WHITE SHEATHBILL. 
and generally of a reddish colour (sometimes brown, 
white, or pale blue) : claws black. The young birds 
want the papillae round the eyes, or have them very 
indistinct. 
This very singular and remarkable bird inhabits 
New Zealand, Kerguelen*s Land, Staaten Land, and 
other parts of the southern hemisphere, frequenting 
the sea shores in flocks, feeding on mollusca and car- 
rion, which latter makes their flesh highly offensive, 
though some persons pronounce it to be equal in 
flavour to that of the duck ; while others could not 
venture to taste it, on account of its abominable 
offensive smell, even when pressed by hunger. 
It was discovered during the voyage of our cele- 
brated circumnavigator Cook. 
