THE WHITE IBIS. 
shewed his head above the water, then a second and a third. All gave chase 
to the poor wounded bird, which, on seeing its dreaded and deadly* foes, 
made double speed towards the very spot where we stood. I was surprised 
to see how much faster the bird swam than the reptiles, who, with jaws 
widely opened, urged their heavy bodies through the water. The Ibis was 
now within a few yards of us. It was the alligator’s last chance. Spring- 
ing forward as it were, he raised his body almost out of the water ; his jaws 
nearly touched the terrified bird ; when pulling three triggers at once, we 
lodged the contents of our guns in the throat of the monster. Thrashing 
furiously with his tail, and rolling his body in agony, the alligator at last 
sunk to the mud ; and the Ibis, as if in gratitude, walked to our very feet, 
and there lying down, surrendered itself to us. I kept this bird until the 
succeeding spring, and by care and good nursing, had the pleasure of seeing 
its broken wing perfectly mended, when, after its long captivity, I restored 
it to liberty, in the midst of its loved swamps and woods. 
The young bird of this species, which I kept alive for some time, fed 
freely, after a few days’ captivity, on soaked Indian corn meal, but evinced 
great pleasure when cray-fishes were offered to it. On seizing one, it beat 
it sideways on the ground, until the claws and legs were broken off, after 
which it swallowed the body whole. It was fond of lying on its side in 
the sun for an hour or so at a time, pluming its body and nursing the sore 
wing. It walked lightly and very gracefully, though not so much so as the 
Heron. It did not molest its companions, and became very gentle and 
tame, following those who fed it like a common fowl. 
The Creoles of Louisiana call this species “ Bee croche ,” and also “ Petit 
Flaman, v although it is also generally known by the name of “ Spanish Cur- 
lew.” The flesh, which, as well as the skin, is of a dull orange-colour, is 
extremely fishy, although the birds are often sold in our southernmost 
markets, and are frequently eaten by the Indians. 
The White Ibis has been shot eastward as far as New Jersey. Of this I 
have been made aware by my generous friend Edward Harris, Esq. I 
aever saw one farther up the Mississippi than Memphis. 
White Ibis, Tantalus albus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 43. 
Ibis alba, Bonap. Syn., p. 312. 
White Ibis, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 86. 
White Ibis, Ibis alba, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 173 ; vol. v. p. 593. 
Adult, 24£, 40. 
Constant resident in South Florida, where it is abundant. Breeds along 
the coast to Texas, westward, and occasionally as far as New Jersey east- 
