beautiful, form a small but richly coloured group of birds, remarkable for
the peculiar structure of their feet, which leads them to frequent the
ground more than any of their family. In the form of their bill, wings, and
tail, they exhibit a close resemblance, in miniature, to the Maccaws of the
New World, and may justly be supposed to represent those birds in the
Southern hemisphere.
We received two specimens of the Blue-fronted Parrakeet, some years ago,
from Van Dieman's Land; yet even there it is considered scarce; nor did we
observe it in any of the collections in Paris.
Assenting, in a great measure, to those general principles of arrangement
which several eminent Ornithologists have proposed regarding this family,
we nevertheless consider that the succession of affinities, and even the
nature of the leading groups, are not yet correctly understood. In the
present case, we would rather have seen _Nanodes_ placed as a sub-genus to
_Pezoporus_; from which it merely differs in the comparative shortness of
the feet. The connexion between the two forms, moreover, is so close as
not, in our judgment, to admit the intervention of _Platycercus_, or any
other group yet discovered.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Yellow shouldered Oriole._
I. Cayanensis.]
ICTERUS Cayanensis.
_Cayenne Hangnest._
----
Fam. Sturnidæ.--Sub-Fam. Icterina (_Nobis_).
Bill lengthened, conic, acute, entire, the commissure not sinuated. Tarsi
short, adapted for perching; claws strong, fully curved.
----
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Bill black; both mandibles slightly bent; nostrils furnished with a
membrane; tail lengthened, graduated; wings slightly rounded._ Nob.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Black, not glossy; lesser wing-covers above yellow, beneath black
margined by yellow; legs bluish._
Oriolus Cayanensis. _Lin. 1. p. 163._
Xanthornus Cayanensis. _Brisson. Orn. 2. p. 123. pl. 9. f. 2._
Carouge de St. Thomas. _Pl. Enl. 535. f. 2._
Yellow-winged Pye. _Edwards, pl. 322?_
In Mus. Nost.
----
The Starlings of the old continent, are represented in America by a tribe
of birds formerly denominated Orioles, but which we shall distinguish by
the name of Hangnests. They are gregarious and noisy; living both upon
insects, fruits, and grain. Their nests are purse-shaped, woven with great
dexterity, and generally suspended from the extreme branches of lofty
trees.
Much has been done to illustrate the affinities of these birds, and to
define the species; but both are imperfectly known. Regarding their natural
arrangement, our own views are quite at variance with the ingenious theory
of Mr. Vigors; and as to the species, the bird before us is a curious
example of error.
The true _O. cayanensis_, in the best modern systems, has been lost sight
of; and, under the new name of _chrysopterus_ (Vieil. Wagler.), has been
confounded with _three_ others, one of which is a _Xanthornus_, one an
_Icterus_, and one an _Agelaius_! The only authentic synonyms, which can
therefore be consulted for our bird, are those we have quoted.
_Cassicus_, _Cassiculus_, _Xanthornus_, and _Icterus_ are the only
published genera which will come within our definition of the _Icterinæ_.
Total length, 9 in.; bill, 1; wings, 4; tail, 4-1/10; tarsi, 8/10.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Long leg'd Ant Thrush_
(_M. grallatoria._)]
DRYMOPHILA longipes.
_Long-legged Ant Thrush._
----
Family Meruladæ.
Sub-family Myotherina.
Legs long, adapted for walking; wings and tail short, the latter weak,
rounded or even, but never forked or divaricated; claws but slightly
curved. _Nob._
----
GENUS DRYMOPHILA.--Lesson. Man. 1. p. 196.
D. longipes. _Above rufous; sides of the head cinereous; throat and
breast black; body beneath white; tarsi long, pale_.
_Sw. in Zool. Journ. 2. p. 152. Gen. Zool. 13. 2. 179. Lesson. Man. 1. p.
196._
In Mus. Nost.
