of the Straits of Magellan. 431 



sexes is nearly alike. The quill feathers are black with their in- 

 ternal web margined more or less at the base with white ; the 

 mark on the first feather being but slight, somewhat more length- 

 ened on the second, and gradually extending over the rest, until 

 it covers the whole of the internal web of the last secondary quill 

 feather, in some instances indeed encroaching upon the adjoining 

 parts of the external web. When the wing is viewed from beneath, 

 this mark exhibits a broad white fascia: when the bird is viewed 

 from above, it forms a longitudinal stria as far as the internal 

 webs of the secondary quill feathers are visible. The under wing 

 coverts are white, with some black feathers immediately adjoining 

 the margin. The bill and legs are black. The irides are yellow. 

 The length of the bird from the tip of the bill to the extremity of 

 the tail is 17 inches ; of the bill, 2|^ ; of the wing from the carpal 

 joint to the extremity of the fourth quill feather, 8-^ ; of the tail, 

 7y; of the tat^siy 1§; of the external hind toe, the nail in- 

 cluded, 2. 



This Woodpecker in size and general appearance resembles 

 the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of North America, (Picus princi' 

 palis, Linn.) ; but the bill is black instead of being white as in that 

 species; the scarlet colour extends in the male over the whole 

 head, instead of being limited to the crest, and the white mark- 

 ings appear only on the internal webs of the quill feathers, while 

 in P. principalis they form a hrosid fascia over the secondary quill 

 feathers, and also appear on the back and hinder part of the neck. 



37. A species of Humming Bird from Port Gallant. — I shall 

 not remark upon the high latitude at which this specimen was 

 found after what I have said on the Parrots^ and particularly 

 when I recollect how far north many species of the family are met 

 with on this Continent. The bird is not very remarkable in its 

 colours. The character of the enlarged shaft, which seems to 

 belong more or less to the family, is much developed in it. The 

 tail feathers are also very strikingly acuminated. I shall say 

 nothing of the species until I have an opportunity of comparing 

 my specimen with others. 



