twenty-eight inches long (this measurement includes the beak, which is
from seven to eight inches long), and from forty-five to forty-seven
inches across the span of the wings; the wing measures from twelve to
thirteen inches, and the tail from four inches and a half to five inches
and a half. On the upper portions of the body the feathers are brown,
edged with light reddish yellow, those of the lower back are white,
spotted with brown, and those on the under side reddish yellow, shafted
and spotted with brown. The quills are black, spotted and bordered with
white, and the tail-feathers white, striped with brown. The eye is dark
brown; the beak black, with a yellowish grey base to the lower mandible;
and the foot lead-grey. The young have in proportion to their size a
shorter beak than the adult birds, thicker feet, and paler markings on the
under side.
[Illustration: THE SCOOPING AVOCET (_Recurvirostra avocella_).]
[Illustration: THE GREAT CURLEW (_Numenius arquatus_). ONE-QUARTER NATURAL
SIZE.]
The Curlews inhabit both hemispheres, and breed principally in the
northern portions of the globe, appearing regularly in Central Africa and
India during the course of their migrations. According to Von der Muhle,
they are occasionally seen in Greece and Spain throughout the year, but
these are probably young stragglers that have not commenced breeding. In
Great Britain these birds frequent all parts of the coast, feeding at low
water, on worms, insects, and small crustaceans, left by the retiring
tide, and visiting the adjacent fields when those feeding-places are
covered. At the end of March or beginning of April they leave the shore
and seek the higher moorlands to pair and rear their young. The Common
Curlew, according to Jardine, "is entirely an inhabitant of upland moors
and pastures during the breeding season, and in the soft and dewy mornings
of May and June forms an object in their early solitude which adds to
their wildness. At first dawn, when nothing can be seen but rounded hills
of rich and green pasture rising one beyond another, with perhaps an
extensive meadow looking almost boundless through the shadows and mists of
morn, or a long string of sheep marching off at a sleepy pace on their
well-beaten track to some favourite feeding-ground, the shrill tremulous
call of the Curlew to his mate has something in it wild and melancholy,
yet always pleasing in its associations. In such situations do they pair,
making almost no nest, and during the commencement of their amours run
skulkingly among the long grass and rushes, the male rising and sailing
round, or descending with the wings closed above his back, and uttering
his peculiar quavering whistle. The appearance of an intruder requires
more demonstration of his powers, and he approaches near, buffeting and
'whaaping' with all his might. When the young are hatched they remain
near the spot, and are for a long time difficult to raise; a pointer will
stand and road them, and at this time they are tender and well-flavoured;
by autumn they are nearly all dispersed to the sea-coast, and have lost
their clear whistle." In disposition the Curlews are extremely cautious
and shy, and for this reason constantly associate with a variety of other
shore birds, thus making as it were common cause against danger, and
frequently almost driving the sportsman to despair, by the keenness with
which they detect and proclaim his presence, whilst they constantly permit
the near approach of such persons as they have reason to know will not
molest them. The nest of this species is nothing more than a depression
in the moss or grass, slightly lined with similar materials, and contains
four large pear-shaped eggs, with a lustreless, dirty olive-brown shell,
shaded with brown and green, and variously marked with blackish brown.
The parents exhibit much attachment to their young, and probably relieve
each other when brooding. Insects of all kinds, worms, mussels, small
crustaceans and reptiles, fish, and many varieties of vegetable produce,
especially berries, are all consumed by these birds, whilst the young
are reared exclusively on insects. The Common Curlew is readily tamed,
as the following interesting account of a captive will show:--"This
bird," says Montagu, "had been shot in the wing, and was at first so
extremely shy that he was obliged to be crammed with meat for a day or
two, when he began to eat worms; but as this was precarious food, he was
tempted to eat bread-and-milk, like Ruffs. To induce this substitution,
worms were put into a mess of bread mixed with milk, and it was curious
to observe how cautiously he avoided the mixture, by carrying every worm
to the pond and well washing it previously to swallowing. In the course
of a few days this new diet did not appear unpalatable to him, and, from
being poor and emaciated, he got plump and in high health. In the course
of a month or six weeks this bird became excessively tame, and would
follow a person across the menagerie for a bit of bread or a small fish,
of which he was remarkably fond. But he became almost omnivorous--fish,
water lizards, small frogs, insects of every kind that were not too large
to swallow; and, in default of other food, barley with the ducks was not
rejected. This very great favourite was at last killed by a rat, as it was
suspected, after a short life of two years in confinement, but he had in
that time fully satisfied our inquiries into his natural habits."
