2 Mr. Burton on the Natural History and Anatomy 



foot five inches ; length from the tip of the beak to that of the 

 tail, three feet. 



The average weight of the bird with its plumage, is about two 

 pounds twelve ounces ; without plumage, two pounds two ounces. 



The predominating colour is black ; but the back of the male 

 is inclined to a glossy-green, similar to that of the common black 

 cock. The plumage of the female is more dusky ; and she dif- 

 fers from the male in having the abdomen and nearly the whole 

 of the head white. The eye and parts immediately surrounding- 

 it are black. The beak is of a dirty-yellowish white. The feet 

 of the male are black ; those of the female, of a blueish-white. 



The beak is of great strength, and not less than four inches 

 and a half in length ; both the upper and lower mandibles are 

 curved sharply downwards towards the point. Like all the birds 

 of this genus it has a superficial linear fissure on each side of 

 the upper mandible ; and in the mouth are two large longitudi- 

 nal slits or openings in the palate, near its centre. The tongue 

 is also of the same nature as that of the Pelicans in general, very 

 small and thin, forming an irregular triangle in shape, and it's 

 greatest length not more than the third of an inch ; it is situated 

 far back in the mouth, immediately above the opening of the 

 trachea. The neck is considerably longer than that of most other 

 birds of the same genus. The male bird is further distinguished 

 from the female by a large fleshy bag or sac placed under the 

 throat, of a bright-red colour, and in its flaccid state putting on 

 a granulated appearance : when distended it is smooth, and en- 

 larges to the size of a hen's egg. The use of this appendage is 

 somewhat difficult to be understood ; but the fact, that when the 

 bird is at rest the bag is totally flaccid, and when it rises into the 

 air is immediately distended, (which from the heaviness of its 

 flight can be distinctly seen,) renders it most probable that it is 

 then filled with air, and assists in supporting the upper parts of 



the 



