Mr. Bulwer on the Isocardia Cor of the Irish Seas. 357 



close to its extremity. The tail is black, the four middle feathers 

 are nearly of equal length, and are terminated by a small spot; 

 the next pair are rather shorter ; but the two, lateral pair are con- 

 siderably graduated, and broadly tipt with white ; the tarsi are 

 black ; and j in proportion to the size of the bird, are rather long. 



Total length, 5 |; bill,-j%; wings, 3; tail, middle feathers, 2|; 

 outer feathers, scarcely 2 ; tarsi, ^. 



I am quite ignorant of the locality of this species, ray specimen 

 having been purchased at an auction, in a lot with other skins 

 from various countries. It differs from all the LaniadcB of the 

 New World, in having that peculiar kind of metallic lustre on 

 some parts of its plumage, which is so general among the Drongo 

 Shrikes of Africa and India ; while in the graduated form of the 

 tail, it resembles the American Thamnophilince^ and presents a 

 solitary example of such a structure among the Tyranninae. The 

 membranaceous covering of the nares^ and the setaceous feathers by 

 which they are protected, are further deviations from the typical 

 characters. Yet, setting these peculiarities aside, the more essential 

 characteristics of Psaris are so well preserved in the form of the 

 bill, the sculpture of the tarsi, and the relative proportions of the 

 quill-feathers, that no doubt can remain as to its connection with 

 this group ; and consequently, there is every reason to believe it 

 may be a native of South America. 



Art. XLII. On the Isocardia Cor of the Irish Seas. Bj/ 

 the Rev. James Bulwer, F.L.S., Sfc. 



[In a Letter addressed to G. B. Sowerby, Esq.] 



Dear Sik, 



In the early part of last autumn (1824), I had the good 

 fortune to procure a considerable number of specimens of the 

 Isocardia Cor^ taken by trawling in very deep water on the east 

 coast of Ireland ; many of the specimens were brought to me with 

 the included animals alive and healthy : thus giving me an oppor- 

 tunity of examining and delineating them in their native element. 



