PTEROGLOSSUS SULCATUS, Swainson.

Grooved-bill Aracari.

SpecirFic CHARACTER.

Pter. rostro attenuato; mandibulis compressis, sulcatis, superioris sulcis utringue duobus,
inferroris unico ; supervore nigra, culmine apiceque saturate rufo-brunneis ; infertore nigra,

ad basin sanguinea: viridis, subtis pallidior ; jugulo cinerascente ; gens ceruleis.
Cc

Beak attenuated, curved, and ending in a sharp point at the tip; mandibles compressed, the
upper having two deep channels and the lower a single one on each side ; base of the lower
mandible blood red; the culmen and up deep rufous brown, the remaining portion black.
Feathers covering the cheeks cceerulean blue. The whole of the upper surface green, as is
the under also, but somewhat lighter, and inclining to grey under the throat.

Total length, from 11 to 13 inches ; dil/, 3 to 34; tarsus, 14.

Pteroglossus sulcatus. Swains., in Journ. of Roy. Inst., vol. 9. p. 267. and in Zool. Illus.,

vol. 1. pl. 44. Temm., PI. Col., pl. 356.

 

Tuis interesting species of Preroglossus was first introduced to science by Mr. Swainson, who informs us it
was received by him from the Spanish Main. Subsequently to the description which appeared in the “‘ Journal
of the Royal Institution,” and the accurate figure given by Mr. Swainson in his “ Zoological Illustrations,” a
second Plate of this bird has been published by M. Temminck in his ‘‘ Planches Coloriées.” Although
many years have elapsed since the introduction of this bird, I am still unable to add any information to that
already furnished by those able naturalists, its extreme rarity having hitherto precluded all possibility of
ascertaining any particulars respecting its natural habits and manners.

The great difference which the Pteroglossus sulcatus presents in the formation of its bill, together with some
other characters, lead me to suspect that it will hereafter be found to constitute the type of a separate group,
allied, in many important points, to the Barbets (Bucco): I am, however, restrained at present from
instituting a new genus for its reception by the consideration that little information is as yet obtained respect-
ing its habits, manners and general ceconomy.

The two birds from which the figures were taken, and which are at present in the Museum of the Zoological
Society of London, are considered to be male and female: should this ultimately prove to be the case, the

 

sexes will offer no external difference except in size, the female being somewhat the least.
Inhabits the Spanish Main and Guiana.

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