* * * * *
The HARD-BILLED WADERS (_Herodiæ_) are recognisable by their more or
less powerful and slender body, which is very thin at its sides; their
long neck, small head, and strong, thick, high, and long beak, the upper
surface of which is partially overspread with a horny coat; occasionally
the bill is broad at its extremity. The high long legs are bare and
four-toed. The anterior toes being usually partially webbed, and always
furnished with powerful claws; the long wings are rounded, and the short
tail composed of small feathers. The plumage is close and compact; in some
species the bridles, face, or neck are bare. The members of this group
usually occupy marshy ground, or shallow pieces of water, and subsist
upon crabs, various water grubs, and molluscs. The nests are placed upon
trees or other raised situations. The eggs are white or blueish green, and
occasionally decorated with faint spots.
* * * * *
The IBISES (_Ibides_) are comparatively small but powerfully-framed
birds, with a long neck, small head, and a long rounded beak, which
curves downwards in the form of a sickle, has the margins blunt, and
the upper mandible grooved to the tip; the long thin legs are furnished
with moderate-sized toes, of which those placed in front are connected
by a short skin, and furnished with narrow, pointed claws, the centre
one of which is denticulated. In the long, broad, rounded wings, the
second quill exceeds the rest in length; the short broad tail is formed
of twelve feathers, and is either rounded or incised at its extremity.
The plumage is thick and compact. Some of the smaller species resemble
the Curlews in their general formation, but differ from them in colour,
and are entirely without markings on their feathers. Other species are
distinguishable by the bareness of the face and throat, the prolongation
of the nape-feathers, and other peculiarities. The sexes are almost alike,
but vary their plumage somewhat at different seasons; the young do not
resemble the adult birds.
The Ibises occupy the warmer portions of the globe, only a few species
appearing in temperate latitudes at certain seasons; they usually
frequent the banks of rivers, lakes, and swampy localities, in flocks
which wade knee-deep in search of the frogs, water lizards, snails, and
water insects, that afford them the principal means of subsistence. Some
species, on the contrary, resort to plains and open dry tracts in search
of worms and insects of various kinds; while others take their stand upon
the decaying trunks of trees as they float down the streams, in order
to watch for the approach of fish, which they at once pounce upon and
readily seize by means of their long beaks. The calls of hunger appeased,
these birds generally resort to the most elevated and exposed branches of
neighbouring trees, where they stand in an erect posture, resting their
heavy mandibles upon their breast. In such situations they are extremely
cautious and vigilant. Their flight is principally performed in sweeps
high up in the air, but when migrating at change of season, or wandering
as they often do in search of food, they usually arrange themselves in
two lines, diverging from a leader. All the various species are social
in their habits, and live in company with many varieties of shore birds.
Even during the period of incubation the same disposition is manifest, the
flocks keep together, not only in their winter quarters, but throughout
the breeding season; some few species, however, are exceptions to this
rule, and separate in pairs whilst rearing their young. The nests are
usually placed upon trees growing in the water or on marshy ground, and
are formed of twigs, fibres, blades of grass, and similar materials; it is
not uncommon, however, for the breeding pair to avoid all labour by taking
possession of an empty nest. The eggs are from three to six in number, and
have the shell of uniform hue. It is uncertain whether both parents assist
in the task of incubation; they both, however, testify great anxiety for
their offspring, and tend them even long after they have joined the rest
of the flock. The young birds attain their full strength but slowly, and
do not undertake the cares of a family until they are two and in some
instances three years old.
* * * * *
The FALCINELS (_Falcinellus_) constitute a group of the above birds,
possessing a slender body, moderately long neck, thin, curved, and long
beak, medium-sized foot, and somewhat broad, rounded wings, in which the
second and third quills are the longest; the tail is short, the plumage
thick, and the face bare.
THE GLOSSY IBIS.
The GLOSSY IBIS (_Falcinellus igneus_), a European representative of the
above group, is of a brownish red on the throat, breast, belly, legs, and
upper portions of the wings. The crown of the head is dark brown, shaded
with red; the back, tail, and quills are brown, with a green or violet
sheen. The eye is brown, the bare circles around it greenish grey; the
beak dull dark green, and the foot greenish grey. During the winter the
head and throat are black, and the feathers lower down of a lighter shade,
with white edges; those on the upper part of the body exhibit a mixture of
copper-colour and green; the under side is brownish. This species is from
nineteen to twenty-three inches long, and from thirty-five to thirty-eight
broad; the wing measures from thirteen to fourteen inches, and the tail
three inches and a half.
