140 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



Form, &c. — Bill considerably depressed ; wide at the base, gradually narrowing to the tip. 

 Upper mandible with convex sides, meeting in an obtuse ridge, the tip of which has a slight 

 notch on each side, and curves down, so as to form a small hook ; there is a raised central 

 line within. The lower mandible is flatly convex. Six strong bristles stand out above the 

 angle of the mouth ; and the nostrils, which are oval, are partly concealed by small bristles 

 and the projecting feathers of the forehead. The tips of the wings reach within an inch and 

 a quarter of the end of the tail. The second quill feather is the longest; the third is very 

 nearly equal to it ; the first is about two lines shorter than the second, and as much longer 

 than the fourth; the fifth, sixth, and seventh diminish successively a quarter of an inch each; 

 the tenth and the secondaries are about an inch and three-quarters shorter than the second ; 

 the second, third, and fourth have their outer webs obliquely narrowed ; and the first and 

 second have their inner webs very deeply and abruptly notched close to their tips ; the third 

 is less deeply notched. The secondaries are somewhat truncated and scolloped at the ends, 

 with a slight projection of their mid-ribs. The tail is long, and even at the end ; though, 

 from the inner webs of its feathers being broader than the outer ones, and more sloped away 

 at their ends, it appears slightly emarginated when fully spread. The hind toe is longer and 

 stronger than the outer or inner one, and its claw is of equal size with that of the middle toe. 



Dimensions. 



Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines. 



Length from the tip of the bill to the end of Length of the bill, measured along its ridge 8 



the tail 8 !) „ of the bill from the angle of the mouth 1 1 



„ of the tail .... 3 G ,, of the tarsus .... 9£ 



„ of the longest quill feather . . 4 ,, of the middle toe ... (i 



„ of the folded wing ... 4 10 „ of its claw 3 



The dimensions were the same in a considerable number of specimens. 

 The female has a narrow white tip to the tail, and a smaller orange-coloured 

 spot on the crown. This spot is altogether wanting in the young. 



