THE AFRICAN WOOD-IBIS. 
Tantalus ibis. 
Plate XLYI. 
The small group of wading birds to which Linnaeus gave the name of Tantalus is closely allied to the Storks, 
although most writers on Natural History have hitherto associated them with the Ibises. But while many 
species of the latter group are very commonly met with in the Zoological Gardens of Europe, the Wood- 
Ibises (as the Tantali are usually called) are birds of greater rarity, and are seldom seen in a living state in 
our Aviaries 
In the summer of 1865, however, the Zoological Society were fortunate enough to possess living pairs of 
two species of this scarce form, which from their quaint outlines and beautiful plumage, attracted much 
attention. Mr. Wolf has illustrated the various attitudes they assume in this and the next succeeding plate. 
The present species of Wood-Ibis is a native of western tropical Africa. Although many specimens of it 
have reached Europe from the various explorers who have penetrated into different parts of these regions, 
nothing, as far as I am aware, has been recorded concerning its habits. But, we may well presume that they 
do not materially differ from those of its Indian ally, of which we have trustworthy accounts. 
