Chapter II: Preface (2)

_Antennae graciles; clava elongata, fusiformi, compressa. Palpi
brevissimi, vix ultra caput producti, ad linguam compressi, squamis
linearibus tecti, margine ciliati, articulo ultimo sub-nudo, secundo
subaequali. Abdomen elongatum, gracile, in maribus 6-articulatum,
articulo ultimo integro; valvis plerumque elongatis, attenuatis, apice
acutis. Alae anticae (in maribus) angustae, obtuse-attenuatae, (in
foeminis) latiores, oblique rotundatae. Alae posticae (in maribus)
dilatatae, longitudine anticis pene aequales; margine antico opaco, in
foeminis breviores, suborbiculares._

Typus Genericus _L. Melite_. Nobis.

Antennae slender, the club elongated, fusiform, and compressed. Palpi
very short, hardly projecting beyond the head, compressed on the
tongue, covered with scales and margined externally with long hairs,
the last joint nearly naked and almost as long as the second joint.
Body elongated, slender, in the male with 6 joints, the last entire.
Valves generally elongated, attenuated, their tips acutely pointed.
Anterior wings (in the male) narrow, obtusely attenuated; in the female
broader, and obliquely rounded. Posterior (in the male) dilated, nearly
as long as the anterior wings, the fore margin opaque; in the female
shorter, and nearly orbicular.

Generic Type _L. Melite_.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_L. (Mas.) alis flavis; anteriore supra nigra, fascia obliqua flava, et
linea, basali transversa, margine posteriore flavo. (Foem.) Alis supra
albis; anteriore apice stigmateque marginali obliquo nigris; posteriore
supra nigro marginata, subtus (in utroque sexu) flavescente, lineis
duabus transversis fuscis._

Male. Wings yellow, anterior above black, with an oblique yellow band
and transverse basal line; posterior margin yellow. Fem. Wings above
white; anterior, with the tips and marginal oblique stigma black.
Posterior, above margined with black; beneath (in both sexes) yellow,
with two transverse brown lines.

Papilio Melite. _Fab. Ent. Syst._ 160, 494. _Cramer, tab._ 153. C. D.

* * * * *

The remarkable size of the under wings in the male insects of this genus will distinguish them even to a casual observer as forming a natural group. They are all natives of South America, where I discovered nine species. The females differ most strikingly, and have hitherto been mistaken by authors not only for distinct species, but as belonging to different genera.

Their natural situation will be among the _Pieridae_, with whose general habit they accord.

The female of this species resembles _Pap. Licinia_ of Cramer, except in having a short black stigma in the middle of the anterior border of the fore wings, pointing obliquely to the exterior margin. Cramer's insect, however, is the female of another undescribed species in my cabinet.

The under side of the posterior wings in both sexes is the same.

* * * * *

Pl. 16

ISMENE Oedipodea.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae cylindraceae, juxta medium crassissimae, versus apicem
subulatae, articulis numerosis brevissimis pene detectis. Palpi crassi
squamosi, fronte obtusa, lateribus compressis, marginibus exterioribus
ciliatis, articulo ultimo nudo, producto, subhorizontali, lineari,
compresso. Oculi (in maribus) magni. Corpus (in maribus) 7-articulatum,
articulo ultimo supra appendice transverso truncato subemarginato
terminante, subtus duobus uncis recurvis obtusis, fasciculo tectis;
articulo 1mo et ultimo brevissimis: (in foeminis) articulo ultimo
producto, subacuminato._

Antennae cylindrical, thickest near the middle, the terminal half
subulate; articulations numerous, very short, hardly perceptible. Palpi
thick, scaly; frontal side obtuse; lateral sides compressed; the
margins externally fringed with hair; the last joint naked, lengthened,
nearly horizontal, linear, compressed. Eyes (in the male) very large.
Body (in the male) of seven joints, the last with a transverse,
slightly emarginate, truncate appendage above; and two obtuse recurved
hooks below, concealed by a tuft of hair; the first and last segment
shortest. Body in the female with the last joint lengthened and
pointed.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_I. alis supra fuscis, basi nitide-caerulea, posticis aurantio
marginatis, subtus rufo-fusco nebulosis, basi puncto nigro: anticis (in
maribus) basi aurantiis, macula nigra tomentosa._

Wings above fuscous, shining blue at their base; posterior margined
with orange; beneath clouded with rufous and brown, and a black dot at
the base of the posterior wings. Anterior wings (in the male) orange at
the base, and a large velvet-like spot of black.

* * * * *

The resplendent and changeable azure blue which ornaments the body and part of the wings in this very singular insect, can be but ill expressed in the figure. It is one of the many new and interesting subjects in entomology discovered in Java by Dr. Horsfield; and by his kindness and liberality I am enabled to add the figures of the caterpillar and chrysalis, which were copied out of a fine series of drawings made in Java under his own eye: they do not appear to differ in their formation from others of this family, although the perfect insect possesses such striking and peculiar generic characters; one of the many facts which prove the impossibility of making the _Larvae_ a primary consideration in forming the genera of Lepidoptera.

This is a rare insect, I have therefore been obliged to leave the generic character imperfect, as the dissection of the mouth, &c. would destroy the specimen. The posterior margin in the wings of the male is sinuated; in the female it is nearly straight; the underside of the wings in both sexes is the same; the anterior pair reddish-brown, paler in the middle; the tip and posterior margin whitish: inferior wings reddish-orange towards the inner margin, with an obsolete central curved band of the same, and a black dot at the base of the inferior wings. The head, palpi, and thorax are margined with orange, less conspicuous in the female.

Our knowledge of the genus _Hesperia_ of Latreille (under which the present insect would come) is little more than what was known of _Scarabaeus_ twenty years ago; nor has Fabricius even noticed one half of the species figured by Cramer. The larva feeds on

GAERTNERA _Javensis_

_Foliis ovatis, obtuse-acuminatis, caule volubili ramosissimo, ramulis
diffusis, deflexis,_

a new species, discovered in Java by Dr. Horsfield, who has distinguished it by the above specific character. He informs me the natives give it the name of _Kakas-rambat_, which last word signifies twining or trailing. In the inflorescence and fruit it differs not from _G. racemosa_.

* * * * *

Pl. 17

BULIMUS zonatus.

