passekin/T:. ^39 



Gymnocei'Iialus, Geojj'. 



Or the Bald Tyrants. They have a bill similar to that of the Tyrants, 

 except that its ridge is somewhat more arcuated; a great part of their 

 face is destitute of feathers. 



One species only is known, which is the size of a rook, and the 

 colour of Spanish snufF. From Cayenne*. 



Cephalopterus, Geoff. 



In this subgenus, on the contrary, the base of the bill is furnished 

 with feathers which open at top, and form a large panache resembling a 

 parasol. 



One species only is known ; it is as large as a jay, and l)lack ; 

 the feathers at the bottom of the breast form a sort of pendent dew- 

 lap. From the banks of the Amazon; Cephalopterus ornatus, 

 Geoff., Ann. du Mus. XIII. pi. xv; Coracina cephaloptera, Vieill. 

 Galer. 114; Temm, Col. 255; Corac ornata, Spix, LIX. 



Ampelis, Lin. 



The Crown-Birds have the depressed bill of the Fly-catchers in general, 

 but it is somewhat shorter in proportion, tolerably broad, and slightly 

 arcuated. 



Those in which it is the most pointed and strong, have still a decidedly 

 insectivorous regimen : they are called Piauhau, from their note — the 

 QuERULA, Vieill. They inhabit America, where they pursue insects, in 

 flocks, in the woods f. 



The Common Crown-Birds, 



Whose bill is rather weaker, besides insects, feed on berries and tender 

 fruits. They inhabit the moist grounds of America, most of the males 

 being remarkable, at the pairing season, for the brilliancy of their purple 

 and azure plumage. During the rest of the year both sexes are grey or 

 brown. 



A. carnifex, L. ; L'Ouette, Enl. 378; Spix, V. The calotte, 

 rump, and belly scarlet ; the rest brownish red ; fourth quill of the 

 wing narrowed, shortened, and tough, or something like horn. 



A. pompadora, L. ; Le Pompadour, Enl. 279. A fine light 

 purple ; wing-quills white ; the barbs of the great coverts are stiff 

 and arranged on two planes in an acute angle, like a roof. 



• It is the Choucas chauve, Buff., Enl. 521 {Corvus calvus, Gm.), the Oiscau won 

 pi-re of tlie negroes of Cayenne, Vaill., Ois. cl'Ani. et des Indes, pi. xxix. 



■f Here comes the Common Piauhau ; black, with a purple throat {Muse, mbrkollis, 

 Gm.), Enl. 381; Vieill. Gal. 115, and the Great Piauhau, entirely pm-ple {Cotinga 

 rouge, Vail., Ois. de I'Afr. et des Indes, pi. xxv and xxvi, Coracias militaris, Shaw). 

 La Cotinga gris {Amp. cinerea), l'>nl. 699, is more nearly allied to the Piauhaus than 

 the common Crown-birds. 



The Piauhau « gorge aurora {Coracias scutata, Lath, or Coracina sculata, T.), Col. 

 40, has a narrower bill, and approaches more to Cephalopterus. 