----
The Ant Thrushes, as originally defined by us, constitute a natural group
of Birds peculiar to, and very abundant in, the tropical regions of the New
World. They are found only in the deep shades of forests, seeking their
nourishment on the ground, from ants and other terrestrial insects. Beyond
such retreats they never venture, and thus their natural love for seclusion
has prevented us from knowing more of their economy.
The species are numerous: our own cabinet contains fifteen: but nearly
double that number are among the rich and surpassing treasures of the Royal
Museum at Paris. Of that here figured, we have never seen a second
specimen.
In the form of the bill, and the elongated lax plumage of the back,
_Drymophila_ bears a close resemblance to the smaller species of Bush
Shrikes (_Thamnophilus_), but the construction of the feet--adapted in one
for perching, and in the other for walking--will sufficiently distinguish
these groups.
The specific name of _grallaria_, engraved on the plate, was inadvertently
changed for that of _longipes_ in the published account. The figure
represents the natural size.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Lingula anatina._]
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Lingula hians._]
LINGULA anatina.
----
Class Mollusca.--Order Brachiopoda (_Macleay_).
GENERIC CHARACTER.--Lam. Sys. 61, 257.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Valves of equal breadth, much depressed, and longitudinally sulcated;
the basal extremities approximating._
Lingula anatina. _Cuv. Bulletin, No. 52*. Ann. du Mus. v. 1, p. 69*. Lam.
Syst. 61, 258._
Lingula anatina. _Sw. in Phil. Mag. 62, p. 403, Dec. 1823._
Icones. _Ency. Meth. Pl. 250, f. 1, a, b, c. Chemn. Pl. 172, 1675, 1677.
Seba. 3 tab. 16, f. 4*._
----
The nature of the animal inhabiting the shell of _Lingula_ remained
unknown, until the illustrious Cuvier detected its affinity with
_Terebratula_, _Crania_, and those singular bivalve shells forming the
order _Brachiopoda_ of Mr. Macleay. The valves have neither teeth or
ligament, but are united by muscles, and supported on a fleshy peduncle,
three or four inches in length, by which the animal is attached to marine
bodies.
We believe that under the common name of _Anatina_, two species have been
included. Their respective peculiarities were published, some time ago, in
the Journal above alluded to; and are now more fully illustrated by
figures, and by such specific distinctions as are exhibited by the shells.
Both species appear to inhabit the Indian Ocean.
----
LINGULA hians.
_Valves narrowed towards their base, convex, and generally smooth; both
extremities widely gaping._
----
We do not recollect to have seen this species so frequent in collections as
the preceding; it is always smaller, more convex in the middle, and
generally smooth. Mrs. Mawe favoured us with fine specimens of both, for
delineation.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Pennantian Parrakeet._]
PLATYCERCUS scapularis.
_Tabuan, or King Parrakeet._
----
Family Psittacidæ.
GENERIC CHARACTER.--Lesson. Man. 2, 146.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Green; head, neck, and body beneath scarlet; lower part of the back
blue; scapular covers with a pea green stripe; tail black._
Tabuan Parrot. _White's Voyage, pl. in p. 168 (male)._
Grande Perruche à collier et croupion bleus. _Le Vail. Par. pl. 55._
Platycercus scapularis. _Vig. and Hors. Linn. Trans. 15, 1, 284._
----
Greatly allied to the Ground Parrakeets of Australia, but differing from
them in many particulars, are the Broad-tailed Parrakeets of the same
region, forming the modern group _Platycercus_. The former appear to
represent the Maccaws; while the latter exhibit many strong points of
analogy to the Lories; but we question if their resemblance extends
further.
We have had one of these beautiful Parrakeets in our possession, alive, for
many years. Its manners are gentle and timid. Like many of its congeners,
it delights to wash itself in a basin of water. In the day, and during
winter, it is generally silent; but on a mild evening it will go on, for
two or three hours, with a somewhat whistling note; sometimes shrill, but
generally soft and pleasing. Its ordinary diet is moistened bread, with a
little hemp and canary seed; but during summer and autumn the small garden
fruits appear to be highly welcome to our elegant little favourite.