_Zoned Bulimus._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 4.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_B. testa laevi conica; spirae anfractibus quinque; ultimo aliquantulum
distorto; albis duabus fasciis ferrugineis inaequalibus; anfractu
basali rufo duabus albis fasciis; apertura alba._

Shell smooth, conic, of five volutions, the last somewhat distorted;
white, with two unequal ferrugineous bands; body whirl rufous, with two
white bands. Aperture white.

* * * * *

A small though very elegant shell, seldom seen in Collections; nor do I find such a description of it as will identify the species. One figured by Martini, at _tab._ 134, _fig._ 1215, comes near it, but differs sufficiently for a specific distinction.

Its precise locality is unknown: a fine specimen exists in my father's collection, who thinks it came from the East Indies; and this is the only one I have yet seen.

The aperture is more round than ovate, and is less than one half the total length of the shell; the outer lip much reflected, and the transverse bands on the spiral whirls nearly obsolete.

* * * * *

Pl. 18

MITRA contracta.

_Contracted Mitre_--upper figure.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--_Pl._ 23.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. (Div. 3.) testa sublaevi; margine superiore anfractuum prominente,
anfractu basali in medio contracto_

Shell nearly smooth; upper margin of the volutions prominent; basal
whorl contracted in the middle.

* * * * *

An undescribed species, for the loan of which I am indebted to Mr. G. Humphrey, of Leicester-street, whose knowledge as a collector, and integrity as a dealer, have gained him respect and confidence through a long life: and it is no less singular than true, that many genera of modern authors, now universally adopted, were formed by him near twenty-five years ago (under different names) in the _Museum Calonianum_, printed in 1797.

Shell one inch and a half long, and smooth; the base and spire with faint remote grooves; the spiral whorls are scarcely convex, and their upper margins prominent. Outer lip thick, effuse, slightly reflected below, and contracted above. Pillar five-plaited; colour yellowish white, with two or three waved longitudinal bands of orange, and a few others broad and remote on the spire. A finer specimen I have since seen with Mr. Humphrey's was one inch three quarters long, the ground-colour pure white, the aperture orange, and the bands rich orange-chesnut.

* * * * *

MITRA australis.

_New Holland Mitre._

* * * * *

_M. (Div. 2) testa laevissima; spira elongata; anfractibus basi
castaneo-fuscis; fascia alba in basali anfractu, centrali. Columella
4-plicata._

Shell very smooth. Spire elongated, chesnut-brown; base of the spiral
volutions with a whitish band, which is central on the basal whorl.
Pillar four-plaited.

* * * * *

Dead shells of this new Mitre were received from Van Dieman's Land by Mr. Humphrey: it is perfectly destitute of striae, excepting a few faint ones at the base: the mouth, which is smooth inside, appeared in the few specimens he had, to be unformed; it is, however, sufficiently distinct from any other.

* * * * *

Pl. 19

TINAMUS Tataupa, _var._

_Tataupa Tinamou._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum mediocre, depressum, latius quam altum, apice rotundato
obtuso; culmine lato, excelso. Nares laterales, mediae, ovatae,
patulae, apertae. Pedes tetradactyli, fissi; halluce brevissimo,
insistente. Cauda nulla, aut brevissima, plumis uropygii obtecta. Alae
breves._ Temminck, vol. iii. p. 747.

Typus Genericus _T. rufescens_. Latham.

Bill moderate, depressed, broader than high, tip obtuse, back broad.
Nostrils lateral, medial, ovate, expanded and open. Feet four-toed,
cleft; hind toe very short. Tail none or very short, concealed by the
rump-feathers. Wings short.

Generic Type _T. rufescens_. Latham.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_T. corpore supra fusco-rufo, immaculato; capite et collo fusco-nigro;
mento albo; gula, collo, pectoreque cinereis; corpore infra albescente;
uropygio lateribusque posticis rufis aut nigris, pennis
albo-marginatis._

Tinamou with the body above dusky-rufous, immaculate. Head and neck
dusky-black; chin white; throat, neck and breast, cinereous; body
beneath whitish; vent and flanks rufous or black, the feathers margined
with white.

Tinamus Tataupa. _Temminck Pig. et Gall._ iii. _p._ 590 _et_ 752. _Gen.
Zool. vol._ xi. _part_ 2. _p._ 416.

* * * * *

The Tinamous are entirely confined to the new world, where they seem to hold the same scale in creation which the Partridges do in the old continent. Our knowledge of these singular birds has been much increased by the writings of Professor Temminck, who has described twelve species. The present bird is nearly the smallest of its family: I found it only once in the interior of Bahia in Brazil, where it must be very rare, or frequent to particular districts only. Though differing in some respects from the description of Temminck, I am inclined to consider it merely as a variety.

Total length (excepting the legs) eight inches and a quarter. The bill is one inch one line long from the gape, and, with the irides, is red. The head and neck above blackish cinereous; the crown much darker and tinged with brown, the rest of the upper plumage uniform reddish-brown; the edges of the wing-covers tinged with pale cinereous; the spurious wings and quills greyish-brown; the chin is white, changing on the throat, neck, breast and their sides to a pale lead-colour, which, on the body, again becomes white; the feathers on the flanks are blackish or rufous, beautifully margined all round by white, with another internal mark of the same kind; those on the vent are similarly marked, but on a pale rufous ground; the thighs are rufous-white; the under tail-covers rufous, marked by narrow undulated concentric lines of black, the ends whitish. The length of the legs (from the knee to the base of the middle toe) one inch two lines, and from that to the tip of the claw one inch. Legs blueish-purple. Hind toe very short, and elevated above the ground.

* * * * *

Pl. 20

PICUS Braziliensis.

_Brazilian Woodpecker._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 14.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. olivaceus, subtus fulvus, nigrescente-fasciatus; capite
subcristato, supra rubro, utrinque lineis olivaceis, fulvis, et
rubris._

Olive Woodpecker: beneath fulvous, with transverse blackish bands. Head
sub-crested, above red, the sides with olive, yellow, and red streaks.

P. Braziliensis, Swains. in Wern. Trans. 3. p. 291.

* * * * *

A new species of this already extensive family, inhabiting the interior of Brazil in the province of Bahia, where I met with it but once. It was, I believe, first described in a paper I sent to the Wernerian Society some time ago: the figure is less than the natural size.

