to be typical of a natural group, comprising the genera _Mitra_, _Oliva_,
_Ancillaria_ and _Marginella_. The obvious affinity between _Voluta_ and
_Mitra_ need not be dwelt upon. The connexion of _Mitra_ with _Oliva_, we
noticed in describing _Mitra olivæformis_, at pl. 48 of our first series.
This affinity appears further strengthened by a shell in the late
Tankerville Collection, especially recorded by Mr. G. Sowerby, as
"remarkable for its resemblance to an Olive." We regret not having seen
this shell, but such an authority is fully sufficient. The group of Mitres,
by which this transision appears effected, is that mentioned under the head
of _M. bicolor_ (Mitra, Pl. 1.) of this series. This little group has three
relations: one to the smooth Mitres (as _M. pertusa_), another to
_Conohelix_, and a third to the _Olives_: the species are all remarkable
for the polished smoothness of their surface, for the total absence of the
inner lip, and for the lower plaits of the pillar extending much beyond the
aperture: these plaits, moreover, are generally five or six, and all very
slender. The conchologist will perceive that nearly the only character
wanting, to render this description applicable to an Olive, is the
channelled groove round the suture. This character is added to the shell
before us, which thus presents the first type of form in the present genus.
Proceeding to the more perfect Olives, we observe the spire becoming
gradually shorter; the vitrious deposition on the inner lip increased in
thickness; the upper plaits on the pillar numerous, and those at the base
thicker and more external (_M. fulmineus_, Lam. _elegans_, En. Meth. 362,
3.), the ventricose shape of some (_O. undata_, _inflata_, Lam.), the spire
often concealed by a vitrious covering, and even the colours of others (_M.
tessellata_, _guttata_) remind us of the typical Volutes. It is very
remarkable, that in most of the cylindrical Olives, the apex is more or
less, papillary: the last complete terminal volution of the spire being
thick, inflated, and distorted: (see particularly _O. reticularis_, En.
Meth. 36, f. 1; _fusiformis_, Ib. 367, 1; _guttata_, Ib. 368, f. 2.) Others
are seen of a more slender form, as _O. subulata_, L. _acuminata_, E. M.
368, 3, where the pillar is similarly plaited. But in several small species
allied to _O. conoidalis_, another modification of form has evidently
commenced: the spire is regularly acute; the upper plaits disappear; and
those which remain, are only at the thickened base of the pillar: the
aperture, no longer narrow, becomes wide at the base, where the pillar
takes an oblique direction inward: we are thus led to the form of _O.
hiatula_, E. M. pl. 368, f. 5, where the characters of _Ancillaria_ become
apparent in the effuseness of the mouth, the double belt at the base, and
the imperfect groove on the outer side of the pillar. Whether we look to
this shell, or to the descriptions given by Lamarck of the fossil species
_plicaria_, _canalifera_, and _laumontiana_, or finally, to the _Ancillaria
glandiformis_, Sow. no doubt can remain of the genus _Oliva_ being here
blended with the _Ancillariæ_. There is, however, another form among the
_Olivæ_, which deserves mention, as it cannot well be associated with
either of the preceding: this we have described below. Another genus that
may be thought connected with _Oliva_, is _Terebellum_: a group very ably
illustrated by Mr. G. Sowerby, in his "Genera of Shells." To that work we
must refer the reader for those reasons which shew its more immediate
relation to _Ovula_. It is, in short, one of those forms too hazardous to
class without a complete knowledge of the animal.
----
OLIVA striata.
_Shell small, cylindrical, sub-effuse, distinctly marked by regular
longitudinal striæ; upper part of the body whorl with one, lower part
with four, belts; spire short, channelled, sub-papillary, naked; base of
the pillar striated and externally detached by a groove._
Ancillaria canalifera?? _Lam. Syst. 7, 415_.
----
We do not find this fossil clearly described. Our specimens appear to be
from the London clay. Its form seems analogous to _Conohelix_ among the
Mitres. The line adjoining the figures denotes the natural length of the
shells.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PSARIS _cristatus_.
_Crested or white backed Saris._]
PSARIS cristatus.
_Crested, or White-backed Saris._
----
Family Todidæ.--_Nobis._
_Bill_ lengthened, depressed, boat-shaped. _Tarsi_ moderate, weak, the
three anterior toes more or less united. _Wings_ and _tail_ short.
