54 HALIAETUS ALBICILLA. 



compact, distinct, ovate, rather obtuse, the posterior 

 ones more elongated ; on the belly they are soft, 

 downy, and with the plumule as large and tufty as the 

 feather. The tarsi, which are feathered for one-third 

 of their length, have seven scutella, with twelve infe- 

 rior series of scales ; the middle toe with thirteen scu- 

 tella. The wings, which when closed are of equal 

 length with the tail, are very long and broad, the fourth 

 and fifth quills longest, the second and third equal, and 

 nearly as long, the first of moderate length ; the first, 

 second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth abruptly cut out 

 on the inner webs ; the primaries tapering towards the 

 end, the secondaries broad and broadly rounded. Tlie 

 tail is rather short, broad, and rounded, of twelve broad 

 acute feathers. 



The cere and bill are pale pnmrose-yellow ; the iris 

 bright yellow ; the tarsi and toes gamboge ; the claws 

 bluish-black. The general colom* of the head, neck, 

 breast, back, and upper wing-coverts, is pale greyish- 

 brown, the hind part of the back passing into wood- 

 bro\\Ti ; the belly and legs are chocolate-brown, as are 

 the lower tail-coverts and rump-feathers, some of the 

 upper tail-coverts being white. The primary quills 

 and alula are blackish brown ; the base of the primaries 

 and the greater part of the secondaries tinged with 

 ash-grey. The tail is white, but a small portion of its 

 base is deep brown. 



Length 3 feet, extent of wings 6 feet 6 inches; bill 

 Bl inches along the back, 2^ to the tip of the lower man- 

 dible, 11 in depth ; tarsus 4, middle toe and claw 5t-o. 



FfiRiALE, — The female differs in no perceptible de- 