The Glossy Ibis frequents the whole of Central Europe, a large portion of
Asia, and Northern Africa, and visits the central and western portions of
the latter continent. During its migration, it is met with in India in
large numbers during cold weather, whilst in Egypt it remains throughout
the year. In Central Europe it arrives about the end of April, and leaves
again from August to September. It is reported to have even visited
Great Britain. "The Ibis," says Montagu, "is adopted as part of the
arms of Liverpool, and formerly, if not at present, stood conspicuous
on the Guildhall in golden array. It was termed the 'Liver,' from which
that flourishing town derived its name, and is now standing on the spot
where the 'Pool' was, on the verge of which the Liver was killed."
Aristotle records that the Glossy Ibis, or Liver, was called "Leheras," or
"Jeheras," by the ancient Egyptians.
River-banks, edges of large tanks, djeels, swamps, and inundated
paddy-fields, are the favourite resorts of these birds, affording them a
plentiful supply of the mussels, fish, small reptiles, and similar fare,
for which they wade deep into the water during the winter months; whilst
in summer, on the contrary, they subsist principally upon larvæ, worms,
and insects of various kinds, seizing their prey with great dexterity,
even when upon the wing. They roost at night in beds of large reeds,
and fly in flocks, which move with remarkable regularity, and generally
assume the form of a wedge. The loud call of the Glossy Ibis is often
uttered in flight and when alarmed. It is now fully ascertained that these
birds breed in Europe, and we have to thank Löbenstein for an account of
their nests, as seen by himself in the Donautiefländer. These nests were
situated in a reed-covered marsh, and placed on willow bushes, usually at
eight or ten feet from the ground. In many instances the nests, which were
somewhat numerous, proved to be those of other birds, repaired and lined
with straw for the reception of the young. The three or four oval-shaped
eggs were about the size of those of the Domestic Hen, and had a thick,
blueish green, or pale green, shell. The flesh of the Glossy Ibis is
excellent.
THE SCARLET IBIS.
The SCARLET IBIS (_Ibis rubra_) resembles the species last described
in most respects, with some slight difference in the construction of
the wings and tail; in the former the third quill is larger than the
rest: the face is bare. In the adult bird the plumage is of a uniform
bright scarlet, only varied by the blackish brown on the outer web and
tips of the quills; the eye is yellow; the beak brown at its extremity,
with a flesh-red base; the bare broad bridles and the throat are of the
latter colour; and the foot of a somewhat lighter shade. The length is
twenty-four inches; the wing measures ten and the tail three inches. In
the young the plumage on the back is pale brown, the under side of a
whitish hue, and the beak yellowish; the bare face and legs are flesh-red.
After the moulting, these colours are paler and greyer; and after the
second moulting are exchanged for a pale rose-red, which, at each
succeeding change becomes deeper, till it attains the magnificent scarlet
of the adult bird. Central America and the northern portions of South
America as far as the Amazon are the native haunts of this fine species,
and from thence it wanders forth occasionally into the most southern of
the United States. Edwards gives the following interesting account of a
flock of these beautiful birds that he met with in a cane-brake near the
forests bordering the river Amazon:--"In this part the Scarlet Ibis had
nested, and the bended tops of the canes were covered with half-grown
birds in their black plumage, interspersed with many in the brilliant
scarlet plumage of the adult. They seemed little troubled at our approach,
merely flying a few steps forward, and crossing the stream. Continuing our
road, the flocks increased in size, the red birds became more frequent,
and the canes bent over with their weight like reeds. Wood Ibises and
Spoonbills were likewise numerous. The nests of all these filled every bit
of ground where a nest could be placed; and the younger Ibises, covered
with down, and standing like so many Storks, their heavy bills resting
upon their breasts, and uttering no cry, were in strong contrast to the
well-feathered Spoonbills, beautiful in their slightly roseate dress,
and noisily loquacious. Their mode of feeding their young is remarkable.
In the throat of the old female Ibis, directly at the base of the lower
mandible, is a dilatation of skin forming a pouch, which is capable of
holding the bulk of a small Hen's egg. She would return from fishing on
the shallows with this pouch distended by tiny fishes, and allowed her
young to pick them out with their bills."
The flight of this Ibis is lofty and strong, and it utters a loud and
peculiar cry as it passes through the air. According to Sagra, this
species breeds in December and January. The eggs, three or four in
number, are laid upon the ground, and have a greenish shell. Schomburghk
states that young and adult birds do not associate with each other, but
unite in distinct bands. The Scarlet Ibis is sometimes domesticated, and
accompanies the poultry, occasionally showing great courage in defending
itself, not only from their attacks, but from those of cats. The flesh is
generally esteemed as good food, and the rich and gaudy plumage is used by
the Brazilians for various kinds of ornamentation.
THE WHITE, EGYPTIAN, OR SACRED IBIS.
