The glossy ibis (Falcinellus igneus), which is an occasional visitant to the 
British Islands, represents a third genus, differing from the last by the still greater 
length of the beak, by the elongated metatarsus being covered in front with large 
scales instead of hexagonal scales, and the longer toes. In the wings the second 
and third quills are the longest, and the face alone is naked. This ibis is a dark- 
coloured bird, the prevailing tints of the plumage being various shades of reddish 
brown, with purplish reflections; and is remarkable for its wide distribution, 
ranging over the greater part of Europe and Asia, and also occurring in North 
America, and rarely in the north of Africa, as well as in Australia. The genus 
also contains other species, and has an almost cosmopolitan distribution. In 
31 8 HERONS, STORES, AND IBISES. 
tinguished from the last by the longer and more slender beak, the shorter toes, 
and the bald part of the head being confined to the crown, as well as by the 
dark hue of the plumage. The Indian species has a triangular patch of red 
warts on the top of the head; the general colour of the upper plumage being- 
dark brown, passing into black, with the wings and tail steel-blue, the quills dusky 
black, and the under-parts blackish brown. An exceedingly common bird in 
India, where it is generally known as the curlew, this ibis is usually found in the 
open country away from water, where it feeds largely on insects. It builds on 
high trees, laying from two to four eggs. 
white spoonbill (i nat. size). 
