OF THE TRUMPETER BIRD. 5^5 
descend considerably on the back, and near their extremi- 
ties partake of that rufous ash colour which has been by 
some ornithologists termed testaceous. 
The wings are short and concave. The spurious wing 
has four stout feathers. The primaries are 14, of a deep- 
brown colour, with blackish shafts; but they are nearly 
equalled by the ten secondary feathers, which are of a fine 
ash-grey, and, folding over the upper parts of the bird, 
give its back and rump this colour, when the wings are 
closed. The wing covers are black. 
The tail is short, consisting of ten black feathers, the 
longest of which do not exceed four inches. 
The feathers on the back, rump, and whole under parts 
of the bird, are black, long and narrow. The feathers de- 
scend on the legs to within \\ inch of the tarsal joint, com- 
monly called the knee of a bird. 
The tarsus is long and slender ; and the bone, though 
strong, breaks into many fragments when fractured. The 
legs and feet are covered by a dense skin, of a fine apple- 
green colour. The hind part of the tarsus is protected by 
large scales, which are clouded with deep brown spots. The 
inner toe is connected to the middle one, by a strong mem- 
brane extending to the first joint. The hind toe is rather 
small. The claws are blackish, incurved, compressed, and 
sharp ; the middle one, which, measured along its curva- 
ture, is fully half an inch in length, is slightly grooved on 
the inside of its lower surface, and has a sharp edge. 
The social habits of this bird made the living specimen 
a favourite with its owner. It often accompanied the 
different members of the family in their walks ; and, if any 
one attempted to avoid it by running, it speedily overtook 
the fugitive, aiding the action of its long legs by flapping 
its wings. It would eat from the hand, and readily fed on 
bread, boiled potatoes, or seeds ; but it seemed most eager 
