hexagonal 
hia(j  ^ ; fhe  inner  toe  shorter  than  the  outer,  both  more  or  less  united  at  the  base ; the 
’^^g  and  usually  strong. 
Tantalus  Linn.* 
'^Urved  broad  and  elevated  at  the  base,  the  basal  half  nearly  straight  and  the  apical  portion 
goiiy  oulmen  gradually  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed  to  the  tip,  which  is  emarginated ; 
bin  curved ; the  nostrils  basal  and  lateral,  with  the  opening  pierced  in  the  substance 
the  ' ^*^^8^fodinal,  and  exposed.  IFm^s  long  and  pointed ; with  the  first  quill  rather  shorter 
^’^ch  1q  and  third,  which  are  equal  and  longest.  Tail  short  and  even.  Tarsi  rather  slender, 
iiUie  middle  toe,  and  covered  with  hexagonal  scales.  Toes  long  and  rather  slender ; 
shorter  than  the  outer,  and  both  united  at  the  base  ; the  hind  toe  long  and  slender ; the 
on, 
’ ^^oad,  and  obtuse.  The  head,  and  sometimes  the  neck,  denuded  of  feathers. 
The 
and  are*^^  gcaus  are  found  In  North  and  South  America,  and  also  in  India.  They  migrate  from  place  to 
on*^  *'®ptlleg  seen  solitary,  in  swampy  parts  of  the  country,  or  on  the  banks  of  great  rivers,  searching  for  fish 
'"^sir  breaa^  fiaies  they  are  observed  perched  on  the  dead  branches  of  the  tall  trees,  with  their  long  bills  resting 
They  are  stated  not  to  frequent  the  sea  coast.  The  nest  is  built  on  the  high  trees,  and  the  female 
two  to  three 
9 *®olli3  o ’ ■ this  naudapoa  TieiW.  Azai 
«ou'  : • : t-  85. 
Na^  tnd.  Zool.  pi.  20.  — Ts 
'•  pl.  223. 
3.  T.  Ibis  Linn.  PI.  enl.  389.  — Ibis  Candida  Sris.  ; Tantalus 
rhodinopterus  Weiffl. 
4.  T.  lacteus  Temm.  PI.  col.  352.  — Tantalus  cinereus  Xqffl.  ? 
* Established  by  Linnscus  in  1756'. 
