6REE]S T COTnrOTCAXT. 11 



erected and even bent forwards at the pleasure of the bird. 

 In some specimens it consists of only one, two, or three 

 plumes, but in others is much more developed, probably with 

 more mature age; their length upwards of two inches, and 

 bent forwards. In autumn and winter the crest is absent. 

 Crown, neck, and nape, rich dark bronze green, the plumage 

 of a silky texture. In some individuals a few white feathers 

 have been noticed. Chin and throat, rich dark green, the 

 pouch under the chin is yellowish green with specks of black; 

 breast, rich dark green, the plumage silky. Back on the 

 upper part, dark green, with purple, green, and bronze 

 reflections, the feathers narrowly edged at the tip with 

 black. 



The wings expand to the width of three feet eight or ten 

 inches; greater and lesser wing coverts, dark blackish green, 

 shewing reflections of purple, green, and bronze, the feathers 

 narrowly edged with velvet black. Primaries, black; second- 

 aries, black; tertiaries, black. The tail is short, wedge-shaped, 

 and black in colour. It contains twelve feathers; they are 

 strong and elastic, forming, as already noticed, a support for 

 the bird when on land. Legs and toes, dusky black; the 

 middle claw is serrated; webs, black. 



The female resembles the male, but is less in size; weight, 

 three pounds and a quarter; length, about two feet three 

 inches. 



The young bird is at first covered with black down, which 

 soon gives place to the regular plumage, namely, head, crown,, 

 neck, and nape, greyish black tinged with green; chin and 

 throat, white. Breast above, greyish brown, on the middle 

 and lower part greyish white, the sides dusky; back, brown, 

 tinged with dull green; the black edge to the feathers is wider 

 than in the old bird. The tail dusky, each feather edged 

 with pale grey, the tips white; upper tail coverts, dusky. 



Sir William Jardine mentions one of these birds which he 

 saw of a light grey appearance. A cream-coloured specimen 

 was shot off the coast of lona, in the summer of 1854, by. 

 Mr. Colin Mc'Vean; as Henry F. Wood, Esq., of Southfield 

 Square, Bradford, has obligingly sent me word. All such 

 occasional varieties pay the penalty of 'shewing false colours,' 

 and are sure to receive a shot. 



The engraving is from a figure made by John Gatcombe, 

 Esq., of Plymouth. Theodore Compton, Esq. has also obliged 

 me with a drawing of the bird. 



