PTEROGLOSSUS HYPOGLAUCUS.

Grey-breasted Aracari.

Sprecrric CHARACTER.

Pter. mandibulis lined flacd hasali circumdatis, maculaque triangulart subbasali nigra plagaque
flava nigro marginaté notatis ; supervoris culmine lateribusque antrorsum saturate sanguinets ;
eferiore, nist basin versus, atra: olivaceo-brunneus, subtus ceeruleo-canus 3 capite caudaque
nigris, rectricibus quatuor intermedis ad apwem brunneis ; remigum pogoniis externis
veridibus, imternis hrunnets ; uropygio lutescente ; tectricibus caudce superioribus viridi-

olwaceis, nferrtoribus coccineis.

Beak; the upper mandible edged on its basal aspect with a narrow line of yellow succeeded by
a triangular spot of black, an irregular mark of yellow next succeeds edged by a line of
black, the culmen and the remainder of the sides deep blood red ; the basal half of the
lower mandible has the yellow and black colouring of the upper, but terminates in deep
black instead of red; crown of the head and occiput black; back, shoulders, and thighs
rich olive brown ; outer edges of the quills green; inner brown ; rump light greenish
yellow ; upper tail-coverts greenish olive ; tail black, the four middle feathers tipped with
brown; under tail-coverts scarlet ; whole of the neck, chest, and under parts silvery grey.

Total length, 181 inches; beak, 4 long, depth, 13, breadth at base, 11; wing, 6%; tail, 7;

tarsus, 1%.

Pteroglossus hypoglaucus. Gould, Proceedings of Zool. Soc., part 1. p. 70.

 

Iv the disposition of its markings, and the general colour and texture of its plumage, this singular Aracari
differs remarkably from all others yet discovered ; the beak being more brilliant, and the plumage of the
body less ostentatious and gaudy. Nor does it present a less striking difference in its habitat, all the other
species being found in the lower and warmer regions, while according to information received from an
authentic source, the Grey-breasted Aragari inhabits the mountains, and is to be found only on the highest
wooded portions of the Andes, for which elevated and cold situations the full and downy texture of its
plumage, so different from the close feathering of the Aragaries in general, admirably adapts it. The specific
name given to this bird relates to the beautiful silvery lustre which prevades the fine grey tints spread over
the breast and under surface.

This interesting bird, with many other valuable specimens of Ornithology, was sent to me by my esteemed
and valued correspondent D. Christie, Esq., of Popayan, Columbia; and I here gladly avail myself of the
opportunity of testifying my sincere acknowledgements for the many favours received, as also for much
important information.

As I have never met with this bird in the museums of this country or in those I have visited on the
Continent, and Dr. Latham’s notice of a ‘‘ Blue-throated Toucan” being too vague and unsatisfactory to
afford any tangible data, I have every reason for concluding this species to have been hitherto undescribed.
Of the two specimens received, one is deposited in the Museum of the Zoological Society of London.
Inbabits Columbia.