Sir W. Jardine's Illustrations of Ornithology. 175 



basal, linear, pierced in an oval membrane ; wings broad, concave ; 

 quills acuminated, second, third, fourth nearly equal ; bend of 

 the wing with a small tubercle -, tarsi short (the tarsi here are im- 

 perfect and cannot be defined) ; feet gressorial ; toes unconnected 

 at the base, exterior and interior equal in length ; claws slightly 

 curved. Type G. strigirostris. 



Gnathodon strigirostris, nat. size. 



Gnathodon strigirostris (Plate IX.). — We are indebted to Lady 

 Harvey, whose extensive collection of natural history in Edin- 

 burgh is always open when science can be promoted, for a speci- 

 men of this very remarkable bird. It was purchased at a sale 

 of various Australian productions, and although we cannot fix 

 upon the district or locality whence they were obtained, we have 

 little doubt of the specimen having come to this country with the 

 others. 



The size is about that of the common stock dove. The maxilla, 

 strigine-like, hooked and sharp-pointed, has been yellowish 

 orange. The nostrils are externally linear, and are pierced in an 

 oval membrane ; the mandible is proportionally strong, and at 

 the tip is cut into three distinct angular teeth, orange-yellow, 

 red at the base. Space between the nostrils and eyes, and a small 

 patch on each side of the throat bare of feathers. The head, neck, 

 upper part of the back, breast and belly are black with green re- 

 flections, brightest on the upper back and sides of the breast, and 

 there having each feather tipped with a broad margin of gray 

 conspicuous in some positions, and appearing at times to occupy 

 the whole space. The back, rump, wings except the quills, tail 

 and under tail-covers rich orange-brown ; quills and secondaries 

 grayish black. The tarsi and feet have been pink or scarlet. 



Entire length of the stuffed specimen from 11^ to 12 inches; 

 bill to gape, 1 ; to forehead, -^-^ ; of wing to the end of third 

 quill, 8. 



The first general appearance of this bird is somewhat dove-like, 