Sub-family Psariana.--_Nobis._
_Head_ very large, depressed. _Mouth_ very wide. _Bill_ thick, depressed,
convex above. _Feet_ weak, tarsi rather short, toes united at their base,
the outer manifestly longer than the inner; claws broad, compressed;
anterior scales transverse; lateral scales small, numerous. The male
generally with a spurious quill between the first and second.
GENERA.
PSARIS. _Cuv._ Rictus smooth, wings lengthened, the first quill much
longer than the fourth, tail short, even.
Type, _Psaris Cayanus_.--Cuv.
PACHYRHYNCHUS. _Spix._ Rictus bearded, bill shorter, wings more rounded,
tail lengthened, graduated.
Type, _Psaris niger_.--Nob.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Blackish brown, beneath pale fulvous, base of the wings with a concealed
snowy spot, spurious quill broad, crown black, slightly crested._
Psaris cristatus. _Sw. in Zool. Journ. 2, p. 354._
Mus. Paris. Nost.
----
Of this very rare species we know but of two specimens, both of which
appear to have come from the mining provinces of Brazil. The economy of
these interesting birds has not yet been detected, even by naturalists who
have lived in their native regions. The indefatigable Azara professes his
ignorance on this point, but states some valuable information on a species
(nearly allied to the _Cayenne Saris_) named by him _Le Distingué a tête
Noir_, which, in Paraguay, is a bird of passage: its flight is elevated,
rapid, and prolonged. "_Ils ne sont ni farouches, ni remuans, et ils se
tiennent long temps à la même place. Ils ne sortent point des grands bois,
et ils se perchent toujours au plus haut des arbres les plus èlevés, où ils
ne cherchent pas à se cacher._" Azara Voy. 3, p. 407.
The size and strength of the bill induced us, some years ago, to adopt the
popular classification of this genus with the family of Shrikes; but a more
particular analysis of that and the neighbouring families, lead us to
suspect that its natural situation is far different: our reasons for this
belief will be stated at large in another work. For the present it may be
remarked, that the smoothness of the rictus, as indicating a frugivorous
habit, forbids us to place it with the Flycatchers; while the feet,
perfectly different from those of the true Shrikes (_Laniana_, Sw.), can
only be compared with those of the _Piauhau_ (Buff.). The affinity which
this group bears to _Gubernetes_, is merely superficial: but its analogies
to _Ceblepyris_, among the _Laniadæ_, and to _Pachycephala_, among the
_Ampelidæ_, are probably direct.
The merit of having first directed the attention of Ornithologists to the
singular spurious quill, which generally distinguishes the males of this
group, we transfer from ourselves to Azara. His invaluable work we did not
then possess, and knew not that the circumstance had already been mentioned
by him.
We are only acquainted with the genus _Pachyrhynchus_ of Spix, by seeing
this name affixed to our _Psaris Cuvierii_ in the Paris Museum. The
distinction is judicious; particularly as the two groups point to different
relations. Of _Psaris_, as now restricted, we know of six species, and of
_Pachyrhynchus_, ten.
Our present bird is osculent between these forms: we place it with _Psaris_
on account of its wings and tail; but it accords with _Pachyrynchus_ in the
rictus being slightly bristled. The spurious quill is half the length of
the first, which latter is as long as the fourth. The tail is in a slight
degree rounded. It is, perhaps, needless to remark, that all these birds
are confined to Equinoctial America.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CHÆTURA _macroptera_
_Longwinged Swift_]
CHÆTURA macroptera.
_Long-winged Swift._
----
Family Hirundinidæ.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Bill_ entire, the sides much compressed, the culmen arched. The lower
mandible recurved at the tip. _Wings_ very long. _Tail_ scansorial, the
extremity of the shafts naked, and acute. _Tarsi_ naked, the three
anterior toes and claws nearly equal; hind toe not versatile. _Nob._
Type. _Chætura pelasgia._ Stevens.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Brown: wings and tail glossed with greenish blue; back grey-white: chin
and under tail covers snowy; tail even._
Ob. Tail 3½ in. longer than the wings, the two first quills longest and
equal.
----
For an inspection of this new and imposing species, we have to thank Mr.
Ward, an Animal preserver of considerable talent. We do not find it
mentioned in any Ornithological work we possess, and our library is not
small: but with so many publications continually issuing from the
continental press, we shall feel no surprise at discovering it has already
been published.
This and the _Hirundo albicollis_, (first named by M. Vieillot) are two of
the largest species yet discovered, of a very singular group of Swifts;
wherein the tail feathers are spined, and even more rigid than those of the
Woodpeckers: by this structure the birds can remain for a considerable time
in the most perpendicular situations. The expanded tail thus acts as a
powerful support, which is further increased by the size and strength of
the claws, much larger than those of ordinary Swallows. There are several
species, most of which are natives of America.
