PIED-BILLED DOBCHICK. 363 



teriorly scutellate, on the sides with large scutelliform scales, posteriorly 

 rough, with a double row of very small scales. Hind toe very small and 

 situated high; fourth toe longest, third a little shorter, second much 

 shorter ; anterior toes connected by webs, which beyond the second joint 

 are slit and rounded, the outer edges of the second and fourth furnished 

 with broad lobed membranes ; the lobes are marked with parallel grooves, 

 directed a little forwards. Claws of fore toes depressed, that of middle 

 toe resembling a human nail. 



Plumage blended, on the forehead with stiff enlarged shafts, as in the 

 Rails, on the back shining and rather hard, as well as on the lower part 

 of the neck anteriorly and laterally, on the rest of the lower parts glossy 

 and hair-like. Wings very small; primary quills curved, the second 

 longest, first slightly shorter, third longer than first; secondary short, 

 broad, rounded, the inner elongated and more tapering. Tail a slight 

 tuft of loose feathers. < 



Bill pale blue, upper mandible dusky along the ridge, and with the 

 lower having a black spot beyond the middle. Iris brown. Feet greyish- 

 black. Upper part of the head and the throat black ; neck and sides of 

 the head light greyish-brown, the stiff" edges of the feathers on the lower 

 part and sides of the neck greyish-yellow ; back brownish-black, as are 

 the inner secondaries ; the outer light brown, with a reddish-white spot 

 on the end of the inner web ; primaries light brown, dusky at the end. 

 The breast is silvery white, the abdomen bro^vnish-grey, and the sides 

 mottled with the same. 



Length to end of tail 14 inches, to end of wings 12, to end of claws 18 ; 

 extent of wings 23: wing from flexure 4y|; bill along the ridge ^| ; 

 along the edge of lower mandible 1^*^ ; tarsus l^^g ; middle toe 2, its 

 claw ^\. Weight 15 oz. 



Adult Female. Plate CCXLVIII. Fig. 2. 



The Female wants the black band on the bill ; but is in other respects 

 nearly similar to the male. Weight 13 oz. 



