Note 415 — PART I.

See Plate XI. The description is as follows. From the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, 11½ inches; the breadth between the tips of the extended wings 23 inches; weight of the bird 4 ounces. The bill is somewhat more than an inch in length, the upper mandible being the longest, and a very little crooked at the extremity. From the upper part of the thigh to the extremity of the middle claw, is 7 inches. These long legs are bare of feathers from the middle of the thigh, and black. The claws are also black, three in number; of which the middle one is the longest, and is joined by a membrane to the outer claw. This bird has no back-claw.

The crown of the head is black; the neck white, except a streak of black, which is continued from the chin to the breast. The breast, with the greater part of the belly, is black; the feathers of the lower part of the belly and the thighs white. The back is of a mouse-colour. The tail is not forked, and about 4 inches in length; the half next to the body white, the other half black⁠[C]. The nine longest quill-feathers of the wings are black; the others white, but black at the tips; so that the whole lower part of the wing appears of that colour. The covert-feathers are of the same colour with the back⁠[D]. In the fore-part of each wing is a little sharp, straight, blackish horn, like a cock’s spur; below which for a little way the covert-feathers are white.

This bird is also found nigh the river Coic.

[C] The two outer feathers tipp’d with white.

[D] Seven of the outer covert-feathers black.