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The ibis is a bird of a deep-black colour, with legs like a crane;
its beak is strongly hooked, and its size is about that of the
land-rail. This is a description of the black ibis which contends
with the serpents. The commoner sort, for there are two quite
distinct species, has the head and the whole throat bare of feathers;
its general plumage is white, but the head and neck are jet black, as
also are the tips of the wings and the extremity of the tail; in its
beak and legs it resembles the other species. The winged serpent is
shaped like the water-snake. Its wings are not feathered, but
resemble very closely those of the bat. And thus I conclude the
subject of the sacred animals.
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