The direct analogy which this group bears to the typical scansorial Birds,
joined to the general superiority of flight which the Swift possesses over
the Swallow, leads us to suspect this may prove to be the typical group of
the _Fissirostres_; an order in which Nature, in her wish to develope the
greatest powers of flight, appears to neglect all those laws which she
afterwards so rigidly adheres to: We intend in another work, to enter on
this interesting subject more fully.
Our figure is in strict conformity with the scale on the plate, which is
that of an inch.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PETROICA _bicolor_.
_Black & white Robin._]
PETROICA bicolor.
_Black and White Robin._
----
Family Sylviadæ. Sub-family Saxicolinæ.
(_See Northern Zoology, Vol. 2._)
GENERIC CHARACTER. See No. 8, pl. 36.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Black and white. Head, throat, back, and tips of the tail glossy raven
black: breast, scapular covers, stripe on the wings, and plumage beneath,
white: tail slightly forked._
----
In giving publicity to this new and interesting bird, we feel particular
pleasure in expressing our thanks to Allen Cunningham, Esq., His Majesty's
Botanist, in New South Wales, by whom it was there discovered. Although
devoted to a science already so much benefited by his researches, this
enthusiastic Traveller found some leasure for Ornithology, and has lately
favoured us with a large collection of skins, prepared during one of his
inland journeys; with a request that they may be made public: among other
highly curious forms, the present bird is conspicuous. It was found in the
open forest country, North of Liverpool Plains.
When once we are so fortunate as to discover the natural station of any
being, we may be convinced that every circumstance regarding its structure,
habits, or even colour, are employed by Nature to typify its relations to
other beings; and that until most of these can be explained, there is good
reason to suspect the accuracy of our views on its true affinities.
Possessing all the essential characteristics of _Petroica_, our bird
exhibits in the bill, feet, and tail, an immediate affinity to _Sialia
arctica_: while it is clothed in the pure white, and glossy black plumage,
which nature afterwards employs to designate the typical group of
GRYLLIVORA, (North. Zool.) at the opposite point of the circle of
_Saxicolinæ_. This remarkable analogy is extended to the bill, the point of
which is longer and more incurved, than in any of the immediate affinities
of our bird: its close relation to the old world _Saxicolæ_, is too obvious
to need explanation.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MARGINELLA Pl. 1
_1. oblonga. 2. guttata._]
MARGINELLA oblonga.
----
Family Volutidæ. Genus Marginella. Lam. Sys. 7. p. 354.
SUB-GENUS VOLUTELLA. _Nob._
Shell oval-ventricose: Spire concealed: outer lip generally smooth; base
of the pillar with four to five oblique plaits: aperture smooth within.
Type, _Marginella bullata_. Lam.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell oblong, rather gibbous round the middle, fawn coloured, with two
obsolete bands: spire concealed: outer lip and summit marked by orange
spots: pillar 4 plaited._
----
A species not hitherto described; its shape is unusually oblong, and the
spire is quite concealed: We are unacquainted with its locality. The
perpendicular line expresses the natural size.
In _Voluta_ and _Mitra_, the two typical groups of this family, the
variations of form are so striking, and the species so numerous, that we
readily assent to the plan, proposed by others, of further dividing them
into genera: but in the aberrant group, containing _Oliva_, _Ancillaria_,
and _Marginella_, the forms are less diversified, and the species fewer;
the minor divisions may therefore, for the present, be termed sub-genera.
The approximation of _Marginella_ to _Voluta_ has frequently been stated.
In M. _bullata_ we have a miniature melon Volute, while M. _faba_ is a no
less obvious representation of V. _magnifica_. Hence these forms appear
typical. Yet M. _persicula_ and _lineata_ cannot well be placed with
either, as their characters seem to indicate a direct analogy to
_Conohelix_ among the Mitres. As to _Volvaria_, we concur with other
writers, in thinking that the French Conchologists have erroniously blended
that genus with _Marginella_.
----
MARGINELLA guttata.
_Oval, spire concealed, covered with transverse oval spots margined with
white, somewhat ocellate, and disposed longitudinally; pillar 4 plaited._
----
We could give no correct idea of this very pretty shell, without enlarging
the figures; the natural size is indicated by the horizontal line. Our
specimen is the only one we have yet seen, nor do we know its habitat.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MARIUS _Cinna_]
MARIUS Cinna.
