78 HIMANTOPUS NIGRICOLLIS. 



food, which they scoop up very dexterously with thoir 

 delicately formed bills. On beiujr wounded while in 

 the water, they attempt to escape by diving, at which 

 they are by no means expert. In autumn their flesh is 

 tender, and well tasted. They seldom raise more than 

 one brood in the season, and depart for the south early 

 in September. As they are well known in Jamaica, it 

 is probable some of them may winter in that and other 

 of the West India islands. 



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. lit is likewise plentiful 

 about the salt lakes, and is often seen on the shores 

 of the Caspian sea, as well as by the rivers which 

 empty themselves into it, and in the southern deserts 

 of Independent Tartary. The same author adds, on the 

 authority of Ray, that it is known at Madras in the 

 East Indies. 



All the figures and descriptions which I have seen 

 of this curious bird, represented 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 examined. Many of these 

 accounts, as well as figures, have been taken 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 beau- 

 tiftil specimen, newly shot, were as follow : 



Length, from the point of the bill to the end of the 

 tail, fourteen inches, to the tips of the wiu^s, .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 

 eyelid, sides of the neck and whole lower parts, pure 

 white ; back, nimp, and tail-coverts, also white, but so 

 concealed by the scapulars as to appear black ; tail, 



