( 24 ) 



V. So?ne Account of the Tantalus Ephoiiski/ca, a rare American 

 Bird. By Benjamin Smith Barton, M.D. F.M.L.S. 



Read June 6, 1815. 



The annexed figure (Tab. I.) of a rare American bird, together 

 with those very few facts and circumstances which I have been 

 able to collect concerning the bird, may, I flatter myself, prove 

 acceptable to the Linncan Societ3\ It may be proper to observe, 

 that although the drawing, by my friend Mr. William Bartram, 

 has been in my possession for many years, no engraving has ever 

 been made from it. 



We know little or nothing of this bird, but what has been com- 

 municated to us by the ingenious gentleman just mentioned. I 

 here subjoin all that he has said concerning it. 



" There is inhabiting the low shores and swamps of this river*, 

 and the lakes of Florida, as well as Georgia, a very curious bird, 

 called by an Indian name, (Ephouskycaf,) which signifies in our 

 language the Crying Bird. I cannot determine what genus of Eu- 

 ropean birds to join it with. It is about the size of a large domes- 

 tic hen. All the body, above and beneath, is of a dark lead co- 

 lour, every feather edged or tipped with white, which makes the 

 bird appear speckled on a near view : the eye is large, and placed 

 high on the head, which is very prominent : the bill or beak is 



* The St. Juan, in East Florida. 



t " Tantalus piclus." In another parf of his work (p. 293.) Mr. Bartram mentions 

 our bird by the same name. 



five 



