182 NEW SPECIES 



the huge bill and comparatively small head and neck : but, on the other 

 hand, its erection — from the scanty set, and separated web, of the fea- 

 thers — exposes the coarse nasty skin of the neck. The rump is, I think, 

 considerably more hardened and flattened beneath than that of other 

 birds ; and the reason of this peculiarity, and of the shortened tarsi, would 

 seem to be to allow the bird to rest its weight upon the rump and tarsi : 

 for the vast size of the bill probably disturbs the equilibrium, and will not 

 permit this bird to perch at ease, as other birds do, with legs straightened 

 and resting on the fppt. 



, . • . ' • 



The colour of the plumage has already been stated in a summary 

 way. It is fitting, however, to be more particular on that head. The 

 discomposed wiry feathers of the head, neck, and body beneath, are per- 

 fect black : the remainder of the plumage, or that of the entire back, 

 wings and tail (with the exceptions to be immediately noted,) also black, 

 but reflecting, with the aid of a strong light, a deep blue gloss, and some- 

 times, but seldomer, a deep green one. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and 

 seventh quills of the wings, for about three inches from their points up- 

 wards, are pure white; and so, likewise, is the terminal third and more 

 of the tail. The naked skin round the eyes and base of the bill is of a 

 rich light blue: the bag depending from the throat, bright scarlet. 

 Of the eyes, the irides are red, the pupils black. The bill is white, with 

 a greenish yellow tinge, and the ribs of the upper mandible black. The 

 feet are dark brown, approaching to black. The figure of the bird is in- 

 finitely various in various attitudes. The familiar posture is a squat, 

 with the neck feathers ruffled out, the neck retracted within the high 

 shoulders of the wings, and the tail frequently erected like a magpie's, 

 at other times dropped ; and in this attitude the bird has a very stupid 

 and clumsy appearance. When it raises itself on its feet, puts its neck 



partially 



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