2156 The Zoologist — June, 1870. 



inner toe reaching base of middle one. Claws much arched, com- 

 pressed, acute, the inner ridge of the middle one scarcely dilated. 



The genus as above defined is framed to include a number of 

 species, all more or less closely allied, yet presenting differences from 

 each other in form in almost each instance. The various species are 

 all nearly identical in the structure of the wings, feet aud tail ; in the 

 bill no two entirely agree. Each presents suae speciei characters in 

 the shape of the bill ; but the very fact that this organ varies so much 

 seems to indicate that the differences are no more than of specific 

 consequence. Psittacula is perhaps the species which has been most 

 generally separated from the others, in view of its oval upper, and 

 falcate under, mandible. But if this bird is to be generically dis- 

 tinguished, so also must cristatellus ; for the latter differs in still 

 greater degree, in the pi'esence of an anomalous accessory element in 

 the bill. This one being taken out, what to do with camtschaticus, so 

 very closely allied ? It is almost identical with cristatellus in all 

 points of structure, except in the details of the configuration of the 

 bill, and in these points it stands intermediate between this species 

 and some others. Then microceros and pusillus would have to stand 

 by themselves. So also would tetraculus and Cassini. These two, 

 particularly, differ more from all the rest, in their short, simple conic 

 bills, than any of the rest do from each other. In fine, if psittacula be 

 allowed generic rank, so also must cristatellus, and pari passuso must 

 no less than three more genera be recognized. It seems much the 

 most philosophical to group all these forms together in a single genus, 

 regarding the differences in the bills as specific. 



In such an acceptation, the genus comprises eight species, which 

 may be thus analysed : 



Species (8). 



I. Pkaleris, Temm. Upper mandible oval, under mandible 

 falcate; rictus curved upwards. No crest. 



Blackish; wbile below from the breast; a white spot 



below the eye. - - . - - 1 . psitlaculus. 



II. Simorhynchus, Merrem. Upper mandible triangular, under 

 mandible nearly straight; rictus horizontal, sinuate. A 

 long recurved crest. 



Angle of the mouth with a supernumerary corneous 

 piece. Sides of under mandible unfeathered. One 

 series of white feathers on the head. - - 2. cristatellus. 



Unknown. (See Pallas' description, infra). - - 3. dubius. 



