ORNITHOLOGY IN 1850. 
appearance; on the lower part of the neck and back, new lanceo- 
late feathers are appearing of the dark bright reflected green of 
A. virescens, bordered with a clear narrow pale margin. Some of 
the scapulars are coming in of the same colours, and we have little 
doubt, that the whole back, when in a perfect state, will exhibit this 
plumage. The seapulars are broad but lengthened, reaching nearly 
to the rump; the secondaries are long, slightly exeeeding the quills, 
and at the ends pliant and hanging over; the quills are heron-like, 
the third longest, and are of that opaque (both above and below) gray 
so peculiar in the family; extreme tips of quills black; the entire 
wing is that of a heron, but with an infusion of crane-like structure 
in the secondaries and covers. ‘The tail exhibits nothing peculiar, is 
square and as in the Herons, it indicates by the young feathers that 
it would also be of the dark green colour of the adult upper part. 
Underneath, the plumage does not present any peculiarities; but 
upon the breast where the feathers are lanceolate, we have many new 
ones appearing, haying a dark centre and broad pale edges, which 
would exhibit a more variegated plumage when perfected than that 
which now clothes it. . 
The very extraordinary bill which has influenced Mr. Gould in his 
views of its affinity, slightly recedes upon the forehead, the mandible 
has a very strong central keel, projecting in the fore part upo” the 
inside of the palate, and terminating by a very powerful hook, 
evidently intended as a formidable weapon in seizing its prey. The 
sides of this part are dilated, and though externally showing 1° 
inequality, are found on the inside to be strengthened by 4 strong 
eleyated rib, bordering each side a short distance from the edge. 
The nostrils are high, nearly close to the edge of the keel, 
covered with a membrane or skin, not situate in the groove by He 
side of the keel as in the Pelicanide; a bare space extends from 
the base to’ the anterior edge of the eye, and to the gape. me 
maxilla is formed of two powerful rami, the cutting edges shea 
ing in the mandible. ‘The tongue unfortunately had been remoy” 
The wide space between the rami of the maxilla would seem at * 
to indicate a pouch; but we do not perceive or consider that there 
is any, or any power of dilitation or distention beyond what We" 
be warranted by their wide form, certainly none such as We de 
in the true pelicans, or in Sula or Carbo. In the true Eehiow 
n 
also, the opening of the larynx is far advanced upon the palate, ! 
12 
