Chapter II: Preface (2)

_Troglodytis_, originally instituted as a genus by our illustrious countryman Ray, has been adopted both by M.M. Cuvier and Vieillot. Professor Temminck, on the contrary, has included it with _Sylvia_; an immense genus, already burthened with more species than are rightly understood, or that really belong to it.

Figure the natural size. Bill straight, triangular at the base, the sides compressed, tip of the upper mandible bent down and notched; nostrils large, lengthened, covered by a membrane, which (except at the base,) is naked; the aperture terminal, near the edge of the bill, narrow, and oblong: the feathers on the rump and flanks remarkably long; the three fore toes slender, and all connected at their base as far as the first joint: tail even, and longer than the generality of Wrens, the feathers very narrow, weak, and deep black. Plumage above light or reddish brown; sides of the head, neck, breast, and body, the same, but tinged with fulvous; the chin and upper part of the throat blackish, but the margin of the feathers partly white: lower part of the throat and breast dusky: middle of the body pure white; under wing covers, inside margin of the quills, and edge of the shoulders, white.

Mr. Leadbeater favoured me with this bird, which he received from Brazil.

The comparative length of the bill in this genus, (leaving the present bird out of consideration,) offers no generic distinction, because it varies greatly in different species. Some of those found in Brazil have the bill nearly double the length of the common European Wren.

* * * * *

Pl. 141

PSITTACUS chryseurus,

_Golden-tailed Parrot._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 1.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. nitide viridis; fronte genisque fulvo colore tinctis; rectricium
brevium, parium, pennis mediis viridibus, caeteris aureis, omnium
apicibus nigris._

Shining green; front and sides of the head tinged with fulvous; tail
short, even, tipt with black, the two middle feathers green, the rest
golden.

* * * * *

I was fortunate in procuring both sexes of this very rare bird in the vicinity of Pernambuco, being the only individuals I ever met with in Brazil: they appeared as if tired from a long flight, which led me to suppose they had migrated from the interior towards the coast. I do not find the species noticed by any writer, nor have I seen it in any collection.

The total length is six inches and a half; the plumage generally of a rich emerald green, rather obscure on the top and sides of the head, but very bright on the back and rump, where it is tinged with blue; the feathers round the base of the bill, front, and sides of the head, are tinged with buff colour; the scapulary feathers (protecting the base of the wings and lesser quills) are chocolate brown, the quills themselves black, margined externally with green and internally with olive. The most beautiful part of the bird is the tail, which is short and even, each feather having the tips margined by a narrow line of black, the middle pair being green, and all the rest of a rich golden yellow colour; the under plumage and wing covers are nearly of as deep a green as the wings, but on the flanks there is a tinge of olive.

* * * * *

Pl. 142

NECTARINIA flaveola, _var._

_Yellow-bellied Nectarinia._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 117.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_N. nigricans, infra flava; mento, superciliis rectriciumque trium
exteriarum apicibus, albis; fascia uropygiali olivacea._

Blackish brown; beneath yellow; chin, eyebrows, and tips of the three
outer tail-feathers white; band on the rump olive.

Certhia flaveola. _Gmelin_, 479. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ _v._ 1. _p._ 297.
_Gen. Zool._ _v._ 8. _p._ 248. _Turton_, _p._ 297.

Certhia, _No._ 33. _Brisson. Orn._ _v._ 6. _App._ _p._ 117. _Syn._ 2.
_p._ 19.

Black and yellow Creeper. _Edwards_, _pl._ 122. _pl._ 362. _Lath. Syn._
_v._ 2. _p._ 737. _Gen. Zool._ _v._ 8. _p._ 248. _Turton._ _p._ 297.

Le Guit-Guit Sucrier. _Vieill. Ois. Dor. Certh._ _pl._ 51. _p._ 102.

* * * * *

This pretty little bird, under different varieties of plumage, appears to be scattered over the greatest part of tropical America, and is one of the most common of its tribe. The best, and indeed the only detailed account of its economy, is given by M. Vieillot; who remarks, that its nest is suspended on the tops of those tall climbing plants, which, in those countries, form a matting over the most lofty trees: the entrance to the nest is at the bottom; the interior is divided into two compartments, in one of which only the young are contained. It feeds both on small insects, and the nectar of flowers. All the above synonyms refer to the different varieties authors have enumerated of this species. Most of these have a white spot at the base of the exterior quills; others vary in having the throat entirely black; and some again have a yellow rump; but none of these agree with the variety here figured, which I believe came from Trinidad. Probably a more perfect knowledge of these supposed varieties will show they contain two or three distinct species.

Notwithstanding the shortness of the bill, this is a decided _Nectarinia_, according to a natural, but not an artificial arrangement. It forms, in some degree, a passage from the shining coloured _Nectariniae_ of America, to the short-billed _Melliphagae_ of the southern hemisphere. On a future occasion I shall offer more detailed observations on the genus _Dicaeum_ of Cuvier.

The figure is the size of life; and, with the specific character, renders a further description unnecessary.

* * * * *

Pl. 143

AMPULLARIA sordida,

_Brown Apple Snail_ _f. 1. 2._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 103.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa globosa, ferruginea, lineis transversis subcarinatis
instructa aperturae margine tenui; umbilico magno; operculo corneo?_

Shell globose, ferruginous, with obsolete transverse subcarinated
lines; margin of the aperture thin; umbilicus large; operculum horny?

* * * * *

The only species of _Ampullaria_ with which this may be confounded is _A. fasciata_, p. 103, in comparison with which it is a more globose shell, the aperture narrower, and the spire more obtuse; the umbilicus is larger, round, and not contracted; the suture is not sunk, the shell is not banded with coloured lines, nor is the surface smooth; on the contrary, it is marked with transverse, obscurely carinated lines; while the shell is uniform brown, the aperture within is white, margined with brown.

* * * * *

AMPULLARIA puncticulata

_Oval, punctured Apple Snail_

_A. testa ovata, subtilissime punctata; spira obtusa; labii exterioris
margine, interiorisque basi rufis, incrassatis; operculo corneo?_

Shell oval, minutely punctured, spire obtuse; margin of the exterior
lip within, and base of the inner lip thick and rufous; operculum
horny?

