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Synopsis of the Birds 
Female much smaller, but similar in color to the male. 
Young differing greatly from the adult until the third year. 
Moult annually. 
Dull, stupid, fearless, easily approached and shot. Fre- 
quent inundated plates, the shores of lakes and rivers Feed 
on small fishes, repiiles, mollusca, and insects : when satia- 
ted, retire to the highest trees, where they stand erect, resting 
their heavy bill on the breast. Monogamous : build on high 
trees ; lay two or three eggs : female only incubating, but 
is fed by the male, and both feed their young, which leave 
the nest only when able to flutter. Walk slowly, often sinking 
deeply in the mud, while watching for their prey. Flight 
heavy, but high and protracted. 
Intermediate between the two families Limicolae and Hero- 
dii, but much more closely related to the latter : connecting 
them admirably. 
48. TANTALUS. 
Tantalus , L, Gm . Lath. 111. Cuv. Fieill. Temm. 
JS/umenius , Briss . 
Bill stout, as w T ide as the face at base, compressed, atten- 
uated, curved only towards the point ; upper mandible not 
furrowed, trigonal at base, then cylindrical, notched ; edges 
approaching each other so closely as to form a narrow' chan- 
nel ; lower mandible not channelled: nostrils basal, approxi- 
mated, longitudinal, elliptic, open, pervious : tongue very 
short, deep in the throat. Head naked, verrucose, cheeks 
with scattered feathers. Tarsus twice as long as the middle 
toe : nails short, somewhat flattened, rather obtuse. First 
and second primaries subequal and longest. 
Composed of but four species, one in each division of the 
globe except Europe. 
238. Tantalus loculator, L. White, face and head bluish; 
quills and tail glossy black. 
