PTEROGLOSSUS MACULIROSTRIS, Lichtenstein.

Spotted-bill Aracari.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Mas. ter. rostro abbreviato, cinerascente, in olivaceum ad culmen vergente; mandibula
superiore ad latera maculis transversis nigris wregulariter fasciata : supra saturate viridis ;
corpore infra, capite, nucha, collique lateribus aterrimts, nitidis ; gents bimaculatis, maculé
supervore sulphured, inferiore aurantiacd ; fascia lunata cervicali sulphured ; caudé olivaceo-
viredi, rectricibus sea intermediis rufo apiculatis ; tectricibus caudce enferioribus cocciners ;
abdomine imo Semoribusque croceo, sulphureo, viridique variegatis.

Poem. Corpore infra, capite, nucha, collique lateribus castanets ; macularum genarum superiore

sordidé sulphured, inferiore obscuré viridi-brunned.

Male. Beak short, pale grey or whitish inclining to olive on the culmen; the sides of the upper
mandible irregularly barred with large transverse patches of black; the head, nape, sides
of the neck, throat, chest, and middle of the belly, deep shining black; on the cheeks are
situated two tufts of feathers ; the lower one, which is of a primrose yellow, forms the ear-
coverts, and the other, which proceeds from the rictus, is orange; the beak, whole of the
upper surface, and wings, deep sap green inclining to olive, divided from the black of the
nape by a crescent-shaped band of primrose yellow ; tail olive green, the six middle feathers
tipped with rufous ; the lower part of the abdomen has a mixture of saffron and primrose
yellow intermingled with oil green, which prevails especially on the thighs; under tail-
coverts scarlet; legs and feet lead colour.

Female. Somewhat less than the male, and differing considerably in plumage, having the head,
nape, sides of the neck, throat, and breast, chestnut instead of black; the ear-coverts of
a less lively yellow, and the tufts of feathers proceeding from the rictus of an obscure
greenish brown.

Total length, 12 inches; beak, 2+; wing, 4%; tail, 5; tarsus, 1%.

L’Aracari Koulik du Brésil. Le Vaill., Ois. de Parad., vol. 2. p. 45. t. 15.
Male. Ibid., Suppl., p. 41. fig. A A.
Pteroglossus maculatus. Jard. & Selby, Illus. of Ornith., vol. 1. pl. 26.

 

LT) Aracari a bec tacheté ; Ramphastos maculatus. Vieill., Gal. des Ois., tom. 2.

 

Tue Spotted-bill Aragari may be readily distinguished from all other known species by the abbreviated form
of its beak, and the distinct but irregular spots of black on the upper mandible, whence is derived its specific
name maculirostris. As the object in employing any distinguishing term should be to point out most readily
some prominent specific character, I have been induced to adopt the name given to this species by
M. Lichtenstein, prior to the one (maculatus) assigned to it by Vieillot.

Unlike the true Toucans, the sexes of many species of the P¢erogdoss? will be observed to present consider-

 

able difference in the colour of the plumage,—a fact which is forcibly illustrated in the present bird ; the female
possessing a rich chestnut-coloured head and breast, while the same parts in the male are deep shining black :
this, however, is not characteristic of the whole genus, nor is it to be observed in any other species in so
remarkable a degree.

The scarcity of information which had been obtained respecting this species, until within these few years,
has been the cause of considerable confusion as regards the identity of the sexes. Among other instances
we may notice Dr. Latham, who, in his laborious work, ‘‘ The General History of Birds,” has described and

?

figured the female as a distinct species under the name of ‘‘ Janeiro Toucan”: moreover, he appears to have
adoube whether it may not be the female of the peperivorous species,—a bird differing in many of its characters.
The P. maculirostris is supposed to be strictly confined to the Brazils, as it is from thence alone that it
has been received. It is to be regretted that no information can be added respecting its natural habits ; in all
probability they differ in minor details from those of the Pterog/ossi of the same size, but which have beaks more
enlarged in dimensions, though less powerful, than the short, thick, and strong bill of the present species.

Inhabits the Brazils.