[ J 39 ] 
membrane, the extremity of which is black ; its an- 
terior part white, or lightly tinged with yellow ; the 
innermoft claw is of the fame lead colour with the 
leg, to the lad joint ; the middle claw only to the 
firft joint; and the outer claw has a very little lead 
colour upon it, but not to the firft joint. The ex- 
tremities of all the claws are black. The nails, which 
are fmall, are all black. The middle nail has a keen 
broad edge on its anterior fide. 
After fo long an account of this bird, as I have 
troubled you with, perhaps you may be ready to 
conclude, with the fame line, that Aldrovandus ends 
his obfervations upon the cepphus, 
Parturiunt montes, nafcitur ridiculus mus. 
But as my intention is good, I hope that will be 
accepted as an excufe, for the great pains I have put 
you to in reading fo long a letter ; and that I may 
be permitted to fubfcribe myfelf, 
S I R, 
Your mod; obedient 
humble fervant, 
D. Lyfons. 
T 2 
XXV. An 
