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PTEROGLOS SUS PRAS INUS , Lichtenstein.
Golden-green Aracari.
S p e c i f ic C h a r a c t e r .
Pter. mandibula superiorejlava, culminis striga, macula ante nares, lineaque ad tomium nigris;
inferiore nigra,fascia basalijlava: supra aureo-viridis, in cceruleum ad remiges et ad rectrices
extrorsum transiens, harum apicibus rufo-brunneis; genis gulaque cinereis; pectore cceru-
lescenti-viridi, in viridem postice transeunte ; tectricibus caudce inferioribus r tfs .
Juvenis. Mandibuld superiore ad basin rufo nebulosa versus apicem in Jlavum et lutescentem
vergente ; inferiore tot a nigra : abdomine quam in adulto obscuriore.
Upper mandible yellow with a black line along the oilmen, 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 tipped with rufous b row n ; naked skin round the eyes dull blueish
g re en ; cheeks and throat g re y ; 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 b rig h t; 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.
T he naturalist has often to observe, that Nature never proceeds abruptly in the formation of her groups, but
prepares a passage from one to another by a series of intervening 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 Pteroglossus sulcatus, I 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 Arapari appears, at the first glance, to be related, and might
with propriety be placed there in a strictly systematic arrangement; a more attentive examination, however,
indicates its relationship, in an equal degree, to the more genuine Pteroglossi. The bill, for instance, though
channelled, is only slightly so, and approaches that of the Araparies in breadth and general dimensions; and the
tips of the tail-feathers and under tail-coverts, as in most of that genus, are rufous brown.
The Pteroglossus 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 oeconomy of the Golden-green Arapari, 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 the 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 circumstance,
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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