LONG-LEGGED AVOSET. 



51 



some of them may winter in that and other of the West India 

 islands. 



Mr. Pennant observes that this bird is not a native of north- 

 ern Europe; and there have been but few instances where it has 

 been seen in Great Britain. It is common, says Latham, in Egypt, 

 being found there in the marshes in October. It is likewise plen- 

 tiful about the salt lakes ; and is often seen on the shores of the 

 Caspian sea, as well as by the rivers which empty themselves into 

 it, and in the southern deserts of Independent Tartary. The same 

 author adds, on the authority of Ray, that it is known at Madrass 

 in the East Indies. 



All the figures and descriptions which I have seen of this cu- 

 rious bird, represent the bill as straight, and of almost an equal 

 thickness throughout, which I have never found so in any of the 

 numerous specimens I have myself shot and examined. Many 

 of these accounts, as well as figures, have been taken from dried 

 and stuffed skins, which give but an imperfect and often erroneous 

 idea of the true outlines of nature. The dimensions, colors and 

 markings of a very beautiful specimen, newly shot, were as follow. 



Length from the point of the bill to the end of the tail four- 

 teen inches, to the tips of the wings sixteen; extent twenty-eight 

 inches; bill three inches long, slightly curved upwards, tapering 

 to a fine point, the upper mandible rounded above, the whole of a 

 deep black ©olor; nostrils an oblong slit, pervious; tongue short, 

 pointed; forehead, spot behind the eye, lower eyelid, sides of the 

 neck and whole lower parts pure white ; back, rump and tail co- 

 verts also white, but so concealed by the scapulars as to appear 

 black; tail even, or very slightly forked, and of a dingy white; the 

 vent feathers reach to the tip of the tail below ; line before the eye, 

 auricular s, back part of the neck, scapulars and whole wings deep 

 black, richly glossed with green; legs and naked thighs a fine pale 

 carmine; the latter measures three, the former four inches and 

 a half in length, exceedingly thin, and so flexible that they may 



