BIRDS OF KERGUELEN ISLAND. 



CniONlS MINOR, Hartl. 

 Lesser Sheath-bill. — "White Paddy" of iclialers. 



Chionis minor, Hartlaub, Rer. Zool. 1842, pi. 2, f. 2. 



Gray & Mitch., Gen. of B. iii, 1849, pi. 136. 

 SCHLEGEL, Haiidl. Dierk. pi. 5; De Dier. fig. p. 232. 



List of specimens, ivith measurements. 



Bill black and conical. On its upper surface a hood-shaped horny 

 sheath, turned upward at its extremity, and not at all " erectile" so far 

 as my observation extends (see Cuvier, An. King., CJiionis necropJiaga). 

 This sheath measures from 0.45 to 0.85 in different individuals, being 

 rather larger in the male than in the female. The nostrils are separate 

 and of large aperture. 



Eyelids pale-pink, whence the Chionis is often called by the sealers the 

 " sore-eyed pigeon ". A black caruncle extends from the base of the 

 sheath upward to the front of the eye, both in males and females 5 more 

 prominent in the former, and especially after the birds have paired. 



Iris purplish-black. 



Body entirely pure white. A scaly, black, blunt spine projects from 

 the carpal joint of the wing (in the male) 0.35 to 0.40. In the female, 

 this spur is represented only by a small knob, which is flesh-colored. 



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