22 
THE DODO. 
incapable of running, with any degree of speed, 
as flying : it may be pronounced the most in- 
elegant, awkward, and clumsy-looking creature 
of the whole feathered tribes. In size, it ex- 
ceeds the turkey. The neck is thick and pursy ; 
the body heavy, lumpish, and nearly cubical ; 
the tail disproportioned, and not in the usual 
place. The plumage is represented as being a 
variegation of black and white, with a slight 
mixture of yellow; the immense mandibles open 
far back in the head, behind the eyes ; the up- 
per one is black, except at the hook, where 
there is a red spot ; the legs and feet are yel- 
low, and the nails black ; the toes are four in 
number, and one of them points backward. 
The Dodo was formerly found in the Isle of 
France ; but, for the last two centuries, not a 
single individual of the race has been met with. 
The Dutch called it Walgh Vogel, or the dis- 
gusting bird ; as well on account of its ugly 
figure as its offensive smell; the flesh, how- 
ever, is said to have been palatable and whole- 
some food. 
