Chapter 3

Pl.70.

EURYMUSEuropome.

Plate 70.

EURYMUSEuropome.

The Clouded Sulphur.

Generic Character.See Pl.60.

Specific Character.

See Stevens. Ill. of Brit. Ent. 1. p. 10. and Haw. Lep. Brit. 13.Papilio Europome.Haworth Lep. Brit. p. 13. No. 12.Colias Europome.Stev. pl. 1.* fig. 1. male. 2. 3. female.Syst. Cat. 5797.

See Stevens. Ill. of Brit. Ent. 1. p. 10. and Haw. Lep. Brit. 13.

Papilio Europome.Haworth Lep. Brit. p. 13. No. 12.

Colias Europome.Stev. pl. 1.* fig. 1. male. 2. 3. female.Syst. Cat. 5797.

In Mus. Nost.

Much interest has recently been excited among British entomologists regarding this butterfly. Some are of opinion that it is not a native of Britain, while others, with a strong shew of reason, contend that it is truly indiginous. The specimens in the British collection formed by our lamented parent, and now in our possession, having been alluded to by both parties, we have been induced to represent them, and to throw some light upon their history.

So anxiously did our honored father preserve his cabinet, free from exotic specimens, that knowingly, he never admittedone, even as a temporary substitute for a native example. Yet living, in his early days, in constant intercourse with the famous Dutchess of Portland, Dr. Lightfoot, and Mr. Lewin, he received, from these sources, some few insects, which were placed in his cabinet,under the assurancethat they were British. Among these arePap. Podalirius,Daplidice, and the two specimens of the allegedEuropomehere figured: the latter being mistaken,and intermixed, with three examples of the trueHyale. On the other hand, it is incumbent upon us to say, that both these have been mended, before coming into our father's possession, by the heads and antennae ofGonepteryx Rhamni! We must also state, that upon closely comparing them with a series ofE. Philodice, we have failed to discover what appears to us a true specific distinction. The same unsuccess has attended our efforts to detachChrysothemefromEdusa, of which latter we possess specimens from Germany, Genoa, Sicily, Greece, Africa, and several others unlabelled, all varying more or less from each other, and from British examples.

Pl.71.

MALACONOTUSBarbarus.Barbary Shrike.

Plate 71.

MALACONOTUSBarbarus.

Barbary, or yellow-crowned Shrike.

Family Laniadæ. Sub-family Thamnophilinæ.Nob.

Generic Character.

Swains. in Zool. Journ. 3. p. 163.

Specific Character.

Above glossy black, beneath crimson; crown fulvous yellow: vent and flanks buff.Lanius barbarus.Linn.Icon.Pl. Enl. 56.Laniarius barbarus.Ency. Meth. Orn. p. 755.Le Gonolek.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. pl. 69.

Above glossy black, beneath crimson; crown fulvous yellow: vent and flanks buff.

Lanius barbarus.Linn.Icon.Pl. Enl. 56.

Laniarius barbarus.Ency. Meth. Orn. p. 755.

Le Gonolek.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. pl. 69.

The true Shrikes, of which two, if not three species inhabit England, are bold and cruel birds: they attack others, scarcely smaller than themselves, and seize them like a Falcon, by their talons during flight. The Bush Shrikes on the other hand, are a more ignoble race; they only prowl after young or sickly birds, and seek their principal nourishment from those insects which shelter in foliage. These birds form two distinct groups, confined to the tropical latitudes of the Old and the New World. The first,Thamnophilus, is restricted to America, and the species are known by their dark coloured plumage.Malaconotus, is, we believe, purely an African group, while most of the typical species, like the present, are cloathed in bright and beautiful colours.

This elegant bird seems to be abundant in Western Africa, but is rare towards the Cape of Good Hope. Hence Le Vaillant had no opportunity of learning its peculiar manners. Its size is that of a Thrush; the feathers on the back are very long, and the first joint of the outer toe isfree. Nature, ever prone to typify her relations, and to preserve harmony between groups, essentially distinct, has given to the bill of this bird, a form closely resembling that ofPitta; the genus by whichMalaconotusis represented among the Thrushes.

