SURINAM FINFOOT. 23 



This species is the size of a Teal : length thirteen 

 inches : the beak is one inch and an eighth long, 

 and of a pale colour : irides red : the crown of the 

 head is black, and the feathers behind elongated into 

 a small crest : the head itself small ; and the neck 

 slender and long in proportion to the body : the 

 cheeks are of a bright bay : from the corner of each 

 eye is a line of white : the sides and hind part of the 

 neck longitudinally marked with lines of black and 

 white : wings, back, and tail dusky brown : the first 

 pretty large, reaching to within one inch of the tail 

 when closed : the tail is tipped with white, and is 

 wedge-shaped : the upper tail-coverts remarkably 

 long, giving the appearance of two tails, one above 

 another : breast and belly white : legs short, and 

 rather stout : all the four toes joined together by a 

 membrane * : the legs are of a pale dusky colour j and 

 the toes are barred with black. 



Inhabits Surinam ; and is chiefly seen on the sides 

 of rivers and creeks, feeding on small fish, as well as 

 insects, in the capture of which it is very dexterous, 

 scarcely ever missing its aim : it is a very active bird, 

 and is continually flitting its wings and tail. 



* This character assimilates the present species with the 

 Darters, if it be, as here stated, that all the toes are united. 



