1 MANUALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. ORNITHOLOGY. BRITISH BIRDS. ql r • liMii' . m ■ MANUAL I? Ho " fh 1 " %teo 5 BRITISH ORNITHOLOGY: , BEING A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE l BIRDS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, INCLUDING THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS OF THE SPECIES, GENERA, FAMILIES, AND ORDERS. BY WILLIAM MACGILLIVBAY, A.M., M.W.S., &c. PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE MARISCHAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN, AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF BRITISH BIRDS, MANUALS OF GEOLOGY, BOTANY, &C, 1842. PRINTED BY NEILL AND COMPANY, EDINBURGH. TO WILLIAM YABRELL, Esq.? IN TESTIMONY OF ADMIRATION OF HIS TALENTS AS A NATURALIST, AND OF GRATITUDE FOR BENEFIT DERIVED FROM THE STUDY OF HIS WORKS ON BRITISH ANIMALS, WILLIAM MACGILLIYEAY, TABLE OF CONTENTS OR SYSTEMATIC INDEX. INTRODUCTION, ORDER XIII. CURSITRICES. RUNNERS, FAMILY XXXII. GRUINtE. GRUINE BIRDS, OR CRANES, Genus LXXXIY. Grus. Crane, 161. Grus cinerea. Grey Crane, ..... FAMILY XXXIII. OTIN^E. OTINE BIRDS, OR BUS- TARDS, Genus LXXXY. Otis. Bustard, . 162. Otis Tarda. Great Bustard, 163. Otis Tetrax. Little Bustard, ..... Genus LXXXVI. Cursorius. Courser, .... 164. Cursorius isabellinus. Cream-coloured Courser, Genus LXXXYII. Glareola. Pratincole, 165. Glareola torquata. Collared Pratincole, . FAMILY XXXIV. PLUVIALIN^E. PLUVIALINE BIRDS, OR PLOVERS, .... Genus LXXXYIII. CEdicnemus. Thick-knee, 166. CEdicnemus crepitans. Stone Thick-knee, Genus LXXXIX. Pluvialis. Plover, .... 167. Pluvialis Squatarola. Grey Plover, 168. Pluvialis aurea. Golden Plover, 169. Pluvialis Morinellus. Dotterel Plover, Genus XC. Charadrius. Sand-Plover, .... 170. Charadrius Hiaticula. Ringed Sand-Plover, 171. Charadrius Cantianus. Kentish Sand-Plover, . 172. Charadrius minor. Little Ringed Sand-Plover, Page 1 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 53 8 SYSTEMATIC INDEX Page Genus XCI. Vanellus. Lapwing, ..... 54 173. Vanellus cristatus. Green Crested Lapwing, . . 55 Genus XCII. Strepsilas. Turnstone, .... 56 174. Strepsilas Interpres. Collared Turnstone, . . 57 Genus XCIII. Ostralegus. Oyster-catcher, . . 58 175. Ostralegus Hsematopus. Pied Oyster-catcher, . . 59 ORDER XIV, TENTATRICES. PROBERS. 61 FAMILY XXXV. TRINGXNAE. TRINGXNE BIRDS, OR SANDPIPERS, .... 63 Genus XCIY. Calidris. Sanderling, .... 64 176. Calidris arenaria. Grey Sanderling, .... 65 Genus XCY. Tringa. Sandpiper, 66 177. Tringa Canutus. Ash-coloured Sandpiper, . . 67 178. Tringa mar itima. Purple Sandpiper, ... 67 179. Tringa rufescens. Buff-breasted Sandpiper, . . 68 180. Tringa pectoralis. Pectoral Sandpiper, ... 69 181. Tringa Cinclus. Dunlin Sandpiper, . . . 70 182. Tringa subarquata. Curlew-billed Sandpiper, . . 71 183. Tringa Schinzii. Schinz’s Sandpiper, ... 72 184. Tringa platyrhyncha. Elat-billed Sandpiper, . . 72 185. Tringa minuta. Little Sandpiper, .... 73 186. Tringa Temminckii. Temminck’s Sandpiper, . . 73 Genus XCYI. Machetes. Ruff, ..... 74 187. Machetes pugnax. Ruff, . . . . . . 75 Genus XCYII. Numenius. Curlew, ..... 76 188. Numenius Arquata. Great Curlew, . . . . 77 189. Numenius Phseopus. Whimbrel Curlew, ... 78 Genus XCYIII. Limosa. Godwit, 79 190. Limosa rufa. Barred-tailed Godwit, ... 80 191. Limosa melanura. Black -tailed Godwit, ... 81 Genus XCIX. Phalaropus. Phalarope, .... 81 192. Phalaropus lobatus. Grey Phalarope, ... 82 Genus C. Lobipes. Lobefoot, 83 193. Lobipes hyperboreus. Hyperborean Lobefoot, . . 84 FAMILY XXXYI. TO TAXING. TOTANINE BIRDS, OR TATTLERS, .... 85 Genus Cl. Recuryirostra. Avoset, .... 86 194. Recurvirostra Avoeetta. Black-and-white Avoset, . 87 Genus CII. Himantopus. Stilt-shank, .... 88 195. Plimantopus melanopterus. Black-winged Stilt -shank, 89 Genus CIII. Glottis. Longshank, 90 196. Glottis Chloropus. Green-legged Long-shank, . . 91 Genus CIY. Totanus. Tattler, 92 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 9 Page 197. Totanus fuscus. Dusky Redshank Tattler, . . 93 198. Totanus Calidris. Grey Redshank Tattler, . . 93 199. Totanus ochropus. Green Tattler, .... 94 200. Totanus Glareola. Wood Tattler, .... 95 Genus CY. Actitis. Weet-weet, 95 201. Actitis Hypoleucos. White -breasted Weet-weet, . 96 202. Actitis macularia. Spotted Weet-weet, ... 97 FAMILY XXXVIX. SCOLOPACIN^. SCOLOPACINE BIRDS, OR SNIPES, . . - . . 98 Genus CYI. Maceorhamphus. Long-beak, ... 99 203. Macrorhamphus griseus. Grey Long -beak, . . ICO Genus CVII. Scolopax. Snipe, 101 204. Scolopax solitaria. Solitary Snipe, .... 102 205. Scolopax Sabini. Sabine’s Snipe, . . . 102 206. Scolopax Gallinago. Bleater Snipe, . . . 103 207. Scolopax Gallinula. Jud Snipe, .... 104 Genus CYIII. Rusticola. Woodcock 104 208. Rusticola sylvestris. Woodcock, .... 105 ORDER XV. LATITRICES. SKULKERS, 107 FAMILY XXXYIII. GALLINULINiE. GALLINULINE BIRDS, OR GALLINULES, ... 108 Genus CIX. Rallus. Rail. 110 209. Rallus aquaticus. Water Rail, . Ill Genus CX. Crex. Crake, ....... Ill 210. Crex pratensis. Corn Crake, ..... 113 211. Crex Porzana. Spotted Crake, .... 114 212. Crex Baillonii. Baillon’s Crake, .... 114 213. Crex pusilla. Little Crake, ..... 115 Genus CXI. Gallinula. Gallinule, .... 115 214. Gallinula Chloropus. Green-footed Gallinule, . . 117 Genus CXII. Fulica. Coot, 117 215. Fulica atra. Black Coot, ..... 118 ORDER XYI. AUCUPATRICES. STALKERS, i20 FAMILY XXXIX. ARDEIN2E. ARDEINE BIRDS, OR HERONS, 120 Genus CXIII. Botaurus. Bittern, 122 216. Botaurus stellaris. European Bittern, . . . 123 217. Botaurus lentiginosus. Freckled Bittern, . . 124 218. Botaurus minutus. Little Bittern, .... 124 219. Botaurus comatus. Squacco Bittern, . . . 125 Genus CXIY. Nycterodius. Night-Heron, . . . 126 220. Nycterodius Nycticorax. Grey Night- Heron, . . 127 Genus CXY. Ardea. Heron, 127 10 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. Page 221. Ardea cinerea. Grey Heron, ..... 128 222. Ardea purpurea. Purple Heron, .... 129 Genus CXVI. Erodius. Egret, 130 223. Erodius Yictorise. Queen Victoria’s Egret, . . 131 224. Erodius albus. European White Egret, . . . 134 225. Erodius Garzetta. Curl plumed White Egret, . . 135 226. Erodius russatus. Buff-hacked Egret, . . . 135 Genus CXVII. Ciconia. Stork, ..... 136 227. Ciconia alba. White Stork, ..... 137 228. Ciconia nigra. Black Stork, . . . . .137 FAMILY XL. IBIDIN^E. IBIDINE BIRDS, OR IBISES. 138 Genus CXVIII. Ibis. Ibis, 139 229. Ibis Falcinellus. Glossy Ibis, ..... 140 Genus CXIX. Platalea. Spoonbill, .... 141 230. Platalea Leucorodia. White Spoonbill, . . . 142 ORDER XVII. CRIBRATRICES. SIFTERS, 143 FAMILY XLI. ANSERINJE. ANSERINE BIRDS, OR GEESE, 144 Genus CXX. Anser. Goose, 146 231. Anser palustris. Thick-billed Grey Goose, . . 147 232. Anser segetum. Narrow-billed Grey Goose, . . 147 233. Anser brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Grey Goose, . 148 234. Anser albifrons. White-fronted Goose, . . . 149 Genus CXXI. Bernicla. Bernacle-Goose, . . 149 235. Bernicla leucopsis. White-faced Bernacle-Goose, . 150 236. Bernicla melanopsis. Black-faced Bernacle-Goose, . 151 237. Bernicla ruficollis. Red-necked Bernicle Goose, . 152 Genus CXXII. Chenalopex. Fox-Goose, . . . 152 238. Chenalopex iEgyptiacus. Egyptian Fox-Goose, . 153 Genus CXXIII. Cygnus. Swan, ..... 154 239. Cygnus immutabilis. Changeless Swan, . . . 156 240. Cygnus musicus. Whooping Swan, .... 156 241. Cygnus americanus. American Swan, . . . 157 242. Cygnus Bewickii. Bewick’s Swan, .... 159 FAMILY XLII. ANATINiE. ANATINE BIRDS, OR DUCKS, ..... 160 Genus CXXIY. Tadorna. Shielduck, .... 161 243. Tadorna Vulpanser. Burrow Shielduck, . . . 162 244. Tadorna Casarca. Ruddy Shielduck, . . . 163 Genus CXXY. Anas. Duck, 164 245. Anas Boschas. Mallard Duck, ..... 165 Genus CXXVI. Querquedula. Teal, .... 166 246. Querquedula Crecca. European Teal, . . . 167 247. Querquedula Circia. Garganey Teal, . . . 168 SYSTEMATIC INDEX- 11 Page 248. Querquedula glocitans. Bimaculated Teal, . . 168 249. Querquedula strepera. Gadwall Teal, . . . 169 250. Querquedula caudacuta. Pintail Teal, . . . 170 Genus CXXYII. Rhynchaspis. Shovel-bill, . . 171 251. Rhynchaspis clypeata. Blue- winged Shovel-bill, . 172 Genus CXXVIII. Mareca. Wigeon, .... 173 252. Mareca Penelope. European Wigeon, . , .174 FAMILY XLIII. FULXGULINiE. FULIGULINE BIRDS, OR SCAUP-DUCKS, .... 175 Genus CXXIX. Somateria. Eider-Duck, . . . 176 253. Somateria mollissima. White-backed Eider-Duck, . 177 254. Somateria spectabilis. Black -backed Eider-Duck, . 178 Genus CXXX. Oidemia. Scoter, ..... 179 255. Oidemia fusca. Velvet Scoter, ..... 180 256. Oidemia nigra. Black Scoter, . .... 181 257. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter, .... 181 Genus CXXXI. Clangula. Garrot, .... 182 258. Clangula Stelleri. Steller’s Garrot, .... 183 259. Clangula chrysophthalma. Golden-eyed Garrot, . 183 260. Clangula histrionica. Harlequin Garrot, . . . 184 Genus CXXXII. Crymonessa. Ice-Duck, . . . 185 261. Crymonessa glacialis. Long-tailed Ice-Duck, . . 186 Genus CXXXIII. Fuligula. Scaup-Duck, . . . 187 262. Fuligula Marila. Broad-billed Scaup-Duck, . . 188 263. Fuligula cristata. Tufted Scaup-Duck, . . . 189 Genus CXXXIV. Aythya. Pochard, .... 189 264. Aythya rufina. Red-crested Pochard, . . . 191 265. Aythya Ferina. Red-headed Pochard, . . . 191 266. Aythya Nyroca. White-eyed Pochard, . . . 192 FAMILY XLIV. MERGANSERINiE. MERGANSE- RINE BIRDS, OR GOOSANDERS, . . 192 Genus CXXXV. Merganser. Goosander, . . . 194 267. Merganser Castor. Buff-breasted Goosander, . . 194 268. Merganser Serrator. Bay -necked Goosander, . . 195 269. Merganser cucullatus. Hooded Goosander, . . 196 Genus CXXXVI. Mergus. Smew, ..... 197 270. Mergus Albellus. Pied Smew, ..... 197 ORDER XVIII. URINATRICES. DIVERS, 198 FAMILY XLV. PODXCIPXN^E. PODICIPINE BIRDS, OR GREBES AND LOONS, ... 200 Genus CXXXVII. Podiceps. Grebe, .... 201 271. Podiceps cristatus. Crested Grebe, .... 202 272. Podiceps rubricollis. Red-necked Grebe, . . . 203 12 SYSTEMATIC INDEX Page 27 3. Podiceps cornutus. Sclavonian Grebe, . . . 203 274. Podiceps auritus. Eared Grebe, . . . . 204 Genus CXXXYIII. Sylbeocyclus. Dabchick, . . 204 275. Syllbeocyclus europseus. European Dabchick, . 205 j Genus CXXXIX. Colymbus. Loon, 206 276. Colymbus glacialis. Ring-necked Loon, . . . 207 277. Colymbus arcticus. Black-throated Loon, . . 208 278. Colymbus septentrionalis. Red-throated Loon, . 209 FAMILY XLYI. ALCINiE. ALCINE BIRDS, OR AUKS, 210 Genus CXL. Uria. Guillemot, 211 279. Uria Brunnichii. Large-billed Guillemot, . . 212 ! 280. Uria Troile. Foolish Guillemot, .... 212 281. Uria Grylle. White-winged Black Guillemot, . . 213 j Genus CXLI. Mergulus. Rotche, 214 282. Mergulus Alle. Little Rotche, .... 215 , Genus CXLII. Alca. Auk, ...... 215 j 283. Alca Torda. Razor-billed Auk, .... 216 284. Alca impennis. Great Auk, 217 Genus CXLIII. Mormon. Puffin, 217 285. Mormon arcticus. Arctic Puffin, .... 218 FAMILY XL VII. PELE CANINE. PELECANINE BIRDS, OR PELICANS, ... 219 Genus CXLIY. Phalacrocorax. Cormorant, . . 221 286. Phalacrocorax Carbo. Great Cormorant, . . . 222 287. Phalacrocorax Graculus. Green Cormorant, . . 223 Genus CXLY. Sula. Gannet, 224 288. Sulla Bassana. Solan Gannet, .... 225 ORDER XIX. MERSATRICES. PLUNGERS, 226 FAMILY XLYIII. STERNIN^E. STERNINE BIRDS, OR TERNS, 228 Genus CXLYI. Sterna. Tern, . . . . • 229 289. Sterna Caspia. Caspian Tern, ..... 230 290. Sterna Cantiaca. Sandwich Tern, .... 230 291. Sterna Hirundo. Common Tern, .... 231 292. Sterna arctica. Arctic Tern, . . . . . 232 293. Sterna Macdougallii. Roseate Tern, .... 233 294. Sterna nigra. Black-breasted Tern, . . . . 233 295. Sterna minuta. Little Tern, ..... 234 Genus CXLYII. Megalopterus. Noddy, .... 235 296. Megalopterus stolidus. Common Noddy, . . . 236 Genus CXLYIII. Gelochelidon. Gull-Tern, . . 236 297. Gelochelidon palustris. Marsh Gull-Tern, . . 237 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 13 FAMILY L. LARIN JE. LARINE BIRDS, OR GULLS, Genus CXLIX. Gavia. Mew, ...... 298. Gavia Atricilla. Blackish-grey -headed Mew, 299. Gavia ridibunda. Brown-headed Mew, 300. Gavia Sabini. Sabine’s Mew, ..... 301. Gavia minuta. Little Mew, ..... Genus CL. Larus. Gull, 302. Larus marinus. Great Black -backed Gull, 303. Larus flavipes. Yellow-footed Gull, .... 304. Larus argentatus. Silvery Gull, .... 305. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull, .... 306. Larus leucopterus. White-winged Gull, 307. Larus canus. Green-billed Gull, .... Genus CLI. Rissa. Kittiwake, 308. Rissa tridactyla. Kittiwake, ..... Genus CLII. Cetosparactes. Whale-bird, . 309. Cetosparactes eburneus. Ivory Whale-bird, Genus CLIII. Rhodostethia. Rosy-Gull, 310. Rhodostethia Rossi. Ross’s Rosy-Gull, Genus CLIV. Cataractes. Pirate-eird, 311. Cataractes Skua. Brown or Skua Pirate-bird, . 312. Cataractes Pomarinus. Pomarine Pirate-bird, 313. Cataractes parasiticus. Parasitic Pirate-bird, 314. Cataractes Richardsonii. Richardson’s Pirate-bird, FAMILY LI. PROCELLARINiE. PROCELLARINE BIRDS, Genus CLV. Procellaria. Fulmar, .... 315. Procellaria glacialis. Northern Fulmar, . Genus CLYI. Cymotomus. Shearwater, 316. Cymotomus arcticus. Arctic Shearwater, 317. Cymotomus Anglorum. Manks Shearwater, 318. Cymotomus obscurus. Dusky Shearwater, Genus CLYII. Thalassidroma. Petrel, 319. Thalassidroma Bulweri. Bulwer’s Petrel, 320. Thalassidroma Leachi. Leach’s Petrel, 321. Thalassidroma Wilsoni. Wilson’s Petrel, . 322. Thalassidroma pelagica. Storm Petrel, APPENDIX, .......... 323. Sylvia luscinioides, ....... INDEX, ........... Page , 237 239 240 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 247 248 249 250 351 252 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 258 259 260 261 262 262 263 263 264 265 265 266 267 267 269 INTRODUCTION. In the series of Land-Birds, properly so called, the Or- ders and Families have been disposed according to a method in some degree corresponding with the nature of their food, those which are carnivorous being placed first, the insecti- vorous next, and lastly the granivorous and graminivorous. In describing the Water-Birds, strictly so called, or such as are web-footed, one might follow a similar order, placing the piscivorous kinds opposite the carnivorous terrestrial species, those which live chiefly on Crustacea opposite the insectivo- rous, and the graminivorous Geese and Ducks opposite the Pheasants and Grouse. Or the order might be reversed, the gramivorous species being placed first, and the piscivorous last. But, in reality, an arrangement in strict conformity with the nature of the food, would prove very unnatural, in- asmuch as, in many very natural families, species are found which are carnivorous, others insectivorous, and others fru- givorous. Even in the same genus, Corvus, for example, one, the Baven, is carnivorous, another, the Jackdaw, insec- tivorous, and a third, the Rook, insectivorous and occasion- ally frugivorous. Nevertheless, it will be found that, in a certain degree, regimen corresponds with external form and internal organization ; and I have, therefore, in the se- ries of swimming birds, placed the grass-eating birds by themselves, under the name of Cribratrices, although some of them also eat worms and mollusca, or even fishes. The INTRODUCTION. 16 truly piscivorous birds, as the Loons, Auks, and Cormorants, are also placed by themselves, and the series is completed by the Gulls, Terns, Fulmars, and other wandering sea-birds, which feed on fishes chiefly, but also on Crustacea, insects, mollusca, and even birds and mammalia. Between the Terrestrial and Aquatic Birds is placed an extended series, of which some species are closely allied to the one, and some to the other, of these groups. Among these “ Grallatores” or “ Waders,” as they are named by authors, there are, in fact, some which are not at all addict- ed to wading, and others which are almost or entirely as much addicted to swimming as the web-footed birds them- selves ; so that, had they not, in their aspect and organiza- tion, a certain evident connexion, the group might be bro- ken up, and its members allotted to the two groups of Land- Birds and Water-Birds. In truth, the question is not much different from that so much agitated among the geologists, whether it be expedient to keep up a Transition class, be- tween the Primary and Secondary series, or to separate the rocks of that class, referring some to the former, and others ; to the latter. The truth is, there is no real break, no line of demarcation between the Land-Birds and the Waders, or between the latter and the Swimmers. Birds have, however, by many authors, been primarily ar- ranged into two series : Terrestrial and Aquatic. The former may be subdivided into two groups: Yolatorial, or those which obtain their prey by flying, and Gradatorial, or such as procure it while walking. The aquatic series may, in like manner, be divided into two groups : Grallatorial, or long- legged birds, addicted to wading, and Natatorial, or birds that habitually swim. But, as among the Yolatorial birds there may be some that walk occasionally, and among the Gradatorial some that are aquatic, although their affinities shew that they cannot with propriety be elsewhere placed, so among the Waders there are many that seldom, and some that never, enter the water, and among the Natatorial some" INTRODUCTION. 17 that procure their food on the land. Birds, therefore, can- not strictly he arranged according to their manner of walk- ing or flying, any more than according to their food ; hut all these circumstances, and others, taken in connexion with their organization, lead to the formation of orders and fami- lies, which are in themselves more or less natural, that is, contain a series of species obviously connected with each other more than with other species. In this Synopsis of the Birds of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the arrangement proposed is into Orders, Families, Genera, and Species, the characters of the more comprehen- sive divisions alluded to above, are not given ; but as it was found expedient to divide it into two volumes, it was thought best to give the general title of Land-Birds to the Yolato- rial and Gradatorial series, and that of Water-Birds to the Grallatorial and Natatorial. In the Introduction to the first volume, some necessary explanations were given relative to the general structure and form of birds, their different parts, their dermal system, in- cluding the plumage, mandibles, and claws, and their diges- tive organs. On the present occasion it is not requisite to continue the subject farther than to say a few words respect- ing the structure of the intestinal canal, and the trachea, which present very remarkable modifications in the different groups, and of which some afford even specific distinctions. The width of the mouth corresponds with the size of the object to be swallowed; but one cannot always judge of its capability of admitting a large mass by its mere appearance, for a mouth may seem narrow, which is yet capable, by the elasticity of the parts, of being greatly expanded. The tongue generally aids in the prehension and deglutition of the food, and varies according to its nature, but also has evident relation to the form of the cavity in which it is lodged. When the tongue is extremely small, as in Cor- morants and Gannets, it is useless with reference to prehen- sion, and, in such cases, the bird must toss up the object 18 INTRODUCTION. and catcli it in a position favourable for swallowing, unless it may have been at first seized in a suitable manner. The oesophagus has a width proportionate to the objects which pass through it. Thus, in Snipes, which feed on small worms, it is slender ; in Crows, which swallow objects of va- rious sizes, moderately wide ; in Gannets, Guillemots, and Auks, which seize fishes, and are incapable of tearing them in pieces, of extreme width. In birds which usually obtain a large prey, but only at long intervals, or whose supply is precarious, the oesophagus is dilated into a pouch, intended as a reservoir, in which they can stow away a quantity of provision for future use ; as in Vultures and Eagles. Some- times, where the objects obtained are small or moderate, and the time of feeding limited, the oesophagus has no dilatation, but is uniformly wide, and the stomach is also dilated, as in Owls and Goatsuckers. The largest dilatations of the oeso- phagus are in birds which feed on vegetable substances, as seeds, twigs, leaves, stems, and roots, which require to be gradually pounded, and which must be supplied by the re- servoirs to the grinding organ ; as in Pigeons, Grouse, and the like. Generally, the oesophagus merely affords a passage to the food, without acting upon it ; and the crop merely contains and moistens its contents ; but, when the food is of such a form as to be incapable of entering the stomach at once, as in the case of a fish of large size, part of the oesophagus has a solvent action upon it. The glandules placed in the walls of the proventriculus, or lower part of the oesophagus, se- crete exclusively the solvent fluid, as is evident from the fact that food in general undergoes no change until it arrives there, and is always found to be acted upon when mixed with the pro ventricular fluid ; which, however, in the case of fish-eating birds, extends some way upwards into the oeso- phagus. Generally, the width of the proventriculus is not greater than that of the oesophagus ; but in many fish-eating INTRODUCTION. 19 birds, it is much wider, and in some, as the Petrels and Ful- mars, enormously dilated. In most birds, the solution of the food is effected in the stomach, which is membranous, or very thin, in those that feed on flesh or other soft substances easily soluble ; but muscular in those which feed on hard substances, or on such as require mechanical division. When the walls of the sto- mach are very thin, and not capable of pounding, the bird, should it swallow hard or insoluble substances, as bones, hair, feathers, elytra, and the like, must get rid of them by vomiting, as is the case with Hawks, Owls, Goatsuckers, and Cuckoos. In cases where circumstances render it inexpe- dient to get rid of these hard substances, the stomach is muscular, though often small, and apparently intended for no other use than that of pounding such as may have escaped the action of the pro ventricular fluid; as in Petrels and Gulls. Birds which feed on vegetable substances, not easily digestible until pounded into a pulpy mass, have the sto- mach furnished with enormous muscles, and a hard inner coat, on which are two opposite grinding plates, and in them the cavity of the stomach is small, so that a moderate quan- tity only is admitted at a time. Of this kind is the sto- mach in Pheasants, Partridges, Grouse, Geese, and Ducks. This muscular grinding stomach also exists in many birds which feed on animal matters which are enveloped in hard cases, as Crustacea, insects, and the like. This is the case with all running and wading birds, excepting Herons, which feed on fishes and soft reptiles. In most birds, the pylorus allows nothing to pass but the finest pulp, so that no coarse particles are seen in the intes- tine. But in the vegetable-eaters, as the Badrices and the corresponding series of Cribratrices, the whole mass of the food, coarsely pounded, passes into the intestine. Their faeces, accordingly, resemble those of the ruminating mam- malia and pachydermata, which feed on similar substances. When the food is flesh, and therefore nutritious and easily 20 INTRODUCTION. soluble, tbe intestine is short and narrow ; when it consists of fish, it is also often short and slender ; when of various substances, animal and vegetable, it is of moderate length and width ; and when of comparatively innutritious vegetable matter, it is very long and wide. It is in the duodenum, or first fold of the intestine, that digestion is perfected, by the aid of the pancreatic juice ; and a little farther on, that, on being mixed with the bile, the chyle is deposited on the vil- lous surface of the intestine, whence it is absorbed. At the commencement of the rectum, which is analogous to the colon and rectum of the mammalia, are placed two lateral blind-guts, or coeca, which vary extremely in size. They receive their greatest development in Grouse, which feed on comparatively innutritious vegetable matter, and are smallest in the flesh-eating birds, whose food is most nutri- tious. In the Radrices, in some of which the coeca have a capacity as great as that of the intestine, sometimes even greater, the finer particles of the mass of food which have not been sufficiently acted upon in their course, enter the coeca, and are subjected to a second digestion and absorp- tion. This is also the case in the Cribratrices, which feed on similar substances. In most other birds, the coeca are small and secrete a mucous fluid only, but do not admit the food. It is very remarkable, that in Owls, whose food is like that of Hawks, the coeca are large, and act upon the food, while in these birds they are merely rudimentary. The reason may be, that while Hawks prey by day, and can fill not only their stomach but their crop also, so that the assi- milative function requires no special care, — owls, which prey by night and have no crop, require to have their com- paratively scanty food better husbanded, and thus submitted to a more special action. Goatsuckers have the same rela- tion to Swifts. Some birds have no coeca, as Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and Hummingbirds. Others, as Herons, have no organs precisely similar, but are furnished with a single c oe cum, like that of the mammalia, but small. INTRODUCTION. 21 It is remarkable, that many fish- eating birds have an ex- tremely slender and elongated intestine, while others have it moderate in both respects, and in others it is both long and wide. Why these differences should exist, is not Very apparent ; but I have observed, that in all those piscivorous birds which plunge headlong or dart upon their prey, it is very slender. Even among the Falconinsc, the species which feed on fishes, as the Osprey and Sea-Eagle, have the intestine thus modified. The vocal and respiratory organs, being alluded to in the ordinal characters, may be now briefly noticed. In all birds, the trachea , or windpipe, is composed of a series of complete cartilaginous or bony rings, constituting a flexible tube, ca- pable of being shortened or elongated by the action of two lateral muscles, and the peculiar manner in which the rings are made alternately to overlap each other. The upper aperture of this tube forms a longitudinal slit, which is opened or closed by muscles acting upon the cartilages or bones which form its frame. It is in this upper or anterior part, the larynx, that the voice is produced in the mamma- lia ; but in birds, although the larynx and mouth may mo- dify the voice, its peculiar organ is the lower part of the trachea, where it divides into the two bronchi which go to the lungs. The last ring is divided by a bony partition, and furnished with membranes, the action of the expired air on which causes sound. The modulations of sound are pro- duced here by the action of small muscles upon the rings and membranes. Birds which emit merely a scream, or un- modulated sounds, have no peculiar muscle at this part ; such are Vultures, Swifts, Pheasants, Partridges, Pelicans. Those which emit sounds slightly varied have a single pair of mus- cles ; as Hawks, Woodpeckers, Pigeons, Pails, Gulls, and Divers. Some have two pairs, as Parrots ; the Kingfishers have three pairs ; and all the Cantatrices, Deglubitrices, and Vagatrices, have four pairs. The form of the inferior la- rynx varies much, being small or large, compressed, flat- 22 INTRODUCTION. tened, of single or united rings ; and sometimes, as in Ducks and Mergansers, there is connected with it, in the males, a curious bony and membranous expansion, the use of which is not apparent. But the details of the organization of birds do not require to be further entered into here, where the object is not to present a treatise on that subject, but to afford the explana- tions necessary for the occasion. The careful dissection of a few species will atford a more correct idea than could be given by mere description. With a little of this sort of knowledge, and an acquaint- ance with technicalities, the student who has some enthusiasm may derive much pleasure from the observation of birds. Should he connect these objects of his pursuit with the va- rious natural objects and phenomena with which he finds them associated, he has little chance of becoming a mere collector of skins and eggs. Such persons, confining their views to the most superficial aspect of nature, are more to be pitied than praised. Yet even they derive pleasure from their pursuits ; for who can contemplate nature in any way without being gratified ? The cultivators of every branch of Natural History are full of its praises ; and surely for this enthusiasm no one ought to blame them, were it not that frequently he whose affections are engaged by one set of ob- jects, despises not only all other objects, but also tnose who admire them more than they admire his own favourites. The method which I would recommend to a person desi- rous of becoming acquainted with the birds of this country, is somewhat different from that usually pursued. Let him begin with obtaining a dead bird of any kind— a partridge or gull, for example. Let him examine its exterior, passing in review the bill, the nostrils, the eyes, the apertures of the ears ; the tarsi, toes, and nails ; the plumage in detail ; the wings, and the tail. Let him pull out a feather here and there ; examine its tube, shaft, and filaments ; compare the extent of the downy part with that of the more compact ter- INTRODUCTION. 23 minal portion ; observe the plumule, the outline, and tip of the feather itself, and the manner in which it is coloured. Let him count the quills in the wing, take notice of their comparative length, form, and texture. Let him treat the tail in the same manner. Let him then pluck off all the feathers, and observe, by the marks left in the skin, how they have been arranged. The down, which still covers the skin, is now to be submitted to examination ; as well as the small bristles or hair-like feathers. When the bird is thus bared, he will better see its form, and will find that some- times a neck which seemed thick and strong, becomes thin and weak when deprived of its plumage ; that short legs have become long, or a flattened body narrowed. The knife and the scissors are now to be used. The skin, with its subjacent fat and cellular tissue, may be next exa- mined. The principal muscles that move the limbs may easily be traced. The eyes may be cut out and inspected. The windpipe will lead him into the thorax, where he will find the lungs. The tongue, the oesophagus, and the sto- mach, atford interesting objects of remark ; as do the other contents of the thoracic and abdominal cavities — the intes- tine, liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys ; the heart and pericardium ; the various cellules, permeated by the air which passes through the lungs, and the imperfect dia- phragm ; the ovaries, or other genital organs. This superficial examination will disclose some things, and leave many partially understood. By proceeding thus, knowledge will be gained by degrees, doubts will be solved, and errors rectified. A friend, more advanced, may perhaps assist ; or various anatomical works may be con- sulted. The vascular and nervous systems, and the organs of sense, will also require attention. Perhaps the skeleton may be prepared, that its parts may be inspected. This is not a difficult task. Let the soft parts be carefully removed from the bones, which are to be left united by the ligaments. The operation may take several hours of several days. The 24 INTRODUCTION. best way is to begin with the head, proceed along the ver- tebrae, clear the trunk, the tail, the wings, and the feet. Let the preparation be placed each night in water. When the whole is cleaned, the brain must be removed through the occipital foramen, and the interior of the long bones washed out with a syringe, access being obtained by a hole bored at each end. When the skeleton has been so long mace- rated in water as to be free of blood, let it be put into a natural position, and retained there by means of wires and threads until quite dry, when it may be fastened to a stand. Meanwhile, the young ornithologist will occasionally stroll abroad, and obtain a bird. To find its name, he will first inspect it well, and then compare its details with the cha- racters given in the present Manual. Suppose it to be a common Sparrow, its strong conical bill will shew at once that it belongs to the Deglubritrices, with which he will find it to correspond in all respects. The same organ and others will refer him to the family of Passerinse, the genus Passer, and the species domesticus. Many birds he will find with- out difficulty, some may appear doubtful. Let him depend little upon other persons for information, but trust chiefly to himself, and resolve to accomplish his task. Difficulties will daily become fewer. The study of the habits of birds will afford much pleasure. There, for example, by the brook, is a small, compact, short- tailed, black, white -breasted bird. You approach it so cau- tiously and cunningly, that it does not perceive your pre- sence. It stands on a stone, jerks up its tail, alternately lowers and raises its body on its legs ; now, it walks out in- to the water, disappears beneath the surface, suddenly bobs up in the middle of the current, swims to the stone, and re- sumes its jerks, uttering a short note, somewhat like the sound produced by knocking one pebble against another. It is the Dipper. In the wood you hear the moaning and me- lancholy-seeming cry of some pigeon, which,- perched on a top-twig, thus talks to its mate, seated in a large flat nest formed apparently of twigs. You know it must be the Cushat INTRODUCTION. 25 or Wood-Pigeon. Over the meadow, a reddish-coloured hawk is hovering with rapid but scarcely perceptible move- ments of its expanded wings. It is fixed, as it were, in a particular spot, evidently intent on something that lies on the ground beneath it. Now it advances, hovers, sweeps away, hovers again, descends like a stone, and flies off with something in its claws. It must be the Kestrel. And thus one continues taking note, and recording his observations, not merely in his memory, but also on paper. He searches for nests, too, collects eggs, and, in short, does all that he can to master his subject. Such a person cannot fail to know something about birds sooner than he who merely goes to a museum to study them. It may be said that all this labour is misapplied, for that after all little good is done by it ; but I am not here to argue about utility, but simply to shew how one may become an ornithologist. The propriety of becom- ing so he must settle with his own conscience. A naturalist and a mere collector are quite different per- sons. Every naturalist must be a collector ; but there are those who, having a certain liking to natural objects — often also to prints, paintings, teapots, snuff-boxes, tobacco-pipes, clubs, spears, swords, and in short almost any thing colle- gible, — accumulate day after day, ticket, arrange, dust, and fondle their specimens, until they have lost sight of nature altogether. They neither use them, nor allow another to apply them to any reasonable purpose. Among the objects to be collected by the ornithologist are nests and eggs. The former may be kept in large boxes fitted with trays, or in cabinets. Eggs, arranged in small card-boxes partially filled with cut moss, are not only very beautiful, but useful objects. They should be blown by making small openings in the shell, not at the two ends, but near them. Or the contents may be extracted by sucking them into the large bulb of a pointed glass tube made for the purpose, or in various other ways. In collecting eggs, 26 INTRODUCTION. one has many opportunities of observing the habits of birds, which he would miss if he had no such object in view. A visit to some remarkable breeding-place of sea-fowl will afford amusement and instruction. Gliding along the base of the cliffs in a boat, you see the Kittiwakes scattered in multitudes along the face of the rock, each on its nest, their pure light plumage contrasted with the dusky tints around them. Partially intermixed with these birds, but generally occupying a higher station, are thousands of Auks, ranged in lines, with their white breasts toward the sea. Farther up are Guillemots in like numbers. Thousands are dying in from the deep, where they have been fishing. There they come, pack after pack, bouncing along on their short rapidly-moving wings, rising in a curve as they face the cliff, and alighting like a ball abruptly. High overhead, Puffins, obscurely seen, are standing in groups near their holes, which they have burrowed in the turf. Patches of sea-campion, sea-pink, and grasses, stand out in luxuriant tufts here and there. The rock in many places looks as if white-washed with the dung of the numberless birds that, year after year, have frequented it. When a shot is fired, multitudes leave their seats, launch into the air, and wheel away in circular flight, their mingling notes filling the air with one shrill loud scream, in which individual cries can scarcely be distinguished. A man is on the rock gather- ing eggs ; and if you join him in this occupation, it will re- quire due care to keep your footing. But here is a dark ca- vern, at the mouth of which are stationed, like sentinels, some sable-plumed birds, whose long necks writhe to and fro as they survey us. We approach, and they fly overhead or drop headlong into the water, dive, and, swimming under us, reappear at some distance on the sea. Plere, amid patches of white dung-wash, a characteristic feature of such scenes, are the clumsily constructed nests, containing each two or three slender white eggs, or so many half-naked dusky young INTRODUCTION. 27 ones. Some rock-pigeons now fiy out, and you wonder how birds so beautiful should consort with these dingy croakers. As we proceed, leaving the breeding-colonies, some great Black-backed Gulls, Herring-Gulls, and Terns, hover around us, and on the distant point we perceive a troop of Oyster- catchers. But the winds and the waves are rising, a strong current sets in from the ocean, and we must bear away for the landing-place. Should the ornithologist endeavour to make himself in some measure acquainted with rocks and plants, he would be so much the better qualified for his own particular profession. There is nothing incompatible in these branches of Natural History ; and, therefore, he needs not regard the sneers of collectors in any particular department, who, having a mere dry technical knowledge of their own favourite branch, at- tempt on all occasions, for the purpose of commending them- selves, to throw discredit on those who profess a little ac- quaintance with it ; whereas they ought, in the exercise of a liberal spirit and of Christian charity, to invite all to par- take in the pleasures which they themselves experience. In all professions there are illiberal and mean-spirited indivi- duals, whose delight it is to thwart all who do not side with them ; and in ornithology I have met with such, but their opposition has had no effect in impeding my progress. With a sound body, a clear conscience, a good gun, and a note- book, pencil, and knife, the student of ornithology may bid defiance to all opponents and detractors, and with light steps tread the heath or climb the mountain-slope. Friends en- gaged in similar pursuits will sympathize with him, and kin- dred minds, even if removed hundreds of miles from each other, will indicate their mutual affinity by kind acts. In this respect, however, the ornithologist does not differ from the cultivator of any other branch of Natural History. There may be countries more favourable for the acquisi- tion of ornithological knowledge than this ; but still, the Briton has a wide field in his native land. Many of the 28 INTRODUCTION. habits of the feathered denizens of our fields and woods are yet very imperfectly known, and the histories of most of them consist merely of detached fragments. There is not much difficulty in knowing the greater number of our birds by sight ; but such a knowledge as a botanist has of a plant is not enough, for the bird being a creature possessed of di- verse faculties, has a far more complex history than a plant ; and the labour bestowed on forming acquaintance with an Eagle or a Peregrine Falcon, would enable one to know by sight a hundred plants. As it may be of advantage to the student to have a com- prehensive view of the number of Birds of the British Isles, I shall here present them in a tabular form, according to the arrangement followed in these volumes. 1 Regular. Accidental. Resi- dent. Indige Sum- mer. nous. Win- ter. North- ern. South- ern. 1 Ame- rican. Vui turinas, ...... 1 1 Falconinae, 14 1 1 2 1 19 Striginse,. 4 „ 1 2 3 10 j Cypselinse, 1 ,, 1 2 Hirimdinee, ...... ,, 3 1 4 Caprimulginse, .. 1 .. 1 1 Cuculinse, 1 1 Alcedinae, ...... 1 1 2 Laniinse, 1 2 3 3 Myiotherinse, ... 2 .. 2 Coraciinae, „ .. 1 1 Corvinse, 8 1 1 10 Graculinae, 1 1 2 Oriolinse, 1 1 Myrmotherise Turdinae, — 1 1 3 1 2 1 7 Saxicolinae, 3 3 1 2 .. 9 Sylviinse, 3 11 1 2 17 Motacillinae, . . . 2 1 .. 2 5 Alaudinae, 5 1 1 1 „ 8 Parinae, Ampelinae, 6 6 •• 1 1 INTRODUCTION. 29 Regular. Accidental. Resi- Sum- dent. mer. Indigenous. Win- ter. North- ern. South- ern. Ame- rican. Emberizinse, . . . 4 1 1 1 7 Passer inae, 14 1 2 1 18 Certhiinse, ...... 1 .. 1 .. 2 Sitting, 1 .. 1 Picinse, 3 1 1 5 Coluxnbinae, .... 3 1 1 5 Phasianinae, .... 1 1 Perdicinae, ...... 3 1 4 Tetraoninae, . . . 4 .. .. .. a. 4 Gruinse, .. ,, 1 .. 1 Otinas, 1 „ .. 3 .. 4 Pluvialinae, 7 1 1 1 10 Tringinae, 5 1 6 3 .. 3 18 Totaninae, 3 1 2 2 1 9 Scolopacinae, ... 3 2 1 6 Gallinulinas, . , . 4 1 2 7 Ardeinae 2 4. 10 1 13 Ibidinae, 2 2 Anserinae, 2 6 1 2 1 12 Anatinae, 4 4 1 1 10 FuliguLinae, 1 7 4 2 14 Merganser inae. 2 1 .. .. 1 4 Podicipinas, 6 2 • © .. 8 Alcinae, 4 i 2 3. 7 Pelecaninas, 2 i .. .0 .. 3 Sterninae, „ 6 .. 3 .. 9 Larinae, 7 1 1 .. 6 2 17 Procellarinas, .. 4 1 1 2 8 The List of British Birds thus includes : Of Permanently resident and breeding species, . 143 Summer Birds which breed with us, . , 44 Winter residents, .... 36 Stragglers from the north, .... 23 Stragglers from the south and east, . . 55 Stragglers from the west, . . . . 19 The entire number, ...... 320 EXPLANATORY NOTE. In this work, of which the plan differs materially from that of any other on the same subject, the essential characters of the Orders, Families, Genera, and Species, being adapted for actual use, are given sufficiently in detail to enable the student to refer an object to its proper place. The very brief distinctive phrases which some naturalists affect, in imita- tion of Linnaeus, are practically useless. The characters of the Orders are short, those only which are general being given. Those of the Families are some- what more extended. It is to be understood that none of these characters are absolute, and that all the characters will not be found to agree precisely with every species of the Fa- mily or Order, although they refer to the greater number. The characters of the Genera are more precise, yet not ab- solute. Those of the Species, on the contrary, are strictly applicable only to the particular kind of bird referred to. These differences result simply from the fact that species only exist in nature, and that genera, families, orders, and all other groups, are merely ideal associations made for con- venience, and therefore more or less arbitrary. In the account which I give of each species will be found, first, a short comparative and distinctive description of the adult birds, or of the male and female separately, when they differ in colour or otherwise, and then of the young. This specific description is followed by some of the principal measurements of an adult male of ordinary size, namely — -1, the length from the tip of the bill to the tip of the longest feathers in the tail ; 2, the extent of a line drawn between the tips of the wings when stretched out ; 3, the length of the wing from the wrist-joint, or flexure, to the tip of the longest primary quill ; 4, the length of the bill measured along its upper outline, from the base to the tip, following its curve ; 5, the length of the tarsus ; 6, the length of the middle toe, or third toe, measured to the commencement of EXPLANATORY NOTE. the claw ; 7; the length of the claw of that toe. Thus, with reference to the Golden Eagle, p. 40 — Male, length 33, extent of wings 72, wing from flexure 24, bill along the ridge 2T%, tarsus 4, middle toe 2-f^ its claw 1T^. Of the female there are given only the length from the tip of the bill to that of the tail, and the extent of the wings. In the next paragraph are stated some of the more remark- able habits of the species, its distribution, a short description of its nest and eggs* and some other circumstances. Then follow the vernacular names by which it is known. And, lastly, reference is made to a few works in which the species is described, namely, the Sy sterna Naturae of Lin- naeus, the Manuel d’Ornithologie of M. Temininck, and the British Birds of Mr MacGillivray. On referring to these works, the student will find references to others. A few words now as to Names. The Latin word Avis, which corresponds with the English word Bird, being femi- nine, the Ordinal names employed ought in strictness to be of the same gender. Accordingly, instead of naming the Ra- pacious Birds Raptores, as is usual, I call them Raptrices. The names of the Families being always adjective, must ne- cessarily agree in gender with the substantive Avis, to which they refer: thus, Vulturine, Falconing, Corvine, Co- lumbine. The generic names ought always to be of Greek or Latin origin. Names formed by giving a Latin termina- tion to a modern word seem ludicrous, and therefore I have not in any case used them, although in a few instances I have adopted from authors such vernacular names as Sula and Gavia, which harmonize in sound with Latin words. Spe- cific names are either adjective, as regalis , prate7isis, pileatus , coeruleus, and agree in gender with the generic name to which they refer ; or substantive, in which case they need not agree in gender, as Corvus Monedula , JErithacus Rubecula. When a species is named after a naturalist, it seems best to give the name unaltered, further than by Latinizing its terminal syllable : Motacilla Yarrell-i , Motacilla Brisson-i , Sterna Mac - dougall-i. WATER BIRDS. ORDER XIII. CURSITRICES. RUNNERS. The species of this Order which occur In Britain are so few, that, by examining them only, one cannot acquire a comprehensive or even a correct idea of the series ; which is composed of birds of all sizes, from the largest known, the Ostriches and Cassowary, to the Pratincole, not much larger than a Swift. The families which are considered as entering into it are the Struthionijos, Gruiioe, Otinae, and Pluvialin,®. Of the first there are no representatives in Europe, and therefore it is unnecessary to say more of them here, than that they are distinguished among the fissipede birds by having wings not adapted for flying, just as the Penguins are among the palmipedes. Setting aside these birds, then, we may consider the general cha- racters of the Cursitrices to be somewhat as follows Body ovate, more or less compressed ; neck generally long and slender ; head rather small, ovate, rounded above,. Bill of moderate length, straight, or nearly so, compressed toward the end, but rather wide at the base, and open- ing under the eyes ; the nasal sinus large. Mouth of moderate width ; tongue tapering, fleshy, acute ; oesopha- gus moderately wide, with its walls thick ; proventriculus ! bulbiform ; stomach a gizzard of considerable power, hav- ing strong lateral muscles, dense and rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length and width, with large or mo- derate coeca ; the rectum with a globular dilatation. Nos- trils linear or oblong, subbasal or medial. Eyes rather ! large. Aperture of ear moderate. Begs generally long i 34 GRUINiE. and slender ; tibia bare to a great extent ; tarsus long, reticulated all round, but in some instances scutellate an- teriorly ; toes short or moderate, thickish, flattened be- neath, the anterior spreading and webbed at the base ; the hind toe wanting or small, and more or less elevated ; claws short and obtuse. Plumage moderate, the feathers with a large plumule. Wings large, generally pointed, but varying in form ; tail short. All the species feed on insects and worms, and occa- sionally on vegetable substances, their digestive organs being adapted for both sorts of food. They nestle on the ground, laying from three to five eggs. The young, at first densely covered with down, run about presently after birth, and conceal themselves by crouching. The males are larger than the females, and sometimes differently coloured, at least in part. Most of the species are in some degree migratory. FAMILY XXXII. GRUINiE. GRUINE BIRDS, OR CRANES. Birds of large size, having the body ovate and com- pressed ; the neck elongated ; the head rather small, ob- j long, and somewhat rounded above. Bill about the length of the head, straight, depressed at the base, compressed toward the end, the tip rather blunt ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, a little declinate at the end, the ridge flattened at the base, rounded toward the end, the nasal groove large ; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the tip slender ; gape-line commencing much anterior to the eyes. Nostrils linear, direct, in the fore part of the nasal groove. Eyes of mo- derate size, eyelids bare. Aperture of ear rather small, roundish. Legs very long and slender ; tibia bare to a great GRUINiE. GRUS. 35 extent ; tarsus moderately compressed, anteriorly scutel- late, reticulate on the sides ; toes four ; the first very small and somewhat elevated, the anterior rather short, stout, scutellate above, somewhat flattened beneath, the second a little shorter than the fourth ; claws short, little compressed, obtuse. Plumage full, rather compact ; wings very long, ample, convex, rather pointed ; the in- ner secondaries elongated and decurved ; tail short, rounded. GENUS LXXXIY. GRUS. CRANE. Bill considerably longer than the head, stout, straight, tapering, compressed, obtusely pointed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, until near the end, when it is decli- nate and somewhat convex, the ridge rather broad and nearly flat for two-thirds, then convex, the sides sloping, the edges strong, sharp, straight, without notch, the tip narrowed, thin- edged, rather obtuse ; nasal groove large, half the length of the bill, filled by a bare membrane ; lower mandible with the angle very narrow and extending to the middle, the dorsal line ascending, almost straight, the sides of the crura concave, the edges sharp and strong, the tip narrow, rather obtuse ; gape-line straight, commencing opposite the base of the ridge. Mouth very narrow ; palate convex, with three longitudinal anterior series of strong horny papillae ; upper mandible internally moderately concave, with a prominent median line ; tongue rather long, einarginate and papillate at the base, trigonal, acute ; oesophagus rather narrow, with- out crop ; stomach a very strong gizzard, having powerful lateral muscles, and a dense rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length, rather narrow ; two oblong coeca. Trachea moderately flattened, curved and entering a cavity in the sternum, whence it is reflected before passing into the tho- rax ; bronchi wide. Nostrils linear, direct, submedial. Eyes of moderate size ; eyelids bare. Aperture of ear small, roundish. Legs very long ; tibia bare about a fourth of its length, reticulated ; tarsus very long, slender, moderately compressed, with numerous curved scutella before, small 36 GRUINiE. GRUS. elongated hexagonal scales on the sides, and larger scales behind ; toes four, the first very small, the anterior rather short and stout, scutellate, the outer longer than the inner, and connected with the third by a basal web ; claws short, de curved, rather obtuse. The greater part of the head bare, or sparsely covered with hair-like feathers. Plumage soft, but imbricated ; the feathers with moderate down-plumules, those of the neck small, oblong. Wings very long and ample, of about thirty-five quills ; the third quill longest, but little exceeding the outer two ; the inner secondaries much elon- gated, curved downwards, and with their filaments loose to- ward the end, some of their coverts similarly elongated ; tail short, rounded, of twelve feathers. Although the Cranes have by most authors been associated with the Herons, which they somewhat resemble in form, they differ very essentially from these birds in having the mouth narrow, the stomach muscular, and the intestine fur- nished with two coeca. Their young also run with celerity from the first. 161. Grus cinerea. Grey Crane. Pore part of the head and loral spaces bare, or sparsely co- vered with black hairs, and of a bluish-black colour ; crown also bare and bright red ; bill greenish-black, greyish-yellow toward the end ; plumage ash-grey ; fore part of neck and a triangular patch on the nape dark-grey ; a band of dull white from the eye down the side of the neck ; primary quills grey- ish-black ; the elongated decurved inner secondaries grey, with the filaments loose and blackish-brown. The young, according to M. Temminck, have little or no bare space on the top of their head before the second autumnal moult, and the blackish-grey colour of the fore part of the neck and the nape does not exist, or is merely indicated by longitudinal spots. Male, 49, . . , 21, 4£, 9J, 3, TV Female, 44. Although Cranes are said to have formerly bred in the fens, they are now of extremely rare occurrence in England, not so many as a dozen individuals being recorded as having been killed there within these forty years. The last example oc- curred in Shetland in 1831. On the Continent, they arrive in flocks, arranged in lines or triangles, about the end of spring, generally keeping at a great height. They alight in the tem- OTINiE. 37 perate parts only to feed or rest for a short time, and proceed to the most northern regions, where they breed, nestling in marshy places, and laying two eggs of a greenish-grey colour, with brown spots. They are remarkably swift-footed, but rise on wing with difficulty. Their food consists of vegetable sub- stances, worms, and insects. Common Crane. Ardea Grus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 234. — Ardea Grus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 674. — Grus cinerea, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 567. — Grus cinerea, Grey Crane, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. FAMILY XXXIII. OTIK2E. OTINE BIRDS, OR BUSTARDS. The birds of this family vary greatly in size, some be- ing very large, while others are so small that their re- semblance in form is not at first sight obvious. In external appearance they may be said to be intermediate between Partridges and Plovers ; or they resemble Gallinaceous birds of which the legs are elongated, and the toes short- ened. Their body is ovate, large, little compressed ; the neck long and rather slender ; the head of moderate size, ovate, somewhat compressed, and rounded above. Bill shorter than the head, moderately stout, or rather slen- der, nearly straight, or sometimes considerably arched, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight to the mid- dle, then decimate and convex, the ridge narrow, the nasal sinus large, and filled by a membrane which is feathered at the base, the edges partially inflected, the tip narrow ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dor- sal line slightly ascending and nearly straight, the edges sharp and direct, the tip narrow ; the gape -line little arched, and commencing before the eyes. Mouth of mo- derate width, or rather narrow ; tongue trigonal, fleshy, tapering ; oesophagus rather narrow, without dilatation ; proventriculus bulbiform ; stomach a strong gizzard, with the lateral muscles large, and the epithelium dense ; in- 38 OTINiE. OTIS. testine of moderate length and width, coeca long. Nostrils oblong or linear, direct, slightly operculate, nearly basal. Eyes rather large. Aperture of ear large. Legs long, rather slender ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tar- sus long, reticulated ; toes short, the first generally want- ing, scutellate above, marginate, flattened beneath, with short basal webs ; claws short, arched, convex, obtuse. Plumage moderate, compact ; wings large, pointed ; tail short, of twelve or more feathers. The Otinse have been referred by some in part to the Gallinaceous order, and in part to the family of Plovers, to both of which they have evident relations. Their flight is strong and sustained, in the larger species sel- dom employed on ordinary occasions, but in some of the smaller, habitually used. They all run with very great speed, and most of them feed on vegetable substances, worms, and insects. The young, covered with down, run from the first. The males are larger than the females. Four species of this family occur in Britain, all of them very rare, although one was formerly numerous. GENUS LXXXV. OTIS. BUSTARD. Bill shorter than the head, moderately stout, nearly straight, depressed at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then decimate and convex, the ridge narrow to be- yond the nostrils, the nasal sinus large and feathered at the base, the edges inflected for half their length, then direct, the tip narrowed but blunt ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dorsal line slightly ascending and nearly straight, the edges sharp and direct, the tip narrow but blunt ; the gape-line little arched. Mouth rather narrow ; upper mandible internally with three prominent lines, lower more deeply concave ; oesophagus rather narrow ; proventriculus bulbiform ; stomach oblong or roundish, very muscular, with radiated tendons, large lateral muscles, and dense rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca OTINiE. OTIS. 39 very long and wide. Nostrils linear, oblong, direct, slightly . operculate, nearly basal. Eyes rather large. Aperture of ear moderate. Legs long, and rather slender ; tibia bare for a third of its length, and reticulate ; tarsus long, reticulated with oblong subhexagonal scales ; toes three, short, scutellate above, marginate, spreading, with short basal webs ; claws short, depressed, convex, arched, thin-edged, obtuse. Plumage moderate, compact ; feathers narrow on the head and neck, ovate on the body ; wings long, broad, rather pointed, the third quill longest, the second little shorter, the first as long as the fifth ; tail short, of more than twelve feathers. Although furnished with large wings, these birds on ordi- nary occasions make little use of them ; yet their flight is strong and sustained. They run with great speed, couch on the ground to avoid their enemies, feed on vegetable sub- stances, worms, and insects, form a slight and rude nest among the herbage, or a mere cavity, and lay from two to five or more spotted eggs. Two species occur in Britain. 162. Otis Tarda. Great Bustard. Male with a tuft of slender elongated feathers from the chin on each side ; the bill yellowish-brown, the feet brown ; the head and upper neck greyish-white ; the louver hind neck, back, scapulars, and upper tail coverts, light reddish-yellow, transversely barred with black ; wing-coverts and inner secon- daries white; primaries black, with the shafts white; tail of twenty feathers, barred with yellow and black, and tipped with white ; fore part of neck, and all the lower parts white. Female much smaller, similar to the male, but with the tufts from the chin wanting or short. Tail of twenty feathers. Male, 44 . ., 24, 2J, 9, 4, if. Female, 35. The Great Bustard, formerly plentiful in many parts of England, is now of rare occurrence there, being found occa- sionally in the southern, eastern, and north-eastern counties. In Scotland, the only district in which it has of late years been seen is the low part of Morayshire. It is said to have been hunted with greyhounds ; yet many observers state that it rises on the wing without difficulty, and has a strong sedate flight. It runs with great speed, is generally very shy, keeps in flocks, and feeds chiefly on vegetable substances, but also on insects and worms. The nest is rudely constructed, among grass or corn ; the eggs, according to Mr Yarrell, two or three 40 OTESTJE. OTIS. in number, nearly three inches long, two inches and two- twelfths in breadth, olive-brown, sparingly blotched with pale greenish-brown. On the Continent, where this bird is more common, it is often exposed in the markets, its flesh being highly esteemed. It is said to be polygamous. Common Bustard. Bearded Bustard. Otis Tarda, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 264. — Otis Tarda, Lath, Ind. Ornith. ii. 658. — Otis Tarda, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii, 506. — Otis Tarda, Great Bustard, MacGillivray, Brit, Birds, iv, 163. Otis Tetrao. Little Bustard. Male about eighteen inches long ; in summer, with the up- per part of the head and the nape pale reddish-yellow, varie- gated with brownish-black ; the throat and sides of the head light greyish-blue ; a narrow ring of white on the neck, suc- ceeded by a broad collar of black, below which anteriorly are a half ring of white and another of black ; the upper parts pale reddish-yellow, transversely undulated with black ; the edge of the wing, the alula, outer secondary coverts, basal part and tips of the quills and tail feathers, together with all the lower parts of the body, white ; the tail of sixteen feathers. Female with the head, neck, upper parts and sides pale reddish-yellow, streaked and undulated with brownish-black ; throat white; the other parts as in the male. In winter the male resembles the female. Male, 18, 35, 10, 1, 2T8„ 1TV? TV Female, 17. This species, which is said to inhabit the countries border- ing the Mediterranean, to be common in the southern parts of Europe, where it resides all the year, but to become rare as we proceed northward, ranks in Britain merely as a strag- gler, although it has been killed in England at all seasons. In Scotland it is extremely rare, the only individual recently obtained there, a female, having been shot by Mr Adamson, near St Andrews, in March 1840. The Little Bustard is re- markably shy and vigilant, runs with great speed, and flies well, although on ordinary occasions it seldom rises on wing ; feeds on worms, insects, herbs, and seeds, and nestles among grass or corn, laying from three to five glossy green eggs, two inches in length, an inch and a half in breadth. It is said to be polygamous, and the young follow their mother like those of a domestic fowl. Otis Tetrao, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 264. — Otis Tetrao, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 659. — Otis Tetrao, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 507. — Otis Tetrao, Little Bustard, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. OTINiE. CURSORIUS. 41 GENUS LXXXYI. CURSORIUS. COURSER. The species which constitute this genus are of small size and slender form, with the neck rather short, the head ob- long, and little elevated in front. Bill somewhat shorter than the head, slender, tapering, nearly straight or a little arched, somewhat broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straigh t for two-thirds of its length, then arcuato-declinate, the ridge somewhat carinate, the edges sharp, the tip acute, without notch ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dorsal line decurved, the edges sharp, the tip narrow, but rather blunt. Tongue slender, emarginate and papillate at the base, flattened above, with a medial groove, the tip thin, narrow, but obtuse. Nostrils subbasal, lateral, oblong, in the fore part of the rather short sinus. Eyes of moderate ; size. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs long, slender ; tibia bare for a third, scutellate before, with two rows of scales behind ; tarsus slender, compressed, anteriorly scutel- I late ; hind toe wanting ; anterior toes short, the fourth much longer than the second, all scutellate above, the middle and outer connected by a narrow basal membrane ; claws small, slender, little arched, acute, that of the middle toe with a dilated inner edge. Plumage moderate, soft, blended ; wings long, narrow, acute, the first and second quills about equal, the inner secondaries much elongated ; tail short or mode- rate, slightly rounded or even, of twelve obtuse feathers. The Coursers belong to the warmer regions of the Old Continent, inhabiting chiefly the sandy deserts. They run with extreme celerity, and have a rapid flight. Small as they are, they seem more allied in form to the Bustards than i the Plovers. A very few individuals of a single species have been met with in England. 164. CURSORIUS IS ABELLINUS. CREAM-COLOURED COURSER. Adult with the bill black, the feet yellowish ; the plumage pale brownish-yellow, lighter on the lower parts ; the fore part of the head reddish, the hind part grey, with a triangular black spot on the nape ; two bands, a white and a black, from 42 QTINfE. GLAREOLA. the eye to the occiput; the primaries black. Young with the upper parts of a duller tint, with undulated angular trans- verse dusky lines. Male, 10.., 6f, 1, ly§, y^r? fir* Said to inhabit various parts of Africa, and especially Abyssinia. Individuals have occurred in Italy, Spain, Swit- zerland, and Germany ; but in the latter more northern coun- tries it is considered an extremely rare straggler. In England not more than four specimens are recorded to have been ob- tained : the first in East Kent, in 1785 ; the second in North Wales, in 1793; the third in Yorkshire, in 1816 ; the fourth in Leicestershire, in 1827. Cream-coloured or European Swiftfoot, or Plover. Cursorius Europseus. Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 751. — -Curso- rius isabellinus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 513. — Cursorius isabellinus, Cream-coloured Courser, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS LXXXVII. GLAREOLA. PRATINCOLE. The birds of this genus, all of small size, and remarkable i for their very long and pointed wings, forked tail, and slen- der feet, have by some been considered as Swallows, by others as belonging to the Gallinaceous family, and by some again as allied to the Plovers. I think their true place is next to the Cursorii and Pluviales. Their bill is short, i moderately stout, somewhat arcuate, wider than high at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight at first, then arcuato-decurvate, the nasal I sinus wide and feathered, the ridge narrow, the edges sharp and inflected toward the end, without notch, the tip rather acute ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate width, the dorsal line slightly decurved, the edges sharp and in- flected, the tip acute ; the gape-line arched, and commencing beneath the eyes, so that the mouth is wide, and in no re- spect resembles that of the Plovers. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, oblique. Eyes large, lower eyelid bare. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs of moderate length, very slender ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus moderate, slender, reti- culated ; hind toe very small, a little elevated, lateral toes very short, the outer a little longer, the middle toe much ex- OTINJE. GLAREOLA. 43 | ceeding the rest, and connected with the outer by a basal membrane ; claws slender, slightly arched, compressed, acute, that of the middle toe very long, with the inner edge some- what pectinate. Plumage moderate, soft, rather compact, the feathers ovate or elliptical ; wings very long, narrow, taper-pointed, very similar to those of the Swallows, but with their cubital portion longer ; the quills twenty-five ; prima- ries very long, stiff, tapering, the first longest ; inner se- condaries moderate ; tail rather long, forked, of twelve fea- thers. The Pratincoles, of which only three species are known, inhabit Africa and the warmer regions of Asia. One spe- cies is also extensively distributed in the southern and east- ern parts of Europe, and sometimes makes its way even to the most northern parts of Britain. They are said to run with great celerity, fly with extreme rapidity, feed on insects and aquatic worms, and reside in marshy places. 165. Glareola torquata. Collared Pratincole. Tail deeply forked ; wings very long, their tips, when closed, reaching almost to the end of the tail ; upper parts greyish- brown, tail-coverts white ; throat pale reddish-yellow, mar- gined with two narrow bands, the inner white, the outer black; lower wing-coverts deep brownish-red. Young with the upper parts greyish-brown, the feathers edged with red- dish-white ; the throat greyish-white, margined with a line of dusky spots ; lower parts grey ; tail little forked. Ma,l e 1 0 T 1 J3 1 2 2 s JLVXdXC, 1U . ., / j, 12, 1I2-, j-g, jTf* Inhabits the margins of lakes and rivers in Asia and the eastern parts of Europe, appears occasionally in the western parts of the latter continent, and has been twice obtained in Britain. The first individual was killed near Liverpool, in 1804; the other by Mr Bullock, in Shetland, in 1812. The latter was observed to fly in the manner of swallows, but also to run on the ground with rapidity, and to enter shallow wa- ter, in pursuit of insects, of which its stomach was full. Austrian Pratincole. Hirundo Pratincola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 345.