* * * * *

This and _A. oblonga_ are the only species I am yet acquainted with, whose form is not globose. It never grows to a size much larger than the figure; the whole shell is marked by fine longitudinal striae, and transverse lines of minute dots, discernible only by the aid of a common magnifier; the aperture within is brownish flesh-colour; the margin is strong and reddish, and, within that of the outer lip, is a thickened rim; which, should the operculum be testaceous, may supply the place of the groove for its reception observable in _A. globosa_ and _corrugata_. The localities of both these species are unknown to me.

* * * * *

Pl. 144

EBURNA Valentiana,

_Arabian Eburna._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa turrita, laevis, nitida, umbilicata, basi truncata, emarginata.
Aperturae angulus superior interne canaliculatus. Animal marinum._

Shell turrited, smooth, polished, umbilicated, base truncated,
emarginate. Upper angle of the aperture with an internal channel.
Animal marine.

Generic Type _Buccinum Spiratum_ Lin.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_E. testa ventricosa, maculata; aperturae longitudine spirae
longitudinem superante; spira anfractibus 5 convexis, suturis alveatis;
basi balteo concavo cincta._

Shell ventricose, spotted; spire shorter than the aperture, of five
convex volutions; suture channelled; base with a concave belt.

Eburna Valentiana. _Sw. Appendix to Bligh Cat._ _p._ 6. _lot_ 904.

* * * * *

Few species are known of _Eburnae_, and these are neither well defined, nor correctly figured.

The species selected by most authors as the type of this genus is _Buccinum glabratum_ of Linnaeus, a shell which, as it unites the characters of _Eburna_ and _Ancilia_, should not have been chosen for this purpose. Types of genera are alone intended to represent the usual appearance of those characters on which the genus has been founded; they should therefore be selected from such species only, as represent these characters in their perfect development.

_E. Valentiana_ was first characterized by myself, in the Appendix to the Bligh Collection. It was brought from the Red Sea by Lord Valentia, in honour of whom it is named. The very short spire and concave belt at the base, easily distinguish this shell from _E. spirata_.

* * * * *

Pl. 145

EBURNA tessellata,

_Tessellated Eburna._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 144.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_E. testa maculis fuscis seu purpureis tessellatis fasciata; sutura vix
canaliculata; anfractuum marginibus convexis._

Shell with bands of tessellated brown or purple spots; suture slightly
channelled; margin of the volutions convex.

Buccinum Spiratum. _var. Linn._ _Gmelin_, 3487. _Dill._ 620. _Brug._
_p._ 262. 26. _Turton_, 4. _p._ 400. _var._ 2.

Lister, 981. 41. (_bad._) _Seba_, _t._ 73. _f._ 25. 26. _Martini_, 4.
_pl._ 122. 1120. 1121.

_E. Arcolata_, _Lam. Syst._ 7. _p._ 282. 4.

* * * * *

A shell hitherto placed as a variety of _E. spirata_, (_Buccinum spiratum_, Lin.) but from which I am disposed to consider it as specifically distinct. The channel or sulcation round the suture of each whorl is very slight, and the adjoining margin obtuse and convex; whereas in _E. spirata_ the channel is broad and deep, having the margin sharply carinated: so far the essential characters of the two shells are at variance; but their difference in colour is so obvious that no one can mistake them.

The form of the umbilicus in this species appears to be constant: it is wide, deep, placed near to the upper angle of the aperture, and margined externally by a convex belt. With the exception of Seba's figures, (which, through the carelessness of the engraver, are reversed,) not a tolerable representation of this shell can be found; for those given by the authors above named, are almost too inaccurate for citation. It inhabits the Indian Ocean.

* * * * *

Pl. 146

EBURNA Pacifica,

_South Sea Eburna._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 144.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_E. testa ventricosa, maculis fulvis fasciisque albis ornata; spirae
angustae, acutae, suturis integris._

Shell ventricose, with fulvous spots and white bands; spire slender,
acute; suture entire.

Eburna Pacifica. _Swainson, Appendix to Bligh Cat._ _p._ 6. _lot_ 904.

Eburna lutosa? _Ency. Meth._ _pl._ 401. _f._ 4.

_E. lutosa?_ _Lam. Syst._ 7. 282. 5.

* * * * *

A delicate and rather uncommon shell: first defined in the Appendix I subjoined to the Catalogue of the Bligh collection, dispersed by auction last spring. Mrs. Mawe informs me she has received this, along with other shells, from the Pacific Ocean.

A species at once distinguished by the entire suture and narrow-pointed spire; the inner lip is very thick, with a longitudinal sulcation near the umbilicus.

Whether this is the shell represented in the _Ency. Meth._ at _pl._ 401, _f._ 4, admits of doubt: a short description would have explained the characters, but not one word is said about it. I have already adverted to this novel mode of creating species at pl. 31. If authors will not be at the trouble of defining new species, they have no right to expect their names should be adopted by subsequent and more laborious writers, to whom they leave the more scientific task, of defining characters and collating synonyms.

* * * * *

Pl. 147

MUSCIPETA carinata,

_Keel-billed Flycatcher._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 116.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_M. plumbea, infra ferruginea; fronte juguloque nigris; temporibus
albentibus; rostri culmine carinato._

Plumbeous; body beneath ferruginous; front and throat black; sides of
the head whitish; top of the bill carinated.

* * * * *

Mr. Brookes, the celebrated anatomist, first drew my attention to this singular bird; the peculiarity of the bill suggested to us the idea of creating a genus for its reception; but a closer comparison of its other characters with several of the exotic _Muscipetae_ induces me, at least for the present, to associate it with those birds. The Flycatchers, as they now stand in the works of Latham, Shaw, and other Linnaean writers, undistinguished even by sections or subdivisions, present a mass of confusion, which renders the search after an individual, in this immense genus, almost hopeless.

Total length, six inches and a half; front, throat, and margin of the shoulders, deep black; the whole upper plumage is of a delicate lead colour, which is paler on the breast, and nearly white on the sides of the head and neck; body and inner wing covers rufous; the first quill is half the length of the second, which is rather shorter than the three next; feet slender, weak, and short; the outer toe united, the inner cleft. The bill at the base is triangular, but not elevated; the sides compressed; the culmin, or top, is sharp, elevated, and curved; the tip of both mandibles notched: nostrils simple, small, round, without a membrane, and partly hid by the thick-set frontal feathers, and lengthened setaceous bristles round the bill. These parts are delineated on the plate of their natural size; and must form the basis of any future generic alteration in the arrangement of this bird. The figure was from a specimen belonging to Mr. Brookes; since which, I have received two others from New Holland.

