450 Note on the Breeding of the Sacred Ibis. 
in captivity, and of wHcli examples are to be seen in most of 
tbe larger zoological gardens of Europe. In tbe Regent^s 
Park our Sacred Ibises pass tbe winter in tbe Western 
Aviary along with individuals of tbe allied species, Ibis 
bernieri, I. strictipennis , and I. melanocephala, and other 
members of tbe group. In tbe summer tbe flock of Ibises 
is turned out onto wbat is called tbe Waterfowls^ Lawn,^^ 
where they pass their time happily enough, stalking about 
on tbe green sward, and wading into the adjoining pond. 
In 1876 two individuals of tbe Sacred Ibis on the lawn 
were observed to be pairing, and, having been supplied with 
small sticks, made a loose flat nest in a low bush, about two 
feet from the ground, on the opposite side of the pond from 
the walk. Two eggs were laid, but, it is believed, rolled out 
of the nest, and came to nothing. 
In 1877 the attached pair renewed their efforts, and were 
more successful. Two eggs were laid on a flat nest, in nearly 
the same situation, about the middle of June. One of them 
was hatched on July 6th, after about twenty-one days^ incu¬ 
bation ; the other was addled. The young bird grew quickly, 
and in less than a month was of nearly the same size as its 
parents. As will be seen by Mr. SmiPs sketch (PL XII.), 
it was immediately distinguishable from them by the nearly 
straight and shorter bill, by the head and neck being 
covered by short black feathers, and the absence of all the 
ornamental plumes. This bird is still living in the Gardens 
(August 1878), and has nearly attained the plumage of ma¬ 
turity, although there still remain some short black feathers 
on the head and neck. 
In 1878 a pair of Sacred Ibises (it is believed the same 
pair) have renewed their attempts to breed. One egg was 
dropped before the birds were turned out on the grass-plot, 
about April 22nd. One other was laid in the nest, after it 
* As already noted (Ibis, 1878, p. 112), it is not difficult for the most 
unlearned observer to distinguish this eastern representative of the Sacred 
Ibis, when alive, from its allied form, although Mr. Elliot (P. Z. S. 1877, 
p. 487), not having succeeded in realizing the differences in dead specimens, 
has united the two species. 
