The cloven-footed Gull.
Numb. LXXXII.
ITS Weight was feven Ounces and a half; the Length, -
From the Point of the Bill to the End of the Tail,
was fixteen Inches and a half; Breadth, when the Wings
were extended, thirty fix Inches; Its Bill was ftreight
and black at the Point, the reft of a yellowiih white Colour,
having no Nob on the lower Mandible, in which
it differs from moft of the other Gulls-, the Noftrils oblong
; the Eyes black; the Head, Throat, Breaft, Belly,
and Thighs were of a fordid yellowiih white, clouded and
fpotted with a blueiih Aih-colour on the Breaft and upper
fide of the Neck. The Wings were fomething longer
than the Tail ; the Number of prime Feathers in each
Wing was about twenty eight, the firft four of a dusky
brown, the reft of the quill Feathers of a light browniih
Colour with cinereous Edges, as was alfo the Back and
all the covert Feathers of the Wings; the under fides of
the fame Colour but more dilute.
The Tail was five Inches long, made up of twelve
Feathers of a dusky brown Colour, with a broad black
Border at the Ends: the Legs were bare above the ie-
cond Joint; both Legs and Feet of a pale fea green Colour;
the Toes of a more dusky green inclining to an
Alh-colour, bordered on each Side with lateral Membranes
and joined at the Bottom; the Claws black. Three
of thefe Birds I bought of a Poulterer, viz. two Hens and
one Cock, but could not perceive any Difference in the
Shape, Bignefs, or Colours of them.