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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
cursoria.
Courier Waterchat.
Family Todidæ. Sub-Family Fluvicolinæ.
Fluvicolinæ. Bill, in general, strong; depressed, the tip abruptly bent and notched: gape with stiff bristles. Tarsi long; toes nearly free, claws slender and acute. Scapular covers long. Quill and tail feathers very broad; but the latter of various shapes. Frequent marshy situations in the New World. Nobis.
Generic Character.—Zool. Journ. No. 10, p. 172.
Specific Character.
White, back brown; wings, stripe on each side the head, and broad rounded tail, black; the latter tipt with white.
There is to be found, in Tropical America, a singular race of flycatching birds, whose plumage is black and white. Their haunts are only in the vicinity of water: they pursue their prey upon the ground, running with great celerity, and are constantly in motion. They have, in short, all the manners and habits of the Stone Chats, and when we published the definition of this genus, we were led to believe it belonged to the Saxicolinæ. The present species we met with in abundance at Pernambuco, frequenting the sides of the rivers and lagoons.
It is not surprising that ornithologists, who are so frequently compelled to form their ideas of natural divisions from mere skins, should be entirely unacquainted with the group, of which this genus is probably the type. But it is strange that the full and accurate information concerning it, which has long ago been furnished by Azara, should have been so utterly neglected. In the views which we have taken of the affinities of these birds, we consider they present a point of junction with the Saxicolæ; passing on one side into the genuine Flycatchers of America, (Tyrannula Sw.) and on the other into the typical Todies. The contents however of this group, we are but partially acquainted with. It will comprise Nengetus, Sw. Alecturus, Vieil, and several other forms now widely scattered in the newest systems, together with one or two others not yet defined, which we have only seen in the Paris Museum.
Since the above was printed, we find the name of Xolmus has just been proposed for this genus by M. Boié, he not being of course aware that this, and some of his other groups, were published by us three years ago.
MACROPTERYX longipennis.
Long winged crested Swift.
MACROPTERYX longipennis.
Javanese crested Swallow.
Family Hirundinidæ.
Generic Character.
Bill (fig. 1.2.) small, entire, base depressed and straight, the outer half of the culmen suddenly curved; lower mandible straight, nostrils large, oblong: Tarsi short, without scales; anterior toes of nearly equal length; (fig. 3.4.) claws strong; hinder toe long, not versatile, the claw very short and thick. Nob.
Specific Character.
Above obscure glossy green; throat, breast, and lower part of the back light grey; belly, spot on the scapulars, and line over the eye, white; ears rufous; front with an incumbent crest.
Hirundo Klecho, Horsfield, Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 143, female?
Cypselus longipennis. Pl. Col. Pl. 83, f. 1?
To Dr. Horsfield, one of the most successful and scientific investigators of Oriental Zoology, we are indebted for the first discovery, in Java, of this charming bird. Of its economy nothing is as yet known; but the uncommon length of its wings, indicate its possessing the utmost rapidity of flight. Another, and a much larger species, is among the Ornithological treasures discovered in the Eastern Archipelago by my estimable friend M. Lesson, and which he has already communicated to the public. A third is the Cypselus Comatus, of M. M. Temminck and Laugier.
The peculiar structure of these birds oblige us to consider them as forming a natural group, intermediate between the typical Swifts, and the Swallows. To the first they are allied by their strong scansorial feet; to the latter by the length and fixed position of the hind toe, and the depression of the bill.
We suppose that the figure of the Hirondille longipennes, in the Planches Coloriées, (pl. 83), is intended to represent this species; if so, it is incorrect, both in drawing, proportion, colouring, and detail.
EUDAMUS Pl.1.
1. Agesilaus. 2. Doryssus.
EUDAMUS Agesilaus.
Family Hesperidæ.—Nob. (Anopluriform Stirps. Horsf.)
Generic Character.
Antennæ with the club unequally fusiform, the outer half abruptly bent, forming a lengthened, attenuated hook, alike in both sexes; anterior wings papilioniform: posterior wings with the caudal appendages very long and obtuse.
Type.—Hesperia Proteus. Fab.
Specific Character.
Posterior wings dark brown, with a broad, entire, cream coloured margin; beneath marked with two darker bands, and a basal dot: appendages very long, whiteish.
The insects composing this group, have only been discovered in the hot latitudes of America. In the Systema Naturæ one species alone is recorded; Fabricius was acquainted with three; our own cabinet possesses eighteen, all collected in a comparatively insignificant portion of Brazil. Others have been figured by Drury and Cramer, so that the number of species already