168 



BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



colour be observed on the breast. The true colour 

 of the eye could not with certainty be determined, 

 since the birds had been dead for some time before 

 I saw them ; but it appeared that the irides were 

 hazel and pupils black. The upper portions of the 

 plumage were of a dirty white colour, darker on the 

 back and scapulars, the under parts of a purer 

 white. All the quill-feathers with black shafts, 

 presenting a curious and very pretty appearance 

 when expanded. The first four quill-feathers white, 

 with dark brown tips, as follows : — First, with dark 

 brown stripe on outer web ; second, first half of outer 

 web brown, then white ; third and fourth outer webs 

 nearly all white. The first quill shortest ; the 

 second longest in the wing. The tail square and 

 white ; the legs black. The feet semi-palmated, 

 and with the under surface remarkably concave. 



The respective measurements of each were as 

 follows : — 



Both birds were in pretty good condition ; the 

 male being the plumper and heavier bird of the two. 