* * * * *

Pl. 148

EMBERIZA cristata,

_Crested Bunting._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum breve, conicum, compressum, basi aliquatenus hians, mandibula
superiore inflexa, inferiore superiorem magnitudine superantem. Nares
basales, rotundi, basi plumulis obtecta. Pedes sedentes, digitis tribus
anticis basi divisis, halluce plerumque brevi, curvo, aliquando recto._

Ob. _Remigum penna prima brevi, secunda tertiaque longissimis._

Bill short, strong, conic, compressed; the base slightly gaping; upper
mandible inflexed; under mandible largest. Nostrils basal, round,
covered at the base by small feathers. Feet sitting, the three anterior
toes divided at the base; the hind claw in general short and curved, in
some species straight.

_Ob._ The first quill of the wings shorter than the second and third,
which are the longest.

Generic Types (Temminck) i. _Emb. citrinella. miliaria_ Lin. ii. _Em.
nivalis. Fring. Lapponica._

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_E. olivacea, infra flavescens; capite cristato; jugulo nigro; striga
oculari, scapulis rectricibusque lateralibus flavis._

Olive, beneath yellowish, head crested; throat black; eye stripe,
shoulders, and lateral tail feathers, yellow.

* * * * *

The elegant crest of narrow-pointed feathers on the head of this new bird, at once distinguishes it from all others of the same family. Mr. Brookes favoured me with the individual here described; it was purchased alive at one of the Brazilian ports; but I strongly suspect it had been first brought from Africa, by some one of the slave ships. The figure is of the natural size; down the shaft of each feather on the back is a black line; the tail is rather long, and even; the two middle feathers black; the rest pure yellow, with black shafts, and brown exterior terminal margins; the upper mandible of the bill is sinuated; the base not gaping, but with a few incumbent bristles.

I have taken the authority of Professor Temminck for the accuracy of the generic types of this genus under its present modification.

* * * * *

Pl. 149

CASTNIA Fabricii,

_Red underwing Day-moth._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae clavatae, clavo elongato, cylindraceo, fusiformi, ad apicem
unco brevi, acuto armato. Palpi breves, graciles, haud prominentes,
articulo ultimo nudo, oblique verticales. Vertex ocellatus? ocello
oculum juxta utrumque posito._

Obs. _Caput parvum; alarum basis squamis conspicuis, elongatis
imbricata._

Antennae clubbed; club elongated, rounded, fusiform, ending in a short
acute hook. Palpi short, slender, not projecting beyond the front, the
last joint naked, obliquely vertical. Crown with a small ocellus?
adjoining each eye.

_Ob._ Head small: base of the wings covered with conspicuous,
lengthened, imbricate scales.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_C. alis anticis, supra ferrugineis; posticis rufis, fasciis 3 undatis,
nigris, masculis ovatis interstinctis, ornatis._

Anterior wings above ferruginous; posterior rufous, with three waved
bands of black, between which are imperfect oval spots.

* * * * *

The insects of this genus form one of the most singular groups among the Lepidoptera; they are few in number, and confined to the tropical regions of America; flying only during the meridian heat, and then with incredible rapidity: they frequent the narrow inlets of thick forests, occasionally resting, far above the ground, on the trunks of trees. The species here figured is very rare, and came from the Diamond district of Brazil: it is named after the illustrious entomologist who first founded the genus. The bases of the wings beneath are furnished, in the male, with a spiral socket and horny spring, similar to those of the Phalaenidae.

* * * * *

Pl. 150

SPHINX fasciata.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 81.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. alis anticis subdentatis, supra fuscis, margine postico striga
pallida ornato; posticis fulvis, margine nigro; abdomine annuloso,
annulis nigris, interruptis, interstitiis albis._

Anterior wings subdentated, above brown, posterior margin with a pale
stripe; posterior wings fulvous, margin black; body with black
interrupted rings, the interstices white.

* * * * *

This approaches so near to the Sphinx Alope of Drury, that it is not without hesitation I have ventured to separate them; it will, however, be seen, that neither in his figure or description is any notice taken of the pale testaceous band on the superior wings; the body likewise is described as "encircled with rings of brown and _dark ash_ colour;" in this, the rings are black, on nearly a white ground: the under sides of the superior wings, in Drury's insect, "are spotted along their external edges with long yellowish spots;" in this, they are uniform pale brown. These differences (greatly strengthened by his figure) induce me to consider them as distinct; particularly as both insects appear to have come from Jamaica: the upper side of the antennae are white, the lower brown. Cramer's figure of S. Alope affords little or no clue to illustrate the question.

* * * * *

SPHINX Leachii.

* * * * *

_S. alis anticis subdentatis, griseo-fuscis, maculis mediis 3 nigris;
posticis fulvis, margine nigro; abdomine griseo, annulis nigris,
interruptis._

Anterior wings subdentated, greyish brown, with three medial black
spots; posterior fulvous, margin black; abdomen grey, with interrupted
black rings.

* * * * *

I cannot reconcile this with any one species described by Fabricius; at the anal angle of the lower wings, is a pale greyish spot, with two short blackish lines: I have named it in honour of that laborious and eminent zoologist, Dr. Leach; who presented me with the specimen here figured.

The upper figure is of _Sphinx Leachii_, and the under of _S. fasciata_.

* * * * *

Pl. 151

ALCEDO semitorquata,

_Half-collared Kingsfisher._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 26.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. caeruleo-viridis, infra ochracea; capite cyaneo, lineis nigris
transversis ornato; dorso nitide caeruleo; pectore torque
caeruleo-viridi interrupto insigni._

Bluish green, beneath buff colour; head blue, with transverse black
lines; back shining light blue; breast with an interrupted blue-green
collar.