A partial consideration of this group induced us, some years ago, to adopt the generic name ofLaniarius; but in a more recent investigation of the species so denominated, we have failed to discover sufficient reason for separating them, generically, fromMalaconotus.

Pl.72.

DONACOBIUSvociferans.Babbling Thrush.

Plate 72.

DONACOBIUSvociferans.

Babbling Thrush.

Family Merulidæ. Sub-family Macropodianæ.Nob.

Characters.

Bill arched from the base, moderate, and generally entire; wings very short: tail broad, rounded. Feet and toes of great strength and size; plumage lax, and soft.Nobis.Gracula(pars.)Cuv.Pomatorhinus.Horsf. Tem.(pars.)Pitta.(p.)Opetiorhynchus.Ixos.(p.)Malurus(p.)Tem.Timalia.Megalurus.Horsf.Dasyornis.Phosphodes.Vig.

Bill arched from the base, moderate, and generally entire; wings very short: tail broad, rounded. Feet and toes of great strength and size; plumage lax, and soft.Nobis.

Gracula(pars.)Cuv.Pomatorhinus.Horsf. Tem.(pars.)Pitta.(p.)Opetiorhynchus.Ixos.(p.)Malurus(p.)Tem.Timalia.Megalurus.Horsf.Dasyornis.Phosphodes.Vig.

Generic Character.

Bill slender, moderate, the upper mandible notched; nostrils naked, membranaceous, the aperture terminal.

Specific Character.

Above blackish brown, beneath fulvous yellow; sides of the body lineated with black lines, base of the quills and tips of the laternal tail feathers pure white, sides of the neck, with a naked space.Gracula longirostris?Auct.

Above blackish brown, beneath fulvous yellow; sides of the body lineated with black lines, base of the quills and tips of the laternal tail feathers pure white, sides of the neck, with a naked space.

Gracula longirostris?Auct.

It is seldom that the notes of the feathered race are absolutely disagreeable, but we never remember to have heard a bird with a voice of such astounding discord, as that now before us. Its particular note, if note it could be called, we do not now recollect; but it was so shrill, grating, andmonotonous, that we have frequently rushed out of the house, to drive away the babbling disturbers. This happened at the hospitable residence of our friend Mr. Pinches, of Pernambucco, whose house was close to a small swamp, overgrown with reeds, among which these birds delight to dwell; and which in fact, they never quit. Clinging to the smooth stems by their strong feet and acute claws, they were incessantly uttering discord with the most provoking perseverance: all the time moving their body from one side to the other, spreading out their tail, and straining their throats, in the most grotesque way imaginable. On each side of the neck, is a long space of bare skin of a deep yellow colour: they live in pairs, and build a pensile nest among the reeds: their flight is very slow and feeble.

Pl.73.

MURICINÆ. Pl. 2.Murex erythrostomus.

Plate 73.

MUREXerythrostomus.

Pink-mouthed Murex.

Family Buccinidæ. Sub-family Muricinæ.Nob.

Specific Character.

(Type 1.)Shell spinous: varices between the two lips four; armed with conic, generally pointed spines, the upper and lower of which are vaulted; colour reddish white, articulated with brown: false varices intermediate; aperture rosey: inner lip smooth.

Messrs. Stuchbury obligingly forwarded us fine specimens of this lovely species, for comparison withM. RegiusandImperialis. In general habit it has a close affinity to the first, but is distinguished by intermediate false varices, which in that species are wanting; while the upper and lower spines are alone vaulted: fromImperialisour shell is further removed, by the varices being spinous, instead of nodulous; this latter character being seen only in the intermediate protuberances, and in the false varices.

