48 KlUTISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



It is of the size of a Lapwing, its plumage becoming blacker 

 fiom the crown of the head to the tip of the tail, it is ash- 

 coloured on the belly, and snow-\\hite on the under side of the 

 tail. Its beak is almost as long as that of the Pigeon, but 

 broader and thicker. The upper part of the beak is of two 

 colours, the higher portion reaching from the eyes to the centre 

 is red and prominent, so that you might fanc}- a piece of wax 

 had been put on it, similar to that a\ ith A\hich we are wont to 

 seal our letters. But the remaining portion is green. The 

 skin of the legs and thighs is greenish, except that part where 

 the leg begins, which has a crimson circlet like a garter. Its 

 tail is bent over its back, like a little dog when running, and it 

 walks on the top of the waters. 



Swimming birds ^^dth side membranes extending from the 

 toes : — 



Fulica, the Coot. 



Chapter vi. 



Of web-footed birds, three-toed web-footed birds, or 

 those lacking the hinder claw : — 



Alka Hoieri* the Auk, the Scout of our country folk. It 

 is found on the island of Bass, its eggs are larger than 

 a hen's, and are marked with black sjjots, it is used for 

 food. [The Razorbill, cf. Willughby, p. 323.] 

 Lomwia of Hoierius, found on Fair Island. [Possibly the 

 Red-throated Diver.] 

 The Arctic Duck of Clusiusf of which a picture is given in 

 •our plates. [Plate 16 of the " Prodromus," according to the 

 Index. The figure in the Plate is that of the Puffin.] 



A bird called Columba Groenlandica, the Sea-Turtle Dove, 

 on the island of the Bass where it is called Turtur [the Black 

 Guillemot]. 



Four-toed web-footed birds, in Mhich all the toes are joined 

 together A\ith membranes : — 



Anser Bassanus, a picture of a young one and of the head 

 and foot of an adult is given in our plates. By our country- 

 man Boethius, it is said to be a species of Eagle [the Gannet]. 

 It is somewhat smaller than the common goose and much 

 fatter. It feeds on herrings, and its flesh when cooked retains 

 the flavour. The younger ones are ash-coloured, the old ones 

 white. The beak is very sharp, long, straight, and slightly 

 crooked at the point. The sides of both mandibles are slightly 



* Henry Hoier, or Hoierus, a learned man of Bergen, in Norway, and 

 & correspondent of Clusius. 



t Carolus Clusius (1526-1009) a famous botanist and author of 

 Exoticorunv libri decern, 1605. 



