The Storks constitute a small but well-defined family of the Order Herodiones, allied to the Ardeidæ, but distinguished by the elevated hallux, their non-pectinated middle claw, and the absence of powder-down patches in the plumage. They are divisible into two sub-families—the true Storks, and the Wood-Ibises (Tantalinæ). Two of the former group and one of the latter occur within our limits, and two of these three species range throughout tropical America up to the Southern United States.
[324.] MYCTERIA AMERICANA, Linn.
(THE JABIRU.)
Mycteria americana, Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A. i. p. 79; Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 126; Berl. J. f. O. 1887, p. 32 (Paraguay).
Description.—Plumage white; bill, naked head, and neck and feet black; naked crop in life red: whole length 54·0 inches, wing 26·0, tail 9·5, tarsus 11·5. Female similar.
Hab. Texas and Central and South America to La Plata.
This is a majestic bird, the largest of the American Storks; it stands five feet high, and the wings have a spread of nearly eight feet. The entire plumage is pure white, the head and six inches of the neck covered with a naked black skin; from the black part extend two scarlet bands, the skin being glossy and exceedingly loose, and run narrowing down to the chest. When the bird is wounded or enraged, this loose red skin is said to swell out like a bladder, changing to an intensely fiery scarlet hue. The name “Jabiru” is doubtless due to this circumstance, for Azara (who gives the Guarani name of the Stork as Aiaiai) says that the Indian word Yabirú signifies blown out with wind.
The Jabiru is but rarely found near Buenos Ayres, but occurs more frequently in Misiones, and in other districts on the northern frontiers of the Republic. It nests on high trees, as has been recorded by Brown[4], and is said to lay “blue-green” eggs.
[4] Canoe and Camp-Life in British Guiana, p. 272.