GENUS 70. TANTALUS. IBIS. 
SPECIES 1. TANTALUS LOCULATOR, 
WOOD IBIS. 
[Plate LXVL— Fig. 1.] 
Le grand Courli d’^merique, Briss. v, p. 358. 8. — Couricaca, 
Buff, vii, 276. PL Enl. 868. — Catesb. i, 81. — Jlrct. Zool. 
JV’o. 360. — Lath. Syn. iii, p. 104. — Peale’s Museum, 3862. 
The Wood Ibis inhabils the lower parts of Louisiana, Caro- 
lina, and Georgia; is very common in Florida, and extends as 
far south as Cayenne, Brazil, and various parts of South America. 
In the United States it is migratory; but has never, to my know- 
ledge, been found to the north of Virginia. Its favourite haunts 
are watery savannahs and inland swamps, where it feeds on 
lish and reptiles. The French inhabitants of Louisiana esteem it 
good eating. 
With the particular manners of this species I am not person- 
ally acquainted; but the following characteristic traits are given 
of by it Mr. William Bartram, who had the best opportunities 
of noting them. 
“ This solitary bird,” he obeserve.s, “ does not associate in 
flocks; hut is generally seen slone, commonly near the banks of 
great rivers, in vast marshes or meadows, especially such as are 
covered by inundations, and also in the vast deserted rice plan- 
tations; he stands alone, on the topmost limh of tall dead cypress 
trees, his neck contracted or drawn in upon his shoulder.s, and 
his beak resting like a long sithe upon his breast; in this pen- 
sive posture, and solitary situation, they look extremely grave, 
sorrowful and melancholy, as if in the deepest thought. They 
are never seen on the seacoast, and yet are never found at a 