— Glareola Austriaca. Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 753. — Glareola torquata, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 500.- — Glareola torquata, Collared Pratincole, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 44 PLUVIALINJE. FAMILY XXXIY. PLUYIALINiE. PLXJVIA- LINE BILLS, OB PLOVEBS. The species of which this family is composed have a manifest mutual resemblance, and are directly connected with the Otinse on the one hand, and the Tringinae on the other. They are generally of small size, many of them very diminutive ; and have a moderately full, or somewhat slender body, of an ovate, more or less com- pressed form, rather short or moderate neck, and oblong or roundish head, which is always elevated and rounded in front, like that of the Pigeons. Bill generally about the length of the head, but varying greatly, straight or very slightly recurvate, slender, tapering, compressed, blunt; upper mandible with its outline straight and slight- ly decimate for half its length, then convex or bulging ; toward the end, the nasal groove extending about two- thirds of its length ; lower mandible with the angle mo- derately long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and i a little convex. Both mandibles internally moderately concave. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue short or of moderate length, fleshy, narrow, emarginate and papillate i at the base, flattish above, pointed ; oesophagus narrow, , without dilatation ; proventriculus oblong ; gizzard large, elliptical, compressed, its muscles very large and distinct, the epithelium dense, with prominent rugae ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather long, subcylin- drical. Trachea uniform, a little depressed, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Eyes generally large, eyelids densely feathered. Nostrils subbasal, lateral, linear. Aperture of ear roundish and moderate. Legs long and slender ; tibia bare below ; tarsus long, or mo- derate, a little compressed, reticulated all round, or scu- tellate in front ; toes small, rather short, the hind toe wanting or very small, the anterior toes spreading, seu- tellate, more or less webbed at the base ; claws small, PLUVIALINiE. CEDICNEMUS. 45 arched, compressed, slender, blunted. Plumage close, soft, generally blended, on the upper parts imbricated ; the feathers oblong, rounded ; scapulars very long and narrow ; wings long, narrow, pointed or moderately rounded, with twenty-five feathers ; inner secondaries elongated, tapering ; tail short, even or rounded, of twelve feathers. Some species of this family occur in every part of the globe. They generally feed on insects, larvae, worms, small Crustacea, and mollusca ; are gregarious and migra- tory, breeding in the colder regions ; form their nest in a small cavity on the ground, and generally lay four ex- tremely large pyriform spotted eggs. The young at first covered with long soft down, run about from the first. The Pluvialinse run with great speed, have a strong di- rect flight, emit loud, shrill, or mellow cries, and frequent open places, seldom wading in the water. The males are larger than the females. The plumage is changed in au- tumn, and there is a partial moult in spring, so that the colours are, to a certain extent, different in summer. The young in their first plumage differ from the adult. In Britain ten species occur. GENUS LXXXVIII. CEDICNEMUS. THICK-KNEE. Birds of moderate or rather small size, with the body ovate and rather full, the neck rather long, the head large, and rounded. Bill rather longer than the head, stout, straight, depressed at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight to the middle, then slightly arched and decimate, the ridge prominent, the nasal sinus large, and filled by a bare membrane, the tip rather acute ; lower mandible with the angle rather long and nar- row, the dorsal line ascending, the tip rather acute ; gape- line straight, commencing under the anterior angle of the eye. Nostrils linear, oblong, medial, direct. Eyes large. Aperture of ear large. Legs long, slender ; tibia bare be- 46 PLUVIALINiE. (EDICNEMUS. low ; tarsus reticulate with hexagonal scales ; toes three, short, scutellate, with short basal webs ; claws short, arched, I convex, obtuse, that of the middle toe with its inner edge j dilated. Plumage soft, moderate, blended ; wings of mode- I rate length, pointed ; tail short, graduated or rounded. These birds are commonly named Thick-knees ; but as the joint from the enlargement of which they have obtained that name is not the knee, but the ankle, I cannot but consider the appellation incorrect. They are very nearly allied to the Plovers, in habits as well as in form, scarcely less so, I think, in both, to the Bustards, and especially in having the gape- line much farther extended than in the Plovers. The spe- cies, which are not numerous, belong to New Holland, Asia, j Africa, and part of Europe. They frequent dry open pas- tures and deserts, feed on insects, worms, and reptiles, run with great speed, and have a strong flight. The nest is a hollow in the sand or earth ; the eggs two, oval, and spot- ted. The young, at first covered with down, presently ac- company their parents. One species is a summer visitant j to some of the eastern parts of England. 166. (Edicnemus crepitans. Stone Thick-knee. Bill shorter than the head, stout, pale-yellow at the base, \ black at the end ; feet yellow, claws blackish-brown ; head and upper parts pale reddish-yellow, streaked with umber- brown, and tinged with grey ; cheeks and throat white ; neck and fore part of breast light greyish-yellow, streaked with brown, the rest of the lower phrts white, the sides with slen- j der brown streaks ; anterior edge of wing cream-coloured ; secondary coverts tipped with white ; quills black, the first two with a white band near the middle ; tail feathers varie- j gated, the outer three on each side reddish-white, all tipped with black except the two middle. Male, 17? 29, lfy9 3Ty, 1TV, &. > This bird is a regular summer visitant to some of the j eastern counties of England, especially Norfolk, Suffolk, Sus- j sex, and Yorkshire, arriving in the beginning of May and de- parting in September. It frequents open tracts, feeds on in- i sects, worms, and reptiles, runs with great rapidity, is par- tially nocturnal, has a rapid flight, and emits a loud shrill cry. It forms no nest, but deposits on the ground, usually among stones, its two eggs, which are yellowish-brown, patch- PLUVIALXNJE. PLUVIALIS. 47 ed, spotted, and streaked with dark-brown and purplish-grey, two inches and two-twelfths in length, an inch and a half in breadth, and of an oval form. Norfolk Plover. Stone Curlew. Thick-kneed Bustard. Charadrius (Edicnemus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 255. — Otis CEdicnemus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 661. — QEdicnemus crepi- tans, Teinni. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 521. — (Edicnemus crepitans, Stone Thick-knee, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS LXXXIX. PLUVIALIS. PLOVEB. The Plovers form a genus of moderate extent, and of which three species occur in Britain. They are all of rather small size, with the body ovate, and rather full ; the neck of mo- derate length ; the head rather small, somewhat compressed, and much rounded above. Bill nearly as long as the head, straight, rather slender, compressed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, and slightly decimate for two-thirds, then bulging a little, or arcuate at the end, the nasal groove long and rather wide, the edges slightly inflected, the tip narrow, but rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the edges inflected, the tip narrow, but rather blunt ; the gape-line straight. Mouth very narrow ; palate with two longitudinal ridges, and anteriorly a double row of pa- pillae ; tongue rather long, very narrow, subtrigonal, deeply channelled above, pointed ; oesophagus narrow, without dila- tation ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a rather large mus- cular gizzard, of an elliptical or roundish compressed form, with two strong lateral muscles, radiated tendons, and dense, longitudinally rugous epithelium ; intestine long and nar- row ; coeca small, cylindrical, and very narrow. Nostrils small, linear, pervious, subbasal, near the margin. Eyes large and full, both eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear large, roundish. Legs of moderate length, very slender ; tibia long, bare for nearly a fourth ; tarsus of ordinary length, anteriorly and laterally covered with numerous hexagonal scales ; toes rather short, slender, three before, in one in- stance a rudimentary hind toe, the third and fourth con- nected at the base by a web, all margined and scutellate ; claws rather short, compressed, slightly arched, slender, ob- 48 PLUVXALINJE. PLUVIALIS. tuse. Plumage ordinary, close, rather blended ; feathers oblong ; wings long and pointed, of twenty-five quills ; the primaries tapering, the first longest, the inner secondaries much elongated ; tail straight, nearly even, of twelve fea- thers. The species of this genus are very widely distributed, and one is common to both continents. They form large flocks after the breeding season, and generally betake themselves in cold weather to the shores of the sea. Their food consists of insects, worms, mollusca, and small Crustacea. They run with celerity, have a rapid flight, and emit a loud shrill whistle. The nest is a slight hollow in the ground, the eggs always four, pyriform, extremely large, and spotted. One species is very common in Britain, another breeds there in small numbers, and a third is a winter visitant. 167. Pluvialis Squatarola. Grey Plover. Bill rather stout, nearly as long as the head ; a very dimi- nutive hind toe. In winter, the upper parts blackish-grey, spotted with white ; the cheeks, neck, breast, and sides grey- ish-white, streaked with greyish-brown ; the axillar feathers greyish-black. In summer, the upper parts black, spotted with white ; the forehead, a line over the eye, the abdomen, and legs, white. Young dusky -grey above, spotted with white and yellow, greyish-white beneath, the fore-neck and sides streaked with brownish-grey. Male, 12, 25, 7T9*, I™.1 A? tV Pemale, 11-J, 23f. . The Grey Plover, which is pretty generally distributed over the continent of Europe, and is plentiful in some parts of North America, seems to be with us merely an annual visitant, appearing in small flocks in autumn and spring, chiefly along the coast, where it frequents the muddy and sandy beaches, which it searches for worms, insects, and small marine animals. It breeds in the northern countries, placing a few blades of grass in a slight hollow, and laying four light greenish-yellow pyriform eggs, blotched and dotted with brown and pale purple. Black-bellied Plover. Grey Sandpiper. Squatarola. Tringa Squatarola and Helvetica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 250, 252.- — Tringa Squatarola and Helvetica, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 718, 729. — Yanellus melanogaster, Ternm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 5 4 7. —Pluvialis Squatarola, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. PLUVIALINiE. PLUYIALIS. 49 168. Pluyialis aubea. Golden Plover. Bill rather slender, nearly as long as the head. In winter the upper parts brownish-black, spotted with yellow, the cheeks, neck, and fore part of the breast, variegated with brown, the throat and abdomen white, as are the axillat feathers. In summer the upper parts black, spotted with bright yellow ; the fore-neck and breast black ; the forehead, a line over the eye, a band bordering the black of the lower parts, and the lower tail-coverts, white. Young when fledged brownish-black, spotted with bright yellow above, and in other respects scarcely different from the adult birds in their winter dress. Male, lOf, 22J, 7J, 1, 1T82> lyb TV Female, 10^, 22, Generally distributed over Britain in the winter season, when it frequents the open plains and ploughed fields, so long as the weather remains mild, but betakes itself to the sea- shore and its vicinity when there is frost. Toward the end of spring they pair and betake themselves to the heaths, where they breed. At this season they are abundant in most of the hilly parts of Scotland and in the Hebrides. The nest is a slight hollow in a dry place among the heath or moss, irregularly strewed with fragments of withered plants. The eggs, four in number, are very large, ovato-pyriform, two inches and a twelfth long, an inch and five-twelfths in breadth, pale greenish-yellow or cream-coloured, irregularly spotted, dotted and patched with dark brown, some light purple spots being interspersed, and the markings larger toward the broad- est part. The young leave the nest presently after exclusion, and conceal themselves by lying flat on the ground. Their parents evince the greatest anxiety in their behalf, feigning lameness to entice the intruder away. When the young are able to fly, the plovers collect into flocks, but remain on the heaths and hill pastures until the commencement of winter. During continued frosts they search the sands and rocky shores of the sea at low water. Great numbers are killed, their flesh affording delicate eating, not much inferior to that of the woodcock. Yellow Plover. Green Plover. Grey Plover. Black- breasted Plover. Whistling Plover. Charadrius Pluvialis and apricarius, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 254. — Charadrius Pluvialis and apricarius, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 740. — Charadrius Pluvialis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 535. — - Pluvialis aurea, Golden Plover, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. D 50 PLUVIALINiE. CHARADRIUS. 169. Pluyialis Morinellus. Dotterel Plover. Bill slender, considerably shorter than the head ; inner secondaries extremely elongated. In winter, the top of the head dark brown, laterally margined with reddish -white ; upper parts greenish-brown, the feathers edged with pale red ; forehead and cheeks whitish, streaked with dusky ; fore-neck brownish-grey, a transverse band of white at its lower part ; breast brownish-red. In summer, the top of the head brown- ish-black, laterally margined with pure white, of which colour are the forehead and cheeks ; upper parts greyish-brown, the feathers edged with red ; fore-neck brownish-grey, a double transverse band, black and white, at its lower part ; breast bright red, part of abdomen black. Young with the tints more grey, the upper part of the head reddish, with longitu- dinal dusky spots ; the tail tipped with pale red. Male, 10, 19, 6±, ff, TV Female, 9J, 18j. The Dotterel makes its appearance in various parts of Eng- land and Scotland, when on its way northward in April and May, and on its return in September and October. Many re- main to breed, settling especially in the mountainous districts of Cumberland and Westmoreland, and in some parts of the Grampians. I have seen a very large dock, in September, near the head of the Don, in Aberdeenshire. Dr Heysham found it breeding on the summits of many of the mountains of Cumberland. It makes no nest, but deposits its eggs, generally three, seldom four in number, in a small cavity in a dry place, usually near a stone or fragment of rock. The eggs are brownish-yellow, spotted with brownish-black, an inch and two -thirds in length, an inch and two -twelfths in breadth. After the breeding season, the Dotterels collect into flocks, and betake themselves to the lower parts of the country. They are generally easily shot, being unsuspicious of danger, and allowing a person to walk within a short dis- tance, when they stretch up their wings and run before him. This apparent stupidity has obtained for them their verna- cular name. By the end of October they have all disap- peared. Charadrius Morinellus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 254. — Chara- drius Morinellus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 746. — Charadrius Mo- rinellus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 537. — Pluvialis Morinel- lus, Dotterel Plover, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. FLUVIALINiE. CHARADRIUS. 51 GENUS XC. CHAHADRIUS. SAND-PLOVEP. The Sand-Ployers are all of small size, and generally less variegated than the Plovers, from which they differ chiefly in having the wings and tail more elongated, the neck shorter, and the head larger. The bill is generally much shorter than the head, straight, rather slender, as broad as high, slightly compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly decimate for half its length, then bulging or arcuate, the nasal groove about half its length, the edges slightly inflected toward the end, the tip rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle mode- rate, the dorsal line ascending and a little convex, the sides concave at the base, the edges inflected, the tip narrow, but rather blunt ; the gape-line straight. Mouth extremely nar- row ; palate with two longitudinal ridges, and anteriorly a few papillae ; tongue very narrow, deeply channelled above, with the tip narrow and thin-edged ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a roundish compressed giz- zard, with thick lateral muscles, radiated tendons, and dense longitudinally rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather short, narrow, cylindrical. Nostrils small, linear, pervious, subbasal. Eyes large and full, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs of moderate length, slender ; tibia bare for about a fourth ; tarsus of ordinary length, covered with hexagonal scales ; toes three, rather short, slender, with numerous scutella, marginate, the outer considerably longer than the inner, and connected with the third by a basal web ; claws rather short, compressed, slightly arched, slender, rather acute. Plumage close, rather blended ; feathers oblong or ovate ; wings very long, narrow, pointed, of twenty-five quills ; primaries taper- ing, the first longest, the rest rapidly diminishing ; outer secondaries short, obliquely rounded, inner tapering and ex- tremely elongated ; tail rather broad, of moderate length or long, rounded or graduated, of twelve feathers, of which the two middle are somewhat pointed. The Sand-Plovers, as their name implies, chiefly frequent the sandy shores of the sea, lakes, and rivers ; but some oc~ 52 PLUVIALINJE. CHARADRIUS. cur also in the interior, for the most part on dry barren grounds. Their nests are slight hollows in the sand ; their eggs always four, pyriform, extremely large, light-coloured, and dotted or clouded with dusky tints. The young, covered with down, run presently after birth, and conceal themselves by crouching. All the species are very active and lively, run with great celerity, have a very rapid flight, and emit a clear, mellow, somewhat modulated cry. One species is com- mon and resident in Britain, another occurs on the shores of the eastern counties of England, and a third has been met with only in one or two instances. 170. Charadrius Hiaticula. Ringed Sand-Plover. Length about eight inches, bill seven-twelfths along the ridge, half as long as the head, wings and tail of equal length. Adult with the upper parts greyish-brown ; the forehead with two bands, a w'hite and a black ; a dark brown band under the eye ; a ring of white including the throat, succeeded by a broader ring of brownish-black ; the bill orange at the base, black at the end ; the feet orange, the claws black. Young when fledged with the bill entirely black, the feet dull green- ish-ochre ; the colours of the plumage distributed as in the adult ; but the feathers of the upper parts margined with light brownish* red fading to greyish-white ; the dusky bands brown- ish-grey, that on the forehead wanting ; the broad band on the neck meeting but partially in front, a large white space being left below. Male, 8ij, I7ib i7 1? i3^* Female, 8ij, 17. This species is generally dispersed along the shores, and permanently resident. It collects in autumn into large flocks, which frequent the sands of bays and estuaries, often ming- ling with sandpipers. Its food consists of insects, worms, small testaceous and crustaceous animals. It runs with great celerity, has a rapid flight, and emits a mellow whist- ling cry. Toward the beginning of April the flocks break up into smaller parties, and the individuals pair. The nest is a hollow formed in the sand, generally not far from high-water mark, but sometimes in the sandy pastures, and even far in- land. The eggs, always four, are very large, pyriform, an inch and five-twelfths in length, greyish-yellow, sparsely covered all over with dots, small spots, and angular lines of brownish-black and purplish-grey. All the birds of this fa- PLUVIALINiE. CHARADRIUS. 53 mily try to decoy intruders by feigning lameness, but this species more conspicuously than most. Ring Dotterel. Ring Plover. Stone Plover. Sand Lark. Sandy Laverock. Sandy Loo. Dulwilly. Charadrius Hiaticula, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 253. — Chara- drius Hiaticula, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 743. — Charadrius Hia- ticula, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 539. — Charadrius Hiaticula, Ringed Sand-Plover, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 171. Charadrius Cantianus. Kentish Sand-Plover. Length nearly seven inches, bill seven-twelfths, more than half the length of the head, wings shorter than the tail. Adult with the upper parts light greyish-brown ; the forehead with two bands, a white and a black, the hind part of the head light brownish-red ; the loral space and a band behind the eye black ; the throat and a band crossing the hind neck white ; a large patch of black on each side of the lower part of the neck ; the bill black, the lower mandible flesh-colour- ed at the base ; the feet dusky, the claws black. Young without black on the head, the bands on both its sides and the patches on the neck brown, the feathers of the upper parts margined with whitish. Male, 6t9^, . ., 4^-, y^-, if, TS2-, . Pemale, 6f8^-. The Kentish Plover, so named by Latham, who first de- scribed it from specimens shot near Sandwich in Kent, has been found along the sandy coasts of several of the southern and eastern counties of England, but not farther north than Norfolk. It is very extensively distributed on the Continent, and is found in India and its islands, so that the name by which it is known is very inappropriate, although well enough chosen at the time of its discovery. Its habits are similar to those of the Ringed Sand-Plover. The eggs, four in number, are an inch and a fourth in length, eleven- twelfths in breadth, of a yellowish stone colour, spotted and streaked with black. Charadrius Cantianus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. Suppl. ii. 316. — Charadrius Cantianus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 544. — Cha- radrius Cantianus, Kentish Sand-Piper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 172. Charadrius minor. Little Ringed Sand-Plover. Length about six inches, bill five-twelfths and a half, wings shorter than the tail. Adult with the bill black, the feet flesh-coloured ; the upper parts light brownish-grey ; the 54 PLUVIALINiE. VANELLUS. forehead black, with a white band, the hind-head grey; a black band from the bill under the eye to the ear-coverts ; a i ring of white including the throat, succeeded by a broad ring of black ; lower parts of the body white. Young without the black collar and bands on the head, in other respects like the adult, but tinged with brown above, and having all the feathers j margined with a paler tint. Male, . ., 4T42, T5^ and -J, 1, T\, T\. Female, 6. A young individual of this species, killed at Shoreham in Sussex, is in the possession of Mr H. Doubieday of Epping. The species is not uncommon on the Continent, and appears to be as extensively distributed as the rest. It is said to be less frequently seen on the sea-coast than on the banks of rivers, where it breeds, laying on the sand its four eggs, | which are somewhat more than an inch long, pale greyish- yellow, dotted with blackish-brown and bluish-grey. Charadrius minor, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 542. — Chara- drius minor, Little Sand-Plover, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCL VANELLUS. LAPWING. The Lapwings differ from the Plovers chiefly in having a small hind toe, scutella instead of scales on the front of the tarsi, and in the form of the wing, which, in place of being narrow and acuminate, is broad toward the end, and rounded. They vary in size from that of a .Ringed Sand- Plover to that of a Whimbrel. The body is moderately full ; the neck of ordinary length ; the head rather small, com- pressed, much rounded above. Bill rather short, straight, slender, compressed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly decimate for two-thirds of its length, then convexo-declinate, the edges soft and slightly inflected, the nasal groove long, the tip rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line as- cending and slightly convex, the sides concave at the base, the edges inflected, the tip narrow, but blunt ; the gape-line straight. Mouth extremely narrow ; palate with two longi- tudinal ridges, anteriorly with a papillate ridge ; tongue narrow, channelled above, trigonal, tapering ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a roundish, large, very muscular gizzard, with thick and very firm lateral mus- cles, radiated tendons, and dense, longitudinally rugous epi- PLUVIALINJE. YANELLUS. 55 thelium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; eoeca mo- derate, cylindrical. Nostrils small, linear, pervious, sub- basal. Eyes large and full, eyelids densely feathered. Aper- ture of ear large, roundish. Legs of moderate length or very long, slender ; tibia bare for about a fourth ; tarsus laterally reticulated, anteriorly scutellate ; toes short, slen- der, four, the hind toe extremely small, the second a little shorter than the fourth, which is connected with the third by a basal web ; all marginate, and covered above with nu- merous narrow scutella ; claws short, arched, compressed, slender, obtuse. Plumage ordinary, rather blended ; wings long, of moderate breadth, rounded, of twenty-five quills ; the third primary longest, the first and seventh nearly equal ; outer secondaries short, inner tapering and very elongated ; tail broadish, rounded, or even, the middle feathers not acu- minate. The Lapwings are most closely allied to the Plovers, from which they have been separated only by persons who have considered the insignificant character of the presence of a small hind toe as of more importance than the general agree- ment of the skeleton, bill, and digestive organs. They feed on insects, Crustacea, mollusca, worms, and sometimes seeds ; run with great celerity, fly with rapidity, and emit a mel- low, sometimes modulated, cry. The nest is a slight hollow in the ground ; the eggs four, pyriform, extremely large, and spotted. The young, covered with down, run immediately after birth, and conceal themselves by crouching. Only one species occurs in Britain. 173. Vanellus cristatus. Green Crested Lapwing. A recurved occipital crest of linear feathers ; upper parts green, loAver white, fore part of neck black, tail white, with a broad black band. The female differs only in having the crest less elongated, the head and fore-neck somewhat lighter, and the hind-neck greenish-grey. Albino individuals, of a pure white or cream colour, are extremely rare. The young when fledged have the colours nearly the same as in the adult, but tnost of the feathers on the upper parts are terminally mar- gined with light red. Male, 13, 29, 9T%, 1, 1JJ, l/g? iV Female, 12J, 28. 56 PLUVIALINJE. , STREPSXLAS. The Lapwing, generally dispersed, and familiarly known, frequents in summer wet heaths, moors, and marshy pastures or meadows. It nestles in April, depositing its four eggs in \ e hollow, slightly strewn with some straws. They are pyri- form, very large, yet much smaller than those of the Golden plover, an inch and ten-twelfths in length, an inch and two j or three twelfths in breadth, pale brownish-yellow, greenish- grey, or olivaceous, blotched, spotted, and dotted with brown- j ish-black. Being considered delicate food, they are collected in vast numbers, and exposed in the London markets. Dur- j ing the breeding season, the old birds shew great anxiety and considerable boldness, flying up to meet an intruder, plunging j and wheeling around him, and uttering incessantly their peevish wailing cry, which somewhat resembles the syllables pee-wee, or pee-o-wee, whence the common name of Pewit, and in Scotland Peese-weep. The young conceal themselves j by crouching until fledged. After the breeding season, they leave the marshy grounds, and betake themselves to the fields and pastures. They feed on insects and worms, run with great speed, and have a quick flight, differing from that of the Plovers in the flapping of the wings being slower and heavier. Although they never, at any season, fairly take up their residence on the coast, they often in winter frequent the sands exposed by the ebb. During the breeding season, * even when not disturbed, they may be seen flying about, now high, now low, hovering, gliding, and wheeling, with continu- ous noise of their wings, or producing an undulated loud hum by flapping them strongly, and at the same time emitting va- rious modifications of their usual cry. Their flesh, although good, is inferior to that of the Plovers. Pewit. Peese-weep. Teuchit. Green Plover. TringaYanellus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 248.- — Tringa Yanellus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 726. — Yanellus cristatus, Temm. Man. d’Qrnith. ii. 550.-— Yanellus cristatus, Green Crested Lap- wing, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCIL STREPSILAS. TURNSTONE. Only two species of this genus are known, one from the western coast of North America, the other dispersed over the shores of the greater part of the globe. They are small birds, having the body ovate and rather full ; the neck rather short ; the head oblong, and rounded in front. Bill a little shorter than the head, slightly bent upwards beyond the PLUVIALINiE. STREPSILAS. 57 middle, compressed until towards the end, when it becomes depressed ; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly con- cave, the ridge somewhat flattened, the edges rather sharp and slightly deflected, the tip depressed and blunt ; lower mandible with the angle narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides grooved at the base, convex toward the end, the edges a little involute, the tip depressed and blunt ; the nasal groove half the length of the bill ; the gape-line very slightly recurvate. Eyes of moderate size. Nostrils linear, pervious. Aperture of ear moderate. Legs slender, of moderate length ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus rather short, somewhat compressed, with numerous anterior scutella ; toes four, the first very small, the anterior of moderate length, slightly webbed at the base, the second a little shorter than the fourth ; claws short, compressed, arched, obtuse ; that of the hind toe more curved and acute. Plumage rather compact above, blended beneath ; scapulars elongated and narrow ; wings long, narrow, pointed, of twenty- | six quills ; primaries tapering, the first longest, the rest | rapidly decreasing ; inner secondaries greatly elongated and j tapering ; tail rather short, a little rounded, of twelve rather broad rounded feathers. This genus is very intimately allied to Ostralegus, agree- ing with it in every particular, excepting the form of the bill, especially at its tip. 174. Strepsilas Interpres. Collared Turnstone. Adult in winter with the middle of the back and the lower parts white, the fore-neck black ; the upper parts blackish- brown. In summer the upper parts variegated with black and brownish-red. The bill black, the iris brown, the feet reddish -orange, the claws black ; the primaries and coverts brownish-black, the secondaries more brown ; all in their lower part, the outer secondaries at their extremities, and the shafts of the primaries, white, of which colour also are the tips of the secondary coverts, and the inner secondaries, to- gether with some of the smaller wing-coverts ; the tail white at the base, brownish-black toward the end, edged externally with light brown, the outer web of the outer, and the tips of all, excepting the two middle feathers, white. Male, 9, {§, 18±f, yf, 6T%, lyV; If; iV Female, 9J, 18. 58 PLUVIALXN^E. GSTRALEGUS. The Turnstones appear on our coasts in the end of October, and remain until the beginning of May, or somewhat later. They frequent the rocky parts and gravelly places more than the sands, keeping in flocks, and feeding on small mollusca, Crustacea, and worms. They also sometimes search the shores beyond tide-mark for coleopterous insects. They run with great celerity, occasionally utter a mellow note, and sometimes associate writh Ringed Sand-plovers and Oyster- catchers, although, when flying, they generally keep apart. Their flight is rapid, performed by regularly timed beats, often direct, but frequently in curves. Their flesh is not so delicate as that of the Plovers, but rather resembles that of the Oyster-catcher. Tringa Interpres and Morinella, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 248, 249. — Tringa Interpres and Morinella, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 738. — Strepsilas collaris, Teinm. Man. d’Ornith, ii. 553. — Strepsilas Interpres, Collared Turnstone, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCIII. OSTRALEGUS. OYSTER- CATCHER. The species of this genus, four or five in number, are nearly equal in size, and although much larger, greatly re- semble the Turnstone in form as well as habits. The body is ovate and rather full ; the neck rather long and stout ; the head rather small, oblong, with its upper part rounded. Bill long, slightly bent upwards beyond the middle, penta- gonal and about as high as broad at the base, where it is covered by a soft skin, which extends nearly to the middle, beyond this extremely compressed, and when viewed verti- cally, gradually tapering to a point, but when seen laterally, contracting a little from the base to before the nostrils, then enlarging before the nasal groove, and gradually sloping, but not forming a point, the tips being more or less abrupt. This attenuation of the mandibles is not their original form, but is produced by their being rubbed against hard sub- stances. Mouth narrow ; palate with six series of reversed conical papillae ; upper mandible within flat, the edges pro- jecting but slightly ; tongue very short, fleshy, sagittate and papillate at the base, flat above, pointed ; oesophagus nar- row, dilated a little about the middle ; proventriculus oblong : PLUVIALINiE. OSTRALEGUS. 59 stomach large, oblong, with radiated tendons, and distinct strong lateral muscles, the epithelium dense, rather thin, with prominent rugm ; intestine rather slender, of moderate length, with two rather long cylindrical coeca ; the cloaca 'globular or elliptical. Nostrils linear, subbasal, direct. Eyes of moderate size, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear transversely oblong, very small. Legs long and stout ; tibia bare for about a third ; tarsus compressed, covered with hexa- gonal scales, the anterior larger ; toes three, spreading, short, depressed, broadly margined, scutellate ; the inner shortest, the outer and middle with the margins dilated and united at the base, so as to form a short web, the middle and inner with a much smaller web ; claws very small, very slightly arched, narrow, obtuse. Plumage soft, blended, somewhat distinct and compact on the back : the feathers ovate, or lanceolate ; wings long, acute, with thirty quills ; primaries with very strong shafts, the first longest ; outer secondaries short, obliquely rounded, inner tapering and very elongated * tail rather short, nearly even, of twelve broad rounded fea- thers. The bill in all the species of this genus is of an attenu- ated wedge-like form at the end, whereas in the young which have not used it, the tip is not compressed, and the up- per mandible is a little longer than the lower. The species are few, and greatly resemble each other, not only in form, but also in size and colouring. The bill is always red, and the plumage black and white, or of the former colour alone. One or other of the species is found in almost every known country. They reside on the shores, and feed on mollusca and Crustacea. Ostralegus, although translated Oyster- catcher, ought to be Englished by Shell-gatherer ; nor is there the slightest reason to believe that these birds eat oysters. A single species occurs in Britain. 175. Ostralegus PLematopus. Pied Oyster-catcher. Bill vermilion, feet pale purplish-red ; head, neck, fore part of back, wings, and terminal half of tail black ; the rest white ; generally on each side of the neck an obscure white mark behind the ears, and in some individuals a white band across the neck, while in others there are no white marks on 60 PLUVIALINJE. OSTRALEGUS. that part. The young are at first covered with down, of a | greyish-white mottled with brown. When fledged, they have ! the bill pointed, the dark parts chocolate brown, the feathers slightly margined with yellowish-red ; the breast, belly, great- er part of the back, half of the tail and its coverts, white. Male, 17, 35, 10J, 3£, 2, TV. Female 18, 36. The Oyster-catcher occurs on all our coasts, on many parts i of which it is abundant. After the breeding season it forms flocks, which are frequently very numerous. At this period j they are met with chiefly on low rocky shores, or at the I mouths of rivers. Their food consists chiefly of patellae, ba- j , lani, small bivalve shells, young crabs, and other marine | animals. They often repose on extensive sands, as well as ; rocky headlands. Occasionally they wade in the water, but in general seek their food in exposed parts. They run with ! great celerity, have a strong and rapid flight, and emit a very loud shrill cry, which on certain occasions is modulated into several notes. In April the flocks break up, and the indivi- ! duals disperse in pairs, some ascending the rivers, but by far the greater number breeding on the shores of the sea, in un- frequented places. The nest is a hollow made among the gravel or pebbles ; sometimes however in rocky places some fragments of plants are placed in it. The eggs, generally , three, sometimes four, are oval, two inches long, an inch and seven-twelfths in breadth, pale greyish-yellow, marked all over with dots, spots, and blotches of blackish-brown and umber, with some irregular linear markings of the same. | The young soon leave the nest, but skulk among the rocks or herbage nearly until able to fly. The old birds evince much anxiety for their eggs and young, fly about the intruder, but, at a distance, feign lameness, and are extremely voci- ferous. J 1 Sea Pie or Piet. Pianet. Choldrick. Hsematopus Ostralegus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 257. — Hsoma- i topus Ostralegus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 752.- — Iisematopus Ostralegus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 531. — Ostralegus Hse- matopus, Pied Oyster-catcher, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. We have now passed in review all the British Runners, and have seen that, in searching for food, they are guided entirely by sight, their eyes being large, in some remark- ably so, they being in a great measure nocturnal. Some TENTATRICES. 61 of them, long as their legs are, never enter the water : the Bustards. Others with moderate legs, run chiefly on dry ground, but wade freely on occasion : the Plovers. Lastly, some reside solely on the sea-shore, and think as little of wading as of walking : the Turnstone and Oyster-catcher. They all pick up their food from the surface, and in search of it suddenly stand, look intently on the ground, and start- ing forward secure the object, or sometimes pursue it even on wing. But we now come to a tribe of birds which less frequently discover their prey by sight, they having the habit of thrusting their long bills into the sand or mud, and thus finding it. These birds may therefore be very aptly named Probers. In structure they differ little from the Runners ; their digestive organs are very similar, and they might per- haps be included in the same order ; but as they are nume- rous, and differ in their habits, they being all in some de- gree not only frequenters of watery places but also waders, I have thought it as well to consider them as forming a se- parate group. ORDER XIV. TENTATRICES. PROBERS. Intimately connected with the Pluvialinse of the order of Runners, and with the Rallinae and Tantalinae of the orders of Skulkers and Stalkers, the Tentatrices, like most very natural groups that have obvious affinities, are not very easily defined. They are generally of small or moderate size, none being much larger than our common Curlew, and many not exceeding a Pipit. Their gene- ral characters seem to be the following : The body is ovate and compact ; the neck long or moderate ; the head small, ovate, compressed, and rounded above. Bill al- ways longer than the head, very slender, somewhat cylin- 62 TENTATHICES. drical, generally flexible and elastic. Tongue slender, sagittate and papillate at the base, triangular, tapering to a point ; on the roof of the mouth two rows of papillae directed backwards ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong or bulbiform ; stomach oblong, elliptical or round- ish, always with strong lateral muscles, large tendi- nous spaces, and dense, hard, longitudinally rugous epi- thelium ; intestine of moderate length, rather narrow ; coeca rather long, cylindrical or oblong ; cloaca oblong. Nostrils linear, subbasal, direct. Eyes small. Aperture , of ear moderate. Legs long or moderate, slender ; tibia i bare to a great extent, but in a few instances feathered to the joint ; tarsus slender, generally scutellate ; toes of I moderate length, slender, the anterior webbed at the base, the hind toe very small and elevated, sometimes wanting ; claws small, compressed, arched, rather acute. Plumage i generally soft and blended, on the upper parts somewhat compact ; the feathers oblong or ovate, with a rather large downy plumule ; wings long, of moderate breadth, acute ; the first quill generally longest ; some of the inner secon- daries much elongated, narrow, and tapering ; tail short or moderate, of twelve or more feathers, and varying in form. Birds of this order occur in all countries, and in Bri- f tain are numerous. They frequent marshes, the margins of lakes and rivers, and the shores of the sea. Their food consists of worms, testaceous mollusca, and insects, along with which a quantity of sand is swallowed, their stomach being a true gizzard. They generally run with great speed, have a rapid flight, emit shrill cries, wade in the water, and procure their food by probing the mud or sand. Most of them are extremely shy and vigilant. They nestle on the ground, laying four pyriform spotted TRINGINiE. 68 eggs, having the small ends placed together. The young, densely clothed with down, run about from the first. The old birds evince much anxiety for their eggs and young, and feign lameness to entice intruders. The males are smaller than the females. The plumage is renewed in autumn and spring, and is differently colour- ed at different seasons. This order may be divided into three groups or families, of which the characters, how- ever, are not very well defined. These groups are the Tringijoe, ToTAXixiE, and Scolopaceste, which will be briefly characterised. FAMILY XXXY. TRINGIN2E. TRINGINE BIRDS, OB SANDPIPERS. Body ovate, compact ; neck moderate or long ; head small, compressed, rounded above. Bill long, straight, or sometimes arcuate, slender, cylindrical toward the end? obtuse. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue slender, tri- gonal, grooved above, tapering, pointed ; oesophagus nar- row ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach elliptical or round- ish, with very strong lateral muscles, radiated tendons, and thin, dense, longitudinally rugous epithelium ; intes- tine long, rather slender ; coeca moderate, slender, cylin- drical, or oblong ; cloaca oblong. Trachea with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nostrils linear, small, pervious, basal. Eyes small. Aperture of ear rather large, roundish. Legs of moderate length or long, slen- der ; tibia bare for a fourth or a third of its length ; tar- sus slender, scutellate ; toes four, the hind toe very small and elevated ; or three only, of moderate length, more or less webbed at the base ; claws small, arched, compress- ed, obtuse. Plumage moderately full, blended, on the upper parts compact ; wings very long, pointed, with the 64 TRINGINiE. CALIDRIS. first quill longest, one of the inner secondaries nearly as long when the wing is closed ; tail short, of twelve fea- thers. The Tringinse are maritime and gregarious in winter, active and lively, run with great speed, and have a rapid flight. They obtain their food chiefly by probing, but they also pick up substances from the surface, and that more frequently than the birds of the next two families. In summer they retire northward, and go inland to breed, j forming a slight nest on the ground, and laying four py- riform, spotted eggs. They have not the vibratory mo- tion of the Totaninse, nor conceal themselves by skulk- ! ing, like the Scolopacinse. Sixteen species occur in Bri- tain, many of them very common, others mere stragglers. | GENUS XCIY. CALIDRIS. SANDERLING. This genus is composed of a single species, which is very | widely distributed on both continents. It might perhaps be referred to the next genus, from which it differs chiefly in having the bill shorter, and the feet destitute of hind toe, the presence or absence of which, however, seems of very little importance in this and the preceding orders. It is a small bird, having the body ovate, compact ; the neck rather short ; the head rather small, compressed, anteriorly convex. Bill of the length of the head, straight, slender, soft, and somewhat flexible; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the tip a little enlarged and ob- | tuse, the nasal groove extending nearly to the end ; the 1 lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the I sides grooved, the tip a little enlarged and obtuse. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue very long, slender, trigonal, chan- j nelled above, pointed ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus small ; gizzard large and muscular, its cuticular lining ru- gous ; intestine long ; coeca moderate, cylindrical. Nostrils small, linear, pervious, basal. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather large, roundish. Feet rather short, very slender ; tibia bare for a fourth of its length ; tarsus with numerous anterior scutella ; toes small, first wanting, TRINGINJE. CALIDRIS. 65 second a little shorter than fourth, all marginate and scu- tellate ; claws small, curved, compressed, obtuse. Wings very long and pointed, of twenty-five quills ; primaries ta- pering, the first longest ; one of the inner secondaries not much shorter when the wing is closed ; tail short, of twelve narrowed feathers, and somewhat doubly emarginate. 176. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. This bird varies so much in colour that scarcely two indi- viduals can be found precisely alike. In winter the bill is black, the iris dusky, the feet greenish-black ; the upper part of the head, hind part and sides of the neck, and the back, pale grey, each feather with a dark medial streak ; the forehead, cheeks, fore part of neck, and all the lower parts pure white ; the primary quills and coverts greyish-black, secondary quills paler, inner secondaries light grey, primary and secondary coverts tipped with white ; all the quills white at the base, that colour extending from the first primary to the tenth secondary, which is entirely white ; tail-feathers grey, mar- gined with white. In summer the upper parts light red, spotted with black; cheeks, neck, fore part of breast, and sides, greyish-red, streaked with black ; the rest of the lower parts white. The young have the upper parts black, varie- gated with yellow and white, the lower white. Male, 7f, 16, 5,V, 1, lb i%> iV Female, 8, 17. The Sanderlings appear on our northern coasts in the be- ginning of September, gradually increase, collect into large bands, and frequent the sandy shores and muddy estuaries, often mingling with Dunlins and other small species. In winter they are dispersed over all our shores. They run with great celerity, fly with rapidity, often inclining to either side ; search the shores, usually along the water’s edge, for small mollusca and worms ; become extremely fat in the end of autumn, and afford delicate eating. In the end of spring they betake themselves to the arctic countries, where they breed ; and, although individuals may be seen on various parts of the coast in summer, it does not appear that any nestle with us. Sand Lark. Curwillet. Towilly. Ox-bird. Tringa arenaria, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 255.- — Charadrius Ca- lidris, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 741. “Calidris arenaria, Temnu Man. d’Ornith. ii. 524. — Calidris arenaria, Sanderling, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. R 66 TRINGINiE. TRINGA. GENUS XCY. TRINGA. SANDPIPER. The species of this genus are of small size, the largest not exceeding the Golden Plover. They have the body ovate and compact ; the neck of moderate length ; the head rather small, compressed, anteriorly convex. Bill not much longer than the head, nearly straight, slender, soft, and somewhat flexible ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, but flattened toward the end, the tip slightly enlarged, obtuse, and a little exceeding that of the low^er, the nasal groove extending nearly to the end, and filled by a concave bare membrane ; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the sides grooved, the tip a little enlarged and obtuse. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue very long, slender, trigonal, channelled above, point- ed ; upper mandible internally concave, with a groove on each side, and a medial double row of reversed pointed pa- pillae ; oesophagus narrow, without dilatation ; proventricu- lus oblong ; gizzard large, with very strong and firm lateral muscles, radiated tendons, and dense rugous thin epithe- lium ; intestine long, and of moderate width ; coeca mode- rate, cylindrical. Nostrils small, linear, pervious, basal, close to the margin. Eyes rather small, eyelids densely feathered. Aperture of ear rather large, roundish. Legs of moderate length, very slender ; tibia long, bare for a fourth ; tarsus with numerous narrow scutella ; toes four, small, scutellate ; first diminutive and elevated ; second a little shorter than the third, which is connected with the j fourth by a basal w^eb ; claws small, curved, compressed, , obtuse. Plumage moderately full, soft, rather blended ; wings very long, pointed, of twenty-five quills ; primaries tapering, first longest ; inner secondaries very elongated and tapering ; tail short, generally doubly emarginate, of twelve narrowed feathers. The Sandpipers inhabit the sandy and muddy coasts of the sea, estuaries, and rivers, in autumn and winter, often collecting into large flocks. In summer, they are dispersed over the moors and marshy districts of the northern coun- tries, where they breed, forming a shallow nest on the ground, TRINGINiE. TRINGA. 67 and depositing four pyriform spotted eggs. The food, ob- tained by probing, consists of insects, worms, and small tes- taceous mollusca. The winter plumage differs in colour from that of the breeding season. The males are considerably smaller than the females. 177. Tringa Canutus. Ash-coloured Sandpiper. Bill straight, a little longer than the head, its tip consider- ably dilated ; tail even ; tarsus an inch and two-twelfths long. In winter, the plumage ash-grey above, white beneath, the neck and sides streaked with dusky. In summer the back glossy black, variegated with yellowish-red, the fore neck and breast yellowish-red. Young grey above, each feather on the back with a double marginal band of black and white. Bill of adult greyish-black, its basal margins reddish ; feet greyish-blue, the tarsal joint and soles green, claws black. Male, 10 J, 20, 6^%, lT%, 1T^, TV Female, 10ff, 22. This species arrives from the north in the beginning of September, and returns in the end of April or beginning of May. It occurs in flocks on all our shores, chiefly on sands and the margins of estuaries. It breeds in the northern re- gions of both continents, living in summer in the marshes. Its food consists of worms, Crustacea, mollusca, and insects. Bed-breasted Sandpiper. Bed Sandpiper. Knot. Tringa Canutus, and Islandica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 281.—- Tringa Canutus, Islandica, cinerea, grisea, and nsevia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 737, 738. — Tringa cinerea, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 627. — -Tringa Canutus, Ash-coloured Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 178. Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper. Bill a little longer than the head, and slightly decurved at the end ; tail with the middle feathers considerably longer, the three lateral nearly equal ; tarsus ten-twelfths long, shorter than the middle claw ; bill dusky, orange at the base, and on part of the ridge ; feet ochre-yellow ; scarcely any bare space on the tibia. In winter, the upper parts glossy pur- plish-black, the feathers margined with light grey ; the head, cheeks, sides, and fore part of the neck light purplish-grey, the sides and lower tail-coverts streaked with the same ; the throat, part of the breast, and abdomen, white. In summer, the upper parts glossy purplish-black, the feathers on the head margined with pale red, on the neck with light grey, 68 TRINGINiE. TRINGA. on the hack with light red, and tipped with white, the lower parts white, streaked and spotted with dusky grey. Male, 8-j, 1 4^, 5y\, 1 A, xf, xV* Female, 9^, 1 4^. Although not extremely rare, the Purple Sandpipers are not very frequently met with. This happens partly because they seldom form large flocks, and partly on account of their confining themselves, while searching for food, to the rocky part of the coast. They appear with us about the middle of October, and remain until the end of spring. They fly in curves, sweeping over the sea when removing from one place to another, and now and then emitting a faint shrill cry, in j the manner of the Dunlins, which they also closely resemble in their mode of walking or rather running along the shore, where they search the rocks and fuci for small testaceous I mollusca, crabs, and onisci. No instance of their breeding in this country has been recorded. They are common in sum- mer in the northern parts of Europe and North America. ; The eggs are “ pyriform, sixteen lines and a half long, and an ! inch across at their greatest breadth. Their colour is yellow- ish-grey, interspersed with small irregular spots of pale brown, crowded at the obtuse end, and rare at the other.’’ Pock Sandpiper. Tringa maritima, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 678. — -Tringa mari- tima, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 731. — Tringa maritima, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 619- — Tringa maritima, Purple Sandpiper, j MacGillivray Brit. Birds, iv. 179. Tringa rufescens. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Bill not longer than the head, straight ; tail with the mid- dle feathers considerably longer, the three lateral nearly equal ; tarsus an inch and a third longer than the middle toe ; bill dull olive-green ; feet yellowish-green ; bare part of the 1 tibia half an inch. The upper parts greyish-yellow, spotted 1 with blackish-brown ; the wing-coverts lighter ; the quills and coverts light greyish-brown, greenish-black at the end, with the tip whitish, the inner webs whitish in the greater part of their extent, and beautifully dotted with black in un- dulating lines ; the two middle tail-feathers greyish-brown, at the end dusky ; the rest gradually paler, edged and tipped with white, within which are two lines of blackish-brown ; cheeks, fore part and sides of the neck, with the sides of the body light reddish-yellow, the sides of the body streaked with brownish-black, the rest of the lower parts reddish- white ; lower primary coverts dotted with black; as are the inner TRINGINiE. TRINGA. 69 webs of the primary quills. The markings of the wing-fea- thers render this species easily distinguishable from all the rest. Male, 8, 18, 5^, 1 A? t%* Female, 9, 20. This species, which is said to be not uncommon on the eastern coasts of North America, has occurred twice in Eng- land ; an individual, now in the possession of Mr Yarrell, having been shot in September 1826, in the parish of Mel- bourne, in Cambridgeshire, another in the end of July 1832, at Sherringham, in Norfolk. Tringa rufescens, Yarrell, Linn. Trans, xvi. 109. — Tringa rufescens, Selby, Illustr. ii. 142. — -Tringa rufescens, Buff- breasted Sandpiper, Aud. Ornith. Biogr. iii. 451. — Tringa ru- fescens, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds. 180. Tringa pectoralis. Pectoral Sandpiper. Bill a sixth longer than the head, scarcely deflected at the end ; tail with the middle feathers pointed, and much longer than the lateral, of which three on each side are equal ; tar- sus an inch and a twelfth and a half long ; bill olivaceous, dusky toward the end, feet dull yellowish- green. In winter, the feathers of the upper parts greyish-brown, with a darker medial streak, and pale brownish-grey margins ; the wing- coverts lighter, the rump dusky ; the primary quills blackish- brown, the first with its shaft white, the secondaries grey, edged with white, as are the tail-feathers, except the middle two, which are dusky toward the end ; the cheeks, sides, and fore part of the neck, with part of the breast and sides of the body, greyish- white, streaked with dusky ; the chin and lower parts white. In summer, the feathers of the upper parts brownish-black, broadly margined with brownish-red, the rump black ; the wings and tail as in winter ; the cheeks, neck, and part of the breast and sides, brownish -grey, with larger streaks of brownish-black. Male, 9, 18, 5X9^, 1 1T^ and -J, x\. Female, 9J, 19. This species inhabits the eastern coasts of North America, and is very abundant on those of the New England States. Its habits appear to be similar to those of the Dunlin and other species. An individual, a female, was killed on the 17th October 1830, on the borders of Breydon Broad, near Yarmouth. Tringa pectoralis, Audub. Ornith. Biogr. iii. 601. — Tringa pectoralis, Temm. Man. d? Ornith. iv. 397. — Tringa pectoralis, 70 TRINGINJE. TRINGA. Jen. Brit. Yert. Anim. 210.— Tringa pectoralis, Pectoral Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iy. 181. Tringa Cinclus. Dunlin Sandpiper. Bill a fourth longer than the head, slightly decurved at the end ; tail with the middle feathers considerably longer ; tar- sus an inch long ; hill black, feet very dark olive. In winter, the plumage brownish-grey above, each feather with a dusky streak ; the sides and fore part of the neck, with a small por- tion of the breast, paler, and similarly streaked ; the throat, breast, and abdomen, white ; tail-coverts dusky ; tail ash- grey, the inner webs of the middle feathers black. In sum- mer, the upper parts yellowish-red, spotted with brownish- black ; the sides of the head, neck, and body, and the fore part of the neck, greyish-white, tinged with red, and distinctly spotted with dusky ; a large patch of black on the breast. Young with the upper parts variegated with black and light red ; the fore neck, breast, and part of the sides spotted with black ; the throat, middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, white. Male, 7 1? lib tv* Pemale, 8, 14^. In the end of August and beginning of September, the Dunlins appear on our shores in flocks, disperse themselves from one extremity of the island to the other, and continue until the end of spring, when they separate, and betake them- selves to the interior, and especially to that of the northern parts of Scotland and its large islands. The nest is a hollow, in which are placed some bits of dry grass or heath, and the eggs, always four, are very large, pyriform, an inch and four or five twelfths in length, eleven-twelfths in breadth, light greyish-green, yellowish or brownish, spotted and patched with umber-brown and light purplish-grey. The young, co- vered with stiffish down, variegated with yellowish-grey and dark brown, presently leave the nest. When they are fledged, both they and their parents betake themselves to the sea- coast. The food of this species consists of worms, small tes- tacea, Crustacea, insects, and larvae. It runs with rapidity, probes the sand and mud with a light and quick motion, has a rapid flight, and in autumn, becoming fat, is considered de- licate food. It is with us the -paost common species of its genus. Purre. Stint. Sea-Snipe. Plover’s Page. Sea Lark. Ox-bird. Ox-eye. TRINGINJE. TRINGA. 71 Tringa Cinclus and Alpina, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 249, 251. —Tringa Variabilis, Teinm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 612. — Tringa Cinclus, Alpina, and ruficollis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 735, 736. — Tringa Cinclus, Dunlin Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 182. Tringa subarquata. Curlew-billed Sandpiper. Bill half as long again as the head, and considerably de~ curved at the end ; tail with the middle feathers slightly longer than the lateral ; tarsus an inch and a quarter long ; bill black, feet very dark olive. In winter, the plumage brownish-grey above, each feather with a dusky streak ; the sides and fore part of the neck, with a small portion of the breast, greyish-white, streaked with brownish-grey ; the throat, breast, and abdomen, white ; the tail-coverts white, the tail brownish-grey. In summer, the upper parts of the body black, mottled and streaked with light red ; the sides of the head, the fore part and sides of the neck, and the breast, bright yellowish-red, the neck faintly streaked with dusky; the tail -coverts wdiite, spotted with brown and red; the tail brownish-grey glossed with green. Young with the feathers of the upper parts greyish-black glossed with green, darker toward the margins, and edged with white ; the fore part of the neck pale reddish, faintly streaked with dusky, the rest of the lower parts white, as are the upper tail-coverts, which are very narrowly tipped with dusky. Male, 8^, 16T%, lf%? I4? tV Female, 8^, 16-J. In its summer plumage this species is easily distinguished from the Dunlin, the breast being red in the one and black in the other ; and at all seasons it may be known by its white upper tail-coverts. It is not extremely uncommon on our coasts during winter, but is probably often confounded with the species just named. It arrives in the beginning of Sep- tember, and departs in the end of April for more northern countries, it not having been met with breeding in any part of Scotland. Yet it is very extensively distributed, being found in India, at the Cape of Good Hope, in various parts of Europe, and in North America. Its habits are precisely similar to those of the Dunlin. Pigmy Curlew. Pigmy Sandpiper. Scolopax subarquata, 3sft§££‘ Syst. Nat. i. 658.— Tringa subarquata and Numenius Africanus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 712. — Tringa subarquata, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 609.— 72 TRINGIN^E. TRINGA, Tringa subarquata, Curlew-billed Sandpiper* MacGillivray, Brit. Birds* iv. 183. Tringa Schinzii, Schinz’s Sandpiper. Bill about the length of the head, straight; tail nearly even* but with the middle feathers considerably longer ; tar- sus eleven-twelfths long ; bill and feet dusky. In winter* the plumage brownish-black above* the feathers edged with greyish-yellow* the scapulars with light red* the wing-coverts greyish-brown* with a medial dusky line ; the rump white ; the secondary quills tipped with white ; tail light grey* the two middle feathers brownish-black toward the end ; sides of the head, fore-neck* anterior part of the breast* and sides of the body greyish-white, with slender lanceolate brownish- black streaks ; the rest of the lower parts white. This species has been found in various parts of North America, from Hudson’s Bay to the Gulf of Mexico* and in one instance in the*south of England* Mr Gould having intro- duced it into his splendid work on the Birds of Europe* in consequence of having seen a specimen killed at Stoke Heath* near Market Drayton* Shropshire, and in the possession of Sir Howland Hill. The species is distinguishable from Tringa Cinclus by its white rump, independently of its other charac- Tringa Schinzii, Bonap. Synops. of Birds of Unit. States* 249. — Tringa Schinzii, Audub. Ornith. Biogr. iii. 529. — * Tringa Schinzii, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 401. — Tringa Schinzii, Schinz’s Sandpiper* MacGillivray* Brit. Birds* iv. 184. Tringa platyrhyncha. Flat-billed Sandpiper. Bill half as long again as the head, rather thick at the base, a little decurved at the end; tail with the lateral feathers equal, the medial considerably longer ; tarsus an inch in length ; bill reddish at the base, black toward the end ; feet greenish-grey. In summer, according to M. Temminck* the upper part of the head blackish-brown* with two narrow longitudinal light red bands; a white streak dotted with brown over the eyes ; the loral band dusky ; sides of the head whitish, streaked with brown ; feathers of the upper parts black* narrowly edged with red ; throat, breast, and abdomen white ; fore part and sides of the neck and breast reddish- white* spotted with brown ; lateral tail-coverts white* each Female, 7J. ters. TRINGINJE. TRINGA. 73 with a lanceolate dusky spot; middle feathers of the tail black, edged with red, the rest margined with pale grey. Male, 7, 14, 4, 1-J, 1, y8^, y^r. Extensively distributed on the continent, and extending to India. This species, little understood, is liable to be con- founded with individuals of Tringa Cinclus, and, in descrip- tion, with Tringa subarquata, from which latter especially it is widely different. It bears more resemblance to a Snipe than any of the other species, and might, with some propriety, constitute a genus by itself, as indeed it has been made to do by many authors. Tringa platyrhincha, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 616. Tringa platyrhincha, Elat-billed Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, vol. iv. 185. Tringa minuta. Little Sandpiper. Bill about the length of the head, straight, slender, scarce- ly enlarged at the end ; tail doubly emarginate ; tarsus ten- twelfths long ; bill and feet dusky. Plumage in winter brownish-grey above, each feather with a dusky streak ; the sides of the neck paler, of its lower part tinged with brown ; the throat, fore-neck, breast, and abdomen white ; the middle tail-coverts dusky, the lateral white ; the tail-feathers ash- grey edged with white, the two middle greyish-brown. In summer the upper parts yellowish-red, spotted with brown- ish-black ; the throat, breast, and other lower parts white ; the lower anterior and lateral parts of the neck reddish-grey, streaked with brown; a dusky loral band, and a whitish streak over the eye. Young with the upper parts variegated with brownish-black and yellowish-red; the forehead and cheeks brownish-white ; the loral space brown ; the lower part of the sides of the neck brownish-grey ; the throat, fore- neck, and other lower parts white. Male, 6, 12, 4TV, if, if, >TV and J, Female, 6T2?. A few individuals of this species have been obtained at various times, generally in autumn, on the southern shores of England. It occurs abundantly in autumn and winter in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and Dalmatia. Tringa minuta, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 625. — Tringa minuta, Selby. Illustr. ii. 147. — Tringa minuta, Little Sand- piper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 186. Tringa Temminckii. TemminciPs Sandpiper. Bill a little shorter than the head, slender, scarcely en- 74 TRINGINiE. MACHETES. larged, but a little decurved, at the end ; tail graduated ; tar- j sus eight-twelfths long ; bill dusky and feet greenish-brown. Plumage in winter deep brown above, each feather with a blackish-brown streak ; the fore part of the neck and a por- tion of the breast reddish-grey ; the throat and lower parts j white ; the middle tail-coverts dusky, the lateral white ; the middle tail-feathers greyish-brown, the rest pale grey, the outer white externally. In summer the feathers of the upper parts deep black, margined with red ; the forehead and fore part of the neck reddish-grey, finely streaked with black ; the throat and lower parts white ; the lateral tail-feathers white, '( the medial black edged with red. Young with the upper parts variegated with greyish-brown and yellowish-grey, the feathers being edged with the latter colour, within which is | a band of dusky ; a white streak over the eye ; the tail-feathers tipped with reddish, except the outer ; the lower part of the neck anteriorly reddish-grey. Male, 5^, 11 J, 3y§, y%, y^-, y^-, y^-. F cm ale, 6. This species is distinguished from Tringa minuta by being somewhat smaller, by having the tarsus much shorter, and the tail somewhat wedge-shaped at the end, in place of being j doubly emarginate. It has been obtained in the counties of Devon, Sussex, and Norfolk; and on the Continent is pretty generally dispersed. Tringa Temminckii, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 622. — Tringa Temminckii, Temminck’s Sandpiper, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCVI. MACHETES. BUFF. The bird known in Britain by the name of Buff, Tringa pugnax of Linnaeus, has been separated from the Tringae by Cuvier to form a genus by itself, bearing the name of Machetes or Fighter, in allusion to the combative propensity of the males during the breeding season. The bill differs in no appreciable degree from that of Tringa cinerea ; the general form approaches to that of the genus Limosa ; the legs, and especially the toes, are longer than in Tringa, and the latter indicate some approach to the Snipes. Bill scarcely longer than the head, straight, slender, soft, and somewhat flexible ; upper mandible with the ridge convex, flattened toward the end, the tip slightly enlarged, obtuse, the nasal groove extending nearly to the end ; lower mandible with TRINGINiE. MACHETES. 