PTEROGLOSSUS PRASINUS,

Lichtenstein.

Golden-green Aracari.

Speciric Cuaracrer.
- — oe a a a 7 ee
Pter. mandibula superiore flaca, culminis st wa, macula ante nares, linedique ad tomium nigris ;
; BIN ee 4 a ; ae o> + pantrnetol 5 | ,
enferiore negra, fascia basalt flava : Supra aureo-virrdis, in ceruleum ad remiges et ad rectrices
extrorsum transiens, harum apicibus rufo-brunneis ; gens gulaque cinereis ; pectore ceru-
lescenti-v1) edi, in vwiridem postice transeunte ; tectricibus caudce enfercoribus rufis.

Juvenis. Mandibuld superiore ad basin rufo nebulos& versus apicem in flavum et lutescentem

vergente ; inferiore tota negra : abdomine quam in adulto obscuriore.

Upper mandible yellow with a black line along the culmen, a black spot before the nostrils, and

a dash of the same colour along the edge; under mandible black with a basal border of

yellow; upper surface golden green, passing into blue on the quills and lower half of the

tail-feathers, which are tppped with rufous brown; naked skin round the eyes dull blueish

green; cheeks and throat grey; breast blueish green, passing into green beneath ; lower
tail-coverts rufous ; tarsi lead colour.

In the immature bird the abdomen is the same though less bright ; but the upper mandible is

clouded at its base with reddish, passing insensibly into yellow and greenish at the point ;

under mandible black.

Total length, 13 inches; bill, 3.

Tue naturalist has often to observe, that Nature never proceeds abru

ptly in the formation of her groups, but
prepares a passage from one to another by a series of interve

ning gradations, embodying, though in a minor
degree, the distinguishing characteristics of the two sections to which they form the connecting link: such is
the case with the species before us. In my description of the Pterogdossus sulcatus, Y hinted that at a future
day it would in all probability constitute the type of a new genus; this division would be characterized by an
attenuated and channelled bill, together with a more subdued and uniform style of colouring, and a short,
graduated tail. To this form the Golden-green Aragari appears, at the first glance,
with propriety be placed there in a strictly systematic arrangement ; a more
indicates its relationship, in an equal degree, to the more genuine Preroglossi.
channelled, is only slightly so, and approaches that of the Aragaries in breadth an
tips of the tail-feathers and under tail-coverts, as in most of that genus, ar

to be related, and might
attentive examination, however,
The bill, for instance, though
d general dimensions ; and the
e rufous brown.

The Preroglossus prasinus is exceedingly rare; indeed, I know but of one museum in Europe possessing
specimens, namely, that of Berlin ; and I am indebted to the kindness and liberality of Professor Lichtenstein,
who first made it known to science, for permission to examine and make drawings of the unique examples
under his immediate care,—a favour for which, among many others, I beg to express my warmest thanks, and
at the same time acknowledge my obligations.

Of the habits and ceconomy of the Golden-green Aracari, as distinguished in the minuter details from
those of its race, I have no information to communicate ; there is, however, one fact, as the Plate will show,
sufficiently illustrated, namely, the change which the beak undergoes, not only in size, but also in colouring,
during ilie progress of the bird from youth to maturity,—a change not peculiar to this species alone, but
characteristic of the whole family ; and I may add, that it is from a want of sufficient attention to this circum-
stance, that many mistakes and much confusion have arisen. As regards the development of the beak, I may
observe, that it is much more gradual than that of the rest of the body; for when the latter has acquired its
complete dimensions, the former is little more than a third of the size it is afterwards to attain.

Inhabits Mexico.

 
  
 
 
  
     
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
   
   
  
      
  
   
   
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 

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