Total length nine inches. Bill not quite an inch, and blackish. Irides yellow. Head slightly crested; the whole upper part crimson. Orbits and cheeks olive-brown; beneath this a narrow line of tawny-yellow begins at the nostrils and passes down the sides of the neck; next this is a similar stripe crimson on the jaws and olive beyond, leaving the chin and throat in front yellowish; the plumage above is tawny-olive. Quills black, within edged with rufous: all the under parts tawny-yellow, transversely banded with blackish lines; inner wing-covers yellowish. Tail three inches and a half long, the feathers black, unspotted, and tinged at their base with olive. Feet and claws lead-colour. The neck is very slender. The only one I have yet seen was a male.

* * * * *

Pl. 21

PROCNIAS hirundacea.

_Swallow Fruit-eater._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum breve, trigonum, basi latissimum, dilatatum, versus apicem
contractum: mandibulis emarginatis; marginibus intraflexis; mandibula
superiore, tomiis curvatis, carinatis; inferiore recta, breviore. Nares
latae, basales, subnudae; aperturis orbiculatis, approximantibus,
apicem quam malam magis appropinquantibus. Lingua brevissima, angusta.
Rictus amplissimi infra oculos aperientes. Pedes insidentes. Alae
mediocres._

Typus Genericus _Ampelis carunculata_. Latham.

Bill short, triangular, base very broad, dilated, towards the end
contracted; both mandibles notched, the margins bent inward; upper
mandible slightly curved and carinated above; lower mandible straight
and shortest. Nostrils broad, basal, nearly naked, the aperture much
nearer the tip than the gape of the bill. Tongue very short, narrow.
Mouth very large, opening beneath the eye. Feet formed for perching.
Wings moderate.

Generic Type _Carunculated Chatterer_. Latham.

OBS. MM. Temminck and Lagier had just before us, and without our
knowledge, published this bird under the name of Procnias Ventralis,
(Pl. 5.) by which name in right of priority it should stand in the
system.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. (in maribus) caerulea; fronte, jugulo, temporibusque nigris;
corpore subtus in medio albo, lateribus striis transversis
nigrescentibus._

_(Foem.) viridis; mento temporibusque griseis; corpore infra
flavescente, striis obscure-viridibus transversis._

(Male) blue; front, throat, and temples black; middle of the body
beneath white, the sides with blackish transverse striae.

(Female) green; chin and temples grey; body beneath yellowish,
transversely striated with dusky-green.

* * * * *

The birds of this genus are remarkable for the enormous width of their mouths, which in some species exceeds that of the Swallow family, thus enabling them with ease to swallow the large berries of the _Melastomae_ and other tropical shrubs, on which they alone subsist; not on insects, as Cuvier asserts. Although in the construction of their bills they perfectly resemble the Swallows, their wings are not formed for long or rapid flight; and their feet are much stronger, and calculated for searching among branches for their food, in which situations I have frequently seen them. The term "_pedes ambulatorii_," or walking-feet, is applied too generally, and should be confined to the gallinaceous and Pigeon tribes.

This genus was formed by Count Hoffmansegg, and the present is the smallest species known: our figure is of the male bird. Total length about five inches and a half. The bill from the angle to the tip measures seven lines; but from the nostrils only three lines and a half. The middle of the body, vent, and under tail-covers in the male are pure white; in the female yellowish, with a line of olive-green down the middle of each shaft; the quills, wing-covers, and tail-feathers are black, margined in the male with blue, and in the female with green: the tail is slightly forked. The nostrils round and bare; the base of the bill has a few weak setaceous hairs. The legs resemble the true Chatterers, having the outer toe rather longer than the inner, and attached to the base of the middle.

This is a scarce bird, apparently not hitherto described; I met with it only three times in Bahia; but it appears more frequent in the southern provinces of Brazil, specimens having been sent me from Minas Geralis and Rio de Janeiro.

* * * * *

Pl. 22

TERIAS Elvina.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae breves, clava subtruncata, compressa. Palpi brevissimi
curvati, vix ultra caput producti, ad linguam compressi, densis squamis
imbricatis in totum tecti apice nudo. Abdomen elongatum, gracile, in
maribus 6-articulatum, articulo ultimo duobus uncis incurvatis
approximantibus; valvis latis, incrassatis, truncatis, aduncis. Alae
utroque sexu similes; latae, obtusae, rotundatae, integerrimae._

Typus Genericus _Papilio Hecabe_. Linnaeus.

Antennae short, the club somewhat truncate and compressed. Palpi very
short, curved, hardly projecting beyond the head, closely compressed on
the tongue, entirely covered with close imbricate scales, the tip
naked. Body elongated, slender, in the male six-jointed, the last with
two approximating incurved hooks; valves broad, thickened, truncate,
and hooked. Wings in both sexes alike, broad, obtuse, rounded, very
entire.

Generic Type _Papilio Hecabe_. Linnaeus.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_T. alis subdiaphanis, sulphureis, subtus immaculatis. Anticis supra
apice nigris, posticis (in maribus) margine antico basi gibbosis. Foem.
----?_

Wings sub-diaphanous, pale sulphur; beneath immaculate. Anterior, above
with a black marginal tip; posterior (in the male) with the fore-margin
gibbous at the base. Female ----?

Pieris Elvina. _Godart in Encycl. Method, p._ 158. _no._ 67.

* * * * *

This is one of the smallest of Butterflies, and from the extreme delicacy of its form seems to sanction with truth the poetic idea of living "but for a day." It is found in Brazil, inhabiting only the deepest forests, as if fearful its little life would be endangered by the scorching rays of a tropical sun: in these sombre shades it is seen to fly slowly and feebly near those spots where a ray of the sun has partially entered the thick canopy of foliage above, which is frequently fifty or sixty feet from the ground.

The genus I have now placed it in belongs to the _Coliadae_, and appears to connect that family with the _Pieridae_: their distinctions are obviously marked and very constant in all the species I have yet seen, and which are tropical: of these, seven I discovered in Brazil; three or four more are natives of the southern extremity of North America; and Dr. Horsfield has four or five from Java. I know of none from Africa. Their size in general is very small.

I think this species is the _Pieris Elvina_ of Godart; although the insect he mentions as the female is in reality that of his _Pieris Neda_. The true female I have never seen; I suspect it will want the gibbous curve on the hinder wings of the male, which sex is, indeed, not common, and is generally much smaller, and sometimes half the size only, of the figure.

_Papilio Nicippe_ of Cramer (tab. 210. fig. C. D.) strictly belongs to this genus, though placed in that of _Colias_ by Godart, as well as his _Pieris Agave_, _Hecabe_, and doubtless many others not now before me.