75 the angle very long and narrow, the sides grooved, the tip a little enlarged and obtuse. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue very long, slender, trigonal, channelled above, point- ed ; oesophagus narrow ; stomach broadly elliptical, com- pressed, with strong muscles, radiated tendons, and dense, thin, rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca of moderate length, narrow, cylindrical. Nos- trils small, linear, pervious, basal, close to the margin. Eyes rather small, both eyelids densely feathered. Aperture of ear rather large, roundish. Legs rather long ; tibia bare about a third of its length ; tarsus slender, compressed, with numerous anterior scutella ; toes slender, first very small and elevated, anterior toes rather long, inner a little shorter than outer, all with numerous scutella, and marginate, the third and fourth connected by a basal web ; claws small, arched, much compressed, tapering, acute. Plumage moderately full, soft, rather blended, on the back and wings firm ; wing long, pointed, with twenty-five quills ; first primary longest, secondaries incurved, the inner much elongated ; tail short, doubly emarginate, of twelve feathers. ^ Only one species is known to me. 187. Machetes pugnax. Ruff. Male in winter with the bill brown, the feet greenish- yellow, the throat and abdomen white, the fore neck and part of the breast pale reddish-brown, spotted with dark brown, the upper parts variegated with brownish-black and light red. The female similar, but with the upper parts lighter, the lower more grey, the bill and feet dusky. Male in summer with numerous fleshy tubercles on the face, two occipital tufts and a very large ruff of elongated feathers on the neck ; the colours of the plumage varying in different individuals, and even in the same at different periods of the same season ; the bill and feet orange yellow. The female without tuber- cles or ornamental feathers ; the upper parts greyish-brown, glossed with green ; the fore neck and breast pale ; the bill and feet dusky. Young with the lower parts pale reddish anteriorly, white behind; the feathers of the upper parts black, margined with light red. Male, 12, 25, 7 b 1^, 2, 1T%, T%. Female, 11, 23. The female of this species is smaller than the male, the TRINGXNvE. NUMEXIUS. 76 reverse being the case in the rest of this family. Formerly j the Ruff bred in great numbers in the fenny districts along the eastern coast of England; but, owing to the draining of the marshes, and the increase of population, it is now of rare occurrence in those parts. It appears that many of these birds now merely sojourn with us for a short time during their vernal and autumnal migrations. On the east coast of Scotland they appear as early as the middle of September, and depart in about a fortnight ; but I have never seen an adult male killed there, the little flocks that occur being young birds, and females. The species is extensively distributed 1 on the Continent, breeding in the marshes. The males as- J sume a station in spring, where they provoke others, and en- | gage in protracted combats, fighting in the manner of domes- tic cocks. The females form a slight nest on the ground, lay j four pyriform, spotted eggs, and rear their young, without the aid of the males. These birds were formerly caught in great j numbers in England, and fattened for the table with farina- > ceous substances, which they soon relish. The male is named Ruff, the female Reeve. Tringa pugnax, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 247.” Tringa pugnax, j Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 725.— -Tringa pugnax, Temm. Man. d’Grnith. ii. 831 ; and Machetes pugnax, iv» 4X1. —Machetes i| pugnax, Ruff, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCVIL NUMENIUS. CURLEW. Were we to view a Curlew-billed Sandpiper or a Dunlin ij through a magnifying medium, such as would enlarge it to eight or ten times its bulk, it would present the appearance j of a Curlew, with this difference, that its bill would not be go much curved. The Numenii, then, are birds of mode- rate size, especially remarkable for the great length and cur- vature of their bill, which is at least twice as long as the head, slender, arcuate, larger at the base, tapering to the end ; upper mandible with the ridge broadly convex, the edges involute, the tip elliptical, obtuse, and extending be- yond that of the lower, the nasal groove very long and nar- row ; lower mandible with the angle very narrow, extend- ing to the middle, and bare anteriorly, the outline arcuate, the sides of the crura a little inflected, and have a longitu- dinal groove, the tip blunt. Both mandibles very thick, TRINGINiE. KUMENIUS* 77 ji having a narrow medial groove, not occupied by the tongue, I which is short, sagittate, narrow, tapering, grooved above, acute ; oesophagus very long, and rather narrow ; proventri- 1 cuius oblong ; stomach a large and powerful gizzard, having | the muscles distinct, the tendons radiated, and the inner coat I rugous ; intestine long, of moderate width ; coeca rather slen- der, cylindrical, shortish ; cloaca globular. Nostrils linear, j pervious, basal. Eyes rather small, eyelids feathered. Aper- jj ture of ear moderate, roundish. Legs long and slender ; tibia bare below, reticulated ; tarsus long, reticulated, but !j having for two-thirds of its length anteriorly a series of short scutella ; toes rather short, slender, with numerous scutella, broad and flat beneath, the anterior webbed to the second i joint, the hind toe very small ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, obtuse. Plumage moderately full, soft, blended ; the feathers oblong or lanceolate ; wings very long, narrow, pointed, with about thirty quills ; first primary longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries slightly incurved, some ' of the inner much elongated and tapering ; tail rather short, rounded, of twelve acuminate feathers, the two medial con- siderably longer. The Curlews are closely allied to the Tringse and Limosae, and in some respects, especially the form of the bill, to the Ibises. They are generally distributed, of migratory habits, frequent the shores in winter and spring, breed in waste and marshy ground, laying four pyriform, spotted eggs. They are suspicious, easily alarmed, run with great celerity, have a light and rapid flight, and feed on insects, larvae, mollusca, and Crustacea. Both sexes are alike, and the sum- mer plumage does not differ from that of winter. Their flesh is excellent. Two species occur in Britain. 188. Numenius Arquata. Great Curlew. Length from twenty-one to twenty-six inches ; bill from five to seven inches ; plumage of the head, neck, and fore part of the back, light reddish-grey, streaked with blackish- brown ; the hind part of the back white, with narrow, longi- tudinal dark marks ; the tail white, with twelve black bars ; the breast, sides, and abdomen white, -with lanceolate black spots and bars. THINGINiE. NUMENIUS. 78 Male, 23, 38,5, 12, 5, 3XV, If, A- Female, 25, 42. This species is generally distributed in Britain, and com- mon in most districts. It retires to the interior to breed, , forming a slight nest, and laying four very large eggs, three j inches long, an inch and ten-twelfths in breadth, light olive or dull yellowish-brown, or pale greenish-grey, blotched and spotted with umber-brown. During the rest of the year it chiefly frequents the sea-shor*?. It feeds on worms, larvae, mol- lusca, and Crustacea, and may be seen probing the mud and sand with its long bill, although it also picks up an object from the surface. It is very shy and vigilant, alarming other birds by its reiterated loud cries, runs with speed, and has a strong and rapid flight. It emits various cries, often curiously mo- 1 dulated. Being in some request as food, it is often seen in the markets. Whaup. Stock Whaup. Whitterick. Scolopax Arquata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 242. — Numenius Arquata, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 710. — Numenius Arquata, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 603. — Numenius Arquata, Great Curlew, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 189. Numenius Phjeopus. Whimbrel Curlew. Length from sixteen to nineteen inches ; bill little more than three inches ; upper part of the head dark brown, with 1 a medial and two lateral whitish bands, streaked with dusky ; i neck all round pale brownish-grey, streaked with brown ; feathers of the fore part of the back, scapulars, and wing- ; coverts dusky, with marginal whitish spots ; hind part of back i white, tail and coverts greyish-white barred with dusky ; chin, hind part of breast, and abdomen white ; fore part of breast streaked, sides and lower wing-coverts barred with 1 dusky. The female is much larger, with the bill proportion- ally longer. Male, 17, 30, 9f, 3 A, 2 A, 1T\, A- Female, 19, 33. Common on some parts of the coast during its passage .i northward, chiefly frequenting sandy pastures. It has been i found breeding in Shetland. The eggs are four, two inches and a half in length, an inch and two-thirds in breadth, pyri- form, and coloured like those of the Great Curlew. It ap- pears again on the coast in autumn, and many remain along the shores, in England, all winter. Its habits are very simi- lar to those of the last species, but its cry is less loud and more modulated. Neither this nor the Great Curlew, although very extensively distributed, occur in America, where, how- TRINGINJE. LIMOSA, 79 ever, there is a species so very similar to the Whimbrel as to have generally been confounded with it. That species, Nu- menius Hudsonicus, may be at once distinguished by its having no white on the rump. Whimbrel. Little Curlew. Half Curlew. Curlew Jack. Tang Whaap. Mayfowl. Scolopax Phseopus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, 243. — Numenius Phseopus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 711. — Numenius Phseopus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 604. — Numenius Phseopus, Whim- brel Curlew, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCVIII. LIMOSA. GODWIT. The Godwits may be likened to Curlews having the bill not arcuate or decurved, but slightly rearcuate or recurved. They are generally of smaller size, and of a rather more j slender form. Bill about twice the length of the head, or | more, slender, at the base higher than broad, tapering, to- ward the end depressed, in its whole length slightly curved upwards ; both mandibles flexible in a considerable degree, | laterally grooved nearly to the points, which are slightly en- j larged and obtuse ; upper mandible with the ridge flattened j at the base and toward the end, elsewhere convex ; lower j with the angle long and very narrow ; the edges of both soft, blunt, and grooved. Mouth extremely narrow ; palate with ! two rows of papilla© on each side, and three anterior rows ; |i tongue long, emarginate and papillate at the base, fleshy at lj first, but soon becoming horny, trigonal, grooved above, ta- ll pering to a fine point ; oesophagus long and narrow ; pro- I ventriculus oblong ; stomach a strong gizzard, elliptical, \ compressed, with radiated tendons, rather large lateral mus- ! cles, and dense, rugous epithelium ; intestine rather long and j narrow ; coeca small, cylindrical, slender. Eyes small. Nos- 1 trils basal, linear. Aperture of ear moderate. Legs long or of moderate length, slender ; tibia bare for rather more than a third ; tarsus scutellate ; toes rather short, slender, broad, S and flattened beneath, the outer connected with the third by I a rather large basal web, running out narrow to the end of | both toes, the hind toe very small, and elevated ; claws small, | arched, compressed, rather obtuse. Plumage moderate, blended, on the upper parts rather compact ; wings long, 80 TRINGINJE. LIMOSA. narrow, pointed, witli thirty quills, the first longest, the rest j rapidly graduated ; secondaries slightly incurved, some of the inner much elongated and tapering ; tail short, of twelve rounded feathers, the four medial a little longer. The Godwits differ little from the Curlews in their habits, j They are generally distributed, and two species occur in Britain. 190. Limosa rufa. Barred-tailed Godwit. Bill about four inches long, bent upwards ; male about fif- 1 teen, female seventeen inches long ; tarsus about two inches I and two-twelfths ; bill flesh-coloured, dusky in its terminal half ; feet greyish-blue, toes darker, claws black, short, blunt, j that of the middle toe without curvature. In winter, the head and neck pale grey, with small brownish-grey streaks ; a broad band over the eye ; the throat, breast, and other lower j parts white ; feathers of the fore part of the back and scapu- lars grey, with a central brown streak ; hind part of back white ; tail white, with eight dusky bars. In summer, the upper part of the head blackish-brown streaked with reddish ; j band over the eye light red ; cheeks, throat, and lower parts yellowish-red ; feathers of the fore part of the back and scapu- lars blackish-brown, mottled with reddish-yellow and light grey ; hind part of back white with yellow spots ; tail white, barred with brown. Young with the upper part of the head blackish-brown, streaked with pale brownish-grey ; band over the eye white, dotted with brown ; cheeks and neck all round light brownish-grey, streaked with grey ; lower parts white ; upper variegated with blackish-brown and pale reddish-grey ; hind part of back white, with dusky spots ; tail white, barred with dusky. Male, 15, 30, 8 A, 2T*¥, lTv, A- Female, 17J, 31. When seen flying at a moderate distance, this bird so much resembles the Whimbrel, that I have several times mistaken it for that species. It appears in small flocks on our coasts in the beginning of September, frequenting more especially the muddy parts at the mouths of streams, remains with us during the winter, and disappears in April. Its flight is moderately rapid, light, somewhat buoyant, and greatly re- [ sembles that of the Curlews. It emits a loud, shrill whistle, and on rising utters a low, modulated sound. Walking for the most part sedately, but sometimes running, it taps and probes the mud and sands in search of worms and other small TRINGINJE. LIMOSA. PHALAROPUS. 81 animals, frequently mingling with sandpipers and sand-plovers. It does not appear that this species has been found breeding in any part of Britain, although it has been seen by Mr John MacGillivray in North Uist in July, and therefore probably breeds there. Bed-breasted Godwit. Common Godwit. Bed Godwit. Grey Godwit. Yar Whelp. Poor Willie. Godwyn. Scolopax Lapponica, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 246. — Scolopax Lapponica and leucophsea, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 716, 719. — - Limosa rufa and Meyeri, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 668, iv. — Limosa rufa, Barred-tailed Godwit, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 191. Limosa melanura. Black-tailed Godwit. Bill about three and a half inches long, straight ; tarsus about three inches and three quarters long ; bill orange, dusky at the end ; feet brownish-black ; claws slender, rather point- ed, that of the middle toe serrated ; tail black, at the base white ; wings with a conspicuous white band. In winter the upper parts greyish-brown, streaked with dusky ; fore part of neck, breast, and sides pale grey ; middle of breast, abdomen, base of quills, secondary coverts, and tail feathers white. In summer the neck, breast, and sides bright red, dotted and barred with dusky ; fore part of the back and scapulars black, variegated with light red. Young with the feathers of the upper parts blackish-brown, margined with light red ; the neck pale reddish-grey. Male, 16, 30, 8T9¥, 4, 1T5¥, Female, l7f. This species breeds in small numbers in some of the Eng- lish fens. The greater number of individuals, however, ap- pear to be migratory, visiting our coasts in October, and departing in the end of spring. It is much less numerous with us than the other species, which it resembles in its habits. Bed Godwit. Lesser Godwit. Jadreka Snipe. Scolopax Limosa, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 245. — Scolopax Li- mosa, and iEgo-cephala, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 719. — Limosa melanura, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 664. — Limosa melanura, Black-tailed Godwit, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS XCIX. PHALAEOPUS. PHALABOPE. The only species of this genus known to me is a small bird of about the size of the Purple Sandpiper, and which E 82 TRINGINJE. PHALAROPUS. at first sight might be taken for a Tringa, although its feet ■ differ so much as to render it expedient to separate it from that genus. It is, one may say, a Tringa with the toes lobed or scolloped. The body rather slender, the neck of moderate j length, the head small, compressed, with the forehead ele- vated and rounded. Bill rather longer than the head, al- most quite straight, slender, subcylindrical ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge flattened, the nasal groove extending two-thirds, the breadth considerably en- larged toward the end, the tip obtuse ; lower mandible with j the angle long and extremely narrow, the sides erect and grooved, the tip rather acute. Eyes rather small. Nostrils basal, oblong, with an elevated margin. Aperture of ear | roundish, and of moderate size. Legs short, extremely slen- j der ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tarsus short, much \ compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; hind toe diminutive ; ante- | rior toes of moderate length, the second slightly shorter than j the fourth ; the three connected at the base by webs, and late- rally margined with a lobed membrane ; claws very small, ,| arched, compressed, rather sharp. Plumage full, soft, blend- ! ed ; the feathers oblong, and much curved. Wings long, pointed, with twenty-five quills ; the first and second quills longest ; secondaries incurved, the inner very long and ta- pering ; tail short, rounded, of twelve feathers. The dense plumage, impervious to water, and the expand- ed margins of the toes, indicate an affinity to the Palmipede birds. i 192. Phalaropus lobatus. Grey Phalarope. In wrinter, the back of a fine pale purplish blue, the occiput and a line down the back of the neck greyish-black, the fore- head, sides of the head, neck, and lower parts, white. The wing-coverts blackish, as are the primary quills, and some of the very elongated and pointed inner secondaries ; the shafts of the quills, and the margins and tips of the secondary coverts, and the tips of the primary coverts, white ; the middle tail- feathers deep brown, margined with white, the lateral shaded into ash-grey ; bill black, feet pale brown, lobes grey, claws black. In summer, the bill yellow, with the point dusky, the feet greyish-blue ; upper part of the head black; fore part of the back, the scapulars, and inner secondaries, black, margin- TRINGINiE. LOBIPES. 83 ed with light red ; wing-coverts and quills greyish-black ; a white band across the wing ; the rump white, streaked with dusky ; the tail deep grey, dusky toward the end ; forehead dusky grey ; sides of head, white ; fore-neck, breast, abdomen, and lower tail coverts, light red. Mfllp ft1 1^3 ^ 1 O 1 ] 9 2 lVActie, °2\104> °> I2-; 12? TV Extends in summer into the Arctic regions of both Conti- nents, where it breeds. The eggs are ovato-pyriform, four, an inch and two-eighths long, seven-eighths in breadth, oil- green, clouded and spotted with umber-brown. Although it searches the shores of the sea, lakes, and rivers, in the man- ner of a Tringa, it is frequently seen at a great distance from land, walking on masses of floating sea- weeds, or swimming in the open ocean. Its economy in this respect is not more j wonderful for a bird of this family than that of the Coot in the ; family of Gallinules, and more especially of the Dipper in that of Thrushes or Ant-catchers. Its flight is rapid, according to Mr Audubon, like that of Tringa Cinclus ; it runs with ease, and swims with great speed. Red Phalarope. Grey Phalarope. Coot-foot. Tringa lobata and fulicaria, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 249.- — Pha- !| laropus lobatus and glacialis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 77 6. — Phalaropus platyrhynchus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 712. — Phalaropus lobatus, Grey Phalarope, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS C. LOBIPES. LOBEFOOT, | It appears that not more than three species of this genus | are known. They are small birds of slender form, with I the body somewhat elongated ; the neck rather long and I slender ; the head small, compressed, with the forehead ele- j vated and rounded. Bill rather longer than the head, [ straight, or very slightly recurved, very slender, depressed, jj tapering ; upper mandible with the ridge convex, flattened ! at the base, the nasal groove extending nearly to the end, ! the tip slender and pointed ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the sides sloping outwards and grooved for three-fourths, the tip acute. Mouth extremely j narrow ; tongue long, extremely slender, horny, trigonal, grooved above, tapering to a fine point ; oesophagus narrow ; proventrieuius oblong ; stomach elliptical, with strong late- 84 TRINGINiE. LOBIPES. ral muscles, large tendons, and dense, longitudinal, rugous epithelium ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca moderate, cylindrical. Eyes small. Nostrils basal, linear. Aperture of ear roundish and moderate. Legs of moderate length, slender ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tarsus much compressed, thin-edged anteriorly ; first toe diminu- tive ; anterior toes of moderate length, the second slightly shorter than the fourth ; the three connected at the base by webs, of which the outer is longer, and laterally margined with a lobed and pectinated membrane ; claws very small, j curved, compressed, pointed. Plumage full, soft, blended ; feathers oblong and much curved ; wings long, pointed, the first quill longest ; secondaries fifteen, incurved, the inner j very long and tapering ; tail rather short, much rounded, of j twelve feathers. This genus differs from Phalaropus chiefly in having the | bill more slender, depressed, and tapering to a point, instead of becoming enlarged toward the end. There is, however, little difference in the habits of the species of these two genera. 193. Lobipes hyperboreus. Hyperborean Lobefoot. In winter, the forehead, cheeks, fore-neck, and all the )j lower parts wdiite ; the upper part of the head, a band below the eyes, and a narrow band along the hind neck, blackish- grey ; upper parts of the body greyish-black, streaked with white ; wings with a white band. In summer, the upper i) parts blackish -grey, the feathers of the back and the scapu- lars edged with light red, of which colour are the sides and j fore part of the neck ; throat, breast, and abdomen white ; , sides grey ; wings with a white band. Young with the up- per parts blackish-brown, the feathers bordered with light red ; quills and wing-coverts brownish-black, edged and tip- ped with white; forehead, throat, fore-neck, breast, and abdo- men white ; sides of the neck tinged with reddish-yellow. Mo Ip 73 14.1 48JJ10 8 2 male, / 4, *iTS9 12? TV? I?> llf This species breeds in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, where it inhabits the margins of the lakes, forming its nest in the grass near the edge of the water, and depositing four ovato -pyriform eggs, of a light olive or oil-green colour, spot- ted with brownish-black. It swims with great ease, but is TOTANINiE. 85 incapable of diving, and feeds on insects, mollusca, and worms. It has also been seen far out at sea among floating fuci. From the northern parts of both continents, where it passes the summer, it migrates southward in autumn. It does not appear that individuals remain in England all winter, the few that are seen there occurring in the course of their migra- tions. Water Snipe. Fed Phalarope. Tringa hyperborea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 249. — Fhalaropus hyperboreus and fuscus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 775. — Phalaro- pus hyperboreus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 709. — Lobipes hy- perboreus, Hyperborean Lobefoot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. FAMILY XXXYI. TOTANINIE. TOTANINE BIRDS, OR TATTLERS. In their general appearance, internal structure, and various organs, the birds which form this family differ little from the Tringinse. But while the latter have the body moderately full, the legs of ordinary length or con- siderably elongated, and the bill, though long, soft, and blunt at the end, the Totaninse have the body slen- der, the legs often extremely elongated, and the bill ex- tremely slender, attenuated at the end, pointed, and in its terminal half firm though elastic. Upper mandible with the ridge convex, the edges inflected, the nasal groove very narrow and extending half its length, the tip narrowed and slightly decurved ; lower mandible with the intercrural space long and extremely narrow, the sides grooved nearly as far as the angle, the edges inflected, the tip narrow. Mouth extremely narrow ; tongue very slender, tapering, horny toward the end, pointed ; oeso- phagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a strong gizzard, with the lateral muscles moderately thick, the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous ; intestine rnather long and of moderate width ; coeca of moderate length and narrow. Nostrils linear, subbasal, pervious. 86 TOTANINJE. RE CTJRVI ROSTRA. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs very long and slender ; tibia bare to a great extent ; tar- sus compressed, anteriorly and posteriorly scutellate ; hind toe very small and elevated, or wanting ; anterior toes slender, of moderate length, webbed at the base ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather obtuse. Plumage very soft and blended, on the upper parts rather compact ; wings very long, pointed, with twenty -five quills, the first longest, the inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail short, rounded, of twelve rather soft feathers. These birds, of moderate size or small, frequent the shores of the sea, lakes, rivers, and marshes, feeding on worms, insects, mollusca, and Crustacea, which they ob- tain partly by boring into the mud, but chiefly by picking them up from the surface, or in the water, in which they all wrade. They run with great celerity, vibrate their body when standing, especially if alarmed, emit a loud, shrill, reiterated cry, and have a rapid, though light, and rather buoyant flight. The nest is a slight hollow ; the eggs four, very large, pyriform, and spotted. The young, covered with down, run about from the first, and conceal themselves by crouching. Nine species occur in Britain. GENUS CI. RECURYIRQSTRA. AYOSET. The very few species which constitute this genus are of moderate size, with the body compact, ovate, rather slender ; the neck long ; the head small, ovate, compressed. Bill more than twice the length of the head, very slender, de- pressed, tapering to a point, and slightly recurved ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then curved upwards, the nasal groove very narrow, and extending to a third, the point very slender, and slightly decurved ; that of the lower mandible still more slender, and slightly curved upwards ; the edges of both thick and grooved. Mouth very narrow ; two longitudinal series of blunt, re- TOTANINJE. RECURVIRQSTRA. 87 versed papillae, on the palate ; tongue slightly emarginate and papillate at the base, slender, tapering, pointed ; oeso- phagus narrow, dilated a little above the middle ; proven- triculus oblong ; stomach an oblong gizzard, with moderate muscles, large radiated tendons, and dense, longitudinally rugous epithelium ; intestine rather long, and of moderate width ; coeca rather long, cylindrical, narrow. Nostrils linear, perforated, basal. Eyes small. Aperture of ear roundish, rather large. Legs very long, slender ; tibia bare for half its length, and with the tarsus reticulated with hexagonal scales ; hind toe extremely small and elevated ; anterior toes rather short, scutellate, and connected by webs, which are very deeply emarginate ; claws very small, almost straight, compressed, tapering, obtuse. Plumage very soft and blended ; wings long, rather narrow, pointed, the first quill longest, the secondaries broad, incurved, the inner elongated and tapering ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve rather narrow feathers. These birds, of which one occurs in Europe, and is some- times met with in England, are much addicted to wading, and are occasionally seen to swim. They do not thrust their bills into the mud, but search it with a lateral wriggling motion of the head, moving the bill from side to side. The eggs are four, pyriform, and spotted. This genus has been entirely misplaced by authors, its affinities being obviously with Himantopus, Totanus, and the other genera of the present group. 194. Becurvirostra Avocetta. Black-and-white Avoset. Bill black, feet greyish-blue, claws black ; the upper part of the head, including the loral space, a small band under the eye, and the hind-neck for half its length, brownish-black ; the rest of the neck, all the lower parts, under wing-coverts, middle and hind parts of the back, and the tail, white ; an oblique band of black on the fore part of the back on each side ; smaller wing-coverts black, larger white, the inner with a blackish-brown patch ; primary quills and coverts white at the base, brownish-black in the rest of their extent ; secon- dary quills white. 88 XOTANINjE. himantopus. Ma]p Ql 911 1 4 3 The Avoset, now of rare occurrence in any part of Britain, is said to breed in the fens of Lincolnshire, and in Romney Marsh, in Kent. It Ts not migratory, but, assembling in small flocks, in winter, frequents the shores and estuaries of the south-eastern coasts of England, and feeds on worms, in- sects, and mollusca, which it obtains by an alternating, la- teral motion of the bill among the soft mud. The use of its webs seems to be chiefly to support it on the yielding surface. It wades out in the water, runs with rapidity, vibrates its body when standing, has a powerful flight, and a loud shrill cry, and is said to resemble the Totani and other birds of this family, in its attempts to decoy intruders from its nest or young. Scooper. Crooked-bill. Cobleris awl. Yelper. Recurvirostra Avocetta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 156. — Recur- virostra Avocetta, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 786. — Recurvirostra Avocetta, Temm, Man. d’Ornith. ii. 590. — Recurvirostra Avocetta, Black-and-white Avoset, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, it. GENUS CII. HIMANTOPUS. STILT-SHANK. The importance of the hind toe in the Grallatorial series has been much overrated, otherwise the Himantopi, which in all essential respects are most intimately connected with the Totani and Recurvirostra, would never have been placed in connection with the Plovers, with which they have but a very distant affinity. These birds are of a singularly slen- der form, with legs so extremely elongated, as at once to suggest the idea of a bird walking on stilts. The body, however, is rather compact and ovate ; but the neck is very long and slender ; the head small, compressed, and much rounded above. Bill about twice the length of the head, almost straight, being very slightly recurved, very slender, roundish, tapering ; upper mandible with the ridge convex, the nasal groove extending half its length, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very narrow, rather acute, and slightly decurvate ; lower mandible with the angle long and ex- tremely narrow, the sides grooved nearly as far as the angle, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip extremely narrow, and just at the end turned a little upwards. Mouth very nar- TOTANINiE. HIMANTOPUS. 89 row ; tongue scarcely half the length of the bill, very slen- der, tapering, pointed ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach elliptical, with the lateral muscles mode- rately thick, the epithelium dense and rugous ; intestine of moderate length, narrow ; coeca rather short, very narrow. Nostrils linear, subbasal. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear roundish, and rather large. Legs extremely long and slender ; tibia bare for more than half its length ; tarsus very slender, compressed, reticulated with hexagonal scales ; toes of moderate length, slender, scutellate, unless toward the base ; no hind toe ; the inner connected with the middle toe by a very slight web, the outer by a web extending nearly to the second joint ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, obtuse. Plumage very soft and blended, on the back and wings compact ; wings extremely long, exceeding the tail, narrow, acute, of twenty-eight quills ; the first longest, the other primaries rapidly graduated ; secondaries incurved, some of the inner tapering and elongated ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve feathers. These birds fly with rapidity, walk and run with celerity, vibrate their body when standing, are remarkably vociferous, and search the mud and sand for worms, insects, Crustacea, and mollusca, often wading far into the water. The eggs are four, pyriform, and spotted. The males are larger than the females. 195. Himantopus melanoptertjs. Black-winged Stilt-shank. In summer, the bill black, the feet vermilion ; the fore- head, cheeks, neck, lower parts, and sides of the body, with the greater part of the back, white ; the breast tinged with rose-colour ; upper part of head and nape greyish-black ; fore part of back, scapulars, and wings, black, glossed with green ; tail ash-grey. The female somewhat smaller, and with the black of the back less glossy. In winter the forehead, a band over the eyes, fore part of neck, breast, sides, abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and the greater part of the back, white ; upper part of the head, nape, and a line below the eye, with the ear-coverts, ash-grey ; hind part of neck pale-grey ; fore part of back, scapulars, and elongated secondaries, brown, the rest 90 TOTANINJE. GLOTTIS. of the wing black, glossed with green ; tail and its coverts ash-grey. Male, 14, . 9f> 2Tv; 4{f, 1T\, This species, which is said to be plentiful in many parts of Asia and the south-eastern portions of Europe, migrates into Germany, France, and Italy, and has been in a few instances obtained in England. Stilt. Longshank. Long-legged Plover. Charadrius Himantopus^ Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 255. — Chara- drius Himantopus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 741. — Himantopus melanopterus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 528. — Himantopus melanopterus, Black-and-white Stiltshank, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CIII. GLOTTIS. LONGSHANK, The birds of this genus are closely allied to the Himan- topi, but have the legs much shorter, although still very long, and are furnished with a small hind toe. The body is ovate, rather slender ; the neck long and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed, with the upper part much rounded. Bill about half as long again as the head, very slender, roundish, compressed toward the end, tapering, be- yond the middle slightly inclined upwards ; upper mandible with the ridge convex, the nasal groove extending nearly half its length, the edges inflected, and narrowly grooved, the tip narrowed, slightly decurved, and somewhat obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the sides grooved nearly as far as the angle, the dorsal line slightly ascending, the edges inflected, narrowly grooved, the tip narrow, rather obtuse, and very slightly directed up- wards. Mouth very narrow ; tongue about half the length of the bill, very slender, tapering, horny toward the end, and pointed ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach elliptical, with its lateral muscles moderately thick, the epithelium dense, and longitudinally rugous ; intestine rather long, and of moderate width ; cceca of moderate length, and narrow. Nostrils linear, subbasal. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear roundish, rather large. Legs very long and slender ; tibia bare for nearly half its length ; TOTANINJE. GLOTTIS. 91 tarsus compressed, scutellate before and behind ; toes four, the first very small and elevated ; the anterior of moderate length, slightly webbed at the base ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, obtuse. Plumage very soft and blended, on the back and wings compact ; wings very long, pointed, with twenty-five quills ; the first primary longest, the rest rapidly decreasing ; secondaries incurved, some of the inner tapering and elongated ; tail short, a little rounded, of twelve feathers. These birds are of moderate or rather small size. They frequent the shores of the sea, lakes, rivers, and marshes ; feed upon worms, insects, Crustacea, and mollusca, run with great celerity, vibrate their body when standing, emit a loud, shrill, reiterated cry, and have a rapid, light, and rather buoyant flight. Their nest is a slight hollow ; the eggs four, very large, pyriform, and spotted. Some species of the genus are found in most parts of the world ; but in Britain only one occurs. 196. Glottis Chloropus. Green-legged Long-shank. In winter the bill greenish-brown at the base, black toward the end, the feet greenish-grey ; the head, hind part and sides of the neck, greyish-white, streaked with brown ; the fore part of the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, greyish-brown, the feathers edged with whitish ; the hind part of the back, fore part of the face, and all the lower parts, white, but with faint grey markings on the fore part of the sides, and on the lower wing-coverts ; tail white, barred with greyish-brown. In sum- mer, the fore-neck and breast marked with oblong black spots ; the fore part of the back and the scapulars black, the feathers margined with whitish. Male, 14J, 26, 7^? 2ta, Generally dispersed in England and some of the southern parts of Scotland during winter, when it is seen in small flocks here and there along the shore, by the margins of rivers, and in marshy places. By the beginning of summer it has disappeared, unless in the north of Scotland and some of its islands, where a few breed. The nest is a shallow cavity, with some fragments of plants ; the eggs four, two inches long, an inch and three-eighths in breadth, pale yellowish- green, spotted with dark brown and light purplish-grey. It feeds on insects, worms, and other small animals, runs and 92 TOTANINJE. TOTANUS. flies with great speed, vibrates its body continually when j standing, and is remarkably vociferous, shy, and ready to take alarm, as well as to spread it among the birds around. Greenshank. Greenshank Snipe. Green-legged Horse- man. I Scolopax Glottis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 245. — Scolopax Glot- tis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 720, — Totanus Glottis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 659.— Glottis Chloropus, Green-legged Longshank, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CIY. TOTANUS. TATTLER. The Tattlers differ from the Longshanks chiefly in having the bill and legs considerably shorter, and the former quite j straight. The body is ovate, rather slender ; the neck ra- fher long, and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed, j with the forehead considerably rounded. Bill about a third longer than the head, straight, very slender, soft and flexible at the base, hard and elastic toward the end ; upper man- dible with the ridge convex, the sides grooved to beyond I the middle, the edges thick, with a linear groove, the tip slightly declinate, narrowed, blunt, and a little exceeding ; the other ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the sides grooved to the middle, the dorsal line straight, or very slightly concave, the edges thick and I] grooved, the tip narrowed, and a little obtuse. Mouth very narrow ; tongue linear, channelled above, acute ; oesophagus narrow ; pro ventriculus oblong ; gizzard rather large, oblong, j with strong lateral muscles, and rugous epithelium ; coeca of moderate length, cylindrical. Nostrils small, linear, basal. \ Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear roundish, and rather 1 small. Feet long, very slender ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tarsus with numerous broad scutella before, scutel- late behind also ; toes small, the first diminutive and ele- vated ; the anterior toes with basal webs, of which the outer is larger ; claws small, compressed, slightly curved, obtuse. Plumage very soft and blended ; wings long, pointed, with twenty-five quills ; the first primary longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries incurved, the inner elongated and tapering ; tail short, rounded, of twelve narrow, rounded i feathers. TOTANINJE. TOTANUS. 98 The Tattlers are birds of small or moderate size, which frequent the shores of the sea, lakes, marshes, and rivers ; feed upon worms, insects, Crustacea, and mollusca ; have a rapid, light, rather wavering flight, and in their habits gene- rally resemble the Longshanks, being equally remarkable for their timidity, vociferousness, and the balancing motion of their bodies. They are met with in all parts of the world. Four species occur in Britain. 197. Totanus fuscus. Dusky Bedshank Tattler. Adult with the basal half of the bill red, the other half brownish-black, the feet orange-red; the secondary quills black, barred with white. In winter, the upper part of the head and hind-neck brownish-grey ; the fore part of the back greyish-brown, streaked with dusky, its hind part white ; the tail and its coverts barred with white and dusky ; the cheeks and fore-neck greyish-white, faintly streaked with grey, the rest of the lower parts white. In summer, the head, neck, and lower parts, greyish-black, the feathers slightly edged with whitish ; those of the fore part of the back, and the wing-coverts, blackish-brown, marginally spotted with black and white; the other parts as in winter. Young with the base of the upper mandible dusky, the feet orange, the upper parts blackish-brown, the feathers edged with triangular white spots, the hind part of the back white, streaked with dusky. Male, 12*, 23, 6f, 2*, 2*, 1*, f. Of rare occurrence in England and Ireland during the win- ter season, but not yet observed in Scotland. Being in its winter plumage so very similar to the next species, it is liable to be mistaken for it. Spotted Snipe. Spotted Kedshank. Dusky Snipe. Dusky Bedshank. Dusky Sandpiper. Cambridge Godwit. Bed- legged God wit. Scolopax fusca, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 243. — Scolopax fusca, atra, Cantabrigiensis, Curonica, and Totanus, Lath. Ind. Qr- nith, 721, 724, 738. Totanus fuscus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 639. — Totanus fuscus, Dusky Bedshank Tattler, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, iv. 198. Totanus Calidris. Grey Bedshank Tattler, Adult with the basal half of the bill red, the other half brownish-black, the feet orange-red, the secondary quills 94 TOTANINiE. TOTANUS. black at the base, white toward the end. In winter, the up- per part of the head and hind-neck brownish -grey ; the fore part of the back greyish-brown, streaked with dusky, its hind part white ; the tail and its coverts barred with white and dusky grey ; the fore part and sides of the neck pale grey, streaked with dusky, as are the sides, the rest of the lower | parts white. In summer, the cheeks and fore-neck greyish- white, streaked with dusky, the rest of the lower parts white, the sides with angular dusky markings ; the upper parts of a deeper tint than in winter. Young with the base of the up- per mandible dusky, the feet orange, the upper parts brown, the feathers margined with yellowish, the hind part of the back white, but streaked with dusky. Male, 12, 22, 6J, ly^-, ly-g-, 1 t32* ^ j Generally dispersed along the shores in winter, chiefly fre- quenting muddy and sandy places. It often wades into the 1 water in quest of food, for which it also probes the sand and | mud ; is suspicious and vigilant, remarkably active and voci- j ferous; has a rapid, wavering flight ; and, when standing, is continually vibrating its body. In summer, it frequents in- land marshes and pools, forms its slight nest in a hollow, and j lays four pyriform eggs, an inch and seven-twelfths in length, ! an inch and two-twelfths in breadth, pale greenish-grey, spot- ted and blotched with reddish-brown and blackish-brown. The flesh of this bird not being inferior to the Godwits and Sandpipers, it is often seen in the markets. Pool Snipe. Sandcock. Redshank. lied- legged Snipe. Scolopax Calidris and Gambetta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 245, 248. — Scolopax Calidris, Gambetta, and Tringa striata, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 728, 733. — Totanus Calidris, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 643. — Totanus Calidris, Grey Redshank Tattler, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 199. Totanus Ochropus. Green Tattler. Bill dusky above, reddish below ; feet greyish-blue, tinged with green ; tail nearly even, white, the four middle feathers with three blackish-brown bars toward the end, the outer- most feather plain ; upper part of head and hind-neck brown- ish-grey ; back, scapulars, and inner secondaries greenish- brown, with marginal whitish and dusky spots ; rump white ; neck greyish-white, with longitudinal dusky lines ; breast and abdomen white ; lower wing coverts, axillars, and some of the hypochondria! feathers angularly barred with brown ; bill dusky above, reddish beneath ; feet greyish-blue tinged TOTANINiE. TOTANUS. ACTITIS. 95 with green. The summer plumage differs from that of win- ter only in having the upper parts darker and more glossed with green, in there being a greater number of small dots on these parts, and in the spots on the fore part of the neck being guttiform, there being one along the shaft of each feather. Male, lOy1^, 17 I4? i tV; tL i32* Female, lljr, 18^. It does not appear that this elegantly-formed bird ever ; breeds in Britain, where it arrives about the middle of Sep- tember. It frequents pools and small streams, is solitary, and when disturbed emits a shrill whistling cry. It runs and flies with rapidity, and when on wing presents a singular ap- pearance, on account of the pure white patch on its rump. Tringa ochropus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 250.-— Tringa ochro- pus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 729. — Totanus ochropus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 651. — Totanus ochropus, Green Tattler, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 200. Totanus Glareola. Wood Tattler. Bill dusky, greenish at the base ; feet greenish grey ; tail doubly emarginate, white, all the feathers barred to the base : with blackish-brown, the outermost with the inner web plain ; upper part of head greyish-brown ; back, scapulars, and inner ! secondaries dark purplish-brown, with marginal whitish and dusky spots ; neck greyish-white, with longitudinal dusky I lines ; breast and abdomen white ; lower wing- coverts dusky, j edged with white ; axillar feathers and some of those on the sides narrowly and irregularly barred with brown. Male, 9, 15, 5T%, 1T2^, 1T\, 1T^, and J. Female, 9^, 16. 1 This species occurs accidentally or occasionally on the southern and eastern coasts of England, in the course of its autumnal and vernal migrations. It is said to be pretty com- mon in the southern and eastern parts of Europe, and it has been found in India and at the Cape of Good Hope. Wood Sandpiper. Tringa Glareola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 250. — Tringa Glareola, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 730. — Totanus Glareola, Temm. Man. i d’Ornith. ii. 654. — Totanus Glareola, Wood Tattler, MacGil- 1 livray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CY. ACTITIS. WEET-WEET. The birds which constitute this genus agree with the To- i tani in their general form ; but differ in having the bill not | longer than the head, with the margin of the mandibles but 96 TOTANINiE. ACTITIS. faintly grooved, and the feet also shorter. The body is ovate and slender ; the neck of moderate length ; the head small, oblong, and compressed, with the forehead rounded. Bill of the same length as the head, straight, very slender, soft and flexible at the base, hard and elastic at the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge nar- row and convex, the sides grooved for three-fourths of its length, the edges thin and sharp, the tip slightly decimate, narrowed, bluntish, and a little exceeding the other ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the sides grooved to the middle, the dorsal outline straight, the edges thick and faintly grooved, the tip narrowed, and some- what obtuse. The digestive organs are similar to those of the Totani, as are the organs of sense and the limbs, the feet being proportionally shorter. The plumage is also similar. The Weet-weets are small migratory birds, which frequent the sandy and muddy margins of lakes, rivers, and estua- ries. They are especially remarkable for the vibratory mo- tion of their body, and their shrill cries. They feed on i insects, larvae, worms, and mollusca ; have a rapid, some- what undulated, and vacillating flight, and run with great t celerity. Their nest is a slight hollow ; the eggs four, py- riform, light coloured, and spotted with dusky or brown, i' Two species occur in Britain ; one very common, the other the reverse. 201. Actitis Hypoleucos. White-breasted Weet-weet. A little larger than the Dunlin, but of more slender form ; j with the bill dusky, the feet greenish-grey ; the upper parts i glossy greenish-brown, transversely banded and undulated r wTh dark-brown ; the lower parts white, excepting the fore < part and sides of the neck, which are greyish, with faint dusky lines. Young with the upper parts lighter, the feathers mar- gined with dusky and reddish, the feet ochraceous. Male, 8j, 14, 4T9^-, j^-, and This elegant little bird arrives in England about the mid- dle of April, in Scotland toward the end of that month, be- taking itself to the sandy or gravelly shores of lakes, rivers, and brooks, sometimes also of estuaries, where it procures its food, breeds, and remains until its departure in September. TOTANINJE. ACTITIS. 97 It is generally dispersed, and of common occurrence ; is re- j markable for its activity, and the vibrating movements of its body ; has a rapid devious flight, skimming over the water, j at intervals with stiffened and arched wings, and uttering its j loud shrill cries ; runs with great celerity ; is vigilant and rather suspicious, but easily approached within shooting dis- tance. The nest is a slight hollow in the sand, or among i) pebbles ; the eggs always four, enormously large, an inch and four-twelfths in length, an inch in breadth, broadly pyriform, j reddish- white or cream-coloured, glossy, and covered with dots and small spots of dark purplish-brown, and greyish- purple. After the young are fledged, they do not collect into large flocks, nor betake themselves to the sea-shore. Their food consists of insects and larvae. Common Sandpiper. Water Junket. Willy- wicket. Fid- dler. Tringa Hypoleucos, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 250. — Tringa Hy- poleucos, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 731. — Totanus Hypoleucos, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 657.— Actitis Hypoleucos, White- breasted Weet-weet, MacGillivray Brit. Birds, iv. 202. Actitis macularia. Spotted Weet-weet. Slightly inferior in size to the White-breasted species, which it precisely resembles in form ; with the bill dusky at the point, greenish-brown above, yellow beneath ; the upper parts glossy greenish-brown, the head longitudinally streaked, the rest transversely banded, with dark brown ; the lower parts white, marked all over with roundish dusky spots. Young with the upper parts lighter, the feathers of the head margined with dusky, the back and wings with more nume- rous dusky bars, the lower parts brownish-white, unspotted. Tringa Cinclus, in autumn, having black spots on the breast and sides, is apt to be mistaken for it. Male, 8, 13, 4T%, i^-, H, tV This species is abundant in many parts of North America, where it is migratory, and frequents the margins of rivers and pools. Its habits, as detailed by the ornithologists of that country, are similar to those of our White-breasted Weet- weet, which it resembles so closely in form. Individuals have been shot on the continent of Europe, and a few are recorded to have been obtained in England. Spotted Sandpiper. - SCOLOPACINiE. Tringa macularia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 734. — Totanus macularius, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 656. — Actitis macula- ria, Spotted Weet-weet, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. FAMILY XXXVII. SCOLOPACINiE. SCO- LOPACINE BIRDS, OR SNIPES. Although, when viewed collectively, the Scolopacinse present peculiar characters by which they may he dis- tinguished as a family, yet some of them are so closely allied to several of the Tringinse, that, in description, j they can scarcely be distinctly separated, so that the limits of the two families cannot he clearly marked. i The general characters of the Scolopacinse, however, ap- pear to he the following. They are birds of small size, our Woodcock being among the largest, with the body j compact and rather full ; the neck of moderate length ; the head much compressed, and rounded above. The i bill is always very long, flexible, straight, slender, com- pressed, toward the end enlarged, depressed, and having numerous nervous filaments under the cuticle, which, on becoming dry, is marked with scrobiculi or small de- pressions ; the tips of both mandibles hard, narrowly obtuse, that of the lower shorter, and received into the upper, so as to offer no impediment to the intrusion of the bill into the mud. This character occurs slightly I in some of the Tringinse also. The mouth extremely narrow ; the tongue long, very slender, soft, thin, chan- ; nelled above, acutely pointed ; the roof of the mouth with a double series of short, pointed, reversed, papillae ; oesophagus narrow ; stomach a roundish, compressed, muscular gizzard, with dense plicate epithelium ; intes- tine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather long. Nostrils very small, linear, basal. Eyes moderate, ge- nerally high on the head. Aperture of ear large, round- SCOLOPACINiE. MACRORHAMPHUS. 99 ish. Legs short ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tar- sus short, anteriorly scutellate ; toes four, the first very small and elevated ; the anterior toes long, slender, scu- tellate, the fourth little longer than the second, the third much longer ; claws slender, little arched, acute. Plu- mage moderately compact ; wings long, pointed, of twenty-five quills, of which the first is generally longest, the inner secondaries much elongated ; tail short, of twelve or more narrow feathers. These birds reside in marshy places, in which they search for food by thrusting their delicately sentient hills into the mud or soft ground, and apparently sucking in the worms and larvse with which they come in contact. They are true probers, never feeding in any other man- ner, and differ from the birds of the other families in leading a skulking sort of life, being generally concealed among the herbage, seldom or never uttering cries unless when on wing, and crouching when apprehensive of dan- ger, in which circumstances they differ from all the Tringinse and Totaninse. They walk well, but run little, have a rapid flight, alight abruptly, utter harsh shrill cries ; nestle on the ground, and lay four very large, py- riform, spotted eggs. The young, covered with thick variegated down, run from the first, and squat to conceal themselves. The plumage of the adults is variegated with tints of brown, red, and dusky. The females are larger than the males. Species of this family occur in marshy places in all parts of the globe. In Britain, one is permanently resident, two common in winter, and four more have been met with as stragglers. GENUS CYI. MACRORHAMPHUS. LONGBEAK. This germs, scarcely distinguishable from the next, con- tains only a single species, of which the generic characters may be thus briefly given. Body ovate, compact ; neck of 100 SCOLOPACINiE. MACRORHAMPHUS. moderate length ; head small, oblong, convex above, nar- rowed in front. Bill more than twice the length of the head, straight, slender, compressed for more than half its length, depressed, and a little widened toward the end ; the sides of both mandibles grooved, their terminal third scrobiculate, the tips hard, narrowly obtuse, that of the lower shorter. Mouth very narrow, its roof with three longitudi- nal series of papillae ; tongue very long, slender, channelled above, tapering to a point ; oesophagus rather narrow ; sto- mach an oblong muscular gizzard ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca moderate, cylindrical, narrowed at the commencement. Nostrils small, linear, lateral, basal. Eyes small ; eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs of moderate length, slender ; tibia bare for nearly a third ; tarsus compressed, scutellate before and behind ; first toe very small, slender ; anterior toes of moderate length, slender, scutellate, webbed at the base, the outer web large ; claws small, slightly arched, slender, compressed, acute. Plumage firm, but blended ; wings long, narrow, pointed ; the first primary longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; inner i secondaries very long ; tail rather short, nearly even, of twelve rounded feathers. The only species of this genus differs from the Scolopaces in having the toes shorter and webbed at the base, in fre- quenting the open sea-shore, and in changing its plumage j from grey in winter to red in summer. It thus forms the transition from the Scolopacinae to the Godwits and Sand- pipers. i 203. Macrorhamphus griseus. Grey Longbeak. About the size of our Common Snipe ; with the bill more 1 than twice the length of the head ; the tail nearly even ; the outer and middle toes connected by a rather large basal web. In winter, the plumage of the upper part of the head and hind-neck brownish-grey ; the fore part of the back of the f same colour, spotted with dusky ; the rump and tail white, transversely barred with blackish-brown ; the lower parts white, the sides and lower tail-coverts barred with dusky. In summer, the upper parts variegated with brownish-black and light reddish-yellow ; the lower light yellowish-red, more or less spotted and barred with dusky. SCOLOPACINJE. SCOLOPAX. 101 Male, lOj, 18, 5/¥, 2J, 1T»„ 1, T^. Female, 10|, 19. This species is extremely abundant on the coasts of the United States of America during its progress to and from the northern districts, in which it breeds, and, being highly es- teemed for the table, is shot in vast numbers. Montagu first recorded its occurrence in England, having obtained a male, which was shot on the coast of Devonshire. Another indi- vidual has since been killed at Yarmouth. Brown Snipe. Grey Snipe. Bed-breasted Snipe. Scolopax grisea and Novseboracensis, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 658. — Scolopax grisea and Novseboracensis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. i. 658, 794. — Scolopax grisea, Lath. Man. d’Ornith, ii. 679. — Scolopax grisea, Grey Snipe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CVII. SCOLOPAX. SNIPE. The species of this genus, varying in size from that of the Dunlin to that of the Woodcock, and generally so simi- lar in colour as to be with difficulty distinguishable, have the body ovate and compact ; the neck of moderate length ; the head small, oblong, and rounded above. Bill about twice the length of the head, flexible, straight, slender, compressed, with both mandibles grooved, and in their terminal third scrobiculate, and more or less enlarged, with the tips hard and narrowed, but blunt, that of the lower shorter. Mouth very narrow ; its roof with two or three longitudinal series of pointed, reversed papillae ; tongue very long, slender, channelled above, tapering to a point ; oeso- phagus rather narrow ; stomach an oblong or roundish mus- cular gizzard ; intestine of moderate length and width ; cceca moderate, cylindrical, narrowed at the commencement. Nostrils small, linear, lateral, basal. Eyes small ; eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather large. Legs rather short, slender ; tibia bare for nearly a fourth ; tarsus com- pressed, scutellate before and behind ; first toe very small, slender, and elevated ; anterior toes rather long, slender, scutellate, free ; claws small, slightly arched, slender, com- pressed, acute. Plumage rather firm ; wings long, narrow, pointed ; the first primary longest, the rest rapidly decreas- ing ; inner secondaries very long ; tail short, of from twelve to twenty-four feathers. The Snipes inhabit marshy places, in which they search 102 SCOLOPACINJE. SCOLOPAX. for their food in a hideling manner, never appearing in open places, or running about like the Tringae, nor forming dense flocks, although vast numbers of individuals often oc- cur in a small extent of ground. They nestle on moors and heaths, in moist pastures, meadows, and marshes, forming a slight nest, and depositing four very large, pyriform, spotted eggs. They are generally distributed on both continents, but those of Europe and America are distinct. 204. ScOLOPAX SOLITARIA. SOLITARY SNIPE. Tail rounded, of sixteen feathers ; bill twice the length of the head ; two longitudinal black bands on the head, sepa- rated by a narrower medial yellowish-white band, and on each side a band of the same colour ; the upper parts varie- gated with black and light red, with four longitudinal yellow- ish-white bands ; the wing- coverts tipped with white ; sides transversely barred with dusky ; axillar feathers white, barred with greyish-black ; three lateral tail-feathers on each side white. Male, 12-J, 19, . . , 2 ft. This species, although it has not very unfrequently been met with in England, is apparently an irregular winter visi- tant. Being so very similar to our Common Snipe, it is pro- bably sometimes mistaken for it. It is generally dispersed over the continent, breeding in the northern regions. The name of major given to this species is inadmissible, now that several large species are known. Solitary Snipe. Great Snipe. Double Snipe. Scolopax major, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 661. — Scolopax major, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 714. — Scolopax major, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 675. — Scolopax solitaria, Solitary Snipe, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 205. Scolopax Sabini. Sabine’s Snipe. Tail rounded, of twelve feathers ; bill more than twice the length of the head ; the head and hind-neck brownish-black, spotted with dull chestnut-brown ; back and wings black, barred and spotted with chestnut-red ; tail black for half its length, then chestnut-red, barred with black ; fore-neck and lower parts dull light red, undulated with dusky. Adult, 9t%, 2ft, 1^, ...... This species was first described by Mr Vigors in the four- teenth volume of the Transactions of the Linnsean Society, SCOLOPACINJE. SCOLOPAX. 103 from an individual killed in Queen’s County, in Ireland, in 1822. A few specimens have since been obtained in Eng- land. It has not been met with in any other part of the world. Scolopax Sabini, Vigors, Linn. Trans, xiv. 556. — Scolopax Sabini, Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of Ornith. pi. xxvii. — Scolopax Sabinii, Temin. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 432. — -Scolopax Sabini, Sabine’s Snipe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 206. Scolopax Gallinago. Bleater Snipe. Tail rounded, of fourteen feathers ; secondary quills round- ed ; bill twice the length of the head ; on the head two lon- gitudinal black bands separated by a narrower medial reddish- white band, and on each side a reddish-white band; the upper parts variegated with black and light red, with four longitudinal yellowish-white bands ; sides transversely barred with dusky ; axillar feathers white, barred with greyish- black, lower tail-coverts light red, barred with dusky ; bill greyish-blue at the base, dusky in the rest of its extent, but with two-thirds of the ridge flesh-coloured ; feet pale green- ish-blue. Male, 10, 17, 5J, 2*^1*, iV Female, 10 J, 17J. Adult birds vary' considerably in size, and especially in the length of the bill. Albinoes and variegated individuals are also sometimes met with. This species is generally distri- buted in Britain and Ireland, residing in marshy places, moors, and wet meadows. In summer it leaves the southern parts, and breeds on the heaths and moorlands, forming a slight nest in a hollow, and laying four very large pyriform eggs, an inch and seven-twelfths in length, an inch and one- twelfth in breadth, of a greyish-yellow colour, tinged with greenish-blue, irregularly patched and spotted with dark- brown and brownish-grey. The young, covered with down of a brownish-red colour, spotted with dusky brown and white on the upper parts, presently leave the nest, concealing them- selves by crouching. The males, in the breeding season, ascend high in the air, where they wheel about, and, by quiver- ing their wings while descending in a curve, produce a sin- gular noise, somewhat resembling the bleating of an old goat. In winter they betake themselves to the lowTer parts, feeding chiefly at night, and procuring their food entirely by plung- ing their bills into the mud. Their flesh being delicate and savoury, they are in much request, and are caught in various ways, as well as shot, in great numbers. The flight of this 104 SCOLOPACINiE. SCOLOPAX. RUSTICOLA. species, on its being flushed, is at first performed in a zigzag manner, until it attains some distance, when it ascends and flies high. Its cry is shrill and harsh. Common Snipe. Moor or Mire Snipe. Heather Bliter, Bleater, or Blutter. Scolopax Gallinago, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 244.— -Scolopax Gallinago, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. — Scolopax Gallinago, Temm. Man. d’Ornith, ii. 676. — Scolopax Gallinago, Bleater Snipe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 207. Scolopax Gallinula. Jud Snipe. Tail pointed, of twelve feathers ; secondary quills acutely pointed ; bill about a fourth longer than the head ; a longitu- dinal black band, slightly variegated with red on the head, and on each side a reddish-white band, in part divided by a dusky line ; on the back three longitudinal bands of black glossed with purple and green and variegated with red, and four bands of pale yellowish-red ; the sides longitudinally streaked with brown ; axillar feathers white, with some faint grey elongated lines. Ri 1 4.JL A 9 19 lili 2 maie, \i2> t 1i2? I2-9 This species arrives in the end of October, and departs in March and April. It is generally dispersed over the country, residing in marshy places, by the margins of rivers and lakes, in ditches, and, in short, in the same places as the common snipe. It is seldom that several individuals are seen together, and it is not nearly so numerous as the species just mention- ed. On being flushed it flies off low, without emitting any cry, until about sixty or eighty yards off, when it rises, pro- ceeds a short way, and comes down with rapidity in the first suitable place that occurs. Its flesh is equally esteemed with that of the other. Jack Snipe. Judcock. Jid. Scolopax Gallinula, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 244.