Fam. IX. The IBIDIDAE, connected with the Storks through _Tantalus_, may be divided into the Sub-families (1) _Ibidinae_ or Ibises, and (2) _Plataleinae_ or Spoonbills. In the former the long bill is weak, nearly cylindrical, and strongly curved; in the latter flattened, narrowed in the middle, and dilated into a terminal spoon, which finally turns downwards. The nasal grooves are remarkably elongated, the skull is somewhat square in _Thaumatibis_ and _Graptocephalus_. The tibia is partly bare, the metatarsus of medium length and often stout, with transverse or hexagonal scales becoming almost reticulated behind, or even in front in _Hagedashia_ and _Carphibis_; the toes are generally long, with short anterior webs and variable claws, that of the third digit being sometimes serrated. The moderate wings have eleven primaries and from fourteen to {100}nineteen secondaries; the tail of twelve rectrices is usually short and even, or slightly rounded, but may be long, as in _Comatibis_, _Geronticus_, _Cercibis_, and _Theristicus_; in the last two of which it is cuneate. The furcula is U-shaped, the tongue rudimentary, the nostrils are pervious, an aftershaft is present, but there are no powder-down patches or syringeal muscles. _Platalea leucorodia_ has the trachea convoluted like a figure of 8 in old birds. Adults and nestlings are uniformly downy, the latter varying from black with a white band over the crown in _Plegadis_ to white in _Platalea_. Sub-fam. 1. _Ibidinae._–Ibises are shy birds, which inhabit not only marshy spots and wooded country, but also the driest of plains and rocky gorges, being found both in pairs and in flocks. The flight is tolerably high and rapid, with extended neck and legs, most species habitually sailing or circling aloft, though _Plegadis_ rises with a whirr and skims along at no great elevation. On the ground the gait is graceful, and swimming is certainly practised at times, nor are perching or roosting on trees or reeds uncommon habits. The usual note is loud and harsh, _Ibis melanocephala_ being said to have a booming call[98] and _Inocotis_ a melancholy scream[99]; the food consists chiefly of aquatic insects, molluscs, crustaceans, and worms; but small fish, lizards, newts, frogs, grasshoppers, and beetles form part of the diet; _Geronticus_, which does not despise carrion, acts as a scavenger. Most Ibises wade in pursuit of prey, whether in fresh or salt water, moving the bill to and fro, and probing the subjacent mud. Some species breed apart, others in colonies; the nest being placed on trees or low bushes, and more rarely among reeds, or, as in _Geronticus_ and _Comatibis_, in holes in cliffs or on ledges. The structure is not remarkably large, and is composed of sticks or stems of plants, with or without a lining of herbage, straw, or roots; the eggs, from two to four in number, being deep green-blue in _Plegadis_, pale blue in _Graptocephalus_, similar or darker in _Inocotis_, olive-green in