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ON A SPECIES 



The full-grown male bird measures from tip of bill to tip of tail 

 upwards of twelve inches, whereof the tail to its roots, is seven. The 

 expanse of the wings is seventeen inches : when closed, and measured from 

 shoulder-tip to point of longest quill, the length is nine inches. Bill to 

 gape, is move than an inch long. The weight of the grown male is 

 1 oz. 7 or 8 dr. The head and bill are somewhat large, but not dis- 

 proportionately so ; and these parts, as well as the tongue and legs, 

 have an extremely corvine character. Except an oval spot of pure white 

 on each side the gape, the plumage is entirely black, richly glossed with 

 deep blue, which sometimes shews green, especially on the wings and 

 tail. The inner webs above, and whole inferior surfaces of the wings 

 and tail are unglossed — every where else the gloss prevails. The bill 

 and legs are pure black : the irides red brown. 



The female is nearly as large as the male. She differs from him in 

 not being so deeply coloured and glossed above ; and, in having the 

 upper and under tail coverts, the internal wing coverts, the sides of the 

 body, the breast, abdomen, and vent, spotted and shaded with white. 



The spots are very distinct on the inner wing coverts ; and the tail- 

 coverts have their tips distinctly white ; but upon the body beneath the 

 white is blended with the black, so as to form an iron-grey colour. 

 The thighs of the female are immaculate black, like those of the male. 



The young birds for some time resemble the female in plumage and 

 even after they are fully grown, the young males long continue to shew 

 more or less of white on their plumes, especially on the tail coverts. 

 A spot of white is often seen on their breasts, and often on the tips of the 

 tail feathers. 



