قراءة كتاب Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2 or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals
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Zoological Illustrations, Second Series, Volume 2 or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals
to come from New Holland, and is now in the Manchester Museum.
TIARA sulcata.
Sulcated Mitre.
Tiara. (Ty. 5.) Shell marked by distinct, carinated, remote transverse ribs, the interstices concave: pillar three plaited, epidermis brown.
For this new and very distinct species, we are indebted to Mr. Bulwar. It was collected on the Pacific side of the American Isthmus. The central line indicates the true size of our specimen.
SYLVIA Regulus.
Gold-crested Warbler.
SYLVIA Regulus.
Gold-crest. Golden-crested Warbler.
Family, Sylviadæ. Sub-family, Sylvianæ. Nob.
(See North. Zool. Vol. 2.)
Generic Character.
Bill very weak, considerably compressed, nearly straight; the tip bent and notched: rictus bristled. Wings moderate. Tail rather short.
Sub-genera. Acanthiza. Horsf. & Vig. Phyllopneuste. Meyer. pars.
Specific Character.
Sides of the head without any indication of white bands, crest of the male yellow-orange, bill very weak. Temminck.
Sylvia Regulus. Tem. Man. 1. 229. Roitelet ordinaire.
Motacilla Regulus. Linn. 1. 338.
Golden-crested Wren. Montague, Ornith. Dict. 2. p.—See particularly the Introduction to Vol. 1. p. 34.
With the exception of the Humming Birds, the Gold crests are the smallest birds in creation. The natural size of the only species found in this country is here represented; while the weight seldom exceeds eighty grains. Notwithstanding its delicate structure, this beautiful little bird braves the severest winters of Northern Europe: it is found in Denmark (Müll. Zool. Dan.), and extends to the borders of the Arctic Circle, (Temm.) It is more frequent with us than is generally supposed, but its diminitive size screens it from observation. It is perpetually in motion: hopping among the branches, examining every leaf and spray, and will frequently catch minute insects that endeavour to escape, by darting at them like a Flycatcher: we have repeatedly watched a pair of these birds which frequented our garden at Warwick, in the middle of winter, for three years: their favourite resort was an old fir-tree, which they regularly and carefully explored, much in the manner of the Titmice (Parii.)
If the name of Sylvia is to be retained in Ornithological systems, it should obviously be applied to this, which has been correctly thought the typical group of the whole family. Acanthiza, for reasons elsewhere explained, appears a subordinate type, and Phyllopneuste cannot be adopted, without a glaring violation of natural affinities.
PHÆNICORNIS flammeus.
Orange Redbird.
PHÆNICORNIS flammeus.
Orange Redbird.
Family Laniadæ. Sub-family Ceblepyrinæ. Nob.
Generic(?) Character.
Bill with the sides compressed, the under mandible rather thick, the gonyx ascending: rictus bristled. Feathers on the back and rump slightly spinous. Wings short. Tail rather lengthened, graduated, the tip forked: the feathers narrow.
Phænicornis. Nob. Boié (pars.)
Specific Character.
Glossy black and golden orange: head, throat, wings, upper part of the back and middle of the tail glossy black; wings with two stripes of orange.
Muscicapa flammea. Auct. Tem. Pl. Col. pl. 263.
Mus. Paris. Nost.
The Birds now arranged under this group, exclusively belong to Southern India and its luxuriant Islands. About five species have been discovered, most of which are ornamented with a plumage of the brightest scarlet, crimson, or orange, relieved by glossy black. Their economy is not known, but their structure leads us to believe they live upon caterpillars and soft insects; as another group, representing these birds in Africa, are known to prefer such food. Both have the back feathers thick and rigid; although these characters are least apparent in Phænicornis. Our figure is nearly of the natural size. The female is stated to be yellow, where the male is orange. It appears to be not uncommon in Java.
The genera Parus, Turdus, Muscicapa and Sylvia have alternately been made the receptacles for these birds; to neither of which do we consider they have any immediate affinity. Their whole structure evidently accords with that of the Ceblepyrii, or Caterpillar catchers, of M. Cuvier; a group first pointed out by Le Vaillant: but as these have never been put in order, we can say nothing on the rank of Phænicornis, or on its various relations.
VOLUTILITHES. Pl. 1.
1. Muricina. 2. pertusa.
VOLUTILITHES muricina.
Family, Volutidæ. Sub-Family, Volutinæ. Nob.
(Genus Voluta, Lam.)
