outer toe a partial series, the rest covered with reticular angular scales.
Hind toe small, with a free membrane beneath ; anterior toes double the
length of the tarsus, united by reticulated membranes having a sinus on
their free margins, the inner with a lobed marginal membrane, the outer
with a thick edge, the third and fourth about equal and longest. Claws
small, that of first toe very small and curved, of middle toe largest, with
a dilated inner edge, of the rest slender, all obtuse.
Plumage dense, soft, blended. Feathers on the fore part of the head
extremely small, on the neck velvety. Wings rather short, narrow,
pointed; primary quills curved, strong, tapering and pointed, the first
longest, the second very little shorter, the rest rapidly graduated; secondary
broad and rounded, the inner elongated and tapering. Tail
very short, narrow, wedge shaped, of fourteen stiff narrow feathers.
Basal prominence and sides of the bill black, the sides towards the end
bright red, the unguis flesh-colour, with a black line on each side. Iris
bright yellow. Feet carmine on the outer side, orange-red on the inner,
the webs greyish-black. The general colour of the plumage is brownish
black, on the upper parts glossed with blue, lighter on the lower.
The outer secondary quills are white, and there is a spot of the same under
the eye.
Length to end of tail 22 inches, to end of wings 19£, to end of claws
24^ ; extent of wings 39 ; wing from flexure 12 ; tail 3 | ; bill l ^ j , along
the edge of lower mandible 2 ^ ; tarsus l\l; middle toe 3, its claw / j .
Weight 3 lb. 10 oz.
Adult Female. Plate CCXLVII. Fig. 2.
In the Female the basal prominence of the bill is much less elevated,
and the colour of the whole bill is dusky. The iris and feet are as in
the Male, but of duller tints. The general colour of the plumage is a
sooty brown, the breast and abdomen lighter. There are two whitish spots
on each side of the head, one near the base of the upper mandible, the
other behind the eye; the outer secondary quills are white as in the Male.
Length to end of tail 22 inches, to end of wings 18, to end of claws
25^; extent of wings 38; wing from flexure 11 £ ; tail 3^; bill 1 / j , along
the edge of lower mandible 2 7
g ; tarsus 1£; middle toe 2^§, its claw fi.
T
Weight 3 lb. 3 oz.
The down of this species is similar to that of the Eider Duck, and
apparently of equal quality.
T H E P I E D - B I L L E D D O B C H I C K.
PRODICEPS CAROLINENSIS, LATH.
PLATE CCXLVIII. MALE AND FEMALE.
T H E R E go the little Dobchicks, among the tall rushes and aquatic
grasses that border the marsh. They have seen me," and now I watch
them as they sink gently backwards into the deep water, in the manner
of frightened frogs. Cunning things ! " Water-witches," as they call
you, I clearly see your bills, although you have withdrawn all of you
save those parts, and sneak off towards yon great bunch of bulrushes.
Well, speed on, and may safety attend you! Nature has granted you
means of eluding your enemies, and I am heartily glad to see that you
have profited by her instructions. I know you can fly too. How happy
must you be, to be thus enabled to migrate through the air, instead of
being obliged to labour for months with your curiously scolloped feet, in
removing from one country to another, as authors say you do. A h ! you
have reached a small secluded pool, where you intend to breed in peace
and security; there you are, collecting rushes and weeds to form a large
matted bed, on which you intend to deposit your pearly eggs. Labour
on, mind me not, I am a true friend and admirer of your race. I see that
among these plants you have fixed your tenement, in which there will
soon be five eggs, which, although tinged with green, will look as if pure
white. I wish I knew how many days of constant heat from your bodies
it will require to hatch them. Some other time perhaps you may tell me.
Miniatures of yourselves I now see swimming gaily, skipping, springing,
gliding, dipping, just like yourselves. So, you snatch the crawling bug,
and gorge yourselves with leeches, fish, and herbage. How fast your
young ones grow, changing from downy to hairy, and again to feathery
and silky. On winglets they now cross the clear pool, and crawl on the
opposite shore, there enjoying the warmth of the bright sunbeams. September
has come; plump and strong seven of you there are ; the evening
is calm and beautiful; you spread out your wings, reach with some
difficulty a proper height, and swift as meteors glide through the air, until,
meeting with warmer waters, you alight on them, and there remain
for a season.