22 THE DODO. 



incapable of running, with any degree of speed, 

 as flying : it may be pronounced the most in- 

 elegant, awkward, and clumsy-looking creature 

 of the whole feathered tribes. In size, it ex- 

 ceeds the turkey. The neck is thick and pursy ; 

 the body heavy, lumpish, and nearly cubical ; 

 the tail disproportioned, and not in the usual 

 place. The plumage is represented as being a 

 variegation of black and white, with a slight 

 mixture of yellow; the immense mandibles open 

 far back in the head, behind the eyes ; the up- 

 per one is black, except at the hook, where 

 there is a red spot ; the legs and feet are yel- 

 low, and the nails black ; the toes are four in 

 number, and one of them points backward. 

 The Dodo was formerly found in the Isle of 

 France ; but, for the last two centuries, not a 

 single individual of the race has been met with. 

 The Dutch called it Walgh Vogel, or the dis- 

 gusting bird ; as well on account of its ugly 

 figure as its offensive smell; the flesh, how- 

 ever, is said to have been palatable and whole- 

 some food. 