— Scolopax Gallinula, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 715. — Scolopax Gallinula, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 678. — Scolopax Gallinula, Jud Snipe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CVIII. BUSTXCOLA. WOODCOCK. This genus, of which only one species is known to me, differs little from Scolopax. The body is fuller, the neck rather short, the head oblong, compressed, and rounded SCOLOPACIN^E. rusticola. 105 above. Bill Half as long again as the head, straight, slen- der, tapering, subtrigonal, and higher than broad at the base, slightly depressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the groove extending almost to the tip, which is blunt and a little declinate ; lower mandible with the intercrural space very long and narrow, the sides grooved and sloping outwTards, the tip thin and rounded. Mouth very narrow ; tongue long and slender ; oesophagus narrow ; stomach muscular ; intes- tine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather short and cylindrical. Nostrils linear-oblong, basal. Eyes large and placed high. Legs short ; tibia feathered to the joint ; tarsus short, compressed, scutellate ; hind toe very small and elevated, fore toes moderate, free, compressed, the lateral nearly equal, all scutellate in their whole extent ; claws small, compressed, little arched. Plumage close and firm, the feathers oblong and rounded ; wings of moderate length, broad, rather convex, broadly pointed, the first quill longest, the next almost equal, the rest rather slowly decreasing ; inner secondaries broad, and little elongated ; tail short, tapering, of twelve feathers. Habits essentially similar to those of the Snipes. 208. Busticola sylvestris. European Woodcock. Plumage of the upper parts variegated with black, light red, and reddish-yellow; of the lower reddish-white, with narrow, transverse, undulating bands of dusky brown ; fore- head light grey, hind-head with broad transverse black bands. Male, 13 J, 24, 2TS¥, 1T4¥, 1T\, TV Pemale, 14. . Arrives from the northern parts of the continent in the beginning of October, and is generally dispersed in Britain and Ireland, frequenting marshy places, brooks, and ditches, generally in woods or thickets, or by hedges. Its flight is more direct and sedate than that of the snipes. Being in the highest estimation as an article of food, it is shot in great numbers. Many pairs have of late years bred in the country ; but the number of those that remain in summer is very small compared with that of the emigrant individuals which take their departure in March and April. It is almost wonderful that so many should escape, seeing the number of dogs, guns, and gins, that are employed to capture them. It resorts to 106 SCOLOPACINJE. RUSTICOLA. the northern parts, where it breeds, depositing in a slight hollow its four eggs, which are an inch and three-fourths in j length, an inch and a third in breadth, yellowish-white, clouded and spotted with grey and reddish-brown. The fe- male is considerably larger than the male, and both sexes vary a good deal in their tints. The species is extensively distributed, but does not occur in North America, the “ wood- cock” of which is smaller, and belongs to a different genus. Scolopax Rusticola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 243.— Scolopax Rusticola, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 713. — Scolopax Rusticola, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 673. — Rusticola sylvestris, Wood- cock, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. Among the birds usually named Waders, Grallae, or Gral- 1 latores, we have seen that there are some which generally inhabit sandy deserts, and therefore have little opportunity j of wading, even if they had the inclination ; but of these, : the Ostriches, none occur in Britain, or even in Europe. Others, the Bustards and other allied species, frequent dry pastures and ploughed fields, and are by no means remark- s able for wading, any more than many of the Plover tribe, ; most of which, however, have no hesitation in running out into shallow water. Then followed the Tringinae, Totaninse, and Scolopacinae, all of which are marsh or shore birds, and obtain their food by probing the mud and wet sands. We now come to a group differing considerably in form and struc- ' ture from all these, frequenting marshy places, and even swimming habitually, some of them being as truly aquatic : in their habits as the Natatores, but all running also on land, and that with great speed. These birds, for which I adopt Mr Blythe’s name of Skulkers, Latitrices, are very nearly allied to the Perdicinae and some other Gallinaceous birds. They form an order, of which, however, only a single family exists, it being very inexpedient to separate the slender- | billed Rails from the thick- billed Gallinules, especially as the number of species is not very great, and those which occur in Britain few. < ( 107 ) ORDER XY. LATITRICES. SKULKERS. Viewed collectively, the birds of this order bear a gene ral modified resemblance to the Perdicinse, and some other Gallinaceous birds. Our Corn Crake, for example, is not very unlike some Quails and Partridges ; and our Water-Hen has been so named, on account of its mani- fest similarity to the female of the domestic fowl. The genera of which it is composed, namely, Palamedea, Opistolophus, Megapodius, Parra, Gallinula, Porphyrio, Ortygometra, Ballus, and Aramus, may perhaps be ar- ranged into several groups analogous to the families of the preceding order. But the few species which occur in Britain, although they differ greatly in the elongation of the bill and claws, clearly belong to a single group, to which the name of Gallinulinse may be given. The gene- ral characters of the Latitrices are the following — Body much compressed ; neck moderate ; head small, oblong, much compressed. Bill compressed, rather strong, with a rather large nasal sinus. Mouth narrow ; oesophagus without crop ; stomach a very muscular gizzard ; intes- tine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather large. Trachea with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nostrils generally small, as are the eyes. Feet generally very large ; the toes four, the first small, the anterior very elongated, compressed, slender, scutellate, some- times margined or even lobed ; claws slender, long, taper- ing, little arched. Plumage firm ; wings short or mode- rate ; tail very small. GALL1NULINJE. 108 These birds inhabit marshes, moist meadows, the sides of lakes and rivers ; make their way with ease among the tall herbage, from which they are not easily raised ; have a heavy but rather quick flight, during which they extend their feet backwards ; form a bulky nest on the ground, and lay numerous ovate or oblong spotted eggs. They are more numerous in warm climates, but are generally distributed. FAMILY XXXVIII. GALLINULINJE. GAL- LINULINE BIRDS, OR WATER-HENS. Body large, much compressed ; neck of moderate length ; head small, oblong, compressed. Bill moderately stout, and of ordinary length, but varying from short to long, always compressed, and rather strong, with the point narrow, but obtuse. Both mandibles concave within, the lower more deeply ; the palate flat, and papillate ; tongue fleshy, oblong or slender, with a few short papillse at the base, the tip thin, obtuse, and lacerate ; oesophagus of moderate capacity, without crop or remarkable dilatation ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a powerful gizzard, like that of a Gallinaceous bird, with very large, distinct muscles, and thick rugous epithelium ; intestine long, of moderate width ; coeca long ; rectum dilated into an ellip- tical or globular cloaca. Nostrils direct, pervious, in the fore and lower part of the nasal groove. Eyes rather small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear roundish, and rather small. Legs stout ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tarsus large, compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes very long, slender, free ; the first very small, the anterior long, the inner shorter than the outer ; claws generally long, little arched or straight, compressed, acute. Plumage blended, but firm, on the head very short ; the GALLINULINiE. 109 feathers oblong, narrow, rounded ; wings rather short, j moderately convex, broad and rounded, of about twenty - || four quills ; the inner secondaries long and pointed ; tail j very short, much rounded, of twelve narrow, decurved, weak feathers. The skeleton of the Gallinulinse more resembles that of the Partridges than of any other tribe ; but the whole form is more compressed, and the sternum of very singu- j iar construction, being of moderate length, anteriorly of ordinary breadth, but narrowing backwards, so as to end in a point, and from before the middle on each side send- ing out a very long lateral process. These birds are generally distributed, some species being found in every part of the globe. Residing among reeds, sedges, rushes, flags, or other aquatic plants, they are peculiarly fitted by the extreme compression of their body for making their way among the herbage, and by the great length of their toes and claws for supporting themselves upon the stalks or blades of vegetables floating upon the water or grow- ing out of it. They float lightly, and, with the excep- tion of a few species, swim with ease ; but fly heavily, with their legs at first dangling, and afterwards stretched out behind them. In open places they run with great speed, and in their ordinary walk advance in a sedate manner, raising their feet high. Many of them have frontal plates or appendages of a vascular tissue, covered by the ordinary integuments or by a horny cuticle, and becoming more tumid, and often more highly coloured in the breeding season. The nest is bulky, and placed on the ground ; the eggs numerous, oval, light coloured, and spotted, dotted, or speckled with dusky. The young, covered with long, generally black down, run and swim immediately after birth. The food is various, consisting of seeds, herbage, worms, insects, and mollusca, 110 GALLINULINiE. RALLUS. GENUS CIX. RALLUS. RAIL. Birds of small or moderate size, having the body much compressed ; the neck rather long and slender ; the head small, oblong, much compressed. Bill longer than the head, slender, much compressed, high at the base, very slightly arcuate ; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly decli- nate at the base, straight in the middle, a little decimate toward the end, the ridge convex, having a slightly enlarged angular commencement, the sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, bard, and slightly inflected ; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the dorsal line nearly straight, the edges slightly inflected, the tip narrow, but obtuse ; the gape-line almost straight. Mouth very narrow ; tongue very long, slender, trigonal, emarginate and papillate at the base, canaliculate above, tapering to a bristly point ; oesophagus narrow ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach round- ish, with the lateral muscles very prominent, the epithelium dense, rugous, with oblong flat grinding plates ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca long, very narrow for half their length, gradually enlarged and oblong ; cloaca globu- lar. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Nostrils sub-basal, linear, pervious. Aperture of ear small. Feet large ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus of moderate length, com- pressed, anteriorly covered with broad, curved scutella ; toes very long, slender, much compressed ; tbe first proportion- ally small, the second considerably shorter than the fourth, all scutellate ; claws long, slender, tapering, slightly arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage blended ; feathers of the fore-head with strong bristle-points, of the body oblong and broadly rounded ; wings short, concave, rounded, of twenty- two quills ; the first much shorter than the second, which is about the same length as the third ; tail extremely short, arched, much rounded, of twelve very weak feathers. The Rails inhabit the reedy and grassy margins of lakes and rivers, where they habitually conceal themselves ; feed on worms, mollusca, small Crustacea, insects, seeds of gra- mineee and other plants ; are capable of swimming, and even of diving ; and in form and habits make some approxima- GALLINULINJE. RALLUS. CREX. Ill tion to the Snipes, from which they scarcely differ in their digestive organs. 209. Rallus aquaticus. Water Rail. Plumage above olivaceous, streaked with brownish-black; fore-neck and breast dull greyish-blue ; sides and haunches barred with brownish-black and white ; abdomen pale red- dish-yellow, proximal lower tail-coverts white, the rest banded with black; bill dark brown, with the edges of the upper and two-thirds of the lower mandible bright red; feet I light reddish-brown, approaching to flesh-colour. Female similar, but with the tints paler, the red of the bill less bright, and the legs tinged with green. Male, Ilf, 16, 5, 1*, if, Iff, Female, 10J, 1 5-J. Although generally distributed in Britain, and permanently resident, the Water Rail is nowhere common. It frequents moist meadows, the sides of ditches, brooks, or streams over- grown with sedges, seeds, and other rank plants, as well as marshes, especially those abounding with the yellow iris. When forced to take wing, it flies slowly, and seldom proceeds far ; but it runs with great celerity. Its food consists of worms, slugs, helices, lymneee, insects, and seeds of grami- nese. The nest is bulky, and contains from six to twelve eggs, which are oval, cream-coloured, spotted with red and pale grey. Bilcock. Runner. Skit. Skiddy Cock. Rallus aquaticus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 262.-— Rallus aquati- cus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 765. — Rallus aquaticus, Temm, Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 683. — Rallus aquaticus, Water Rail, Mac- Giilivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CX. CREX. CRAKE. Birds of small size, having the body much compressed, the neck of moderate length ; the head rather small, oblong, | compressed. Bill shorter than the head, rather stout, com- pressed, tapering ; upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping and nearly straight, declinate, and a little convex toward the end, the ridge convex, having a slightly enlarged angular commencement, the sides nearly erect, toward the end a little convex, the edges sharp, hard, and slightly in- flected, with a very slight notch or sinus close to the tip, which is rather obtuse ; the nasal sinus broad, and extend- 112 GALLINULINiE. CREX. ing to beyond the middle ; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line ascending, the edges slightly inflected, the tip narrow, but obtuse ; the gape-line straight. Mouth very narrow ; tongue short, or of moderate length, slender, emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, with the point narrow but rounded ; oesophagus nar- row ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach roundish, with the lateral muscles very large, the epithelium dense, rugous, with oblong flat grinding surfaces ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca long, narrow. Eyes small ; eye- lids feathered. Nostrils sub-basal, linear, pervious. Aper- ture of ear small. Feet large ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus rather long or moderate, compressed, anteriorly co- vered with broad, curved scutella ; toes long, slender, much compressed ; the first proportionally very small, the second a little shorter than the fourth, all scutellate ; claws rather long, slender, tapering, slightly arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage blended, firm or stiff ; feathers of the fore- head with strong bristle-points, of the body oblong, and broadly rounded ; wings short or moderate, concave, round- ed, of twenty-four quills ; the first much shorter than the second, which is longest, or equal to the third ; tail ex- tremely short, arched, much rounded, of twelve very weak feathers. These birds differ from the Pails chiefly in having the bill shorter and stouter, and the body somewhat fuller. No two species agree precisely in the form of the bill. The tarsi and toes also vary considerably in length. On some slight dif- ferences of this nature authors have founded several genera ; but on the same principle, every species must make a genus. As defined above, the genus is easily recognised in every specific form. The Gallinules inhabit meadows, corn-fields, marshes, and, in general, places covered with a rank growth of graminese and cyperacese. They run with great speed, but fly in a heavy manner ; feed on insects, worms, mollus- ca, and seeds. Most of them swim and dive with ease ; but some, and especially our most common species, confine them- selves to dry places. The nest is large, and the eggs nu- merous, oval or oblong, light coloured, and spotted. The young are at first covered with black down. GALLINULINiE. CREX. 113 210. Crex pratensis. Corn Crake. Plumage of the upper parts dull yellowish-red, streaked with brownish- black; wing-coverts light red, some of them imperfectly barred with white ; lower parts pale yellowish- red, the throat and abdomen brownish-white ; the sides and breast barred with light red and white ; the lower wing-co- verts and axillar feathers light red ; bill light brown, feet flesh-coloured. Male, 10 Jr, 18, 6, y^, lj%; 1 x3^* Pemale, 10^-, I7ij. This species, which, although seldom seen, is often heard, arrives in the beginning of summer, and departs early in Sep- tember. It is generally distributed, occurring in abundance in the most northern parts of Scotland and its islands, as well as in England. Its well known cry of Crek-crek , repeated often for a long time in continuance, or at intervals, and heard as if at varying distances, is emitted while the bird is stand- ing in a half-crouching attitude, with the neck moderately extended. The ordinary haunts of this species are fields of corn and grass, and in the less cultivated parts of the country the large patches of yellow iris, and other tall herbaceous plants which occur in moist places. It prefers dry or mode- rately moist to wet ground, and does not betake itself to marshes, although it is often met with by the sides of brooks. Its food consists of insects, worms, slugs, and sometimes seeds. It is strictly diurnal in its habits, but may be heard late at night and before dawn. Its cry is well imitated by rubbing the thin edge of a bone, the rib of a horse or cow, upon the notched edge of another, and in this way it may be enticed within shooting distance. Its nest is composed of a few straws, laid in a slight hollow, among corn, grass, or tall weeds. The eggs of an elongated oval form, light cream- colour, patched, spotted, and dotted with brownish-red and light purplish-grey, and generally about eight or ten, two inches and one-twelfth in length, an inch and four-twelfths in breadth. The young, covered with down of a blackish colour, run with surprising speed. Toward the middle of July it ceases to utter its cry. I have seen young birds re- maining until the end of September, and instances of their having been shot in winter have occurred in various parts of the country. The flesh is white, and affords delicate eating. Corn Crake. Land Kail. Land-hen. Daker-hen. Corn Cracker. Kallus Crex, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 281.™ Gallinula Crex, H 114 GALLINULINiE. CREX. Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 766. — Gallinula Crex, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 686.-— Crex pratensis, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 211. Crex Porzana. Spotted Crake. About a third less than the Crake Gallinule ; with the bill nine-twelfths in length, brownish-yellow, dull orange at the base ; the feet yellowish-green ; the upper parts olive-brown, .with oblong black spots, and numerous white specks margin- ed with black, those on the scapulars being linear and longi- tudinal, on the inner secondaries transverse ; a greyish-blue band dotted with white over the eye ; the fore part and sides of the neck greyish- olive, spotted with dull white ; the sides of the body olivaceous, barred with white and black, the axil- lars and lower wing-coverts white, barred with black, the lower tail-coverts pale buff. TVTftlp QJL 1 1 8 9 14 1 1 3 *J4, 102J 12> aTH 12* This species resides in marshes and by the grassy margins of streams and pools, searching among the herbage for its food, and betaking itself to the water on occasion. It runs and skulks like the other species, flies heavily, forms a bulky nest, often surrounded with water, and lays from seven to ! ten ovato-oblong eggs, an inch and a fourth in length, pale reddish-grey, spotted with umber or reddish-brown, and brownish -grey. In autumn, according to Mr Selby, its body becomes covered with a thick subcutaneous layer of fat, and its flesh is well flavoured. The young differ little from the I adult. Spotted Bail. Water Kail, or Water Hen. Skitty. Kalins Porzana, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 262 ; Gallinula Por- zana, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 772.- — Gallinula Porzana, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 688. — Crex Porzana, Spotted Crake, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 212. Crex Baillonii. Baillon’s Crake. Length, seven inches ; bill along the ridge eight-twelfths, dark green ; feet olivaceous ; upper parts olive-brown, with oblong black spots, and numerous elongated white markings i edged with black ; a band over the eyes, the cheeks, throat, fore part and sides of the neck, with the breast, bluish-grey ; the sides of the body and lower tail-coverts barred with black and white. The female similar, but with the tints paler. Young with the throat and £)art of the abdomen white, the GALLINULINJE. CHEX. GALLINULA. 115 cheeks, fore-neck and breast brownish-white, with faint trans- verse brown bars. Mnlp 7 U 5 s I i "I _s 3 This species, which is said to be common in the southern and eastern parts of Europe, ranks with us as a very rare and accidental visitant. In January 1823 an individual was caught in Cambridgeshire, and is preserved in Dr Thackeray’s collection. Gallinula Baillonii, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 692. — Bail- Ion’s Crake, Crex Baillonii, Jard. and Selby’s Xllustr. pi. 15. — Crex Baillonii, Baillon’s Crake, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 213. Crex pusilla. Little Crake. Length seven inches and three-fourths ; bill along the ridge eight-twelfths and a half, more slender than in the last species, yellowish-green ; feet light green ; upper parts olive- brown, spotted with dusky, and having on the back a few white streaks ; a band over the eye, cheeks, and lower parts in general bluish-grey ; the sides faintly barred with white and brown, lower tail-coverts black, barred with white. The female differs in having the throat whitish, the grey tint of the lower parts paler and tinged with red ; the upper parts reddish-brown. The young still paler beneath, being brown- ish-white on the cheeks and neck, the sides brown, with faint whitish bars. Mfllp 7-3 QlO 9 12 14 3 male, / 4, • ., Ot1-, I2-, ±J2? *YJFf 12* Of very rare and accidental occurrence in England, in several parts of which it has however been obtained. In its habits it resembles the two preceding species, and is said to be plentiful in the eastern parts of Europe. Ballus pusillus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 761. — Gallinula pusilla, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 690.— Crex pusilla, Little Crake, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds. GENUS CXI. GALLINULA. WATER-HEN. The Water-Hens differ in no very essential respects from the Gallinules, their principal distinction being their having a kind of callosity or plate on the forehead at the base of the ridge of the upper mandible, and their toes flat beneath and laterally margined. They are birds of moderate or small size, having the body large, but much compressed ; 116 GALLINTJLINiE. GALLXNULA. the neck of moderate length ; the head small, oblong, com- pressed. Bill not exceeding the head in length, rather stout, tapering, much compressed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly declinate, towards the end convex, the ridge narrow, but at the base considerably enlarged, and forming a soft, tumid, oblong plate, which varies in extent, sometimes extending to the crown of the head, the sides sloping, toward the end erect and convex, the edges direct, the tip somewhat deflected, with very slight notches ; the nasal groove large ; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line very short and ascending, the 1 sides nearly erect, the edges sharp, and a little inflected to- ward the end, the tip narrow, and rather sharp. Tongue j fleshy, oblong, nearly flat above, with the tip thin, rounded, j and slightly lacerate ; oesophagus uniform ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a large, very muscular gizzard, with rugous j epithelium ; intestine very long ; coeca large, cylindrical. Nostrils linear- oblong, submedial. Eyes rather small, eye- lids feathered. Aperture of ear rather small, roundish. Feet large ; tibia bare to a small extent ; tarsus of moderate length, large, compressed, anteriorly with broad curved scu- tella ; toes very long, slender, compressed, above with nume- rous scutella, beneath flattened and distinctly marginate ; the first very small, the third longest, the fourth a little longer than the second ; claws long, slender, slightly arched, j compressed, acute. Plumage blended, soft, glossy above ; wings short, concave, rounded, of twenty-two quills ; the first primary considerably shorter than the second, which is ! longest ; tail very short, arched, much rounded, of twelve weak, narrow feathers. The species of this genus inhabit meadows, marshes, and swampy places on edges of rivers, lakes, or inlets of the sea, covered with reeds, sedges, and other strong herbage. They run with great speed, but fly heavily ; feed on worms, mol- lusca, insects, and seeds ; swim and dive with ease ; form a large nest, generally on the ground, among reeds, and lay from five to eight or ten light-coloured eggs, spotted with dusky. GALLINULINiE. GALLINULA. FULICA. 117 214. Gallinula Chloropus. Green-footed Gallinule. Plumage of the head, neck, and lower parts dark grey, of the hack and wings deep olive-brown ; edge of the wing and lower tail-coverts white ; oblong frontal plate and bill to be- yond the*nostrils crimson-red, the tips greenish-yellow; feet dull green, with a ring of bright red on the tibia. Young similar, but with the frontal plate small, and the feathers of the lower parts edged with white. Male, 13, 22, 7, If, 2, 2 A, TV Female, 12^, 20J. This bird is found in all parts of Britain and Ireland that are adapted to its nature ; that is, in marshy places, pools, lakes, still streams, mill-dams, and even ditches, where it searches for food chiefly among the reeds and other aquatic plants along the shores. It swims with great ease and ele- gance, sitting lightly on the water, with its neck erect, and its tail obliquely raised ; dives with equal facility, and on land runs with great speed. "When surprised it dives and re- mains concealed with only the bill above the surface, or hides among the herbage or under a bank. It often perches on stumps or trunks of willows, on which also it sometimes forms its nest, which, however, is usually placed on the ground, among reeds, or in the water, and is very bulky. The eggs, from six to eight or ten, are ovate or nearly elliptical, an inch and three-fourths in length, an inch and a quarter in breadth, pale greyish-yellow, or greyish-brown, dotted and spotted with deep brown. The young, at first covered with long stif- fish, black down, leave the nest soon after they are hatched. The flesh of this species is white, often loaded with fat, and affords tolerably pleasant eating. Moor Hen. Marsh Hen. Stank Hen. Fulica Chloropus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 258. — Gallinula Chloropus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 770. — Gallinula Chloropus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith, ii. 693. — Gallinula Chloropus, Green- footed Water-Hen, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds. GENUS CXII. FULICA. COOT. The Coots differ from the Gallinules chiefly in having the toes furnished with a broad scolloped membrane. They are of moderate size, with the body compressed, but full ; the neck of ordinary length ; the head rather small, and com- pressed. Bill not exceeding the head in length, stout, taper- 118 GALLINULINJE. EULXCA. ing, mucli compressed ; upper mandible with its dorsal line declinato-convex, the ridge narrow, enlarged at the base into an elliptical tumid plate, which covers the fore part of the i head to beyond the eyes, the sides sloping at the base, con- vex toward the end ; the nasal groove large, the edges hard and direct, the tip small, with rather distinct notches ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending, and nearly straight, the edges direct, the tip nar- row. Tongue fleshy, oblong, nearly flat, with the tip thin, rounded, and lacerated ; oesophagus uniform ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a large, very muscular gizzard, with rugous ; epithelium ; intestine very long ; coeca large. Nostrils linear- oblong, submedial. Eyes rather small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear roundish, rather small. Feet large ; tibia bare to a small extent ; tarsus of moderate length, large, compressed, with broad curved scutella ; toes very long, slen- der, compressed, above with numerous scutella, beneath flat, laterally expanded into a broad membrane, which is con- tracted at the joints, each scollop, thus formed, having five series of plates ; the first toe small, the second a little larger ' than the fourth ; claws long, slender, much compressed, ta- pering, acute. Plumage soft, full, blended, glossy above ; wings short, concave, rounded, of twenty-four quills ; the j first primary considerably shorter than the second, which is about the same length as the third ; tail extremely short, arched, much rounded, of twelve very weak, narrow feathers. The Coots are proportionally stouter than the Gallinules, and decidedly aquatic. Their residence is on lakes, pools, rivers, and inlets of the sea, among the reeds, sedges, and other aquatic plants. They occasionally betake themselves to land, and can run with great speed, but fly heavily ; swim and dive with as much ease as ducks ; feed on insects, mollusca, worms, and seeds ; form a large nest, on the ground, among seeds, and lay numerous light-coloured eggs, dotted with dusky. 215. Fulica atra. Black Coot. Plumage of the head and upper part of the neck greyish- black ; the upper parts dark bluish-grey, the lower brownish- grey ; the frontal plate white, as are the extremities of the GALLINULINiE. FULICA. 11& mandibles, their base being pale red ; feet bluish-grey, with an olivaceous-orange ring on the tibia. Young with the upper parts dark greyish-green, the lower dull brownish-grey. Grey or brownish individuals are sometimes met with. Male, 16, 22, 8f, 2±, 2^, *. The Coot is generally distributed in Britain, but in winter retires to the southern parts. Its favourite places of resort are large pools, lakes, or rivers, overgrown or margined with reeds, flags, sedges, water-lilies, and other aquatic plants, among which it is seen swimming in search of its food, which consists of seeds, fresh blades of grass, mollusca, and worms. Sometimes it makes excursions into the neighbouring fields, when it runs and walks precisely in the manner of the water- hen. It floats lightly on the water, swims sedately, jerking its tail ; dives with ease, and eludes pursuit by retreating be- neath the surface of the water, to emerge in a concealed part. In summer it emits a very loud, abrupt cry, resembling the note of a trumpet. The nest is extremely large ; the eggs, from six to ten, elongated oval, light yelloAvish-grey, dotted with brownish-black, two inches and a twelfth long, an inch and five-twelfths in breadth. The young are covered with black down tipped with white, the hind part of the head yel- low, the frontal membrane blood-red. Bald Cook Bald Duck. Fulica atra, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 25?. — Fulica atra, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 777- — Fulica atra, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 706.— -Fulica atra, Bald Coot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. We now come to the last order of the Grallatorial series, composed of slender, long-legged, generally conic-billed birds, addicted to wading, and, without exception, essentially aquatic or littoral. Although several of them greatly re- semble some of the Cursitrices in form, they are unable to run with the same ease, their feet being differently formed, but advance with a slow and sedate motion, whence the name of Stalkers, not inaptly applied to them by Mr Blythe. They are more truly piscivorous than the birds of the other groups, and their stomach accordingly differs in being thin or membraneous, while their gullet is wide, and their intes- tine elongated and very narrow. ( 120 ) ORDER XVI. AUCUPATRICES. STALKERS. Birds of large or moderate size, having the body much compressed and light ; the neck very long and slender ; the head oblong, compressed, and flattened above ; the bill large, generally conical, but varying considerably in form ; the legs long ; the tibia bare to a large extent ; the tarsus scutellate ; the toes four, the hind toe large* and on the same plane with the rest. The wings are large and broad ; the tail short. They live on fishes, Crustacea, reptiles, and other aquatic animals, swallowing their food entire ; frequent the shores of the sea, estua- ries, rivers, lakes, and marshes ; have a light or buoyant, but slow flight ; walk in a sedate and graceful manner ; form a very large, generally flat nest, which they place on the ground or on trees ; and lay few, from two to five elliptical light-coloured eggs. The young, at first scan- tily covered with down, remain in the nest until fledged* In this order are two distinct groups, the Ardeinse and Tantalinse ; the former very distinct from all the other Grallatorial groups ; but the latter passing into the Tringinse, some of them being little distinguishable from Curlews. FAMILY XXXIX. ARDEIhLE. ARDEINE BIRDS, OR HERONS. Birds generally of large size, having the body high, but much compressed ; the neck long, generally slender ; ARDEINyE. 121 the head oblong, much compressed, flattened in front. Bill long, straight, stout, tapering, compressed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, the ridge broad at the base, narrowed in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping, and more or less convex, the edges thin, the tip acute ; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line nearly straight, the sides sloping outwards, the edges thin, the tip acuminate. Mouth rather wide, and capable of being much dilated, in consequence of the flexibility of the crura of the lower jaw ; palate anteriorly with two papillate ridges, and a median prominent line running to the point of the man- dible ; tongue long, slender, trigonal, tapering, sagittate at the base, with a large pointed papilla on each side, the tip acute ; oesophagus very wide in its whole length, as is the proventriculus, of which the glands form a broad belt, having at its upper margin numerous large crypts in groups ; stomach a very large rounded sac, having the muscular coat extremely thin, the inner soft, and also * very thin ; a globular pyloric lobe ; intestine very long, and extremely narrow ; at the commencement of the rec- tum an oblong small coecum, but no lateral appendages ; cloaca very large, and globular. Trachea considerably flattened, and gradually narrowed ; the last four wings halved ; a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles, ex- tending from the lateral muscles to the last ring ; bronchi wide, with large membranes. Eyes of moderate size, generally surrounded by a bare space. Nostrils linear, nasal "membrane small. Aperture of ear small, and roundish. Tibiae very long, generally bare to a great extent ; tarsi long, and rather stout ; toes four, long, scutellate above ; the first slender, and nearly on a level with the anterior ; claws short, or moderate, arched, com- pressed, and pointed. Plumage generally full, but not close ; feathers on the lower part of the neck, fore part of the back, and scapulars, elongated ; wings very large, 122 ARDEINJE. BOTAURTJS. broad, somewhat rounded ; tail short, of twelve or ten weak feathers. The Ardeinse are essentially piscivorous, but also feed on Crustacea, mollusca, worms, insects, occasionally rep- tiles, small quadrupeds, and young birds. They walk sedately, often gracefully, wade into shallow water, seize their prey with a sudden jerk of the head, and generally swallow it entire. Their voice is a harsh grating scream, or a guttural croak. They nestle on the ground, or on trees, often in large communities, and lay from two to five eggs of a light greenish-blue colour. Species occur in all countries, but are more numerous toward the equa- ; tor. Only one is common in Britain, but eleven others ! occur there, most of them as accidental or occasional visitants. GENUS CXIII. BOTAURUS. BITTERN. The Bitterns are generally distinguishable by the ex- 1 treme compression of their body ; their shorter legs, and proportionally longer claws ; the great elongation of the fea- thers of the neck, which is bare behind in nearly its whole length ; their oblong, extremely compressed head, and very slender, straight bill. The latter is longer than the head, compressed, tapering to a fine point ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, the ridge flattened for a short space, then narrow, the nasal groove deep, and ex- tending to near the end, the sides convex, the edges sharp, serrulate, with a notch close to the acute top ; lower mandible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line almost straight and slightly ascending, the sides slightly concave and nearly erect, the tip acuminate ; the gape-line straight, unless at the base. Tongue long, slender, trigonal ; oesophagus very wide ; stomach roundish, with the walls very thin, and a round pyloric lobe ; intestine long, narrow ; an oblong coecal head ; cloaca globular. Nostrils linear. Eyes large. Aperture of ear rather small. Legs of moderate length ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus with very broad ARDEINiE. BOTAURUS. 123 anterior scutella ; toes long, stout, scutellate above, tbe first strong, tbe second much longer than the fourth, which is connected with the third by a small basal web ; claws long, slender ; that of the first toe stouter and more arched, of the middle toe with the inner edge pectinate. Plumage very full and soft ; feathers of the sides and lower part of the neck much elongated, on the former directed obliquely back- wards, so as to cover the downy part of the hind-neck ; wings large, of twenty- eight quills, of which the third and second are longest ; inner secondaries nearly as long ; tail very short, nearly even, of ten soft feathers. The Bitterns inhabit marshy places, in which, in a hide- ling manner, they search for reptiles, fishes, and other aqua- tic animals. The males, in the breeding season, make a loud booming or bellowing noise. The eggs, from three to five, are elliptical, and of one colour, generally grey, oliva- ceous, or white. The nest is placed on the ground, and the young remain in it until fledged. Some of the smaller spe- cies approach the Bails in form and habits. 216. Botaurus stellaris. European Bittern. Length about thirty inches; one inch of the tibia bare. Adult light reddish-yellow, with the upper part of the head, and the greater portion of the scapulars purplish-black, the rest of the upper parts transversely variegated with dusky ; the lower parts paler, with the markings on the fore-neck larger and more brown, those along the middle of the breast black and longitudinal. The young are similar to the adult. Male, 30, 46, 13^, 3, 3X^, 3X%, lx%. This species, which appears to have formerly been plenti- ful in England, is now of rare occurrence in any part of Bri- tain, and especially in Scotland. It occurs occasionally in the less frequented marshes and moors, and is permanently resident. The male makes a singular bellowing noise. The nest is formed of sedges and other plants, and the eggs, four or five, are elliptical, and olivaceous-grey. It is with diffi- culty started, flies slowly, and soon alights. Its food consists of small fishes, frogs, lizards, and insects. The bronchi, al- though wide, scarcely exceed those of any other birds of this family. 124 ARDEINiE. BOTAURUS. Bittern. Mire-drum. Bumpy Coss, Bitter-bump. Bog- \ bumper. Bumble. Ardea stellaris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 239.— Ardea stellaris, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 680. — Ardea stellaris, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 580. — Botaurus stellaris, European Bittern, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 217. Botaurus lentiginosus. Freckled Bittern. Length about twenty-six inches; one inch of the tibia bare. Adult with the upper part of the head greyish-brown ; a light yellowish streak over the eye, a dusky streak from be- hind it ; a broad band of brownish-yellow from the cheek to. j the nape, and beneath it an oblique band of black ; the upper parts of the body variegated with yellowish-brown, dark- ! brown, and reddish, the margins of the feathers closely un- dulated and transversely barred ; the throat white, with brown < markings ; the fore part of the neck, and the lower parts of ! the body pale yellowish, with numerous elongated streaks of reddish-brown, dotted and edged with darker. Young simi- lar, but with the colours darker. Male, 26, 45, 12 J, 3ft, 3|, 3 ft, }*. This Bittern, which is common in North America, occurs in Europe only as a very rare straggler. Montagu described the only one hitherto certainly found in England. It was shot in the parish of Piddletown, in Dorsetshire, in the autumn of 1804. Freckled Heron. American Bittern. Ardea lentiginosa, Mont. Ornith. Diet. Supper.— -Ardea mokoho, Wagler, Syst. av.— Ardea minor, Wilson, Amer. Ornith. viii. 35.— Ardea lentiginosa, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 381. — Ardea lentiginosa, Freckled Bittern, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 218. Botaurus minutus. Little Bittern. Length about fourteen inches ; tibia entirely feathered. Male with the upper part of the head, the back, scapulars, and tail, glossy greenish-black ; the sides of the head, the neck, lower parts, and smaller wing- coverts light reddish- yellow. Female similar, but with the tints less deep. Young with the upper part of the head dark brown, the feathers of the back dark brown, edged with yellow, the fore-neck yel- lowish-white, streaked writh dusky ; the sides of the head, ARDEINiE. BOTAURUS. 125 hind part of the neck, wing-coverts, and breast, brownish-red, streaked with dusky and brown. Male, 14*, 22, 6|, 2, ltf, 1*, . This species, which is very extensively distributed in Eu- rope, Asia, and Africa, is rather of accidental than of regular occurrence in Britain, where it has not hitherto been observed to breed. Dr Fleming makes mention of one that was shot at Sanda, in Orkney ; but I am not aware of its having been killed, or even seen, on the mainland of Scotland. In many parts of England, however, it has been frequently procured. It inhabits the swampy sides of lakes and rivers, or wherever there is a rank growth of aquatic plants ; and feeds on small fishes, young frogs, newts, aquatic insects, worms, and mol- lusca. The eggs, four or five, are white, broadly elliptical, an inch and five-twelfths in length. Boonk. Long-neck. Ardea minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 240.— -Ardea minuta, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 683. — Ardea minuta, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 584. — -Ardea minuta, Little Bittern, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, iv. 219. Botaurus comatus. Squacco Bittern. Bill slender, blue at the base, black at the point ; feet greenish-yellow ; the whole upper part of the head and nape with long, linear, acuminate, decumbent, pale, yellow fea- thers, having a black line on the outer edges ; the anterior dorsal feathers elongated, with disunited filiform barbs ; the upper parts pale reddish-brown ; the wings, rump, and tail white ; the lower parts pale buff. Male, 19, . . , 9, 2J, 2T9¥, 2Ty, tV This species occurs in various parts of Asia, Africa, and the south of Europe. Individuals migrate as far north as Germany, and several have been obtained in the southern counties of England. It has by some been referred to a ge- nus distinct from the Bitterns, to which the name of Buphus has been given. Ardea comata, Squaiotta, and castanea, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 632. — Ardea comata, Squaiotta, and castanea, Lath. Inda Ornith. ii. 634, 635. — Ardea ralloides, Temm. Man. d?Or- nith. ii. 581. — Botaurus comatus, Squacco Bittern, MacGil- livray, Brit. Birds, iv. 126 AUDEINiE. NYCTERODIUS. GENUS CXIV. NYCTERODIUS. NIGHT-HERON. The Night-Herons are of a more robust form than the Bitterns, to which however they are nearly allied. The body is stoutish, compressed ; the head oblong and narrow. Bill scarcely longer than the head, stout, nearly straight, compressed, tapering to a point ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and declinate for two- thirds, then slightly decurved, the ridge flattened and convex at first, then nar- rowed, the nasal depression elongated-triangular, with a groove extending to near the end, the edges sharp, with a t notch close to the tip, which is acute ; lower mandible with j the angle very long and very narrow, the dorsal line direct, the sides concave, the edges sharp and serrulate, the tip acuminate ; gape-line slightly arched. Mouth rather wide ; [ tongue of moderate length, trigonal, flat above, tapering to 1 a point ; oesophagus very wide in its whole length ; proven- triculus dilated ; stomach roundish, compressed, thin, with a small roundish pyloric lobe ; intestine long and slender, j rectum with an oblong coecum ; cloaca globular. Nostrils linear. Eyes large. Aperture of ear rather small, round- ish. Legs long, moderately stout ; tibia bare for about a j fourth of its length ; tarsus moderate, with scutella ante- riorly, but hexagonal scales below ; toes rather long, scu- tellate ; first stout, second a little shorter than the fourth ; claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute, that of the mid- dle toe serrate. Plumage full, soft, blended ; feathers on the occiput very long, linear, forming a pendent erectile crest ; on the neck rather long, and inclined obliquely back- 1 wards ; on its lower part in front elongated and rounded ; wings broad, of about twTenty-six quills ; the second and third longest ; tail short, even, of twelve broad feathers. The species of this genus are more active than the Plerons, j and less graceful in their motions than the Egrets. They feed on reptiles, fishes, and insects ; nestle on the ground, or on trees or bushes, laying three or four broadly elliptical pale blue eggs. Only one species is found in Britain. Al- though named Night-Herons, they do not appear to be more nocturnal than other species. ARDEINvE. ARDEA. 127 220. Nycterodius Nycticorax. Grey Night-Heron. Adult with three white, black-tipped, linear, occipital fea- thers ; the crown and nape, with the fore part of the back and the scapulars, greenish-black ; the wings and tail bluish-grey ; the lower parts white. Young without elongated occipital plumes ; upper part of the head and nape, with the fore part of the back and the scapulars, dull brown, with pale red lon- gitudinal streaks ; wing-coverts greyish-brown, with yellow- ish-white spots ; throat and lower parts whitish, tinged with grey, and streaked with brown. Male, 21, . . , 12, 2 if, 2if,.2T^, yf. All the species of this family feed occasionally, if not habi- tually, by night, and, although the present has been distin- guished in this respect from the rest, it is no more a noctur- nal prowler than the Bittern or the common Heron. It fre- quents the margins of lakes, pools, and rivers, preferring those which are plentifully furnished with reeds, sedges, and other aquatic plants. It feeds on reptiles, fishes, mollusca, and worms. Although it is of very rare occurrence in this country, its distribution is very extensive, it being common in many parts of America, as well as in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ardea Nycticorax, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 235.— Ardea Nycti- corax, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 678.- — Ardea Nycticorax, Temm. Man. d? Ornith. ii. 5 7 7. —Ardea Nycticorax, Grey Night-He- ron, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CXY. ARDEA. HERON. The Herons, properly so called, are among the larger and more robust species of the family to which they give name. Their body is moderately large, but much compressed ; the neck very long, and of considerable thickness ; the head ob- long and much compressed. Bill longer than the head, stout, straight, compressed, tapering to a point ; upper man- dible with the dorsal line almost straight, the ridge broad and convex at the base, gradually narrowed to the point, the nasal depression narrow, oblong, with a groove extend- ing from it to near the end, the sides convex, the edges sharp, serrulate, with a notch close to the tip, which is very acute ; lower mandible with the angle very long and ex- 128 ARDEINiE. ARDEA. tremely narrow, the dorsal line ascending and slightly con- vex, the sides concave, the edges direct, sharp, serrulate, the tip acuminate ; gape-line straight. Mouth rather nar- row, but extensile ; tongue long, slender, trigonal, tapering to a point ; oesophagus very wide in its whole length ; pro- ventriculus dilated ; stomach a hemispherical thin sac, with 1 a round pyloric lobe ; intestine very long and extremely slender ; rectum with an oblong coecum ; cloaca large and globular. Nostrils linear. Eyes of moderate size. Aper- ; ture of ear small, roundish. Legs very long, rather slender ; I tibia bare for more than a third, covered with hexagonal scales ; tarsus very long, anteriorly scutellate ; toes very long, scutellate above ; the first large, the second a little I shorter than the fourth, which is connected with the third by a basal web ; claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute, i that of the middle toe with a serrate inner edge. Plumage soft and full ; feathers on the head elongated and pointed, i generally forming a decurved crest ; on the neck moderate, on its fore part below elongated and tapering ; on the fore part of the back much elongated, with close filaments, se- : parated only toward the end ; wings large, the outer four quills nearly even ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve fea- thers. The species of this genus feed on fishes, frogs, insects, sometimes small mammalia, and young birds ; nestle on trees or bushes, sometimes on the ground, laying three or four broadly elliptical light blue eggs ; have a sedate, slow but not heavy flight ; and are generally shy and suspicious. Two species occur in Britain : one resident, and generally dis- persed, the other an accidental visitant. 221. Ardea cinerea. Grey Heron. Adult with the forehead white, a black, pendent, occipital crest, the fore-neck white, with longitudinal black spots, the upper part and sides bluish-grey, the breast black, with a white patch in front, the abdomen and lower tail-coverts white ; the tarsus much longer than the middle toe and claw. Young with the upper part of the head dusky grey, the occipital crest short, the upper parts and sides bluish- grey, the lower white, the fore-neck white with dark spots. ARDEINiE. ARDEA. 129 Male, 39J, 72, 18, 4, 6TV, 34, TV The Common Heron frequents the margins of rivers, pools, and lakes, as well as the shores of inlets of the sea, where it may often be observed patiently watching for its prey, or slowly walking among the mud or weeds. Perched on a stone by the water, reposing on one foot, with its neck re- tracted, it remains motionless for hours, until a fish, or frog, or other object attract its notice, or it be roused by the appre- hension of danger. At other times, however, it is seen wan- dering among the stones, and in the shallows, in quest of small fishes, reptiles, crabs, or shrimps, according to the lo- cality. It also feeds by moonlight, and is said to be in best condition when the moon is full. It is remarkable for its vo- racity and the rapidity of its digestion. Its flight is sedate, buoyant, but seeming heavy ; and in moving to a distance it generally flies high, sailing at intervals. It breeds in society, nestling in high trees. The eggs are from three to five, light bluish-green, broadly elliptical, two inches and a quarter in length, an inch and nine-twelfths in breadth. Heron. Heronshaw. Crested Heron. Ardea major and cinerea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 236.-— Ardea cinerea, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 691.— Ardea cinerea, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 567.— -Ardea cinerea, Grey Heron, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 222. Ardea purpurea. Purple Heron. Middle toe and claw longer than the tarsus. Adult with a longitudinal occipital crest of acuminate decurved feathers ; neck longitudinally banded with greenish-black and light red ; plumage of the body greyish -blue, dark green, and light red ; bill yellow ; feet yellow, with the scutella and claws dusky. Young without elongated feathers on the head, back, or fore- neck ; the fore-head black, hind-head reddish, fore-neck yel- lowish-white, spotted with black ; feathers of the back dusky grey, margined with light red ; legs whitish, bill yellow, with a great part of the upper mandible dusky. Male, 36, . . , 154; 54? 5^? 4tV, ItV • Very extensively distributed in Asia, Africa, and Europe, extending northward as far as Holland, where it is not un- common. It has several times been obtained in England, where, however, it ranks only as an accidental straggler. The eggs are broadly elliptical, two inches and a twelfth in length, and of a pale greenish-blue colour. I 130 ARDEINJE. ERODIUS. Ardea purpurea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 236. — Ardea purpurea, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 697. — Ardea purpurea, Temm. Man. | d’Ornith. ii. 570. — Ardea purpurea, Purple Heron, MacGil- livray, Brit. Birds, iv. GENUS CXYI. ERODIUS. EGRET. The Egrets differ from the Herons chiefly in being of a j more slender form, with the neck and legs extremely elon- gated, and the latter haying a larger portion of the tibia bare ; the bill more attenuated, with its dorsal line a little deflected toward the end. Many of the species are also j furnished with very long dorsal plumes, of which the fila- I ments are disunited. The genus, however, is not well de- fined, being blended with Ardea on the one hand, and Bo- taurus on the other. The bill is much longer than the head, strong, but rather slender, straight, compressed, tapering to a point ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, until toward the end, when it is a little deflected, the ridge broad j and convex at the base, gradually narrowed, the nasal de- I pression narrow-oblong, with a groove extending to near the end, the sides convex, the edges sharp, often serrulate, with, a notch close to the tip, which is very acute ; lower man- dible with the angle very long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line ascending and almost straight, the sides concave, the edges direct, often serrulate, the tip acuminate ; gape- line straight. Mouth rather narrow, but extensile ; tongue long, slender, trigonal, tapering to a point ; oesophagus very wide in its whole length ; proventriculus dilated ; sto- I inach a hemispherical thin sac, with a round pyloric lobe ; I intestine very long, and extremely slender ; rectum with an j oblong coecum ; cloaca large and globular. Nostrils linear. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear small, roundish. Legs extremely long, slender ; tibia bare for half its length, or more, covered with hexagonal scales ; tarsus very long, an- teriorly scutellate ; toes long, slender, scutellate above, flat- tened beneath ; the first large, the second a little shorter than the fourth, which is connected with the third by a basal web ; claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute, that of the middle toe with a serrated inner edge. Plumage soft and ARDEINiE. ERODIUS. 131 full ; feathers on the head more or less elongated, on the neck short, on its fore part below of considerable length ; four longitudinal dorsal series of very elongated feathers, generally having distantly placed filaments, and often ex- tending beyond the tail ; wings ample, of about twenty-eight quills, of which the outer three are nearly equal ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve feathers. Many, not all, of these birds are white. They feed on fishes, reptiles, Crustacea, insects, small quadrupeds, young birds, and other animals. They are remarkable for their graceful movements, and in activity greatly surpass the Herons. The nest is generally placed on a tree or bush, but sometimes on the ground ; the eggs three or four, broadly elliptical, light blue. None of the species are resident in Britain. Egretta being neither Greek nor Latin, I should prefer as the generic name Erodius. 223. Erodius Victorije. Queen Victoria’s Egret. Length about three feet and two-thirds ; occipital feathers very slightly elongated ; dorsal plumes with the shaft stiffish, straight, and extending a little beyond the tail; plumage white, bill black, with the tip dull greenish-grey ; bare pre- ocular space verdigris green ; feet dingy flesh-coloured, but the tarsal and digital scutella dusky. Were the descriptions of authors so detailed as those in my History of British Birds, one might easily refer to its species any individual bird that he might obtain ; but this is by no means the case, insomuch that even the most recent works, namely, those of Mr Gould and Mr Yarrell, contain descriptions and figures of the Great White Egret so imper- fect as to be useless for comparison with very nearly allied species. That bird has the shaft of the dorsal plumes straight, and yet they are represented in both works as arcuate or de- curved, but in Mr Gould’s with the tip a little recurvate. The bill in both works is bounded by right lines, which is not the case in any Egret known to me. The descriptions are, I regret being obliged to say it, good for nothing. In the summer of 1840, I obtained a most beautiful adult male white Egret, which was shot by Mr Martin, gamekeeper to the Earl of Haddington, on Tyningham Sands, in East Lo- thian, on the 9th of June, and having been sent to Mr Mac- 132 ARDEINjE. erodius. duff Carfrae to be prepared, was minutely examined by me. A very full description does not accord with the plan of this work, and will be given elsewhere ; but enough may be stated here to shew the difference between Erodius Victoria, E. albus, and E. Egretta, which are very intimately allied. Erodius Yictorise is much larger in all its dimensions than E. albus, which exceeds E. Egretta. The bill is long, stout, compressed, tapering ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for two-thirds, then slightly declinato-convex, the ridge broad at the base, narrow but convex in the rest of its extent, the nasal depression narrow, elongated, with a groove from its fore part extending nearly to a third from the tip, the sides convex, the edges direct and sharp ; lower man- dible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line slightly ascending, the sides sloping outwards and con- cave, the edges sharp, the tip acute ; the gape-line straight, commencing under the centre of the eye, at first somewhat sinuate, and toward the end slightly deflected. A large bare space on each side of the head, extending from the base of the bill to a little behind the eye and angle of the mouth. This bare space is bright verdigris green ; the base of the bill also on each side is green of a lighter tint, as far as the nos- trils ; but all the rest is deep black, excepting the two tips, which are greenish-grey or horn-colour, to the extent of an inch. These particulars are taken from the newly-killed bird. The occipital feathers are very slightly elongated, being an inch and a half in length. The dorsal plumes have rather firm, though slender, straightish shafts, the longest extending two inches and a half beyond the tail, and sixteen inches in length. The bare part of the tibia and the upper part of the tarsus are flesh-coloured ; the scutella of the tarsi and toes dusky-brown ; the hind part of the tarsus and the soles dusky flesh-coloured ; the claws brownish-black. The plumage white with a faint tint of yellowish. Erodius albus, which is considerably smaller, has the bill long, stout, compressed, tapering ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for two-thirds from the base, then slightly declinato-convex, the ridge broad at the base, narrow but convex in the rest of its extent, the nasal depression narrow, elongated, with a groove from its fore part extending nearly to a third from the tip, the sides convex, the edges direct and sharp ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line slightly ascending; the sides sloping outwards and concave, the edges sharp, the tip ARDEINiE. ERODIUS. 133 acute ; the gape-line straight, commencing under the centre of the eye, at first somewhat sinuate, and toward the end slightly deflected ; a large bare space on each side of the head extending from the base of the bill to a little behind the eye and angle of the mouth. This bare space is said to be “ pale green.” Mr Yarrell says the bill is “ yellow at the base, black towards the point.” Mr Gould says it is “ deep brown tinged with yellow about the nostrils.” No two authors agree on this subject. I find it in the individual here described yellow, with the tip slightly dusky. The occipital feathers are very slightly elongated, the largest being an inch and four-twelfths. The dorsal plumes have rather firm, though slender, straightish-shafts, the longest extending two inches beyond the tail, and fourteen inches in length. The tibia, tarsus, toes, and claws, are black. The plumage white, with a faint yellowish- tinge. Now, the only differences in the above descriptions are, in the general size, the colour of the bill, and that of the feet; but in the measurements of the bill and feet, as will present- ly be seen, the difference is great, and while the one has twenty tarsal scutella, the other has only fourteen. Erodius Egretta is smaller than E. albus. The bill is long, stout, compressed, tapering ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for two-thirds, then slightly declinato- convex, the ridge broad and slightly convex at the base, narrowed, and becoming rather acute toward the end, the na- sal depression narrow, elongated, with a groove to a third from the tip, the sides convex, the edges direct and sharp ; lower mandible with the angle long and extremely narrow, the dorsal line ascending and almost straight, the edges sharp and directs the tip acuminate ; the gape-line straight, com- mencing under the eye ; the bill is bright-yellow, as is the space between it and the eye. The occipital feathers are slightly elongated. The dorsal plumes have very slender, slightly decurved, and slightly undulated shafts, the longest extending about ten inches beyond the end of the tail. The tibia, tarsus, toes, and claws are black. Plumage white. Some of the measurements of three individuals of these three species are here given. 134 ARDEINiS. ERODIUS. Viet. Alb. Egr. Alb. Length, 44i 40 37 40 Extent of wings, 66 *4 74 55 Bill along the ridge, . 4t9* 4x2- Gape-line, io§ 5* Height of bill, . m Wing from flexure, 18i 16 16J Tail, . 7 64 «i Bare part of tibia, 5i 3tX 34 34 Tarsus, 7t9* 6* fixV 64 Third toe, H H 314 4| Its claw. n T IS A It will be seen how greatly our new species exceeds the others in the bare space on the tibia, in the tarsus, and in the middle toe. All the individuals described were adult, with the dorsal plumes in the same state. It is clear that Erodius Victoria exceeds E. albus in size, as much as the latter exceeds the American Egret. Its bill, however, is more slender than that of either, and its tarsi and toes much longer, while the bare part of the tibia greatly exceeds that of the rest. I have examined the digestive or- gans of E. Victories and E. Egretta, but not of E. albus. Of the first, the oesophagus was 28 inches long, 2J- inches wide at the proventriculus ; stomach 2 inches in diameter, with a pyloric lobe 10 twelfths in breadth ; intestine 9 feet 1 inch, from 3 to 2 twelfths wide* Not finding this bird anywhere described or figured, al- though it may have been confounded with E. albus, and al- though it may possibly be the Egretta nigrirostris of Mr Grey and the Prince of Canino, whose names, however, can- not be admitted unless they have minutely described or fi- gured the species to which they have given it,— — I propose naming it after our most gracious Queen, it being, in my esti- mation, as worthy as a bird can be of such an honour. The specimen examined, beautifully prepared by Mr Carfrae, is now, I understand, in the possession of the Earl of Haddington, 224. Erodius albus. European White Egret. Length nearly three feet and a half ; occipital feathers very slightly elongated ; dorsal plumes with the shaft stiffish, straight, and extending a little beyond the tail ; plumage ARDEINiE. ERODIUS. 135 white ; bill yellow ; bare preocular space greyish-green ; feet black. This species, which is said to occur abundantly in the east- ern parts of Europe, and to straggle occasionally to its west- ern shores, has been met with in a few instances in England. It has not been well described from British specimens, and albinos of Ardea cinerea, it would appear, have some- times been taken for it. Mr Strickland, however, has given an account of several individuals. Great White Heron. Ardea alba, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 239. — Ardea alba, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 695. — Ardea Egretta, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 372. — Erodius albus, White Egret, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 225. Erodius Garzetta. Curl-plumed White Egret. Length about two feet ; bill slender ; plumage soft and blended ; occipital feathers considerably elongated, three of them very long, slender, tapering, compact ; those of the lower part of the neck similarly elongated and tapering; dorsal plumes with the shaft very slender, straight, recurved at the end ; plumage white ; bill black ; bare preocular space green ; bare part of tibia, and upper half of tarsus black, lower part and toes greenish-yellow. The female similar to the male, but a little less. Young white, without occipital or dorsal plumes, the bill yellow for more than half its length. Male, 24, . . , lOf, 3 A,. 4*, 2*> This beautiful Egret is said to occur in various parts of Asia, Africa, and the south of Europe, and to migrate north- ward as far as Germany. In England it is merely an acci- dental visitant, and in Scotland has not, I believe, been met with. Little White Egret. Ardea Garzetta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 937. — Ardea Garzetta, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 694. — Ardea Garzetta, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 574.' — Erodius Garzetta, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. 226. Erodius russatus. Buff-backed Egret. Length about twenty inches ; bill stout ; tail slightly emar- ginate. Adult with the feathers of the hind-head and neck elongated, hair-like, and reddish-yellow ; dorsal plumes slen- der, decomposed, and of the same colour ; fore part of breast 136 ARDEINiE. CICONIA. and back tinged with cream-colour, the rest of the plumage white ; bill pale yellow ; feet dusky anteriorly, yellowish be- hind. Young without elongated feathers, pure white, ex- cept the head, which is tinged with yellow; bill pale yellow, feet dusky-green. Male, 20, . ., 9 if, 3p 2T5^, y8^-. According toWagler, this species occurs in Greece, Spain, and Italy ; in Persia, Egypt, Nubia, Cyprus, and Senegam- bia; is not unfrequent in southern Africa, common in Java, and, as it would appear, in New Holland. The only speci- men obtained in Britain is a female, shot near Kingsbridge, In the end of October 1805, and presented to Montagu, who described it, but mistook it for Ardea sequinoctialis of Lin- naeus. The error was detected after it had, along with his collection, been transferred to the British Museum. Ardea russata, Wagler, Syst. Av.