V. Some Account of the Tantalus Ephouskyca, a rare American Bird. By Benjamin Smith Barton, M.D. F.M.L.S.
Read June 6, 1815.
The annexed figure (Tab. I.) of a rare American bird, together with those very few facts and circumstances which I have been able to collect concerning the bird, may, I flatter myself, prove acceptable to the Linnean Society. It may be proper to observe, that although the drawing, by my friend Mr. William Bartram, has been in my possession for many years, no engraving has ever been made from it.
We know little or nothing of this bird, but what has been communicated to us by the ingenious gentleman just mentioned. I here subjoin all that he has said concerning it.
"There is inhabiting the low shores and swamps of this river[1], and the lakes of Florida, as well as Georgia, a very curious bird, called by an Indian name, (Ephouskyca[2],) which signifies in our language the Crying Bird. I cannot determine what genus of European birds to join it with. It is about the size of a large domestic hen. All the body, above and beneath, is of a dark lead colour, every feather edged or tipped with white, which makes the bird appear speckled on a near view: the eye is large, and placed high on the head, which is very prominent: the bill or beak is
