614 GAVIA MINUTA. 



(total) from ])oint of hill to end of tail 10^ inches, of bill 

 ahove J^, of hill to rictus l-pj ; of Aving from carpus 9-^; of 

 tarsus 1 ; of middle toe exclusive of nail 1. ' Forehead, 

 cheeks, and a [small] space behind the eyes pure white ' 

 (Jenyns, p. 271). All the under plumage of a beautiful 

 roseate tint ; a spot at the anterior angle of the eye black ; 

 occiput, nape, and ear-coverts dark grey of different shades, 

 darkest or blackish-gr-cy on ear-coverts ; upper part of the 

 body and wings pale bluish-ash ; plumes beautifully firm in 

 texture, so as to exhibit a uniform mass of one tint ; primaries 

 and secondaries * broadly tipped with white ; inside of wings 

 deep blackish-grey ;' tail pure white ; bill black ; inside 

 mouth dull orange ; sides black, with brownish tinge; tarsi, 

 toes, and webs of feet, both on upper and under side, of the 

 same uniform hue of pale salmon-colour. Its weight rather 

 exceeded 3^ oz." 



Adult in Summer. — " The whole head, and the upper 

 part of the neck, enveloped by a black hood ; a white crescent 

 behind the eyes ; part of the lower neck, and all the lower 

 parts, roseate - white ; rump and tail pure white; back, 

 scapulars, and the entire wing of a pure and very pale bluish- 

 grey ; the primaries grey, and, Avith the secondaries, tipped 

 with white ; bill of a very deep lake-red ; iris deep brown ; 

 feet crimson. Length eleven inches five lines." — Tem- 



MINCK. 



Habits. — Should one assert that this bird lives upon 

 small fishes and Crustacea, it is probable that actual observa- 

 tion would ultimately confirm his conjecture. M. Temminck 

 feeds it with insects and worms. Scarcely anything of 

 importance, however, respecting its habits seems to be known. 

 Russia, Siberia, the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean, the 

 Swiss lakes, and the Baltic, are mentioned as included in its 

 distribution. As a British bird, it was first described and 

 figured by Montagu, from an individual in its first Avinter 

 plumage, shot on the Thames, near Chelsea. Several indi- 

 viduals have since been obtained in various parts of England, 

 from CornAvall and Devonshire to the mouth of the Tyne. 