— Ardea russata, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 377. — Erodius russatus, Buff-backed Egret, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iy. GENUS CXVII. CICONIA. STORK. The Storks resemble the Herons, but differ from them in being of a more robust form, with the bill larger, the toes shorter, the claws convex and obtuse, and that of the middle toe without serrature. The body large and compressed ; the neck long and rather thick ; the head ovate and moderately compressed. Bill much longer than the head, straight, stout, conical, moderately compressed, tapering to a point ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, very slightly decli- nate at the end, the sides sloping and a little convex, the ridge obtuse, no nasal sinus or groove, the edges sharp and direct, the tip acute ; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and very slightly convex, the sides inclined outwards and somewhat convex, the edges sharp, the tip acute ; gape-line straight, com- mencing under the eyes. Nostrils oblong, perforated as it were in the bill near the ridge. Eyes small, surrounded by a bare space. Aperture of ear roundish, rather large. Legs very long, rather slender ; tibia bare for about half its length, reticulated ; tarsus long, compressed, reticulated all round ; hind toe short, and slightly elevated ; anterior toes of moderate length, webbed at the base, scutellate, but at ARDEINJE. CICONIA. 137 the base reticulate ; claws short, convex, obtuse. Plumage moderately full, and generally compact ; feathers of the head and neck oblong, of the lower parts of the neck elongated ; scapulars very large and broad ; wings long, ample, of thirty quills, the third longest ; tail rather short, rounded, of twelve feathers. The Storks reside chiefly in marshy places, feeding on frogs, lizards, fishes, small quadrupeds, and occasionally young birds. They migrate in large bands, flying in con- tinuous or angular lines ; nestle generally in high places, and lay three or four elliptical light-coloured eggs. The young remain in the nest until fledged. 227. ClCONIA ALBA. WHITE STORK. Bare part of the sides of the head very small and smooth loral spaces feathered ; bill and feet red ; plumage white the quills, larger coverts, alula, and scapulars black. Male, 42, 76, 25,7tV, 8*, 3, TV Although extensively dispersed, and common in Holland, during the summer, this species is now very seldom met with in England. In the museum of the University of Edinburgh is an individual shot in Mainland, Shetland, and presented by Mr M. Cameron. Ardea Ciconia, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 235.— Ardea Ciconia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 676.— Ciconia alba, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 560.— Ciconia alba, White Stork, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, vol. iv. 228. Ciconia nigra. Black Stork. Bare part of the sides of the head very small and smooth ; loral spaces partly bare ; bill and feet red ; plumage brown- ish-black, glossed with purple and green ; breast and abdo- men white. The young, according to M. Temminck, have the bill and feet olive-green, the head and neck brownish-red, the feathers bordered with reddish ; the body, wings, and tail blackish-brown, with slight bluish and greenish reflec- tions. Male, 38, . . , 20^-, 7^> 8^, 3T3^, y5^. Generally dispersed over the eastern and middle parts of the continent, and occurs occasionally in the northern and western. Only four instances of its capture in Britain are recorded ; the first by Montagu, in Somersetshire, the second 188 IBIMNJE. by Dr Moore, in Devonshire ; the third near Ipswich, and the fourth near Poole, in Dorsetshire. Ardea nigra, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 235.— Ardea nigra, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 677.—Cieonia nigra, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 561. — Ciconia nigra, Black Stork, Mac Gillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. The transition from the Storks to the Tantali is but slight, and were there not other birds intimately connected with the latter, they might even be referred to the same group, i But as the Tantali pass into the Ibises, and the latter into ; the Curlews, it is necessary to separate them from the Storks and Herons, from which they differ not only in the form of the bill, but in having two coecal appendages to the intestine, and in the form of the tongue, which is extremely short. FAMILY XL. IBIDIKE. IBIDINE BIRDS, OR IBISES. Birds of large or moderate size, resembling Herons in their general appearance, but with the bill more elon- gated, and more or less arched. The body ovate ; the neck long, and rather slender ; the head of moderate size, ovate or oblong, flattened above, little compressed, bare in front. Bill very long, arcuate, stout at the base, gradually attenuated, with the tip obtuse. Mouth rather narrow ; tongue extremely small, triangular, flat, and thin ; oesophagus wide ; stomach large, broadly elliptical, muscular, with the epithelium dense, and longitudinally rugous ; intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca very small ; cloaca globular. Trachea destitute of infe- rior laryngeal muscles. Nostrils linear, subbasal, near the ridge. Eyes small, in a bare space, which extends to the bill. Aperture of ear rather small, and roundish. Legs long, rather slender ; tibia bare in its lower half, reticulated ; tarsus long, rather stout, reticulated, or scu- IBIDINiE. IBIS. 139 tellate ; toes rather long ; the first on the same plane as the rest, the second considerably shorter than the fourth, both connected with the third by basal webs ; claws small, arched, compressed, tapering. Bare space on the head varying, sometimes extending over a great part of the neck, always including the gular space. Plumage mode- rate ; wings long, broad, of about thirty quills, the second and third longest ; tail short, nearly even, of twelve fea- thers. These birds, chiefly inhabitants of warm climates, in their habits and food resemble the Herons, as well as in their mode of nestling. The young remain in the nest until fledged. In Britain only two species occur. GENUS CXVIIL IBIS. IBIS. The Tantali, of which there are no European species, re- semble Storks or Herons in every respect, excepting the form of the bill, which, although very large and stout, is nar- rowed and arcuate toward the end. The Ibises are similar to the Tantali, but have the bill more attenuated, and ap- proaching in structure to that of the Curlews. They are generally of moderate size, with the body ovate ; the neck long and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed. Bill very long, slender, rather thick at the base, arcuate, taper- ing, compressed, toward the end somewhat cylindrical, and slightly enlarged at the tip, which is obtuse ; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge rather narrow, sepa- rated in its whole length by a narrow groove from the sides, which are erect and flat at the base, narrowed and convex toward the end, the edges sharp and direct, the tip rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle long, very narrow, with a groove extending from it to the tip, the sides erect and flat, beyond the middle convex, the edges inclinate, the tip obtuse ; the gape -line arcuate, commencing before the eyes. Mouth rather narrow ; upper mandible little concave, with two or four prominent lines ; tongue extremely short, triangular, flat, thin, obtuse ; oesophagus wide ; proventri- culus moderate ; stomach large, broadly elliptical, with its 140 IBIDXNJE. IBIS. muscular coat very thick, the lateral muscles being distinct, the epithelium dense, thick, and longitudinally rugous ; in- testine rather long, of moderate width ; coeca very small, cylindrical ; cloaca globular. Nostrils linear or oblong, sub- basal, in the fore part of the narrow bare basal membrane. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear very small. Legs long, and rather slender ; tibia bare for a considerable space, and reticulated ; tarsus rather long, reticulate in the larger spe- cies, scutellate in the smaller, or partially reticulate and scutellate ; toes four, rather long, moderately stout, the first large, and articulated on the same plane ; all scutellate in their whole length, flattened beneath, the anterior webbed at the base ; claws short or moderate, slender, compressed, arched, acute. Head partially or entirely bare ; plumage moderate ; wings large, of about twenty-five quills, the third generally longest, some of the inner secondaries elongated ; tail short, or moderate, even or rounded, of twelve broad feathers. The sexes are alike in colour, the female smaller ; the young differently coloured, and with the head feathered. These birds belong to the tropical regions of both continents, some migrating into the colder. They resemble the Herons in their modes of walking and flying. 229. Ibis Falcinellus. Glossy Ibis. Head feathered, excepting the loral spaces. Adult with the feathers of the head and neck lanceolate and glossy ; the neck, breast, and fore part of the back deep chestnut- red ; the hind part of the back, wings, and tail green, glossed with bronze and purple ; the plumage in general with silky lustre. Young with the feathers of the head and neck oblong, soft, without gloss, each with two marginal white streaks ; the lower parts deep dull brown, the upper glossy green, tinged with bronze and purple. Male, 24, . ., ll-g-, 5-J, 3T5^-, 2TS2-, Dispersed from India and Egypt to Siberia and the northern parts of Europe, and occurring in America. Like the White Ibis, it was held in veneration by the ancient Egyptians, and is not unfrequently found preserved in their sepulchres. It was distinguished from that bird by the name of Black Ibis. It is one of the species that approach nearest in form to the IBIDINiE. PLATALEAo 141 Curlews. Although many individuals have been obtained in England, it ranks there only as a straggler. Tantalus Falcinellus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 241 ; Tantalus Falcinellus, igneus, and viridis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 707-— Ibis Falcinellus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 5 9 8. —Ibis Falci- nellus, Glossy Ibis, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXIX. PLATALEA. SPOONBILL. The Spoonbills may be said to be Ibises, with the bill flattened and expanded toward the extremity. They are birds of rather large size, having the body ovate, the neck long, and rather slender ; the head of moderate size, ovate, and flattened above, but little compressed. Bill very long, nearly straight, extremely depressed, nearly as broad as the head at the base, gradually narrowed toward the middle, then expanding into an obovate disk, much broader than the head ; but when viewed laterally extremely slender, unless at the base ; both mandibles covered with a thin and soft skin ; the gape-line nearly straight. Mouth rather narrow ; both mandibles internally flattened, with a medial groove, and beautifully marked with very narrow elevated lines, and grooves parallel to the margins ; tongue extremely small, broader than long ; a dilatable gular sac of small extent : oesophagus rather wide ; proventriculus bulbiform ; stomach rather large, roundish, with the muscular coat thick, its fibres disposed in large fasciculi, the tendons very large, the epi- thelium very thick, but rather soft ; intestine very long, and of moderate width ; two extremely short coeca ; cloaca large, and globular. Nostrils linear-elliptical, subbasal, vertical. Eyes small, in a bare space which extends to the bill. Aper- ture of ear rather small and roundish. Legs long, rather slender ; tibia bare in its lower half, reticulate ; tarsus stoutish, reticulated ; toes rather long, moderately stout, the first on the same plane as the rest, the anterior connected by basal webs, all scutellate ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, tapering, pointed. The bare space on the head varies in extent, in one species including the whole head and part of the neck. Plumage moderate ; feathers of the head and neck slender ; wings large, of about thirty quills ; 142 IBIDIN.E. PLATALEA. the second and third longest ; tail short, eyen, of twelve broad feathers. In structure these birds are intermediate between the Herons and Curlews, and intimately allied to the Ibises. They belong to the warm climates of both continents, some migrating northward. 230. Platalea Leucorodia. White Spoonbill. Adult with a large occipital crest of linear feathers, the loral spaces and throat bare, the bill black, variegated with grey or dull yellow, a large portion of the expanded part of the upper mandible yellow, the plumage white, the crest ting- ed with yellow, the lower part of the neck and a portion of the breast buff-coloured. Young crestless, with the bill darker, the plumage white, without yellow on the neck, and with the shafts of the quills and the tips of the primaries and their j coverts black. Male, 32, . ., 15^, 8^-, 5^%, 3, i%. Extensively distributed over the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, and said to be especially abundant in Hoi- j land, where it is migratory. It nestles on trees or bushes, or among the reeds near the edges of small lakes. The eggs are two or three, white, with faint red spots. Of rare and irregular occurrence in the south of England. Plataleg Leucorodia, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 231. — Platalea Leu- corodia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 667. — Platalea Leucorodia, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 595. — Platalea Leucorodia, White Spoonbill, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, iv. The series of "Waders here ends, and that of Swimmers j commences. Among the former we have seen some birds that never or seldom wade, and others that swim with ease ; but among the latter we find none that are not addicted to swimming. Some reside almost constantly in the water, others seldom alight upon it ; some dive, others plunge from on wing, and many swim but never dive. The series is extremely interesting, and as the species are comparatively few, and yet their forms and habits very diversified, their study is more calculated to lead to clear views of classifica- tion than that of the much more numerous land birds. Yet, CRIBRATRICES. 143 by most authors, they have been comparatively neglected. They may be divided into three very natural orders, namely, the Cribratrices, or Sifters ; Urinatrices, or Divers ; and Mersatrices, or Plungers ; each of which may be subdivided into very natural groups or families. ORDER XVII. CRIBRATRICES. SIFTERS. The birds of which this order is composed are those known by the familiar names of Geese, Swans, Ducks, Teals, Wigeons, Pochards, Shovellers, and others, toge- gether with the Flamingoes and Mergansers. They all agree in having the bill covered with soft skin, the only hard or horny parts being the two ungues, or nail-like bodies, situate one at the tip of each mandible, and in the presence of numerous transverse or oblique elevated lamellae on the inner side of both mandibles, at the mar- gins of which they are generally enlarged, and assume various forms in the different species, of which the bill may thus be described as marginally lamellate, pectinate, serrate, or denticulate. The families of the Cribratrices are the Phcenicopterxnje, composed of the genera Phoe- nicopterus and Cereopsis, neither of which have repre- sentatives in Britain, Anserine, Anatinje, Fuligulinjs, and Mergax SEiuxiE . The birds of the first of these orders resemble some of the Waders in form, and those of the last approximate to the Divers. The general cha- racters of the order, briefly stated, are the following Body large, full, and muscular ; head oblong, com- pressed. Bill never very long, sometimes short, cerate, with internal or marginal lamellae. Tongue fleshy, large ; 144 ANSERINE. oesophagus narrow ; stomach an extremely muscular giz- zard* with a dense epithelium, having two grinding plates ; intestine long, rather wide, with two long, moderately wide coeca. Trachea in the females uniform, hut in the males with diversiform enlargements at its lower extre- mity ; the contractor muscles, which are large, give off two slips to the clavicles, and end in two others which go to the sternum, there being no inferior laryngeal muscles. Eyes and apertures of ears generally small. Feathers ovate or oblong, curved ; wings convex ; tail short. Feet with four toes, the anterior rather long and webbed, the hind toe small and free ; claws generally small. Birds of this order occur in all parts of the globe. Among the Swimming Birds they are apparently analo- gous to the Radrices among the land birds, send next to them they are the most directly useful to man. They j feed on vegetable substances, but some also on fishes, and many on mollusca and insects. The nest is rude, and usually placed on the ground ; the eggs numerous, and white or light-coloured, without spots. The young, j covered with stifhsh down, are able to run, swim, and dive, immediately after exclusion, and are led about by their mother, who evinces the greatest anxiety for j their safety. Of the species, which are very numerous, j forty have been met with in Britain. The males are always larger than the females. FAMILY XLI. ANSERIN2E. ANSERINE N ! BIRDS, OR GEESE. These are the largest birds of the order. They have the body ovate or elliptical, very large and full, of nearly equal height and breadth ; the neck long, and rather ANSERINE. 145 slender ; the head rather small, oblong, compressed, and arched above. Bill stout, short or moderate, much higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed toward the end, of nearly equal breadth or narrowed, with large con- vex unguis. Upper mandible internally concave, with a medial tuberculate ridge, one or two series of tubercles on each side, then a series of flattened lamellae, and along the margin numerous lamellae, often enlarged at the end ; tongue fleshy, thick, margined with pointed papillae or fibres ; oesophagus long, narrow, a little enlarged below ; stomach a transversely elliptical gizzard, of which the lateral muscles are extremely thick, the tendons large, the epithelium with two circular, somewhat concave, thick grinding plates ; intestine long, rather narrow ; coeca long, narrow at the base, then enlarged, and nearly cylindrical. Trachea nearly uniform, with the inferior larynx simple and compressed. Nostrils small or moderate, submedial, oblong. Eyes small. Aperture of ear rather small. Legs placed considerably forward, very strong, generally of moderate length ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus moderately compressed ; toes four, the first very small, and free ; the anterior rather long, the outer little shorter than the third ; the interdigital membrane full ; claws short, arched, obtuse. Plumage rather full, close, and firm, unless on the head and neck, where it is soft and blended ; wings very long and broad ; primaries decurved, the second and third longest, the first little shorter ; tail short, rounded, of from sixteen to twenty-four feathers. The Anserinse inhabit chiefly the Arctic and Antarctic regions in summer, migrating in autumn toward the Equator. They are all gregarious, fly in lines when jour- neying, have a strong and rapid flight, wralk slowly, swim with ease, but never dive in quest of their food, which consists entirely of vegetable substances. Although they feed chiefly on land, or in marshy places, they also, when swimming in shallow water, pull up the submersed parts K 146 ANSERINE. ANSER. of plants by immersing the head and neck. The nest, composed of grass and other herbage, is placed in marshes or on islands ; the eggs numerous, elliptical, and white, or grey. The male remains with the female and young. The plumage is the same in both sexes, and in this re- spect the young differ little from the adults. Their flesh is savoury, but not easily digestible. . GENUS CXX. ANSER. GOOSE. Birds of large size, having the body remarkably full, ovate, rather higher than broad ; the neck long and slender ; the head rather small, oblong, arched above, compressed. Bill as long as the head, stout, straight, subconical, of much greater height than breadth at the base, narrowed toward j the end, where it is somewhat depressed, and broadly j rounded ; upper mandible with the ridge broad and flattened at the base, then convex, the dorsal line decimate and j straight to near the unguis, which is round, very convex, de- | curved, and strong, the edges arched, denticulated with the triangular outer ends of the lamellae, which appear from without. Mouth of moderate width ; its roof concave, with j a medial row of tubercles, one or two series on each side, j then a series of small transverse ridges, a longitudinal groove, and a marginal series of lamellae ; tongue fleshy, thick, with a median groove, basal and lateral acute horny papillae, and thin, horny, rounded tip ; oesophagus long, nar- j row, enlarged below ; stomach an extremely developed, j oblique, transversely elliptical gizzard, with excessively thick j muscles, and roundish, concave grinding plates ; intestine long, rather narrow ; coeca long. Inferior larynx compressed. Nostrils moderate, oblong, submedial. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather small. Legs moderate, strong, placed well forward ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus moderately compressed, reticulate ; hind toe very small, elevated, thick beneath ; anterior toes rather long, scutellate, at the base scaly. Membranes full ; claws short, arched, rather compressed, obtuse. Plumage full, firm, un- less on the head and neck ; feathers of the head very small ANSERINE. ANSER. 147 and oblong, of tbe neck narrow, and disposed in oblique ridges ; wings large, of twenty-six quills, the second longest, the first slightly shorter ; secondaries broad and rounded, the inner elongated. Tail short, rounded, of sixteen broad feathers. The Geese inhabit the temperate and arctic regions of both Continents, reside mostly in marshes, but frequently betake themselves to dry fields and pastures, feed on vege- table substances, walk slowly and sedately, swim with ease, have a strong and rapid flight, and emit harsh cries. They are gregarious, nestle on the ground, and lay numerous, broadly ovate, white eggs. The male continues with the female and young. Their flesh is much esteemed, being nutritious and highly flavoured. 231. Anser palustris. Thick-billed Grey Goose. Male thirty-three inches long ; bill very thick, as long as the head, two inches and a half in length, an inch and a half in height at the base, ten and a half twelfths in breadth be- hind the circular unguis, yellowish- orange, with the unguis white or bluish-grey ; the tarsus three inches long, flesh-co- loured ; the wings scarcely shorter than the tail ; feathers of the neck linear-oblong, disposed in ridges ; head and neck greyish-brown ; upper parts grey and brown, barred with the whitish terminal margins of the feathers ; hind part of the back ash-grey ; lower parts pale brownish-grey, becoming white behind. Female similar, but smaller. Young with the upper parts darker, the head and neck of a lighter brown. Wild Goose. Marsh Goose. Grey Lag. Grey Goose. Fen Goose. Male, 33, 64, 17J, 2J, 3, 3XV, TV Female, 30, 60. This species is not of common occurrence in any part of Britain, and does not remain to breed with us. It arrives in October and departs in April. Generally dispersed over Europe. Anas Anser, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 197. — Anas Anser, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 841. — -Anser ferns, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 517. — Anser palustris, Thick-billed Grey Goose, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 232. Anser segetum. Narrow-billed Grey Goose. Male thirty inches long ; bill moderately thick, nearly as 148 ANSERINE. ANSER. long as the head, two inches and a third in length, an inch and two-twelfths in height at the base, nine-twelfths in breadth behind the circular unguis, yellowish-orange with the base and unguis black ; tarsus three inches long, dull yellow-orange ; the wings longer than the tail ; feathers of the neck linear-oblong, disposed in ridges ; head and neck greyish-brown ; upper parts dark brown and grey, barred with the whitish terminal margins of the feathers ; hind part of back blackish-brown ; lower parts pale brownish-grey, be- coming white behind. Female similar, but smaller. Young with the upper parts darker, the head and neck of a lighter brown ; three small patches of white feathers at the base of the bill. Male, 31, 64, 18^, 2T^, 3T2^, 3, Occurs in various parts of Britain during the winter, and breeds in the Outer Hebrides, where I have frequently seen it in summer. This species is much more common than the last, but less so than the next# Wild Goose. Bean Goose. Small Grey Goose. Orange- legged Goose. Anas Anser, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 197. — Anas segetum, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 843. — Anser segetum, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 517. — Anser segetum, Bean Goose, MacGilli* vray, Brit. Birds, v. 233. Anser brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Grey Goose. Male twenty-eight inches long ; bill (comparatively) very small, shorter than the head, nearly two inches in length, an inch and two-twelfths in height at the base, seven and a half twelfths in breadth behind the unguis, bright carmine, with the broadly elliptical unguis and the base of both mandibles black ; the tarsus two inches and a half long, pale purplish- pink colour ; the wings a little longer than the tail ; feathers of the neck linear-oblong, disposed in ridges ; head and neck greyish-brown ; upper parts ash-grey, barred with the whitish terminal margins of the feathers ; hind part of the back deep ash-grey ; lower parts pale grey, becoming white behind. Female similar to the male, but smaller. Young with the upper parts brownish-grey, barred with brownish-white, the lower hind-neck reddish-brown, the lower parts more grey. Male, 28, 62, 174, 1 \h 2J, 2T7¥, Female, 26, 60. Apparently more common in Britain than the last. Fre- quent with the Edinburgh poulterers, and more so in the ANSERINE. BERNICLA. 149 London markets. First distinguished from the Bean Goose by M. Baiilon, in 1833 ; afterwards by Mr Bartlet, in 1838, who proposed naming it Pink-footed Goose, Anser phoenico- pus. Anser brachyrhynchus, Baill. Mem. Soc. d’Emul. d’ Abbe- ville.— Anser brachyrhynchus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 520. 234. Anser albifrons. White-fronted Goose. Male twenty-eight inches long ; bill thick, short, an inch and two-thirds in length, an inch in height at the base, car- mine-red, with the unguis white ; tarsus three inches long, bright orange-red, the claws whitish ; the wings longer than the tail ; feathers of the neck linear- oblong, disposed in ridges ; head and neck greyish-brown, forehead white, with a black band behind; upper parts brownish-grey, barred with the whitish terminal margins of the feathers ; hind part of back deep grey ; lower parts greyish-white, irregularly patched with black, and becoming pure white behind. Female simi- lar, but smaller. Young with the upper parts darker, the head and neck of a brighter brown, the white band on the forehead very narrow, and tinged with orange. Male, 28, 54, 17 , 1*, 3, 3, TV This species arrives, like the rest, in the end of October, disperses over the country, remains all winter, and departs in the beginning of April. It is not common, however, al- though generally distributed in the northern parts of Europe and America. According to Mr Audubon, the eggs are dull yellowish-green, with indistinct patches of a darker tint of the same colour, their length two inches and three quarters, their breadth an inch and three quarters. Laughing Goose. Bald Goose. Anas erythropus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 197. — Anas albifrons, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 509. — Anas albifrons, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 842. — Anser albifrons, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iii. 518. — Anser albifrons, White-fronted Goose, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXI. BERNICLA. BERNACLE-GOOSE. The Bernacle-Geese are distinguished from the true Geese by their shorter, narrower, and somewhat conical bill, and by the feathers of the neck being disposed in the ordi- 150 ANSERINJE. BERNICLA. nary manner, so as not to form ridges and grooves. In this genus the body is ovate, of nearly equal height and breadth, the neck long and slender, the head small, oblong, com- pressed. Bill much shorter than the head, moderately stout, straight, subconical, higher than broad at the base, narrowed toward the end, where its breadth does not exceed its height ; upper mandible with the ridge broad and flattened at the base, then convex, the dorsal line straight and decimate to the unguis, which is round or broadly ovate, the edges straight, denticulate with the rounded outer ends of the lamellae, which are scarcely apparent from without. Mouth of moderate width ; tongue, digestive organs, and trachea, as in the genus Anser. Nostrils moderate, oblong, sub- i medial. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear rather small. Legs rather short, or moderate, strong, placed well forward ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus moderately compressed, reticulated ; hind toe very small ; anterior toes rather long, scaly at the base, then scutellate ; membranes full ; claws small, arcuate, rather depressed, ob- tuse, that of the middle toe broadly rounded. Plumage full, close, firm, soft, and glossy ; feathers of the head short, of the neck narrow, and blended ; wings large, of twenty-eight quills ; tail short, rounded, generally of sixteen broad fea- thers. The Bernacles inhabit the temperate and cold climates of both continents in winter, and in summer betake themselves to the Arctic regions, where they breed, forming their nests of grass and other herbage, and laying numerous white or greenish elliptical eggs. Their habits are similar to those of the Geese, but they are more active, and their flesh is still more highly esteemed. Although the name Bernicla, first given by Mr Stephens to this genus, is barbarous, I re- tain it until a better is found. 235. Bernicla leucopsis. White-faced Bernacle- Goose. Male twenty-seven inches long ; bill an inch and a third in length, black; tarsus two inches and ten-twelfths long, black ; the fore part of the head, its sides, and the throat white ; hind-head and neck glossy black ; fore and hind parts ANSERINiE. BERNICLA. 151 of the back black ; its middle part, the scapulars, and wing- coverts ash-grey banded with black ; the lower parts white, the sides faintly barred with ash-grey. Female similar, but smaller. Male, 27i, 55, 17, 2*$, 2J, TV Female, 24, 52. Occurs during the winter in large flocks, chiefly on the western side of Britain. Feeds on grass, roots of aquatic plants, and Zostera marina. In summer it repairs to the arctic regions to breed. It is found in America also. The eggs are from six to eight, two inches and seven-twelfths long, an inch and eight-twelfths in breadth, elliptical, and of a greyish-white tint. Clakis. Claike Goose. Barnacle. White-cheeked Bar- nacle. Anas Bernicla, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 198. — Anas Erythropus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 843. — Anser leucopsis, Temm. Man. d? Ornith, iv. 520. 236. Bernicla melanopsis. Black-faced Bernacle- Goose. Male twenty-four inches long ; bill an inch and a half in length, black ; tarsus two inches and a quarter long, black ; head and neck glossy black ; a patch of white, dotted with black, on each side of the upper part of the neck ; the upper parts of the body brownish-grey, the lower greyish-white ; the sides barred with ash-grey. Female similar, but smaller. Male, 25, 48, 13-J, 1^, l-ff, XV Female, 23, 46. This species, which is much inferior in size to the last, and easily distinguishable from it by having the head entirely black, arrives in October and departs in April. It is more numerous than the other species, especially along the eastern coasts, where it feeds chiefly on the cylindrical fleshy roots of Zostera marina. It breeds in the arctic regions of both continents, laying six or eight eggs, of a nearly elliptical form, pale greyish-green, two inches and a half in length, an inch and seven-twelfths in breadth. Brent Goose. Brand Goose. Barnacle. Black-headed Barnacle. Bing-necked Barnacle. Clatter Goose. Horra Goose. Ware Goose. Anas Bernicla, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 198.— Anas Bernicla, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 844. — -Anser Bernicla, Tenlm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 522. — Bernicla melanopsis, Black-faced Ber- nacle- Goose, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 152 ANSERINJE. BERNICLA, CHENALOPEX. 237. Bernicla ruficollts. Bed-necked Bernacle- Goose. Male twenty-three inches long; bill an inch and two* twelfths in length, brown, with the unguis black ; tarsus two inches and a quarter long, black ; a white patch between the bill and the eye ; behind the eye an oblong white space, haying a brownish-red patch in the middle, and extending narrowed down the side of the neck ; upper part of the head, hind-neck, and throat black ; fore part of neck brownish-red, with a transverse inferior black margin, succeeded by a white ring ; fore part of back, scapulars, and wings black, larger coverts tipped with white, fore part of breast black, feathers of the sides black, terminally edged with white ; the rest of the lower parts, and the rump white ; tail black, Male, 23, . . , . . , 2j, 1 A* This species occurs in Britain merely as a straggler, or accidental winter visitant. The first specimen mentioned was obtained near London, in 1776* and is in the Newcastle Museum ; another was caught near Wyclifle ; a third shot near Berwick-on-Tweed; and several were killed in 1813 in Cambridgeshire. M. Temminck states that it inhabits the northern countries of Asia, and is seldom seen in the western parts of Europe, Bed-breasted Goose. Anas ruficollis, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 511. —Anas ruficollis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 841.— Anser ruficollis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 826. — Anser ruficollis, Bed-necked Bernacle- Goose, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds. GENUS CXXII. CHENALOPEX. FOX-GOOSE. The birds of this genus are similar in form to the Geese, but with the bill somewhat more depressed toward the end, and less narrowed, with the nail more curved, the lamellae not apparent externally, the wings with a prominent rounded knob on the flexure, and the colours of the plumage more varied. Bill of nearly the same length as the head, stout, straight, subconical when viewed laterally, but when seen from above little narrower toward the end than at the base, where it is not much higher than broad; upper mandible with the basal margin thickened and fleshy, the ridge rather ANSERINJE. CHENALOPEX. 153 broad and flattened at the base, gradually narrowed and convex, the dorsal line decimate, somewhat concave, the edges concealing the outer ends of the thin lamellae, the unguis roundish, very convex, and much decurved ; lower mandible with the intercrural space long, rather wide, and bare, the short dorsal line convex, the lower outline of the crura straight, the unguis broad, roundish, a little convex. Nostrils rather small, elliptical, submedial. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Legs of moderate length, stout, placed well forward ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus mode- rately compressed, reticulated, but with the anterior scales scutelliform ; hind toe very small, elevated, with a thick lobe beneath ; the outer little shorter than the third ; all scaly at the base, scutellate toward the end ; interdigital mem- branes full, the outer emarginate ; claws short, strong, little arched, obtuse. Plumage full, close, firm, blended ; feathers of the head very small, of the neck narrow, blended ; of the back oblong and rounded, of the sides broad and rounded ; wings of moderate length, broad, rather pointed, the second quill longest ; inner secondaries elongated ; tail short, rounded, of fourteen broad feathers. 238. Chenalopex JEgyptiacus, Egyptian Fox-Goose. Male about twenty-eight inches long ; bill two inches and two-twelfths, reddish flesh-colour, with the unguis and part of the margin of the upper mandible black ; feet reddish flesh- colour. A roundish space about the eye, with a band from thence to the base of the bill, and the feathers along the lat- ter, light chestnut-red. The rest of the head cream-colour, shaded into glossy brownish-red along the hind part of the neck for half its length, when it enlarges and passes across the neck in front ; throat reddish-white ; fore part of back and scapulars brownish-red, undulated with dusky and grey, the larger scapulars chiefly red ; the rest of the back and the tail-feathers glossy black ; smaller wing-coverts white ; se- condary coverts white, with a transverse black band near the end ; primary quills black tinged with brown, secondary greyish-black, but with part of their outer webs glossy deep green, and four of the inner grey internally, and light red on the outer web ; the lower parts cream-colour, paler in the middle; on the sides finely undulated with brownish-grey ; 154 ANSERINJE. CYGNtTS. on the fore part of the breast a large patch of deep chestnut- red ; feathers under the tail pale yellowish-red. Female similar, but with the colours duller. Male, 28, 58, 15^, 2y^-, 3? 2^, The claims of this species to be admitted as British are somewhat similar to those of the Pheasant. Its proper coun- try is Africa, over the whole extent of which it is said to occur, as well as, occasionally, in the south-eastern parts of Europe. But having been introduced into this country, it thrives remarkably well, and individuals are not unfrequent- ly met with apparently wild. Anas iEgyptiaca, Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 512.— Anas JEgyptiaca, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. — Anser iEgyptiacus, Ternm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 523.- — Chenalopex ^Egyptiacus, Egyptian Fox- Goose, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXIII. CYGNUS. SWAN. This genus is formed of a small number of species, re- markable for their great size, they being the largest birds of the order to which they belong, and distinguishable from the Geese and other allied genera by the extreme bulk of their ovato-oblong, full, and somewhat depressed body, their excessively elongated and slender neck, and short, consider- ably depressed tarsi. Bill rather longer than the head, large, higher than broad at the base, gradually becoming more depressed, of nearly equal breadth throughout, and rounded at the end ; upper mandible with the ridge broad and flattened at the base, gradually narrowed, convex to- ward the end, the dorsal line sloping, more or less concave, the unguis generally roundish, large, and convex, the edges straight, and concealing the narrow, blunt tips of the slen- der, little elevated lamellae ; lower mandible with the inter- crural space very long, of moderate width, bare for two- thirds, the short dorsal line convex, the lower outline of the crura slightly rearcuate, the unguis roundish, and little con- vex. Mouth of moderate width ; anterior palate deeply concave, with a medial row of prominent blunt tubercles, and on each side an oblique series of flattened tubercles, with obscure flattened lamellae, and marginal little elevated lamellae ; tongue fleshy, thick, with the sides parallel, the ANSERINE. CYGNUS. 155 base and margins, as well as part of the upper surface, fringed with tapering horny papillae, the tip thin, horny, rounded ; oesophagus extremely long, narrow, dilated a little toward the furcula ; proventriculus bulbiform ; stomach an extremely developed, oblique, transversely elliptical gizzard, of which the lateral muscles are extremely thick, their tendons large, the epithelium forming two very thick, con- siderably concave, grinding surfaces ; intestine long, rather narrow, arranged in sixteen folds ; coeca long, narrow at the base, then of moderate width ; cloaca oblong. Trachea considerably flattened, a little enlarged below, with the syrinx much compressed ; the bronchi wide, enlarged, near the end. Nostrils elliptical, medial, near the ridge. Eyes small. Aperture of ear small. Legs short, stout, placed a little behind the centre of equilibrium ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus considerably compressed, reticulated ; hind toe very small and elevated, compressed beneath ; anterior toes longer than the tarsus, the outer two nearly equal ; all scutellate, unless toward the base ; membranes full ; claws strong, arched, compressed, rather obtuse, that of the third toe expanded and rounded. Plu- mage moderately full, close, firm, unless on the head and neck ; wings very long, rather broad, convex, of about thirty -two quills ; the second and third longest ; tail short, rounded, of from eighteen to twenty-four feathers. The Swans inhabit chiefly the temperate and cold parts of the globe ; breed in the glacial regions, laying numerous elliptical, generally greenish-grey eggs. They walk slowly, but swim gracefully ; sometimes feed on shore, but usually in the water, on the roots and submersed stems of plants, which their very long necks enable them to reach. Their food consists entirely of vegetable substances. In most of the species, the trachea enters the keel of the sternum and returns, before proceeding to the thorax. The young are generally grey, the adult white ; but one species, the Aus- tralian, is black. In the adults is a large bare space at the base of the bill, extending to the eyes ; but in the young it is covered with very small feathers. 156 ANSERINE. CYGNUS. 239. Cygnus immutabilis. Changeless Swan. Adult male about sixty inches in length, ninety-eight in extent of wings ; bill from the joint to the tip of the upper mandible four inches and two-twelfths, from the knob three inches and a half, from the eye five inches and four-twelfths, its greatest breadth an inch and four and a half twelfths ; the forehead elevated, with a compressed fleshy lobe occupy- ing the basal angle of the bill ; tarsus four inches and a quarter ; middle toe five inches and eight-twelfths, its claw an inch ; tail of twenty-four feathers, rounded ; bare space on the forehead and between the eyes and bill black ; bill orange-red, except the unguis, which is black, and of a nar- row oblong form ; feet dull grey ; plumage pure white. Fe- male similar to the male, but considerably smaller. Young said to be white in their first plumage, in which respect they differ from those of the tame Swan. The trachea does not en- ter the sternum. (Esophagus thirty-eight inches long ; gizzard transversely and broadly elliptical, four inches and a quarter in breadth ; intestine sixteen feet and a half in length ; cceca fifteen inches long, rectum nine. Male, 64, 96, 25, 4T%, 4J, 5TV, fj-. Female, 58, 88. This species was discovered, described, and named by Mr Yarrell, from specimens shot on the east coast of England. It differs little from the tame Swan, but has the knob at the base of the upper mandible smaller, and the feet dull grey, instead of being black. I have examined and minutely de- scribed two individuals, which were kept in the Edinburgh Zoological Gardens. One of the humeri of the male had been fractured and reunited ; but how they were obtained I am unable to discover. Cygnus immutabilis, Changeless Swan, Yarrell ; also Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 240. Cygnus musicus. Whooping Swan. Adult male about sixty inches in length, ninety-five in ex- tent of wings ; bill from the joint to the tip of the upper mandible three inches and a half, its greatest width about the middle an inch and a quarter ; from the eye to the tip of the bill five inches and two-twelfths ; tarsus four inches and two-twelfths ; middle toe four inches and ten-twelfths, its claw an inch ; tail of twenty feathers, rounded ; bare space on the forehead and between the eyes and bill, bright yellow, as is the base of both mandibles, that colour extending in an angu- ANSERINJE. CYGNUS. 157 lar form on the sides of the tipper mandible to beyond the nostrils ; feet black ; plumage pure white, the head tinged with orange-red. Female similar, but considerably smaller* Young with the bill dusky at the end, reddish toward the base, the partially bare skin at its base flesh-colour ; the feet reddish-grey ; the plumage pale bluish-grey. Male, 60, 95, 25f, 3& 4T%, T%, 1TV This, the common Wild Swan, arrives in Britain in the end of autumn, and departs in April. It is said to breed in the more northern regions of Europe and Asia ; but does not occur in America. In severe weather it is often met with in great numbers on our estuaries, as well as inland. Its food consists chiefly of slender fleshy roots and stems of aqua- tic plants, often of Zostera marina. The oesophagus thirty inches long ; stomach transversely elliptical, five inches in breadth ; intestine thirteen feet long ; coeca thirteen inches and a half ; rectum ten. The trachea enters the crest of the sternum to the depth of three or four inches ; the lower la- rynx, extremely compressed, an inch and two-twelfths in height, only two-twelfths in breadth, lies on the anterior edge of the sternum ; the bronchi four inches long. Anas Cygnus ferus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 194. — Anas Cyg- nus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 833.— Anas Cygnus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 828. — Cygnus musicus, Whooping Swan, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 241. Cygnus Americanus. American Swan. Adult male about fifty-four inches long, eighty-five in ex- tent of wings; bill from the joint to the tip of the upper mandible three inches and four-twelfths, its greatest width near the end an inch and a quarter ; from the eye to the tip of the bill four inches and nine-twelfths ; tarsus four inches ; middle toe four inches and three-fourths, its clawten-twelfths ; tail of twenty feathers, moderately rounded ; bill and bare space on the fore part of the head black, with an oblong orange patch, never more than an inch in length, between the eye and the base of the bill ; feet black ; plumage pure white, the head tinged with orange-red. Female similar to the male, but considerably smaller. Young at first with the bill reddish-white, brown at the end ; the feet light grey ; the plumage of a deep leaden tint ; in winter with the bill flesh-coloured, dusky toward the end; the feet dusky, the plumage light bluish-grey ; the upper part of the head dusky- 158 ANSERINJE. CYGNUS. grey, the feathers margining the forehead and cheeks red- dish. Male, 54, 86, 22-^, 3^, 4, 4y9^, -f|r. This species, common in North America, and first distin- guished and minutely described by Dr Sharpless of Philadel- phia, has not hitherto been observed in Europe. In February 1841, I obtained in Edinburgh, through the attention of my friend Mr Mactier, who purchased it for me from a poulterer, a young swan, which, having eighteen feathers in the tail, and being of small size, I supposed to belong to the next species. But, on dissecting it, I found differences indicative of a dis- tinct species, and on comparing its sternum, windpipe, and digestive organs with those of Cygnus Americanus, I found it to belong to that species. It was a young male, of a very pale grey colour, with the head darker. Its dimensions were as follows : Length 46-J inches ; extent of wings 80 ; wing from flex- ure 20-J-; tail bill along the ridge 3T%; from the joint from the eye 4^, its height at the base I its breadth near the end 1J, about the middle 1T2^; tarsus 4; hind toe TV? its claw f\ ; second toe 3T7^, its claw j%’, third toe 4T8¥, its claw x7^ ; fourth toe 4T%, its claw TV In the adult the trachea enters the crest of the sternum, extends beyond it, forming a horizontal loop, then returns, enters the thorax to the distance of two inches ; the syrinx less compressed than in Cygnus musicus, being more than half an inch in breadth ; the bronchi an inch and three-fourths long. In the young individual mentioned above it entered the cavity in the crest of the sternum to the distance of three inches, forming a vertical loop, then entered the thorax to the distance of two inches ; the bronchi an inch and a half in length. (Esophagus thirty-three inches long ; the gizzard transversely elliptical, four inches and eight-twelfths in breadth ; the intestine eleven feet ten inches in length ; the cceca fifteen inches long ; the rectum ten inches. The head and bill agreed precisely in every respect with a prepared head of a young Cygnus Americanus in my collection. But the very minute details and comparisons on which my opi- nion is founded would occupy too much space here. Cygnus Americanus, Dr Sharpless, Amer. J ourn. Science and Arts, vol. xxii. — Cygnus Americanus, Audubon, Amer. Ornith. Biogr. v. 133. — Cygnus Americanus, American Swan, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. ANSERXNJE. CYGNUS. 159 242. Cygnus Bewickii. Bewick’s Swan. Male about forty-five Inches long, seventy-four in extent of wings ; bill from the joint to the tip of the upper mandible three inches, its greatest breadth toward the end an inch and a twelfth, from the eye to the tip of the bill four inches and five-twelfths ; tarsus three inches and nine-twelfths ; middle toe four inches and a half, its claw ten-twelfths; tail of twenty (often eighteen) feathers, much rounded ; bare space on the forehead, and between the eyes and bill, bright yellow, as is the base of the upper mandible, that colour extending in an angular form, but not reaching the nostrils ; feet black, plumage pure white, the head and neck tinged with orange- red. Female similar to the male, but considerably smaller. Young with the bill dusky at the end, flesh-coloured toward the base, the partially bare skin at its base flesh-colour ; the feet reddish-grey ; the plumage pale bluish-grey, the upper part of the head darker. Male, 45,^74, 20J, 3, 4*, 4J, This species, first distinguished by Mr Wingate, and com- pared, characterized, and described by Mr Yarrell, has fre- quently been shot in England, where it seems to be at least as common as Cygnus musicus. It appears to be equally so in Scotland. In 1836 I had an adult female, and in 1838 a male, both obtained in Edinburgh. In the adult the trachea enters the crest of the sternum, extends beyond it, forming a horizontal loop, then returns, enters the thorax to the distance of about two inches ; the syrinx compressed to half an inch ; the bronchi an inch and a half long. In the young it enters the crest only, and its loop gradually extends, so as ultimately to reach within half an inch of the posterior extremity of the sternum. In an adult male the oesophagus twenty-six inches long ; the gizzard three inches and three-fourths in breadth ; intes- tine eight feet and a half in length; coeca ten inches long. In a female the oesophagus twenty-five inches long ; the giz- zard three inches and a half in breadth ; intestine eight feet in length ; coeca nine inches and a half ; rectum six and a half. Cygnus Bewickii, Yarrell, Linn. Trans, xvi. 445. — Cygnus Bewickii, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 527. — Cygnus Bewickii, Bewick’s Swan, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 160 ANATINiE. FAMILY XLII. ANATINiE. ANATINE BIRDS OR DUCKS. Although a Goose is considerably different in appear- ance and habits from a Duck, yet the interval between the two birds being filled up by species gradually ap- proximating to either, it is found that the entire series cannot be subdivided unless in a somewhat arbitrary manner ; so that, in fact, there are no strictly defined limits between the Anserinee and the Anatinse. Ducks are merely small Geese, having the body more elongated, the neck shortened, the bill more depressed the feet shorter, and the tarsi more compressed. Their general characters are the following -.—Bill about the length of the head, or shorter, higher than broad at the base, gra- dually depressed, generally becoming a little broader to- ward the end, and sometimes more or less rearcuate; upper mandible with the frontal angles moderate and pointed, the ridge flattened at the base, the sides convex toward the end, the unguis oblong, decurved, and rather small. Mouth rather narrow ; anterior palate concave, with a medial prominent line, and on each side a series of transverse, thin lamellse ; similar but smaller lamellae on the sides of the lower mandible ; tongue fleshy, deeply grooved above, with lateral series of bristles, and a thin broadly rounded tip ; oesophagus of moderate width, or rather narrow ; stomach a very large, transversely ellip- tical gizzard, placed obliquely, with very large muscles, thick rugous epithelium, and somewhat concave grinding surfaces ; intestine very long, and of moderate width ; coeca very long. Trachea of nearly uniform width, the lower larynx with an osseous enlargement, generally transverse, and bulging on the left side. Nostrils ob- long, moderate or small. Eyes small. Legs short or ANATINiE. TADORNA. 161 moderate ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus short, compressed, reticulated, with very small anterior scutella ; hind toe very small, elevated, with a lobiform membrane ; inner toe much shorter than the outer, which is nearly equal to the third, all scutellate above ; inter- digital membranes full ; claws small, compressed, little arched, rather acute, that of the middle toe expanded internally. Plumage dense, firm, elastic, soft, blended ; feathers of the head and upper neck small, of the other parts large ; scapulars large ; wings moderate, rather narrow, pointed ; first and second quills longest ; inner secondaries oblong ; tail moderate, nearly even, of more than twelve feathers. The Anatinse feed on seeds, roots, mollusca, insects, worms, and occasionally other substances. The males are always larger, and usually differently coloured. Some of the secondary quills are highly coloured, with silky or metallic lustre, forming what is technically named the speculum. Toward the end of summer, the males become similar to the females in plumage, but in autumn resume their proper colours. The nest is placed on the ground, or in holes ; the eggs numerous, white, greenish, or of some uniform light tint. The young, covered with stiffish down, presently betake themselves to the water. Some of these birds occur in all climates, frequenting marshy places, lakes, and rivers. They procure a great part of their food by thrusting the head under the water, but they seldom dive. GENUS CXXIY. TADORNA. SHIELDUCK. The species of this genus bear a considerable resemblance in form to those of the genus Anser. The body is large, full, rather elongated, about the same height and breadth ; the neck rather long and slender ; the head moderate, ob- long, compressed, rounded above. Bill as long as the head, higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed, consi- L 162 ANATINiE, TADORNA. derably rearcuate, and becoming a little broader toward the end, wdiicb is rounded ; upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping to beyond the nostrils, then a little concave, at the end decurved, the ridge flattened at the base, and gradually narrowed, the unguis oblong, rather abruptly bent down- wards and inwards, the edges sinuous, the lamellae with their outer ends thin and not appearing beyond the margin. Mouth rather narrow ; anterior palate concave, with a me- dial prominent line, and on each side a series of trans- verse, thin, elevated lamellae, larger and more widely set toward the end. Digestive organs as in the character of the family. Trachea of nearly uniform width, a little en- larged at the lower part of the neck ; the lower larynx with two unequal, irregularly roundish, extremely thin bony sacs ; j bronchi of moderate size. Nostrils oblong, moderate. Eyes j rather small. Legs rather short ; tibia bare for a consi- derable space ; tarsus short, compressed, with very small ante- rior scutella ; hind toe elevated, with a lobiform membrane, outer toe nearly as long as the third ; all scutellate above ; interd,igital membranes full ; claws small, compressed, little arched, rather blunt. Feathers of the head and upper neck short and very soft ; scapulars large, oblong, rounded ; wings rather long, broad, pointed, the second quill longest, the first a little shorter ; inner secondaries elongated, oblong ; j tail moderate, nearly even, of fourteen weak rounded fea- thers. The males differ from the females only in being larger, , and in having the tints purer. They generally continue with the females, which deposit their numerous white or j cream-coloured eggs in a hole in the ground, or a crevice in j rocks. Their food consists of vegetable substances. 243. Tadorna Yulpanser. Burrow Shielduck. Male twenty-four inches long, with the bill rearcuate, and having a fleshy knob at the base above ; the wing with a blunt tubercle, the tail of fourteen feathers ; the bill bright red ; the feet flesh-coloured ; the head and upper neck black, glossed with green, the lower neck white ; the fore part of the body light red ; the rest of the plumage white, excepting a medial band on the breast and abdomen, a broad patch on ANATINiE. TADORNA. 163 each side of the hack, including the scapulars, and the pri- mary quills and coverts, which are black ; the outer second- aries green, some of the inner externally red, and the lower tail-coverts brownish-yellow. Female smaller, but similarly, though less brightly coloured, and without the fleshy knob on the forehead. Male, 24, 46, 13^-, 5, 2, lyf, 2-^-, T52* This very beautiful bird is permanently resident in Britain, and is sparingly met with along our coasts, in most places suitable to its habits, from the south of England to the Shet- land Islands on one side, and the northern Hebrides on the other. It seems to continue in pairs all the year round, al- though frequently in winter and spring large flocks may be seen. It feeds chiefly in wet pastures near the sea, in marshy places, and on wet sands. It walks with ease, and flies with speed, in the manner of the Mallard, with more rapid beats of the wings than the Geese. The nest is placed in a hole in the sand or pasture -ground, near the shore, and is lined with down. The eggs, from eight to twelve, are oval, smooth, glossy, thin-shelled, white, slightly tinged with red ; their length about two inches and nine-twelfths, their breadth an inch^and ten-twelfths. The young presently betake them- selves to the sea or marshes. Shieldrake. Skeldrake. Skelgoose. Skeeling Goose. Burrow Duck. St George’s Duck. Sly Goose. Bergander. Stockannet. Anas Tadorna, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 195. — Anas Tadorna, Lath. Ind. Grnith. ii. 854. — Anas Tadorna, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 833. — Tadorna Yulpanser, Burrow Shielduck, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 244. Tadorna Casarca. Buddy Shielduck. Male twenty-three inches long, with the bill very slightly rearcuate, destitute of basal protuberance ; the wing with a blunt tubercle ; the tail of fourteen feathers ; the bill and feet black ; the head and upper half of the neck pale grey, the latter tinged with yellow ; a narrow collar of greenish- black ; the rest of the neck, and the upper and lower parts of the body light yellowish-red ; the hind part of the back and the tail greenish-black ; the wing-coverts white ; the pri- mary quills and coverts black, the secondary quills deep pur- plish-green. Female smaller, similarly coloured, but with- out grey on the head, it being pale yellow, and the dark coL lar wanting. 164 ANATIN^E. ANAS. Male, 23, . ., 13, lj, 2T2^, 2y^-, T\. This species is very extensively dispersed, being found in India, Persia, and the northern parts of Asia ; at the Cape of Good Hope, and in other portions of Africa ; in Austria, Hungary, and Russia. It is said to nestle in the holes of rocks, or trees, or in burrows of animals, and to lay eight or nine white eggs. On the western coasts of Europe it some- times appears as an accidental straggler ; and a very few in- dividuals have been met with in England, one of which is in the Newcastle Museum, another in the possession of Mr Selby. Ruddy Goose. Grey-headed Goose. Anas Casarca, Linn. Syst. Nat. iii. App. 224.— -Anas Ca- sarca, and Anas cana, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 800, 844.— Anas rutila, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 832. — Tadorna Casarca, Ruddy Shielduck, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXY. ANAS. DUCK. The Ducks have the body large, ovato-elliptical, consider- ably elongated, about the same height and breadth ; the neck rather long ; the head oblong, compressed, of moderate size. Bill about the length of the head, higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed, becoming a little broader toward the end, and very slightly rearcuate ; upper man- dible with the frontal angles short and pointed, the dorsal line sloping to beyond the nostrils, then nearly straight, the ridge flattened and gradually narrowed, the unguis obovate, decurved, the sides convex, unless at the base, the lamellae with their outer ends thin, and scarcely apparent externally. Mouth rather narrow ; digestive organs as in the character of the family. Trachea of nearly uniform width ; the lower larynx with a transversely oblong bony expansion, forming a bulging and rounded sac on the left side. Nostrils ellip- tical, moderate, subbasal. Eyes rather small. Legs short ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus short, compressed, anteriorly with small scutella ; hind toe very small, elevated, with a narrow membrane ; fourth toe a little shorter than third ; all scutellate ; interdigital membranes full ; claws small, compressed, arched, rather blunt. Feathers of the head and upper neck short and blended ; scapulars large, ANATINiE. ANAS. 165 oblong ; wings of moderate length and breadth, pointed ; the second quill longest ; the first little shorter ; inner se- condaries elongated, oblong, broad, rather pointed ; tail short, much rounded, of eighteen or twenty acute feathers. The males are larger and differently coloured. The food consists of seeds and other vegetable substances, worms, in- sects, reptiles, and small fishes. The nest is placed on the ground, and the eggs are numerous, white, or greenish. 245. Anas Boschas. Mallard Duck. Male with the bill greenish-yellow ; the feet orange ; the head and upper part of the neck glossy deep green ; a narrow white collar ; the lower part of the neck and a portion of the breast dark brownish-chestnut; lower parts greyish-white, very minutely undulated with grey ; fore part of the back brown ; scapulars grey and brown, minutely undulated ; hind part of the back black ; wings brownish-grey ; speculum bluish-green and purple, margined before and behind with black and white ; tail feathers twenty, brownish-grey, broad- ly edged with white, the four medial recurved, reduplicate, compressed, and black. Female smaller, with the bill green- ish-grey ; the feathers of the upper parts dusky-brown, edged with pale reddish ; the throat whitish ; the lower parts grey- ish-yellow, streaked and spotted with dusky; the speculum as in the male ; the medial tail feathers straight. Young like the female. Male, 24, 35, 11, 2T4?, Iff, 2, TV Female, 22, 33. This species, the original of our domestic duck, occurs in variable numbers in all parts of the country, being more abundant in marshy and thinly peopled districts. In winter it for the most part removes from the higher grounds to the hollows and level tracts, and in frosty weather betakes itself to the shores of estuaries and even of the open sea. It is chiefly at night that it searches for its food, which consists of seeds, grasses, roots, mollusca, insects, small fishes, and small reptiles. The nest is placed on the ground, in rare instances on trees. The eggs, from four to ten, are greenish-white, two inches and a quarter in length, an inch and nine-twelfths in breadth. The young swim and dive with great activity from the first. The flesh being in great request, vast numbers are caught in decoys, and more shot. It being more numerous in winter than in summer, there is probably an autumnal 166 ANATINiE. QUERQUEDULA. immigration from the continent. The species is extensively dispersed in North America, as well as in Europe. Wild Duck. Anas Boschas, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 205. — Anas Boschas, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 850. — Anas Boschas, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 835. — Anas Boschas, Mallard Duck, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXYI. QUERQUEDULA. TEAL. The Teals differ from the Ducks in being of a somewhat j more slender form, with the neck generally longer, the bill much narrower, and the scapulars and inner secondaries more elongated and pointed. The bill is nearly as long as 1 the head, considerably higher than broad at the base, gra- dually depressed toward the end, but scarcely widened, it : being comparatively slender, with the margins nearly paral- I lei; upper mandible with the frontal angles short and pointed, the dorsal line sloping to beyond the nostrils, then nearly straight to the unguis, which is small, obovato-oblong, de- j curved at the end, the ridge broad and concave at the base, gradually narrowed, the sides convex unless at the base, the edges nearly straight, the extremities of the numerous lamellae rounded or moderately pointed, and projecting more or less. Mouth rather narrow ; digestive organs as in the character of the family. Trachea a little enlarged at the lower part of the neck ; the inferior larynx with an enlarge- ment formed by several of the lower rings united, and on ( the left side a rounded or ovate thin bony expansion of ra- ther large size. Nostrils rather small, oblong. Eyes smalL 1 Legs very short ; tarsus compressed, with small anterior scutella ; hind toe very small, with a very narrow membrane ; outer toe considerably shorter than the third ; interdigital membranes emarginate ; claws small, slightly arched, com- pressed, rather acute. Feathers of the head and upper neck short ; scapulars elongated and acuminate ; wings rather long, narrow, pointed, of twenty-five quills ; the first and second longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail small, short, or moderate, tapering, of sixteen stiffish, acuminate feathers. ANATINJE. QUERQUEDULA. 167 The males have the scapulars, inner secondaries, and tail- feathers, more elongated and acuminate than the females, from which they also differ in having the colours of the plumage more varied. They frequent marshes, lakes, and rivers ; feed on vegetable substances, mollusca, insects, worms, and other small animals ; walk well, swim with ease, seldom dive, fly with great rapidity ; nestle on the ground, laying numerous white or whitish eggs ; and are highly esteemed as food. 246. Querquedula Crecca. European Teal. Male with the bill an inch and a half long, seven-twelfths broad toward the end, black ; a longitudinal ridge of narrow decurved feathers on the head and nape; head and upper neck chestnut-brown, with a green patch behind the eye, margined beneath with black and white ; upper parts and sides finely undulated with dusky and white ; scapulars part- ly grey, yellowish-white, and black; speculum black exter- nally, green internally, edged with black ; tips of secondary coverts yellowish-white ; fore-neck and part of breast yel- lowish-white, with black spots, the rest of the breast white ; abdomen undulated ; under the tail, a black and two cream- coloured patches. Female smaller, with the throat white ; the upper parts and neck dusky-brown, the feathers edged with pale reddish ; breast and abdomen yellowish- white ; speculum as in the male. Male, 14J, 24, 7i, lj, lT\, Female, 13|, 22. This beautiful and active species, the smallest British bird of its family, frequents marshy places, the margins of lakes and rivers, seldom betaking itself to estuaries, or to the open sea-coast, unless in time of frost. Its food consists of seeds of grasses, slender roots, insects, mollusca, and worms. In winter its numbers are greatly augmented by individuals from the continent, and it is generally dispersed, although not common in the northern parts of Scotland. Its flesh is highly esteemed, and is perhaps superior to that of any other British duck. The nest is placed on the ground, and lined with down. The eggs, eight or ten, are yellowish-white, an inch and three-fourths in length, an inch and a third in breadth. Common Teal. Green-winged Teal. Anas Crecca, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 204.-— Anas Crecca, Lath, Ind. Ornith. ii. 872. — Anas Crecca, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. 168 AN AT IN JE. QUERQUEDULA. ii. 8 4 6. —Querquedula Crecca, European Teal, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 247. Querquedula Circia. Garganey Teal. Male with the bill an inch and two-thirds long, seven- twelfths and a half broad toward the end, blackish-brown ; scapulars and inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail- feathers acuminate ; upper part of the head and a band along the hind-neck umber-brown ; a white band over the eye and along the neck; cheeks and upper part of neck chestnut- brown, finely barred with white ; throat black ; upper parts i greyish-brown glossed with green, the feathers edged with j paler ; scapulars black, with a medial white streak ; wing- coverts pale bluish-grey; speculum green, margined before j and behind with white ; fore-neck, and part of breast pale yellow, with semicircular black bars, the rest of the breast white ; abdomen undulated ; lower tail-coverts yellowish- white, with black spots. Female with the throat white, fore- neck streaked and spotted with dusky, lower parts white, the sides and abdomen spotted with brown ; upper parts deep- brown, the feathers edged with white ; wing-coverts brownish- grey; speculum duller than in the male. Young similar to the female, but with the colours darker, the speculum green- ish-brown. Male, 16J. The Garganey is met with only in small numbers, in winter and spring, in various parts of England ; but had not, I be- lieve, been observed in Scotland until March 1841, when four individuals, said to have been shot near Stirling, were exposed for sale in the Edinburgh market. It is uncertain whether individuals remain to breed or not. Garganey. Pied Wigeon. Cricket Teal. Anas Circia and Querquedula, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 203, 204. —Anas Circia and Querquedula, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 873.