AMERICAN COOT. 295 



four on each side ; claws of moderate length, slightly arched, much com- 

 pressed, acute, the middle one with a thin inner edge. 



Plumage very soft and blended, on the head and neck short. Wings 

 short, broad, rounded ; primaries curved, second longest, third little 

 shorter, first rather longer than sixth, all broad and rounded ; secondaries 

 broad, rounded with a minute tip, the inner elongated and tapering. Tail 

 very short, much rounded, of twelve weak rounded feathers ; the upper 

 and lower coverts nearly as long as the tail-feathers. 



Bill greyish-white, with a dusky spot on each mandible towards the 

 end ; frontal callosity white during life, brownish-red after death. Head 

 and neck greyish-black, the upper parts deep bluish-grey, with an oliva- 

 ceous tinge on the scapulars and inner secondaries. Quills greyish-brown, 

 darker towards the tips ; the edge of the wings, outer margin of first quill, 

 and tips of outer secondaries, white. Tail brownish-black ; lower tail- 

 coverts white. The breast and abdomen are light bluish-grey, the latter 

 paler, the sides darker ; the lower surface of the wings of the same dull 

 leaden tint. 



Length to end of tail ISig inches, to end of wings 14j\, to end of 

 claws 18| ; extent of wings 25 ; wing from flexure 7^ ; tail 2f ; bill along 

 the back 1^\, along the edge of lower mandible lj% ; bare part of tibia f ; 

 tarsus 2 ; middle toe 2^^, its claw ^^. Weight 1 lb. 



