NORTH AMERICA. 2-1 9 
feathers which fall down off the rump on each fide* 
are very long and iharp pointed, of a delicate tex- 
ture, and filky foftnefs; the beak is very long, ftraight 
and Iharp pointed ; the crown of the head bare of 
feathers, of a reddifti rofe colour, thinly barbed 
with fhort, fliff, black hair ; the legs and thighs are 
very long, and bare of feathers a great fpace above 
the knees: the plumage of this bird is generally 
of a pale a(h colour, with fhades or clouds of pale 
brown and Iky blue, the brown prevails on the 
ftioulders and back ; the barrels of the prime quill- 
feathers are long and of a large diameter, leaving 
a large cavity when extracted from the wing : all 
the bones of this bird have a thin fhell, and confe- 
quently a large cavity or medullary receptacle. 
When thefe birds move their wings in flight, their 
ftrokes are flow, moderate, and regular ; and even, 
when at a confiderable diftance or high above us, 
we plainly hear the quill-feathers, their fhafts and 
webs upon one another creak as the joints or 
working of a veflel in a tempeftuous fea. 
We had this fowl dreflfed for fupper, and it made 
excellent foup ; neverthelefs, as long as I can get 
any other neceflary food, I fhall prefer their feraphic 
muflc in the ethereal fkies, and my eyes and under- 
Handing gratifled in obferving their economy and 
focial communities, in the expanfive green favannas 
of Florida. 
Next morning we arofe early, and proceeding, 
gradually defcended again, and continued many 
miles along a flat, level country, over delightful 
green favannas, decorated with hommocks or iflets- 
of dark groves, confifting of Magnolia grand! flora, 
Morus tilia, Zanthoxylon, Lauras Borbonia, Side- 
roxylon, Quercus fempervirens, Halefia diptera, Cal- 
licarpa, Corypha palma, &c. There are always groups 
6 of 
