92 NATURAL HISTORY OF KERGUELEN ISLAND. 



tiou of the feathers is 0.70. As already stated, the sheath is continuous 

 structurally with this carnncuhir fold, the epidermal tissue of the latter 

 losing its follicles and assuming a horny structure at the wide angle be- 

 tween the forehead and bill. In appearance the structure is strongly sug- 

 gestive of the irontal papillose casque borne by the turkey* {Meleagris). 

 Opposite the central concavity in the sinuous border of the side-flap of 

 the hood appears, uncovered by the sheath, about half the aperture of 

 the nostril, oval in outline, with its long axis nearly parallel with, but in- 

 clining slightly toward, the rictus. The nostrils are pervious. The eye- 

 lids are thickened and everted, during life of a pale pink, whence the 

 name " sore-eyed pigeon." Iris, dark-brown to black. 



The body is full and heavy. When at rest the head is withdrawn 

 toward the body and the tarsi are nearly concealed by the plumage. 

 Plumage universally pure white, remarkably soft and downy. "After- 

 shaft" of body-feathers distinct and soft, measuring rather more than 

 half the length of the main shaft.* Wing primaries 10; first three 

 about of the same length, the second being, perhaps, a trifle the 

 longest. The inner remiges equal the longest primaries. Tail slightly 

 rounded, spreading widely in flight. Eectrices 12, inner and outer 

 vanes of nearly equal width, innermost being rather the wider. 



Tibia is naked for 0.40 inch, but covered to below the joint by 



extremities of feathers. Tarsus is pale flesh-color, 1.70 inch ; stout, 



flattened on its internal surface; narrower posteriorly than anteriorly; 



covered by prominent hexagonal scales, which merge gradually into 



scutelUitions on the toes anteriorly. Middle toe measures 1.5, longest 



claw 0.45 inch. A strong and distinct row of marginal scales fringes 



each toe, and a small web connects bases of third and fourth toes. 



First toe j)laced at the inner side of tarsus, distinctly above the level 



of the rest, and with its und^r surface directed externally. Claws 



strong, stout, blunt, convex above, concave and deeply grooved 



beneath ; black above, pale horn-whitish below. Joints stout and 



large. 



DISSECTION. 



MUSCLES OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY. 



Pecforalis major arises from external border of clavicle in its whole 

 length excepting its coracoid enlargement; from the whole length of 



* This extension of the caruncular casque across the forehead, being hidden by feath- 

 ers, has, we believe, never before been noticed, previous descriptions having mentioned 

 only the obviously naked strip along the eye. 