* * * * *

In a small collection of birds, procured on the borders of the Great Fish River of the Cape, I met with this new and elegant Kingsfisher. I was fortunate in detecting in the same parcel several other unknown and interesting birds; which I hope to record and illustrate in this work, particularly as they have since been sent to a foreign museum. This species considerably exceeds the size of the Asiatic Kingsfisher, being nearly eight inches and a half long: the bill is black, two inches from the gape, and one and three quarters from the base of the nostrils: head blue, the crown crossed by dusky black lines; hind head somewhat crested, the sides deep and rich mazarine blue; ears and sides of the neck greenish blue, the latter having a stripe of white; the blue on the sides of the neck advances on the breast in the shape of a half-formed collar: wings and scapula covers bluish green, with lighter spots on the tip of each of the wing covers; down the back is a stripe of vivid light blue, similar to the common Kingsfisher: tail dark-blue, edged with greenish, the base black. The plumage beneath, from the chin to the end of the throat, white; changing on the breast to pale fawn colour, which deepens to ferruginous on the body, under tail covers, and thighs: legs red: between the bill and eye a dusky white line.

* * * * *

Pl. 152

ACHATINA melastoma,

_Black-mouthed Achatina._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 30.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa strigis longitudinalibus, nebulosis, purpureis ornata; spira
elongata; labio exteriore castaneo-nigro; columella crassa, gibba; basi
integra._

Shell with clouded purple longitudinal stripes; spire lengthened; inner
lip chesnut-black; columella thickened, gibbous; base entire.

_Helix regina._ _Ferussac Moll._ _liv._ 19. _pl._ 119.

_Var._ (reversed.) _A. perversa._ _Zool. Illust._ _vol._ 1. _pl._
30.

* * * * *

I have not the least doubt that this shell is specifically the same with that figured at Plate 30 of this work: it has only recently come under my inspection, and I therefore hasten to give a further illustration of this beautiful species, and to substitute a new specific character, which will be applicable to both varieties.

Although much more ventricose than the reverse variety, this has the same unusual formation of that part of the columella seen at the base of the mouth, where it is very thick, and appears as if swelled: the epidermis, in this specimen, obscures the white ground colour of the shell. I have seen also another variety, even more slender than that at Plate 30, and with the aperture not reversed. These new facts point out the necessity of the specific name of _perversa_ being changed to one more applicable.

The figure is from a specimen lent to me by Mr. Dubois, and is probably from Brazil.

* * * * *

Pl. 153

STROMBUS lobatus,

_Lobed, or Brindled Strombus._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 10.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. testa nodulosa; spira brevi, inermi; labio exteriore supra repando,
bilobo, margine crasso, reflexo; apertura laevi, rubescente; canale
brevi._

Shell nodulous; spire short, unarmed; outer lip above spreading,
two-lobed, margin thick, reflected; aperture smooth, reddish; channel
short.

_Seba_, _tab._ 62. _f._ 4. 5. (_optime_) 9. 12. 14. 15. 27. _tab._ 63.
_f._ 6. _Mart._ 3. _tab._ 83. _f._ 836, 837. _Gualt._ _tab._ 32. _f._
F. _Knorr_ 3. _tab._ 11. _f._ 1-6. _tab._ 29. _f._ 8.

Strombus Gallus, ([beta]) _Gmelin_, 3511. 11. S. Raninus, _Gmelin_,
3511. 10.

_S. bituberculatus_, _Lam. Syst._ 7. _p._ 202. 6

* * * * *

It will appear extraordinary, that this very common shell should have been unknown to Linnaeus; and still more, that no other systematic writer should have noticed it, excepting Gmelin, by whom it is placed as a variety of _S. gallus_, although his _S. raninus_ is obviously made from a bad figure in Knorr of this same shell. On referring to Mr. Dillwyn's account of _S. gallus_, I find all the references of Gmelin to this shell expunged; and a note at the head of the genus states, that _S. raninus_ is undeserving of notice; thus every trace of the shell, in this work, is altogether lost.

The two lobes at the top of the outer lip form a strong and peculiar distinction of this species: the colour of the mouth is variable; though usually tinged with pink, it is often reddish, or red blended with yellow, and sometimes nearly white; within the upper part of the aperture, round the inner lip, are one or two strong plaits, with sulcated grooves on each side; and near the lobe at the base of the outer lip, the aperture has a few obsolete striae: the nodules on the body whorl are triangular, and the two nearest the lip are, in general, very large: the channel (or base) is short, and turned up in an oblique direction.

Found, in great abundance, in various parts of the West India seas.

* * * * *

Pl. 154

PSITTACUS Malaccensis,

_Blue-rumped Parrot._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 1.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. viridis; vertice uropygioque nitide caeruleis; tectricibus
interioribus, corporisque lateribus coccineis; cauda flavescente;
rostro magno, dentato._

Green; crown and rump sapphire blue; inner wing covers and sides of the
body crimson; tail yellowish; bill large, toothed.

P. Malaccensis. _General Zoology_, _vol._ 8. 2. _p._ 554.

Blue-rumped Parrakeet. _Lath. Syn. Sup._ 1. _p._ 66.

* * * * *

I think this may be the bird described (according to Latham) by Sonnerat, under the name of _Petite perruche de Malacca_, and from which both Latham and Shaw have framed their account of the Blue-rumped Parrot. On comparing their descriptions with the following, some differences and omissions will be found, but not sufficient, I think, to justify the idea of this being a distinct species: I have, as yet, seen only one specimen (and that not perfect) of this rare and little known bird.

Total length six inches; bill unusually large and strong, being three quarters of an inch (in a straight line) long, and nearly the same in height at the base; upper mandible with a sharp tooth in the middle, and reddish orange; under mandible violet grey; front and crown of the head violet blue, changing to blackish green on the back, and greyish green on the sides of the head, neck, and breast; body and vent green; rump and upper tail covers vivid azure blue; spurious wings greenish blue; wing covers dark but bright green, margined more or less with yellowish; quills blue green, their inner webs black; under wing covers and sides of the body crimson; tail short, even, the two middle feathers above green, the rest yellow with green edges and black shafts; beneath, these feathers are all yellow, the shafts white; the wings, for the size of the bird, are very long, measuring four inches and a half.

