Ballly states that “ The Ibis falclnellus ordinarily visits Savoy and the environs of Geneva at intervals 
of three and five years, prineipally at the end of April or in May, I know of no instance of its appearance 
during autninn, nor even at the end of summer. It is generally in little bands, or in couples, male and 
female, and seldom singly, that it visits our marshy localities, the borders of our lakes, rivers, and ponds. 
It is there observed on rainy days, and when the wind is south or south-east. The 26th April, 1847, a 
couple occurred on the borders of the Tsere, near St.-Pierre-d’Albigny, and were shot the same day ; some 
years after, on 21st May, 1850, a company of four individuals appeared in a bog in the environs of Chamoux, 
of which two were killed ; finally. May 8th, 1854, a hand of five unexpectedly arrived on the borders of 
Lake Bourget, and were all killed in a few moments. Here it is always more easily approached than the 
Curlew. When it takes flight at the sight of the sportsman it does not go far. Its walk is slow and 
measured, almost like that of the Stork. Worms, leeches, snails, small shell-fish, and certain aquatic 
vegetables form its chief food. The Ibis falcinellus nests in the south of Russia. It lays, in the midst of the 
rushes and reeds, three or four clear green-blue eggs.” 
Midway between Tultscha and Ismael, M. Johann Zelebor found a large breeding-place of various Herons, 
among which he also observed Falcinellus igneus and Carbo pygmcBUS. 
Messrs. El wes and Buckley note it as common in Turkey in summer, especially about the lagoons and 
marshes of the Danube. 
Mr. Howard Saunders says it is “abundant in the ‘ marisma’ of Southern Spain, where it undoubtedly 
breeds.” 
Mr. T. Ayres states that the Glossy Ibis is scarce in the Trans-Vaal Republic, and very shy and difficult 
of approach. Tliey frequent swamps, generally in pairs, and on being disturbed circle up to a great height 
in the air, and then go right away to some other favourite marsh. 
According to Dr. J. Kirk, it is “ rather common in the Zambesi region, but a shy bird, difficult to 
approach ; its cry is loud and harsh. It feeds in marshes and near rivers, but perches on the high trees 
when disturbed.” 
The Glossy Ibis seems to evince a remarkable partiality for the society of various species of Herons, as 
will be seen by the following notes by Mr. Tristram, Mr. Salvin, and Mr. Wright : — “The Glossy Ibis 
{Falcinellus igneus'), that common attendant on the Herons,” says Dr. Tristram, in his ‘Notes on the 
Ornithology of Palestine,’ “ which we used in Africa to compare to the black sheep in a flock of white 
ones, appears to be very rare in Palestine, and I only once saw it.” 
“ In the short reeds ” of the Eastern Atlas, says Mr. Salvin, “ stand a row of Buff-backed Herons 
{Heroclias russatd), contrasting strangely in their sluggish movements with the active Little Egrets, 
Herodias garzetta, some five or six of which may be seen feeding near, with a Glossy Ibis {Ibis falcinellus), 
the ‘ Devil Heron,’ in their company. I several times saw a Glossy Ibis accompanying a small flock of 
Little Egrets at Zana ; and it would appear, from Mr. Tristram’s account of them at Lake Halloula, that 
they always show this partiality for Herons, but are not constant in their attentions to any one species.” 
“ Sometimes,” says Mr. Wright, writing of the bird in Malta, “ a solitary one is seen accompanying a 
flock of Egrets.” The above notes are from ‘ The Ibis’ for 1859 &c. 
Dr. Jerdon states that “The Glossy Ihis is found in vast numbers in India during the cold weather, 
frequenting the edges of large tanks, jheels, and rivers, also swamps and inundated paddy-fields, and 
feeding on mollusks, Crustacea, insects, and worms. It flies in flocks rapidly and with great regularity, 
and generally in the form of a wedge, and roosts at night in large beds of reeds. It is said to breed among 
reeds. It is most excellent eating, and has a tolerably loud call, often uttered in flight and when alarmed.” 
Captain Irby states that the Glossy Ibis is common in Oudh and Kumaon during the cold season, where 
it is usually seen in flocks, and where he has repeatedly observed it settle on trees. 
When fully adult, the sexes of the Glossy Ibis are alike in colour ; but it would aj)pear that at least two or 
three years must elapse before they attain the changeable bright colouring of the upper surface, and the 
chestnut hue of the neck ; during the earlier portion of their existence the neck is striated dark brown, 
striated with greyish white, while the upper surface is changeable black ; whence, I believe, has arisen the 
trivial name of ‘ Black Curlew,’ by which it was known to the fishermen of Norfolk, as mentioned above. 
It was a bird in this state that was killed in Scilly in 1866, “ for,” says Mr. Rodd, in a note to myself, “it 
is apparently quite young, and the underparts are smoke wood-brown, with the neck variegated with white 
spots and markings.” 
The principal figure represents an adult male, somewhat under the natural size. 