Our figure represents a variety of the male bird, wherein the light green
on the scapular feathers is wanting. The total length is about sixteen
inches.
We consider the primary divisions of the _Psittacidæ_, are those which have
long been recognized under the familiar names of Maccaws, Cockatoos,
Parrots, Lories, and Parrakeets. Such a series is the result of a
synthetical investigation we have given to the subject; but this mode of
inquiry is so deceptive, and has led to so many erroneous conclusions, that
until each of these groups are submitted to a patient analysis, which has
never yet been done, no correct opinion on the subject can be formed. The
name on the Plate (engraved five years ago) is a mistake. The first
description and figure of this bird is in "White's Voyage to New South
Wales," where it is described as not uncommon.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _White shoulder'd Ant Thrush_
(_M. Bicincta._)]
DRYMOPHILA trifasciata.
_White-shouldered Ant Thrush._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_General plumage black; with the shoulder covers, interscapulars, and two
bands on the wing covers, snowy._
D. trifasciata. _Swains. in Zool. Journ. 2, p. 152. Gen. Zool. 13, 2,
179. Lesson. Manuel. 1, p. 196._
In Mus. Paris. Nostro.
----
We found this remarkable bird not uncommon in the thick Forests of Pitanga,
near Bahia, during our travels in Brazil in the years 1815-7. Yet although
the male birds were frequent, we were never fortunate enough to procure a
female. It has likewise been found in the southern provinces of that
empire, by Dr. Langsdorff.
Its total length is about seven inches; the whole plumage, with the
exception of the snowy bands on the wings, is intensely black: the white
spot on the back is only seen when the feathers are raised: the irides, in
the live bird, are of a beautiful crimson.
My friend M. Lesson, conjectures truly in thinking, that the birds placed
by M. Temminck in our genus _Drymophila_, have no connexion or analogy with
those species we have described, or with the characters on which we
originally founded the group: they belong, in short, to a different family.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Red headed Tanager._
T. Gyrola.]
AGLAÏA Gyrola.
_Red-headed Tanager._
----
Family Fringillidæ?--G. Tanagra. _Auct._
Aglaïa. _Lesson. Man. 2, 423._
Bill small, short, compressed; nostrils concealed by velvet-like
feathers. Wings rather lengthened, pointed; 2, 3 and 4 quills equal and
longest. Tail even.
Type.--_Tanagra Tatao._--Lin.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Vivid green, sometimes varied on the breast with blue: the whole head
bright rufous, bordered round the neck with a narrow golden ring._
Tanagra Gyrola. _Lin. 1, 315. Lath. In. Orn. 1, 427._
---- _Desmarest Tan. pl. 15. Vieil. Orn. 2, p. 778._
Le Rouverdin. _Buff. Son. 12, p. 341. Pl. Enl. 133, f. 2. Edw. pl. 23._
Red-headed Tanager. _Lath. Syn. 3, 233. Gen. Hist. 6, 16._
----
The splendid little birds arranged under this group belong exclusively to
Tropical America. They are generally seen in pairs, frequenting open woody
tracts; feed principally upon fruits, and seldom if ever perch upon the
ground: In the variety, and richness of their colours, they are only
surpassed by the Humming Birds.
The Red-headed Tanager has never, we believe, been found in Brazil;
although it occurs in Cayenne, Surinam, and some of the West India Islands.
Buffon was its first describer; he informs us that in French Guyana it
appears in small flocks, two or three times in a year; arriving when the
fruit of a particular tree is ripe, and departing when it begins to fail.
