Plate 177.
Testa pyriformis vel fusiformis, sub-ponderosa. Apex papillosus. Columella plicata. Labium interius margine dilatatum. Canalis elongatus, rectus.Shell pear-shaped or fusiform, heavy. Apex papillary. Pillar plaited. Interior lip with the margin dilated. Canal lengthened, straight.Generic Type.Voluta Pyrum.Lin.
Testa pyriformis vel fusiformis, sub-ponderosa. Apex papillosus. Columella plicata. Labium interius margine dilatatum. Canalis elongatus, rectus.
Shell pear-shaped or fusiform, heavy. Apex papillary. Pillar plaited. Interior lip with the margin dilated. Canal lengthened, straight.
Generic Type.Voluta Pyrum.Lin.
T. pyriformi; spirâ depressâ, apice prominente; anfractu basali carinato; labio interiore dilatato, albo; columellæ basi plicatâ.Shell pear-shaped; spire depressed, apex prominent; basal whorl carinated, interior lip dilated, white; base of the pillar one-plaited.Murex spirillus.Gmelin, 3544.Dillwyn, 721.Martini, 3.tab.115.f.1069.Knorr, 6.tab.24.f.3.Pyrula Spirillus.Lam. Syst.7.p.142.
T. pyriformi; spirâ depressâ, apice prominente; anfractu basali carinato; labio interiore dilatato, albo; columellæ basi plicatâ.
Shell pear-shaped; spire depressed, apex prominent; basal whorl carinated, interior lip dilated, white; base of the pillar one-plaited.
Murex spirillus.Gmelin, 3544.Dillwyn, 721.
Martini, 3.tab.115.f.1069.Knorr, 6.tab.24.f.3.
Pyrula Spirillus.Lam. Syst.7.p.142.
In assigning a situation, under the modern system, to theMurex spirillusof Linnæus, no genus appears to me more adapted for its reception than that ofTurbinellus. These shells were formerly blended with the Linnæan Volutes, but are now detached from them as a distinct genus. The most striking peculiarity consists in the prolongation of the base into a long and straight canal; they possess, in common with the Volutes, a papillary spire, and, in general, their surface is smooth. There are, however, other shells classed by the French conchologists with this genus, from their having a plaited columella; in these, the apex of the spire is acute, the base truncated, and the outside rough with nodules or obtuse spines; characters so greatly at variance, and so very distinct from those first mentioned, that it becomes questionable whether these latter shells should not rather be classed as a distinct group: in fact, they are much more nearly allied toMitraandCancellaria, which have acute spires, sculptured volutions, and truncate bases, than to the smoothTurbinelli, which differ so strikingly in all these particulars.
This shell is common to many parts of the Indian Ocean; and, like most of the smoothTurbinelli, has the inner lip dilated.
Pl.178
Plate 178.
Rostrum elongatum, crassum, inane, deflexum, marginibus obtusè crenatis, epithemate inani, formâ vario, in mandibulam superiorem imposito. Nares basales, ovatæ, (lingua brevis, angusta, acuta. Illiger.)Pedes gressorii.Bill elongated, thick, hollow, deflexed, the margins obtusely crenated, with excrescences of various forms placed on the upper mandible. Nostrils basal, oval. Tongue short, narrow, pointed. Feet gressorial.Generic Types.B. Rhinoceros,bicornis. Linn.
Rostrum elongatum, crassum, inane, deflexum, marginibus obtusè crenatis, epithemate inani, formâ vario, in mandibulam superiorem imposito. Nares basales, ovatæ, (lingua brevis, angusta, acuta. Illiger.)Pedes gressorii.
Bill elongated, thick, hollow, deflexed, the margins obtusely crenated, with excrescences of various forms placed on the upper mandible. Nostrils basal, oval. Tongue short, narrow, pointed. Feet gressorial.
Generic Types.B. Rhinoceros,bicornis. Linn.
B. niger, abdomine, striâ utrinque occipitali, apiceque rectricium albis; rostro subcristato, (carinato,) rubro.Shaw.Black Hornbill, with the abdomen, stripe on each side of the nape, and tip of the tail white. Bill slightly crested, (carinated,) and red.Le Calao Couronné mâle.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af.vol.v.p.117.pl.234.Buceros coronatus, Coronated Hornbill.Shaw in Gen. Zool.8.p.35.
B. niger, abdomine, striâ utrinque occipitali, apiceque rectricium albis; rostro subcristato, (carinato,) rubro.Shaw.
Black Hornbill, with the abdomen, stripe on each side of the nape, and tip of the tail white. Bill slightly crested, (carinated,) and red.
Le Calao Couronné mâle.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af.vol.v.p.117.pl.234.
Buceros coronatus, Coronated Hornbill.Shaw in Gen. Zool.8.p.35.
