[ 268 3
1 .
WHITE SH.
PL. LXXXIX.
Description.
G e n u s LXXVI. S H E A T H - B I L L * .
N* i . White Sheath-bill.
BIL L ft r o n g , thick, a little convex; the top of the upper
mandible covered with a corneous Iheath.
Noftrils fmall, juft appearing beyond the Iheath.
Tongue round above, flat beneath, and pointed at the end.
A t the bend of the wing a blunt knob.
Legs ftout, gallinaceous, bare a little way above the knee;
toes edged with a thick membrane, the middle one connected to
the outer as far as the firft joint; claws channelled beneath.
irfches. Bill black at the baft; over the noftrils a horny appendage,
which covers them, except juft on the fore part; and de-
fcends fo low on each fide, as to hang over part: o f the under
mandible; this is moveable, and may be raifed upwards, or de-
prefied fo as to lay flat on the b ill: round the bafe, between that
and the eyes, and round them, the parts are bare, and covered
only with warty excrefcences, of a white, or pale orange-colour;
over the eye a brown or blackifh one, larger than the reft :
irides dull lead-colour: the plumage is all over as white as fnow:
at the bend of the wing is a blunt blackifh knob : the legs are
bare a little way above the knees, and are two inches long, ftout,
• Genera of Birdt) p. 43*
and