We have already intimated our belief thatMurexandCassisrepresent two equivalent groups; and these, as containing several established genera, we shall consider as sub-families: giving them the usual termination ofinæ. Those higher naturalists, who have long since abandoned the belief in absolute divisions and isolated genera, are fully aware that no groups are more likely to exhibit the arrangement of nature, than such as contain numerous species, under a great diversity of forms. TheMuricesare of this description, and appear to exhibit, among themselves, a circular series.TritonandMurexalso seem typical genera, and of equal value.Ranellaobviously belongs to the first; yet, as it is merely a subordinate type of form, we cannot, under this belief, retain it as agenus, without a manifest inconsistency; unless, indeed, it is thought expedient to consider the types of form inMurex, as so many genera, and elevate three others inTritonto the same rank; a refinement in nomenclature, which we cannot think is in the least degree necessary.

Pl.74.

EUTERPETerea.

Plate 74.

EUTERPETerea.

Papilio.(pars.)Latrielle.Sub-family Pieresinæ.Nob.

Generic Character.

Antennælengthened, terminating in a broad, very compressed, spatulate club.Palpihairy; the first joint very long, exceeding the united length of the two next: second joint half as long as the first; third very small, manifestly shorter than the second.Anterior wingslong, papilioniform; the exterior margin longer than the posterior.Nob.

Specific Character.

Wings above black: anterior both above and below, with a trifid white or yellowish central spot: posterior with a four-parted rosey spot; and varigated beneath, at the base, with yellow and rosy stripes.Papilio Terias.Latrielle & Godart. En. Meth. 1. p. 38. No. 39.

Papilio Terias.Latrielle & Godart. En. Meth. 1. p. 38. No. 39.

Nature has so completely disguised this Butterfly in the form and colours of a genuine Papilio, as to have deceived the first entomologist now in Europe, and his most skilful and accurate coadjutator. In theEncy. Methodiquewe find this species recorded as aPapilio; whereas it perfectly agrees, in all the details of its structure, with the characters proposed in that valuable work for the genusPieris. Whether nature has employed this beautiful device to indicate the group which next succeeds in her series, or whether she has intended it to point out a strong analogy, are questions which, in our present imperfect knowledge of Lepidopterous groups, cannot be answered.

Of this group we possess several new and highly interesting species. It is worthy of remark, that they were all collected in one particular locality, and at the same season. This was during a short residence at Mandioca, the plantation of Dr. Langsdorff, among the woods at the base of the Organ mountains, near Rio de Janeiro.

We believe this group is restricted to tropical America, where it probably represents the genuinePieres, (as defined at pl.69,) of the Old World. The present species is subject to much variation in the size, proportion, and colour of its spots: the white is sometimes pale yellow, and the rosy becomes of a deeper and brighter hue.

Pl.75.

PELEUS.1. Gentius. 2. Æacus

Plate 75.

PELEUSÆacus.

Family Hesperidæ.

Generic Character.

Antennænot hooked, the club formed into a long, slender,fusiformarch.Wingswith both surfaces alike, horizontally divaricated when at rest; posterior rounded, entire; broader from the base to the anal angle, than to the exterior margin.

Type. Hesp. Peleus.Fab.

Specific Character.

Wings deep brownish black; anterior with a redish transverse band, united to a spot of the same, and tipt with a sub-hyaline band of redish orange.Hesp. Peleus.Fab. Cramer, pl. 284, f. F.

Wings deep brownish black; anterior with a redish transverse band, united to a spot of the same, and tipt with a sub-hyaline band of redish orange.

Hesp. Peleus.Fab. Cramer, pl. 284, f. F.

Entomologists, from being acquainted only with the habits of the European species of this family, represent theHesperidæas resting with only the hinder wings elevated: This is altogether a mistake. Some groups, indeed, assume this position when basking in the sun, or taking food; but even these, when fairly at rest, erect their wings in the ordinary manner: a fact we have repeatedly witnessed. Not so, however, with the group we now illustrate: and which is peculiar to South America. These insects restwith all the four wings expanded; and hide themselves during the meridian heat, on the under side of broad leaves, in the deep forests. From never appearing exposed, this species long escaped our search, but having once discovered this singular part of its economy, we captured it in abundance. It probably feeds, like many of theSphingides, or Hawk Moths, in the morning and evening, but its haunts were too far from our habitation, to allow of ascertaining this point.

PELEUSGentius.

