The Reed SparrowI An Cannevarola.
Numb. LI.
IT S Length, from the Point of the Bill to the End of the Tail, was-
: fix Inches and a half; Breadth, when the Wings were expanded,
ten Inches; Weight .three quarters .of an Ounce; the Bill ihort and.
black, the lower Chap, having its Edges on both Sides bent inwards, is
hollow in faihion of a Eunnel, and contains the Tongue within it. Be-
fides, near its Bafe it rifes up into a Dent or Angle on each Side, to-
which there is a Notch or Furrow correfpondent in the upper Chap to-
■receive it, as., in the Bunting's Bill; the Head is black, a white Ring;
encompafies the Neck pointing towards the Corners of the Mouth; the
Chin and. Throat are black; the Breaft and Belly white, fpotted with a,
feint dusky Colour on the Breaft; the Back and covert Feathers of the-
Wings are party coloured of black and rediih Colour, the middle of each
Feather being black, the outfides red; the Rump red with a Mixture
of Aih-colour; the quill Feathers of the Wings are dusky, having their,
exteriour Edges red ; the Tips of the ieven firft or butmoft are iharp;.
of the reft blunt, indented and of an Aih-colour; the leflcr Rows of
unng Feathers have their outer Edges and Tips red; the Plumage on the.
Bafe or Ridge of the Wing blueifh, underneath white; the Tail, was
two Inches and a half long, and made up of twelve Feathers, of which,
the two middlemoft are fomething ihorter than the reft; and black; .
the outer Edges red, the three next on each Side were dark, coloured,
and almoft black; the exteriour Edge of the fifth is white; the inte--
riour alfo not far from the Tip is fpotted with white; the outmoft Feather;
is wholly white, all end in fharp Points; the Feet are blackiih, the Claws;
black; the outmoft and middle Toe joined at Bottom; the backToe great
and ftrong; the blind Guts ihort and thick. It hatha gall Bladder: the;
Stomach is muiculous ; in it when opened were found Seeds, . &c.-
The Hen, as in moil Birds,’ is not fo fair' coloured, the Ring about-
her Neck is darker and fcarce appearing; all the reft of the Feathers of
the Head, Back, Shoulders, and covert Feathers of the Wings are of the:
fame Colours of the Cock, but much paler; the Legs and Feet oi a
fleih Colour; the Claws black.