. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. Fig. 120.—Sternum of Glossy Ibis. the latter, is much more feeble, and devoid of emargination at the tip ; besides which the nostrils, pierced towards the back and base, are prolonged in a groove which reaches to the end. This beak is also tolerably thick, and nearly square at the base, and some parts of the head or even of the neck are always bare of feathers. The external toes are considerably palmated at base, and the thumb suffi- ciently long to bear upon the ground. [The gradation is, in fact, quite imperceptible
. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. Fig. 120.—Sternum of Glossy Ibis. the latter, is much more feeble, and devoid of emargination at the tip ; besides which the nostrils, pierced towards the back and base, are prolonged in a groove which reaches to the end. This beak is also tolerably thick, and nearly square at the base, and some parts of the head or even of the neck are always bare of feathers. The external toes are considerably palmated at base, and the thumb suffi- ciently long to bear upon the ground. [The gradation is, in fact, quite imperceptible from these to the Tantals, and the anatomy and character of the plumage concur to show that both natu- rally pertain to the preceding division of Cul- trirostres : we believe the Ibises also build in society upon trees ; and there is certainly no trace of a passage from them into the Scolo- paceous birds.] Some of them have short i ^ and reticulated legs ; and these are also more I ^ robust, and have a tliicker bill. The Sacred Ibis (7. religiosa, Nobis; Abou Hannès, Bruce ; Tantalus éthiopiens, Latham), is the most celebrated species. It was reared in the temples of ancient Egj-pt, with a degree of respect bordering on adoration ; and was embalmed after its death. This arose, according to some, from its devouring serpents, which would otherwise have multiplied to a noxious extent in the country ; while others are of opinion that it took its origin from some rela- tion between its plumage and one of the phases of the moon ; a third class ascribing it to the fact that its appear- ance annoimced the overflow of the Nile. For a long while, the African Tantal was believed to be the Ibis of the Egj'ptians, which is now ascertained to be a species of the division we are now treating of, the size of a Fowl, with white plumage, excepting the tips of the quill-feathers, which are black ; the greater coverts [tertiaries] having elongated, slender, and loose barbs, of a black colour
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookpublishe, booksubjectanimals