* * * * *

Pl. 23

MITRA vittata.

_Ribbon Mitre._

* * * * *

CHARACTER GENERICUS.

_Testa inaequaliter fusiformis, spira producta attenuata; labio
exteriore intus edentato. Columella plicata_.

DIVISIONES.

I. _Apertura angusta, linearis, supra angulata, infra subcontracta._

_Mitrae vulpecula, plicata, &c._

OBS. _Testa plerumque longitudinaliter plicata, aequaliter
fusiformis, labio exteriore laevi leviter undulato, interiore ad
apicem intra crassato; gula striata._

II. _Apertura supra acuminata, infra angusta, extrinsecus curvata._

_Voluta mitra-abbatis._ Chemnitz, &c.

OBS. _Testa plerumque spira elongata, apertura ad basin angustata,
siphone superiore parvo aut nullo._

III. _Apertura supra acuminata, extrinsecus recta, infra rotundata,
dilatata, vel effusa._

_Mitrae papalis, episcopalis, &c._

OBS. _Testa plerumque laevi ad basin obtusa, truncata, labio
exteriore margine crenato, gula laevi._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Shell unequally fusiform; spire lengthened, attenuated; outer lip
simple not toothed within. Columella plaited.

DIVISIONS.

I. Aperture narrow, linear, above angulated, below a little
contracted.

_Mitrae vulpecula, plicata, &c._

OBS. Shell generally longitudinally plaited, equally fusiform;
outer lip smooth, slightly waved; top of the inner lip much
thickened within; throat striated.

II. Aperture above pointed, below narrowed, externally curved.

_Voluta mitra-abbatis._ Chemnitz, &c.

OBS. Shell generally with an elongated spire, the aperture below
narrowed; upper syphon or channel small or wanting.

III. Aperture above pointed, externally straight, below rounded,
widened or effuse.

_Mitrae papalis, episcopalis, &c._

OBS. Shell generally smooth, the base thick and truncated; margin
of the outer lip crenated; throat smooth. The smaller shells of
this division connect the genera _Mitra_ and _Colombella_
(Lamarck).

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. testa angusta, basi cancellata; spira plicis carinatis;
interstitiis sulcis transversis confertis; columella 4-plicata; gula 4
aut 5 striis remotis._

Shell narrow, base cancellated. Spire with carinated plaits, the
interstices with slender, crowded, transverse grooves. Pillar of four
plaits; throat with four to five remote striae.

* * * * *

This superb shell is figured from a matchless specimen brought home by that illustrious and lamented patron of science, the late Sir J. Banks, from the Pacific Ocean: it is now, together with his entire collection of shells and insects, in the Museum of the Linnaean Society.

It is of great rarity, and the present specimen far exceeds in size any I have yet seen. A very perfect one exists in my father's collection which measures only two inches one line long: it differs slightly in wanting the lower white band and its inferior border: there is also an additional small plait between the second and third, a variation not uncommon in the Linnaean Volutes, and which lessens the importance of this character as a specific distinction.

It is unfigured, and I believe undescribed, unless perhaps in Solander's MSS. In its small state it may have been overlooked as one of the numerous varieties of _M. vulpecula_; but the sharp angulated plaitings, the cancellated base, and the numerous faintly-grooved lines on the spire, as well as the more slender and lengthened form, will at once distinguish it: its colours also are very striking and dissimilar.

* * * * *

Pl. 24

CONOELIX.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa coniformis; spira brevissima; labium exterius simplex; columella
plicata; apertura linearis, angusta, spira longior._

Typus Genericus _Conoelix lineatus_. Nobis.

Shell coniform. Spire very short. Outer lip simple. Columella or pillar
plaited. Aperture linear, narrow, longer than the spire.

Generic Type _Conoelix lineatus_.

* * * * *

CONOELIX marmoratus.

_Marbled Conoelix--upper figures._

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_C. testa striis transversis, remotis, capillaribus; spira subproducta,
acuminata; anfractibus in medio linea sulcata; labio exteriore
crenato._

Shell with remote capillary transverse striae. Spire slightly produced,
acuminated; the whorls with a central indented line. Outer lip
crenated.

* * * * *

The rare little shells composing the group I have now formed into the genus _Conoelix_, seem to have escaped the observation of modern systematic writers. They form a beautifully defined link connecting the Cones with the Volutes, strictly so termed, and their generic characters seem to be very constant and clear. The present species varies more or less in the regularity of its tessellated markings. The inside of the mouth is brown, and the pillar has five plaits. Several specimens are in the Banksian Cabinet, from the Pelew Islands. The figures are enlarged to one half more than the natural size.

* * * * *

CONOELIX lineatus.

_Lineated Conoelix--middle figures._

_C. testa laevi, albescente, lineis transversis, fulvis, capillaribus;
spira depressa, apice prominulo; columella 6-plicata._

Shell smooth, whitish, with transverse capillary fulvous lines. Spire
depressed, the apex prominent. Pillar six-plaited.

Figured of the natural size. The volutions of the spire are somewhat convex; the coloured lines are not indented. Inhabits the South Seas?

* * * * *

CONOELIX punctatus.

_Punctured Conoelix--lower figures._

_C. testa fulvo-albescente, striis transversis capillaribus, intra
minute punctatis; spira brevi; columella 5-plicata._

Shell cream-colour, with capillary transverse striae, which are
minutely punctured. Spire short. Pillar five-plaited.

* * * * *

Inhabits Otaheite: from the Banksian Collection. The figures are on the same scale as _C. marmoratus_.

These are the only three species which I have myself seen. Another is figured in _Chemnitz_ x. _tab._.150. _fig._ 1415 and 6. Mr. Humfreys informs me he has seen at different times five or six others, all of a small size.

* * * * *

Pl. 25

PROCNIAS melanocephalus.

_Black-headed Berry-eater._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 21.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. oliva-viridis, subtus flavescens, striis fuscis transversis, capite
omnino nigro._

Olive-green, beneath yellowish, with dusky transverse striae. Head
entirely black.

* * * * *

Another new and very rare bird of this singular genus, inhabiting, like all the other species, the tropical regions of America. I met with it in Brazil but twice in the forests of Pitanga, not far distant from Bahia; and my hunters were at a loss for its name, never having seen it before: the eyes in the fresh bird are of a beautiful crimson.

