2 Sir W. Jardiiie on a new genus of Promeropidee. 



and rounded; in Promerops it is of very considerable strength, particu- 

 larly towards the base, is nearly triangular, and the culmen is flattened. 

 In the form of the tarsi and feet, in the structure of the plumage, the 

 colouring and markings, the two genera will nearly accord, and the cha- 

 racters thus blending will assist the passage to adjoining groups. The 

 bird has been placed in the S. African Museum under the specific name 

 of Capensis; but this being in many respects inapphcable, and being un- 

 published, I have thought the name now given was a just tribute to the 

 merits of a person so interested in every department of Natural History, 

 and who is certainly entitled to it as a discoverer of the species. 



Genus Rhinopomastus, Smith. 



Char. Gen. Rostrum elongatum, incurvum, gracile, teretiusculum, basi 

 trigonum. 



J\/'ares basales, mediae, perviae, membrana semi-clausge 

 scutelloque incumbente tectae. 



j^lce mediocres. 



Cauda gradata, elongata. 



Pedes insessores, mediocres; tarsis brevissimis, acrotarsio scu- 

 tulato, paratarsiointegro; digito exteriore ad secundam 

 phalangem connexo, interiore libero, acropodio scutu- 

 lato; halluce robusto; unguibus validis, compressis, hal- 

 lucis validiore. 



Typus genericus. Rhinopomastus Smithii, mihi. 



Rhinopomastus Smithii. 

 R. supra chalybeo violaceoque nitore luce varians, subtus obscurd niger. 



Tab. I. 

 The length of this species is about 1 1 J inches, that of the bill nearly If. 

 The whole plumage is loose and unconnected as in the true Promerops, 

 The upper parts, including the wings and tail, are fine steel blue, with vio- 

 let and greenish reflections, varying with the light; the under parts are 

 entirely dull greenish black, on the throat and breast slightly tinged with 

 green reflections. The wings are of considerable power, the greater co- 



