PLATYRHYNCHUS 



obviously follows the last sub-genus ; for although 

 we are unacquainted with those aberrant species 

 which would have made the transition still more 

 gradual, the approximation of the two is quite 

 sufficient to render the series perfect. Platyrhynchus 

 cancromus^ in short, might at first be mistaken for 

 a small Conopophaga, so exactly do the two forms 

 agree in their general aspect. We enter not here 

 'into the technical distinctions; but Platyrhynchus is 

 .immediately known by its short and widely dilated 

 (bill, the under mandible of which is very thin, and 

 i the base of both defended by strong thickset bristles, 

 pointing obliquely forwards; the feet are those 

 of Conopophaga in miniature, the proportions be- 

 ing the same, but very greatly diminished ; the 

 claws, moreover, are slender, sharp, and but slightly 

 curved, so that if either of these two groups might 

 be supposed to frequent the ground, the probability 

 would lie with Platyrhynchus. But here, again, we 

 have not the slightest authenticated fact whereupon 

 to ground a conjecture. The two species already 

 known, we believe, are confined to Tropical Ame- 

 rica* where they are very scarce. It is probable 



