Zoological Illustrations Volume Iii Part 18

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 96.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

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

Sh.e.l.l 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 sh.e.l.ls 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 pa.s.sed under my own examination.

The species now ill.u.s.trated is very peculiar; it is a strong, thick sh.e.l.l; 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 sh.e.l.l of a dark gra.s.s-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

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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 ill.u.s.tration.

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 ill.u.s.trating 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

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.

Tucana Cayanensis viridis. _Briss. Ois._ 4. 423. _pl._ 33. _f._ 1. _Id.

Orn._ 2. 162. _Pl. Enl._ 727. _mas._ 728. _foem._

This is a common bird, known to the older ornithologists; but here introduced, for the purpose of representing the vivid colours which ornament the bill of the live bird: the figures likewise above referred to are so very loosely drawn, that a more correct representation of the species appeared desirable. A remarkable character pervades all the Aracaris, (with the exception of _P. sulcatus_, pl. 44,) the head and throat being black in the male, and chesnut or grey in the female birds; the bills also of the latter are always the smallest; that of the Green Aracari is larger, thicker, and more curved than in any other species; the serratures strong and unequal; the top, and upper half of the superior mandible, pure yellow; the lower half orange; these colours being divided by a slender isolated black line; the under mandible blue, with the base rosy; its general plumage bears a resemblance to several other species. Dr.

Latham says the orbits are yellow; this, however, is a mistake, for both the orbits and irides are gra.s.s-green; this writer likewise refers to Edwards, pl. 329, for this bird; which plate, in fact, represents a Toucan, and is that bird which I have described and figured under the name of _R.

carinatus_, pl. 45.

I believe this species is confined to the northern parts of South America.

Mr. Charles Edmonston brought home fine specimens from Demerara; they were preserved with so much skill, that the colours of the bill almost retained their primitive brightness; Le Vaillant, I believe, has figured this bird; but I have not, at this time, access to his valuable book.

Pl. 170

[Ill.u.s.tration]

MALURUS Africa.n.u.s,

_African Soft-tail._