IBIS ALBA. 
5 $ 
and heavy thunder storms, to observe the numerous 
squadrons of these Spanish curlews, driving- to and fro, 
turning- and tacking about high up in the air, when, by 
their various evolutions in the different and opposite 
currents of the wind, high in the clouds, their silvery 
white plumage gleams and sparkles like the brightest 
crystal, reflecting the sunbeams that dart upon them 
between the dark clouds.” 
The white ibis is twenty-three inches long, and 
thirty-seven inches in extent ; bill formed exactly like 
that of the scarlet species, of a pale red, blackish towards 
the point; face a reddish flesh colour, and finely wrinkled ; 
irides, whitish ; whole plumage pure white, except about 
four inches of the tips of the four outer quill-feathers, 
which are of a deep and glossy steel blue ; legs and 
feet pale red, webbed to the first joint. 
These birds I frequently observed standing on the 
dead limbs of trees, and on the shore, resting on one 
leg, their body in an almost perpendicular position, the 
head and bill resting on the breast. This appears to be 
its most common mode of resting, and perhaps sleeping, 
as, in all those which I examined, the plumage on the 
upper ridge of the neck and upper part of the back, was 
evidently worn by this habit. The same is equally 
observable on the neck and back of the wood ibis. 
The present species rarely extends its visits north 
of Carolina, and even in that State is only seen for a 
few weeks towards the end of summer. In Florida 
they are common, but seldom remove to any great 
distance from the sea. 