Anterior wings black, with three yellow bars, posterior yellow, with a simple black border.Hesp. Gentius.Fab. Cramer, pl. 179, f. C.

Anterior wings black, with three yellow bars, posterior yellow, with a simple black border.

Hesp. Gentius.Fab. Cramer, pl. 179, f. C.

Our specimens of this very rare insect were captured by Dr. Langsdorff, in the interior of Southern Brazil, the colours of the under surface of the wings are the same as those of the upper.

Pl.76.

MALACONOTUSatro-coccineus.Black & crimson Shrike.

Plate 76.

MALACONOTUSatro-coccineus.

Burchell's Shrike.

Generic Character, &c. See Pl.71.

Specific Character.

Black, beneath crimson: lesser wing covers banded with white, greater covers and lesser quills with a broad, white, longitudinal stripe.Malaconotus atro-coccineus.Burchell, Zool. Journ. 1. p. 461. Pl. 18.

Black, beneath crimson: lesser wing covers banded with white, greater covers and lesser quills with a broad, white, longitudinal stripe.

Malaconotus atro-coccineus.Burchell, Zool. Journ. 1. p. 461. Pl. 18.

Mus. D. Burchell.

Among the few Ornithological subjects which that accomplished traveller, Mr. Burchell, has yet published from his vast collections of African Zoology, is the charming bird here figured. It was discovered near Litakoon, the principal town of the Bachapins, a nation never before known to Europeans. Its principal range is between lat. 27. 20. and 29. 10. S. on the meridian of 24. E. "To a traveller," continues our friend, "wandering through the airy groves of theTransgaripine, the sight of theseLanii, flying from branch to branch above his head, and displaying their fine colour in all its brilliancy, suddenly arrests his steps, and claims his admiration. Viewed in such a position, little of their black colour is seen, and they then appear to be entirely scarlet."

A most beautiful analogy may be traced between the two principal groups of the Bush Shrikes, and those of the Ant-thrushes. The genusMalaconotuscorresponds to thePittæ, in being restricted to the old world, in the vivid colours of their plumage, and the connexion, in the typical species, of the two outer toes. InThamnophilusandMyothera, both American groups, the colours are uniformly dark; and their resemblance in structure is so close, that no author has yet pointed out their distinctions.

Pl.77.

HARPULA VEXILLUM.Orange Flag Volute.

Plate 77.

HARPULAvexillum.

Orange-flag Volute.

Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ.Nob.

Generic Characters.

Shell generally tuberculated or longitudinally ribbed: apex of the spire papillary, smooth, and in general distorted: Pillar with numerous distinct plaits; the upper small and slender, the lower thickest and shortest.

Type.Voluta Hebræa.Lam.

Types of form.I. Vol. Hebræa, musica, pusio, polyzonalis, &c. II. Vol. bullata? III. Vol. multicostata, mitræformis, costata, lyriformis, nucleus, &c. IV. Vol. rupestris, dubia? V. Vol. lapponica, vexillum.Auct.

Specific Character.

Shell either smooth, or slightly and acutely tuberculated; white with numerous bands of orange; pillar thickened in the middle, and marked with from six to eight plates.Voluta vexillum.Auct. Lam. Syst. 7. 346. Ency. Meth. pl. 381 f. 1. a. b. optimè.

Shell either smooth, or slightly and acutely tuberculated; white with numerous bands of orange; pillar thickened in the middle, and marked with from six to eight plates.

Voluta vexillum.Auct. Lam. Syst. 7. 346. Ency. Meth. pl. 381 f. 1. a. b. optimè.

Few Volutes can exceed this in elegance or beauty. The peculiarity of its markings, resembling the national colours of Holland, has procured it the name of the Orange-flag Volute. Although long known to Conchologists, it still continues a rare shell to our cabinets, and is much sought for on the continent, particular among the collectors in Holland; they view it with something of a national fondness, and value it at a high price. It is brought from Amboyna, and some other islands of the Indian Ocean. The many-plaited Volutes, form one of the most natural groups in the whole department of Conchology; and one which the most unpractised student will have no difficulty in understanding. The more experienced Conchologist, in studying its contents, will detect some very extraordinary and beautiful analogies. It contains, in fact, representations of all the principal divisions of the old genus Voluta, and also of the corresponding groups among the Mitras; to which sub-family it forms the true passage. We feel some hesitation, however, in regard to the second type; or that which must lead immediately toVolutilithes; as we rather suspect that the true type, or more properly the annectant form, by which this union is effected, has not yet been discovered. We share also in Mr. Broderips doubts, regarding the situation of hisV. dubia.