Its total length is nine inches and a quarter; the bill is nine lines from the gape to the tip, and four from the base of the nostrils, at which part the bill is not so proportionably broad as in the Swallow Berryeater (pl. 21.): the colour blueish-black, paler at the base: the whole head, sides, chin, and part of the throat are black, the feathers of the crown a little lengthened and pointed, giving a slight appearance of a crest: the wings and tail are dusky-black on the inner shafts and green on the outer; the whole of the upper plumage olive-green, and of the under pale greenish-yellow crossed with short dusky transverse lines from the breast downwards; under wing and tail-covers the same. Tail four inches from the base, slightly divaricated, and of twelve feathers. Wings four inches and a half, the first quill very short, the third, fourth and fifth of equal length. Legs black.

This was a male bird: the female I have not seen.

* * * * *

Pl. 26

ALCEDO azurea.

_Azure Kingsfisher._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum longissimum, rectum, attenuatum, altius quam latius, in totum
compressum, mandibulis carinatis; marginibus lateralibus leviter
inflexis. Nares basales, membrana tectae, apertura nuda, lineari,
obliqua; cauda plerumque brevissima. Pedes gressorii, digito antico
interiore minimo aut nullo._

Typus Genericus _Alcedo ispida_. Linn.

Bill very long, straight and attenuated, higher than broad, compressed
the whole length, both mandibles carinated, the margins slightly bent
inwards. Nostrils basal, covered by a membrane; the aperture linear,
oblique, and naked. Tail mostly very short. Feet gressorial, inner
fore-toe small or wanting.

Generic Type _Common Kingsfisher_. Lath. Bewick, &c.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. Corpore supra, capitis lateribus colloque nitido cyaneis; subtus
rufis; mento gulaque albescentibus, alis nigricantibus; digito antico
interiore nullo._

Body above, sides of the head and neck shining mazarine blue; beneath
rufous; chin and throat whitish; wings blackish; inner fore-toe
wanting.

Alcedo azurea. Azure Kingsfisher. _Lath. Synop. Suppl._ ii. _p._ 372.
_Lewin's Birds of New Holland_, _fasc._ i. _pl._ 1.

Alcedo Tribrachys. Tridigitated Kingsfisher. _Shaw in Gen. Zool._ viii.
1. 105.

* * * * *

The Kingsfishers have such a general similarity of form, that the most casual observer is able to distinguish them: a very long straight bill, short wings, and (in general) a shorter tail with very small legs, are the prominent distinctions of such as are usually seen; and the richness of plumage that generally pervades them cannot be better exemplified than in our own beautiful species, the common Kingsfisher, not unfrequent in many parts of England.

These birds, hitherto placed in systems under one genus, nevertheless contain two distinct groups differing materially in the construction of that primary organ of supporting life, the bill; and in their physical distribution, or the countries they respectively inhabit, two most important considerations in the natural arrangement of animals under the present elevated views of the philosophic zoologist, with whom the study of Nature consists no longer in the study of words, the retention of names, or even the accurate description of species.

These considerations have induced me to form these birds into two genera, the definitions of which are now given: those retained under the old genus of _Alcedo_ appear to be scattered (though sparingly) in every part of the old and the new world. Their bills seem formed for swallowing their food more in an entire state, similar to the Herons. In each of these genera one species exists with only three toes, a remarkable circumstance, which in an artificial system would endanger their being united in a separate genus; but which, from the remarkable smallness of the inner toe in all the other species, cannot I apprehend point out any peculiarity either in their habit or economy: and this opinion I find is likewise entertained by Professor Temminck.

Total length seven inches and a quarter. Bill from the gape two inches one line, the upper mandible rather longest, and both with a slight appearance of a notch; the colour black. All the upper plumage, as well as the sides of the head, ears, and stripe beyond, fine ultramarine blue, more vivid on the rump and tail-covers, and duller on the tail, wing-covers, and lesser quill-margins; front blackish; from the nostrils to the eye a whitish line, and from the ears on each side the neck a whitish stripe, which almost forms a collar round the nape. Quill-feathers sooty black. All the under parts orange ferrugineous; throat and belly nearly white. Tail very short, nearly hid by the upper covers. Feet red, claws black. The inner fore-toe wanting, but a slight rudiment of it exists in my specimen.

Since writing the above, I find this bird is figured and described in a beautiful work commenced by Lewin on the birds of New Holland, which Mr. Brown, the learned possessor of the Banksian library, pointed out to me. I believe but a few copies are known. Lewin observes, "it inhabits heads of rivers, visiting dead trees, from the branches of which it darts on its prey in the water beneath, and is sometimes completely immersed by the velocity of its descent."

Dr. Latham has very well described it, but quite overlooked the construction of the feet.

* * * * *

Pl. 27

HALCYON collaris.

_Collared Crabeater._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum longissimum, rectum, validum, ad basin latius quam altius,
lateribus tetragonis; mandibula superiore rectissima, ad basin
rotundata; inferiore carinata, recurvata, margine superioris inferiorem
obtegente. Nares basales, membrana tectae, apertura nuda, lineari
obliqua. Cauda plerumque mediocris. Pedes gressorii, digito antico
interiore minimo aut nullo._

Typus Genericus _Alcedo Senegalensis_. Linn.

Bill very long, straight, thick, the base broader than high; the sides
tetragonal; upper mandible very straight, the base rounded; under
mandible beneath carinated and recurved, the margins covered by those
of the upper. Nostrils basal, covered by a membrane, the aperture
naked, linear and oblique. Tail mostly moderate. Feet gressorial:
interior fore-toe small or wanting.

Generic Type _Crabeating Kingsfisher_. Latham.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_H. viridi-caerulea; corpore subtus, lunulaque cerviculi albis._

Greenish-blue. Body beneath and nuchal collar white.

Alcedo collaris. _Latham Index Ornith._ i. 250.

Sacred Kingsfisher, _Var._ D. _Latham Syn._ ii. _p._ 623.

Collared Kingsfisher. _Gen. Zool._ viii. i. _p._ 80.

* * * * *

Referring to the observations we have already made on Kingsfishers generally, it will be only necessary to observe, that the species now formed into the genus _Halcyon_ appear entirely excluded from the American continent: their bills are much stronger, thicker, and more rounded than the genuine Kingsfishers, and the under mandible beneath invariably carinated and curving upwards. One of them (the _Alcedo Senegalensis_ of Latham) is known to feed on crabs, the breaking and disjointing of which this structure seems admirably calculated to accomplish; and although some authors mention insects also as their food, I apprehend it is only in the absence of other larger prey more suited to the construction of their bills.

