GLOSSY IBIS. 
35 
Europe. In South America are found several beautiful species. 
The true Ibises may be subdivided into two secondary groups ; 
those with the tarsi reticulated, and those which like the present 
species have them scutellated. The former have shorter feet, and 
by their stouter bill, and the more extended nudity of the face, 
approach nearest to the Tantali. Temminck wishes to divide 
them into the sections Sylvams and Riverains. Dr. Wagler distri¬ 
butes them into three sections, which he calls Ibides lepopodise , 
Ibides aspido-lepopodiae, and Ibides aspidopodiae ! this last section being 
formed for our species alone, principally on account of its having 
the middle toe-nail pectinated. 
In the Ibises, as in their kindred Tantali , the females are 
considerably smaller than the males, but perfectly like them in 
colours. The young differ greatly from the adults until the third 
year. Their moult is annual and regular. 
They are dull and stupid birds, fearless and allowing of a very 
close approach, so that they are easily shot. They frequent 
inundated places, the shores of lakes and rivers, and particularly 
grounds just left bare by floods, where their favourite food 
abounds. They live in flocks, but when once paired the sexes 
remain united for life. They feed on insects, worms, mollusca, 
and the Ibises also on vegetable substances : they search their 
food in mud, and often throw it up with their bill, catching it as 
it descends in their throat. Shells, even of considerable size, 
they swallow entire, trusting to the muscular power of their 
stomach to crush them, for which their bill is too weak. The 
’ Tantali are also well known to use their powerful bills against 
fishes and reptiles, but the true Ibis never, notwithstanding the 
popular belief to the contrary. When satisfied with feeding, 
they retire for digestion to the highest trees, where they stand in 
an erect posture, resting their heavy bill upon their breast. The 
Ibides more than the Tantali migrate periodically and to vast 