Pl.78.

OLIVÆ PL. 3.Hiatula Lamarci 2. pallida. 3. maculata.

Plate 78.

OLIVÆ.Pl. 3.

The Wide-mouthed Olives.

Family Volutidæ. Genus Oliva.Nob.

Sub-Genus Hiatula.Nob.

Suture channelled. Pillar above smooth, not thickened, beneath tumid, and marked with a few oblique plaits: base of the aperture very wide.

Specific Characters.

Hiatula Lamarci.Fulvous brown: pillar white, with about four lengthened plaits, and intermediate shortened ones between them, inner margin of the lip brown.Fig. 1.H. pallida.Aperture and base of the pillar livid brown: plaits 4-5, simple, equal; inner margin of the lip pale.Fig. 2.H. maculosa.Aperture orange, marked above with a black spot: base of the pillar white, the plaits small, crowded, and of unequal length.Fig. 3.

Hiatula Lamarci.Fulvous brown: pillar white, with about four lengthened plaits, and intermediate shortened ones between them, inner margin of the lip brown.Fig. 1.

H. pallida.Aperture and base of the pillar livid brown: plaits 4-5, simple, equal; inner margin of the lip pale.Fig. 2.

H. maculosa.Aperture orange, marked above with a black spot: base of the pillar white, the plaits small, crowded, and of unequal length.Fig. 3.

Mus. Nost.

As the connection of the Olives with the Mitres has been illustrated in a former number, we now characterize the sub-genus by which the former are united to theAncillariæ. The thickened and oblique plaits on the pillar, its smoothness on the upper part, and the great width of the aperture, are all characters which render this affinity unquestionable, and detach the group from the more common and typical Olives before alluded to.

Since we published the figure ofOliva striata, (Oliva,Pl. 1. f. 2.) we have procured the trueAncillaria canaliferaof Lamark, and find it as we suspected, a very different shell. AsHiatulaleads to theAncillariæ, so does the sub-genusOlivella, (comprising the small operculated Olives) conduct us to the Mitres, by means ofOlivella volutella, already figured in this work. We believe thethirdaberrant form is represented by ourOliva striata, but we shall not proceed to characterize it as a sub-genus, until a better acquaintance with the group is obtained; its analogy toConohelix, by its external sculpture, seems to us a strong ground of distinction.

We procured all these wide-mouthed Olives from the Messrs. Stuchbury, to whom we are often indebted for the loan of interesting specimens.

Pl.79.

PIERIS LIMNOBIA.S. G. Melete.

Plate 79.

PIERIS(Melete) Limnobia.

Yellow-underwing White.

Genus Pieris, Lat.

Characters.

Antennæas inEuterpe.Palpilengthened, the terminal joint linear, pointed, nearly naked, and longer than either of the two next.Anterior wingstrigonal, the exterior and the posterior margins of equal length:posterior wingsdilated.Malewith the terminal abdominal valves large, abruptly attenuated, and hooked.

Type. Pieris Limnobia. Lat. & Godart.

Specific Character.

Anterior wings above yellowish white, with a black triangular exterior border, and a costal band in the female. Posterior above yellow, with an orange border, divided in the female, into round spots upon a black ground: under surface with a deep brown border, unspotted.Pieris Limnobia.Ency. Meth. 1 p. 144. No. 93.—— Lycimnia?Cramer pl. 105. f. E. F. Ency. Meth. No. 92?

Pieris Limnobia.Ency. Meth. 1 p. 144. No. 93.

—— Lycimnia?Cramer pl. 105. f. E. F. Ency. Meth. No. 92?

