The large eggs, which are of uniform hue and few in number, are hatched by the female alone; the male, however, is much attached to his young, and tends his mate with exemplary care. [Illustration: THE HAMMER-HEAD, OR SHADOW-BIRD (_Scopus umbretta_). ONE-FIFTH NATURAL SIZE.] * * * * * The TANTALI (_Tantalus_) have a powerful beak, moderate-sized strong neck, and rather large head. The beak resembles that of the True Stork, but is thicker at its base, has its tip slightly hooked, and the margins turned roundly inwards. The tarsi are high and powerful, and the long toes broadly webbed; in the long broad wings the second quill exceeds the rest in length; the tail is short, and the plumage thick, soft, and beautifully coloured. The sexes differ in size, and the young do not resemble the adult bird. These birds are usually classed with the Ibises, but in our opinion their proper place is among the Storks. THE IBIS-LIKE TANTALUS. The IBIS-LIKE TANTALUS (_Tantalus ibis_) is a most beautiful bird, with white plumage marked with deep rose-red on the wing-covers, and shaded with rose-red on the back; the quills and tail-feathers are of glossy greenish black. The eye is yellowish white, the beak of a waxy yellow, the foot pale red, and the bare face cinnabar-red. The young are attired in a garb of yellowish grey, with throat and mantle of a darker hue. The size of this striking bird varies from thirty-four to forty inches, and its breadth from sixty-two to sixty-seven inches; the wing measures eighteen, and the tail six inches. [Illustration: THE IBIS-LIKE TANTALUS (_Tantalus ibis_).]