Hab. South America from Colombia south to Argentina.
Of this Ibis, which ranges from Colombia to the Argentine Republic, a few individuals come as far south as the pampas of Buenos Ayres.
The fore part of the head and throat being unfeathered, suggested to Azara the name of Afeytado, or “shaved,” but about its habits he has nothing to say, nor does he mention its peculiar voice, or, perhaps it would be more correct to say, its want of voice; for it seems quite silent unless one comes near to it and listens very intently, when he will be able to hear little sigh-like puffs of sound as the bird flies away. It seems strange that this member of a loquacious loud-voiced family should be reduced to speak, as it were, in whispers!
On two or three occasions I have seen as many as half a dozen individuals together; at other times I have seen one or two associating with the Glossy Ibis.
Azara’s name “Shaved” Ibis seems well enough in Spanish, just as his “Throat-cut” for a Starling with a scarlet throat does not strike one as at all shocking in that language; but for an English name I fancy that “Whispering Ibis,” from the whisper-like sound the bird emits, would be more suitable, or, at all events, better sounding.
It is possible that two races of this Ibis exist on the South-American continent; for in Brazil and further north it is said to have a loud cry, uttered when taking wing, as in the case of the Glossy Ibis; and one of its native names in the tropics—curri-curri—is said to be an imitation of its usual note.
[331.] AJAJA ROSEA, Reichenb.
(ROSEATE SPOONBILL.)
Platalea ajaja, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 511; Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 145; iid. Nomencl. p. 127; Hudson, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 15 (Buenos Ayres); Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 190 (Buenos Ayres); Gibson, Ibis, 1880, p. 156 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 272 (Entrerios, Bahia Blanca). Ajaja rosea, Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A. i. p. 102.
Description.—Head bare; neck, back, and breast white; tail orange-buff, with the shafts deep pink and inner webs stained with pink; rest of plumage pale rose-pink; lesser wing-coverts and upper and lower tail-coverts intense carmine; neck with a tuft of twisted plumes, light carmine; sides of breast pale creamy buff; bill yellowish grey; head greenish, space round the eye and gular sac orange; feet pale pink: whole length 30·0 inches, wing 15·0, tail 5·0. Female similar. Young with the head completely feathered.