We found this pretty Butterfly in profusion near the woods of Mandioca, at the foot of the Organ Mountains of Rio de Janeiro; when in company with our learned friend Professor Raddi, now prosecuting his researches in Egypt: it appears late in the season, and frequents the flowery openings of thick woods. The female is without the black costal band, and the margins of the lower wings are simply orange. The accurate description ofLimnoriain theEncy. Meth.perfectly accords with our specimens; but we suspect theLycimniaof Cramer is also the same species.

In illustrating theLepidopterousinsects, we shall first define all those variations in form, which appear to us sufficiently important; directing our chief attention to the external anatomy of the perfect insect. These groups or forms, we shall provisionally name: we shall next endeavour to detect their true affinities, and their relative value; abolishing such as may be found unnecessary, and confirming others which assume a higher station. We intend, in short, to proceed only by analysis, and we therefore wish that any incidental remarks, made by us in the interim, may be looked on with suspicion: or at least, with that doubt which must attend all opinions resulting only from synthesis.

Pl.80.

CRATEROPUS REINWARDII.Black masked Thrush.

Plate 80.

CRATEROPUSReinwardii.

Black-masked, or Reinwardts Thrush.

Family Merulidæ. Sub-family Macropodianæ.

Generic Character.

Bill hard, compressed, either slightly notched or entire: wings and tail rounded, the former short, the latter broad. Feet remarkably large and strong; the two outer fore toes equal, the middle lengthened; hind toe and claw very large; claws compressed, strong, and but slightly curved.

Specific Character.

Above grey; throat spotted; wings and tail brown; head and ears black; chin white.

In Mus. Paris. Nost.

Of the habits of this plain, but singularly formed bird, we know nothing. It is, we believe, one of the numerous discoveries made by that able Zoologist, Professor Reinwardt, in the Indian Islands; and should it not be already described, (a point we cannot fully ascertain,) we trust it may be allowed to bear the name of one, whose important labours merit the thanks and respect of all the scientific world.

The length of our specimen, as indicated by the scale on the plate, is ten inches and three quarters. The feet, in all their details, are uncommonly strong, while the wings are feeble and much rounded. The fifth and sixth quills are longest; the scapular quills and the tail feathers, when held to the light, exhibit transverse dark shades.

We have elsewhere pointed out[7]the characters by which the strong legged Thrushes form one of the sub-families of theMerulidæ; the two other aberrant divisions, being represented by the true Orioles (Oriolinæ,) and the short legged Thrushes (Brachypinæ.) That these form a circle of their own, independant of the Ant Thrushes (Myotherinæ,) and the true Thrushes (Merulinæ) has unintentionally been proved by M. M. Temminck and Vigors; the first in proposing, and the latter in adopting, the genusIxos; an artificial group, compounded of birds totally dissimilar to each other, but which, in the progression of certain species, demonstrate the circular arrangement of the three subfamilies above named.

Pl.81.

PRIONITESMartii.Martius's Motmot.

Plate 81.

PRIONITESMexicanus.

Mexican Motmot.

Family Trogonidæ. Sub-family Prionitinæ.Nob.(See Northern Zoology, 2. p. 326.)

Specific Character.

Small, above green, beneath paler; head and neck above cinnamon, ears black, varied and tipped with bright blue stripes; belly white.Momotus Martii.Jardine & Selby. Ill. of Orn. 2 pl. 25.Prionites Mexicanus.Swains. Phil. Mag. June 1827. p. 442.

Small, above green, beneath paler; head and neck above cinnamon, ears black, varied and tipped with bright blue stripes; belly white.

Momotus Martii.Jardine & Selby. Ill. of Orn. 2 pl. 25.

Prionites Mexicanus.Swains. Phil. Mag. June 1827. p. 442.