Total length eight inches and a half. Bill two inches three lines from the gape, and one inch three quarters from the nostrils; upper mandible and margin and lip of the lower, black, the rest yellowish-white. The general plumage above is pale and changeable greenish-blue, the green predominating on the scapulars, head and tail; the upper part of the neck is crossed by a white collar, separated from the green of the head by a narrow margin of black, which passes on the ear-feathers round the nape; a narrow whitish line runs from the nostrils to the eyebrows, and another very short one is beneath the eye; the whole of the under plumage white. Quills black edged with blue, the second, third and fourth equal and longest. Wings four inches and a quarter. Tail even, near three inches long, above blue-green, beneath black. Feet dusky; middle and outer claws much longer than the leg.

Inhabits Java and other parts of India, and is I believe unfigured. The line at the bottom of the plate is on the scale of an inch.

Since writing the above, Temminck's new edition of the _Manuel d'Ornithologie_ has just reached me, in which I perceive he has continued the birds of this genus under that of _Alcedo_, observing that their plumage is always shining, and that he can find no characters for their geographic distribution: yet, notwithstanding the opinion of this eminent ornithologist, a close attention will I believe prove, first, that no species of Linnaean _Alcedo_ bearing the characters of _Halcyon_ have yet been discovered as natives of America; and secondly, that species of genuine _Alcedo_ will be found with plumage quite devoid of any bright or shining colours. One or two exist in my own cabinet, but to which I cannot now refer.

The situation of _Halcyon_ will be between _Alcedo_ and _Dacelo_; from the last of which it is distinguished by its perfectly straight, acute, and entire upper mandible, which, on the contrary, in _Dacelo_ is notched, the tip bent and obtuse.

* * * * *

Pl. 28

HESPERIA Haworthiana.

_Haworth's Hesperia._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae mediocres vel elongatae, rectae, graciles; clava
subterminali, brevi, crassata, cylindracea; unco abrupto, brevi,
acuminato. Palpi in fronte compressi, incurvati, lateribus convexis vel
angulatis, articulo ultimo erecto, verticali. Alae (sedentes) erectae._

DIVISIONES.

I. _Palpi lati, in fronte compressissimi. Antennae breves, clava
crassissima._

II. _Palpi pene quadrati, crassissimi. Antennae elongatae._

III. _Palpi articulo ultimo longiore, gracile. Antennae mediocres._

Typus Genericus _Hesperia Comma_ Auctorum.

Antennae moderate or elongated, straight, slender, the club nearly
terminal, short, thick, cylindric, ending in an abrupt, short and
pointed hook. Palpi compressed, incurved in front of the head, the
sides convex or angular; the last joint erect, pointing vertically.
Wings when at rest erect.

DIVISIONS.

I. Palpi broad, very compressed in front. Antennae short, the club
very thick.

II. Palpi nearly square, very thick. Antennae elongated.

III. Palpi with the last joint lengthened, slender. Antennae moderate.

Generic Type _Hesperia Comma_ of Authors.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_Hesp. (Div. 2.) alis supra nigrescente-fuscis, basi nitido-caeruleis,
anticis fascia mediali hyalina, posticis subtus fuscis, lineis duabus
longitudinalibus viridi-flavis; pedibus fusco-aurantiis._

Hesperia (Div. 2.). Wings above blackish-brown, the base shining blue;
anterior with a medial hyaline band; posterior beneath brown, with two
longitudinal yellow-green lines. Legs brownish-orange.

* * * * *

The celebrated Latreille, the father of modern Entomology, has well observed, that the immense number of insects crowded together in the genus _Hesperia_ contain many natural genera, but which the paucity of species generally found in cabinets prevents us from discriminating. Having for a long time paid attention to this family, and possessing near 300 species in my own cabinet, I have had the opportunity of attempting their elucidation; and the above generic character is applied to those insects only which I propose considering genuine species of the genus _Hesperia_, and which will comprise near 170 species.

I have named this new, undescribed and very rare insect, in honour of my esteemed friend A. H. Haworth, Esq. F.L.S., &c., well known by the benefits his writings have conferred on the sister sciences of entomology and botany. The only two insects I ever saw of this species I captured in the southern part of Brazil.

* * * * *

Pl. 29

MITRA cancellata.

_Basket Mitre_--upper figure.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 23.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. (Div. 2.) testa fusiformi, cancellata; striis longitudinalibus
incrassatis, spira aperturaque aequalibus; columella 5-plicata; spira
sublaevi._

Shell fusiform, cancellated, the longitudinal striae thickened; spire
and aperture of equal length; pillar five-plaited; spire nearly smooth.

* * * * *

Another undescribed species of this elegant family, and of great rarity, in the private collection of Mr. G. Humfreys. The whole of the body whorl and commencement of the spire is cancellated. The longitudinal striae are crowded, thickened, and slightly elevated, giving a crenated appearance to the suture: the transverse striae slender, and filling up the interstices. The spire is nearly smooth and a little bent: the ground colour very light orange, with three darker interrupted bands on the body: whorl separated by two slender lines of the same colour; the spiral whorls have only two bands and a line between; the upper margins slightly compressed on the suture; the outer lip within smooth.

* * * * *

MITRA rigida.

_Ribbed Mitre__--middle figures._

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. testa costis longitudinalibus, elevatis, linearibus, integris,
interstitiis laevibus ad basin granulatis; spira producta; columella
4-plicata; apertura brevi._

Shell with elevated, longitudinal, obtuse, entire ribs, the interstices
smooth, the base granulated; spire lengthened; pillar four-plaited;
aperture short.

* * * * *

Equally rare, and from the same collection as the preceding. In habit it approaches nearest to _M. exasperata_ of Chemnitz, but has not the ribs angulated or their interstices striated, and is much more narrowed at the base than in that shell, which I have seen: the outer lip is also smooth; the inside strongly striated. This shell was formerly in the collection of Mr. Keate, the elegant author of the "Sketches from Nature."

* * * * *

Pl. 30

ACHATINA marginata.

_Marginated Achatina._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa ovata, vel oblongo-ovata, spira elevata, apertura subovale.
Columella laevis, simplex, ad apicem truncata; labium externum tenue,
internum inflexum integrum; umbilicus nullus._

Typus Genericus _Bulla Achatina_. Linn.

