I hate to be contrary, but I disagree with both answers. If you take the ibis as a symbol for Doodle, which I believe you should based on thier similar appearance at death, then you must take into account that both the bird and the boy were struggling to survive in an environment that is unnatural and unsuitable for them. Doodle's stuggle is not only trying to cope with the physical demands set upon him by the narrator, but also the emotional demands. He loves his brother dearly and would do anything to please him. It is this love that helps him to walk and meet so many other challenges.
When his brother leaves him behind in the storm, he is devistated. He needs his brother's acceptance to help him belong in the world into which he was born--it is that acceptance that ties him to his "environment." When he thinks his brother has left him, he gives up. Though the story doesn't directly say how he dies, I think he was emotionally too weak to live without his brother's acceptance. While he does sustain some injuries during the storm, which are apparent since he was bleeding from the mouth, I think he could have recovered had his brother come for him. He dies of heart trouble, yes, but not a heart attack. He dies of a broken heart.
I don't really have a source to back up this opinion. It's just my gut reaction to the story. But, generally, my gut is pretty good at figuring things out.
Mrs. SO
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