The Motmots, so named from their monotonous note, live only in the tropical forests of the New World, preferring those deep recesses of perpetual shade, where a high canopy of matted foliage, nearly excludes the rays of a vertical sun. They appear even more solitary in their disposition than the Trogons; their note may be heard, morning and evening, from the depths of the forests, but the bird is never seen, unless the hunter comes unexpectedly upon its retreat. This we have generally found to be a low, withered branch, completely shaded, and just at the edge of such paths as are made by the Cavies, or the Indians. The Jacamas and the Trogons both love these shady nooks, where they sit nearly motionless, watching for passing insects, upon which they dart. Such is, no doubt, the manner in which the Motmot feeds; but his strong confirmation enables him to capture larger game. Travellers assert that he also devours the eggs and young of other birds, like the Toucans: this we believe, as both have the same long and feather-like tongue. Thus has nature allied these two groups, each standing at the confines of their own tribe: incontestably proving the union of the Scansores, Teniurostres, and Fissirostres, into one great circle.

The present species has only been found in Mexico, although the London Ornithologists have confounded it with the Prionites Martii of Brazil. Hence the error of Sir W. Jardine and Mr. Selby, and adopted upon our plate. Distrusting our first opinion, we believed the London co-adjutors of these gentlemen, having access to the original work of Dr. Spix, could not have made such a blunder, but a personal inspection of the original figure decided the question. No two species can well be more different.

Pl.82.

TROGON MEXICANUS.Mexican Trogon

Plate 82.

TROGONMexicanus.

Mexican Trogon. Male.

Tribe Fissirostres. Family Trogonidæ.

Sub-family Trogoninæ. (G. Trogon.Auct.)

Generic Character.See Lesson Man. 2 p. 139.

Specific Character.

Above golden green, beneath crimson; tail black; the three outer feathers banded with white on their outer web only; inner webs with an oblique white stripe along their shafts; the inner edge spotted with white.Male.Trogon Mexicanus, female.See Swains. in Phil. Mag. June 1827.

Trogon Mexicanus, female.See Swains. in Phil. Mag. June 1827.

Mus. Dom. Taylor.

The Trogons are found only in the dark primeval forests of the Tropics; shunning the haunts of man, and living in solitude and silence. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that their peculiar economy should be shrouded in mystery, or that the naturalists of Europe should be much perplexed in finding them a place in their artificial or their natural systems. Our researches in Tropical America, will enable us to communicate, in the forthcoming volume of Northern Zoology, some very singular information on these birds, which we shall not now anticipate.

The species are much more numerous then is imagined, but they are, perhaps, less understood than those of any one group of Ornithology. Males of different species are classed as the same, while their females are considered as distinct. The number enumerated in the last edition of the Synopsis of Birds as inhabiting all South America, is six; but we possess eight species from Brazil alone; besides several others, which it is impossible to identify from books.

The Mexican Trogon was first described by us, from a bird, which we felt assured was a female; and this belief was soon after confirmed, by the arrival of a fine specimen of the male, to Mr. Taylor, from Real del Monte; in whose possession it now is. We shall defer a detailed account of its plumage, until we illustrate the other sex.

Total length 11 in. bill nine-tenths, wings 5¾, tail 7¾, the outermost feather 3½ in. shorter.

Pl.83.

CYMBIOLAvespertilio.Bat Volute.

Plate 83.

CYMBIOLAvespertilio.

Bat Volute.

Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ.Nob.

Generic Character.

Shell armed with spinous tubercles, sometimes smooth but never ribbed; spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, but not distorted; the apix thick and obtuse; pillar with four plaits.Types of Form.—1. Marmorata. Broderpia.Sw.(Cymbiola.Sow.) 2. Vespertilio. Nivosa. Rutila. Aulica. Pulchra. Pacifica. 3. Elongata (?) Gracilis. Magnifica. Tuberculata. 4. ——? 5. Lugubris.

Shell armed with spinous tubercles, sometimes smooth but never ribbed; spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, but not distorted; the apix thick and obtuse; pillar with four plaits.

Types of Form.—1. Marmorata. Broderpia.Sw.(Cymbiola.Sow.) 2. Vespertilio. Nivosa. Rutila. Aulica. Pulchra. Pacifica. 3. Elongata (?) Gracilis. Magnifica. Tuberculata. 4. ——? 5. Lugubris.

Specific Character.

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