— Anas Querquedula, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii, 844. — Quer- quedula Circia, Garganey Teal, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 248. Querquedula glqcitans. Bimaculated Teal. Male with the bill an inch and ten-twelfths long, greenish- yellow at the base, olive-brown toward the end ; scapulars and inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail-feathers acuminate ; upper pari of head and hind-neck deep chestnut- brown ; sides of the head and upper neck glossy green ; on the fore part of the cheek an oblong reddish-brown patch, ANATINiE. QUERQUEDULA. 169 another on the side of the neck ; throat greenish-black ; lower fore part of the neck brownish-red, spotted with black ; lower parts yellowish-white, minutely undulated with black ; feathers under the tail black ; fore part of back and inner scapulars yellowish-grey, finely undulated with black ; outer scapulars black externally, light red on the inner web ; wing- coverts brownish-grey, the secondary coverts tipped with reddish-white ; primary quills and coverts brownish-grey ; speculum deep green, glossed with purple, and margined be- hind with white ; hind part of back and tail-coverts greenish- black ; tail feathers brownish-grey, except the twm middle, which are black. Female with the throat yellowish-white ; fore-neck, part of breast, and sides, light reddish-brown, spot- ted with dusky-brown ; breast and abdomen white, the latter with faint brown spots ; upper parts deep brown, the feathers edged with yellowish-grey ; wing-coverts brownish-grey ; the speculum duller than in the male. Male, 20. Only three individuals of this species have hitherto been obtained in England. Of these, one, a male, was taken in a decoy, in 1771? and described and figured by Pennant. A male and a female, caught in the same manner, near Maldon, in Essex, in 1812, were described by Mr Vigors, and present- ed by him to the Zoological Society. The species is said to inhabit the northern parts of Asia. Anas glocitans, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 526.—- Anas glocitans, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 862.-— Anas glocitans, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 533.— -Querquedula glocitans, Bimaculated Teal, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 249. Querquedula strepera. Gadwall Teal. Male with the bill an inch and ten-twelfths long, eight- twelfths broad toward the end, black ; scapulars and inner secondaries elongated and acuminate; middle tail-feathers pointed, but not much longer than the next ; upper part of the head and nape dusky, with small reddish-brown mark- ings ; lower neck all round and part of the back dusky, with semicircular white lines ; middle of the back, scapulars, and sides finely undulated with dusky-grey and reddish-white ; smaller wing-coverts grey, barred with pale reddish ; middle coverts deep chestnut-red ; speculum black and white ; hind part of back and lower tail-coverts bluish-black; tail grey. Female with the scapulars, inner secondaries, and tail-feathers less elongated; upper part of the head dusky; a lightish ANATINiE. QUERQUEDULA. 170 streak over the eye ; the upper parts blackish-brown, the feathers edged with reddish ; the lower parts light reddish, marked with oblong spots of greyish-brown. Male, 21, 34, 10T\, Iff, If, lif, ,fy. Female, 19, 30. The Gadwall can scarcely be considered as a regular win- ter visitant, it being very seldom met with near the eastern coasts of England, and that chiefly in spring; nor has it hitherto occurred in Scotland. It is said to be very abundant in Holland, and to be extensively dispersed over the conti- nent. It also occurs in North America, Gadwall. Grey. Anas strepera, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 200.— -Anas strepera, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 859. — Anas strepera, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 837. — Querquedula strepera, Gadwall Teal, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 250. Querquedula caudacuta. Pintail Teal. Male with the bill two inches and two-twelfths long, nine- twelfths broad toward the end, black with the sides toward the base light blue ; scapulars and inner secondaries elon- gated and acuminate ; middle tail-feathers long and tapering to a fine point; head and throat dusky-brown ; a longitudinal band of greenish-black on the hind-neck, and two white bands continuous with the white of the lower part ; back and sides finely undulated with grey and white ; smaller wing-coverts grey; speculum green and black, margined anteriorly with red and posteriorly with white; tail grey, middle feathers brownish-black ; lower tail-coverts black, the outer partially white. Female with the scapulars, inner secondaries, and tail-feathers less elongated ; the head and neck light reddish, streaked with dusky ; the upper parts blackish-brown, the feathers edged and variously barred with reddish-white ; the lower parts yellowish-white, marked with oblong spots of greyish-brown. Male, 25, 35, Ilf, 2&, If, Iff x5?. Female, 21, 33. This elegantly-formed and beautifully-coloured species is not uncommon in winter and spring in some parts of Eng- land, but is of very rare occurrence in the south of Scotland, and has not been met with in its northern islands. It is ex- tensively dispersed over the continents of Europe and Asia, and not less so over that of North America, Pintail Duck. Winter Duck. Anas acuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 202. — Anas acuta, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 864. — Anas acuta, Temm. Man. d’Orniih. ii. ANATINiE. RHYNCHASPIS. 171 839. — Querquedula caudacuta, Pintail Teal, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXVII. EHYNCHASPIS. SHOYEL-BILL. In this genus, which differs little from Querquedula, un- less in the expanded form of the bill toward the end, and the remarkable elongation of the extremely attenuated lamella, the body is elongated, elliptical, slightly depressed, and moderately full ; the neck rather long and slender ; the head oblong, much compressed, little elevated above. Bill longer than the head, much higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed and widened toward the end, the breadth of which is double that of the base ; upper mandible with the dorsal line gently sloping and nearly straight to the unguis, which is small, oblongo-obovate, decurved at the end, the ridge broad and concave at the base, gradually narrowed, the sides at the base erect, toward the end spreading and convex, the edges sinuate, the very numerous, elongated, slender lamellae projecting conspicuously from the base to near the broadest part, beyond which they are incurved ; lower mandible less dilated. Mouth rather narrow ; tongue fleshy, with margi- nal slender lamellae and bristles, its breadth increasing to the end, where it is abrupt, but with a semicircular flattened tip ; oesophagus of moderate width ; proventrieulus oblong ; stomach a very muscular, roundish gizzard, placed obliquely, with longitudinally rugous epithelium, and thick grinding plates ; intestine extremely long and slender ; coeca long, rather narrow. Trachea slowly enlarging from the top ; inferior larynx with a rounded bony expansion, compara- tively small, on the left side ; bronchi large. Nostrils rather small, elliptical. Eyes small. Aperture of ear very small. Legs very short ; tarsus compressed, with small anterior scutella ; hind toe very small, with a very narrow membrane ; outer toe a little shorter than the third ; interdigital mem- branes emarginate ; claws slender, compressed, acuminate, moderately arcuate. Plumage dense, soft, glossy ; scapu- lars elongated and acuminate ; wings of moderate length, narrow, pointed, of twenty- five quills ; first and second quills 172 ANATINiE. RHYNCHASPIS. longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail small, much rounded, of fourteen stiffish, tapering feathers. In this genus the lamellae of the mandibles receive their highest degree of development as to elongation. They ap- pear to be thus modified to be adapted for separating from the mud the insects, mollusca, worms, and the like, on which, more than on vegetable substances, the Shovel-Bills feed. The male is larger, and more highly coloured than the female. 251. Rhynchaspis clypeata. Blue- winged Shovel- bill. Male with the bill greyish-black, two inches and a half long, an inch and a quarter in breadth near the end ; feet orange-red ; head and upper neck glossed with green and purple ; lower neck white ; breast purplish-chestnut ; back greenish-black; smaller wing-coverts light blue; scapulars white, greenish-black and pale blue ; speculum bright green, margined anteriorly with white ; tail short, much rounded, of fourteen pointed feathers. Female with the bill dusky above, reddish-brown beneath ; the head and upper neck pale reddish, streaked with dusky, the lower neck and breast simi- lar, with dusky spots ; feathers of the upper parts blackish- brown, edged with reddish-white ; smaller wing-coverts faint- ly tinged with light blue; speculum duller and of less extent than in the male. Male, 20, 32, 9f, 1&, 1T\, 1*, tV Female, 18, 29. Rare in Britain, where it is met with chiefly in winter, and for the most part in the eastern counties. Some pairs remain and breed in the marshy parts of the county of Nor- folk. In Scotland it has not, I believe, been met with. It is said to be common in Holland, France, and Germany, and to occur in various parts of Asia, Africa, and America. The nest is placed on the ground, among rushes or other tall plants. The eggs, ten or twelve, are greenish- white, two inches and two-twelfths in length, an inch and a half in breadth. Shoveller. Broad-bill. Red-breasted or Blue-winged Shoveller. Anas clypeata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 200. — Anas clypeata, Lath. Ind. Ornith. it. 856,—-Anas clypeata, Temm. Man. d’Ornith.ii. 842.— -Rhynchaspis clypeata, Blue-wingedShovel- bill, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. ANATINJE. MARECA. 173 GENUS CXXYIII. MARE C A. WIGEON. The Wigeons are in all respects similar to the Teals, with the exception of having the bill shorter, proportionally broader, and rather narrowed, instead of becoming broader, toward the end. They have the bill considerably shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, gradually de- pressed and a little narrowed toward the end ; upper man- dible with the dorsal line gently sloping at first, then slightly concave and still sloping to the unguis, which is rather large, obovate, decurved at the end, the ridge broad and flattened at the base, the edges slightly sinuous, the extremities of the numerous lamellae narrow but rounded, and about the middle of the mandible projecting a little ; lower mandible almost straight, with the unguis large, roundish, and little convex. Mouth rather narrow ; tongue fleshy, with mar- ginal slender lamellae and filaments, its tip thin and rounded ; oesophagus of moderate width, considerably enlarged before entering the thorax ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach a very large, transversely elliptical gizzard, placed obliquely, with very large muscles, and thick rugous epithelium, forming two roundish, flat, grinding surfaces ; intestine very long, rather wide, enlarging toward the coeca, which are very long and of moderate width. Trachea nearly uniform ; the lower larynx with several rings united so as to form an irregular dilatation, bulging into a rounded sac on the left side ; bronchi of moderate length and width. Nostrils elliptical, subbasal. Eyes small. Legs very short ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus compressed, with small anterior scutella ; hind toe very small, with a narrow lobe ; outer toe con- siderably shorter than the third ; interdigital membranes full ; claws small, well-arched, compressed, acute. Plumage dense, soft, and blended ; feathers of the head and upper neck softer ; scapulars elongated and acuminate ; wings ra- ther long, narrow, pointed, of twenty-five quills ; the first and second primaries longest ; inner secondaries elongated, and acuminate ; tail small, short, tapering, of sixteen stiffish, acuminate feathers. The male is larger and more highly coloured than the 174 ANATINiE. MARECA. female. Tlie Wigeons frequent marshy places, pools, lakes, and rivers ; feed on seeds, grass, roots, insects, and mol- lusca ; immerse their necks while swimming ; walk with ease, often betaking themselves to dry pastures, and have a rapid flight, 252. Mareca Penelope. European Wigeon. Male with the bill an inch and two-thirds long, from eight and a half to seven and a half twelfths broad; scapulars and inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail-feathers mo- derately acuminate ; a longitudinal ridge of rather elongated decurved feathers on the head and nape ; bill pale blue with the tip black ; upper part of head reddish- white ; cheeks and upper neck brownish-red, dotted with black ; a longitudinal band of the latter on the throat ; fore part and sides of the lower neck light vinaceous ; upper parts and sides below the wings finely barred with white and dark grey ; wings grey, with a large patch of white ; the speculum green, with an an- terior and a posterior band of black ; inner secondaries white, grey, and black ; tail grey ; upper tail-coverts partly black ; breast and abdomen white; feathers under the tail black. Female smaller, with the head and upper neck yellowish-red, with small greenish-black spots, the feathers being barred with that colour; upper parts of the body dusky-brown, the feathers edged and barred with brownish-red ; wings dusky- grey, many of the coverts tipped with white ; speculum grey- ish, without lustre ; tail-feathers brownish-grey, edged with brownish-white; fore-neck obscurely barred with reddish- brown and brownish-grey ; breast and abdomen white ; under tail-feathers barred with brown, as are the smaller lower wing- coverts, the larger pale grey. Male, 20f, 35, lOf, 1TV, lj, 1J, T%. Female, 19, 32. The Wigeons begin to make their appearance in Britain toward the end of September, and depart in the end of March or beginning of April. They are generally dispersed, in the northern parts rare, but very abundant in the southern, not only frequenting rivers and lakes, but also estuaries and the open coasts. Their food consists chiefly of vegetable sub- stances, and their flesh is highly esteemed. Common Wigeon. Whew Duck. Paudle Whew. Yellow Poll. Red-headed Wigeon. Baidpate. Whewer. Whim. FULIGULINiE. 175 FAMILY XLIII. FULIGULINiE. FULIGU- LINE BILLS, OL SCAUP-DUCKS. In popular language the F uligulinae are named Ducks as well as the Anatinse, and in truth the differences be- tween the two groups are very slight. The Fuligulinse, however, may be distinguished by their having the body shorter, fuller, and more depressed, their neck shorter and thicker, and by their having appended to the hind toe a distinct membranous lobe, much larger than that of the Anatinae. They may be characterized as follows Bill about the length of the head, or shorter, nearly as broad as high at the base, gradually depressed, and rounded ; upper mandible with the frontal angles various, the ridge flattened at the base, the sides convex toward the end, the unguis obovate or roundish, decurved, usually large, sometimes small. Mouth rather narrow ; anterior palate concave, with a medial prominent line, and on each side a series of transverse thin lamellae ; similar but smaller lamellae on the sides of the lower mandible; tongue fleshy, deeply grooved above, with lateral series of bristles, and a thin broadly rounded tip ; oesophagus of moderate width, or rather narrow ; stomach a very large, trans- versely elliptical gizzard,, placed obliquely, with very large muscles, thick rugous epithelium, and somewhat concave grinding surfaces ; intestine very long, and of moderate width ; coeca long. Trachea often with dilata- tions, the lower larynx with a very large osseous or partly membranous dilatation, bulging more on the left side. Nostrils oblong, moderate, or small. Eyes small. Legs very short, and placed rather far behind ; tarsus very short, compressed, with anterior small scutella ; hind toe small, with an inferior compressed lobe ; two outer toes about equal, and longer than the tarsus ; interdigi- 176 FULIGULIN2E. SOMATERIA. tal membranes full ; claws small, slender, arched, com- j pressed, obtuse, that of the third toe with the inner edge expanded. Plumage dense, elastic, soft, glossy ; feathers of the head and neck slender and blended ; wings short, j convex, narrow, pointed, the first and second quills long- j est ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering ; tail ge- nerally small, much rounded, or tapering. The Fuligulin93 are for the most part marine birds, inhabiting bays and estuaries, where they dive in shallow I water in quest of their food, which consists of sea-plants, j mollusca, and Crustacea. Some of them approaching ! nearer to the Anatinae, are often seen on fresh water, where they feed chiefly on mollusca. They are all ex- pert divers, swim with ease, sit low on the water, owing to the breadth of their bodies, walk little and ungrace- fully, but have a rapid direct flight. They nestle on the shores of the sea, on islands, or by fresh-water lakes or i rivers, often lining their nests with down plucked from their bodies. The eggs are moderately numerous, smooth, J thin-shelled, of one colour, white or greyish, greenish or bluish. The young betake themselves to the water pre- gently after birth. The males desert the females when in- j cubation has commenced. The flesh of these birds is generally rank and very dark coloured, but that of some is highly esteemed on account of its peculiarly rich fla- vour. The species are pretty numerous, and scarcely two j agree precisely in the form of the bill, so that genera have been very unnecessarily multiplied. GENUS CXXIX. SOMATERIA. EIDER-DUCK. Birds of large size, having the body of an elliptical form, bulky, and much depressed ; the neck of moderate length and thick ; the head large, oblong, and compressed. Bill nearly as long as the head, higher than broad at the base, depressed toward the end, where it is considerably narrowed, but rounded ; upper mandible with the lateral sinus very FULIGULINJE. SOMATERIA. 177 large, the upper very long and narrow, the frontal angles very long, narrow, soft, and tumid, as is the ridge as far as the nostrils, the dorsal line straight and sloping to the un- guis, which is extremely large, elliptical, convex, moderately decurved ; lower mandible with the intercrural space long, pointed, partially bare, the outline of the crura nearly straight, the unguis very large, broadly elliptical, little con- vex. Mouth of moderate width ; anterior palate concave, with lateral slender lamellae not projecting ; tongue fleshy, very thick, with a deep median groove, two lateral series of bristles, and a semicircular thin-edged tip ; oesophagus of moderate width, a little enlarged ; proventriculus oblong ; stomach an extremely large gizzard, situate obliquely, transversely elliptical, with very large muscles, thick, dense epithelium, and elliptical grinding plates ; intestine long, of moderate width ; coeca moderate. Trachea of nearly uniform width, but with a transversely oblong dilatation at the lower end, projecting more to the left side ; bronchi very wide. Nostrils large, oblongo-elliptical, submedial. Eyes small. Aperture of ear small. Legs very short, placed rather far behind ; a very small part of the tibia bare ; tar- sus compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; hind toe small, with a broad lobiform membrane, connected at the base with the loose bilobate membrane of the second toe ; anterior toes long, the third double the length of the tarsus ; interdigital membranes emarginate ; claws small, compressed, arcuate, obtuse, that of the third toe internally expanded. Plumage close and dense ; feathers of the head short, soft, blended ; wings rather short, very concave, narrow, pointed ; second quill longest ; nine secondaries elongated, tapering, curved outwards ; tail very short, rounded, slightly decurvate, of sixteen stiffish pointed feathers. The males have the plumage variegated with white and black. These birds inhabit the arctic regions of both con- tinents, are strictly marine, and feed on mollusca, Crustacea, and radiata ; swim and dive with ease, and have a strong, rapid flight. 253. SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA. WHITE-BACKED ElBER. Male with the frontal angles of the bill very narrow, and, M 178 FULIGULINiE. SOMATERIA. though fleshy, little elevated, the head black above, with a medial white band, the hind part of the cheeks and nape pale green ; the throat, hind-neck, back, scapulars, smaller wing- coverts, and inner secondary quills white ; the breast, sides, abdomen, and rump black ; the fore-neck cream-coloured ; the tail of sixteen feathers, greyish-brown. Female with the frontal angles less elevated, and shorter ; the head and neck pale reddish-brown, finely streaked with dusky ; the lower j parts similarly coloured, but with the markings transverse, and the ground-colour passing gradually into dusky-brown ; the upper parts dark brown, transversely lunulated with light red. Young nearly similar to the female. Male, 26, 40, 11£, 2*, Hfc 2b A- Abundant in the arctic regions of both continents. Many breed in various parts of Scotland, more especially in the northern isles. It is not uncommon even in the Frith of Forth, particularly about North Berwick and on the opposite coast of Fife. The nest is formed of dried plants and bits of turf ; and the eggs, from five to eight, are of a longish oval form, smooth, glossy, pale greenish-grey, three inches in length, nearly two inches in breadth. When they have been laid, the female plucks the down from her breast, and deposits it among them. The flesh of this species is tolerably good. Eider Duck. St Cuthbert’s Duck. Dunter Goose. Anas mollissima, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 338. — Anas mollissi- ma, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 845. — Anas mollissima, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 848. — Somateria mollissima, White-backed Eider, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 254. Somateria spectabilis. Black-backed Eider. Male with the frontal angles of the bill very broad, rounded, fleshy, and much elevated, so as to form a large compressed protuberance ; the upper part of the head and nape greyish- blue ; the cheeks pale green ; the throat white, with two bands of black meeting anteriorly at a very acute angle ; the hind-neck and part of the back white, the fore-neck richly cream-coloured; the back, scapulars, and inner secondary quills black, as are the breast, sides, abdomen, and rump ; a spot on each side of the latter, and the middle smaller wing- coverts, white ; tail of fourteen feathers. Female with the frontal angles less elevated and shorter ; the head and neck pale reddish-brown, finely streaked with dusky; the lower parts similarly coloured, but with the markings transverse, and the ground-colour passing gradually into dusky -brown ; FULIGULINiE. GXDEMXA. 179 the upper parts dark brown, transversely lunulated with light red. Young nearly similar to the female. This species has been met with very rarely in Shetland and Orkney, but nowhere else in Britain. In many parts of the arctic regions of both continents it is, however, abundant. The nest and eggs are similar to those of the common species, but the latter are smaller. King Duck. Anas spectabilis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 195. — Anas spectabi- lis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 845. — Anas spectabilis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 851. — Somateria spectabilis, Black-backed Eider, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXX. OIDEMIA. SCOTEK. The species of this genus are of large size, although in- ferior to the Eiders, to which they seem to approximate in some respects. They have the body very bulky and much depressed ; the neck of moderate length and thick ; the head large, oblong, compressed. Bill nearly of the same length as the head, as high as broad at the base, depressed and flattened toward the end, which is rounded ; upper man- dible with a prominence at the base above, and „ two lateral protuberances, the dorsal line rapidly sloping to beyond the nostrils, then somewhat concave to the unguis, which is very large and broadly elliptical, the ridge broad and bat- tened at the base, broadly convex toward the end, the edges thin, with the lamellae not projecting ; lower mandible with the crura rearcuate, the unguis very large and broadly el- liptical. Mouth of moderate width ; anterior palate broadly concave, with a median prominent line, on which are some tubercles, and from thirty to forty marginal lamellae ; tongue large, fleshy, with numerous basal papillae, a deep median groove, two lateral series of bristles, and a thin rounded tip ; oesophagus wide ; stomach a powerful gizzard of a roundish form, with very large lateral muscles, longitudi- nally rugous epithelium, and thick grinding plates ; intes- tine of moderate length, wide ; coeca rather long, narrow. Trachea with two abrupt bony expansions, one at the up- per larynx, the other roundish and flattened ; lower larynx large, but symmetrical ; bronchi wide. Nostrils elliptical, 180 FULIGULINJE. OIDEMIA. subbasal. Eyes rather small. Aperture of ear small. Legs very short, placed rather far behind ; tarsus compressed, with small scutella ; hind toe small, slender, with a pretty large membrane ; anterior toes nearly double the length of the tarsus ; interdigital membranes full ; claws small, slightly arcuate, compressed, obtuse. Plumage full, dense, and soft ; wings rather short, convex, narrow, pointed ; the first and second quills longest ; inner secondaries oblong ; tail very short, narrow, much rounded, or tapering, of fourteen or sixteen stiffish, narrow, obtusely pointed feathers. The Scoters inhabit the open sea or estuaries during the greater part of the year, feeding chiefly on bivalve mollus- ca, for which they dive in shallow or moderately deep water. In summer they betake themselves to the arctic regions, where they nestle on the shores of the sea, lakes, or marshes, forming a bulky nest lined with down, and laying from five to eight whitish eggs. 255. Oidemia fusca. Velvet Scotee. Male with the bill protuberant and sloping at the base above, the rounded lateral protuberances partially feathered, the base and margins of both mandibles black, the unguis of each red, the sides of the upper orange ; inner side of the tarsus and toes orpiment- orange, outer lake-red ; plumage black, glossed with blue and green above ; outer secondary quills, tips of their coverts, and a spot below the eye, white ; tail of fourteen feathers. Female with the bill dusky, its basal prominence less elevated ; the feet coloured as in the male ; the plumage sooty brown, the breast and abdomen paler ; outer secondaries and tips of their coverts white ; two whitish spots on each side of the head. Young like the fe- male, Male, 21, 37, Hi, Iff, 2±f, iV Female, 21, 36. The Velvet Scoters make their appearance on our coasts in the end of autumn, and depart about the middle of April. They frequent the estuaries and bays, and procure their food by diving. They fly low, with considerable speed, swim well, remain long under water, are usually gregarious, and often assemble in very large flocks. It is on the eastern coasts of Scotland that they are most abundant. In summer they re- tire to the arctic regions to breed. The species is common to both continents. FULIGULINiE. OIDEMIA. 181 Velvet Duck. Black Duck. White-winged Black Duck. Double Scoter. Black Diver. Anas fusca, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 196. — Anas fusca, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 848. — Anas fusca, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 854.— Oidemia fusca, Velvet Scoter, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 256. Oidemia nigra. Black Scoter. Male with a hemispherical protuberance at the base above, the rounded lateral protuberances partially feathered ; both mandibles black, but the upper with part of the basal knob and the space including the nostrils yellow ; the feet dusky ; the plumage entirely black ; tail of sixteen feathers. Female with the bill dusky, its basal prominence less elevated ; the plumage blackish-brown above, greyish-brown beneath. Young like the female. Male, 19, 35. Female, 18, 34. This species is not uncommon on some parts of our coasts during winter. It is easily distinguished from the last by having no white on the wing. Its trachea differs in being destitute of the roundish flattened dilatation of the other species. Black Duck. Anas nigra, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 196. — Anas nigra, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 848. — -Anas nigra, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 856. — Oidemia nigra, Black Scoter, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 257. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter. Male with the bill having a gentle sloping protuberance in front, the very large lateral prominences bare, the upper man- dible with a nearly square black patch on each side at the base, margined with orange, unless anteriorly, where there is a bluish- white patch ; the prominent part over the nostrils reddish-orange, paler at the margins, the sides toward the end red, the unguis greyish-yellow ; the lower mandible flesh- coloured, with the unguis darker ; the tarsi and toes orange- red, the webs dusky ; the plumage deep black, glossed with blue ; a patch of white on the top of the head, and another on the hind-neck ; tail of fourteen feathers. Female with the bill greenish-black, its basal prominences less elevated ; the feet yellowish-orange ; the plumage brownish-black, darker on the top of the head, and upper parts of the body. Male, 20, 33, 9|, 1-J, 1T7^, 2, f%. Female, 19, 31. 182 FULlGULINiE. CLANGULA. Abundant in winter on the eastern coasts of America. ! Sometimes occurs also on the coasts of Europe. Mr Gould states that he has received a female killed in the Frith of Forth. Black Duck. Surf Duck. Great-billed Scoter. Anas perspicillata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 201. —Anas perspi- cillata, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 847. — Oidemia perspicillata, Surf Scoter, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXXI. CLANGULA. GARROT. The species of this genus are inferior in size to the Eiders and Scoters, to which they seem to be nearly allied. The body is full, ovate, compact, and depressed ; the neck rather ; short, and thick ; the head large, oblong, compressed, and rounded above. Bill shorter than the head, much higher than broad at the base, gradually depressed, and with its breadth moderately diminished to the end, which is rounded ; | upper mandible with the lateral sinuses broad and rounded, the basal angles short or moderate, the ridge flattened and i broad at the base, the unguis large and convex, the edges thin, with little elevated lamellae, which do not project. Mouth of moderate width ; tongue fleshy, papillate at the base, deeply grooved above, lvith the edges posteriorly ser- rate, anteriorly lamelloso-flbrillate, the tip thin, and semi- circular ; oesophagus of moderate width ; stomach large, transversely elliptical, little compressed, with very strong muscles, and dense epithelium ; intestine rather long and wide ; coeca long and rather narrow. Trachea generally I much enlarged about the middle, with an extremely large | bony and membranous tympanum. Nostrils oblong, medial. Eyes small. Aperture of ear small. Legs very short, and placed rather far behind ; tarsus compressed, with small an- terior scutella ; hind toe very slender, with a lobiform mem- - brane ; anterior toes nearly double the length of the tarsus ; interdigital membranes full ; claws small, slender, com- pressed, rather blunt. Plumage dense, soft, blended ; wings short, narrow, convex ; the second quill longest, the first scarcely shorter ; tail short, graduated, of sixteen stifiish, rounded feathers. The Garrets inhabit the colder regions, retiring southward FULIGTJLINJE. CLANGULA. 183 in autumn. They feed chiefly on mollusca, for which they dive, and in most respects resemble the Scoters in their habits. To this genus may perhaps be referred the Western Duck, or Stel- ler’s Duck, which differs, however, in having the scapulars and inner secondaries recurvate, like those of the Eiders and Ice-Ducks, to which it also seems closely allied. 258. Clangula Stelleri. Steller’s Garrot. Male about eighteen inches long, with the bill black ; the head, part of the upper neck, a band on the lower neck in front, the scapulars and lower wing-coverts, white ; the throat, a broad band on the neck, the upper parts, abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and quills black ; inner secondaries recurved, black on the inner, white on the outer web ; lower neck and breast light yellowish-red. Female variegated with dusky and light red. Male, 18. A single individual of this species, in the Norwich Mu- seum, was shot in February 1830, near Yarmouth. Anas dispar, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 535. — Anas dispar, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 866. — Anas dispar, Temm. Man. d?Ornith. iv. 547. — Stelleria dispar, Pied Stelleria, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 259. Clangula chrysophthalma. Golden-Eyed Garrot. Male about nineteen inches long, with the bill black, an inch and a third in length, with the frontal sinus acute ; the head and upper neck glossy deep green, with purple gloss ; a large ovate white spot on each side between the cheek and the bill, below the level of the eye ; the lower neck all round, with the breast, sides, and abdomen white, the elon- gated feathers of the latter edged with black ; upper parts black ; the outer scapulars white, some of them edged with black ; on the wing a large, undivided, transverse white space, including many of the smaller coverts, some of the secondary coverts, and eight secondary quills ; feet orange, webs dusky. Female much smaller, with the bill brown, toward the end yellowish ; the head and upper neck dull reddish-brown, the lower neck grey ; the upper parts grey, darker behind, the lower white, but with the sides and part of the abdomen brownish-grey, seven of the secondary quills and their coverts white ; feet yellowish-brown. Young similar to the female, but with the bill and feet darker, as are the tints of the plu- 184 FULIGULINiE. CLANGULA. mage, the white on the wing traversed by a band of dusky, the tips of the white secondary coverts being of that colour. i Male, 19, 32, 9, 1T5^, 1T%, 2T%, Female, 16, 28. This species makes its appearance in October, disperses over the country, resorting to lakes, pools, rivers, and estu- aries, and departs in April. It feeds on larvae, insects, and mollusca, sometimes small fishes and Crustacea. Although its flesh is dark coloured, and not well flavoured, it is often seen in the markets. The young and females are greatly more numerous, in proportion to the males, in the southern parts of Britain, and in the northern, flocks are sometimes seen composed entirely of males. In the arctic regions, where it breeds, the nest is said to be formed of grass and herbage, and placed on the ground, or sometimes in the ere- | vice of a rock, or the hole of a tree. The female plucks the down from her breast to cover the eggs, which are numerous, elliptical, smooth, and of a greenish tint. Golden-Eyed Duck. Gowdy Duck. Pied Wigeon, | Whistler. Anas Clangula and Glaucion, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 201.-- Anas Clangula and Glaucion, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 867.-— , Anas Clangula, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 870.— Clangula chrysophthalma, Golden-Eyed Garrot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 260. Clangula histrionica. Harlequin Garrot. Male about seventeen inches long, with the bill yellowish - brown, the feet greyish-blue, the webs dusky ; the head, up- per neck, and upper parts of the body, dusky greyish-blue ; a triangular white patch before the eye, a round spot behind the ear, a longitudinal mark on the neck, a narrow collar about its middle, a band across its lower fore part, some of the scapulars, the tips of the secondaries, and a spot on the side of the rump, white ; a band of white and light red over the eye to the nape ; the space between the white bands on the neck and the fore part of the breast, light greyish-blue, the hind part tinged with brown, the sides light red, the fea- thers under and above the tail bluish-black ; all the white markings on the head and neck edged with black. Female about fifteen inches long, with the bill and feet dull greyish- blue, the general colour of the plumage greyish-brown, lighter beneath ; the fore part of the head brownish-white, and a roundish-white spot behind the ear. Young similar to the FULIGULXNJE. CRYMQNESSA. 185 female, having the upper parts dull brown, the lower brown- ish-white, transversely undulated with light brown. Male, 17, 26, 7f, 1*> Hh iV. Female, 15, 24. Of this species, which is common in many parts of North America, and of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, a few individuals have been obtained in Britain. Its habits are similar to those of the Golden-Eyed Garrot. Harlequin Duck. Anas histrionica and minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 204.-— Anas histrionica, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 849. — Anas histrio- nica, Temni. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 878. — Clangula histrionica, Harlequin Garrot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXXII. CBYMONESSA. ICE-DUCK. Only one species of this genus is known to me. It dif- fers from Clangula chiefly in having the bill shorter, and the tail longer. The body is full and depressed ; the neck rather short ; the head moderate, oblong, compressed, rounded above. Bill much shorter than the head, of the same height and breadth at the base, broad, toward the end narrowed ; upper mandible with the frontal angles obsolete, the dorsal line sloping, the ridge broad at the base, the un- guis large, roundish, convex, decurved, the laminse project- ing considerably beyond the margin ; lower mandible with the intercrural space long and narrow, the outer laminae pro- minent, the unguis broadly elliptical, little convex. Tongue fleshy, thick, medially grooved, papillate at the base, late- rally ciliated, with the tip thin and rounded. (Esophagus rather wide ; stomach roundish, very muscular, with rugous epithelium, having the grinding surfaces roundish ; intes- tine of moderate length and width ; coeca rather long ; rec- tum very short. Trachea gradually narrowed, at the lower part expanded, having six rings extremely narrow before, with a transversely oblong tympanum, membranous in front. Nostrils large, oblong, subbasal. Eyes rather small. Legs very short, placed far behind ; tarsus compressed, with an- terior small scutella ; hind toe very small, with a lobiform membrane ; outer toes equal, and about double the length of the tarsus ; membranes full ; claws small, slender, little arched. Plumage firm, blended ; the feathers oblong and 188 FULIGULINiE, CRYMONfESSA. moderate ; scapulars and middle tail-feathers much elon- gated, and tapering in the male ; wings short, convex, acute ; the first and second quills about equal ; tail small, of four- teen feathers. This genus has been named Harelda , apparently a mis- print of Havelda , which is said to be the Icelandic appella- tion of the bird ; but as I have objected to the use of bar- barous generic names, I have thought that a name com- pounded of xgvpog, ice, and vw Itv* Hi-? fv* Female, 14, 23. This species, which is a native of the Arctic regions of both Continents, and retires southward in the end of October, vi- sits the southern parts of England in great numbers, but is rarely met with in Scotland. Mergus Albellus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 209. — Mergus Albel- lus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 831. — Mergus Albellus, Temm. Man. d? Ornith. ii. 887. Mergus Albellus, Pied Smew, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. Having examined the Lamellirostral families of the web- footed series of birds, analogous in many respects to the fa- milies of the Scrapers among the free-toed species, we have seen that, in the Mergansers, an evident transition is made to the Divers, which not only swim, but procure their food under the surface of the waters. These birds, of which the species that occur on our coasts are sufficiently numerous to afford a correct idea of the structure and habits distinctive of the order to which they belong, are so large, so conspicu- ous, so well characterized, and so remarkable in their habits, that one can easily render himself in some degree acquainted with them. ORDER XVIII. TJRINATRICES. DIVERS. The birds to which I give the general name of Divers, simply because they are universally distinguished by the faculty implied by that term, and because all of them procure their prey by pursuing it in the liquid element, agree in presenting the following characters. They have the body large, of an elliptical form, more or less depressed ; the neck generally strong ; the head oblong, anteriorly compressed. Bill of moderate length, strong, tapering, compressed, pointed, opening rather widely, and more or less dilatable. Nostrils basal, small, oblong ; URINATKICES. 199 eyes rather small ; aperture of ear very small. Tongue slender, pointed; oesophagus wide, with moderately thick walls ; proventriculus large ; stomach rather large, round- ish, with the muscular coat rather thick, the tendons roundish, the epithelium thickish and rugous ; intestine long and rather wide, with moderate coeca ; the rectum with a very large globular dilatation. Legs generally very short, and placed very far behind, so as to cause a nearly erect attitude ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus short, extremely compressed ; toes four, all much compressed, and scutellate ; the anterior long, and web- ed ; claws small, and blunt. Plumage close, short, blend- ed on the head and neck, firm and compact above. Wings narrow, pointed ; tail extremely short. The Urinatrices are essentially piscivorous, although several species feed also on insects, reptiles, Crustacea, and other small aquatic animals, and some on mollusca. They nestle on the ground or on rocks, but sometimes deposit their eggs on the bare surface, or in holes, with- out any nest. The young remain in the place where they have been hatched for some time. Their flesh is dark-coloured, disagreeably-flavoured, and unfit for food. The males are larger than the females. All the spe- cies are in some degree migratory. They fly with a rapid, direct motion, scarcely ever walk, stand in an in- clined, nearly erect posture, swim and dive with the greatest address, using their wings as well as feet for propelling themselves under water. The number of species that occur in Britain is only fourteen ; but of se- veral of them the individuals are extremely numerous* 200 PODICIPINJE. FAMILY XL Y. PODICIPINiE. PODICIPINE j BIRDS, OR GREBES AND LOONS. The Grebes, considered as a family, are characterized more especially by the manner in which the feet are adapted for rapid swimming, the tarsi and toes being ex- tremely compressed. They are birds varying from ra- ther small or moderate to large size, with the body ellip- tical, much depressed, especially behind, where it often forms, when the legs are extended, a broad, thin edge ; I the neck very long and slender ; the head small, oblong, compressed, gradually tapering forward ; the bill rather J long, slender, straight, much compressed, tapering, and ! pointed ; the legs very short, placed at the posterior ex- tremity of the body, the tibia, though long, being includ- j ed within the skin ; the tarsus short, and extremely compressed ; the toes four, so disposed that with their webs they may fold into a compressed paddle, which in swimming is expanded into wide-spreading lobes. The plumage is very soft, blended, on the lower parts silky ; the scapulars very long and decurved ; the wings small and pointed, with eleven primaries ; the tail, always very small, often a slight tuft or pencil of minute downy feathers, scarcely perceptible. They are essentially div- ing piscivorous birds, inhabiting chiefly fresh water, but also occasionally betaking themselves to the sea, and es- pecially to estuaries. They float lightly, but can sink on occasion so as to present only the head and neck. Among birds remarkable for the facility with which they swim and dive, they are conspicuous in that respect. They are incapable of walking, and can hardly even alight on their feet. It is remarkable that most of the species have the habit of swallowing feathers. Their nests are bulky, placed among aquatic herbage ; the eggs of some are oval, white, and from three to six? of others PODICIPINiE* POBXCEPS. 201 oblong, olivaceous, and spotted. The young, covered with down* immediately betake themselves to the water. Be- sides fishes, these birds feed on reptiles, insects, mollus- ca, and sometimes seeds. Adults frequently have the head and neck ornamented with crests or ruffs, which are produced in spring, and fall off in autumn. The pre- vailing colours are dusky and silvery white. Seven spe- cies occur in Britain. GENUS CXXXVIL PODICEPS. GREBE. The Grebes, properly so called, have the body elongated and depressed ; the neck rather long and slender ; the head of moderate size, or small, oblong, narrowed before. The bill about the length of the head, or shorter, straight, rather stout, much compressed, tapering, pointed ; the upper man- dible mobile at the base, as if jointed, with the dorsal line nearly straight, the nasal grooves narrow, and of consider- able length, the edges very sharp and a little inclinate, the tip direct, rather acute ; the lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, partly bare, the outline ascending and nearly straight, the edges very sharp, the tip rather acute. The mouth does not open so far back as the eyes, and is ra- ther narrow, but dilatable ; the tongue long, slender, fleshy, trigonal, tapering to a slit point ; oesophagus wide ; stomach large, roundish, with the muscular coat rather thick, but not divided into distinct muscles, the tendons roundish, the epi- thelium longitudinally rugous ; the intestine long and rather wide, with rather long and slender coeca, and a very large globular cloaca. Nostrils basal, linear-oblong. Eyes ra- ther small ; a bare space from the eye to the bill. Aperture of ear extremely small. Legs placed at the posterior extre- mity of the body ; tibia enveloped in the general integu- ment, unless at the very end ; tarsus short, extremely com- pressed, its narrow anterior ridge with small scutella, the posterior with two series of small prominent scales, separat- ed by a groove ; toes four ; the first very small, with two lateral lobes ; anterior toes obliquely flattened, the outer longest, all webbed at the base, and toward the end having stiffisk lateral expansions marked with oblique parallel lines ; 202 PODXCIPINiE. PODICEPS. claws small, depressed, the third expanded, and serrulate at the end. Plumage very soft and blended, on the lower parts silky ; scapulars very long and decurved ; wings small ; primaries eleven, small, the outer two longest ; tail a slight tuft of minute downy feathers. The Grebes are extensively distributed, but not numerous as to species, inhabiting chiefly fresh water, but also occur- ring on the sea, and especially estuaries. They swim and dive with surprising agility ; feed on fishes, reptiles, and insects ; fly with rapidity ; form a bulky nest, and lay nu- merous oblong white eggs. The young presently after being hatched betake themselves to the water. All the species swallow feathers. 27l. PODICEPS CRISTATUS. CRESTED GREBE. Male about twenty-four inches in length, with the bill two inches long, slender, compressed, carmine-red, the ridge dusky, the tips yellowish-grey ; a transverse occipital crest, with two more elongated tufts, and a large ruff on the cheeks and fore neck ; the upper parts greyish-black, the lower silvery white, the ruff light red anteriorly, black behind, the sides of the body reddish-brown ; most of the secondary quills, the hu- meral s, and the anterior edge of the wing, white. Female smaller, similar to the male, but with the tufts and ruff shorter. Young without crest or ruff, dusky grey above, silvery white beneath. Male, 23, 34, 7t8^ 2tV, 2 A, 2J, A- Female, 19, 32. This species, the largest of its genus, is extensively dis- persed over the northern parts of both Continents. It breeds in various parts of Britain, forming a large nest, and laying four eggs of an elongated elliptical form, two inches and a quarter in length, only an inch and a half in breadth, green- ish-white, and at length generally soiled with mud. It feeds on fishes, frogs, insects, and mollusca. More individuals are seen with us in winter, there being probably accessions from more northern countries. The plumage, being dense and glossy, is sometimes used in place of fur. Colymbus cristatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 222.— Podiceps cris- tatus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 780.™ Podiceps cristatus, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 717. — Podiceps cristatus, Crested Grebe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. Greater Crested Grebe, Tippet Grebe, Crested Ducker, Gaunt, Cargoose. PODICXPINJE. PODICEPS. 203 272. PODICEPS RUBRIC OLLIS. RED-NECKED GREBE. Male about eighteen inches long, with the bill an inch and two-thirds, rather stout, compressed, black, with the base yel- low, a short transverse occipital crest, with two more elongated tufts, and a slight ruff on the cheeks and fore-neck ; the upper parts greyish-black, the lower silvery white, the ruff light grey edged with white, the fore part and sides of the neck rich brownish-red, the sides of the body streaked with dusky ; se- veral of the outer secondary quills white. Female smaller, similar to the male, but with the tufts and ruff shorter. Young without crest or ruff, dusky grey above, silvery white beneath ; the cheeks greyish- white, the fore-neck brownish-grey. ( Male, 18, 30, 7, 2-A-, Female, 17; 28. The Red-necked Grebe, which is said to be abundant in the eastern parts of Europe, does not breed in Britain, although, in winter, it appears to be not more rare there than the Crested Grebe. I have procured it, as well as all our other species, from the Frith of Forth, and it has been found in Northum- berland, Devonshire, and various other parts of England. It is not uncommon in America. The nest is said to be bulky, the eggs greenish-white, two inches in length, and an inch and a quarter in breadth. Grev-cheeked Grebe. Colymbus rubricollis, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 592. — Podiceps rubricollis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 783.' — Podiceps rubricollis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 720. — Podiceps rubricollis, Red- necked Grebe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 273. Podiceps cornutus. Sclavonian Grebe. Male about fourteen inches long ; with the bill much shorter than the head, nearly an inch in length, rather stout, com- pressed, black with the tips yellow ; two large light-red oc- cipital tufts, and an ample black ruff ; the upper parts grey- ish-black, the lower silvery-white, with the fore part of the neck and the sides of the body red. Female similar, but somewhat smaller. Young with the bill greyish-blue, its base and tip yellow ; slight occipital tufts, but no ruff ; the upper parts greyish-black, the lower silvery-white, with the sides dusky ; the cheeks and throat white, part of the fore- neck light-grey. It is but slightly larger than the next spe- cies, from which, however, it is easily distinguished by the different form of its bill. Male, 14, 24, 5f, H, If, 1T^, Female, 13, 23. Abundant in the northern and temperate parts of both continents, it breeds in the colder regions, 'forming a large 204 PODICIPINiE. PODICEPS. SYLBEOCYCLUS. nest, and laying from five to seven yellowish-wliite eggs, an ; inch and three-fourths in length, and an inch and a quarter in breadth. In winter it is not extremely rare in Scotland, and occurs equally in England, where it has sometimes been found breeding. Horned Grebe. Horned Dabchick. Colymbus cornutus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 591. — Podiceps cornutus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 782.-— Podiceps cornutus, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 721. — Podiceps cornutus, Sclavo- nian Grebe, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 274. Podiceps auritus. Eared Grebe. Male about thirteen inches long, with the bill much shorter than the head, nearly an inch in length, rather slender, de- pressed at the base, compressed and a little recurved toward the end, black tinged with blue ; two slight dusky occipital tufts, a short black ruff, and a tuft of elongated orange-red feathers from behind each eye; upper parts greyish -black, lower silvery-white ; sides light-red streaked with black. Fe- male similar, but somewhat smaller. Young without tufts, and having the upper parts blackish-brown, the lower silvery- white, the sides dusky, the throat and part of the cheeks white, and a portion of the fore-neck brownish-grey. Male, 13, 22, 5T^, Ji, 1*. 1'*, TV Female, 12 J, 20. This species is said to frequent the sea less than the others. It is abundant in the northern parts of Europe, and occurs also in America. In winter, it is not rare in many parts of Eng- land, but I have very seldom met with it in Scotland. Mon- tagu states that it bred in the fens of Lincolnshire, making a floating nest, and laying four or five white eggs. Colymbus auritus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 222. — Podiceps auri- tus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 781. — Podiceps auritus, Temm. Man. d’Qrnith. ii. 725. — Podiceps auritus, Eared Grebe, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXXXVIII. SYLBEOCYCLUS. DABCHICK. This genus differs from Podiceps chiefly in having the body short and full ; the bill not so long as the head, mode- rately stout, tapering, much compressed, and pointed. Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight and slightly declinate to the middle, then convex, the ridge narrow, the nasal groove half the length of the bill, the edges sharp and a little inclinate, the tip direct, acute ; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the edges very sharp and direct, the tip acute. BOBICIPINiE. SYLBEOCYCLUS. 205 Nostrils submedial, linear-oblong. Eyes rather small ; a bare space from the eye to the bill. Aperture of ear ex- tremely small. Feet large ; tibia long, but enveloped, un- less at the end ; tarsus short, extremely compressed, anteri- orly with small scutella, posteriorly with two series of small, prominent, pointed scales, directed downwards, the sides with broad scutella ; hind toe small, with broad margins ; an- terior toes long, obliquely flattened, the outer longest, all with lateral expansions, and connected by webs at the base ; claws small, depressed, oblong, third pectinato-serrate at the end. Plumage very soft and blended, on the lower parts silky ; scapulars very long and decurved ; wings small, nar- row, convex, the outer two quills longest ; tail a slight tuft of downy plumelets. The species are extremely active, dive and swim with amazing celerity, and feed on small fishes, aquatic coleoptera, helices, and seeds. 275. Sylbeocyclus Europjeus. European Dabchick. Male about ten inches long, with the bill ten-twelfths in length, stout, compressed, black, with the tips pale ; head and neck tuftless ; tarsus with the posterior scales very promi- nent ; upper part of the head and throat black ; sides and fore part of the neck chestnut ; breast and sides of the body dusky ; upper parts greenish-black ; primary quills greyish- brown, most of the secondaries white, unless on the outer web toward the end. Female similar to the male, but smal- ler. Young with the lower mandible and basal sides of the upper pale-brown, the upper part dusky ; the head and hind neck brownish-grey, the cheeks and sides of the neck pale- reddish, mixed with brown ; the fore part of the breast and sides of the body light-yellowish-brown, the rest of the lower parts and the throat white ; the upper parts dusky, the fore part of the back and the scapulars greyish-yellow. Indivi- duals vary considerably in colour, the lower parts in particu- lar being more or less dusky. Male, 10, 17; 4, I Female, 9^. The Dabchick floats, swims, dives, and, as I have ascer- tained from observation, flies under water, with astonishing ease and activity. When surprised, it eludes its enemy by slipping beneath the surface, and not appearing until a good way off. It is seldom seen to fly, but on wing it proceeds in a direct course, with great speed. When frightened it sinks eo as to leave exposed nothing but the head. Its food con- 206 PODICIPINJE. COLYMBUS. sists of small fishes, coleoptera, snails, and sometimes seeds. In spring it makes a low clicking and chattering sort of noise. Its nest is bulky, and placed among reeds or sedges ; the eggs five or six, dull white, and elliptical. In summer j it is not uncommon even in the most northern parts of Scot- land, whence, however, it removes southward, and at all sea- sons is generally dispersed over England. On the continent it is extensively distributed, but in America has not been i met with. Dobchick. Dipper. Little Doucker or Diver. Colymbus minor, Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 591.— Podi- ceps minor, and Hebridicus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 784, 785. — Podiceps minor, Temm. Man. d?0rnith. ii. 727. — Sylbeocy- clus Europaeus, European Dabchick, MacGillivray, Brit, j Birds, v. The birds of the next Genus form the transition from the Grebes, properly so called, to the Guillemots and Auks. Were j they numerous, they might form a distinct family; but as very few species exist, they may rather be considered as be- longing to the present group. GENUS CXXXIX. COLYMBUS. LOON. Colymbus differs from Podiceps in having the toes con- nected by regular webs, and the tail, although very small, formed of regularly developed feathers. The species, few in number, are of large size. They have the bill as long as the head, almost straight, stout, much compressed, tapering, pointed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line gently descend- ing, slightly decimate towards the end, the ridge convex, gradually narrowed, the sides convex, the edges sharp and considerably indexed, the tip narrow, the nasal groove ra- ther long ; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the edges sharp, the tip acuminate. Mouth of moderate width, ex- tensile, opening to under the eyes ; palate flattened with six series of reversed papillae ; tongue long, fleshy, trigonal, tapering, with the point slender and horny; oesophagus wide ; proventriculus large ; stomach moderately muscular, with large tendons, and thick rugous epithelium, having two grinding surfaces ; intestine moderate, or rather long ; coeca rather large. Nostrils sub-basal, small, linear, pervious. Eyes moderate. Apertures of ears very small. Head ob- PODICIPINiE. COLYMBUS. 207 long, anteriorly narrowed ; neck long, thick ; body very large, elliptical, much depressed* Feet short, placed very far back ; tibia almost entirely concealed ; tarsus short, ex- tremely compressed, edged before and behind, reticulated ; hind toe extremely small, with a very small membrane ; an- terior toes slender, connected by membranes, the outer toe longest; claws very small, depressed, obtuse. Plumage short, dense ; the feathers oblong ; wings very small and narrow, curved, acute, with the first quill longest ; tail ex- tremely short, rounded, of more than twelve feathers. Extremely expert divers, feeding on fishes, both marine and lacustrine. They form a rude nest on the margins of lakes, lay two or three elongated, olivaceous, spotted egg s. The young presently betake themselves to the water. Two species are common in Britain, a third of rare occurrence. 276. CoLYMBUS GLACIALIS. BlNG-NECKED LOON. Adult about three feet long, with the bill almost quite straight, three inches in length along the ridge, an inch in height at the base, with the sides flattened, the edges little inflected ; the head and neck deep bluish-green glossed with purple ; a patch on the throat, and a broad ring, incomplete in front, on the neck, of white longitudinally streaked with black; the upper parts black, the middle of the back and scapulars with quadrangular, its fore and hind parts, and the wings, with small round white spots, of which there are two on each feather ; the sides of the lower neck streaked with white and black ; the lower parts white, but the sides black, spotted with white, and a narrow dusky band across the hind part of the abdomen. Young in winter with the bill greenish- yellow, dusky on the ridge; upper plumage dark greyish- brown, the feathers edged with paler ; lower parts white ; sides of neck streaked with dusky, of body like the back. Male, 36, 55, 15f, ST\, 3-*, 4^, Female, 32, 52. The Great Northern Diver, as this bird is usually called, is not very numerous with us, nor permanently resident. Narrow channels, friths, voes, sea-lochs, and sandy bays, are its favourite places of resort. It swims with great speed, sinking partially when alarmed, dives with great celerity, can remain a long time under water, and, on account of its vigi- lance and dexterity, is very difficult to be shot. From the middle of spring to the end of May, it is common along our northern coasts, and from October to spring young birds espe- 208 PODICIPINJE. COLYMBUS. daily are met with, from one end of the island to the other. In summer it betakes itself to the Arctic regions. The nest is large and rude ; the eggs, generally three, are considerably elongated, three inches and three-fourths in length, two inches and a fourth in breadth, dull yellowish green spotted with dusky. The flesh is dark and unsavoury, the skin sometimes used for caps. Great Northern Diver. Greatest Speckled Diver. Im- mer, E miner, or Imber Goose, Gunner. Naak. Cobble. Colymbus glacialis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 221, adult, Colyra- bus limner, young, i. 222. — Colymbus glacialis and I miner, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 799, 809. — Colymbus glacialis, Temm. Man. d? Ornith. ii. 910. — Colymbus glacialis, King-necked Loon, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 277. Colymbus arcticus. Black-throated Loon. Adult about two feet and a half long ; with the bill black, nearly straight, two inches and a half in length along the ridge, with the sides convex beyond the nostrils, the edges involute for half their length in the middle ; the fore part and sides of the head and throat, and the sides of the neck, light bluish-grey ; the upper plumage glossy bluish black, tinged with green anteriorly ; on the fore part of the back two longitudinal bands of transverse white bars ; the scapulars with large square white spots : upper part of fore-neck pur- plish black ; sides of neck dusky, streaked with white ; on the lower part of the neck a broad space streaked with dusky and white ; lower parts white, with a longitudinal dusky band under the wings. Young in winter with the bill bluish-grey, dusky on the ridge ; upper parts of head and hind-neck grey- ish-brown, sides of head greyish-white ; upper parts of body blackish-brown, the feathers edged with pale grey; lower parts white, the sides and lower tail-coverts greyish-brown. Male, 29, 40, 12J, 2-|, 3TV, 3*, H- Female, 27, 38. This species is of very rare occurrence, so that specimens are with difficulty procured. It has, however, been found breeding in the Hebrides and the extreme north of Scotland. It is generally dispersed over the northern parts of Europe and America, but appears to be everywhere less common than the other two species. The eggs, twro or three, are three inches long, two in breadth, olivaceous, spotted with dusky. Colymbus arcticus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 221. — Colymbus arctieus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 800. — Colymbus arcticus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 913. — Colymbus arcticus, Black- throated Loon, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. PODICIPINJE. PODICEPS. 209 2?8« COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS. BED-THROATED LOON. Adult about two feet five inches long, with the bill bluish- black, slightly curved upwards, two inches and a third along the ridge, two-thirds of an inch in height at the base, with the sides prominent, the edges much inflected ; the sides of the head and neck, with the throat, bluish-grey ; the upper part of the head marked with small dark spots, the nape, hind, and lower parts of the neck streaked with black and white, the fore-part of the neck with a broad longitudinal band of deep orange-red ; the upper parts greenish-black, without spots ; the lower white, but the sides greyish-black, and a narrow dark-grey band across the hind-part of the ab- domen. Young in winter with the bill flesh-coloured at the base, pale bluish-grey toward the end, the ridge dusky-brown ; the upper part of the head and the liind-neck greenish-grey, finely streaked with pale grey ; the cheeks and sides of the neck white, faintly dotted with grey ; the fore-part of the neck white ; the upper parts deep greenish-grey, glossy, and finely speckled with greyish- white, of which there are two oblong, divergent spots on each feather; the lower parts pure white, except the sides under the wings, which are dark- grey speckled with white, and a faint grey band across the hind-part of the abdomen. Male, 26, 44, Ilf, 2T\, 3, 3, T\. Female, 23, 41. This species is much more common than the Great Northern Loon. From October to April it is met with in estuaries and along the coast, from the British Channel to Cape Wrath. In summer, many pairs breed by the lakes of the northern parts of Scotland and the Hebrides. The nest is bulky and rude; the eggs, two, elongated, unequal, the larger three inches in length, an inch and eleven-twelfths in breadth, olive- brown, greenish-brown, of various tints spotted and dotted with umber. The young betake themselves to the water soon after birth. The activity of this species on the water, and in flying, is still greater than that of the Bing-necked Loon ; but the habits of all the species are very similar. Bed-throated Diver. Speckled Diver. Sprat Loon. Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 220. — Colym- bus septentrionalis, borealis, striatus, and stellatus. Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 800, 801, 802, adult and young. — Colymbus septentrionalis, Temxn. Man. d’Grnith. ii. 916. — Colymbus septentrionalis, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. o 210 ALCXNJE. FAMILY XLVI. ALCINiE. ALCINE BIRDS, OR AUKS. The species which, constitute the family of the Alci- nae are generally of moderate size, a few, however, be- ing small, and one or two of large dimensions. They are easily known by their general appearance ; the body being large, full, compact, ovate, or somewhat elongated ; the neck short and thick ; the head large, broadly ovate, anteriorly narrowed. Bill short or of moderate length, much compressed, generally very high, sometimes rather slender, with both mandibles more or less pointed. The mouth rather wide ; palate flat, with longitudinal ridges ; tongue slender, tapering, trigonal, pointed, and thin- edged ; oesophagus very wide, thin, generally much di- lated in its lower part; stomach moderate, or rather large, roundish, with a moderately thick muscular coat, and dense, plicate epithelium ; intestine rather long ; coeca of moderate size. Nostrils small, linear, basal, sub-marginal. Eyes small. Apertures of ears very small. Feet short, rather stout, placed far behind ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus very short, compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes three, of moderate lengthy connected by webs ; claws rather small, strong, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage dense, soft, blended ; wings small, narrow, pointed ; tail very short, rounded. The Alcinse are marine diving-birds, which inhabit especially the cold and temperate regions of both conti- nents, breeding on rocks or islets in the northern parts, usually in vast numbers. Owing to the position of their feet, they stand in a raised posture, walk ill, but swim with great agility. They are most expert divers, and their short firm wings are especially well adapted for aiding their progress under water. Their food consists ALCINiE. URIA. 211 of small fishes, mollusca, Crustacea, and other marine animals. Their flesh is very dark coloured, rank, and unpalatable. Seven species rank as British, and of these four exist in prodigious numbers in the localities suited for them. GENUS CXL. URIA. GUILLEMOT. The transition from Colymbus to Uria is in some respects not great, the bill being very similar in both genera. In Uria it is generally shorter than the head, straight, stout, compressed, tapering, acute ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the sides slop- ing, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip a little decurved and slightly notched ; the nasal groove broad and feathered ; the lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the back very narrow, the sides nearly flat, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip acute. Mouth rather wide ; palate flat, with five prominent lines anteriorly ; tongue slender, trigonal, tapering, pointed ; oesophagus wide, its lower part and the proventriculus much dilated ; stomach moderately muscular, with a dense, plaited epithelium ; intestine long and rather wide ; coeca moderate. Nostrils sub-basal, longitudinal, linear. Eyes of moderate size. Apertures of ears very small. Head large, ovate ; neck short and thick ; body full, rather depressed. Feet short, placed far behind ; lower part of tibia bare ; tarsus short, stout, compressed, scutellate in front ; hind toe want- ing, anterior toes of moderate length, the third longest, the fourth little shorter, scutellate, connected by entire webs ; claws rather small, arched, compressed, rather acute. Plum- age dense, very soft, blended ; wings rather small, narrow, acute ; primary quills curved, the first and second longest ; tail very short, rounded, of twelve or more feathers. The Guillemots assume a nearly erect posture in standing, are incapable of walking efficiently, but swim and dive with the greatest dexterity. Their flight is low, direct, and ra- pid. They breed on rocky headlands and islands, assem- bling for that purpose in vast numbers. Most of them lay a single, very large, pyriform egg, marked with dusky lines 212 ALCINiE. URIA. or spots. The young seldom betake themselves to the water until of considerable size. Small fishes and Crustacea are the food of these birds, which after the breeding season dis- perse over the seas, and in winter advance southward. Our three species are common to the northern regions of both continents. They moult twice in the year, the winter plumage being more or less differently coloured from that of summer. The eggs afford excellent eating, but the flesh is rank. i 279. Uria Brunnichii. Large-billed Guillemot. Bill stout, black ; feet dusky, tinged with red ; plumage of the head and upper parts greyish-black ; sides of the head and throat tinged with brown ; lower parts white, sides streaked with greyish-black ; edges of wings and tips of se- condaries white. In winter, the sides of the head and neck, and the throat, white. In adults, there is on each side of the head a white line behind the eye. The length of this species is about eighteen inches, its ex- tent of wings thirty. The only authority for its occurrence in Britain known to me is that of a specimen from Orkney, which I found among some skins belonging to the late Mr Wilson, janitor of the Edinburgh University. The skin was prepared, and is now in the Museum there. Uria Brunnichii, Sabine, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 924. —Uria Brunnichii, Large-billed Guillemot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 280. Uria Troile, Foolish Guillemot, Bill moderately stout, black ; feet black. In summer, the upper parts greyish-black ; the sides of the head and the throat tinged with brown ; lower parts white, sides streaked with greyish-black ; a line of white encircling the eye, and extend- ing behind it : edges of wings and tips of secondaries white. In winter, the sides of the head and neck, and the fore-part of the latter white. Some individuals want the white lines on the head. Male, 17, SO, 7|r, 1 L ii5y? liv? tv* Female, 16|, 30. Many individuals of this species remain on our coasts all winter. In summer it is met with congregated in vast num- bers on particular rocks, whether on the coast or in islands, where it breeds. There they may be seen standing in rows, nearly erect, on the ledges, or sitting on their egg. No nest ALCINJE. URIA. 213 is formed, the egg being deposited on the bare rock. It is extremely large, three inches and a quarter in length, two inches in breadth, pear-shaped, roughish on the surface, white, greenish-blue, or verdigris-green, marked with lines and spots of dusky. The young seldom go to the water until well grown. By the middle of September young and old have left the breeding-places, and dispersed over the seas. Their food consists of small fishes and Crustacea. They are not easily shot on the water, as they dive very rapidly ; but on the rocks can be procured in abundance, as they often sit close together, and allow a near approach. Their flight is direct, rapid, per- formed by quick continued beats of the wings. They are fre- quently seen flying in short strings of from three to ten indi- viduals. Murre. Marrot. Murse. Lungy. Lavy. Colymbus Troile, Linn. Syst. Nat. — Uria Troile, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 769. — Uria Troile, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. ii. 921. —Foolish Guillemot, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 281. Uria Grylle. White-winged Black Guillemot. Bill rather slender, shorter than the head, black. In win- ter, the feet orange-red ; the prevailing colour of the plumage white ; the cheeks, neck all round, lower parts, and rump, be- ing of that colour ; the upper part of the head mottled with greyish-black ; the feathers of the back tipped with greyish- white ; the wings and tail brownish-black, the former with a large white patch. In summer, the feet coral -red ; the plu- mage entirely black, excepting a patch on the wing, the lower wing- coverts, and axillar feathers, which are white. Young with the bill dusky, the feet brown ; the plumage as in the adult in winter, but more mottled with blackish-grey. Male, 13, 22_, 6T82-, 1T\, lx^, lx%, fy. Female, llu, 21. This species, prettier and more lively than the Foolish Guillemot, is not; so numerous on our coasts as it, but yet occurs abundantly in many localities. It does not deposit its eggs on the bare rock^ but in crevices, or under large stones or blocks. More than twenty years ago, I have frequently gathered them in such places. They are often three, but more commonly two, regularly ovate, an inch and a half in length, greyish-white, bluish-wliite, or yellowish-white, marked with blotches, spots, and dots of dark brown, together with faint blotches of purplish-grey. The Black Guillemot sits lightly on the water, paddles about in a very lively manner, dives with rapidity, opening its wings a little, like the other species, and flies under water with great speed. In proceeding to a distance, 214 ALCINiE. MERGULUS. they often fly in small strings, low over the water, now in- clining a little to one side, then to the other. On the ground or rock they move little about, although they can walk tole- rably well. All the breeding-places are to the north of the Tweed and Solway. The species is distributed oyer all the northern coasts of Europe and America. Greenland Dove. Doveky. Sea Turtle. Little Guillemot. Spotted Guillemot. Puffinet. Tystie. Colymbus Grylle, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 200. — TJria Grylle, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 797. — TJria Grylle, Temm. Man. d’Or- nith. ii. 925. — TJria Grylle, Red-footed Guillemot, MacGil- livray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXLI, MERGULUS. ROTCHE. Bill very short, stout, a little decurved, as broad as high at the base, moderately compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the nasal sinus basal, broad, and angular, the dorsal line convex and decimate, the ridge convex, the sides convex at the base, sloping toward the end, the edges sharp and overlapping, arcuate, with slight sinuses close to the narrow, bluntish tip ; lower mandible with the angle long, wide, and feathered, the dorsal line ascending, nearly straight, the sides sloping a little outwards, the edges sharp, the tip obtuse. Mouth of moderate width ; anterior palate flat, with numerous horny reversed papillae ; tongue large, fleshy, rather obtuse ; oesophagus of moderate width, pro- ventriculus broader ; stomach oblong, muscular, with dense, rugous epithelium ; intestine short and narrow ; coeca small. Eyes small. Nostrils basal, oblong, with a horny opercu- lum. Head oblong, anteriorly compressed ; neck short and thick ; body full. Legs very short, rather slender, placed far behind ; tarsus compressed, with oblique anterior scu- tella ; no hind toe ; anterior toes webbed, the inner much shorter than the outer ; claws moderate, arcuate, compress- ed, acute. Plumage dense, blended ; feathers oblong ; wings small, narrow, convex, pointed ; primary quills tapering, the first longest ; tail very short, slightly rounded, of twelve feathers. Only one species is known. It is intermediate between Uria and Alca, and has by various authors been referred to one or other of these genera, ALCIN^. MERGULUS. ALCA. 215 282. Mergulus Alle. Little Botche. In winter, the upper part of the head, a portion of the cheeks, the hind part and sides of the neck, and all the upper parts of the body, black ; the tips of the secondary quills, and | the margins of some of the scapulars, Avhite, as are the throat, fore-neck, breast, and abdomen ; the uppermost fea- thers of the sides, with their inner webs, black, the lower wing-coverts greyish-brown. In summer the colours similar, I but the throat and fore-neck brownish-black, like the head. Mnlp Q1 111 11 o __8 9 1 Jt maie, p, i, ij. This species occurs in summer in very high latitudes, and in winter retires southwards, along the shores of both conti- nents. Its food consists of small Crustacea and fishes, which , it procures by diving, its habits being similar to those of the Guillemots and Auks. It is of rare occurrence in Britain. I have seen two individuals on the Bass Bock, and have been credibly informed that it breeds in considerable numbers at St Abb’s Head. In the winter season, it has several times been obtained in England. Little Auk. Little Guillemot. Sea-Dove. Alca Alle, Linn. Sys. Nat. i. 211.— Alca Alle, Lath. Ind* Ornith. ii. 795. — Uria Alle, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 928. —Mergulus Alle, Little Botche, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, ii. v. GENUS CXLII. ALCA. AUK. The Auks are very similar to the Guillemots, from which, however, they are distinguished by the form of the bill, which is as long as the head, stout, very high, much com- pressed, and obliquely furrowed on the sides ; the upper mandible with the dorsal line decurved, the ridge extremely narrow, the sides nearly flat, the nasal groove very large and feathered, the edges sharp and in fleeted, the tip de- curved, narrow, and obtuse ; the lower mandible with the angle very narrow, and having a horny triangular appen- dage, the sides toward the end erect and flat, the dorsal line ascending and concave, the tip decurved ; mouth of mode- rate width ; palate flattened with five prominent lines an- teriorly ; tongue slender, trigonal, tapering, pointed ; oeso- phagus wide, in its lower part, and the proventriculus enor- mously dilated ; stomach small, elliptical, with the muscular coat rather thin, the tendons round, the epithelium thin. 216 ALCINiE. ALCA. dense, longitudinally plicate ; intestine moderate ; coeea small. Nostrils linear-oblong, marginal, medial. Eyes small. Apertures of ears very small. Head large, ovate, anteriorly compressed ; neck short and thick ; body full, ra- ther depressed. Feet short, placed far behind, lower part of tibia bare ; tarsus very short, stout, compressed, scutellate in front ; hind toe wanting ; anterior toes of moderate length, the inner shortest, all connected by entire webs ; claws rather small, arcuate, compressed, pointed. Plumage dense, very soft, blended ; wings small, narrow, acute ; tail very short, rounded, of twelve or more feathers. The Auks are precisely similar to the Guillemots in their habits. One species is of frequent occurrence along our coasts, breeding in the same places as the foolish Guillemot, and afterwards dispersing over the seas. Another species, the Great Auk, which some place in a separate genus, is met with very rarely on the northern coasts of Scotland. 283. Alca Torda. Razor-billed Auk. Length about seventeen inches; wings reaching to the middle of the tail, which has twelve feathers ; bill with four transverse grooves, one of which is white. Adult in summer with the head and upper part of the neck all round brownish- black, the upper parts greenish- black, the lower white ; a narrow line from the bill to the eye, and the terminal mar- gins of the secondary quills white. In winter, the upper part of the head and nape greyish-black, the throat and sides of the head white, with a dusky band behind the eye, the other parts nearly as in summer. Young at first coloured like the adult in summer, afterwards like the adult in winter, but al- ways distinguishable by having the bill smaller, much less elevated, without grooves, and black. Male, l7lr, 28, 8T%, ly%, 1-|, ly8^-, y%. Female, 16|, 27. In autumn great numbers of Razor-bills appear on the bays and estuaries of all parts of Scotland and England. They advance southward as the cold increases, and almost entirely desert the northern parts, unless when shoals of young fishes are on the coast. Toward the end of spring they proceed in parties to their breeding-places, which are abrupt headlands or rocks on unfrequented islands, and on which they settle, along with the Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Their single egg is extremely large, oblong, somewhat pyriform, three inches or a little less in length, white, greyish, or brownish- ALCINJE. ALCA. MORMON, 217 white, largely blotched, clouded, sprinkled, and dotted with deep brown or black, and haying spots of paler brown and light purplish-blue interspersed. The Razor-bills feed on small fishes and Crustacea, which they procure by diving, at which they are extremely expert. They can remain a considerable time under water, and are often seen to rise at a great dis- tance. Their flight is direct, rapid, performed by quick con- tinued beats of the wings, several individuals usually forming a string. Their flesh is dark and unsavoury, but the eggs afford good eating. Razor-bill. Common Auk. Falc. Gurfeh Murre. Marrot. Alca Torda, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 210, summer ; Alca Pica, i. 210, winter. — Alca Torda, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 793. — Alca Torda, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 936. — Alca Torda, Razor-billed Auk, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 284. Alca impennis. Great Auk. Length about thirty inches ; wings diminutive, with the quills scarcely longer than their coverts ; the tail short, of fourteen feathers ; bill rather longer than the head, black, with eight or nine white grooves on the upper, ten or twelve on the lower mandible ; the head, neck, and upper parts black, the throat and sides of the neck tinged with chocolate-brown, the wings with greyish-brown, the upper parts glossed with green ; the lower parts, and a large oblong spot before each eye, with the tips of the secondary quills, white. Adult, 30, 28, 7, 3f, 2, 2|, This species is met with in high latitudes, along the coasts of both continents, but not in great numbers. A few indi- viduals have been seen about the islands of St Kilda and our north-eastern islands. One was captured in 1822, but made its escape. The habits of this remarkable bird are little known. It is supposed, rather than observed, to be inca- pable of flying. Garefowi. Alca impennis, Linn. Syst. Nat, i. 210. — Alca impennis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii, 791. — Alca impennis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 939. — Alca impennis, Great Auk, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXLXXI. MORMON. PUFFIN. The Puffins resemble the Auks, but have the bill still more elevated. It is about the length of the head, nearly as high as long, extremely compressed, obliquely grooved on 218 ALCINiE. MORMON. the sides ; upper mandible with a strong dotted rim along its basal margin, the dorsal line decurved, the ridge narrow, the sides rapidly sloping, the edges sharp, the tip deflected, very narrow, obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle very narrow, inflected beyond the perpendicular, the dorsal line ascending, more or less convex, the sides perpendicular, the edges thin, the tip small and blunt ; the gape-line extending downwards a little beyond the base of the bill, and having a soft corrugated extensile membrane at the commissure. Nostrils linear, marginal. Eyes rather small, generally with small horny plates in their vicinity. Apertures of ears very small. Head large, roundish, ovate ; neck short and thick ; body full and rounded. Feet short, moderately stout, placed far behind ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus very short, little compressed, anteriorly with small scutella ; hind toe wanting, toes connected by entire webs, the outer and inner about equal ; claws strong, arched, acute, that of the inner toe much curved. Plumage dense, soft, blended ; wings short, narrow, much curved, acute ; tail very short, slightly rounded, of sixteen feathers. The Puffins, which belong to the arctic regions of both continents, resemble the Auks in form and habits, with this exception, that they generally burrow in the turf, and depo- sit their eggs under ground. They swim and dive with the greatest dexterity, feed upon small fishes, Crustacea, and mollusca, are capable of walking somewhat better than the Auks or Guillemots, and are especially remarkable for the form of their bill, which, viewed laterally, somewhat resem- bles that of a parrot, although, being extremely compressed, its form is very different. 285. Mormon arcticus. Arctic Puffin. Bill with three curved furrows on each mandible towards the end ; the basal rim and first ridge of both mandibles dull yellow, the intervening broad space greyish-blue, the rest bright red ; a flattened triangular horny body on the upper eyelid, and an elongated adherent plate on the lower ; throat and sides of the head greyish- white ; upper part of the head greyish-black ; middle of the neck all round, and all the upper parts black, glossed with blue ; lower parts white, unless under the wings, where the feathers are dusky-grey. Male, llj, 23, 7, 2, 1, 1J, T%. Female, 10J, 22. PELECANINiE. 219 Puffins are not observed on our coasts in winter, for, al- though they breed much farther north than Britain, they pro- ceed in autumn farther toward the equator. In the end of spring they make their appearance about the islands and head- lands on which they breed, on various parts of the coast of England and Scotland, as the Pern Islands, Puffin Island in the Prith of Forth, Priestholm in Anglesey, the Isle of Mann, Berneray of Barray, and St Kilda. They dig holes in the earth, from two to three feet in length, in which a single egg is deposited. It is white, oval, two inches and a half long, an inch and ten-twelfths in breadth, the young remain in the burrows until well grown, and all the individuals disperse by the middle of August. Although rank, the flesh of this bird is often eaten. The Puffins fly with rapidity, and are very active upon and in the water, being more lively than even the Auks and Guillemots, which, however, they resemble in their habits. Coulterneb. Bottle-nose. Tammie-norrie, Tommy-noddy, Tommy. Cockandy. Pope. Sea Parrot. Alca^arctica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 211. — Alcaarctica, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 792. — Mormon Fratercula, Temin. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 933. — Mormon arcticus, Arctic Puffin, MacGil- livray, Brit. Birds, v. We come now to a family in many respects among the most remarkable of the Palmipede series, and to which it is impossible to assign a definite station among either the Divers or Plungers, some of them being in habits swimming and div- ing birds, and others plunging-birds, incapable of diving without ascending in the air, and falling headlong on their prey. Their whole organization, however, indicates a much greater affinity to the Urinatrices than to the Mersatrices ; and for this reason they may be considered as forming a transitional or aberrant family of that order. FAMILY XLVII. PELECANINJE. PELECA- NINE BIRDS, OR PELICANS, CORMORANTS, AND GANNETS. The Pelecaninse are with us represented only by two species of Cormorant, and a Gannet, two genera which 220 PELECANINiE. would not appear to the student to have any very direct affinity, but which he would recognise as parts of a sys- tem, were he to examine the internal structure, and es- pecially the digestive organs of the Anhingas, Pelicans, Frigate-birds, Boobies, and Phaetons. Some of the ge- neral characters of the family are as follows. Body elongated, rather slender ; neck long, or mode- rate, generally thick ; head ovate. Bill longer than the head, opening to beneath or beyond the eyes, generally rather slender, straight ; upper mandible with the ridge separated from the sides by grooves, and terminated by a narrow, generally decurved, pointed unguis; lower man- dible with the crura elastic and extensile, the angle very long and narrow, the tip unguiculate. Skin of the throat more or less extended and bare, so as to form a pouch ; space around and before the eye generally bare. Eyes father small, nostrils basal, lateral, linear ; small, or en- tirely obliterated. Apertures of ears very small. Tongue extremely diminutive, triangular, fleshy; oesophagus ex- cessively wide, more dilated below; proventricular glands in two discontinuous patches; stomach very small, slight- ly muscular, with the epithelium smooth ;f a globular lobe at the pylorus in every species ; intestine long and slen- der ; coeca small, cylindrical ; cloaca large and globular. Trachea without inferior laryngeal muscles. Feet short, stout ; tibia bare at its lower part ; tarsus compressed ; toes four, all connected by membranes, the inner toe small, and directed inwards and backwards, the outer longest ; claws short, strong, curved, that of the third toe generally pectinate. Plumage soft, blended, on the back compact and imbricated ; wings long ; tail of moderate length, narrow, rounded, the shafts of its feathers strong. These birds present a great uniformity in the struc- ture of the digestive organs and feet, as well as in the form of the skeleton ; but they differ greatly in external appearance, and in habits; some swimming on the surface, RELECANINJE. PHALACROCORAX. 221 and diving in pursuit of their prey, others hovering in the air, and plunging headlong into the water. They perch on rocks or trees, nestle in such places, lay from one to three or four bluish-white eggs, of an elongated form, and always crusted with calcareous matter. The young, which are at first covered with down, remain in the nest until fledged. Representatives of two genera, Phalacrocorax and Sula, occur in Britain. These gene- ra, forming the extremes of the series, differ considerably in form and habits. GENUS CXLIY. PHALACROCORAX. CORMO- RANT. The Cormorants are birds of large or moderate size, hav- ing the body large and elongated ; the neck long and stout ; the head oblong, anteriorly narrowed. Bill about the length of the head, straight, rather slender, somewhat compressed, opening from far behind the eyes ; upper mandible with the ridge convex, separated by very narrow grooves from the sides, which are convex and irregularly scaly, with a slender separate piece at the base, the edges sharp, the unguis nar- row, convex, decurved, obtuse, but thin-edged ; lower man- dible with the angle very long and narrow, the intercrural membrane partly bare, the sides scaly and somewhat convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip compressed, obliquely truncate, formed of an involute unguis, with a slender inter- calated piece. Mouth wide and very dilatable, the mandi- bles having a kind of joint on each side ; palate flat, with two ridges ; tongue extremely small, ovato-lanceolate, ca- rinate above ; oesophagus extremely wide, and below dilated into an enormous sac ; pro ventricular glands in two round disks ; stomach roundish, large, with the muscular coat very thin, the inner soft and smooth ; pyloric lobe roundish; duo- denum at first curved forwards, intestine of moderate length and width ; coeca very short and obtuse. Nostrils oblite- i rated in the adult, open in the young. Eyes rather small, eyelids and a large space at the base of both mandibles bare. Aperture of ear very small. Feet short, stout, placed far behind ; tibia feathered to the joint ; tarsus very short, re- 222 PELECANINJE. PHALACROCORAX. ticulated; toes obliquely scutellate, webbed, tbe outer longer; claws strong, curved, compressed, acute, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage of the head, neck, lower parts, and rump, glossy, blended, silky, of the wings and fore-part of the back compact, imbricated ; wings rather large and broad ; primaries short, strong, obtuse, the first longest ; tail rather small, rounded, of from twelve to sixteen narrow, strong- shafted feathers. Species occur on almost every rocky coast of both conti- nents. They feed entirely on fish, swim and dive with ex- treme agility, sink in the water when alarmed, have a mo- derately quick even flight, perch on rocks and trees, and nestle in both situations. In diving, they generally leap out of the water, and descend in a curve. Two species oc- cur in Britain. 286. Phalacrqcorax Carbo. Great Cormorant. Length about three feet ; tail of fourteen feathers ; imbri- cated feathers of the back and wings ovate, rounded, with silky margins. Adult in winter crestless ; the plumage silky, greenish-black, tinged with blue ; of the back and wings grey- ish-brown or bronzed, with greenish-black margins ; a grey- ish-white band on the throat, ascending to the eyes ; some scattered, extremely minute, pil-iform pencil-tipped, white plumelets on the head and neck, and a few white streaks over the thigh. Adult in spring coloured as in winter, with the addition of a longitudinal greenish-black crest, numerous linear white feathers on the head and neck, the throat-band pure white, and a roundish patch of that colour on each side, over the thigh. Young with the head and hind-neck dusky brown, streaked with brownisli-grey ; cheeks and fore-neck greyish- white, mottled with brownish-grey ; a brownish- white band on the throat ; lower parts greyish-white, mottled with dusky, becoming darker behind ; upper parts nearly as in the adult. Male, 38, 60, 14, 3XV, 2T%, Female, 35, 58. This species occurs in considerable numbers here and there, on all our rocky coasts, resting on headlands and rugged in- sular crags, and fishing in the bays and estuaries. They swim and dive with extreme agility, feed on small fishes, which, on coming to the surface, they toss about in their bill, or throw up into the air, to bring them into a favourable posi- tion for being swallowed. They alight heavily, keep in a PELECANINiE. PHALACROCORAX. 223 much inclined position, walk very little, fly with a moderately quick, sedate, and even flight, at a small height, are generally shy, and difficult to be shot, and form very large rude nests, of sticks and sea-weeds. The eggs, generally three, are oblong, two inches and eight-twelfths in length, and inch and three- fourths in breadth, with a thick roughish, bluish-white shell, thickly crusted with white calcareous matter. The young at first have the skin bare and dusky or dull livid, in a few days are covered with brownish-black down, and in about eight weeks are able to fly. For about six months, they have the nostrils open, and the middle claws entire. The flesh is dark-coloured and rank, and the eggs unfit for being eaten, as in all the Cormorants. White-spot Cormorant. White-headed Cormorant. Crest- ed Cormorant. Great Scart or Scarve. Coal Goose. Pelecanus Carbo, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 216. — Pelecanus Car- bo, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 886.- — Carbo Cormoranus, Temm. Man. d’ Ornith. ii. 894. — Phalacrocorax Carbo, Great Cormo- rant, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 287. Phalacrocorax Graculus. Green Cormorant. Length about two feet and a quarter ; tail of twelve fea- thers ; imbricated feathers on the back ovate, rather acute, with velvety margins. Adult in winter crestless ; the plum- age glossy, blackish-green ; feathers of the wings and fore- part of the back of a lighter green, with deep black margins ; some scattered, extremely minute, piliform, pencil-tipped white plumelets on the neck. In spring, an additional tuft of oblong, erect, recurved feathers, about two inches in length, on the top of the head. Young with the head and hind-neck greenish-brown, the rest of the upper parts darker, the imbri- cated feathers of the back and wings with glossy margins ; the lower parts brownish-grey; the throat and part of the breast inclining to white. Male, 29, 42, 10-J, 5|, 2T3p 4, 4J. Female, 26, 38. The Crested Cormorant is generally distributed along our coasts, and very abundant in many parts of Scotland, resid- ing chiefly in caverns and fissures of the rocks, where it also breeds. The nest is bulky ; the eggs two or three, subellip- tical, very narrow, bluish- white, two inches and a quarter long, and inch and a half in breadth. It sits deep on the water, when alarmed sinks so as to expose only the head and neck, swims and dives with extreme dexterity, feeds on small fishes, can scarcely walk, stands in a much inclined posture, and emits a croaking cry. Its flesh is dark-coloured and rank, 224 PELECANINJE* SULA. but is often eaten by tlie poor, as are the young. Neither this nor the other species fly under water, but propel them- selves by synchronous beats of the feet, with amazing speed. Both may be tamed, but this less easily than the other. Their affection for their young is very great. This being certainly Pelecanus Graculus of Linnaeus and Latham, I see no reason for changing the name to cristatus, and transferring it to another species. Crested Cormorant, Shag-Scart. Green Scart or Scarve. Common Scart. Green Scout. Pelecanus Graculus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 217. — Pelecanus Graculus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 887 ; cristatus, 888.— Carbo cristatus, Temm. Man. d?Ornith. ii. 900. GENUS CXLY. SULA. GANNET. The Gannets, of which one species occurs on our coasts, are organized far plunging from a height upon their finned prey, and are thus physiologically out of place among the Divers. In fact one half of the family of the Pelecaninse belongs to the Urinatrices, and the other to the Mersatrices. In the genus Sula, the body is of moderate bulk, rather elongated ; the neck of moderate length, and very thick ; the head large. Bill longer than the head, opening beyond the eyes, straight, elongated, conical, moderately compressed ; upper mandible with the ridge very broad, convex, separated by grooves from the sides, which are slightly convex and perpendicular, with a slender jointed additional piece be- neath the eye, the edges sharp, direct, irregularly jagged with numerous incisions directed backwards, the tip a little de- curve d, and rather acute ; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the sides erect and convex, the edges sharp and serrated, the tip compressed and acute. There is a small gular sac, of which a part is bare. Mouth wide, pale, flat, ridged ; tongue extremely small, blunt ; oesophagus extremely wide, much dilated below ; pro ventri- cular glands forming a broad belt, partially divided ; stomach extremely small and thin ; intestine of moderate length, slender ; coeca very small. Nostrils obliterated in the adult, *open in the young. Eyes rather small, surrounded and preceded by a bare space. Apertures of ears small. Feet short, placed rather far behind ; tibiae concealed by the PELECANINJ2. SULA. 225 general integument ; tarsus very short, sharp behind, scaly, with three lines of small scutella, which run along the toes. First toe rather small, directed a little forwards, middle toe longest ; all connected by webs ; claws moderate, slightly arched, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage close, on the head and neck blended ; wings very long, narrow, acute ; tail rather long, graduated, of twelve or fourteen feathers. The Gannets belong especially to the wanner regions. One species extends far into the temperate and colder parts, proceeding on both sides of the Atlantic in summer into the arctic seas, or taking stations for breeding at intervals. They fly at a moderate height, with a steady motion, and plunge headlong after their prey into the water, on which they never swim about in quest of food, and into which they can- not penetrate otherwise than by falling from a height. 288. Sula Bassana. Solan Gannet. Bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green at the base; bare space about the eyes, lines on the bill, and gular membrane, blackish-blue ; feet brownish-black, the scutella light green- ish-blue ; claws greyish-white; plumage white; upper part of head and hind-neck burl-coloured ; primary quills brown- ish-black. Young when fledged with the bill greyish-brown, the bare spaces on the head pale greyish-blue ; the feet dusky ; head, neck, and upper parts dark greyish-brown, each feather with a small terminal triangular white spot; lower parts greyish- white, spotted with greyish brown ; quills and tail- feathers brownish-black. Male, 39, 74, 20b, 4, 2Tay, 3T85, TV Female, 33, 73. Gannets are sometimes seen on the southern. coasts of Eng- land in winter. Generally, however, they arrive in February or March, and depart in October. There arc Ao breeding- places in England, and but few in Scotland: the Bass Rock, Suliskerry, Ailsa Craig, St Kilda, and Ronay. They form their nests of turf and sea- weeds, placing them on the rocks, or sometimes on the ground. In each nest there is only a single egg, of an elongated oval form, bluish- white, with a chalky surface. The young are at first covered with close white down, and at the end of three months are able to fly. They are fed with partially digested fish poured into their throats. The Gannet alights heavily, stands in an inclined position, walks very awkwardly, launches on whig in a curved line, extends its neck and feet, flies rather steadily and slowly, P 226 MERSATRICES. carries food to its young in its gullet; never in its bill, and utters a harsh cry, resembling carra , carra , crak , crah At St Kilda vast numbers are killed as food, and for their feathers. At the Bass and Ailsa, they are also, in smaller numbers, similarly used. Solan Goose. Pelecanus bassanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 217.— Pelecanus bassanus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 891. — Sula alba; Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 905.— -Sula Bassana; Solan Gannet, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. ORDER XIX. MERSATRICES. PLUNGERS. While some of the fishing sea-birds, as we have seen, obtain their food by diving from the surface of the water, and pursuing their prey beneath it, others, although wveb-toed, and capable of swimming, never enter into the water, unless momentarily by plunging or dipping into it from on wing. Of this latter kind are the numerous species, some of which are found in all latitudes, and even in the midst of oceans, far from land, to which collective- ly I have given the name of Mersatrices. Terns, Gulls, Albatrosses, and Petrels, are familiar examples of this order. They are peculiarly erratic birds, which, unless when fixed to a place for a time by the cares of breeding, wander about in search of their food, which consists es- sentially of fishes, but also of Crustacea, mollusca, worms, insects, and sometimes carcasses of whales, land mamma- lia, and birds. Their structure is, of course, in confor- mity with this mode of life : they can usually walk with ease, wade in the shallows, swim lightly, and fly in an easy and buoyant manner. Their general characters seem to be the following : — Birds of large, moderate, or small size, having the body ovate, rather light in proportion to their bulk ; the MERSATRICES. 227 neck of moderate length, or short, and rather thick ; the head large, broadly ovate, anteriorly narrowed. The bill of moderate length, generally stout, straight, compressed, more or less decurved at the end, opening to beneath the eyes. Mouth rather wide, tongue fleshy, rather narrow, tapering, pointed, horny beneath at the end ; oesophagus very wide throughout, with its walls thin; proventriculus dilated ; stomach small, muscular, with distinct lateral muscles, large radiated tendons, and thick, dense, longi- tudinally ridged epithelium ; intestine rather long, nar- row ; coeca very small, cylindrical ; rectum with a large globular dilatation. Nostrils rather large, elongated, subbasal or medial, but various. Eyes rather small, eye- lids feathered, with crenulate margins. Aperture of ear of moderate size. Legs of moderate length, or short, ra- ther slender ; tibia bare below ; tarsus little compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes of moderate length, slender, webbed, spreading, the first very small and elevated, or wanting ; claws small, arcuate, rather obtuse. Plumage very full, close, and soft ; feathers generally oblong and rounded ; wings very long, rather narrow, much pointed ; tail generally moderate. This order may be divided into Sternum, Larin^e, and PROCELLARiNiE. There can be no difficulty in re- ferring any one of the species to its order, as the general characters are very distinctive. They are usually cla- morous when engaged in searching for food. The smaller species feed chiefly on small fishes and Crustacea ; the larger are in a great measure omnivorous. They usually nestle on the ground, laying from three to five eggs, which are oval, and spotted ; but some which lay in holes, have white eggs. The young, at first densely covered with down, can walk and even run presently after emerg- 228 STERNINJE. ing from the egg, but, unless disturbed, remain some time in the nest, or conceal themselves among the herbage or stones. The males are little larger than the females, and generally the sexes are coloured alike. The young are differently coloured from the adult. FAMILY XLIX. STERNINiE. STERXINR BIRDS, OR TERNS. Although the Terns or Sea- Swallows are closely allied j to the Tropic-Birds on the one hand, and to the Gulls on the other, it seems expedient to keep them separate, as a family, from the latter, as they generally differ so much in form and habits as to be easily distinguishable. They are all of small size, and remarkable for the extreme buoyancy of their flight. The body is very slender; the neck of moderate length, or short. The head oblong, and of moderate size. Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, compressed, nearly straight, tapering to a narrow point. Palate with three longitudinal ridges ; tongue very slender, tapering, with the point slit ; oeso- phagus extremely wide ; stomach moderate, muscular, with roundish tendons, and dense, broadly rugous epi- thelium ; intestine moderate, coeca small and cylindrical. The trachea with a single pair of inferior laryngeal mus- cles. Nostrils subbasal, linear, direct, pervious. Eyes of moderate size. Apertures of ears rather large. Feet very small ; tibia bare below ; tarsus very short, slender, scutellate before ; toes very small, the first extremely so, the fourth considerably shorter than the third ; the an- terior toes with webs deeply concave at the margin ; claws arched, compressed. Plumage soft, close, blended, the feathers broad and rounded ; wings very long, nar- row, pointed, the outer primaries slightly curved inwards; tail long, of twelve feathers, forked, sometimes even, rounded, or graduated. STERNINiE. STERNA. 229 The Terns, not inaptly compared to Swallows, are re- markable for their gliding, hovering, desultory, wavering, and buoyant flight, their screaming cries, social disposi- tion, and irritable temperament. They deposit on the bare sand their light-coloured and clarkly-spotted eggs, de- fend them and their young with pertinacity ; feed on small fishes, Crustacea, and insects, which they procure by ho- vering over the water, and dipping into it. They walk very awkwardly on account of the shortness of their feet. The plumage of the sexes is alike, but the young are mottled, and do not acquire their permanent colours until the third year. GENUS CXLYI. STERNA. TEEN. Some Terns have the bill stronger than others, as might be expected in an extensive genus, yet without presenting characters by which they might with propriety be generically distinguished. They are all of small size, with the body slender, the neck rather short, the head ovate. Bill about the same length as the head, nearly straight, tapering, finely pointed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the sides sloping, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very slender ; the nasal groove rather long, with a faint ridge and groove extending obliquely to the edge ; lower mandible with the angle very narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges sharp, the tip very acute. Palate with three longitudinal ridges ; tongue slender, tapering, papil- late at the base, horny and slit at the point ; oesophagus very wide and thin ; stomach muscular, with round tendons, and dense prominently rugous epithelium ; intestine of mo- derate length and width ; coeca very small, cylindrical. Nostrils basal, oblong, direct, pervious. Eyes of moderate size. Apertures of ears moderate. Feet small, tibia bare below ; tarsus very short, compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes sma 1, slender, the first extremely small, the third longest, all scutellate, the anterior connected by reticulated webs, of which the inner is more deeply emarginate ; claws arched, compressed, slender. Plumage close, blended, very 230 STERNINJE. STERNA. short on the fore part of the head ; wings very long, narrow, pointed ; primary quills tapering to an obtuse point, the first longest ; tail of moderate length, or long, forked, of twelve feathers. The Terns, properly so called, are slender, elegantly- formed birds, of which some species occur on almost all sandy coasts. Their wings are always very long and pointed, the tail forked. Their prevailing colours are white beneath, pale greyish- blue above, with the upper part of the head j black. The occipital feathers are always elongated. In the colder regions they reside only in summer, at which season several species extend even to the borders of the polar ice. Even in Britain, none are usually found during the winter. They deposit their eggs on the ground. The young are mottled, and remain in the nest, or near it, until able to fly. 289. Sterna Caspia. Caspian Tern. Bill stout, tapering, longer than the head, vermilion ; feet black ; tail forked, shorter than the wings. In winter, the forehead and crown white, the occiput variegated with black. In summer, all the upper parts of the head deep black. Hind- neck, back, and wing-coverts pale greyish-blue ; lower parts j white ; primary quills greyish-brown ; tail pale grey. Young j with the bill dull red, the upper plumage pale greyish brown, variegated with black ; lower parts white. Male 22, 43, 14, 2|, H, W.I; This species, which, on account of its comparatively large j bill, some have referred to a separate genus, has been met with in a few instances on the south-eastern coasts of Eng- land. It is said by M. Temrninck to inhabit the shores of the Baltic, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas, but to be of rare or accidental occurrence on the western coasts of Europe. He also informs us that it nestles on the sand, in a slight hollow, or on rocks bordering the sea, and lays two or three eggs, of a greyish-green colour, sprinkled with large brown and deep black spots. Sterna Caspia, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 603. — Sterna Caspia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 803. — Sterna Caspia, Ternm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 733. — Sterna Caspia, Caspian Tern, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, v. 290. Sterna Cantiaca. Sandwich Tern. Bill rather longer than the head, black, with the points STERNINJE. STERNA. 231 yellowish ; feet black, with the soles yellow ; tarsus an inch and a twelfth long ; tail much forked, shorter than the wings. In winter, the upper part of the head and the nape deep black. In summer, these parts white, spotted with black. Throat, cheeks, neck all round, hind part of back, tail, and all the lower parts, white, tinged with rose-colour, which is brighter in summer. Young with the upper part of the head varie- gated with black, white, and pale reddish ; fore-part of back and scapulars reddish, barred with blackish-brown; lower parts white ; bill livid, with the extreme tips yellowish. Male, 16, 33^, 12|, 2T3^, 1TV, if, -i\. Female, 15|, 33. This species has a strong and rapid flight, and, except when engaged in incubation, is almost constantly on wing all day, uttering at intervals a grating cry, which can be heard at a great distance. It feeds upon small fishes and Crustacea, which it picks up from the water. It arrives about the middle of May, and departs by the end of September. A shallow hole in the sand or turf receives the eggs, which are three, in size about equal to those of the Golden Plover, being two inches and a twelfth long, of a cream or wood-brown colour, blotched with dark-brown and black, together with fainter markings. The species is very extensively dispersed along the coasts of both continents. With us, it is chiefly in the south-eastern parts of England that it occurs, but I have also obtained several specimens from the mouth of the Frith of Forth. Smaller and less robust than the Caspian Tern, it is consi- derably larger and stouter than the Common and Roseate Terns, from which it is at once distinguishable by its black, yellow-tipped bill. Sterna Cantiaca, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 606. — Sterna Boysii, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 806. — Sterna Cantiaca, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 735. — Sterna Cantiaca, Sandwich Tern, MacGil- livray, Brit. Birds, v. 291. Sterna Hirundq. Common Tern. Bill about the same length as the head, rather slender, bright coral-red, towards the end black, the tip light yellow ; feet coral-red ; tarsus ten-twelfths long ; wings slightly longer than the tail, which is very deeply forked. In winter the upper anterior part of the head white, the hind part dusky. In summer the upper part of the head, and the hind-neck half-way down, deep bluish-black, anteriorly tinged with brown ; sides of head, fore-neck, and lower parts, wflite, the breast slightly tinged with greyish-blue ; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, light greyish-blue ; edges of wings, rump, and 232 STERNINiE. STERNA. upper tail-coverts white, tinged with grey; the outer six quills with their outer webs and part of the inner hoary black. Young with the bill greenish -black, yellow at the tip, the feet greenish-yellow, the plumage of the upper parts light brown mottled with greyish. Male, 16, 32, ll£, lT4¥, Female, 15, 31. This species, which is common on all our sandy shores, ar- rives early in May, and departs in September. It breeds on unfrequented sands, headlands, islands, and sometimes rocky places, depositing its eggs in a slight hollow. The eggs, ge- nerally three, vary greatly in colour, being greyish-yellow, olivaceous, or brownish, blotched with black and purplish- grey, their length an inch and three-fourths, their breadth an inch and a quarter, or a little more. It is remarkably bold in defence of its eggs or young, and will come up close to a person, screaming incessantly. Its flight is extremely buoy- ant, undulating, and gliding. It hovers over the waters, and dips with such force as sometimes to immerse itself entirely. Its food consists of small fishes, especially sand-eels, shrimps, and other marine animals. It is frequently found inter- mingled with the next species. Sea-Swallow, Tern. Siarnag. Pictarn. Sterna Hirundo, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 227.-— Sterna Hirundo, Lath. Ind. Ornith, ii. 807. — Sterna Hirundo, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 740. — Sterna Hirundo, Common Tern, MacGii- livray, Brit. Birds, v. 292. Sterna arctica. Arctic Tern. Bill about the same length as the head, slender, vermilion tinged with carmine, as are the feet ; tarsus eight-twelfths long, wings about two inches longer than the tail, which is very deeply forked. In summer, the upper part of the head and nape greenish-black, the upper parts pale greyish-blue, the rump bluish-white, the tail and its coverts while, except the outer webs of the lateral feathers, which are dusky-grey ; the primaries dusky toward the end, the outer two with their outer webs blackish ; the cheeks, neck, breast, and sides pale greyish blue, of a lighter tint than the back ; the abdomen, and lower surface of the wings and tail, white. Male, 15, 32, 10£, l£, TV Female, 14£. 31. The Arctic Tern, which may easily be distinguished from the Common Tern, even on wing, as well as by its cry, which is shriller, is however precisely similar in its habits to that species, and frequently occurs intermingled with it. In the northern and western islands of Scotland, on many parts of STERNINJE. sterna. 233 the coasts of the mainland, as in the Frith of Forth, and in various parts of England, it is very abundant. The eggs, de- posited in sandy or rocky places, are like those of the Com- mon Tern, an inch and three-quarters in length, and an inch and two or three twelfths in breadth. Sterna arctica. Teram. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 742. — Sterna arc- iica, Arctic Tern, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 293. Sterna Macdougalli. Boseate Tern. Bill about the same length as the head, slender, orange- red at the base, then black ; feet vermilion ; wings about three inches shorter than the tail, which is very deeply forked. In summer, the upper part of the head and nape bluish-black; the upper parts pale bluish-grey ; the tail of a lighter tint, but the outer webs of the lateral feathers dusky-grey ; pri- mary quills dusky toward the end, the outer three with their outer webs and part of the inner hoary black ; the hind-neck white, fore-neck, breast, and sides, of a delicate pale roseate hue ; lower surface of wings and tail white. Male, 14Eb 30, 9^, 1^, This beautiful Tern was discovered by Dr Macdougall on the Cumbray islands in the Frith of Clyde, and described by Montagu, who gave it the specific name of Dougailii. It has since been found on various parts of the coast, both in Eng- land and Scotland. It is said also to occur on the continent, and Mr Audubon found it breeding in abundance on the Flo- rida Keys. Its flight is peculiarly light and buoyant, but its habits are similar to those of the Common and Arctic Terns. The eggs are an inch and nine-twelfths in length, an inch and a twelfth in breadth, yellowish-grey or olivaceous, spotted with dark-brown. Sterna Dougailii, Mont. Ornith. Diet. Sup pi. — Sterna Dou- gailii, Temrn. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 738. — Sterna Macdougalli, Boseate Tern, MacGillivray’s Bnt. Birds, v. 294. Sterna nigra. Black-breasted Tern. Bill about the same length as the head, rather slender, brownish-black; feet reddish-brown; wings two inches longer than the tail, which is but slightly forked, or merely emar- ginate. In summer, the head, neck, breast, sides, and ab- domen, greyish-black ; upper parts dark bluish-grey; shafts of quills and tail-feathers white ; outer web of first quill greyish-black ; lower wing-coverts bluish grey, lower tail- coverts white. In winter, the fore-part of the head, and the fore-neck white; the other parts as in summer. Young 234 STERNINiE STERNA. with the forehead and lower parts white ; a black band be- fore the eyes, and a greyish-black patch on each side of the breast ; upper and hind parts of the head black ; back and scapulars brown, lunated with reddish- white. Male, 9, 24, 8f, 1*, *, A, TV This species, not very aptly named, arrives in the south- eastern marshy parts of England about the beginning of May, and departs in September. It frequents fresh-water ponds, marshes, and rivers, feeding on small fishes, insects, and rep- tiles, and is remarkable for its great agility, and peculiarly gliding flight. It is very seldom seen in any other part of England, and has not been met with in Scotland. On the Continent it is said to be plentiful in marshy places of great extent, and in America it is abundant along the Mississippi and other rivers, always preferring fresh water to the shores of the sea. The nest is placed among the herbage, and con- tains three or four eggs, an inch and four-twelfths in length, and similar in colouring to those of the Common and Arctic Terns. The mere shortness of the tail in this species is not enough to sanction its being placed in a separate genus. Sterna nigra and fissipes, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 227. — Sterna nigra, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 810. — Sterna nigra, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 749. — Sterna nigra, Black-breasted Tern, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 295. Sterna minuta. Little Tern. Bill about the same length as the head, slender, orange- yellow, with the end black, but the extreme tips yellowish- grey ; feet light orange-red ; wings an inch longer than the tail, which is deeply forked. Forehead white, that colour extending laterally to above each eye ; upper part of head, nape, and loral spaces deep black ; sides of head, fore-neck, and lower parts pure white ; back and wings very pale bluish- grey ; tail bluish-white, outer two quills, with the outer web and part of the inner, hoary black. Young with the forehead yellowish- white ; upper part of the head and occiput brown, spotted with blackish ; a black spot before the eyes, another on the ear- coverts ; back and wings yellowish-brown ; quills and tail-feathers tipped with yellowish- white. Male, 9, 20, 6y^, y^, yy, y^-, Female, 8^, 19. The Little Tern visits our shores early in May, and, al- though not very numerous anywhere, is met with along both the eastern and western coasts of England and Scotland. It is not very uncommon in summer on the sands from Aber- deen to Ythan, in one part of which is a breeding place, fre- STERNXNiE. MEGALOPTERUS. 235 quented by about two hundred individuals. At the mouth of the Frith of Forth it is also not of rare occurrence. Its appearance on w7ing is very singular, it being extremely ac- tive and lively, as well as vociferous. It advances by quick beats of the wings, performed at considerable intervals, with a gliding, undulated, and most buoyant and unsteady mo- tion, hovers like a hawk, and darts down headlong on its prey. The eggs, two or three in number, are coloured like those of the Common Tern, an inch and two-twelfths long, eleven-twelfths in breadth. Sterna minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 228. — Sterna minuta, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 809.— Sterna minuta, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 752. — Sterna minuta, Little Tern, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXLYII. MEGALOPTERUS. NODDY. This genus differs from Sterna in the form of the bill, which is more slender and elongated, and especially in that of the tail, which, in place of being forked, is just the re- verse, or graduated. The bill is longer than the head, slender but rather strong, compressed, very acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip acute ; the nasal grooves extended to beyond half the length of the bill, and slightly deflected toward the edges ; lower mandible with the angle very narrow, acute, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip extremely acute. Mouth rather wide ; tongue very slender, tapering to a horny point, grooved above ; oesophagus very wide, much dilated at its lower part ; stomach very small, with its muscles thin, and the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous ; intes- tine of moderate length, narrow ; coeca very small. Nos- trils submedial, linear, pervious. Eyes of moderate size. Apertures of ears moderate. Feet very short, rather stout ; tibia bare for a short space ; tarsus very short, roundish, with small anterior seutella ; toes slender, the fourth nearly as long as the third ; the anterior toes with emarginate webs ; claws compressed, acute. Plumage soft, close, blend- ed, very short on the head ; wings very long, narrow, point- ed ; the primary quills tapering to a rounded tip ; tail long, graduated, of twelve tapering, rounded feathers. 236 STERNINiE. GELOCHELIDON. 296. Megalopterus stolidus. Common Noddy. Bill rather slender, black ; plumage sooty-brown ; primary quills and tail-feathers brownish-black ; upper part of the head greyish-white ; a black spot oyer the eyes. Male, 16|~, 32, 10^, 1^, G, The Noddy is a native more especially of the intertropical regions, and those on their margins, very seldom making its appearance in the colder latitudes, and there only acciden- tally. The occurrence of an individual or two on the south- ern coasts of Ireland is, however, held sufficient to entitle it to the rank of a British bird. Sterna stolida, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 227. — Sterna stolida, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 805. — Sterna stolida, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 462. — Megalopterus stolidus, Common Noddy, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CXLVIII. GELOCHELIDON. GULL-TEEN. The Prince of Canino has separated the “ Gull-billed Tern” from the rest, and referred it to a genus, Gelocheli- don, of which the characters differ little from those of Sterna, the principal difference being in the bill, which approaches in form to that of the Gulls, and in the legs, which are longer than in the Terns. Bill about the length of the head, rather stout, compressed, acute ; upper mandible with its dorsal line nearly straight to beyond the nostrils, then ar~ cuato-declinate, the sides nearly erect toward the end, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip narrow and rather obtuse ; the nasal groove extending to half the length of the bill ; lowrer mandible wdth the angle very narrow and acute, the outline of the crura concave toward their junction, where a prominence or angle is formed, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the edges sharp and inclinate, the tip acute. Palate with three longitudinal ridges ; tongue slender, ta- pering to an acute horny point ; oesophagus very wide ; sto- mach oblong, with the muscular coat rather thin, the tendons round, the epithelium dense, strong, prominently rugous ; intestine of moderate length and wudth ; coeca very small. Feet small ; tibia bare to a considerable extent ; tarsus short, compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes small, slender, the fourth considerably shorter than the third ; the anterior STERNINJE. GELOCHELIDON. LARINJE, 237 connected by anteriorly concave webs ; claws a little arched, compressed, very slender. Plumage soft, close, blended, very short on the fore-part of the head ; wings very long, narrow, and pointed ; tail of moderate length, forked, of twelve feathers. 297. Gelochelidon palustris. Marsh Gull-Tern. Bill and feet black, hind claw straight. In winter, the forehead and top of the head white, a black crescent before the eyes, and a black spoi behind them. In summer, the forehead, top of the head, occiput, and nape, deep greenish- black. Sides of the head, fore-neck, and all the lower parts white; upper parts pale greyish-blue; edges of wings white- ish ; primary quills hoary on the outer web, deep grey on the inner; their shafts and those of the tail-feathers white. Young with the lower parts white, the top of the head white, spotted with grey and brown ; the upper parts of the body and wings variegated with grey, brown, and yellowish ; the quills greyish-brown. Male, 14, 34, 12, 1^, lp, A* This species is said by M. Temminck to be abundant in Hungary and toward the borders of Turkey ; while Mr Audu- bon has found it breeding from the mouth of the Mississippi to Connecticut. It thus frequents fresh-water lakes and rivers, rather than the sea-shores, and is said to feed on coleoptera, libeliulse, moths, and other insects, which it catches on wing. A few individuals have been met with in the south of Eng- land, from one of which Montagu discovered the species, ap- plying to it the specific name Angli:a , which, as M. Temminck remarks, “n’est point d’un choix heureux.” The same remark applies to Sterna Cantiaca, though not in an equal degree. Gull* billed Tern. Marsh Tern. Sterna Anglica, Mont. Ornith. Diet. Suppl. — -Sterna Ang- lica, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 744. — Gelochelidon palustris, Marsh Gull-Tern, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. FAMILY L. LABJNiE. LARXNE BIRDS, OR GULLS. The Sterninse and Larinas are connected by the genus last described, and that which comes first in order in the present family, of which the principal characters are the following : — - 238 LARINJE. Body rather stout, ovate ; neck of moderate length ; head ovate, of moderate size. Bill generally shorter than the head, straight, compressed, rather acute, somewhat decimate at the end ; upper mandible with the ridge con- vex, the nasal groove rather long, the edges sharp, direct, overlapping, the tip declinate ; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, an angular projection at the commencement of the dorsal line, which is ascending and concave. Mouth of moderate width, opening to beneath the eyes ; palate flat, with two prominent ridges, and four series of intervening reversed papillse, on the ante- rior part five ridges ; tongue emarginate and papillate at the base, fleshy, rather narrow, tapering to a narrowly rounded point, and horny beneath ; oesophagus very wide ; proventriculus dilated ; stomach rather small, elliptical, moderately muscular, with large radiated tendons, and extremely dense, thick, longitudinally ridged epithelium; intestine rather long, narrow; coeca very small, cylindrical. Eyes rather small. Nostrils oblong or linear, reversed. Aperture of ear moderate. Legs short, or moderate ; ti- bia bare below; tarsus rather short, somewhat compressed, with numerous much curved scutella ; hind toe very small and elevated ; fore toes of moderate length, slender, con- nected by full membranes, of which the anterior edge is a little concave, the lateral toes margined externally by a thick scaly membrane; claws small, slightly arcuate, some- what compressed, obtuse. Plumage very full, close, elas- tic, soft, and blended, on the back and wings rather com- pact ; the feathers generally oblong and rounded, on the fore part of the head short ; wings very long, rather broad, pointed ; tail rather short, even, or slightly round- ed, of twelve broad feathers. The Larinae inhabit the shores of the ocean, and are represented by species in every latitude. They vary in size from chat of a goose to that of a pigeon. The larger species are omnivorous, the smaller feed on fishes, crus- LARINA. GAYIA. 239 tacea, insects, and worms. They are of vagrant habits, shifting from place to place according to the abundance of food. They walk well, wade into shallows, swim with ease, floating most buoyantly ; have a light, wavering, mo- derately rapid flight, hover over the water, pat it with their feet in stooping, and with up-stretched quivering wings, pick up their food. They nestle, often in multitudes, on islands and headlands, form a bulky nest, aild lay from two to five oval large eggs, of a dull colour, spotted with dusky. The young are clothed with close variegated down, and can soon walk, but generally remain near the nest until fledged, when they always differ in colour from the adult birds. The species are all closely allied, but may be divided into several genera. The number found in Britain is thirteen. ■GENUS CXLIX. GAYIA. MEW. The “ Sea-Mews,” or “ Smaller Gulls,” have a consider- able affinity to the Terns. They are birds of rather small size, with the body rather light ; the neck moderate, the head rather large, broadly ovate. Bill rather long or moderate, slender, much compressed, slightly decurved at the end, acute ; upper mandible with the nasal sinus rather long, narrow, and feathered, the edges very thin, inclinate, the tip narow, rather acute, slightly prolonged, with a faint sinus on the margins ; lower mandible very much compressed, with the intercrural space very long and extremely narrow, the commissure forming a slight angle with the dorsal line, which is nearly straight, the edges very thin, the tip rather acute. Mouth of moderate width ; tongue fleshy, slender, tapering ; oesophagus very wide, its walls extremely thin ; stomach rather small, oblong, moderately muscular, with large tendons, and thick horny epithelium, with very pro- minent longitudinal rugae ; intestine of moderate length, and very narrow ; coeca extremely small, cylindrical. Nostrils linear-oblong. Eyes rather small; eyelids feathered, with bare crenulate margins. Aperture of ear of moderate size. Legs of moderate length, rather slender ; tibia bare for one - 240 LARIN-32. GAY I A. third ; tarsus rather short, compressed, anteriorly with nu- merous curved seutella ; hind toe very small and elevated, the fourth a little shorter than the third ; memoranes ante- riorly concave; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, ra- ther acute. Plumage full, close, soft, blended, on the back and wings rather compact ; wings verjr long, rather narrow, pointed ; tail of moderate length, emarginaie or even, of twelve broad, abruptly rounded feathers. Species of this genus occur in all climates. In the colder regions they are migratory like the Terns. Five species oc- cur in Britain. The name Gavia I have adopted from Bris- son. 298. Gavia Atricilla. Blackish-grey-headed Mew. Bill an inch and three-fourths in length ; tarsus nearly two inches ; wings three inches longer than the tail ; bill and feet rich carmine; outer quill black, the next five with that colour gradually diminishing, their tips white, those of the outer two excepted. In winter, the back and wings light bluish-grey : the other parts white ; the head faintly marked with brownish-grey ; a black crescent before the eye, and a grey patch behind it. In summer, the colours similar, but the head and part of the neck blackish-leaden-grey, the lower parts tinged with rose-colour. Male, 17, 40, 12f, 2, 2, l-^, T\. Female, 16, 38. This species ranks merely as an accidental straggler, a very few individuals only having been seen in the south of Eng- land. It is said to be abundant on the coasts of the Medi- terranean, and, according to Mr Audubon, is plentiful in the southern parts of the United States. Larus Atricilla, Lath. Ind. Ornith.ii. 813.- — Larus Atricilla, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 779, iv. 483. — Laras Atricilla, Blackish-grey-headed Mew, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 299. Gavia ridibunda. Brown-headed Mew. Bill an inch and a third in length ; tarsus an inch and three* fourths ; wings two inches and a half longer than the tail ; bill and feet rich carmine ; outer four quills and their coverts white, the first with the greater part of its outer margin, the tip, and a narrow band along its inner edge black ; on the next five no black on the outer wreb, that on the tip more extended, the black band on the inner edge broader; the tips white, those of the outer two excepted. In winter, the back and wings light bluish-grey ; the other parts white ; the head LARINiE. GAYIA. 241 faintly marked with grey; a black crescent before the eye, and a blackish-grey patch behind it. In summer, the colours similar, but the head and throat deep brown, becoming brown- ish-black behind, the lower parts slightly tinged with rose- colour. Young with the bill flesh-coloured, toward the end blackish-brown, feet brownish flesh-colour ; head and nape pale brown; upper parts brown, the feathers edged with paler ; tail white, with a broad terminal bar of dark brown. Male, 16, 38, 17 b 1A» lA> 1A> A- Female, 15, 36. This species is generally found dispersed along the shores, but often congregates, more especially in estuaries and near the mouths of rivers, during the cold season, when its food consists of small fishes, which it picks from the water, as well as Crustacea, and marine worms which it finds along the shores. Frequently, however, it makes incursions in- land, searching the pastures and ploughed fields for worms and larvse, especially in stormy weather. Its flight is very light, buoyant, and wavering. Even when solitary, it emits a creeking cry at intervals, but when multitudes are as- sembled, it becomes clamorous, their cries filling the air. In spring they betake themselves to particular marshes or lakes, on the tufts, or along the shores of which, they form their nests, which are composed of rushes and sedges, laying two or three, very rarely four eggs, of an olivaceous, oil-green, or light-brown colour, spotted and blotched with brownish- black and purplish-grey ; their length averaging two inches and two-twelfths, their breadth an inch and a quarter. As the eggs afford delicate eating, they are collected for sale. When the young are able to fly, they and their parents betake themselves to the sea-coasts. Black-headed Gull. Black-cap Gull. Hooded Maw. Bed- legged Gull. Pewit Gull. Mire Crow. Sea Crow. Pick- mire. Pictarn. Laughing Gull. Larus ridibundus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 225; Earns cinera- rias, i. 224 : summer and winter.