388 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



by white. Tail, and most of its upper coverts, dark brown with 

 pale borders. Two long central upper coverts, vent, and under 

 coverts, black ; the latter bordered with white. A lateral streak on 

 the upper part of the neck, the sides and front of its lower part, the 

 breast, and belly, white. The posterior part of the abdomen minutely 

 marked with grey. Feet blackish-grey. The bill as long as the 

 head, black, the sides of the upper mandible bluish-grey ; it is con- 

 siderably higher than wide at the base ; the upper mandible of 

 equal breadth to the point. The middle pair of tail coverts have 

 long slender points projecting 2^ inches beyond the tail. 



The tracheal dilatation, a small osseous sac, the size of a hazel 

 nut. 



The female is smaller than the male, the upper plumage brownish- 

 black, with a spot on each side of the shaft, and borders of reddish- 

 white. The middle coverts are not prolonged beyond the tail ; the 

 barred feathers of the flanks are wanting, and the mirror (or wing 

 spot) is destitute of the green gloss. Its total length is about 21 

 inches ; the extent of the wings 29. 



In young birds the general plumage is similar with that of the fe- 

 male, but still plainer and paler. In a young male the head is pale 

 ferruginous with brown streaks ; the scapulars are sparingly spotted 

 and edged with white and yellowish-white. The speculum is wholly 

 wanting ; but the secondaries are deep dusky faintly clouded with pale 

 brown and broadly edged with white. The bill is brownish-black. 