[Illustration: THE WHITE OR SACRED IBIS (_Threskiornis religiosa_).
ONE-FIFTH NATURAL SIZE.]
The WHITE, EGYPTIAN, or SACRED IBIS (_Threskiornis religiosa_, or
_Geronticus Æthiopica_), represents a group having the head and neck
bare, and the webs of the shoulder-feathers disunited or open, and
loose at their extremities. The plumage is principally white, with a
yellowish shade on the wings, and blueish black tips to the quills and
shoulder-feathers. The eye is carmine-red, the beak black, and the foot
blackish brown. The bare black skin on the neck is of a velvety texture.
In the young birds the head and throat are covered with dark brown and
blackish feathers edged with white; the rest of the plumage resembles that
of the adult bird. After the first moulting the young attain the streaming
shoulder-feathers, but only exhibit the bare head and neck in their third
year. This species is from twenty-eight to twenty-nine inches long, and
fifty-one broad; the wing measures from thirteen to fourteen, and the tail
six inches. This bird has been the subject of many strange tales from
the most remote times, and is called the Sacred Ibis because it figures
extensively, and evidently in a religious character, on the hieroglyphics
of ancient Egypt. It is not improbable that the estimation in which it
was held arose from the fact that its annual appearance was coincident
with the rising of the Nile, a phenomenon on which depends the prosperity
of the whole country. According to our own observations, this species is
now but rarely seen in Egypt, and was never met with by us below eighteen
degrees north latitude; it, however, occurs regularly in South Nubia and
the Soudan, where it arrives at the beginning of the rainy season, and
after having reared its young, migrates, or wanders over the country to
a considerable distance. In India it is not uncommon during the cold
season. River-banks, marshes, tanks, and water-courses are the situations
it usually frequents in search of aquatic insects, molluscs, and probably
small reptiles, or it flies in small parties over the steppes in search of
grasshoppers, beetles, and similar fare. This Ibis was formerly supposed
to destroy and eat snakes, and the supposition appeared corroborated by
the fact that Cuvier actually discovered the remains of a snake within
the body of a mummied Ibis; recent specimens, however, seldom contain
anything but molluscs and insects. Some seem to feed entirely on fishes
and aquatic insects, of which they destroy far more than they can possibly
consume; and it is not uncommon for them, when tired of killing fish and
fully satiated, to leave the rest to be devoured by birds of prey or some
of the other frequenters of the water. When desirous of procuring food of
this description, they walk with a slow firm step, and in large parties,
through shallow muddy lakes, and when they have discovered a suitable and
well-stored spot, they dance, as it were, all through it, stirring up the
mud at the bottom with their feet. The victims as they rise to the surface
are immediately struck with the long beak and deprived of life. In the
course of a very short time hundreds of fishes, frogs, and reptiles cover
the surface, and are greedily swallowed till the birds become perfectly
gorged. We were fortunate enough to discover a breeding settlement on
a small island in the White Nile, and found that the Ibises had built
principally on the branches of a very thorny and thickly-foliaged species
of mimosa, called by the natives "Harahri." The nests were flat, loosely
constructed of thin twigs and grass, and placed close together on the
densest branches. The three or four white coarse-shelled eggs were of
about the size of those laid by the Domestic Hen.
* * * * *
The SPOONBILLS (_Plataleæ_) constitute a small group of very remarkable
birds, possessing a powerful body, moderate-sized, strong neck, and small
head; the long almost straight beak is flat and spoon-shaped towards its
extremity, its interior is grooved, and the upper mandible hooked and
nail-like at its tip. The strong, medium-sized foot has the three anterior
toes much webbed, and furnished with small blunt claws. The wings are
large and broad, and have the second quill longer than the rest; the tail
is short, rounded, and composed of twelve feathers. The remarkably thick
plumage does not vary either in the sexes or at different seasons, but
changes its hue somewhat as the birds become older. The back of the head
is adorned with a crest, and the upper throat is bare; in some instances a
portion of the crown is also unfeathered. The members of this group occupy
almost every portion of the globe, and resemble each other very closely in
their mode of life and habits.
THE COMMON SPOONBILL.
The COMMON SPOONBILL (_Platalea leucorodia_) has a portion of the throat
bare, and the head adorned with a flowing crest. The plumage of this bird
is entirely pure white, except a yellowish stripe around the crop. The
eye is carmine-red, the beak black tipped with yellow, the foot black,
the eye-ring yellowish green, and the throat greenish yellow. The female
is smaller than her mate; the young are without the yellow patch on the
breast, and have no crest. This species is from thirty to thirty-one
inches long, and fifty-two inches broad; the wing measures seventeen, and
the tail five inches.