26 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



and the bases of the toes, are reticulated. Part of the first phalanges, and all the other joints 

 of the toes, are scutellated above. The middle toe is the longest ; the lateral toes are next to 

 it in length ; and the hind toe is the shortest, but has the largest claw. The middle and outer 

 toes are connected by a short membrane. The claws are strong, sharp, and much curved. 



Dimensions 

 Of the male. 



Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines. 



Length from the tip of the hill to the end Length of the bill from the anterior margin 



of the tail ..... 14 of the orbit to its tip ... 1 3 



„ of the bill, measured on the ridge 1 ,, of the tarsus .... 1 9 



„ „ from the angle of the ,, of the middle toe ... 2 2 



mouth ..... 1 1^ „ of the middle claw ... 9 



An old female, from the same locality, has the dorsal aspect more dull, and a buff-coloured 

 breast, with some central dark streaks on the feathers. It is larger than the male. 



Dimensions 

 Of the female. 



Length (total) 18 Length of the middle toe ... 2 2 



„ of the tarsus .... 2 4 „ of the middle claw ... 7 



An immature bird, also from the same locality, has the feathers on the dorsal aspect nar- 

 rowly bordered with a dull rust-colour, which, on the head, prevails over the blackish-brown. 

 The tail is of a deep hair-brown, and is tipped with white, the outer webs being marked with 

 seven round spots, and the inner ones with as many bars of a pale reddish-brown colour : 

 there are no spots on the exterior web of the outer feather. The inner coverts of the wings, and 

 under surface of the tail, are transversely barred with buff-colour. The whole ventral aspect 

 is white, with a large oblong liver-brown mark in the centre of each feather. There are fewer 

 spots on the throat, and more on the flanks, than elsewhere ; but they are nearly of equal size 

 on these parts and on the belly and thighs. 



Length (total) 



,, of the tarsus 





Dimensions 









Of the young bird. 







7 



6 Length of the middle toe 



. 2 



3 



1 



9 ,, of the middle claw . 







9 



