BROWN PTARMIGAN. I7I 



its diameter in the duodenal or upper portion is five-twelfths, 

 and diminishes very little, so that at the coeca it is still four- 

 twelfths. The rectum. Fig. 2, &, c^ is of the same diameter at 

 its upper part, and is but slightly enlarged below. It has a 

 slight flap or valve at its commencement, and is separated in 

 the same manner from the cloaca, which is about a quarter of 

 an inch long. The coeca, Fig. 2, ^, d, ^,/, ^, /^ are twenty-nine 

 and a half inches long, and are convoluted along the intestines 

 for seven inches ; their greatest diameter is half an inch, and for 

 four inches at the base it is only three-twelfths. The inner coat 

 of the intestine in its whole length is raised into minute undula- 

 tions running in transverse series, and delicately villous. For 

 two inches above the coeca it is covered with pretty large papillae 

 disposed in longitudinal series, the lower being larger and form- 

 ing a transverse line or valve on the level of the orifices of the 

 coeca, which open obliquely. The narrow part of the coeca is 

 cellular, the rest marked with seven longitudinal rugae, which 

 are minutely villous. The inner surface of the rectum is co- 

 vered with distinct mucous crjq^ts, which pour out a large 

 quantity of fluid, and is marked with several longitudinal 

 rugJE. 



The eyes are of moderate size ; the eyelids feathered ; over 

 the upper is a semilunar papillate space, having its upper mar- 

 gin fringed and free ; the length of this membrane is ten- 

 tw^elfths, its height five-twelfths. The nostrils are oblong, in 

 the fore part of the nasal membrane, and concealed by the 

 small rounded feathers with which it is covered. The exter- 

 nal aperture of the ear is roundish, three-twelfths in diameter, 

 surrounded by a thick margin beset with feathers. 



The legs are short and strong; the tarsus covered with 

 feathers, as are the toes on their upper surface and sides. The 

 first toe is extremely short, the third longest, the fourth a little 

 longer than the second ; all tuberculate and reticularly granu- 

 late beneath; the anterior webbed at the base, and havinof 

 three conspicuous terminal scutella. The claws are rather 

 long, arched, depressed, with sloping sides, thin edges, and 

 obtuse tips. The number of scutella that may be clearly 

 traced is on the several toes, three, five, nine, and six. 