Shell ovate, or oblong-ovate; spire elevated; mouth nearly oval.
Columella smooth, simple, truncated. Outer lip thin; inner lip entirely
inflexed. Umbilicus none.

Generic Type _Bulla Achatina_. Linn.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa ovato-oblonga, strigis inaequalibus ferrugineis; spira ad
apicem obtusa, 5-voluta; sutura depressa linea sulcata marginali._

Shell ovate-oblong, with irregular ferrugineous stripes; spire obtuse
at the top, of five volutions; the suture depressed, with a marginal
indented line.

_Lister_ 579. _fig._ 34. _Gualt. pl._ 45. B. _Knorr_, _vol._ iv. _tab._
24. 1. (badly coloured.)

* * * * *

The largest shells hitherto discovered as inhabiting the dry land belong to this genus, instituted by the celebrated Lamarck, but still divided by the strict followers of Linnaeus between the _Bullae_ and _Helices_, with a singular infelicity of even artificial arrangement. The simple characters peculiar in a greater or less degree to all, will readily distinguish them; and I apprehend most of the species of the first division (which includes the present) will be found to inhabit only the African continent, while _Bulla virginea_ and the smaller shells placed in the second division are found principally in the new world; where also two or three gigantic species of _Bulimus_ occupy the place of the larger African _Achatinae_.

Of these, the shell now figured is one of the rarest, and has hitherto been overlooked as a variety of the Linnaean _Bulla Achatina_; the colour of both is subject to much variation; but this will be found at best a most indecisive and vague character for specific distinction when unaccompanied by others more important and connected with the formation of shells. I have therefore not hesitated in making this a distinct species, from having had the means of examining at different times near twenty specimens, all of which presented the following characters. Spire of five whorls, the last or terminal one very small and flattened; the apex obtuse; the suture depressed, as if flattened on the shell, and margined by one or sometimes two indented lines, parallel, and at the top of each whorl. In the colour of its mouth it varies in sometimes having a tinge of rose-colour at the base and top of the spire, but the mouth is more generally white. The body whorl is more or less ventricose; the outer lip is a little reflected, and the whole shell, when full grown, much thicker and heavier than any of the other species. The epidermis is yellowish-brown, beneath which the shell is nearly white, beautifully marked with broad remote stripes of chesnut, with others more slender (and sometimes broken into spots) between. I have another specimen which agrees tolerably with Lister's figure in being more than usually ventricose, and which I think is accidental. The only constant variety appears to be that figured by Knorr, ii. tab. 3. fig. 1. having the spire entirely rose-colour.

The marginal line and the correct number of whorls in the spire are well expressed in the figures of Lister, Gualtieri and Knorr. The first of these figures is accidentally more ventricose; the second, like all the other figures of Gualtieri, is defective at the apex; and Knorr's I suspect has been outrageously coloured from the real pink-mouthed _Achatina_.

It inhabits the coast of Guinea; and I am informed the animal is eaten by the natives.

* * * * *

Pl. 31

PHIBALURA cristata.

_Crested Shortbill._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

(_Phibalura_ Vieillot.)

_Rostrum brevissimum, trigonum, latius quam altum; mandibula superiore
culmine subcurvata carinata; inferiore recta; utrisque marginatis.
Nares basales, simplices, subrotundae, plumulis densis incumbentibus in
totum obtectae. Rictus ampli, infra oculos aperientes. Alae attenuatae,
remigibus spuriis nullis. Cauda elongata, furcata, rectricibus
duodecim. Pedes insidentes, digitis anticis aequaliter fissis, ad basin
subconnexis._

Bill very short, triangular, broader than high; upper mandible above
slightly curved and carinated; lower mandible straight, both notched.
Nostrils simple, basal, roundish, entirely concealed by thick-set
incumbent feathers. Mouth large, opening beneath the eye. Wings
pointed; spurious quills none. Tail elongated, forked, of twelve
feathers. Feet formed for sitting; the fore-toes equally cleft and
slightly connected at their base.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. corpore supra nigro flavo variegato; subtus albo, fasciis nigris
transversis; mento flavo, capitis crista rufa nigro variegata, alis
caudaque elongata furcata chalybeis, immaculatis._

Above black varied with yellow; beneath white, with transverse black
bands; chin yellow. Head crested, the feathers rufous, varied with
black. Wings, and elongated forked tail raven-black, immaculate.

* * * * *

For this beautiful and extraordinary bird I am indebted to Miss E. Yeates, of the Dingle near Liverpool, who received it from South America. Its general habit clearly points it out as belonging to the _Baccavorae_ or Berryeaters, apparently connecting the genera _Procnias_ and _Pipra_, where Temminck with much judgement has also placed it, in the new edition of his _Manuel d'Ornithologie_ just received, and before reading which I had considered the genus as unpublished.

The total length is nine inches, of which the tail occupies four and a half. The bill is whitish, and is remarkably short, measuring only three lines from the nostrils to the tip, but three quarters of an inch from the angle of the mouth, which opens just under the eye: the plumage is singularly variegated: the crown of the head is furnished with a crest, which, when not elevated, is scarcely seen, and appears a deep glossy black mixed with grey and rufous; but when erected it is very conspicuous, and all the feathers are bright rufous tipt more or less with black; the upper sides of the head grey, the lower part and ears deep-black; the neck above is greyish-white, with blackish transverse lines: the back, scapulars, rump and tail-covers are varied transversely with olive, shining black, and bright yellow, each feather being olive at the base, black in the middle, and yellow at the tip. Beneath the feathers of the chin and part of the throat are somewhat lengthened, semi-setaceous, and of a bright yellow; the neck and breast are white, with two transverse lines of deep black on each feather; these lines diminish, and are broken into spots on the body, and nearly disappear on the vent: the edges of the breast-feathers are tipt with yellow, which colour increases downwards on the vent and tail-covers, which latter are entirely yellow. The wings are four inches long, uniform deep black with a blue gloss, much pointed, and calculated for rapid flight. Tail the same colour, the exterior basal margins olive: all the feathers are narrow, pointed, and gradually lengthening, the middle pair being two inches three quarters longer than the outer pair, which exceed those next them by an inch. The feet are very pale yellow, and three-quarters of an inch from the knee to the claws, the three foremost of which are equally connected together (though slightly) nearly as far as the first joint; the outer and inner toes equal, and rather shorter than the hind-toe: claws slender and much compressed.

