140 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY.
Form, 8cc.—Bill considerably depressed; wide at the base, gradually narrowing to the tip.
Upper mandible with convex sides, meeting in an obtuse ridge, the tip of which has a slight
notch on each side, and curves down, so as to form a small hook ; there is a raised central
line within. The lower mandible is flatly convex. Six strong bristles stand out above the
angle of the mouth; and the nostrils, which are oval, are partly concealed by small bristles
and the projecting feathers of the forehead. The tips of the wings reach within an inch and
a quarter of the end of the tail. The second quill feather is the longest; the third is very
nearly equal to i t ; the first is about two lines shorter than the second, and as much longer
than the fourth; the fifth, sixth, and seventh diminish successively a quarter of an inch each;
the tenth and the secondaries are about an inch and three-quarters shorter than the second;
the second, third, and fourth have their outer webs obliquely narrowed; and the first and
second have their inner webs very deeply and abruptly notched close to their tips; the third
is less deeply notched. The secondaries are somewhat truncated and scolloped at the ends,
with a slight projection of their mid-ribs. The tail is long, and even at the end ; though,
from the inner webs of its feathers being broader than the outer ones, and more sloped away
at their ends, it appears slightly emarginated when fully spread. The hind toe is longer and
stronger than the outer or inner one, and its claw is of equal size with that of the middle toe.
Dimensions.
Inches.
ength from the tip of the bill to the end of
Lines.
the tail . . . . . . 8 9
a „ of the tail . . . . . ■ 3 6
„ of the longest quill feather . 4 0 of the folded' wing . . . 4 10
Inches. Lines.
Length of the bill, measured along its ridge 0 8
i, of the bill from the angle of the mouth 1 1 ,, of the tarsus . . . . 0 9£
•„ of the middle toe . . . 0 6 ' •v„ of its claw . . . . . 0 3
The dimensions were the same in a considerable number of specimens.
The female has a narrow white tip to the tad, and a smaller orange-coloured
spot on the crown. This spot is altogether wanting in the young.