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Show 1877.] MR. D. G. ELLIOT ON THE IBIDIN.E. 481 kept in one genus, or else a number of genera must be recognized ; for there is very great variation among the members of the subfamily in the extent and mode of distribution of the bare skin upon the head, face, and neck, as well as in the shape and presence of the scutella upon the tarsi. Of the twenty-two genera proposed at different periods by successive writers, as given below, I have retained nineteen, which seem to be sufficient to include all the species known to ornithologists at the present day. I commence m y arrangements of these birds with the genus Ibis, formed by Savigny for the sacred Ibis of the ancients (Tantalus cethiopicus, Lath.). This genus contains three species, conspicuous for having the head and neck entirely denuded of feathers. This is succeeded by Thaumatibis, instituted for the extraordinary bird having a body in form and size like a Tantalus, but with the head and feet of an Ibis,-to be followed by Graptoce-phalus, with its single species, having a curiously coloured head and neck, and a skull similar in shape to its gigantic predecessor. There is now a gap, and the genus I place next seems to be as well fitted in here as anywhere ; for, as in all other groups of birds, there are also missing links among the Ibidinse, that we are not able to supply, the species which would have fitted the gap having probably long since become extinct. Carphibis therefore comes here, with its single species, having the head and throat bare, the neck only partially so. Inocotis succeeds, containing the curious bird with the back of the head covered with scarlet papillae ; and this is followed by Comatibis with one species. Geronticus is next, with one species ; after which is Phimosus, also with one species, having top and sides of head and throat nude ; followed by Nipponia, with the bare space like the other, but not continuing onto the throat. All the species thus far have the head mostly denuded of feathers, and form a kind of group by themselves, separated, in a measure, from the other members of the Ibidinse, which have the top of the head covered with feathers. Of this second section, Cercibis is first, with one species, followed by Theristicus, with also only one member ; after which comes Lophotibis, formed for the beautiful bird from Madagascar ; and this is followed by Hagedashia with only one species. W e now reach Bostrychia with its single species, remarkable for the lengthened wattle pendent from the throat; and this is succeeded by Harpiprion with only one member, which is followed by Molybdo-phanes with but a single species. Falcinellus comes next, with four species, the largest number that any of the genera contain, succeeded by Lampribis with its single species, distinguished from the members of the previous genus by the bare skin including and extending; considerably behind the eye, and reaching all round the base of the bill, and from the next genus by having a feathered throat. The last is Eudocimus with two species, the well-known white and red Ibis. GENERA. Many genera have been proposed for the different species contained in this paper, more, perhaps, than are strictly required. Some PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1877, No. XXXI. 31 |