LONG-LEGGED AVOSET. 
343 
they are well known in Jamaica, it is probable some of them 
may winter in that and other of the West India islands. 
Mr Pennant observes, that this bird is not a native of 
northern Europe ; and there have been but few instances 
where it has been seen in Great Britain. It is common, says 
Latham, in Egypt, being found there in the marshes in Octo- 
ber. It is likewise plentiful about the salt lakes, and is often 
seen on the shores of the Caspian Sea, as well as by the rivers 
which empty themselves into it, and in the southern deserts of 
Independent Tartary. The same author adds, on the autho- 
rity of Ray, that it is known at Madras in the East Indies. 
All the figures and descriptions which I have seen of this 
curious bird, represent the bill as straight, and of almost an 
equal thickness throughout, but I have never found it so in 
any of the numerous specimens I have myself shot and 
examined. Many of these accounts, as well as figures, have 
been taken from dried and stuffed skins, which give but an 
imperfect and often erroneous idea of the true outlines of 
nature. The dimensions, colours, and markings, of a very 
beautiful specimen, newly shot, were as follows : — 
Length, from the point of the bill to the end of the tail, 
fourteen inches, to the tips of the wings, sixteen; extent, 
twenty-eight inches ; bill, three inches long, slightly curved 
upwards, tapering to a fine point, the upper mandible rounded 
above, the whole of a deep black colour ; nostrils, an oblong 
slit, pervious ; tongue, short, pointed ; forehead, spot behind 
the eye, lower eyelid, sides of the neck, and whole lower parts, 
pure white ; back, rump, and tail-coverts, also white, but so 
concealed by the scapulars as to appear black ; tail, even, or 
very slightly forked, and of a dingy white ; the vent-feathers 
reach to the tip of the tail below ; line before the eye, auri- 
culars, back part of the neck, scapulars, and whole wings, 
deep black, richly glossed with green ; legs and naked thighs, 
a fine- oale carmine ; the latter measures three, the former four 
inches and a half in length, exceedingly thin, and so flexible 
that they may be bent considerably without danger of breaking. 
