42 
GLOSSY IBIS, 
the Islands of Java and the Celebes; is periodically known during 
seven months in Egypt, coming in October and disappearing in 
March: it is later in coming, and disappears after, and in quite a 
different direction from the white sacred kind : like this they 
follow the overflowing of the Nile, retiring gradually as the 
water becomes too deep. It is very common about the Black, 
and especially the Caspian Seas, the great rendezvous and breed¬ 
ing place of Waders, where appears to be their chief quarters, 
and whence they spread into Siberia and Tartary. Great numbers 
are also met with in the Ural Desert. The Arabs in Egypt kill 
the Glossy Ibis by shooting them, and catch many in nets, so 
that in autumn the markets of the cities of Lower Egypt, that of 
Damietta especially, are abundantly furnished with Ibises of this 
species, as well as the AYhite, now no longer sacred, which are 
exposed for sale with the heads cut off. When taken alive, these 
birds appear really very low spirited, and reject food: they stand 
upright, the body horizontal, the neck much bent, the head 
inclined, moving it from right to left, advancing or withdrawing 
it, and striking the ground with the point of their bill. They 
often stand on one leg like the Stork: are by no means shy, and 
will open their bill to defend themselves if you stretch out your 
hand, but their bite is scarcely felt. 
It should be mentioned that although this is the Black Ibis of 
antiquity, it is by no means that of systematical writers, which 
they describe as really black, with a red bill and feet. Such a 
species is very seldom if ever seen in Egypt. 
