7-1 GREEK COBMOBANT.
forwards. In autumn and winter the crest is absent. Crown, neck,
and nape, rich dark bronze green, the plumage of a silky texture.
I n some individuals a few white feathers have been noticed. Chin and
throat, rich dark green, the pouch under the chin is yellowish green
With specks of black; breast, rich dark green, the plumage silky. Back
on the upper part, dark green, with purple, green, and bronze reflections,
the feathers narrowly edged at the tip with black.
The wings expand to the width of three feet eight or ten inches;
greater aud lesser wing coverts, dark blackish green, showing reflections
of purple, green, and bronze, the feathers narrowly edged with velvet
black. Primaries, black; secondaries, black; tertiaries, black. The tail
is short, wedge-shaped, and black in colour. It contains twelve feathers j
they are strong and elastic, forming, as already noticed, a support for
the bird when on land. Legs and toes, dusky black; the middle claw
is serrated; webs, black.
The female resembles the male, but is less in size; weight, three
pounds and a quarter; length, about two feet three inches.
The young bird is at first covered with black down, which soon
gives place to the regular plumage, namely, head, crown, neck, and
nape, greyish black tinged with green; chin and throat, white. Breast
above, greyish brown, on the middle and lower part greyish white,
t h e sides dusky; back, brown, tinged with dull green; the black edge
to the feathers is wider than in the old bird. The tail dusky, each
feather edged with pale grey, the lips white; upper tail coverts, dusky.
Sir William Jardine mentions one of these birds which he saw of
a light grej appearance. A cream-coloured specimen was shot off the
coast of Iona, in the summer of 1854, by Mr. Colin Mc' Vean, as
l l c n n F. Wood, Esq., of Southficld Square, Bradford, has obligingly
sent me word. All such occasional varieties pay the penalty of 'shewing
false colours,* and arc sure to receive a shot.
The engraving is from a figure made by John Gatcombc, Esq., of
Plymouth. '1 hcodorc Conipton, Esq., has also obliged me with a
drawing of the bird.