\I"bis\, n. [L. ibis, Gr. ?; of Egyptian origin.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Ibis} and several allied genera, of
the family {Ibid[ae]}, inhabiting both the Old World and the
New. Numerous species are known. They are large, wading
birds, having a long, curved beak, and feed largely on
reptiles.
Note: The sacred ibis of the ancient Egyptians ({Ibis
      [AE]thiopica}) has the head and neck black, without
      feathers. The plumage of the body and wings is white,
      except the tertiaries, which are lengthened and form a
      dark purple plume. In ancient times this bird was
      extensively domesticated in Egypt, but it is now seldom
      seen so far north. The glossy ibis ({Plegadis
      autumnalis}), which is widely distributed both in the
      Old World and the New, has the head and neck feathered,
      except between the eyes and bill; the scarlet ibis
      ({Guara rubra}) and the white ibis ({G. alba}) inhabit
      the West Indies and South America, and are rarely found
      in the United States. The wood ibis ({Tantalus
      loculator}) of America belongs to the Stork family
      ({Ciconid[ae]}). See {Wood ibis}.