193 



tip; cere black; plumage deep brown, edged with 

 rust colour; the under parts are lighter; the legs 

 and toes are covered with black scales ; the claws are 

 strong and hooked, the inner one more so than the 

 rest. 



Length 2 feet. 



This species is a bird of prey, devouring all the 

 smaller species of water-birds, and even young lambs. 



It is found in Orkney. 



7. PARASIT1CUS. URCTICGULL.FEASER.OR 



) LONG-TAILED LABBE. 



CREPIDATUS, - BOAT - 



L. supra niger, collo pectore el dbdomine albis, rec- 

 tricibus duabus inter mediis lonyissimis. Lath. 



The bill is dusky, hooked, and furnished with a 

 cere ; the head is black ; the back, wings and tail 

 dusky ; beneath white ; the tail of twelve feathers ; 

 the two middle ones are four inches longer than the 

 others ; the legs are black and scaly. 



The female is entirely dark brown, the two middle 

 tail-feathers two inches longer than the others. 



Var. head, neck and throat buff colour ; the legs 

 are yellowish. 



The female composes her nest of dry grass, and 

 lays eggs of a light brown colour, marked irregularly 

 with dark brown blotches. 



c c 



