1850.] 69 



Obs. Two specimens of the bird now described are in the collection, one ol 

 which presented by Mr. Edward Verreaux, of Paris, has the plumage of an adult 

 bird, though its bill is without appendages. In all other respects both specimens 

 are very similar to B. Buccinator, Temm., PI. Col. 270, but are so much smaller 

 that I cannot think it possible they are young birds of that species.] 



4. Alcyone Les-tonii, nobis. 

 ' Ceyx azurea, Less." 



" Alcedo azurea, Lath." Lesson, Voy. Coquille, L p. 690. 



Form. Much resembling that of Alcyone azurea, (Lath.) Gould B. of Aust. 

 II, pi. 25, but is larger ; the bill is much thicker and wider. 



Dimensions. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 6j in- 

 ches, wing 34-, tail \h inches. 



Colors. Generally resembling those of A. azurea, but upon the upper surface 

 of the body are of a deeper and more uniform blue. Entire plumage above deep 

 azure blue, which color extends somewhat upon the sides of the breast. Quills 

 and tail beneath brownish black, the former narrowly edged exteriorly with blue. 

 Small narine spots and another large spot on each side of the neck, yellowish 

 white. Throat nearly white, all the other under parts of the body deep fawn 

 yellow inclining to reddish on the sides. 



Hah. Havre de Dorey, New Guniea. 



Ohs. This species is described by Mons. Lesson, as above, but is quite different 

 from the A. azurea or either of the other nearly allied Australian species, being 

 decidedly larger and in all respects more robustly organized. It is not figured in 

 Voy. Coquille, though a complete description is given. 



One specimen only is in the collection of the Academy, which is another of the 

 valuable acquisitions made in Paris by Mr. Edward Wilson. 



5. H.irundo Goiddii, nobis. 



Hirundo frontalis, Gould. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1837, p. 22, and Voy. 

 Beagle, Birds, p. 40, (1S41.) 



Obs. I propose to apply this name, Hirundo Gouldii, to the species described 

 by Mr. Gould as above in 1837; the name given by him, Hirundo frontalis, having 

 been previously applied to another species by Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astro 

 labe, Zoologie I, p. 204, (1830.) 



Several specimens of both species are in the collection of the Academy. 



The Committee to which was referred a paper by Drs. D. D. Owen, 

 and B. F. Shumard, describing new species of Crinoidea from the sub- 

 carboniferous limestone of Iowa, &,c., reported in favor of publication 

 in the Journal. 



A letter was read from Dr. J. H. Troschel, Professor of Zoology in 

 the University of Bonn, and present editor of the Archiv. fiir Natur- 

 geschichte, announcing the transmission to the Academy of recent 

 numbers of that work, and expressing his desire to exchange for the 

 publications of the Academy, and requesting permission to make trans- 

 lations of papers from the latter for insertion in his work. Whereupon 



