In keeping with this column's well-known avian theme we revisit the description of the white ibis published in The Australian Home Companion and Band of Hope Journal 155 years ago in May, 1860.
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WHITE IBIS.
Threskiornis Strictipennis - Gould
THIS very beautiful bird frequents the wet hollows of flat country, the banks of rivers, lagoons etc, wading knee deep among the rushes and green herbage, in search of frogs, newts, and insects, upon which it feeds; when satiated it flies to the bare branches of the large gum trees bordering the feeding place, and is so watchful that it cannot be approached within gun shot without extreme caution.
It is seldom seen in inhabited parts of Australia; but in 1839 after the severe drought, it visited the Liverpool Plains in great numbers.
The natives of the places where it is seen, state that sometimes several seasons will pass, and one visit its haunts.
Is therefore conjectured that it retires into some unknown part of the interior.
Head and upper part of the neck, bare, and, with the bill, a deep slaty black; back of the head and neck crossed by 10 narrow and distinct bands of rose pink, and on the crown of the head a series of oval spots arranged in the form of a star, of the same colour; the whole of the body and wings white, tinged with deep bluish green-thighs and knees deep purple; feet bright purple; irises, dark brown.
There is another Ibis (which we shall give in our next), but the white ibis is readily distinguished from it, and also from its near ally, the ibis of the Nile, by the plumes which hang down from the front of the neck, and from which its specific appellation is taken.
G. E. M.
