TADORNA RADJAH. 



{Radjah SMeld/rahe.^ 



Head, neck, upper portion of the wing, breast, and abdomen, pure white; back, scapularies, and a band across the chest, black, marked with 

 fine pencillings of chestnut — the latter color also adorns the outer edges of several of the tertiaries ; tail, black ; the greater wing coverts are 

 crossed by a broad line of black ; secondaries, for about two thirds of their length, shining metallic green, the remaining portion, white ; 

 primaries, deep black ; under tail coverts speckled with grey ; bill, whitish flesh color ; feet, salmon color ; nndes, straw color. 



Length, 22 inches ; wing, 11; bill, 2i; tail. Si; foot 2|-. 



This handsome and conspicuous species is found in immense flocks about the northern coast, and is by no means of uncommon 

 occurrence in the vicinity of Brisbane, which may be called its southern limit. It is not known to inhabit the interior, but occurs in various 

 islands of the Malayan Archipelago. Its usual habitat is mud flats and mangrove swamps on the banks of tidal rivers, and its food consists 

 for the most part of small shell-fish. The flesh is coarse, and of an unpleasant flavor. 