* * * * *

Pl. 155

PSITTACUS viridissimus,

_Green Parrot._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 1.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. pallide viridis; pennis infra nitide thalassinis; tegminum,
remigum, scapulariumque marginibus flavescentibus; linea ante-oculari
flava; rectricium basi rubra._

Pale green, quills beneath changeable sea-green; wing covers, quills
and scapulars margined with yellowish; before the eye a yellow line;
base of the tail feathers red.

* * * * *

The uniform green which pervades the plumage of this Parrot, induces me to think it may, possibly, be the female of some other species; a few pale red feathers, close to the axilla, and the faint red on the tail feathers, appear to strengthen this supposition. Among those species which are recorded, this approaches nearest to Latham's Green Parrakeet; but the figure this writer quotes, (_Pl. Enl._ 837.) is at variance both with his description, and with the bird now before us; it may, therefore, be considered as undescribed.

Total length nine inches; bill pale; upper mandible three-quarters of an inch long, the margin undulated. The whole plumage is of a beautiful and delicate green, darkest above; with a tinge of blue on the crown, spurious wings, and greater quills; the orbits are naked, between which and the eye is a blackish line, bordered above by another of pure yellow; all the wing covers and quills are margined with yellowish. The colour of the inferior side of the quills is a pale but beautiful blue green, reflecting brighter tints of the same colour, when held in certain lights; the under side of the tail has likewise these reflections, but above is yellowish, with a dusky red spot at the base of each lateral feather: under the wings there are three or four dull red feathers; feet pale.

This bird is in my own collection, and is the only one I have as yet seen; neither am I acquainted with its native country.

* * * * *

Pl. 156

FRINGILLA oryzivora,

_Paddy bird, Rice bird, or Java Sparrow._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum breve, validum, crassum, rectum, conicum; mandibulae;
superioris gibbae apice vix inflexo, integro; culminis convexi basi
angulata. Nares basales, rotundae, pone culminis basin positae,
plumulis vix obtectae. Pedes sedentes. Alae breves._

Bill short, strong, thick, straight, conic; upper mandible swelled, the
tip slightly inflexed, entire; culmine convex, the base angulated.
Nostrils basal, round, placed behind the base of the culmine, and
partially covered by the frontal feathers. Feet sitting. Wings short.

Generic Types. _Loxiae Javensis, Braziliana. Emberiza principalis,
cicris. Tanagria caerulea, &c._ (Temminck.)

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_F. cana; capite caudaque nigris; rostro rubro; crisso roseo-albente;
auribus (in maribus) niveis._

Lead-coloured; head and tail black; bill red; belly obscure rosy; ears
(in the male) snowy.

Loxia oryzivora. _Gm._ I. 302. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ 1. 380. _Gen. Zool._
9. 2. 316. _Brisson_, 1. 374. 7.

Java Grosbeak. _Lath. Syn._ 3. 129. _Supp._ 151. _Gen. Zool._ 9. 316.
_pl._ 51.

* * * * *

This elegant bird has been so distorted, in the representations given of it by the older ornithologists, that little apology is thought necessary for introducing more accurate figures of both sexes in this publication. It is said to inhabit the Cape and various parts of India, causing much damage to the rice plantations, and is frequently brought to this country alive. The figure is of the size of life, the bill bright red, but whitish towards the tip; it is very strong, thickened round the basal margins, and forms a sharp angle between the frontal feathers: the nostrils are small, round, and placed _behind_ the thick margin of the bill, and not on its outer surface. Legs flesh-coloured; the orbits are said to be red in the live bird.

I have followed the example of Illiger and Temminck in uniting the greatest part of the Linnaean Loxiae and Fringillae under the latter genus, retaining only the Cross-bills under the former.

* * * * *

Pl. 157

AMPULLARIA effusa,

_Ribbon Apple Snail._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 103.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa globosa, laevi, fasciis purpureo-fuscis cincta; spira
depressa, apice prominente; apertura angusta; umbilico magno, profundo;
columella obsoleta._

Shell globose, smooth, with purple brown bands; spire depressed, the
tip prominent; aperture narrow; umbilicus large, deep; pillar obsolete.

Helix glauca. _Linn. Dillw._ 918. Helix ampullucea, (_var._ [gamma])
_Gmelin_, 3626. Bulimus effusus. _Brug._ _p._ 296. _No._ 1.

_Lister_, 129. 29. _Seba_, _tab._ 38. _f._ 39. _tab._ 40. _f._ 3. 4. 5.
(_optime_.) _Martini_, 9. _tab._ 129. _f._ 1144-5. _Knorr_, 4. _tab._
5. _f._ 3.

_Lam. Syst._ 6. 2. _p._ 178. 5.

* * * * *

I concur with Mr. Dillwyn in believing that this shell is the _Helix glauca_ of Linnaeus; but, as it is now removed to another genus, I think no real advantage would result from continuing its original specific name; particularly as the identity may be questioned by others, without a chance of the question ever being settled: the adoption of the specific names given to species slightly or incorrectly described by the older naturalists, inevitably tends to increase the original obscurity, in all cases where the point cannot be cleared up. _A. effusa_ may be distinguished from all others by the columella being nearly obsolete; this part existing only in the two terminal whorls of the spire. This species therefore forms a transition to the _Planorbes_: there is a variety, with narrower stripes, double the size of that here figured.

* * * * *

AMPULLARIA luteostoma,

_Yellow-mouthed Apple Snail._

* * * * *

_A. testa globosa, striata, olivacea, lineis remotis fuscis fasciata;
spira levata, apice acuto; apertura effusa intus marginata; umbilico
magno._

Shell globose, striated, olive, with remote transverse brown lines,
spire elevated, the tip acute; aperture wide, within margined;
umbilicus large.

* * * * *

The umbilicus of this shell is not so deep as the last, but is larger than in any other known species; the columella is likewise perfect, and the aperture is wider and more oblique than in _A. effusa_.

* * * * *

Pl. 158

PINNA bullata, (_var._)

_Rufous Pinna._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa longitudinalis, cuneiformis, aequivalvis, apice hians, basi
acuta; natibus rectis. Cardo lateralis, edentulus. Ligamentum
marginale, lineare, praelongum subinternum._--Lamarck, _Sys._ vol. vi.
p. i. p. 129.

Shell longitudinal, wedge-shaped, equivalve, the valves gaping; the
umbones straight, pointed. Hinge lateral, without teeth. Ligament
marginal, linear, very long, subinternal.

