in the construction of their bills they perfectly resemble the 

 Swallows, their wings are not formed for long or rapid flight; and 

 their feet are much stronger, and calculated for searching among 

 branches for their food, in which situations I have frequently 

 seen them. The term "pedes anibulatorii" or walking-feet, is 

 applied too generally, and should be confined to the gallinaceous 

 and Pigeon tribes 



This genus was formed by Count Hoffmansegg, and the pre- 

 sent is the smallest species known : our figure is of the male 

 bird. Total length about five inches and a half. The bill from 

 the angle to the tip measures seven lines ; but from the nostrils 

 only three lines and a half. The middle of the body, vent, and 

 under tail-covers in the male are pure white ; in the female yel- 

 lowish, with a fine of ohve-green down the middle of each shaft; 

 the quills, wing-covers, and tail-feathers are black, margined in 

 the male with blue, and in the female with green : the tail is 

 slightly forked. The nostrils round and bare ; the base of the 

 bill has a few weak setaceous hairs. The legs resemble the true 

 Chatterers, having the outer toe rather longer than the inner, 

 and attached to the base of the middle. 



This is a scarce bird, apparently not hitherto described; I 

 met with it only three times in Bahia ; but it appears more fre- 

 quent in the southern provinces of Brazil, specimens having been 

 sent me from Minas Geralis and Rio de .Janeiro. 