----
Family Nymphalidæ. (Stirps. 3? Horsf.)
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Larva and pupa _unknown_.
Perfect insect. _Wings_ Papilioniform, caudal appendages long, acute.
_Palpi_ porrect, approximating, and meeting at their tips so as to form
an acute cone: the whole covered with compact scales. Anterior feet
small, slender, imperfect, the tarsal joints? concealed by long hairs:
club of the antennæ terminal, sub-fuciform and cylindric. Body short,
thick, robust.
Type, _Papilio Marius_. Auct.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above brown, with two unequal white bands; beneath white, with
narrow fulvous bands; basal angle of the posterior wings with an orange
spot, ocellated with black._
Papilio Cinna. _Cramer Vol. I. pl. 100. f. 8._
----
Cramer describes this elegant Butterfly as a native of Surinam, and our own
specimens were received from the same country. All the species of this
group that have yet fallen under our inspection, are natives of South
America. Their flight is high, powerful and rapid: the predominating colour
on the upper surface of their wings is brown, and on the under white.
It is the misfortune of not understanding the typical structure, and the
principles which regulate its variation, in higher groups, that in defining
the characters of a lesser, we can form no just idea of its relative value:
whether, in short, we should consider it a genus or a sub genus, or whether
it is typical, aberrant, or osculent. This, however, is but a temporary
evil; and will only continue until an insight is gained into higher
combinations, by first placing together kindred species under one common
name. If this be done heedfully, such a group _must_ be natural, whatever
opinions may be entertained in the _first_ instance, as to its proper
denomination.
* * * * * *
GENERAL INDEX
_OF THE PLATES TO_
VOL. 1.
IN THE ORDER OF PUBLICATION.
----
_N.B. The number here affixed to the Plates, for convenience of
reference, had better be marked in pencil upon the Plates themselves._
No. 1.
Psittaculus vernalis, 1
Polyborus Braziliensis, 2
Setophaga picta, 3
Ancillaria (Pl. 1.) rubiginosa, 4
Mitra (Pl. 1.) melaniana, 5
---- tessellata
No. 2.
Parra Africana, 6
Cuculus nigricans, 7
Lorius Isidorii, 8
Ampullaria Pl. 1.
---- carinata, 9
Unio (Pl. 1.) truncatus, 10
No. 3.
Thriothorus mexicanus, 11
Lorius garrulus, 12
Coccyzus Levaillantii, 13
Marmarostoma (Pl. 1.)
---- undulata, 14
Voluta (Pl. 1)
---- bullata, 15
No. 4.
Paleornis Pondicerianus, 16
Hirundo fasciata, 17
Anodon (Pl. 1.)
---- areolatus, 18
Mitra (Pl. 2.) bicolor, 19
---- carinata
---- strigata
Tellina (Pl. 1.), 20
---- latirostra
No. 5.
Nanodes venustus, 21
Icterus Cayanensis, 22
Drymophyla longipes, 23
Lingula anatina, 24
---- hians, 25
No. 6.
Platycercus scapularis, 26
Drymophila fasciata, 27
Aglaïa gyrola, 28
Melania (Pl. 1.) amarula, 29
---- setosa
Mitra (Pl. 3.) fulva, 30
---- ambigua
---- punctata
No. 7.
Aglaïa flava, 31
Papilio Niamus, 32
Rhetus Cramerii, 33
Rostellaria (Pl. 1.) curvirostris, 34
Psaris Jardinii, 35
No. 8.
Petroica multicolor, 36
Ploceus textor, 37
Ampullaria (Pl. 2.) Nilotica, 38
---- subcarinata
Strombus (Pl. 1.) Peruvianus, 39
Oliva (Pl. 1.) volutella, 40
---- striata
No. 9.
Psaris cristatus, 41
Chætura macroptera, 42
Petroica bicolor, 43
Marginella (Pl. 1.) oblonga, 44
---- guttata
Marius Cinna, 45
* * * * * *
GENERAL ALPHABETIC INDEX
OF
LATIN AND ENGLISH NAMES, &c.,
TO
VOL. 1.