Some specimens are more brilliant than others, originating probably from
age or locality: those from Cayenne are known by a delicate blue tinge on
the breast. A further variety has been described (_Ency. Meth._), in which
the upper part of the neck is also red, and the back marked by a large spot
of dull rufous (_brun-marron_). We suspect this will prove a distinct
species. The rank of this group, whether as generic or subgeneric, can only
be determined by analyzing the whole family.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MELANIA Pl. 1.
_1, setosa. 2, amarula._]
MELANIA amarula.
----
Order Phytophaga. (_Gasteropoda, Cuv. Pars._)
Molluscæ destitute of a syphon, but furnished with jaws, and generally
enclosed in a univale shell, with an entire aperture.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
See Lam. Sys. 6, 2, p. 163.--Dubois Trans. 193.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell ovate-conical, blackish, upper part of the whorls armed with solid
porrect spines; aperture bluish white._
M. amarula. _Lam. Sys. 6, 2, p. 166. Chemn. pl. 134, f. 1218-9. Ency. pl.
468, f. 6._
----
This is a genus of fresh water shells, particularly abundant in Africa,
Asia, and America; we have also heard it has lately been detected in
Europe.
We should not have figured this common and well known shell, but for the
purpose of comparing it with the next. When in a young state, the spines
are very acute: more advanced they become less so; and in old individuals
they are often very obtuse.
----
MELANIA setosa.
_Shell ovate-conical, brownish olive; whorls armed with porrect tubular
spines, enclosing setaceous bristles._
Melania setosa. _Sw. in Brand's Journal, No. 33, p. 13._
This is a most singular species. From the tubular spines emerge two or
three hornlike, elastic bristles, which appear embedded in the substance of
the shell. A very ample account of the first specimen we ever met with,
will be found in Brand's Journal for April, 1824. It was discovered in the
Isle of France, by Mr. Warwick, where it appears to be very rare. Other
specimens have since been brought to this country.
We were unwillingly drawn into a controversy respecting this shell some
years ago. Our sentiments, in every thing that regards the shell itself,
are unchanged. Not so with respect to the individual. The civilities and
attentions we have since received from Mr. Gray, leave us to regret, very
sincerely, that such a discussion should have ever taken place.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MITRA. Pl. 3.
_1, adusta. 2, ambigua. 3, punctata._]
MITRA fulva.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell ovate-acute, smooth, fulvous, unspotted, marked with transverse
sulcated striæ, containing punctured dots: body whorl contracted; suture
crenated: base obtuse: outer lip thickly and strongly crenated; the
crenations, and the plaits on the pillar, white._
----
The different nomenclature of Lamark and Dillwyn, induced us to suspect
that our present species might still be retained under the name of
_adusta_; but as a greater degree of confusion may perhaps arise in so
doing, than that which we wished to avoid, we have now given it a distinct
name, and defined its true characters. It is sometimes partially dotted
with pure white. The _M. adusta_ of Lamark is, in short, the same as the
_ruffina_ of Linnæus: or at least that species which Dr. Solander and Mr.
Dillwyn conceive to be such. Our shell is from the Isle of France, and is
not common: the crenated teeth on the lip are very strong; the base obtuse,
and effuse: the spire and aperture of equal length.
----
MITRA ambigua.
_Shell ovate-fuciform, rufous, with a white band near the suture,
transversely striated and punctured, suture and outer lip crenated, base
contracted; spire shorter than the aperture._
Less distinctly striated and punctured than the last; but differs
considerably in being almost a fuciform shell: the base of the aperture is
consequently contracted. We possess but one specimen, and know not its
locality.
----
MITRA punctata.
_Shell ovate, brown, striated and punctured: spire very small, somewhat
conic: outer lip crenated: pillar six-plaited._
A beautifully perfect shell of this new and very rare species, we procured
from our friend Mrs. Mawe; we have never seen another: the inside of the
lip is margined with deep brown.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: _Golden back'd Tanager, male._
T. Flava.]
AGLAÏA flava.
