. The American natural history : a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America . Natural history. BITTERNS AND IBISES 263 The Least Bittern1 is the smallest member of the Heron Order,—a queer little brownish- yellow and black creature, duly mottled, of course, with a sparrow-like bod}', and a wide, flat neck several sizes too large for the body of the bird. On the whole, it is a pretty little creature, associated by habit with the long- billed marsh-wren, the rail, and the red-winged blackbird. THE STORK FAMILY. Ciconiidae. The real Storks are found only in the Old Wo
. The American natural history : a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America . Natural history. BITTERNS AND IBISES 263 The Least Bittern1 is the smallest member of the Heron Order,—a queer little brownish- yellow and black creature, duly mottled, of course, with a sparrow-like bod}', and a wide, flat neck several sizes too large for the body of the bird. On the whole, it is a pretty little creature, associated by habit with the long- billed marsh-wren, the rail, and the red-winged blackbird. THE STORK FAMILY. Ciconiidae. The real Storks are found only in the Old World; but the Wood Ibis2 is a member of the Stork Family, and he looks it. He is a big, burly, bald-headed, good-natured bird, standing 31 inches high. No matter what goes on around him, he is as solemn as an owl. Al- though large enough to do much damage to birds smaller than himself, he associates with herons, ducks, geese, and ibises, of all sizes, without the slightest desire to harm any of them, or even to rule them. In a large bird, capable of much mischief, such perpetual good temper is worthy of note. When this bird is adult and clean, its plumage is pure white, and it is a noteworthy member of any feathered community. Specimens are nearly always procurable in Florida at a reasona- ble price ($S), and there are always several in the New York Zoological Park. This species "breeds in Florida and the Gulf states, after which it wanders north as far as Kansas, In- diana and New ; (F. M. Chapman.) THE IBIS FAMILY Ibididae. In North America this Family contains three species of birds that are heron-like in general form, but are quite differently provided as to their bills. The bill of a true ibis is long, slen- der and curved, much like that of a long-billed curlew, and it is fitted for probing in soft earth, or shallow water. The neck is round, and the head also, instead of being flat-sided like that of a heron. The White Ibis3 is yet found in Florida, and ex
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