70 



U. S. p. R. K. EXP AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY GENERAL KEPORT. 



thickened and stiffened so as even to be spinous, this character perceptible in the feathers on 

 the back, though diminishing towards the head. 



According to Goukl, fully adult specimens of this species have the three outer tail feathers 

 entirely black, with white tips, the narrow bars being characteristic of immaturity, as are also a 

 greater distinctness of the freckles on tlie wing and the white edgings to the primaries not 

 found in the adult. 



In the female the green tints are said to be replaced by brownish, as also the upper part of 

 the carmine ; the hinder portion of the under parts is as in the male. The white pectoral 

 crescent is also indicated by grayish. 



The Trogon elegans is somewhat similar to this species, but has a longer tail. 



In the monograph of Trocjonidae, Gould figures his Trogon ambiguus from northern Mexico, 

 distinguished by the finer mottling on the wing and the replacing of the narrow bars on the 

 tail feathers by black dottings. This is precisely the character of No. 4338, which would, 

 therefore, if distinct, bear this name. As, however, the other characters are so similar, it 

 would seem as if the ambiguus were merely another stage of plumage of T. mexicanus. A speci- 

 men labelled Trogcn amhiguus, in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, differs, however, 

 in having a much greener gloss to the feathers of the body. The black of the forehead extends 

 further on the crown. The middle tail feathers are more green than coppery ; the carmine of 

 the belly is less intense. The mottling of the wings and tail is much the same. 



List of specimens. 