----
Aglaïa, Generic Character, 27
---- flava, 31
---- gyrola, 28
Alasmodon, Generic Character, 10
Ampullaria carinata, 9
---- canaliculata, 38
---- nilotica, 38
---- subcarinata, 38
---- virens, 38
Ancillaria rubiginosa, 4
_Ant-thrush, long legged_, 24
---- _White shouldered_, 26
Anodon, Generic Character, 10
---- areolatus, 17
_Apple Snail, carinated_, 9
_Caraca Eagle_, 1
Chætura, Characters of, 42
---- macroptera, 42
Coccyzus Vaillantii, 13
Cuculus nigricans, 7
_Cuckow, African black_, 7
_Cuckow, black and white_, 13
Drymophila fasciata, 27
---- longipes, 23
_Eagle, Brazilian crested_, 1
Euplectes, characters of, 37
_Flycatcher, painted_, 3
_Hangnest, Cayenne_, 22
Hirundo fasciata, 17
Hyria, Generic Character, 10
Icterina, characters of, 22
Icterus, Generic Character, 22
Icterus, Cayanensis, 22
Iridina, Gen. Characte, 10
_Jacama, African_, 6
---- _Habits of the_, 6
Lingula anatina, 24
---- hians, 25
Lorius garrulus, 12
Lorius Isidorii, 8
_Lory, Blue necked_, 8
_Lory, Ceram_, 12
Malimbus, characters of, 37
Marmarostoma, Gen. Character, 14
---- undulata, 14
Marginella oblonga, 44
---- guttata, 44
Marius, characters of, 45
---- cinna, 45
Melania amarula, 29
---- setosa, 29
Mitra ambiguua, 30
---- bicolor, 19
---- carinata, 19
---- fulva, 30
---- melaniana, 15
---- punctata, 30
---- strigata, 19
---- tessellata, 5
_Mussel-horse, areolated_, 18
Myotherinæ, characters of, 23
Nanodes, characters of, 21
---- venustus, 21
Oliva, affinities of, 40
---- volutella, 40
---- striata, 40
Pachyrhynchus, Gen. Ch., 41
Pachystoma, Gen. Character, 9
Paleornis Pondicerianus, 16
Papilio Niamus, 32
Parra africana, 6
_Parrakeet, blue-fronted_, 21
---- _mustachoe_, 16
---- _Tabuan, or King_, 28
---- _vernal_, 2
Petroica, Generic Character, 36
---- bicolor, 43
---- multicolor, 36
_Phytophagous Molluscæ_, 30
Platycercus scapularis, 26
Ploceus, Generic Character, 37
---- the sub-genera, 37
Ploceus textor, 37
Polyborus Braziliensis, 1
Psariana, characters of, 41
Psaris cristatus, 41
---- Jardinii, 35
Psittacidæ, Divisions of, 28
Psittaculus vernalis, 2
Rhetus Cramerii, 33
_Robin, black and white_, 43
---- _scarlet breasted_, 36
Rostellaria curvirostris, 34
_Saris, crested_, 41
---- _Jardines_, 35
Saxicolinæ, Bill of, 36
Setophaga picta, 3
Strombus Peruvianus, 39
Strombii, Genera of, 35
_Snail, Waved, Pearl_, 14
_Swallow, white-banded_, 17
_Swift, long-winged_, 42
_Tanager, red-headed_, 27
---- _yellow_, 31
_Tellen, wide-beaked_, 20
Tellina latirostra, 20
Thriothorus mexicanus, 11
Voluta bullata, 15
Volutella, sub-genus of, 44
Volute, Bulla-shaped, 15
Unionidæ, Family of, 10
Unio, Generic Character, 10
---- truncatus, 10
_Weaver, rufous necked_, 37
Wren, mexican, 11
Zoophagous Molluscæ, 35
* * * * * *
Notes.
[1] Zool. Journal, Vol. 4. p. 405.
[2] Ill. of Brit. Ent. 1. p. 70.
* * * * *
Corrections made to printed text
Preface: 'separate' (with critical judgment) corrected from 'seperate'
Preface: (Speculation and) 'Hypothesis' corrected from 'Hypothosis'
Plate 2, main title: 'POLYBORUS Braziliensis' corrected from '...
Brazilienses'
Plate 9: 'Animaux' (sans Vetebres) corrected from 'Animanx'
Plate 16: 'Geoffroy St. Hilaire' corrected from '... Hiliare'
Plate 22: 'The true O. cayanensis' corrected from '...caynensis'
Plate 30: Heading (MITRA) 'ambigua' corrected from 'ambigna'
Plate 32: under Generic Character, 'caudated' corrected from 'candated'
Plate 36: 'Stonechat' (fig. 3, 4) corrected from 'Sonechat'
Plate 38: 'accurately' (figured by himself) corrected from 'acurately'
Plate 39: 'respiratory' (siphon) corrected from 'respitory'
Both indexes, Plate 30: (Mitra) 'ambigua' corrected from 'ambiguua'