466 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in Ornithology. 



Art. L. Sketches in Ornithology; or, Observations 

 on the leading Affinities of some of the more extensive 

 groups of Birds. By N. A. Vigors, jun. Esq. A.M. 

 F.L. Sf G.S. 



(Continued from p. 405.) 

 ON SOME SPECIES OF THE KAMPHASTID^. 



The opportunity so seldom occurs of figuring from a living 

 specimen a bird of this family in which, as it is well known, 

 many of the chief specifick characters are lost in death, that I am 

 induced to insert a figure in this Journal of a Rhamphastos now 

 alive in my possession ; although in describing it I fear I shall 

 rather increase than clear away the confusion that already exists 

 in the nomenclature of the family. The bird in my possession 

 was obligingly sent to me from Rio de Janeiro by my friend Dr. 

 Such, with the observation that it was the only specimen of the 

 species which he had himself met with, and that he had seen no 

 description in any authour which exactly accorded with it. The 

 bird however is not uncommon in our collections, although ac- 

 cording to Dr. Such's observations not usually found in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Rio de Janeiro ; but the remark of that gentleman 

 is perfectly just, that it can be referred with certainty to no re- 

 corded species. At the same time it must be observed, that we 

 are not sufficiently acquainted with the variations of these birds 

 as to age or sex, to authorize us to pronounce with confidence 

 that the individuals which show apparent specifick distinctions 

 are really distinct. In all such cases I consider it the most eligi- 

 ble plan to keep every bird separate under its own name and 

 description, until it has been ascertained by authentick proof to 

 be identical with some previously recorded species. I shall ac- 

 cordingly describe my bird ; and then referring to the descrip- 

 tions of the other named species of Rhamphastos, state my rea- 

 sons for considering it distinct from all. 



Ariel. Ramph. niger, gula gents guitureque aurantiaco-luteis, 

 hujus margine inferiore sulphureo, regione periopihalmica 



