The Scarlet Ibis

rank: thick and wild; smelly or overripe

imminent: near; about to happen

iridescent: rainbow-like; displaying a shifting range of colors

blighted: suffering from conditions that destroy or prevent growth

entrails: inner organs; guts

infallibility: inability to make a mistake

doggedness: stubbornness; persistence

reiterated: repeated

precariously: unsteadily; insecurely

evanesced: faded away; disappeared

sullenly: gloomily or resentfully

lingered: slow or reluctant to leave, stayed about

(slang: To hang around)