68 Miscellaneous. 



primaries of which it bears sufficient resemblance to make it highly 

 probable that the bird itself is a member of that superb genus. 

 This interesting feather is, in all probability, a primary from the 

 right wing ; and the chief points in which it differs from those of 

 the known species are as follows : — 



An elongated space of chocolate-colour, dotted with white, orna- 

 ments the narrow as well as the broad web of the feather. The 

 tooth-like markings on the narrow web, close to the shaft, are very 

 boldly defined, the light spaces being of a pale ochre-yellow colour : 

 these markings are separated from the chocolate patch on this web 

 by a narrow strip of pale yellowish brown. Tbe dark spots outside 

 of the chocolate spaces are similar on both webs ; and there is no 

 plain space bordering the inner web, the ground-colour of which is 

 darker and more reddish than in the known species. Besides the 

 above-mentioned differences, this feather is much smaller than the 

 corresponding ones of giganteits, having the shaft much more slen- 

 der and of a blackish colour, instead of the beautiful blue of that 

 species. The shaft has the remarkable peculiarity of being extremely 

 narrow on its upper side, so that a section of it would appear 

 almost triangular. The length of the specimen is 9 inches ; but it 

 has been injured, a portion having been broken off both ends ; if 

 perfect, it would probably measiire 12 inches. 



A few feathers which exist in the museum of the Jardin des 

 Plantes at Paris have been attributed to an unknown Argus ; and 

 it is quite possible that the feather now imder notice may belong to 

 that species. 



The drawing on the wood not having been reversed, the impres- 

 sion from it is a representation of a feather from the left wing in- 

 stead of the right. I may also state that the light spots close to the 

 shaft of the feather of A. giganteus have been engraved too white. 



In conclusion, I propose the specific name of hipunctatus for the 

 bird of whose existence this feather is the indisputable proof, the 

 white dots on both webs distinguishing it at once from the known 

 species. 



I remain, Gentlemen, 



Yours very truly, 

 London, June 22, 1871. T. W. Wood. 



P.S. I have forgotten to state that in the recently described bird, 

 Argus Grayii, the primaries are almost exactly like those of the old 

 species. 



Kotes on Podocnemis unifilis. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 

 A freshwater Tortoise from Guiana was thus described in 1848 : — 



" Podocnemis unifilis, Trosch. n. s. (Schomburgk, Reise in Brit. 

 Guiana, iii. p. 647). 



" This Tortoise has much affinity to P. e.rjjansa, Wagl., and is 

 distinguished piincipaUy by this, that it has only one short beard- 



