GLOSSY IBIS. 499 
habits. Nuttall’s article is mainly an account of Ibises in general, devoted principally 
to mention of ancient, and particularly Egyptian, chronicles and superstitions regard- 
ing them. The United States species was first separated under the name of ordit by 
Bonaparte, 1838. 
The eggs of Ibises are very different from those of Herons. The shell is heavier, 
rougher, and more granular, the differenee in texture being very apparent; and are 
ovoidal, not ellipsoidal, with considerable difference in the degree of convexity of the 
two ends. Those of the Glossy Ibis measure from 1.90 by 1.45 to 2.10 by 1.50, and are of 
a dull greenish blue color, without markings. The number usually deposited is believed 
to be three.” 
WAMILY ARDEIDA. THE HERONS. 
Hallux lengthened, perfectly incumbent with large claws. Tarsi scutellate. Middle 
claw pectinate. Bill perfectly straight, tapering, acute. Loral region definitely naked, 
continuous with covering of the bill. Head narrow, elongate, tapering.” 
*Mr. Ridgway in his studies of North American Herodiones adheres to the old division 
of this family and gives the following synopsis of its Ohio members: 
ARDEIDA.—Tuz Troe HERons. 
Sub-family ArpDEINzZ.—Outer toe equal to or decidedly longer than the inner. Claws 
short, generally strongly curved. Three pairs of powder-down tracts. Rectrices 
lengthened, stiffish, twelve in number (except Zebrilus). 
Sob-family BorauRinxZ.—Outer toe decidedly shorter than the inner. Claws long, slen- 
der, slightly curved. Two pairs, only, of powder-down tracts. Rectrices very short, 
soft, only ten in number. 
Sub-family ARDEINZ. 
A.—Rectrices twelve ; tibice with the lower pertion more or less naked. 
a, Pectoral and inguinal pewder-down tracts widely separated. 
§.. Malar region completely feathered (except in Pilheredius, where anterior part isa 
bare). Dill shorter than the tarsus and middle toe (usually shorter than, or 
about equal to, the tarsus). | 
1. AkRDEA,—Size very large. Adult with scapular plumes*elongated, narrowly- 
lanceolate, and with compact webs; in the breeding season, the occiput with 
two long, slender, compact-webbed, pendant plumes. Color mainly plumb- 
eous- or slate-blue (rarely—e g white phase of A. occidentalis—wholly pure 
whits). Culmen shorter than middle too. | 7 
2. HERODIAS.—S8ize large, but amaller than the species of the preceding genus. 
Adult with the scapular plumes greatly elongated, reaching far beyond the 
end of the tail, the shafis thick and rigid, the webs decomposed, hair-like, 
and distinct. Color entirely pure white. 
3. GARzZETTaA.—Size small. Adulé with eccipital, jugular, and scapular plumes, 
the latter reaching to or a little beyond the end of the tail; the shafts 
moderately rigid, and recurved terminally; the webs decomposed, with 
long, hair like, but not distant fibres. Other plumes varying in structure, 
according to the species. Color entirely pure white, 
%, 