Generic Types. _Pinnae rudis._ _Pectinata._ _Muricata._ Linn. Pennant,
&c.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. testa tenui, pellucida, rufa, aequilatera, striis remotis,
sulcatis, transversim squamiferis, subspinosis; marginibus lateralibus
rectis; margine inferiore oblique truncato._

Shell thin, pellucid, rufous, equilateral, with remote sulcated striae,
crossed by transverse scales and obtuse spines; lateral margins
straight; inferior margin obliquely truncate.

P. bullata. _Gmelin_, _p._ 3367. _Gualt._ _tab._ 79. _f._ c.
_Chemnitz._ 8. _tab._ 87. _f._ 769. _Knorr_, 2. 23. _f._ 1.

P. marginata. _Lam. Sys._ 6. _p._ 132. 7.

* * * * *

I have little doubt that this shell is a smooth variety of the _Pinna bullata_ of Gmelin, and the _P. marginata_ of Lamarck; both these authors refer to the same figure in Gualtieri, but both also have overlooked that of Chemnitz, above quoted, as well as Knorr's, which latter, although it represents the shell nearly smooth (similar to that here figured), I apprehend is only a variety. No doubt therefore having existed as to Gmelin's _bullata_, M. Lamarck had no plea for altering its specific name to _marginata_. I have consequently recorded it under Gmelin's name.

The Pinnae are rather numerous, although many of the species remain in obscurity; they attach themselves to rocks, deep in the sea, by a silky _byssus_. It has been commonly stated, that gloves and stockings are fabricated in the Mediterranean from this byssus, as articles of commerce; such, however, is not now the case; though articles, so fabricated, are sometimes shown in Naples and Sicily as subjects of curiosity.

Pinna bullata is, I believe, found in the West Indies. The vaulted spires on this and other species, easily fall off; and become, therefore, a very uncertain specific character.

* * * * *

Pl. 159

SATYRUS argenteus.

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Antennae mediocres, clavo elongato, gracili. Palpi porrecti,
compressi, vix recurvi, remoti, pilis ciliatis, longis, hirsutissimi;
articulo ultimo elongato, nudo, gracili, acuto. Alae posticae
orbiculares, integrae, raro dentatae._

Antennae moderate, the club lengthened and slender. Palpi porrected,
compressed, slightly recurved, remote, with long ciliated hairs; the
last joints long, naked, slender, acute. Posterior wings orbicular,
entire, rarely dentated.

Generic Types. _Pap. Hyperanthus_, _Galathea_, _Semele_, _&c._ Lin.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. alis fuscis; posticarum disco supra flavescente, maculis 2 fuscis
fucato, infra albente, margine postico fulvo, maculis 2 atris guttisque
7-8 argenteis ornato._

Wings brown; posterior above with a yellowish disk and two brown spots,
beneath whitish, the hind margin fulvous, with two black spots and 7-8
silver dots.

* * * * *

Without being ornamented by rich or vivid colouring, this is, nevertheless, one of the most chastely beautiful little butterflies found in Brazil. I met with it very plentifully in a small wood not far distant from Cashoera, on the western extremity of St. Salvador's bay: to this particular spot it seemed confined, for I never saw a single specimen in any other part of Brazil.

No colouring can imitate the richness of the silvery spots on the under wings, which appear embossed, or as if solid drops of silver had fallen on the insect when it first emerged into life. The two sexes are perfectly similar.

The insects of this genus are usually brown, with dark or paler shadings, and eye-like spots on their upper or under wings. They principally inhabit the woods of tropical regions, and the hedge sides and lanes of European countries; this circumstance probably induced Latreille to change their name from _Hipparchia_ (Fabricius) to _Satyrus_; which, although an innovation on the rules of nomenclature, may in this instance be allowed.

* * * * *

Pl. 160

ANODON purpurascens,

_Purple Anodon, or Horse Mussel._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 96.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa transversim oblonga, crassa, depressa, intus purpurascente,
lamina cardinali crassa, truncata, dente lamellari in utraque valva
supposito; umbonibus retusis._

Shell transversely oblong, thick, depressed, within purple; hinge plate
thick, truncate, with an obsolete lamellar tooth in each valve; umbones
retuse.

* * * * *

This is an entirely new and very rare shell, remarkable for its shape and internal colour; it is also highly interesting, as exhibiting the generic characters of _Anodon_, blended (in some degree) with those of _Unio_: according to the principles of Lamarck, it might therefore be made into a genus; but I feel convinced too much importance has already been attached by that naturalist and his followers to the hinge of bivalve shells; and that the nomenclature of the science is burthened with genera, trivial in themselves, bewildering to the scientific, and unintelligible to the student.

From having paid some attention to the Fluviatile Bivalves, and possessing a most extensive collection of specimens, I am clearly of opinion that no permanent characters will be found sufficient to retain either the genera _Dipsas_ (Leach), _Hyria_ (Lamarck), or _Alasmodonta_ of Say, much less that of _Damaris_ (Leach), and another, whose name I forget, made by Dr. Turton from the same shell as Leach's _Damaris_, viz. Mya Margaritifera of Linnaeus. In fact, the line of demarcation between Unio and Anodon appears to rest on the first possessing cardinal teeth, and the latter having none.

I have several valves (in different stages of growth), and one perfect specimen of this shell; they were sent to me from the back settlements of North America.

* * * * *

Pl. 161

VOLUTA punctata,

_Red-dotted Volute._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Testa ovata. Spira apertura brevior, apice papillari. Basis truncata,
emarginata. Columella plicata, plicis inferioribus majoribus._

Shell ovate. Spire shorter than the aperture, the tip papillary. Base
truncated, emarginate. Pillar plaited, the inferior plaits generally
largest.

Generic Types. _Volutae Olla_, _Imperialis_, _Pacifica_, _&c._

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_V. testa ovata, subfusiformi, tuberculata, pallide rubella fasciis 2
maculatis, rubris, punctis minutis interstinctis; columella 4 plicata._

Shell ovate, subfusiform, tuberculated, flesh-coloured, with two bands
of red spots interspersed with minute dots; pillar 4 plaited.

