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DESCRIPTIONS. 



Genus, GRYPHUS, Spix (Rhamphodon,~LesKon). 



In this genus the bill is long, strong, and 

 rather broad ; each mandible is finely serrated, 

 with numerous minute closely set spinous 

 teeth, for some distance, at the apex: these 

 teeth are directed backwards ; the point of the 

 upper mandible is hooked, and overarches that 

 of the lower. The wings are very strong and 

 ample; the tail is graduated, and rounded at the 

 apex ; the feet are small. 



Example. Trochilus naevius, Dumont. Rham- 

 phodon maculatum, Lesson. Locality: the moun- 

 tain districts of Brazil. (Naturalist's Libr. 

 Ornith. vol. i. p. 75.) 



This is the only species known at present 

 belonging to the genus Gryphus. From the 

 strength of its wings, which have the shafts of 

 the quill-feathers very stout and elastic, from the 

 amplitude of the tail, the minuteness of the feet, 

 and more particularly from the serration or den- 

 ticulation of the beak, it may be presumed that 

 this bird is well adapted, not only for securing 

 insects of considerable strength lurking in the 

 corolla of flowers, but also for predatory excur- 

 sions on the wing ; in other words, for the cap- 

 ture of insects during flight, which, when seized, 

 would not easily extricate themselves from the 



