AFBICAN ^VATE1{-F0^\X. 



The iippciirauce of this bird is very I'ciiuirkablc. Our kiiowlcdf^e of it is due lo'llic 

 iudffaligablc exertions of JNIr. CJould. AVith its manners wc liavc yet io make an 

 acquaintance. In some respects it will remind the ornitholocrist of llie singular-Ionkin^- 

 bird called the ]>oatbiII. 



The end of the beak and the form of the feet resemble those of the Dodo. The l)eak of 

 the JJaheniccjJ'i licr is formed like a .spoon, and is very large; it is yellow in the male, and 

 red-brown in the female. The crest is convex, and teiminates in a hook at the 

 extremity ; it is of a light brown colour, which gradually changes to yellow as it 

 approaches the bill. The nostrils are long. The middle of the lower jaw is membraneous. 

 The skin surrounding the eyes is of a yellow colour, and (juile free from hair. The eyes 

 are of a clear giayisli brown. The feet are very long, and covered with fine scales, whidi 

 distinguish this bird from other water-fowl, whose feet are generally covered with large 

 and coarse scales. The general colour of the bird is gray, lighter upon the back and feet 

 than at other parls of the body. The feathers at tlie baik of the head are long and of u 

 peculiar form. The tail of the bird resembles that of the .labiru of America. It 

 inhabits the marshy districts of Africa, and subsists ujKin llic fish and small reptiles 

 which there abound. 



• Uiila'niceiJN Hc.\. 



