WHITE IBIS. 
Imrmture. Differs from the adult in having the entire head and neck covered with 
short blackish feathers, which become almost white on the throat and hind-neck, 
and only represented on the latter by dark shaft-hnes ; the dark pattern on the 
outer quills extends more than half their length towards the base, decreasing in 
extent on the inner primaries much the same as in the adult ; the dark shaft-lines 
on the secondaries more strongly pronounced ; some of the short scapulars are 
hoary-grey, the long ornamental scapulars less broken up and more inclining to 
brown. Bill black, bare skin below the eye flesh-colour ; iris brown ; tarsi 
and feet leaden-black. 
Another immature bird is similar to the one already described, but the dark portion 
on the primaries is more restricted, while the black shaft-streak on the secondaries 
is broader and extends to the base ; the ornamental scapulars browner, the head 
and neck covered but the feathers darker and much more abraded. 
Nest. The eggs are laid on a platform made by bending down the flags. 
Eggs. Clutch, three to five ; white ; shell rough, inside of shell green ; axis 70 mm., 
diameter 41 to 42. 
Brewing-season. September (South Australia) ; October to December (Victoria). 
Mr. J. P. Rogers found this bird on Melville Island in December, 1911 ; they 
were seen feeding in the mangroves, and were very wild. 
Captain S. A. White says that this species is sometimes seen feeding in 
company with the Egrets. They frequent the River Murray, in South 
Australia, and the Lakes at the Murray Mouth. Odd ones are to be seen 
at any time of the year, but in nesting time they congregate in great numbers, 
and pitch on a dense flag-patch, bend down the flags and make their nests 
on the vast platform so constructed. 
These birds are never seen in such numbers as the Straw-necked variety. 
Mr. J. W. Mellor writes : “ A very useful bird, coming on to the land of 
the farmer and devouring large numbers of injurious insects such as crickets 
and grass-hoppers, which do untold mischief. They breed in September 
on Lake Albert, South Australia.” 
Mr. A, Mattingley records: “When just born the skin is fleshy pink. 
Forehead bare ; crown, face, nape and neck sparsely covered with black down. 
On the throat and lower throat there are three bands of black. Balance 'of 
body feathers white.” 
Mr. Charles Belcher says : “ Numerically speaking, this bird stands 
between the Straw-necked Ibis and the Glossy Ibis. Of recent years the 
White Ibis has been more often seen in the Coastward districts. From 
1886 to 1900 I never saw it near Geelong, but in the last few years 
have noted it on several occasions. It does not breed South of the 
dividing range in Victoria, except in the western District, and to all 
other parts of the State must be looked on as an occasional visitor only.” 
Gould says : “ When satiated it mounted upon the bare branches of 
the large gum-trees bordering the feeding-place, and then became so 
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