Numenius Albas: The White Curlew. This is about the Size of a tame Pigeon; the Bill is six Inches and
an half long of a pale red Colour, chanelled from the Basis to the
Point. The Iris of the Eyes are, gray; the fore-part of the Head,
and round the Eyes, is covered with a light red Skin; four of the
largest Wing-feathers have their Ends dark green. All the rest of
the Bird is white, except the Legs and Feet which are pale red.
The Flesh, particularly the Fat, is very yellow, of a Saffron colour.
When the great Rains fall, which is usual at the latter End of Summer,
these Birds arrive in Carolina in great Numbers, and frequent
the low Watery Lands.
The Cock and Hen are alike in Appearance.
Arum aquaticum minus.
This Plant grows by the Sides of Rivers, and in watery Places;
the Root is tuberous, from which springs many broad Oval Leaves
eight or ten Inches wide, on thick succulent round Stalks, to the
Height of about four Feet. From the Root also shoot forth many of
the like Stalks producing blew Flowers at the End of every Stalk,
but as I had not an Opportunity of observing them more critically
while in Blossom, I shall only take Notice that the Flowers are
succeeded by a Bunch of green Berries closely connected together,
regularly, in the Manner of a Pine-Apple. These Berries never harden,
but drop off when ripe, being of the Colour, Shape and Consistance
of Capers.
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