_Yellow Tanager._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above glossy fulvous yellow; sides of the head, and middle of the
throat, breast, and body, deep black; wings and tail green._
Tanagra flava. _Lath. In. Orn. 1, 431._
Tanagra Braziliensis flava. _Briss. Orn. 3, 39, 22._
Le guira-perea. _Buff. Son. 12, p. 362._
Yellow Tanager. _Lath. Syn. 3, 244. Gen. Hist. 4, 22._
Tanagra chloroptera. _Vieil. Orn. 2._
----
The buff-coloured yellow which spreads over the upper plumage of this bird,
in some lights becomes much richer, and delicately gilded. The wings appear
to be sea-green, but this colour only margins the borders of the feathers,
the inner parts of which are blackish: the tail is coloured in the same
way, the feathers divaricating from the middle, which is slightly forked.
The black in front terminates at the vent; which, with the sides of the
body, are waxen yellow.
In the Ornithology of M. Vieillot, we find no mention of this well known
bird by its long established name: but the _T. chloroptera_ of this writer,
described as a new species, is evidently no other than the _flava_ of
anterior authors.
Our figure is of the natural size. The female is dark bluish green above,
and buff beneath, much paler on the throat and breast: the chin and sides
of the head blackish; and the crown buff-coloured yellow.
We found this species not uncommon in several parts of Brazil, particularly
round Pernambucco; frequenting the gardens, and feeding on the
smaller-sized fruits.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PAPILIO _Niamus_]
PAPILIO Niamus.
----
Order Lepidoptera. G. Papilio. (_Auct._)
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Wings pale, with longitudinal bands: posterior lengthened, caudated; the
tails long and acute.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings yellowish white with black bands; posterior wings acutely tailed,
with a black line and whitish lunule at the anal angle, and marked
beneath with a macular red band margined with black._
Pap. Niamus. _Alis flavo-albidis, fasciis nigris; posticis caudatis,
apice nigro lunulis albidis: his subtùs strigâ maculari rubrâ._ Latrielle
et Godart. Ency. Meth. 9, p. 51.
----
To describe in detail those colours and markings of an insect, which the
eye can embrace at a single glance on a well executed representation, is
surely unnecessary. We shall therefore merely observe that this species has
hitherto remained unfigured: that it is a native of Southern Brazil, and of
such rarity, that in two years, we never met with more than one specimen.
In some observations upon what appear to us the leading groups of the
_Diurnal Lepidoptera_, published some time ago, we considered those groups
wherein the anterior feet are perfectly developed, and the chrysalis braced
by a transverse thread, as the most perfect and typical. Subsequent
observations confirm us in this general view; but it still remains to be
investigated, to which group the generic name of _Papilio_ should be
retained. The wide dispersion of that form represented in the two European
species _Podalirius_ and _Machaon_, and which form occurs in all the
temperate and tropical regions of the globe, leads us to suspect it as the
most typical group: to this, _Papilio Niamus_, from its very close affinity
to _Podalirius_, unquestionably belongs.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: RHETUS _Cramerii_]
RHETUS Cramerii.
----
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Larva_ and _Pupa_ unknown.
_Wings_ triangular; the posterior lengthened and rather acutely tailed.
_Antennæ_ with the club linear-fuciform. _Palpi_ cylindrical, elongate,
porrect, incurved, remote, naked; the second joint remarkably long.
_Anterior feet_ in the male short and very hairy; in the female longer,
naked, and furnished with minute claws. _Wings_, when at rest,
horizontal.
_Types._--Pap. Rhetus. Periander.--(_Cramer._)
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings black, with two white subhyaline bands, both sides alike;
posterior wings elongated, vivid blue, acutely tailed, with a transverse
sub-lunular band at the anal angle._
Papilio Rhetus. _Cramer. pl. 63, f. c._
----
This is one of the rarest and most splendid lepidopterous insects of
Brazil. We were once fortunate in capturing six specimens, fluttering over
a shrub in the early morning sun, during our encampment in the Forest of
Urupeè, in the Province of Bahia: but we never again met with this charming
creature.
