Ml". P. L. Sclatcr on new species of American Birds. 413 



back there is a line, or two or three series, of small scales ; but these 

 gradually become fewer and fewer, and in the hinder part of the 

 back the rings of scales are only interrupted by a very narrow 

 sinuous impressed line, which terminates over the loins. I am not 

 certain whether this interruption of the rings is a character com- 

 mon to the genus, or a peculiarity of the individual under exa- 

 mination ; it is not to be observed on the upper surface of the tail. 

 A very narrow, indistinct, impressed line is generally to be observed 

 in the same situation in the genus ChiroteSy and in some specimens 

 of Amphiabcena. 



The fronts of the fore legs and thighs are furnished with large 

 flat shields ; the rest of the legs, groin, and axillae are covered with 

 small granular scales. The head has three single shields, the second 

 and third being separated by a frontal pair, placed between the 

 hinder parts of the last of the three pairs of superciUaries ; the sides 

 of the head are covered with three pairs of large polygonal shields ; 

 the temples with small polygonal shields. 



RiAMA UNICOLOR. 



Uniform lead- coloured in spirits. Tail longer than the body and 

 head, tapering to a fine point. 



Hab. Ecuador {Mr. Louis Fraser). 

 Length : body and head 2^, tail 3^ inches. 



It may be observed, that though the genera of the family Chal- 

 cidce all agree in the form and situation of the nostrils between the 

 nasal and labial shields, and in the absence of the external ear, they 

 present two very distinct forms of scaling, forming at least two 

 tribes. Thus : — 



1 . The scales elongate, subquadrate, pointed behind ; the scales 

 in the rings alternating with each other, the points of the scales of 

 one ring being opposite to the suture between the scales in the next 

 ring. — Brachypodina : Brachypus. 



2. The scales elongate, subquadrate, truncated at the end ; the 

 scales of the different rings opposite each other, forming longitudinal 

 as well as transverse lines. The ventral and subcaudal shields broader 

 than the rest. — Chahidina : Chalcis — the first having the shield like 

 ChirocolidcB and Anadiadce, and the second like Cercosauridce and 

 the genus Riama here described. 



Another genus of this family, named Bachiay which is not in the 

 British Museum, is described as having narrow, smooth, six-sided 

 shields on the back, in nineteen longitudinal series. 



November 9, 1858.— -Dr. Gray, F.R.S., V. P., in the Chair. 



Characters of Five New Species of American Birds. 

 By Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A. 



1. EUCHLORNIS frontalis. 



Psittaceo-viridiSy fronte et gutture flavis ; alis caudaque intus 

 jngrisj cxtus viridi Umbatis ; secimdariis albo anguste termina- 



