WHITE IBIS. 
1 13 
previous to the period of their migration back again to the 
South, which takes place on the return of cool weather. Their 
food and haunts are altogether similar with those of the pre- 
ceding species, and, like them, they seldom remove to any great 
distance from the sea. Mr. Bartram remarks that “ they fly 
in large flocks or squadrons, evening and morning, to and from 
their feeding- places or roosts, and are usually called Spanish 
Curlews. They subsist principally on cray-fish, whose cells 
they probe, and with their strong pinching bills drag them 
out.” I'hey also feed on fry and aquatic insects, and their 
flesh is sometimes eaten, but not much esteemed. 
Birds of this species may frequently be seen standing on 
the dead branches of trees and on the shore, resting on one 
fog, with the body in an almost perpendicular position, and the 
head and bill resting on the breast, — which, indeed, appears 
to be their common mode of reposing, in consequence of 
'''hich, and as a proof of the habitual indolence of the species, 
the plumage, as in the Wood Ibis, on the ridge of the neck 
and upper part of the back, is evidently worn by the constancy 
of this habit. 
Sometimes, according to Bartram, during the prevalence of 
high winds and in thunder-storms, they may be seen collected 
into numerous flocks, driving to and fro, or turning and tack- 
ing about high in the air, during which evolutions with the 
Contending currents of the wind their silvery plumage gleams 
nnd sparkles with unusual brilliance as it reflects the flashing 
light from amidst the dark and hovering clouds. 
The White Ibis has been until quite recently a common bird in 
localities in the Southern States. It occurs regularly on the 
antic shore to North Carolina (occasional stragglers have been 
^sen in New Jersey), and along the valley of the Mississippi 
anges farther north, — to Indiana and southern Illinois. 
VOL. n. _ 8 
