Excerpts from Ornithology (1876) related to Sir Thomas Browne's and the Tradescants' collections A fourth in the house of my honoured friend Mr. Richard Darley in London, taken in the Isle of Jarsey.

Excerpts from Ornithology (1876) related to Sir Thomas Browne's and the Tradescants' collections

That which Clusius described was bigger than a tame Goose, or at least equal to it. For from the Neck, where it joyns to the Breast, to the Rump it was two foot long. The compass of the body round was more than two foot. The Wings were fourteen inches long: The Tail scarce three: The Tongue almost three: The Bill more than four: The Neck near eight, and somewhat more in compass: The Head short, three inches broad: The Legs somewhat longer than three inches: The Feet four inches wide. So far Clusius, Of that which Mr. Willughby described at Venice the measures were as followeth: The weight thirty six ounces: The length from Bill to Claws thirty one inches; from Bill to Tail twenty eight. The Bill from the tip to the an­gles of the mouth was almost three inches long: The Tail two: The second bone of the Leg four and a quarter; the third two and an half; the outmost fore-toe three inches and an half. The Tongue long, sharp, having a transverse bed of asperities not far from the bottom, beneath which it is toothed on each side, as this figure re­presents.

[tiny diagram]

In the Palate, on each side the fissure, are five rows of prickles or asperities. The blind guts were three inches and an half long. Hence it manifest­ly appears, that the bird described by Clusius was bigger than ours. But perchance Clusius his was a Cock, ours a Hen. For those I saw at Dr. Hewleys and Mr. Darleys were nothing at all less than that of Clusius, sent him by Hoierus. But what Hoier writes of them, that they cannot fly at all, is a mistake; for though they never breed in England, yet in hard Winters they come over hither. I scarce believe they swim so far. Whence it is manifest, that they not only flie, but make great flights.