1861.] DR. p. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM JAMAICA. 7.T 



general structure is the same ; the tail is shorter in Nesopsar, and 

 the tarsi are likewise considerably shorter. 



Mr. Osburn's six examples of this bird were obtained at Freeman's 

 Hall, as is related in 'The Zoologist' (p. 6661), where the following 

 notice is given of this species : — 



" Towards the end of last year, whilst riding through the lower 

 mountains, a perfectly black bird alighted on a wild pine growing at 

 some height, in a vertical position ; and as I watched it I observed 

 it climb about the stiff leaves with great agility, and eagerly search 

 their sheathing bases. Your surmise as to the 'Black Banana Bird ' 

 instantly occurred to me. I did not then procure it ; but the negroes 

 assured me they were abundant higher up, and the investigation was 

 one of the chief objects I proposed to myself on coming here. I did not 

 find them very common, and procured only four specimens during the 

 first six weeks of the year. They are to be met with especially in those 

 deep damp hollows which the forest growth seems striving to conceal, 

 and where orchideous parasites and wild pines luxuriate in abundance. 

 It may there be seen climbing among them, as mentioned above, or 

 flying from tree to tree in short flights ; or, if not visible, its very 

 peculiar call is audible far over head. I would imitate it by ' Aep- 

 chur-r-r-r,' — the first a loud, clear note, followed bya rattle, reproduced 

 with sufficient exactness by a long, rough ' r.' The whole bird is 

 coloured black, and that of the plumage has the purplish gloss of our 

 Quiscalus. The hind toe seems rather more developed than in Icterus 

 leucopteryx ; and it has, I think, a corresponding increase of climb- 

 ing power, oftener assuming the vertical attitude. One I shot hung 

 head downwards for some time, exactly as the common Banana Bird 

 will do. Another very marked distinction is, that the culmen, or 

 upper ridge of the bill, is flattened and broad, dividing the frontal 

 feathers, Hke a plate, but does not expand. The following are the 

 dimensions of two specimens ; the second was a female, and the first 

 I believe a male, though the part was much injured : — 



Length S\". Exp. 13. Flex. 4|. Tail 21. 

 » 7^". „ 12. „ 4. „ 21. 



Rictus 1". Tarsus 1. Mid. toe ■?-. 

 1" 1 i 



't- 



