399 
bill of tho Morillon with the female Golden-eye (a specimen of 
which I send you) and you will not only perceive a vast difference 
in the color and conformation of tho bill, but a still more striking 
feature, viz the placing of the nostril so remarkably forward, in tho 
Morillon, and the nail (the extremity of the bill) is neither so long 
nor so obtuse — and as to tho color of tho bill to which I attach much 
less import, is you will perceive, as opposite as black is to white. 
Tho color of tho legs too is very different. Tho female of the 
Golden-eyo has its bill precisely like that of the male in all respects, 
as I had an opportunity of comparing this female with a beautifully 
fine specimen of an old Golden-ei/c. Montagu observes that the 
trachea of the male Golden-eyo swells out into a huge labyrinth 
and I send you one which was taken from the bird 1 have just 
mentioned — how extraordinary it is that the female should not 
possess this same sort of trachea, for you will perceive that her 
trachea is a perfect cylinder. Bewick very accurately describes the 
Morillon and notices the nostrils being placed so forward. As you 
have not the first volume of Montagu I send it for you to look at. 
See him under Golden-eye, and Morillon. It is quite certain the 
Golden-eyo is a long time in attaining that beautiful plumage, and 
it is very seldom an old bird at least in his <jay plumage is killed. 
I havo written this hastily as I am obliged, or shall not be in time 
for coach Send my Montagu home soon if you please, and give 
mo your opinion about the Morillon. The Golden-eyes here the 
gunners call tho Rattle-wing, and the Morillon the Little Rattle- 
wing but they consider them distinct species. If you can, observe 
whether the Morillon is a male or female — because should it be a 
male : if it be a young Golden-eye it ought to be possessed of the 
labyrinth in the trachea, and I can feel that there is none, for you 
may feel it quito plain in the throat of an old bird. Therefore if 
this Morillon turns out to be a male, which I much suspect it will, 
it must be a distinct species.' 
Yrs very sincerely 
C. S. Girdlestoxe 
See Bewick on the Morillon 
Rkv° R. Lubbock 
