22 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
half an inch, and the third by a quarter of an inch; 
secondaries, very broad and rounded, some of the inner 
rather pointed. ‘Tail, very short, graduated, of twenty- 
four stiffish, moderately broad, pointed feathers, of 
which the middle exceeds the lateral by 2 1-4 inches. 
Bill and feet, black; the outer edges of the lower 
mandible and the inside of the mouth yellowish flesh 
color. The plumage is pure white, excepting the upper 
part of the head, which varies from brownish red to 
white, apparently without reference to age or sex; 
length to end of tail 68 inches; bill along the ridge 
4 7-12ths iiches; from the eye to the tip 6. 
In the winter, the young has the bill black, with the 
middle portion of the ridge to the length of 8 1-2 light 
flesh color, and a large elongated patch of light, dim 
purple on each side; the edge of the lower mandible 
and the tongue dull, yellowish flesh color. The eyes 
dark brown. The feet dull yellowish brown tinged with 
olive; the claws brownish black; the webs blackish 
brown. The upper part of the head and cheeks are 
light reddish brown, each feather having toward its 
extremity a small oblong whitish spot, narrowly mar- 
gined with dusky ; the throat nearly white, as well as 
the edge of the lower eyelid. The general color of the 
other parts is grayish white, slightly tinged with yellow: 
the upper part of the neck marked with spots similar 
to those on the head. Length to end of tail 52 1-2 
inches ; extent of wings, 91; weight, 19 lbs. 80z. The 
bird is very poor. 
In the Western States this noble bird is almost extinct; 
