Zoological Illustrations Volume Iii Part 20

Pl. 173

[Ill.u.s.tration]

GALLINULA ruficollis, _var._

_Black-bellied Gallinule_ _var._

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Gallinula._ Briss. Cuv. Tem. Lath. _Fulica_, _Rallus_. Linn. _Crex._ Illiger.

_Rostrum capite brevius, valde compressum, conic.u.m, r.e.c.t.u.m, apice compresso, mandibula inferiore angulata. Nares sulcatae, membrana obtectae; apertura magna, oblonga, pervia, vix media. Pedes elongati, grallarii, genibus nudis, digitis gracilibus tribus, halluce mediocri._

Bill shorter than the head, much compressed, conic, straight, the tips compressed, inferior mandible angulated. Nostrils sulcated, covered by a membrane; aperture large, oblong, pervious, nearly medial. Feet long, wading, knees naked, fore toes three, long, slender, hind toe (or thumb) short.

Generic type. _Rallus porzana._ Linn.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Gall. ruficollis var. A? _Olivaceo-fusca; cervice cinerea; pectore, abdomine, alisque rufis; crisso, uropygio, caudaque nigris; tectricibus interioribus rufis, nigro-fasciatis; pedibus rubris._

Olive brown; neck cinereous; breast, body, and wings rufous; belly, rump, and tail black; interior wing covers rufous, banded with black; legs red.

Fulica ruficollis. _Gmelin_, 1. _p._ 700. _Turton_, 1. _p._ 423.

Gallinula ruficollis. _Lath. Ind. Orn._ 2. 767.

Black-bellied Gallinule. _Lath. Syn._ 1. _p._ 253.

This is one of the largest water hens found in Brazil, where it is very rare. I am indebted to Dr. Langsdorff for the only specimen which I brought from that country. It differs considerably from the Black-bellied Gallinule of Latham, yet, perhaps, not sufficiently to record it as a distinct species.

Total length fifteen inches and a half; bill one and a half; the base (in the dead bird) orange, the other half green; frontlet none; the crown and nape are grey brown, the sides cinereous, and the throat whitish; the neck both above and beneath for about two thirds its length is lead-coloured; it then changes to rufous, which spreads over the breast, body, wing covers, and greater quills; the lower part of the neck above, with the back, scapulars, and lesser quills, brownish olive; the belly, thighs, tail, and rump black; the inner wing covers are remotely barred with black; legs (in the live bird) red.

Latham describes the Black-bellied G. as seventeen inches long; the bill two inches; the quills greenish brown, with rufous margins; the fore part of the neck and breast bright rufous; and the flanks with black bands.

Pl. 174

[Ill.u.s.tration]

TANAGRA canicapilla,

_Grey-crowned Tanager._

GENERIC CHARACTER.

_Rostrum breve, validum, conic.u.m, basi trigona, lateribus compressis, culmine levato, mandibula superiore ad apicem deflexa et emarginata, inferioris brevioris rectae basi cra.s.sa, ambarum marginibus inflexis.

Nares parvae, basi plumosa, apertura rotundata, nuda. Alae mediocres._

Bill short, strong, conic, base trigonal, sides compressed, culmin elevated, upper mandible towards the tip deflexed and notched, under mandible shorter and straight, the base thick, the margins of both inflexed. Nostrils small, the base feathered, the aperture round, naked. Wings moderate.

Generic Types. _Tanagra Jacapa, tricolor._ _Motacilla velia._ Lin.

_Pipra musica._ Lin.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

_T. olivaceo-viridis, infra flava; vertice cinereo, striga oculari auribusque nigris; rostro gracili._

Olive green, beneath yellow; crown cinereous, eye stripe and ears black; bill slender.

The Tanagers are a numerous, and, in general, a beautiful tribe, including some of the most richly coloured birds of America; to which continent modern ornithologists consider they are exclusively confined.

M. Temminck proposes to unite with the Tanagers, several birds scattered in the Linnaean Genera of _Lanius_, _Loxia_, _Fringilla_, _Pipra_, and _Motacilla_. This view of the subject, it may not be superfluous to add, is in perfect unison with my own. In fact, I had meditated a similar arrangement; but the appearance of M. Temminck's work rendered the publication of my own remarks no longer necessary. The bird here figured belongs to that division which forms a transition to the _Sylviae_, from which they are readily distinguished by the thickened base of the under mandible. It is not uncommon in the West Indies; but I cannot find it described either among the Tanagers, Finches, or Warblers of the Linnaean school: in this, however, I may possibly be mistaken. It is represented the size of life, and is sufficiently distinguished by its specific character.

Pl. 175

[Ill.u.s.tration]

AMPULLARIA leucostoma,

_White-mouthed Apple Snail._

GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Pl. 98.