BIRD OF WASHINGTON. 65 



jecting and bare on tlie edge. Wings long, fmirtli and fifth quills 

 longest, the first considerably shorter. Tail of ordinary length, rounded, 

 of the same length as the closed wing, and consisting of twelve broad 

 acute feathers. Tarsus feathered one-third down. 



Bill bluish-black, brownish at the tip of the upper mandible, and 

 along the greater part of the under ; yellowish at the edges of the lower. 

 Cere greenish-yellow. Lore of the same colour. Iris darkish brown. 

 Head and hind neck dark brown, the latter still marked with white. 

 Fore neck and breast brownish white, longitudinally marked with deep 

 brown. Upper parts in general pale brown, spotted with deeper, some of 

 the scapulars glossed with purple. I^ower back white, the tips umber. 

 Tail-coverts brownish-grey. Base, outer webs and tips of tail-feathers 

 deep bro^vn ; inner webs and part of outer near the tip brownish-white. 

 Belly pale brown spotted with umber. Primaries brownish-black, secon- 

 daries greyish-brown. 



Length 3 feet, extent of wings 6 feet 9 inches ; bill 3i inches along 

 the back, I^ deep. 



All circumstances duly considered, the Bird of Washington stands 

 forth as the champion of America, sui speciei, and henceforth not to be 

 confounded with any of its rivals or relatives. If ornithologists are 

 proud of describing new species, I may be allowed to express some 

 degree of pleasure in giving to the world the knowledge of so majestic 

 a bird. 



£ 



