FAMILY XIX. 
FALCAT1 , Illiger. 
GENUS XLVI. — T ANTAL US. 
212. TANTALUS LOCULATOli , LINXiEUS AND WILSON. — WOOD IBIS. 
WILSON, PLATE LXVI. FIG. I EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
The wood ibis inhabits the lower parts of Louisiana, 
Carolina, 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 knowledge, been found 
to the north of Virginia. Its favourite haunts are 
watery savannahs and inland sw amps, w here it feeds on 
fish and reptiles. The French inhabitants of Louisiana 
esteem it good eating. 
With the particular manners of this species I am not 
personally acquainted ; but the folio wing characteristic 
traits are given of it by Mr William Bartram, who had 
the best opportunities of noting them. 
“ This solitary bird,” he observes, “ does not associate 
in flocks, but is generally seen alone, commonly near 
the banks of great rivers, in vast marshes or meadow r s, 
especially such as are covered by inundations, and also 
in the vast deserted rice plantations ; he stands alone, 
on the topmost limb of tall dead cypress trees, his neck 
contracted or drawn in upon his shoulders, and his 
beak resting like a long scythe upon his breast ; in 
this pensive posture, and solitary situation, they look 
extremely grave, sorrowful, and melancholy, as if in 
the deepest thought. They are never seen on the sea 
coast, and yet are never found at a great distance from 
it. They feed on serpents, young alligators, frogs, and 
other reptiles.”* 
* Travels , &c. p. 150. 
