COMMON GANNET. 407 



semicii-cular thickened rim above, and a two-lobed valve 

 below, having a similar thickened margin. The intestine is 

 five feet five inches long, its width in the duodenal portion 

 seven-twelfths, diminishing to four-twelfths. The coeca, 

 which are placed at the distance of five inches and a half from 

 the anus, are half an inch in length. The intestine is 

 arranged in seven double folds, lying obliquely, and gradually 

 diminishing. 



The nostrils are completely closed, their places being only 

 indicated by some rugse. The eyes of moderate size. The 

 apertures of the ears very small, being only two-twelfths in 

 diameter. The feet short, strong ; the tibiae concealed ; tar- 

 sus very short, rounded before, sharp behind, covered at its 

 upper part anteriorly with roundish flat scales, elsewhere with 

 very small oblong tubercles ; anteriorly, three lines of small 

 transversely-oblong scutella run down to be continued on the 

 toes. The first toe rather small, directed inwards and for- 

 wards ; the third toe longest, but the fourth almost equal ; 

 the membranes full, minutely tuberculate. Claws mode- 

 rate, slightly arched, the third with its inner side inciso- 

 serrate. 



Plumage close, compact ; on the head and neck rather 

 long and blended. Wings long, very narrow, acute ; pri- 

 maries strong, tapering rapidly to a rounded point; the first 

 longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries very short, 

 rather broad, rounded with a minute tip. Tail rather long, 

 graduated, of twelve straight, stiff" feathers, those in the 

 middle acute, the rest moderately rounded. 



Bill pale bluish grey, the lines on the upper mandible 

 blackish-blue, as are the bare spaces about the eyes, and that 

 on the throat. Iris bluish-white. Feet deep brown, the lines 

 of scutella apple-green ; the claws bluish horn-colour. The 

 general colour of the plumage is white ; the head and hind 

 neck pale reddish-yellow ; alula, prim.aries, and first second- 

 ary brownish-black, their shafts white toward the base. 



Length to end of tail 36 inches ; extent of wings 70 ; 

 wing from flexure 20 ; bill along the ridge 4, along the edge 

 of lower mandible 6 ; tarsus 2^ ; first toe and claw 1^ ; 

 middle toe and claw 4f . 



