learned friend is pursuing his inquiries further on the subject, 

 I shall for the present confine my remarks to the individual here 

 illustrated, observing that no birds are so little understood, even 

 in regard to the species, as these. 



The indefatigable Edwards appears the first who noticed 

 this bird. His description, though in the quaint style of the 

 day, is clear and comprehensive ; and his figure strengthens it, 

 both being made from the living bird. Yet Dr. Latham has 

 quite overlooked it as a variety of another species ; and Dr. Shaw, 

 although he copies Edwards's account, gives references which 

 "belong to other birds. It is not in the costly work of Le Vail- 

 lant, and indeed seems (from its excessive rarity) to have escaped 

 the notice of all modern ornithologists. The perfect bill of the 

 bird is, however, in my possession, minutely agreeing with Ed- 

 wards's account ; and also an original sketch in oil of another 

 individual, by an unknown artist, with a note stating it was done 

 from the life at Exeter 'Change. All these testimonies put the 

 existence of the bird beyond any doubt. 



Having seen only the bill, which is well described by Ed- 

 wards, I shall close this arUcle with such part of his description 

 as appears necessary. 



" The bill is very large, compressed sideways, having a sharp 

 ridge along the upper part ; the upper mandible is green, with a 

 long triangular spot of yellow colour on each side, and the ridge 

 on the upper part yellow ; the lower mandible is blue, with a shade 

 of green in the middle, the point is red, it hath about five faint 

 dusky bars, which cross the joinings of the two mandibles. The 

 iris of the eye is a fair green colour ; round the eye is a broad 

 space of naked skin of a violet colour : the throat and breast 

 are of a bright yellow, below which is a bar of scarlet feathers ; 

 the covert feathers of the tail are white above, beneath of a 

 bright red ; the legs and feet are all of a blue or violet colour." 

 Edwards says it was brought from Jamaica, but doubts its be- 

 ing rather a native of the continent : he says they are very rarely 

 brought home alive. 



The bill is full six inches long, and the whole figure on the 

 same scale, both in this and in Edwards. 