The perfect insect has been figured in the costly, but truly valuable, work
of Cramer; yet as neither the larva or pupa are known, we cannot determine
on its natural group. Its relations, as suggested by the perfect insect,
appear to be these. We consider the analogy between the groups respectively
containing _P. Podalirius_, and _Marius_ (Cr.), to be immediate and direct:
the form of the last type, and much of its general structure, is seen in
our insect; but the details will not admit of a further similitude. Among
the _Ericinæ_ we again detect this form in _P. Corineus_ and _Dorylus_
(Cr.), and continuing the comparison, we see the _antennæ_, _palpi_, and
feet (in one sex) of _Rhetus_, accurately represented in those of _P.
imperialis_ (Cr.), among the _Thecladæ_. We therefore suspect, that the
real affinities of our insect lie between the two last groups: It seems
moreover to have a strong analogy with _Leilus_. The upper figure is of the
male, the under of the female.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: ROSTELLARIA. P. 1
_R. curvirostris._]
ROSTELLARIA curvirostris.
_Short-beaked Spindle._
----
Class Mollusca. Order Zoophaga.--(_Gasteropoda, Cuv. Pars._)
Carnivorous Mollusca without jaws; the mouth formed into a retractile
trunk: conveying nutriment by suction. Respiration aquatic: the water
being conducted to the branchiæ by a projecting siphon.
Family,? Strombidæ. (_Les Ailées. Lam._)
----
SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.
Div. 1. _Outer lip with a sinus; distinct from the basal canal._
STROMBUS. _L._ Outer lip dilated, entire, basal canal short.
_Stromb. gigas, auris-Diana, tridentatus, urceus, &c._
PTEROCERAS. _Lam._ Outer lip digitated; canal lengthened, arcuated.
Div. 2. _Sinus simple; formed by the prolongation of the canal._
APORRHAIS. _Dacosta._ Outer lip dilated and digitated.
_Strombus pes-pelecani. Auct._
ROSTELLARIA. _Lam._ Outer lip dentated, but not dilated. Basal canal
long.
HIPPOCHRENES. _Montf._ Outer lip generally dilated, and always entire.
Basal canal moderate or short. Spiral canal nearly equal to the spire.
_Rost: macroptera, columbata, fissurella, Lam._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Basal canal short: spiral canal thickened, and perpendicularly ascending
on the spire._
Strombus fusus. _Linn. Gm. 3506. Lister, 854, 12. Seba, 3, 56, 1._
Rostellaria curvirostris. _Lam. Sys. 7, 1, 192. Ency. Meth. pl. 411, f.
1._
----
This elegantly formed shell is a native of the Red and Indian Seas. It is
the most common of the few species retained in the genus _Rostellaria_; all
these are recent; while _Hippochrenes_ has occured only in a fossil state.
The preceding table of affinities, connecting the leading forms among the
_Strombii_, will be adverted to hereafter. At present we shall offer a few
observations on the nature of that more comprehensive division of the class
_Mollusca_, to which this particular group appears to belong.
The learned Author of the Horæ Entomologicæ, in that part of his valuable
essay relating to the _Molluscæ_, considers our knowledge of these animals
too imperfect to enable him to state the nature of the typical groups: the
situations of which, in his diagram of the animal kingdom, are therefore
merely indicated by stars. M. Macleay further remarks, that the
_Gasteropoda_ of M. Cuvier, with certain restrictions, evidently form a
circular group. Yet, from the above omission, it appears he still
entertained some doubts on the propriety of this arrangement. Labouring
under similar disadvantages to those which impeded the researches of so
profound an observer, we feel some hesitation in expressing a different
sentiment on the subject, particularly in reference to his own disposition
of affinities.