* * * * *

In "Exotic Conchology," I have commenced, and intend to complete, a copious illustration of this noble family of shells; which (if the simile be admissible) may be termed the nobles of testaceous animals, with as much truth as Linnaeus has called Palms the princes of the vegetable world. The Volutes, indeed, are imposing shells; both from their size, rarity, and their rich (but not gaudy) colouring; and it is not improbable that the value of a choice collection of the principal species, would be equal to their own weight in solid gold.

The species now under consideration is only known from an injured specimen in Mr. Dubois' cabinet; although much rubbed on one side, it presents on the other a true pattern of its original markings; the margin of the outer lip, and the tip of the spire, are both injured; yet, notwithstanding these defects, there are abundant characters remaining to evince its total dissimilarity from any other recorded species.

I have preferred subjoining only the essential generic characters of this genus, as most intelligible to students; particularly as its natural characters are fully detailed in the first part of "Exotic Conchology."

* * * * *

Pl. 162

ACHATINA fasciata, (_var._)

_Banded Achatina,_ (_3 varieties_.)

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 30.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 74.

(Young.) _Apertura basi integra._ Base of the aperture entire.

Ach. pallida. _Zool. Ill._ _vol._ 1. _pl._ 41.

* * * * *

Since the first illustration of this elegant species appeared, at plate 74 of this work, I have had the means of ascertaining a very extraordinary circumstance which takes place in the progressive growth of the young shell to the adult state; and that is the change effected in the form and termination of the pillar or columella. In the noble collection of shells formed by the late Earl of Tankerville, there is a numerous series of this species; from these I have ascertained, that in the young shells the base of the columella unites with the termination of the outer lip, making the aperture entire, similar to the lengthened Helices; but, as the shell advances in growth, the base of the columella becomes thick, detached, as it were, from the marginal rim, so as to produce an intervening notch, and thus gives the old and the young shell not only an appearance of being distinct species, but of belonging to separate genera. From these facts, I have drawn the conclusion, that _Achatina pallida_ (pl. 41), is but the young shell (having the margin of the aperture as yet entire) of _Achatina fasciata_; and the three additional varieties now figured, will, I hope, prove an interesting addition to the history of this species.

* * * * *

Pl. 163

HEMIPODIUS nivosus,

_White-spotted Turnix._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum mediocre, gracile, rectum, valde compressum culmine levato, ad
apicem sub-incurvo. Nares laterales, lineares, sulcatae, membrana
convexa cornea vix tectae, apertura fissa, elongata. Pedes longi,
digitis tribus anticis divisis. Halluce caret. Cauda brevissima
tectricibus obtecta. Alae mediocres._

Bill moderate, slender, straight, much compressed, culmen elevated,
towards the tip slightly incurved. Nostrils lateral, linear, sulcated,
partially covered by a convex horny membrane, the aperture narrow and
elongated; legs long, with three toes before, divided at their base.
Hind toe none. Tail very short, concealed by the covers. Wings
moderate.

Generic Type. _Perdix nigricollis._ Lath.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_H. supra ferrugineo varius; mento albescente; jugulo pectoreque
pallide ferrugineis, maculis albis, nitidis, ornatis; corpore albo;
uropygio caudaeque tectricibus superioribus rufis, immaculatis._

Above varied with ferruginous; chin whitish; throat and breast pale
ferruginous, with white shining spots; body white; rump and upper
tail-covers rufous, unspotted.

H. nivosus. _Swainson, in Tilloch's Phil. Magazine_, _vol._ 60. _p._
353.

* * * * *

I have represented this delicate little bird of its natural size; which is so small, as scarcely to equal that of a Lark. The Turnix inhabits the sandy deserts of Africa and India, and seems to form a race of pigmy Bustards, all the species yet discovered (fourteen in number) being very diminutive. Little is known of their habits in a state of nature, further than that they migrate, and fly with great rapidity. The specific character will distinguish _H. nivosus_ as a species; and I have already given a more detailed description of it in the Journal above quoted. Mr. Leadbeater received it from Senegal.

* * * * *

Pl. 164

SYLVIA annulosa,

_White-eyed Warbler._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 139.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. olivaceo-viridis, infra albescens; jugulo flavescente; palpebris
plumis niveis insignibus._

Olive-green, beneath whitish; throat yellowish; eyes encircled by a
ring of snowy feathers.

Sylvia Madagascariensis. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ 2. 533. _Gm._ 1. 981.

White-eyed Warbler. _Lath. Gen. Syn._ 4. 475. _Gen. Zool._ 10. 2. 720.

Ficedula Madagascariensis minor. _Briss. Ois._ 4. _p._ 498. _t._ 28.
_f._ 2. (_male_.) _Briss. Orn._ 1. 446.

_Le Figuier Tcheric_, _Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af._ 3. _pl._ 132.

* * * * *

A delicate ring of snow-white feathers encircles the eyes of this pretty bird. It is far from being peculiar to Madagascar (as Dr. Latham's name of _Madagascariensis_ would seem to imply), but is spread over a wide extent of the eastern hemisphere; being found both in the Isle of France, the Cape of Good Hope, and Madras. The name, therefore, is peculiarly inapplicable; but this is not all: for we find that the same author, a few pages after, has given this identical name to another very different bird; the same error is transferred into Shaw's Zoology.

Figure, the size of life: colour above, olive green; ears and sides of the head the same: chin, throat, and under tail covers yellow; breast cinereous, changing to dusky brown on the flanks; the middle of the body whitish; between the eye and bill a velvet-black line, which forms a partial margin to the snowy feathers of the eyelids; wings and tail dusky black, margined with olive.

Very indifferent figures of both sexes will be found in Vaillant's African birds; from his description it seems to be a gregarious species. I regret not being able, at this moment, to refer to the work.

* * * * *

Pl. 165

SYLVIA annulosa, (_var._ [beta].)

_White-eyed Warbler._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 139.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_S. supra cinerea, infra albescens, capite, alis uropygioque
olivaceo-flavis; jugulo flavescente; palpebris plumis niveis
insignibus._

Above cinereous, beneath whitish; head, wings, and rump, olive yellow;
throat yellowish; eyes encircled by a ring of snowy feathers.

