LONG-LEGGED AVOSET. 221 



Mr. Pennant observes that this bird is not a native of northern 

 Europe; and there have been but few instances where it has 

 been seen in Great Britain. It is common, says Latham, in 

 Egypt, being found there in the marshes in October. It is like- 

 wise plentiful about the salt lakes; and is often seen on the shores 

 of the Caspian sea, as well as by the rivers which empty them- 

 selves into it; and in the southern deserts of independent Tartary. 

 The same author adds, on the authority of Ray, that it is known 

 at Madrass in the East Indies. 



All the figures and descriptions which I have seen of this 

 curious bird, represent the bill as straight, and of almost an 

 equal thickness throughout, which I have never found so in 

 any of the numerous specimens I have myself shot and exami- 

 ned. Many of these accounts, as well as figures, have been ta- 

 ken from dried and stuffed skins, which give but an imperfect? 

 and often erroneous, idea of the true outlines of nature. The 

 dimensions, colours and markings, of a very beautiful specimen, 

 newly shot, were as follow: 



Length from the point of the bill to the end of the tail four- 

 teen inches, to the tips of the wings sixteen; extent twenty- 

 eight inches; bill three inches long, slightly curved upwards, 

 tapering to a fine point, the upper mandible rounded above, the 

 whole of a deep black colour; nostrils an oblong slit, pervious; 

 tongue short, pointed; forehead, spot behind the eye, lower eye- 

 lid, sides of the neck, and whole lower parts, pure white; back, 

 rump and tail-coverts, also white, but so concealed by the sca- 

 pulars as to appear black; tail even, or very slightly forked, 

 and of a dingy white; the vent feathers reach to the tip of the 

 tail below; line before the eye, auriculars, back part of the 

 neck, scapulars, and whole wings, deep black, richly glossed 

 with green ; legs and naked thighs a fine pale carmine; the latter 

 measure three, the former four inches and a half in length, ex- 

 ceedingly thin, and so flexible, that they may be bent consid- 

 erably without danger of breaking. This thinness of the leg 

 enables the bird to wade with expedition, and without fatigue. 

 Feet three-toed, the outer toe connected to the middle one by 