Whether this species is the same as the one mentioned by Temminck as existing in the French Museum under the name of _P. flavirostris_, it is quite impossible to say, as the description of that bird has never been published. This leads me to notice a custom several naturalists of the present day have lately adopted, of publishing names, and names only, of new or undescribed animals, which they then wish to be considered as permanently fixed, and as having thus secured to themselves all the merit of first describing. Now this at best is but a surreptitious path to fame, and in many instances bears the appearance of originating in a petty vanity, quite beneath the dignity of true science: it is easily fixing a name to an object which we have not before seen, or suspect may be new, without the trouble of investigating authors and comparing synonyms: the name may remain, but if it should afterwards be discovered as hasty and erroneous, its author is in no way amenable to the opinions and criticisms of others, for they cannot discover such mistakes when no clue is given them beyond a name, which may frequently be applicable to half a dozen species. If, on the other hand, the object is really new, the scientific world is still in the dark, for without a description the name conveys nothing. Besides this, it has a tendency to deprive those writers of their well-earned merit, who undergo the laborious but necessary investigation of books, the examining and comparing of specimens, and the construction of sound characters previous to their publishing a new addition to the great volume of Nature. Against this _scientific monopoly_ a stand should be made, and all names either of families, genera, or species should be totally rejected, unless their meaning is clearly defined. Let those who run the race, receive the wreath; and not let it be snatched from the winning-post by another, who jumps from behind and claims it as his own.

On a careful examination of my specimen, I find the nostrils are not covered by a membrane, as observed by Temminck, but are open, obliquely and ovately round, and a narrow rim round the margin. That excellent ornithologist likewise remarks that the first and second quill-feathers are the longest; but my bird (which, however, is in full plumage) has the first and third of equal length and shorter than the second, which is longest. These nice distinctions lead me to suppose the species from which his generic character was taken, is distinct from this.

* * * * *

Pl. 32

PSARIS Cuvierii.

_Cuvier's Psaris._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum validum, crassum, conicum, basi rotundatum, versus apicem
leviter compressum, culmine convexo non carinato; mandibulis
emarginatis, superiore apice adunco. Nares basales, simplices,
rotundae, juxta marginem sitae, basi paucis plumulis setaceis
incumbentibus. Pedes simplices, tribus digitis anticis aequaliter
fissis. Remiges spuriae nullae. Cauda brevis: rectricibus duodecim
aequalibus._

Typus Genericus _Lanius cayanus_. Linn., Lath., &c.

Bill strong, thick, conic, the base rounded, towards the top slightly
compressed, the top convex, not carinated; both mandibles notched, the
tip of the upper hooked. Nostrils basal, simple, round, situated near
the margin, the base with a few short incumbent setaceous feathers.
Feet simple, the three fore-toes equally cleft. Spurious quills none.
Tail short, of twelve equal feathers.

Generic Type _Lanius cayanus_. Linn., Lath., &c.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. olivaceus, subtus albidus; capite supra nigro; occipite temporibus
et colli lateribus cinereis; pectore lateribus tegminibusque infernis
flavis._

Olive, beneath whitish; crown black; nape, sides of the head and neck
pale cinereous; breast, sides, and under wing-covers yellow.

* * * * *

The genus _Psaris_ was first instituted with great propriety by Cuvier; and before the discovery of the species now made known, was supposed to consist of only one, the Cayenne Shrike of Latham, which with the present bird (named in honour of the first zoologist of the age) is found in Brazil. The figure is nearly of the natural size.

Total length five inches and a half. Bill blueish, three quarters of an inch from the angle of the mouth, and four-tenths from the nostrils, which are ovately round, rather large, and simple, being entirely devoid of an external membrane, but the base is partially covered with small thick-set, short, setaceous feathers; between the eye and base of the bill are a few weak and short hairs; the upper part of the head, as far as the nape, is capped by deep-black, having a blueish gloss: between the nostrils and the eye, as well as on the chin and throat, the colour is white, which changes to a pale cinereous grey on the sides of the head and round the neck; the ears at their base and margin of the eye tinged with yellow; the rest of the upper plumage yellowish-olive. The under plumage on the lower part of the neck and breast, the sides, and the inner wing-covers are clear yellow, and from that to the vent white. Wings two inches long, the quills brown, margined externally with olive and internally with yellow; the first and second quill progressively shorter than the third and fourth, which are of equal length. Tail short, slightly divaricated; olive, with whitish marginal tips. Legs blueish-black; the three fore-toes are equally cleft, but a membrane will be found connecting them equally at the base nearly as far as the first joint.

Temminck must be mistaken in giving as a generic character to this genus, that the external toe is connected to the middle one as far as the first joint, and the inner toe cleft to the base; at least such is not the case either in my specimens of this bird or in those of the Cayenne Shrike: and they have been carefully relaxed in warm water, the best method of ascertaining such peculiarities.

* * * * *

Pl. 33

TAMYRIS Zeleucus.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae arcuatae, clava terminali, crassata, lineari, obtusa, in
foeminis graciliore attenuata. Palpi in fronte convexe-compressi, supra
linguam obvenientes, articulo ultimo minutissimo, crassato obtuso,
approximate, proclivi. Alae breves, sedentes horizontaliter
divaricatae._

Antennae arcuated; the club terminal, thick, linear, obtuse; more
slender and attenuated in the female. Palpi compressed convexly on the
front of the head, meeting above the tongue; the last joint very
minute, thick, obtuse, approximating and bent forward. Wings short,
when at rest horizontally divaricated.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER, ETC.

_T. Alis chalybeis concoloribus, margine albo; capite apiceque corporis
sanguineis._

Wings uniform blueish-black, with a slender white margin. Head and top
of the body bright red.

Hesp. Zeleucus. _Fab. Ent. Syst._ 3. _pt._ 1. _p._ 346. _no._ 317.

OBS. _Donovan's Indian Insects_, where that author has figured it by
mistake as a native of India.

* * * * *

This insect is the most common (although hitherto unfigured) of a striking natural group belonging to the _Hesperidae_; it has therefore been selected as the best example for the genus I have now formed them into. I have not seen more than twelve or fourteen species, and these were all from different parts of South America, to which I have no doubt the genus is exclusively confined. The club of their antennae is very thick, obtuse, and without any terminal hook. The bright red at the end of the abdomen (improperly called by Fabricius the tail) is most conspicuous in the female, which is also larger and having the wings more obtuse, of which the upper and under surfaces are both alike.