The bills of these birds present a more uncouth appearance than even those of the Toucans; many species having knobs or excrescences which seem to grow out of the bill itself, and give a strange appearance to the bird. The whole tribe are natives only of the tropical parts of Africa and Asia; feeding on animal substances, either living or dead.
Le Vaillant discovered this bird in Caffraria; congregating in flocks of near 500, along with crows and vultures, over the remains of slaughtered elephants. It frequents forests, perching on high, and generally withered trees; it likewise destroys insects.
The specimen now before me is about the size of a magpie; the white collar only surrounds the back of the head, and is not well defined; the carinated process on the bill endsabruptly, and notgradually, as seen in Le Vaillant's figure; the margins are obtusely crenated, the tail even, and the two middle feathers entirely black.
Pl.179
Plate 179.
M. nitidè nigra; rictu labroso, rubro; cruribus infra genua plumatis.Glossy black; gape margined by a red skin; legs feathered beyond the knees.
M. nitidè nigra; rictu labroso, rubro; cruribus infra genua plumatis.
Glossy black; gape margined by a red skin; legs feathered beyond the knees.
This bird, though unattractive in its colours, is nevertheless very remarkable. It may be almost said to havelips; for round the gape, at each angle of the mouth, is a narrow loose skin; perfectly naked, and rather projecting. This singularity is increased by its colour in the live bird; which, by a note attached to the specimen, is stated to be of a beautiful red. It seems a species hitherto unknown, and was found near the Great Fish River of Southern Africa.
The figure is rather less than the natural size; the whole plumage deep black; glossed with bluish green in every part but the quill and tail feathers; the quills inside are grey, margined with olive; the first of these is very short, the second and third shorter than the fourth, and the two next are nearly of equal length. The tail has ten feathers, and is even, except the two outer pair, which are progressively shorter. The bill rather thick and strong, the culmine not very apparent, the upper mandible strongly notched, the under but slightly; the nostrils are hid by thickset incumbent feathers, mixed with hairs; these cover the aperture, which is rather large, round, and encircled by a narrow membrane. The legs are very short, the three fore-toes united as far as the first joint, the hind-toe short; the claws of all are small, and the sole of the foot perfectly flat, like the Bee-eaters. I have been minute in noting these characters, because, although the bird will stand at present in the great family of the Flycatchers, there is no doubt they will hereafter be divided into distinct groups.
Pl.180
Plate 180.
T. cinereus, infrà ferrugineus; temporibus auribusque nigris; caudæ rotundatæ pennis mediis nigris, lateribus ferrugineis.Cinereous, beneath ferruginous; ears and sides of the head black; tail rounded, middle feathers black, lateral feathers ferruginous.Le Réclammeur.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af.tom.3.p.33,pl.104.
T. cinereus, infrà ferrugineus; temporibus auribusque nigris; caudæ rotundatæ pennis mediis nigris, lateribus ferrugineis.
Cinereous, beneath ferruginous; ears and sides of the head black; tail rounded, middle feathers black, lateral feathers ferruginous.
Le Réclammeur.Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af.tom.3.p.33,pl.104.
I can find no account of this bird in any writer besides Le Vaillant, who discovered it during his travels in Southern Africa. He says the note of the male bird is loud and melodious, and is heard in the morning and evening from the highest branches of lofty trees; the sexes being usually seen together. Le Vaillant relates an amusing anecdote, which well illustrates the peculiar note of the male:—One of his Dutch Hottentots, by name Piet, having shot a female, its mate continued to fly around him, uttering its cry, which so much resembled the Dutch words ofPiet myn vrow, (or, 'Peter—my wife,') that the poor lad (perfectly astonished) took to his heels, and vowed never more to handle a gun.
Length seven inches and a half; the upper plumage is dark cinereous: on each side the head is a stripe of black, which encircles the eye, and forms a patch on the ears: the whole of the under plumage is clear ferruginous yellow or bright buff colour; the rump and lateral tail feathers the same, the middle pair being entirely black; the next pair has likewise a narrow margin of the same colour: quills and wing-covers dusky brown, with pale cinereous margins. Tail rounded: legs pale: irides hazel: bill rather small and black, compressed the whole length, and having weak bristles at its base.
This bird obviously belongs to the Thrushes; but as I have not yet defined the extent of the genus to my own satisfaction, I refrain at present from proposing its characters.
Pl.181
Plate 181.
V. testâ ovato-obtusâ, flavescente, fasciis pallidis, maculis fulvis interstinctis cinctâ; anfractu basali obtusè nodoso; spirâ brevissimâ, acutâ; columellâ incrassatâ, multiplicatâ.Shell ovate-obtuse, yellowish, with pale bands and fulvous spots; body whorl crowned by compressed obtuse nodules; spire very short, acute; pillar thickened with many plaits.Voluta Pusio.Swainson, in Tilloch's Ph. Journal,vol.61.p.378.