* * * * *

On first receiving this bird from New Holland, I was inclined to think it a distinct species from the African White-eyed Warbler; but further consideration has led me to adopt a different opinion: it is true that I am unacquainted with any one land bird which is common to both countries, and much weight should be attached to the geographic distribution both of families and species. These two birds, however, differ in their colour, and somewhat in their size. On the other hand, the White-eyed Warbler, as before observed, is found both in Africa and India; and is, therefore, probably migratory. Nature, moreover, is not bound by laws to which there are no exceptions; and the leading points of resemblance between these birds are very strong. On the whole, therefore, I am inclined to consider them as varieties of one species, forming a solitary exception to the general dissimilarity between the birds of Africa and those of New Holland.

Size of the Wood Wren: the head and ears are olive yellow, changing to brighter yellow on the chin, and part of the throat; the neck and back cinereous, graduating to yellowish olive on the rump and upper tail covers; wings the same, the inside of the quills blackish; sides of the throat cinereous; body and under tail covers whitish; the sides tinged with ferruginous; the stripe between the bill and eye is more brown than black; and the white feathers round the eye, not so conspicuous as in the African variety.

* * * * *

Pl. 166

BULIMUS citrinus, (_var._)

_Citron Bulimus,_ (_3 varieties_.)

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 4.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 46.

VARIETIES.

A. Yellow, with black lines. _Zool. Ill._ _pl._ 46.

B. Yellow, with black lines and chesnut stripes. _Zool. Ill._ _p._ 47.

C. Yellow, variegated with green; inner lip obsolete. _Fig._ 1. _B.
virescens._ _Sw. Bligh Cat._ _p._ 13.

D. Green, striped with yellow; inner lip white. _Fig._ 2. 3.

E. Orange, with flame-coloured waved stripes. _Fig._ 4.

F. Pale yellow, with brown waved stripes.

_Lam. Syst._ 6. 2. _p._ 178. 5.

* * * * *

The beautiful shells here selected as a further illustration of the Citron Bulimus not only show the great variability of the species, but clearly prove that _B. virescens_ is, as I suspected, only a variety of _B. citrinus_. In the shell at fig. 1. the upper part of the inner lip (like that described in the Bligh Appendix), is entirely wanting; although it bears, in every other respect, the appearance of a full-grown shell; the umbilicus likewise is open; but in the shell at fig. 2. and 3. the inner lip is quite perfect, and consequently folds over the umbilicus; thus the connexion between the green and yellow varieties is completely established.

I have subjoined a slight arrangement of the principal varieties; and have only further to observe, that the specific character I first proposed, appears to me the only one by which this species may be truly distinguished.

Since the description of _B. aureus_ at pl. 47 was written, I have seen several other specimens; all of which tend to confirm my belief that it is distinct from _B. citrinus_.

* * * * *

Pl. 167

ANODON crassus,

_Thick Anodon, or Horse Mussel._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 96.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_A. testa ovata, lata, crassa; margine cardinali subarcuato,
extremitate utraque angulata alata; umbonibus prominentibus, apicibus
retusis._

Shell oval, broad, thick; hinge margin subarcuated, the extremities
winged and angulated; umbones prominent, the tips retuse.

* * * * *

It is only recently that travellers have directed their attention to the less attractive shells of distant regions; and our cabinets now begin to be enriched by the numerous land and fresh-water species of those countries. Among these new acquisitions, the fresh-water bivalves appear the most extraordinary in their formation, and the most numerous in species. Of the Anodons, it may be doubted whether the great Linnaeus was acquainted with more than three or four species; Lamarck enumerates fifteen, but a much greater number have passed under my own examination.

The species now illustrated is very peculiar; it is a strong, thick shell; in form resembling _Hyria corrugata_, Lamarck; having both extremities winged and compressed; the umbonial slope[6] elevated, and somewhat angulated; the umbones thick and prominent, but obtuse, or nearly truncate, at their apex; the outside of the shell of a dark grass-green colour, and nearly smooth, excepting at the posterior side, which is marked by sulcated striae following the lines of growth; the inside is opaque and whitish, with rich iridescent margins: the muscular impressions deep, and the hinge margin quite smooth.

I know of no other specimen than one in Mr. Dubois' collection, and am altogether unacquainted with its locality; although its _habit_ leads me to think it is from South America.

* * * * *

Pl. 168

RAMPHASTOS ambiguus,

_Doubtful Toucan._

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 45.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_R. niger; jugulo flavo; mandibulae superioris parte superiore flava,
transverse maculata, striga viridi oblique divisa; mandibula inferiore
nigra._

Black; throat yellow, upper mandible black, the upper half yellow, with
an oblique green stripe and transverse spots; the under mandible black.

* * * * *

The obscurity with which modern ornithologists have described these remarkable birds, would have induced me, long ago, to have attempted a more perfect account of all the species in this work; but as this might have been considered, by some, an infringement on the miscellaneous plan on which it was commenced, I feel obliged to confine myself only to their occasional illustration.

The species now selected is one I have never seen; but I have no doubt of its existence, and little of the accuracy of its delineation. I before alluded to several drawings of Toucans which had come to my hands, executed by an unknown artist: among them is a figure of that now published; with a note subjoined, stating it was drawn "from the bird just dead." The other drawings of the same artist represent several of the common species, and their accuracy is presumptive evidence that this also is represented correctly. The singular colouring of the bill at once separates it from all known species; and for its further history, we must trust to the exertions of those travellers, visiting South America, who may feel an interest in illustrating these singular birds.

I more than once heard, when in Brazil, of a _Blue Toucan_; but it was said to be very rare, and I never was fortunate enough to meet with one.

* * * * *

Pl. 169

PTEROGLOSSUS viridis,

_Green Aracari,_ (_male_.)

* * * * *

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 44.

* * * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_P. nigro virescens; capite juguloque nigris, foeminae castaneis;
corpore flavo; rostro serrato, tomiis albis, mandibula superiore
aurantiaca, linea longitudinali, laterali, media, nigra, mandibula
inferiore caerulea._

Blackish green; head and neck black (in the female chesnut), body
yellow; bill toothed, the margins white, upper mandible orange, with a
black longitudinal line; lower mandible blue.

Ramphastos viridis. _Linn. Gmelin_, 1. _p._ 353. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ 1.
138. _Gen. Zool._ 8. 2. _p._ 370.

Green Toucan. _Lath. Syn._ 1. 331.