IBISES 
67 
Cory’s Least Bittern is not recognized in the Check-list as it is regarded 
as a colour phase of the previous species. As, however, practically every 
specimen that has been taken shows more or less intrusive white feathering 
and it is improbable that true melanism and albinism as distinct from 
dichromatism can exist coincidently in the same individual, it seems 
desirable to give the race full specific standing. The prevalence of albinism 
in the species suggests an impoverished race that is dying out through 
inherent weakness. 
SUBORDER— CICOXIAE. STORKS, IBISES, ETC. 
Superfamily — Ciconioidea. Storks and Wood Irises 
PAM I L Y — C I CON II DAE 
188. Wood Ibis, la cigogne des bois. Mycteria americana. L, 40. A large, 
heron-like bird, all white with black wings, with long, stout bill decurved near the tip, not 
grooved along upper mandible and very heavy at 
base (Figure 108). In adult, whole head and back 
of neck bare; in juvenile, those parts downy 
except in front of eyes and on forehead. 
Distinctions. As above. 
Distribution. Temperate and tropical America. 
We have record of only accidental occurrences in 
Canada — New Brunswick and southern Ontario. 
It is a mistake to call this species 
an “Ibis,” it is much nearer the storks 
than the true ibises. 
Figure 108 
Wood Ibis; scale, g. 
SUPERFAMILY ThRESKIORNITHOIDEA. SPOON-BILLS AND IBISES 
This group includes one family and two subfamilies: Spoonbills 
which do not occur in Canada, and Threskiornithinae only two of which 
occur in Canada, and those rarely. 
Subfamily — Threskiornithinae. Ibises 
Of this subfamily we have but two closely related species of only 
accidental occurrence in Canada. 
General Description. Birds with long, decurved bill, quite blunt at the point and the 
upper mandible grooved throughout its length. Space in front of the eye bare (Figure 
109). 
Distinctions. Curved, blunt, and deeply grooved bill is characteristic. Claw of 
the middle toe may be broadened and roughened at the edge, but is not perfectly pectinate 
or furnished with well-formed, comb-like teeth as in the heron-like waders of the suborder 
Herodii (Compare with Figure 21, page 27). 
Black Curlew 
186. Common Glossy Ibis, l’ibis falcinelle commune. Plegadis falcinellus . 
L, 24. All dark brown or chestnut colour with many purple reflections and a long 
decurved bill, suggesting a dark-coloured curlew. 
Distinctions. Generally eastern distribu- 
tion. General resemblance to a curlew, but 
colour and bare space in front of eye quite dis- 
tinctive. The resemblance to the White-faced 
Glossy Ibis is very close, it lacks the white 
bordering line to the bare forehead and facial 
patch and the legs and face are dull greenish 
instead of reddish. The two species are too far 
apart geographically to cause much confusion. 
Distribution. Tropical and subtropical regions, mainly eastern hemisphere. In 
North America, Florida and Louisiana. Of only accidental occurrence in Canada. We have 
individual records for Nova Scotia, Quebec, and southern Ontario. 
Figure 109 
Bill of Glossy Ibis; 
scale, J. 