V. testâ ovato-obtusâ, flavescente, fasciis pallidis, maculis fulvis interstinctis cinctâ; anfractu basali obtusè nodoso; spirâ brevissimâ, acutâ; columellâ incrassatâ, multiplicatâ.
Shell ovate-obtuse, yellowish, with pale bands and fulvous spots; body whorl crowned by compressed obtuse nodules; spire very short, acute; pillar thickened with many plaits.
Voluta Pusio.Swainson, in Tilloch's Ph. Journal,vol.61.p.378.
Lamarck's recent account of this genus, in the last volume of hisAnimaux, contains but two species in addition to those long ago described by him in theAnnales du Mus.; thus omitting many of those new Volutes which of late years have been discovered. On the other hand, this naturalist has created five species from the varieties ofV. musicaLin. resting their characters on colour, bands, and the number of the lesser or spurious plaits on the pillar. It requires no argument to prove that these principles of distinction are the most uncertain he could have chosen; scarcely two specimens ofV. musicabeing found alike. These supposed species must, therefore, again merge into one.
The shell before us has more important characters; the body whorl is quite smooth, but crowned by compressed truncated nodules; the spire remarkably short, and the tip acute; in other respects it approaches toV. virescensSol. (PolyzonalisLam.) and toV. fulvaLam. I have neither of these shells at present before me; but if Lamarck's description of them, and the figures which he has cited, be correct, I have no doubt they are but one species;V. polyzonalisbeing thesmooth, andV. fulvabeing thenodulousvariety of Solander'sV. virescens. In fact, Lamarck says both shells are transversely striated.
V. pusiois a shell of the greatest rarity, and is described from a specimen in the collection of my friend Mr. Broderip. Its form is perfect, but its colours are somewhat faded.
Pl.182
Plate 182.
C. testâ ovatâ, oblongâ, immaculatâ; dorso rufo; ventre albo; lateribus lividis.Shell ovate-oblong, unspotted; the back reddish chesnut; belly white; sides livid.C. spadicea.Swainson, in Tilloch's Ph. Mag.vol.61.p.376.
C. testâ ovatâ, oblongâ, immaculatâ; dorso rufo; ventre albo; lateribus lividis.
Shell ovate-oblong, unspotted; the back reddish chesnut; belly white; sides livid.
C. spadicea.Swainson, in Tilloch's Ph. Mag.vol.61.p.376.
In shape and general aspect this shell somewhat resemblesC. onyx; but its colours are so peculiar, that it cannot be mistaken for that or any other known species: the under side (or belly) is convex and pure white; the sulcations between the teeth of the aperture wide, short, and but faintly marked; the sides livid, tinged with flesh colour. Three specimens have fallen under my observation; one of which, being young, showed the internal colour of the back to be dull purple; they were all received by Mrs. Mawe from the South Seas.
C. testâ ovato-oblongâ, dorso punctis fuscis, nebulosis, obsito; lateribus incarnato-violaceis, lividè guttatis; ventre depresso.Shell ovate-oblong, the back clouded, and dotted with brown; sides flesh-coloured violet, with dark livid spots; belly depressed.C. testâ ovato-oblongâ, cinereo-cærulescente, fulvo vel fusco fasciatâ, lateribus incarnato-violaceis, sanguineo-punctatis.Lam. Syst.7.p.396.C. sanguinolenta.Gmelin, 3406.Turton, 4.p.335.Dill.445.Martini, 1.t.26.f.265, 266.Ency. Meth.pl.356.f.12.C. purpurascens.Sw. in Tilloch's Ph. Mag.61.p.376.
C. testâ ovato-oblongâ, dorso punctis fuscis, nebulosis, obsito; lateribus incarnato-violaceis, lividè guttatis; ventre depresso.
Shell ovate-oblong, the back clouded, and dotted with brown; sides flesh-coloured violet, with dark livid spots; belly depressed.
C. testâ ovato-oblongâ, cinereo-cærulescente, fulvo vel fusco fasciatâ, lateribus incarnato-violaceis, sanguineo-punctatis.Lam. Syst.7.p.396.
C. sanguinolenta.Gmelin, 3406.Turton, 4.p.335.Dill.445.Martini, 1.t.26.f.265, 266.Ency. Meth.pl.356.f.12.
C. purpurascens.Sw. in Tilloch's Ph. Mag.61.p.376.
Gmelin and Lamarck have both described the lateral spots on this shell as blood-red. Their descriptions in other respects are loose, and the figures by Martini so bad, that it is with some doubt I have here placed mypurpurascensas a variety of Gmelin'ssanguinolenta. The back of the shell is minutely freckled with brown; the under part (or belly) is flattened; the spots on the sides dark livid purple, and the base of the aperture effuse. It is, I believe, a native of Southern Africa.