the Jabiru, in ornithology; a genus of birds belonging to the order of grallae. The bill is long, bending upwards, and acute; the nostrils are small and linear; there is no tongue; and the feet have four toes. There are two species: 1. The Americana, or American jabiru, is about the size of a turkey. The bill is long, stout, and of a black color; the whole plumage is white, except the head, and about two-thirds of the neck, which are bare of feathers and of a blackish color; the remainder is also bare, and of a fine red; on the head and neck are a few greyish feathers; the legs are strong, of a great length, Mygdonia covered with black scales; wings and tail even at the end. This bird is found in all the savannas of Cayenne, Guiana, and other parts of South America. It is migratory and gregarious. It makes its nest in great trees, which grow on the borders; lays two eggs, and brings up the young in the nest till they can descend to the ground. The colour of the young birds is grey; the second year it changes to rose-colour, and the third to pure white. They are very wild and voracious, and their food is fish, which they devour in great quantities. The flesh of the young birds is said to be good eating, but that of the old is hard and oily.

2. The Asiatica, or Indian jabiru, is of a large size. The bill is dusky, almost straight above, and gibbous near the fore-head; the under mandible swelled beneath, and from the base of the bill there passes through and beyond the eye a black streak. The general colour of the plumage is white; the lower half of the back, the prime quills, and the tail, are black; the legs a pale red. This species inhabits the East Indies, and feeds on snails.