-— Larus ridibundus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 811. -Larus ridibundus, Temm. Man. d’Or- nith. ii. 780. — Gavia ridibunda, Brown-headed Mew, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 300. Gavia Sabini. Sabine’s Mew. Bill an inch in length ; tarsus an inch and a half ; wings two inches longer than the tail, which is forked ; bill black to a little before the nostrils, then yellow; outer four quills black, with the tips, and inner half of the inner web to near the end, white. In summer, the head and upper part of neck a 242 LARINiE. GAY I A. all round blackish-grey, becoming deep black behind; the back and wings bluish-grey ; the other parts white. Young with the head spotted with blackish-grey and white ; the back and wings blackish-grey and yellowish-brow7n ; tail white, with a black band at the end. Male, 13, 33, 10#, 1, 1T5;, 1, TV Female, 12#, 32. This beautiful species, which breeds along the coasts of the arctic seas of America, and extends in winter as far south- ward as New England, has been met with in a few7 instances in England, and on the coasts of the continent. Larus Sabini, Leach. Ross, Voy. App. PL 7. — Earns Sa- binei, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 488.— Favia Sabini, Sabine’s Mew7, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 301. Gavia minttta. Little Mew. “ Length of the tarsus an inch ; shafts of the quills brown ; all the feathers of the wings tipped with pure white ; the legs when stretched out reach only about three-fourths of the length of the tail ; the hind toe very small, bearing a scarcely apparent straight claw. Length about eleven inches. Adult in winter with the forehead, space between the eye and bill, a large spot behind the eyes, throat, all the other lower parts, and the tail, pure white ; occiput, nape, a spot before the eyes, another over the ears, blackish-grey ; all the other upper parts light bluish-grey ; all the feathers of the wrings of that colour terminated by a large space of pure white ; lower sur- face of the wings blackish ; bill and iris blackish-brown ; feet very bright vermillion ; the wings longer than the tail by an inch. In summer, the head and upper part of the neck black, a white crescent before the eyes, lower parts roseate- white ; rump and tail white ; the rest of the upper parts very , pale pure bluish-grey ; the primaries grey, and, w7ith the se- condaries, tipped with white ; bill deep lake-red, iris dark- brown, feet crimson-red. Young with the forehead, sides of the head, all the lower parts, and the tail, white ; upper parts variegated with brown and grey ; the tail slightly forked, with a broad terminal band of black; bill blackish-brown, feet livid flesh-colour.” Temminck. The above description is taken from M. Temminck, as I am not acquainted with this species, of which a few indivi- ! duals, in the immature state, have been met with in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is said to occur in the Mediter- ranean at all seasons, and to extend even to Greenland, but to be of rare occurrence on the coasts of western Europe. Larus minutus, Lath. Ind. Oxnith. ii. 813. — Larus minutus, LARINiE. LARUS. 243 Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 787. — Gavia minuta, Little Mew, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS L. LARUS. GULL. The Gulls, properly so called, are much, larger than the Mews, and distinguished from them by their stouter bill, of which the prominence at the junction of the crura of the lower mandible is more conspicuous. Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, then arcuato-decur- vate, the nasal sinuses rather short, wide, and feathered, the nostrils medio-basal, linear-oblong, wider anteriorly, covered above and behind with a sloping thin-edged plate, the edges very thin, direct, the tip narrow, obtuse, a little prolonged ; lower mandible narrower, much compressed, with the inter- crural space very long and extremely narrow, the commis- sure forming a prominent angle with the dorsal line, which is ascending and somewhat concave, the edges very thin ; the tip narrow, but obtuse. Mouth of moderate width, open- ing to beneath the eyes; tongue fleshy, rather narrow, deep- ly channelled above, tapering to a narrowly rounded point ; oesophagus very wide throughout, its walls thin ; stomach rather small, elliptical, muscular, with large radiated ten- dons, and extremely dense thick epithelium, marked with strong longitudinal ridges ; intestine rather long and narrow ; coeca very small, narrow, cylindrical. Eyes rather small, eyelids feathered, with bare crenulate margins. Legs of moderate length, slender; tibia bare for a short space ; tar- sus rather short, somewhat compressed, with numerous much curved scutella ; hind toe very small and elevated ; fore toes of moderate length, slender, the fourth a little shorter than the third, ail scutellate, and connected by reticulated mem- branes, having their margin a little concave ; claws small, slightly arcuate, somewhat compressed, toward the end de- pressed, obtuse. Plumage very full, close, soft, and blend- ed ; on the back and wings somewhat compact ; wings very long, rather broad, pointed ; the primaries nearly straight, tapering, obtuse, the first and second longest ; tail rather short, even, or slightly rounded, of twelve broad feathers. The Gulls are scarcely well separated from the Mews. Species of the genus occur in all climates, from the arctic to 244 LARINJE. LARUS. the antarctic ice. They are vagrant, voracious birds, which feed essentially upon fish, living or dead, hut also on Crusta- cea, radiata, worms, insects, and carcasses of all kinds. It is chiefly along the shores that they search for food, hut they are often seen far out at sea, and in stormy weather far in- land. They generally breed in flocks, form a large nest, and lay two or three large oval eggs, greyish or brownish, spotted and blotched with brown and grey. The young, covered with close particoloured down, soon leave the nest, and conceal themselves in crevices or behind stones. The plumage is at first mottled with brown or dusky. In the adult the predominant tints are pure white, pale greyish- blue, or deep slate-purple. 302. Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull. Bill two inches and two-thirds along the ridge, which is much decurved toward the end, one inch high at the angle, which is prominent ; tarsus three inches long ; wings slightly surpassing the tail. In winter, the bill light-yellow, the lower mandible with an orange-red patch toward the end ; margins of eyelids red ; feet flesh-coloured ; back and wings greyish- black tinged with purple, or dark slate-coloured, quills largely tipped with white; head and hind-neck white, with light- brown streaks ; all the other parts pure white. In summer the bill pure yellow, the patch on the lower mandible bright carmine, as are the edges of the eyelids ; the head and neck pure white. Young with the bill brownish-black, the head and neck greyish-white, streaked with brown ; the upper parts mottled with brownish-black, greyish-brown, and white ; the lower greyish-white, barred and spotted with brown. Male, 29, 64, 19a, 2t®*, 2*J, 2t%, tV Female, 27, 60. This species is generally dispersed along our coasts, as well as those of the continent and of North America. It is vigi- lant, shy, and suspicious; has a strong, sedate flight; often soars and sails like the Eagles ; swims with ease, and floats most buoyantly. It emits various cries, some loud and clear, others like the sounds of laughter. It feeds on almost every sort of animal matter, and is very voracious. On the coasts of England it has few breeding places, but on the islets of the north and west of Scotland, great numbers annually settle. The nest is generally made in a cavity in the turf, or in a crevice, and is composed of various dry plants ; the eggs, two or three, are three inches long, two inches and a LARIN-®. LARUS. 245 twelfth broad, pale yellowish or greenish-grey, spotted and blotched with blackish-brown, umber, and pale purplish-grey. Cobb. Farspach, Larus marinus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 225. — Larus marinus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 813. — Larus marinus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith, ii. 760. — Larus marinus, Great Black-backed Gull, Mac Gill ivr ay, Brit. Birds, v. 303. Larus flavipes. Yellow-footed Gull. Bill two inches along the ridge, eight-twelfths high at the commissure, which is moderately prominent; tarsus two inches and a half long; wings about two inches longer than the tail ; tarsi and toes yellow. In winter, the bill greenish- yellow, the lower mandible with an orange-red patch toward the end ; the margins of the eyelids light vermilion ; the back and wings blackish-grey tinged with purple, or dark slate- coloured, the quills tipped with white; the head and hind- neck white, with light brown streaks ; all the other parts pure white. In summer, the bill light orange, the patch on the lower mandible vermilion or orpiment tinged with carmine, as are the edges of the eyelids; the head and neck pure white. Young with the bill dusky, the head and neck greyish- white, streaked with brown ; the upper parts mottled with blackish-brown, greyish-brown and white ; the lower greyish- white, barred and spotted with brown. Male, 22a, 55, 17^, 2^, 2*, H*., ^ Female, 21, 54. This species is generally dispersed along our coasts, and permanently resident, but more numerous in the northern than in the southern parts. It breeds on unfrequented islands, headlands, and sometimes islets in lakes. The nest is large, and generally contains three eggs, usually yellowish -brown, light brown, or olivaceous, with spots and patches of purplish- grey and dark brown. Its flight is peculiarly elegant, more easy and buoyant than that of the last species, with the wings more curved. Its common cry is a clear chuckling sound, like laughter, and it also emits a loud, mellow, and plaintive note. It feeds on small fishes, Crustacea, echini, mollusca, and worms, but also eats stranded fishes. Unless when pur- suing a shoal of fishes, individuals of this species generally keep by themselves. In winter many advance southward, but some remain even in the most northern parts. Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus fuscus, Linn Syst. Nat. i. 225. — Larus fuscus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 815. — Larus fuscus, Temm. Man. d? Ornith. ii. 767. ; Larus flavipes, iv. 471. — Laras flavipes, Yellowr- footed Gull, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 246 LARINvE. larus. 304. Larus argentatus. Silvery Gull. Bill two inches and a fourth along the ridge, which is much decurved toward the end, nine-twelfths high at the angle, which is prominent ; tarsus two inches and a half long ; wings surpassing the tail by an inch and a half. In winter, the bill yellow, the lower mandible with an orange-red patch toward the end ; the margins of the eyelids yellow ; the feet flesh-coloured ; the back and wings light bluish-grey, very slightly tinged with purple ; the quills largely tipped with white, the outer six in part black, two of them with a large white spot toward the end ; the head and hind-neck white, with light brown streaks ; all the other parts pure white. In summer, the bill pure yellow, the patch on the lower mandible bright orange, inclining to carmine, margins of eye- lids yellow ; head and neck pure white ; the other parts as in winter. Young with the bill brownish-black, paler at the base of the lower mandible ; edges of eyelids dusky ; feet purplish flesh-colour ; head and neck greyish-white, streaked with greyish-brown ; lower parts greyish- white, spotted with greyish-brown; upper parts variegated with dark greyish- brown and brownish-white, the feathers being margined with the latter ; the quills greyish-black, as is the tail, unless at the base, where it is barred with white. Male, 23, 54, 18, 2£, 2|, 2T%, T\. Female, 22, 52. The Silvery, or Herring Gull, as it is also called, is consi- derably larger than the Yellow-footed Gull, and is by far the most numerous of our larger Gulls. Its flight is strong, buoyant, direct, and unwavering, when it is proceeding to- ward a distant place. When engaged with a shoal of fry, it hovers over the water, stretches upwards and vibrates its wings, lets down its feet so as to touch and sometimes pat the water, and picks up its prey without alighting. Its cry is loud and shrill on such occasions, but at other times re- sembles the sound of laughter. During tempestuous weather it often flies inland. It breeds, usually in great numbers, in small unfrequented islands, or on remote rocky coasts, forming a bulky nest, and laying usually three eggs, averaging two inches and three-fourths in length, an inch and eight- twelfths in breadth, of various tints of grey or olivaceous-brown, clouded or spotted with dark-brown and purplish-grey. Herring Gull. Larus argentatus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i, 600. — Larus mar in us, var. B. Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 814. — Larus argentatus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith ii. 764. — Larus argentatus, Silvery Gull, Mac- Gillivray, Brit. Birds, v. LARINiE. LARUS. 247 305. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull. Bill two inches and three-fonrtlis along the ridge, which is moderately decurved toward the end, ten- twelfths high at the angle, which is prominent ; tarsus three inches long ; wings about an inch shorter than the tail ; total length from twenty- six to thirty-two inches. In winter, the bill wine-yellow, the lower mandible with an orpiment-red patch toward the end ; the margins of the eyelids straw-yellow ; the feet flesh-co- loured ; the back and wings light bluish-grey ; the quills all white at the end ; the head and neck white, streaked with very pale brown ; all the other parts pure white. In summer, the bill gamboge-yellow, the patch on the lower mandible carmine, as are the edges of the eyelids ; the head and neck pure white; the other parts as in winter. Young with the bill brownish-black toward the end, at the base greyish-yel- low, the feet flesh-coloured ; the general ground-colour of the plumage pale yellowish-grey ; the head and neck longitudi- nally streaked with very pale brown ; the upper parts with transverse irregular bands, the lower confusedly mottled and barred with pale brown and yellowish-white ; the quills greyish-white, irregularly marked with pale brown ; the tail pale grey, spotted and barred with pale brown. Male, 30, 62, 19J, 2f, 3, 2^, T5?. Female, 28, 60. In summer dispersed over the arctic seas, in winter advanc- ing into the temperate regions. Dr Lawrence Edmondston first introduced it to notice as a British bird, having obtained young individuals in Shetland in 1809, 1814, and up to 1821, when he proposed naming it Larus islandicus. In March 1821, he described an adult bird. I have seen it in the Heb- rides and the Frith of Forth, and it has been observed on va- rious parts of the coast of England. It has not been found breeding with us. The eggs are broadly oval, pale yellowish- grey, dotted and spotted with dark brown, and blotched with pale purplish-grey. Burgomaster. Iceland Gull. Larus glaucus, Brunnich, Gmelin, Latham % — Larus glau- cus, Tern. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 757. — Iceland Gull, Edmond- ston, Mem. Wern. Soc. iv. 176, 182. — Larus glacialis, Mac- Gillivray, Mem. Wern. Soc. v. 270. — Larus glaucus, Glaucous Gull, Macgillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 306. Larus leucopterus. White-winged Gull. Bill nearly two inches along the ridge, which is moderately decurved toward the end, eight-t vvelfths high at the angle, which is little prominent ; tarsus two inches and a half long ; 248 LARINJE. LARUS. wings a little longer tlian the tail ; total length from twenty to twenty five inches. In winter, the hill wine-yellow, the lower mandible with an orpiment-red patch, the margins of the eyelids yellow ; the feet flesh-coloured ; the back and wings light bluish-grey ; quills all white at the end ; head and neck white, streaked with very pale brown ; all the other parts pure white. In summer, the bill gamboge-yellow, the patch on the lower mandible orange-red, as are the edges of the eyelids ; the head and neck pure white, the other parts as in winter. Young with the bill brownish-black toward the end, at the base pale flesh-coloured ; the general ground- colour of the plumage pale yellowish-grey ; the head and neck longitudinally streaked with very pale brown; the up- per parts with transverse irregular bands ; the lower con- fusedly mottled and barred with pale brown and yellowish- white ; the quills greyish-white, irregularly marked with pale brown ; the tail greyish-white, spotted and barred with pale brown. Male, 24, 50, 17L If? 2^, 2J-, 2T^-. Dr Edmondston, who first observed this species in Britain, described it in March 1823, proposing for it the name of Larus island icus, which he had previously given to Larus glaucus. "With us it is only a winter visitant, its summer haunts being in the Arctic regions. Iceland Gull. Larus islandicus, Edmondston, Mem. Wern. Soc. iv. 506. —Larus arcticus, MacGillivray, Mem. Wern. Soc, . v. 268. — Larus leucopterus,Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 467.- — Larus leu- copterus, White- winged Gull, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 307. Larus canits. Green-billed Gull. Bill an inch and a half along the ridge, which is gently decurved toward the end, five- twelfths high at the angle, which is little prominent ; tarsus two inches long ; wings surpassing the tail by two inches. In winter, the bill grey- ish-green shaded into ochre-yellow at the end ; margins of eyelids brown ; feet deep greenish-grey ; back and wings light bluish-grey ; the quills largely tipped with white, the outer five in part black, two of them with a large white spot to- ward the end ; head and hind-neck white, with brownish- grey streaks and spots ; all the other parts pure white. In summer, the bill greenish-yellow, margins of eyelids vermi- lion ; head and neck pure white, the other parts as in winter. Young with the bill brownish- black, flesh-coloured at the base ; edges of eyelids dusky ; feet purplish flesh-colour ; LARINA. RISSA. 249 head and neck greyish-white streaked with greyish-brown ; lower parts white, spotted with brown ; upper parts varie- gated with greyish-brown and brownish-white, the feathers being margined with the latter ; quills brownish-black, tail white, with a broad band of black at the end. Male, 18, 39, 14f, 1&, 2, 1£, Female, 17. This very common, lively, and beautiful species, although much inferior in size to Larus argentatus, is nearly allied to it in form and colouring. It is permanently resident in Bri- tain, common along the shores of the continent, but has not been observed in America. Large flocks often traverse the interior in winter and spring. In the breeding-season, they are found dispersed along the shores of England and Scotland, much more abundantly in the northern parts of the latter country, and in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and He- brides. The nests are rather bulky, and contain two or three broadly oval eggs, two inches and two-twelfths long, an inch and a half in breadth, of various tints of brown or greenish- grey, dotted and spotted with dark brown and purplish-grey. They afford delicate eating, like those of all the other gulls. The species feeds on small fishes, which are picked from the water as the bird hovers over it, stranded fishes, asterise, mollusca, shrimps, earth-worms, larvae, and insects, some- times grain. Common Sea Maw, Mew, or Mall. Winter Gull. Larus canus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 224. — Larus canus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 815. — Larus canus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 77L — Larus canus, Green-billed Gull, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CLI. RISSA. KITTIWAKE. The Kittiwake, so common on onr rocky coasts, seems to me to differ sufficiently in the form of its bill and feet from the other Gulls, independently of its having merely a rudi- mentary hind toe, to entitle it to generic distinction. The body is of moderate size, the neck stout and of ordinary length, the head rather large, ovato-oblong. Bill rather short, moderately stout, compressed, nearly straight ; upper mandible with the dorsal line very slightly convex at first, then arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex, gradually narrow- ed, the nasal sinuses rather short, wide, and feathered, the nostrils sub-medial, linear-oblong, wider anteriorly, covered 250 LARINiE. RISSA. above and behind with a sloping, convex, thin-edged plate, the sides beyond the nostrils erect and flattened, the edges thin, direct, the tip narrow, rather acute, very slightly pro- longed ; lower mandible narrower, compressed, with the in- tercrural space long and narrow, the lower outline of the crura slightly concave, forming a slight prominence at the commissure, the dorsal line distinctly concave and scarcely ascending, the edges thin and inflected, the tip compressed and rather acute ; the gape-line commencing beneath the eyes. Tongue and digestive organs as in the Gulls and Mews. Legs very short ; tibia bare to a moderate extent ; tarsus very short, considerably compressed, with anterior decurved scutella ; hind toe extremely diminutive, with a minute claw, which is obsolete in old individuals ; anterior toes of moderate length, the shortest as long as the tarsus ; webs entire, slightly emarginate ; claws rather small, com- pressed, moderately arched, rather acute. Plumage full, close, soft ; wings very long, rather narrow, pointed ; tail of moderate length, even, of twelve feathers. Only one species is known. The genus is intermediate between Larus and Cetosparactes. As in the latter, the young are spotted with black, but only on the back and wings. 308. Ejssa tridactyla. Kittiwake. Bill about an inch and a half in length, five- twelfths high at the knob ; tarsus an inch and a quarter long. In winter, the bill pale greenish-yellow; feet black; back and wings light bluish-grey ; tips of five outer primaries and outer web of first black ; the rest of the plumage pure white, except the hind part of the neck and the occiput, which are pale bluish- grey. In summer, the head and neck pure white, the other- parts as in winter. Young with the bill black, the feet greenish-grey, forehead and lower parts white, a narrow black crescent before the eyes, a dark grey patch over the ears, the occiput tinged with grey, a dusky patch on the nape ; the back deep greyish-blue ; the feathers margining the wing and those along the humerus black; scapulars and secondaries with a black patch ; tail white, with a broad black band, not including the outer web of the outer feather. Male, 17, 36, 12J; H, If, 1T%, tV Female, 16£, 35. The Kittiwakes arrive along our coasts in the end of April, LARINJE. CETOSPARACTES. 251 and disappear in October. They nestle in vast numbers on high maritime cliffs, generally such as are frequented by auks, guillemots, and other sea-birds. These breeding-places are much more numerous in Scotland than in England. The nests, which are generally placed on the lower parts of the cliffs, are bulky, formed of grass and sea-weeds, and contain two or three eggs, of a broadly oval form, two inches and a twelfth in length, an inch and a half in breadth, pale yellow- ish-grey, greenish-white, or light olive-green, spotted and dotted all over with dark-brown and pale purplish-grey. The cry of this bird is clear and rather sharp, resembling the syl- lables Kittida , or Kittiweea. It feeds on small fishes, which it picks from the water, hovering with elevated wings, as well as occasionally Crustacea and small shellfish. It walks little, and not with ease, owing to the shortness of its legs ; but has an easy and buoyant flight. Annet. Tarrock. Larus Kissa, and tridactylus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 224.— Larus tridactylus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 817. — Larus tridac- tylus, Tcmm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 274. — BIssa tridactyla, Kitti- wake, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CLII. CETOSPARACTES. WHALE-BIRD. The “ Ivory Gull” is the only known species of this ge- nus, which is distinguished by the short robust bill, very short rough tarsi, and crenated interdigital membranes. Body moderate ; neck of ordinary length ; head rather large, ovato-oblong, anteriorly narrowed. Bill shortish, robust, compressed, straight ; upper mandible with the dor- sal line somewhat concave at first, then arcuato-declinate, the ridge broadly convex, the lateral sinus rather short, wide, and feathered ; the nostrils medio-basal, linear-oblong, wider anteriorly, covered above and behind with a sloping, thin- edged plate, the edges thin, direct, the tip obtuse, very slightly prolonged ; lower mandible narrower, compressed, with the intercrural space rather long and narrow, the lowTer outline of the crura straight, forming a very slight promi- nence at the commissure, the dorsal line ascending and almost straight, the edges thin and somewhat inflected, the tip narrow’, rather obtuse ; the gape-line commencing beneath the eyes. Legs very short ; tibia bare to a small extent ; tarsus very short, little compressed, covered anteriorly with 252 LARINJE CETOSPARACTES. RHOBOSTETHIA. nearly straight scutella, laterally and behind with very small prominent scales ; hind toe very small, little elevated, with a stout decurved claw ; fore toes short, longer than the tarsus ; membranes emarginate, strongly crenulate, the outer with a sinus ; claws moderate, strong, well-curved, rather acute. Plumage very full, close, soft ; wings very long, rather broad, pointed ; the outer two primaries with a sinus on the inner web near the obtuse tip ; tail of moderate length, a little rounded, of twelve broad feathers. 309. Cetosparactes eburneus. Ivory Whale-bird. Bill stout, an inch and a third in length, half an inch high at the knob ; tarsus rough behind, an inch and a half long. Adult with the bill greenish-grey, yellow tinged with red be- yond the nostrils ; feet black ; plumage white, slightly tinged with yellow. Young with the bill dusky, pale yellow at the end ; feet black ; plumage white, variegated with brownish- black, each feather having a large round spot toward the end ; forehead and loral spaces bluish-grey. Male, 20, 42, 14^, lx%, 1T^, 1 13^? t52*» This bird inhabits the Arctic regions of both continents, and in particular the coasts of Spitzbergen and Greenland, on the cliffs of which it breeds. It is said to be less shy than gulls generally are, being nearly as fearless as the Fulmar, with which it associates while feeding on dead whales ; to have a strong and harsh voice ; and, unless when engagedin breeding, to be usually met with on the open sea. Yeryfew instances of its visiting Britain have been recorded. The first of these came under the observation of Dr Lawrence Edmond- ston, who, in the fourth volume of the Memoirs of the Wer- nerian Society, has described a young individual shot in Balta Sound, Shetland, on the 13th December 1822. It has also been shot in the Frith of Clyde and on the west coast of Ire- land. Ivory Gull. White Gull. Senator. Larus eburneus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 596. — Larus eburneus, Lath. Ind. Ornith, ii. 816. — Larus ebmneus, Teram. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 769, iii. 474. Cetosparactes eburneus, Ivory Whale-bird, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CLIII. RHODOSTETHIA. ROSY-GULL. A small gull, singular from the cuneated form of its tail, and remarkable in other respects, has, not improperly, I LARINiE. RHODOSTETHIA. 253 think, been generically distinguished, and most deservedly named after Captain James Ross, who has contributed so much to our knowledge of the natural productions of those desolate regions of the north-west, among which it has been his fate to sojourn. But as the generic name Mossia , which the Prince of Canino has proposed for it, has been given by Mr Owen to a Cephalopodous Molluscum, 1 prefer that of Rhodostethia. Body moderate ; neck rather short ; head ovate. Bill short, rather slender ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half its length, areuato-de- curvate toward the end ; lower mandible with the intercrural space narrow, the knob slight, the dorsal line concave, the tip narrow. Legs short ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus rather stout, anteriorly scutellate, rough behind ; first toe short, with a large curved claw ; anterior toes moderate, with the webs entire ; claws rather large, arched, compress- ed, acute. Plumage soft and full ; wings long, rather nar- row, pointed ; tail cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the central are much longer than the lateral. Only one species is known. 310. Rhodostethia Rossi. Ross’s Rosy-Gull. Wings longer than the tail ; middle tail-feathers exceed- ing the lateral by about an inch. In summer, the bill black, margins of eyelids reddish-orange ; feet vermilion ; fore-part of back, and both surfaces of wings, pale bluish -grey ; outer web of first quill blackish-brown ; a narrow ring on the neck, and some feathers near the eyes, brownish-black ; the rest of the plumage white, but all the lower parts richly tinged with rose-colour. Adult, 13^, 30, 10^-, |, tit? tW This species was first alluded to by myself under the tem- porary name of Larus roseus ; then described and figured by Sir William Jardine under the same name. Dr Richardson named it Larus Rossii, C aneate-tailed Gull, which was its first true name, he having been commissioned to describe it. I have seen some angry remarks about “subalterns” in mu- seums naming objects without being authorized; but I have no opportunity at present of referring to them, and would only remark that these same subalterns have sometimes had the task of affording essential aid to authors, without so much as 254 LARINiE. CATARACTES. thanks in return. The petty squabbles of u namers” are about as amusingly disgusting as the selfish greed of some colleo tors of plants, who rush to the first tuft of u a rare species’* they see, and sweep it off “ in toto,” to the unheeded mor- tification of their unsuspecting companions. This species has once occurred in Ireland. Larus Rossii, Richardson, Parry’s Second Voyage, App. 359 ; Fauna Bor. Amer. ii. 427. — Larus rosea, Jardine and Selby, Ornith. Illustr. vol. i. pi. 14. GENUS CLIV. CATARACTES. PIRATE-BIRD. The birds of which this genus is composed are very nearly allied to the Gulls in their conformation, as well as in many of their habits ; but differ in having a more bold and predatory character, and in living for the most part, like gentlemen, at the expense of the “ working classes,” the Gulls and Terns, which they force to pay tithes or tri- bute, causing them to disgorge part of their food, which they immediately transfer to their own gullets. Linnaeus considered them as part of his comprehensive genus Larus ; Illiger and Temminck refer them to a separate genus, which they name Lestris ; and others have elevated one species, the largest, to the peerage, under the title of Cataractes Skua, leaving the rest in the genus Lestris, as common rob- bers. I am not sure that the larger bird is altogether en- titled to this distinction. Cataractes, then, so named by some of the older as well as modern authors, has the body of a compact and robust form ; the neck of moderate length ; the head large, broadly ovate, anteriorly narrowed. Bill shorter than the head, nearly as broad as high at the base, compressed toward the end, straight, with the tip decurved ; upper mandible cerate, with the ridge broad and rounded, having a shallow groove on each side, the nasal space covered by a thin plate ; nos- trils linear- oblong, much wider anteriorly, pervious, sinus very short, broad, and feathered, edges sharp and inflected, tip very strong, laterally convex, much decurved, thin-edged, rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the intercrural space long and narrow, the branches broad and erect, the angle little prominent, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip com- LARINJE. CATARACTES. 255 pressed, obtuse, thin-edged. Mouth and digestive organs nearly as in Larus. Tongue broadly channelled above, contracted and induplicate toward the end ; oesophagus very wide ; stomach small, moderately muscular, with dense, ru- gous epithelium ; intestine rather short and wide ; coeca ra- ther long. Eyes rather small ; eyelids feathered, with a bare crenulate margin. Feet of moderate length, rather stout ; tibia bare below ; tarsus moderately compressed, with anterior decurved scutella, the lateral and posterior scales convex so as to be rough to the touch ; hind toe ele- vated, very small, with a rather large, arcuate, acute claw ; anterior toes rather long ; membranes entire ; claws much curved, compressed, acute. Plumage full, close, firm, on the back and wings compact ; wings very long, rather broad, pointed ; tail of moderate length, of twelve rather broad, abruptly rounded feathers, of which the two middle are con- siderably longer than the rest. 311. Cataractes Skua. Brown or Skua Pirate-Bird. Bill two inches and a quarter in length, tarsus two inches and a half ; middle tail-feathers scarcely an inch longer than the rest, broad and rounded. Bill and feet black; feathers of the neck acuminate ; the general colour of the upper parts dark greyish-brown, streaked with brownish-yel- low ; primary quills brownish-black, with their shafts and basal parts white, there being a conspicuous patch of that colour on the wing ; tail blackish-brown, white at the base, but that colour not apparent there. Male, 22, 52, lo, 2y, 2|, 2^, y5^. The Skua, or Bonxie, as the Shetlanders call him, is sel- dom met with on the coasts of England, or even of Scotland* Considered with reference to his British territories, he appears to be limited almost to the Shetland islands, of three or four hill-tops of which he has taken special possession. According to the accounts of Mr Low, Dr Neill, Captain Yetch, and Dr Edmondston, he is the boldest of all birds, attacking with great fury any person, however armed, that approaches his haunts in the breeding-season. His manner of walking, swimming, and flying, is similar to that of the Gulls, but more vigorous ; his voice a sharp and shrill cry, like that of a young gull. He feeds on fishes, and occasionally young- birds, but obtains a great part of his subsistence by harass- ing the larger gulls until he forces them to disgorge part of 256 LARINiE. CATARACTES. the contents of their gullet. The nest is made among the grass, and the eggs, generally two, sometimes three, are olive- brown, spotted with dusky. In Foula, it was formerly pro- tected, on account of the benefit it conferred by driving off eagles and ravens ; but of late years, the rapacity of bird- collectors has greatly thinned its numbers in Shetland. It is easily tamed, becomes familiar, and even shews some affec- tion toward its feeder. Skua. Bonxie, Larus Catarractes, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 226.— Larus Catar- ractes,Lath. Xnd. Ornith. ii. 818. — — Lestris Catarractes, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 729, iii. 494.— Cataractes Skua, Brown Pirate-bird, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 312. Cataractes pq marines. Pomarine Pirate-bird. Bill an inch and three-fourths in length, tarsus two inches, very rough behind; middle tail-feathers broad, rounded, twist- ed to a side at the end, an inch longer than the next ; bill dull- green, dusky toward the end ; tibia, toes, webs, and lower half of tarsus black, the upper half light-blue. Upper part and sides of head brownish-black ; upper neck all round yel- lowish-white, lower white barred with brownish-black; breast white ; sides, abdomen, and lower and upper tail-coverts, white barred with black ; back and wings brownish-black ; quills and tail-feathers white at the base ; lower wing-coverts barred with white and dusky. Young with the bill greenisli- blue, at the end black ; feet greyish-blue ; toes and webs whitish at the base, dusky at the end ; head and neck dull brown, the feathers margined with paler ; upper parts dark brown, with reddish semilunar bands ; lower parts greyish- brown, spotted and undulated with light red ; middle of abdo- men, upper and lower tail-coverts, barred with dusky andreddish. Male, 20, 46, 14, 1*, 2*, 1}*, TV This species, which breeds in the Arctic regions, and ap- pears to be more plentiful in America than in Europe, is sel- dom or never seen on our coasts in the adult state, although young individuals are not extremely rare in winter, and may generally be observed wherever gulls are collected in pursuit of herrings or shoals of other fishes. I have seen it thus in the Prith of Porth, and it has been met with as far as the southern coasts of England. Great variations are observed in the colours of the plumage, which have not yet been referred to any determinate rule. Lestris pomarinus, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 793, iv. 495. Cataractes pomarinus, Pomarine Pirate, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. LARIN2S. CATARACTES. 257 313. Cataractes Richardsonii. Richardson’s Pirate- Bird. Bill an inch and a third in length, greyish-black, tinged with blue above ; tarsus an inch and two-thirds, feet black ; middle tail-feathers three inches longer than the rest, broad, tapering moderately until near the end, when they rapidly nar- row to a fine point. Male in summer with the upper part of the head blackish-brown ; the nape and upper sides of the neck yellowish-white; all the upper parts blackish-brown, the quills darker, the primaries with the shafts white ; anterior part of the forehead, the cheeks, throat, and lower part of the body white, the fore-neck tinged with brown, the lower wing- coverts and tail-coverts dark greyish-brown. Female similar to the male. Individuals of both sexes vary in the extent of white on the neck and breast, some being brown all over. Young with the bill light blue, dusky at the end ; tarsi and basal part of the feet light blue, the rest black ; plumage sooty-brown, lighter beneath; feathers of the upper parts margined with whitish ; lower parts transversely undulated with pale greyish-yellow. Male, 21, 42, 13, lx4^, 1T8^-, lx52-, Female, 19, 40. This active and predatory bird leads a wandering life, sel- dom remaning long in one place, unless during the breeding season. Its flight is rapid, gliding, and steady, when it is proceeding to a distance, but it turns, winds, sails, or shoots along, with extreme dexterity on occasion, and is thus enabled to harass Mews and Terns while fishing, and to force them, to drop or disgorge part of their food, which it catches on wing. In autumn it is frequently seen in our estuaries, but in summer betakes itself chiefly to the northern coasts and islands, where it breeds, generally in societies. The nest is like that of a gull, and placed on the ground, usually in a marshy place. The eggs are two or three, ovato-pyriform, ovate, or oblong, olivaceous, or of various shades of brown, spotted and patched with umber-brown, and purplish-grey, their length averaging two inches and a quarter. Arctic Gull. Man-of-war Bird. Boatswain. Teaser. Dung Bird. Dung Hunter. Dirty Allen. Scote-Allen. Allen. Scull. Badock. Lestris Richardsonii, Temxn. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 499. — Ca- taractes Richardsonii, Richardson’s Rirate-bird, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, v. 258 LARIN-®. CATARACTES. PRO CELL AKIN M. 314. Cataractes longecatjdatus. Long-tailed Pirate- Bird. Bill an inch and a fourth in length, greyish-black tinged with blue above ; tarsus an inch and a half, partly yellow, feet black; middle tail-feathers from six to eight inches longer than the rest, gradually tapering to a narrow point. Male in summer with the upper part of the head blackish- brown; the neck yellowish-white, the lower parts white; lower part of hind-neck, and all the upper parts, blackish- grey ; quills brownish-black, with the shafts white. Female similar, but with the middle tail-feathers much shorter. Young with the bill light-blue, dusky at the end, yellowish at the base ; tarsi and basal part of the feet dull yellow ; plu- mage sooty-brown, lighter beneath ; feathers of the upper parts bordered with brownish-yellow ; lower parts transversely barred with whitish or greyish-yellow. Male, 24, 45, 12, 1|, 1^, 1T\, xV Female, 20, 44 This species, which is inferior in size to Cataractes Richard- sonii, is of rare occurrence on our coasts, where it appears merely as a straggler. It breeds in the arctic regions of both continents, and is especially abundant in Greenland and New- foundland. According to Mr Audubon, it extends in winter as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. On the coasts of Europe it is very rare at that season. Its habits are in all respects similar to those of the preceding species. Lestris parasitica, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. iv. 501.-— Qatar - ractes parasiticus, Long- tailed Pirate- Bird, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. FAMILY LI. PROCELLARINiE. PROCELLA- RINE BIRDS. The last family in the series of British Birds is com- posed of species varying greatly in size, some of those which do not visit our shores being among the largest of the wanderers of the ocean, while others, and among them one of our own, are not larger than a swallow. They may all be known at once by the peculiar tubular form of their nostrils. The body is rather full or slender; the neck of moderate length ; the head rather large. Bill shorter than the head, strong or moderately stout, com- PRO CELLARING. PRO CELL ARIA. 259 pressed ; upper mandible with the ridge formed of two generally united plates, at the anterior part of which are the more or less tubular nostrils, the tip decurved, com- pressed, and pointed; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the edges sharp, the tip decurved. Mouth wide ; palate longitudinally ridged ; tongue ta- pering, acuminate, flat above; oesophagus of moderate width, but within the thorax dilated into an enormous sac; stomach very small, usually reversed; intestine long, slender ; coeca very small, or wanting. F eet of moderate length, rather slender ; tibia bare below ; tarsus little compressed; toes four; the first extremely small and elevated, with a large conical decurved or deflected claw ; anterior toes webbed ; claws arched, compressed, acute : Plumage soft, full, rather compact above ; wings long, rather narrow, pointed ; tail short, of from twelve to six- teen feathers. These birds lead a peculiarly erratic life, most of them not only wandering along the coast, but over the ocean at vast distances from land. They feed on fish, carcasses of various kinds, Crustacea, mollusca, and other animals, as well as fatty matters floating on the sea. GENUS CLY. PROCELLARIA. FULMAR. The Fulmars are birds of large or moderate size, resem- bling Gulls and Albatrosses in their form and habits. The body is rather full ; the neck of moderate length, or short ; the head rather large and ovate. Bill rather shorter than the head, stout, moderately compressed, straight, with the tip much decurved; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight or concave, then abrupt at the nasal apertures, which are dorsal, the plate covering the nostrils separated by grooves from the erect convex sides, the terminal unguis or tip strong, decurved, acute ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the sides erect, with a longitudinal groove, the edges sharp, the dorsal line very short, ascend- ing, slightly concave, the edges decurved at the end. Mouth 260 PRO CELLARING. PRO CELL ARIA. rather wide; tongue slender, tapering; oesophagus wide, and dilated within the thorax into an enormous sac ; stomach small, reversed ; intestine of moderate length and width. Feet of ordinary length, stout ; tibia bare below ; tarsus re- ticulated ; hind toe extremely small, with a conical claw ; anterior toes slender, with full webs; claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage full, close, blended, on the upper parts somewhat compact ; wings very long, narrow, pointed ; tail short or moderate, of from twelve to sixteen feathers. Oceanic birds, of nomadic habits, feeding on animal sub- stances, and nestling on maritime cliffs. One species only occurs in Britain. 315. PROCELLARIA GLACIALIS. NORTHERN FULMAR. Bill shorter than the head, stout, moderately compressed, with the nasal plate concave in its median line, and flattened ; tail slightly rounded, of fourteen feathers ; bill and feet green- ish yellow; head, neck, and lower parts white; back and wings pale greyish-blue; tail bluish-white; primary quills and coverts blackish-brown. Young light brownish-grey, with the feathers of the back and wings darker at the end. Male, 18, 32, 13, 1-ff, 2, 1T9^, TV Female, 17, 30. The Fulmar inhabits in summer the arcticregions of both con- tinents, and in winter advances southward. It is of rare occur- rence on our coasts, although it breeds in vast numbers on the island of St Kilda. The egg, which is deposited in a slight nest on the rocks, is of large size, two inches and a half in length two inches in breadth, and of a pure white colour. The young remain until fledged, and are fed with matter, chiefly of an oily nature, disgorged by their parents. It is remarkable that, whatever be the nature of the food of the fulmar and other birds of this series, a quantity of generally pure oleaginous matter is usually found in the gullet. Tt appears to me that this oil can hardly be obtained entirely as food, but is the product of some secretion or conversion. Voyagers, however, state that this species greedily devours the blubber of dead whales, and the common opinion is that all the Fulmars and Petrels obtain oily and fatty matters floating on the sea. When seized they eject by the mouth, and, it is said, squirt through the nostrils, this oil, which the people of St Kilda thus collect for economical purposes. It is of a clear amber PRO CELLARING. PUFFINUS. 261 colour^ becoming of a deeper tint when kept. I have observed great differences in the size, form, and colour of the bill in this species. Fulmar. Fulmar Petrel. Mallemoke. Procellaria glacialis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 562.- — Procellaria glacialis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 823. — Procellaria glacialis, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 802. — Procellaria glacialis. North- ern Fulmar, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CLYI. PUFFINUS. SHEARWATER, The Shearwaters are birds of moderate or rather small size, intermediate in form between the Fulmars and Petrels, and resembling both in their habits. Their body is mode- rately full ; the neck rather short : the head rather large, and oblong. Bill of about the length of the head, rather slender, much compressed toward the end, slightly recurved, with the tips decurved ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, abrupt at the nostrils, which are dorsal, each covered with a lateral convex plate, sides convex, edges sharp, tip strong, much compressed, decurved, acute ; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line decurved, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip decurved and acute. Feet rather large, placed far back; tibia bare below ; tarsus moderate, compressed, reticulated ; hind toe rudimentary or obsolete, but with a small conical deflected claw ; anterior toes long, slender, with full webs ; outer toe slightly longer ; claws arched, compressed, acute. Plu- mage full, close, blended, on the upper parts rather compact; wings very long, narrow, pointed ; tail moderate, graduated or rounded, of twelve feathers. The Shearwaters are distinguished from the Fulmars by their much more slender and compressed bill, of which both points are decurved, and by their more compressed tarsi. They are oceanic birds, of wandering habits, having a rapid gliding flight, and somewhat nocturnal, like the Petrels. Their food consists of animal substances of various kinds, and is picked up from the water, generally while the bird is hovering. They and the Petrels exhibit in the highest degree the habit, common to them and Mews and Gulls, of letting down their feet while hovering, and patting the wa- 262 PRO CELLARING. PUFFINUS. ter with them. The gullet is commonly found to contain oily matter, which the bird disgorges on being seized. Three species are admitted as British. 316. Puffinus arcticus. Arctic Shearwater. Bill of the same length as the head, rather slender, com- pressed, two inches and a third long, yellowish-green, with the tips brownish-black; tarsus two inches and a quarter long; feet greenish-grey, with the webs flesh-coloured; tail graduated ; upper parts deep greyish-brown, hind-neck paler and more grey ; primary quills and tail brownish-black ; lower parts greyish-white ; axillaries and lower tail-coverts grey- ish-browrn toward the end. Male, 20, 45, 2^, 2^, 2T7^-, This species, according to M. Temminck, has generally been mistaken for Puffinus cinereus, which inhabits the Mediter- ranean. It is said to be abundant in the Arctic seas, and, according to Mr Audubon, ranges in winter from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Several individuals have occurred in England ; but it appears doubtful whether there may not have been some also of Puffinus cinereus ; and at present I have no means of ascertaining. Puffinus major, Puffin majeur ou arctique, Temm. Man. d*Ornith. iv. 507.— -Puffinus cinereus, Aud. Ornith. Biog. iii. 555. — Puffinus cinereus, Cinereous Shearwater, Selby, Illust. ii. 528. — -Puffinus arcticus, Arctic Shearwater, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 317. Puffinus Anglorum. Manks Shearwater. Bill slender, dusky, at the base dull yellow, an inch and a half long ; tarsus an inch and three-fourths, flesh-coloured internally, as are the inner toe and half of the third, the rest black, the webs dingy yellow; all the upper parts glossy brownish-black, the lower white, the sides of the neck and breast barred with grey. The young, according to M. Tem- minck, have all the lower parts of a dark grey colour. Male, 16, 32, 9i, 1*, Hh 1«, tV This species inhabits the northern coasts of Europe in summer, arriving generally in March, and departing in Sep- tember. It is said to breed in the Shetland and Orkney Islands and in St Kilda, laying a single large white egg, in a hole or Assure of the cliffs. Lyrie, Scraber, Shearwater. PRO CELLARING. PUFFINUS. THALASSIDROMA. 263 Procellaria Anglorum, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 806 ; Puffinus Anglorum, iv. 509. — Puffinus Anglorum, Manks Pe- trel, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 318. Puffinus obscurus. Dusky Shearwater. Bill of the length of the head, little compressed, an inch and a quarter long, light blue, at the end black : tarsus an inch and a half in length, black externally, as are the toes, the webs flesh-coloured ; tail much rounded ; upper parts brownish-black, lower pure white. Male, 12, 28, 9, ly^, 1^, 2, T3^. This species belongs to the southern and tropical regions of the globe, although individuals have sometimes been found far north. Procellaria obscura, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. 559. — -Procellaria obscura, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 828. — Procellaria obscura, Temm. Man. d’Ornifh. ii. 808. — Puffinus obscurus, Dusky Shearwater, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. GENUS CL VII. THALASSIDROMA. PETREL. The birds of which this genus is composed are the smallest of those which, being furnished with interdigital membranes, are peculiarly adapted for swimming. They are of slender form, having the body very small, compared with the bulk of plumage with which it is covered ; the neck short and slender ; the head ovate and compressed. Bill shorter than the head, slender, much compressed, deeurved at the end, and acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line at first direct or concave, then abrupt at the end of the nasal tube, afterwards nearly straight for a short space, and finally much deeurved, the ridge elevated and separated by grooves from the sides, the edges sharp, approximating toward the end, the tip compressed, deeurved, acute ; nostrils dorsal, sub- medial, opening in front by two approximated tubes ; lower mandible with the intercrural space narrow, the lower out- line of the crura deeurved, the dorsal line decimate and concave, the edges sharp, close together at the end, the tip compressed and deeurved ; mouth of moderate width, dilat- able ; palate convex, with four ridges ; tongue somewhat triangular, much flattened, toward the end horny and point- ed ; oesophagus enlarged below into an enormous proventri- 284 PRO CELLARING. TKALASSIDROMA. eular sac, covered with scattered glandules ; stomach very small, elliptical, reversed ; pylorus on the left side ; intes- tine at first arched upward and to the right, before forming the duodenal curve, then rather long and narrow, with small coeca or none. Eyes rather small, as are the apertures of the ears. Legs slender, placed well forward ; tibia long, bare for about a fourth ; tarsus moderate or rather long, very slender, anteriorly reticulate ; hind toe extremely di- minutive, with a small conical claw ; anterior toes rather long, slender, scutellate, the third longest; interdigital mem- branes striate, and einarginate ; anterior claws small, little arched, compressed, rather acute. Plumage full, very soft, blended ; wings very long and narrow, primary quills very long, tapering, obtuse, the second longest : tail moderate or long, of twelve feathers, but varying in being graduate, rounded, even, or forked. The predominating colours are greyish-black and sooty- brown. The Petrels, during a great part of the year, roam over the seas, but in the beginning of summer collect into bands, and resort to particular breeding-places, to nestle in the crevices of rocks, under stones, or in holes in the turf. The single egg is white, large, and elliptical. The sitting birds are easily caught in their nests, and the young remain concealed until able to fly. On being seized, these birds, like the Fulmars, discharge the contents of their gullet, ge- nerally consisting of oil. They feed on oily and fatty sub- stances, Crustacea, and other objects, which they pick up as they skim over the water. They float lightly, fly in a ra- pid and buoyant manner, pat the water with their feet when hovering, are often seen about vessels in the ocean, and are held in dislike by sailors, who name them Mother Carey’s Chickens. One species only is common on the British coasts, but other three have been met with. 819. Thalassidroma Bulweri. Bulwer’s Petrel. Tail cuneate ; bill and feet black ; plumage deep sooty- black, on the lower parts slightly tinged with brown ; second- ary coverts paler ; length ten inches. First described and figured by Sir William Jardine Bart., and Prideaux J ohn Selby, Esq. in the second volume of their Illustrations of Ornithology ; afterwards, in the fourth vo- PRO CELLARING. THALASSIDROMA. 265 lume of his Birds of Europe, by Mr Gould, who states that a fine specimen was found on the banks of the Ure, near Tan- field, in Yorkshire, on the 8th of May 1837? and is in the pos- session of Colonel Dalton of Slenningford. Procellaria Bulwerii, Bulwer’s Petrel, Jard. and Selb. II- lust. pi. 65. — Bulwer’s Petrel, Thalassidroma l Bulwerii, Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 449. 320. Thalassidroma Leachi. Leach’s Petrel. Tail forked ; bill and feet black ; plumage greyish-black tinged with brown ; quills and tail brownish-black ; smaller wing-coverts and inner secondaries light grevish-brown ; fea- thers of the rump, sides of abdomen, and outer lower tail- coverts, white ; upper tail- coverts white, tipped with black ; length nearly eight inches. Male, 7t§> 20, 6T\, T8^, 1, If, This Petrel was discovered, in 1818, by Mr Bullock, in the island of St Kilda. It has since been repeatedly met with on various parts of the coast, and has several times been found dead, or in an exhausted state, even far inland, during or after stormy weather, in winter. It is said to be plentiful on the Banks of Newfoundland, and on some parts of the coast of North America. Procellaria Leachii, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 812.— Tha- lassidroma Leachi, Leaches or Fork-tailed Petrel, MacGilli- vray, Brit. Birds, v. 321. Thalassidroma Wilsoni. Wilson’s Petrel. Tail even ; bill and feet black, but the interdigital mem- branes yellow in the middle ; plumage greyish-black tinged with brown above, sooty-brown beneath ; outer secondary wing-coverts and some of the secondary quills light brown- ish-grey, terminally edged with white ; rump, sides of abdo- men, and outer lower tail -coverts white ; length seven inches and a half. Male, 71b. 16, 6? tV? IfW tV This species, named by the Prince of Canino in honour of the celebrated Scoto-American ornithologist, is said to breed on various parts of the coasts of North America, and to occur plentifully on the Atlantic Ocean. It is admitted into the British Fauna as an occasional visitant, Thalassidroma Wilsoni, Bonap. Synops. 367. — Wilson’s Petrel, Thalassidroma Wilsonii, Audub. Ornith. Biogr. iii„ 486 ; v. 645. — Thalassidroma Wilsoni, Wilson’s Petrel, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 266 PRO CELLARING. THALASSIDROMA. 322. Thalassidroma pelagica. Storm Petrel. Tail slightly rounded ; bill and feet black ; plumage greyish- black above^ sooty-brown beneath ; secondary coverts mar- gined externally with dull greyish-white; feathers of the rump, and sides of abdomen, white ; upper tail-coverts white, broadly tipped with black ; length nearly six inches. Young of lighter tints, with the feathers edged with reddish-brown. Male, 5f§, 13|-, y65, lib t8^ tV Pemale, 5T9^, 13^. This species, the smallest of the European web-footed birds, is indigenous with us, breeding in Cornwall, Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides, in holes in the rocks, or under stones on the sea-beach. The egg is single, nearly elliptical, an inch and a twelfth long, ten-twelfths broad, pure white, without gloss, generally with a belt of minute dark-red dots at the large end. It disappears from all its breeding-places after the young are reared, and seems to reside on the open sea during winter. It has a buoyant and gliding flight, floats lightly on the water, swims with ease, lets down its feet occasionally when skimming over the weaves, and has thus been imagined to walk on the sea ; whence the name Petrel or little Peter, given to this and other species. It frequently appears in the wake of vessels, and picks up portions of animal and vege- table substances ; but generally its gullet and stomach are found to contain oily matter, which, on being seized, it vo- mits, like the other species of this family. I have seen the delicate- looking little creatures, in rough weather, gliding over the waves, at the height of scarcely a foot above the surface, which they followed in all its undulations, mounting to the top of the wave, there quivering in the blast, then shooting down the slope, resting a moment in the sheltered hollow, and again ascending. Mother Carey's Chicken. Storm-finch. Little Petrel. Water- witch. Alamouti. Asilag. Spency. Sea-Swallow. Procellaria pelagica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 212., — Procella- ria pelagica, Lath. Ind. Ornith. ii. 826. — Procellaria pelagica, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. ii. 810. — Thalassidroma pelagica. Storm Petrel, MacGiilivray, Brit. Birds. APPENDIX, In the thirty-fifth number of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, for October 1840, is an account, by Mr G . P. Gray, of a specimen of “ Sylvia luscinioides,” found by Mr J. Baker in the fens of Cambridgeshire, The fol- lowing is the specific description given 322. Sylvia luscinioides. Savx. “ General colour above castaneous brown, with the tail very inconspicuously barred with darker ; line over the eyes, breast, sides, and under tail-coverts, paler than the upper parts ; throat and middle of the abdomen albescent, the for- mer slightly spotted triangularly with darker. The first quill very short, and the second longest of all. Upper mandible brown, lower and feet yellowish-brown. “ Total length, ; bill, T% ; wings, 2 £ ; tail, ; tarsi, TV,y Of Mr Bellamy’s Sylvia neglecta, I can say nothing with certainty. The Canada Goose has perhaps a right to be admitted into the British Fauna, and there may be several other species having equal claims. The American Wigeon, also, has been found in one of the London markets, and therefore might have been described as British, On the whole, the present Manual seems to me to contain a pretty accurate account of the Birds of Britain, and is such a work as I should have been well pleased with when I commenced the study of ornithology, with no other guides than Linnaeus, Pennant, and Montagu. In the department of British Or- nithology, the works most to be recommended to the student 268 APPENDIX. seem to me to be those of Mr Selby and Mr Yarrell, and the British Birds of Sir William Jardine, in Mr Lazars’ useful Naturalist’s Library. The country has now been so well explored, that very few additional species can ever be met with ; yet the number that has been unexpectedly added to the list of late years may possibly be yet increased by equally unexpected species. I have now accomplished my task, which has cost me not a little trouble. Whatever my fellow-labourers may think of it, I feel that I can conscientiously recommend it to the student, and am assured that, imperfect as it must neces- sarily be, it will be found useful in promoting a study cal- culated to afford much delight, with as little pain as we usually find accompanying the most harmless of human pur- suits. It is most gratifying to me to know that I have afforded aid to many individuals in their endeavours to ob- tain some knowledge of the natural objects which present themselves wherever we direct our view ; and that neither the neglect, contumely, and opposition which I have expe- rienced have abated my ardour in the pursuit of knowledge, nor the approbation, esteem, and aid which many have ge- nerously accorded, have tended to foster the arrogance and self-esteem which are very apt to flourish luxuriantly, under such circumstances, in the human heart. To ornithological friends I offer my grateful thanks, to authors whose works have aided me my best wishes, and to the students who may use the present manual my advice to lay it aside whenever they find one better adapted for their purpose. W. MacGxllxvray. Marischal College, Aberdeen, 5th April , 1842. ( 269 ) INDEX TO THE ORDERS AND FAMILIES. Alcinae, 210. Anatinae, 160. Anserinag, 144. Aucupatrices, 120. Auks, 210. Bustards, 37. Cranes, 34. Cribratrices, 143. Cursitrices, 33. Divers, 198. Ducks, 160. Fuligulinag, 175. Gallinulinag, 108. Geese, 144. Grebes, 190. Gruinae, 34, Gulls, 237. Ibidinae, 138. Ibises, 138. Latitrices, 107. Larinse, 237. Merganserinae, 192. Mergansers, 192. Mersatrices, 226. Otinae, 37. Pelecaninae, 219. Pelicans, 219. Petrels, 258. Plovers, 44. Pluvialinae, 44. Plungers, 226. Podicipinae, 190. Probers, 61. Procellarinae, 258. Runners, 33. Sandpipers, 63. Scaup-Ducks, 175, Scolopacinae, 98. Sifters, 143. Skulkers, 107, Snipes, 98. Stalkers, 120. Sterninag, 228. Tattlers, 85. Tentatrices, 61. Terns, 228. Totaninae, 85. Tringinae, 63. Urinatrices, 198. Water-Hens, 108, INDEX TO THE GENERA. Actitis, 95. Alca, 215. Anas, 164. Anser, 146. Ardea, 127. Auk, 215. Avoset, 86. Ay thy a, 189. Bernacle-Goose, 149. Bittern, 122. Bustard, 38. Calidris, 64. Cataractes, 254. Cetosparactes, 251. Cbaradrius, 51. Clangula, 182. Chenalopex, 152. Ciconia, 136. Colymbus, 206. Coot, 117. Cormorant, 221. Courser, 41. Crake, 111. Crane, 35. Crex, 111. Crymonessa, 185. Curlew, 76. Cursorius, 41. Cygnus, 154. Cymotomus, 261. Dabchick, 205, Duck, 164. Eider-Duck, 176. Egret, 130. Erodius, 130. Fox -goose, 152. Fulica,117. Fuligulina, 187. Fulmar, 258. Gallinula, 115. Gannet, 224. Garrot, 182. Gavia, 239. 270 INDEX TO THE GENERA. Gelochelidon, 236. Glareola, 42. Glottis, 90. Godwit, 79. Goosander, 194. Goose, 146. Grebe, 201. Grus, 35. Guillemot, 211. Gull, 243. Gull-Tern, 236. Himantopus, 88. Ibis, 139. Ice-duck, 185. Kittiwake, 249. Lapwing, 54. Laras, 243. Limosa, 79. Lobipes, 83. Longbeak, 99. Longshank, 90. Machetes, 74. Macrorkamphus, 99. Mareca, 173, Megalopteris, 235. Merganser, 194. Mergus, 197. Mew, 239. Mormon, 217. Night-Heron, 126. Noddy, 235. Numenius, 76. Nycterodius, 126. Oedicnemus, 45. Oidemia, 179. Ostralegus, 58. Otis, 38. Oyster-catcher, 58. Petrel, 263. Phalacrocorax, 221. Phalarope, 81. Pirate -bird, 254. Plata! ea, 141. Plover, 47. Pluvialis, 47. Pochard, 189. Podiceps, 201. Pratincole, 42. Procellaria, 258. Puffin, 217. Querquedula, 166. Rail, 110. Rallus, 110. Recurvirostra, 86. Rhodostethia, 252. Rhynchaspis, 171. Rissa, 249. Rosy -gull, 252. Rotche, 214. Ruff, 74. Rusticola, 104. Sandpiper, 66, Sand-Plover, 51. Scaup-Duck, 187. Scolopax, 101. Scoter, 179. Shearwater, 261. Shield-Duck, 161 «. Shovel-bill, 171. Smew, 197. Snipe, 101* Somateria, 176. Spoonbill, 141. Sterna, 229. Stilt shank, 86. Stork, 136. Strepsilas, 56. Sula, 224. Swan, 154. Sylbeocyclus, 204. Tadorna, 161. Tattler, 92. Teal, 166. Tern, 229. Thalassidroma, 263. Thick-knee, 45. Totanus, 92. Tringa, 66. Turnstone, 56. Uria, 211, Vanellus, 54. Water-Hen, 115. Weet-weet, 95. Wigeon, 173. ( 271 ) TABULAR INDEX TO THE ORDERS AND FAMILIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. FIRST VOLUME. Order I. Raptrices, Plunderers, 33. Family I. Vulturinae, Vulturine Birds, 33. Fam. II. Falconinae, Falconine Birds, 36. Fam. III. Striginae, Strigine Birds, 58. OrD. II. VOLI TAT RICES, GLIDERS, 69. Fam. IV. Cypselinae, Cypseline Birds, 71. Fam. V. Hirundinae, Hirundine Birds, 73. Fam. VI. Caprimulginae, Caprimulgine Birds, 76. ORD. III. CUCULATRICES, CUCKOOS, 80. Fam. VII. Cuculinse, Cuculine Birds, 81. Ord. IV. Jaculatrices, Darters, 84. Fam. VIII. Alcedinas, Alcedine Birds, 85. Ord. V. Excurtrices, Snatchers, 89. Fam. IX. Laniinae, Laniine Birds, 90. Fam. X. Myiotherinae, Myiotherine Birds, 94. Fam. XI. Coraciinas, Coraciine Birds, 98. Ord. VI. Vagatrices, Wanderers, 100. Fam. XII. Corvinae, Corvine Birds, 101. Fam. XIII. Graculinae, Graculine Birds, 113. Ord. VII. Cantatrices, Songsters, 118. Fam. XIV. Oriolinae, Orioline Birds, 120. Fam. XV. Myrmotherinae, Myrmotherine Birds, 121. Fam. XVI. Turdinae, Turdine Birds, 123. Fam. XVII. Saxicolinae, Saxicoline Birds, 129. Fam. XVIII. Sylviinae, Sylviine Birds, 141. Fam. XIX. Motacillinae, Motacilline Birds, 157. Fam. XX. Alaudinae, Alaudine Birds, 164. Fam. XXI. Parinae, Parine Birds, 175. Fam. XXII. Ampelinae, Ampeline Birds, 182. Ord. VIII. Deglubitrices, Huskers, 184. Fam. XXIII. Emberizinae, Emberizine Birds, 186. Fam. XXIV. Passerinae, Passerine Birds, 193. 272 TABULAR INDEX TO THE ORDERS AND FAMILIES Ord. IX. Reptatrices, Creepers, 212. Fam. XXY. Certhiinae, Certhiine Birds, 213. Fam. XXVI. Sittinee, Sittine Birds, 216. Ord. X. Scandrices, Climbers, 217. Fam. XXVII. Picinae, Picine Birds, 219. Ord. XI. G-emitrices, Cooers, 224. Fam. XXVIII. Columbinae, Columbine Birds. 225. Ord. XII. Radrices, Scrapers, 230. Earn. XXIX. Phasianinae, Phasianine Birds, 231. Fam. XXX. Perdicinae, Perdicine Birds, 234. Fam. XXXI. Tetraoninae, Tetraonine Birds, 238. SECOND VOLUME. Ord. XIII. Cursitrices, Runners, 33. Fam. XXXII. Gruinae, Gruine Birds, 34. Fam. XXXIII. Otinae, Otine Birds, 37. Fam. XXXIV. Pluvialinas, Pluvialine Birds, 44. Ord. XIV. Tentatrices, Probers, 61. Fam. XXXV. Tringinaa, Tringine Birds, 63. Fam. XXXVI. Totaninae, Totanine Birds, 85. Fam. XXXVII. Scolopacinae, Scolopacine Birds, 98. Ord. XV. Latitrices, Skulkers, 107. Fam. XXXVIII. Galiinulinae, Gallinuline Birds, 108. Ord. XVI. Aucupatrices, Stalkers, 120. Fam. XXXIX. Ardeinae, Ardeine Birds, 120. Fam. XL. Ibidinae, Ibidine Birds, 138. Ord. XVII. Cribratrices, Sifters, 143. Fam. XLI. Anserinae, Anserine Birds, 144. Fam. XLII. Anatinae, Anatine Birds, 160. Fam. XLIII. Fuligulinae, Fuliguline Birds, 175. Fam. XLIV. Meganserinae, Meganserine Birds, 192. Ord. XVIII. Urinatrices, Diyers, 198. Fam. XLV. Podicipinae, Podicipine Birds, 200. Fam. XLVI. Alcinae, Alcine Birds, 210. Fam. XLVII. Pelecaninae, Pelecanine Birds, 219. Ord. XIX. Mersatrices, Plungers, 226. Fam. XLVIII. Sterninae, Sternine Birds, 223. Fam. L. Larinae, Larine Birds, 237. Fam. LI. Procellarinas, Procellarine Birds, 258.