RAMPHASTOS ambiguus, 

 Doubtful Toucan. 



Generic Character. — See PI. 45. 



Specific Character. 



R. niger ; jugulo jlaxo ; mandibulce supcrioris parte siiperiore Jiard, 



transverse maculatd, strigd viricli oblique divisd ; mandibuld infe- 



riore nigrd. 

 Black; throat yellow, upper mandible black, the upper half yellow, 



with an oblique green stripe and transverse spots ; the under 



mandible black. 



The obscurity with which modern ornithologists have de- 

 scribed these remarkable birds, would have induced me, long 

 ago, to have attempted a more perfect account of all the 

 species in this work; but as this might have been con- 

 sidered, by some, an infringement on the miscellaneous plan 

 on which it was commenced, I feel obliged to confine myself 

 only to their occasional illustration. 



The species now selected is one I have never seen ; but 

 I have no doubt of its existence, and little of the accuracy 

 of its delineation. I before alluded to several drawings of 

 Toucans which had come to my hands, executed by an un- 

 known artist : among them is a figure of that now published ; 

 with a note subjoined, stating it was drawn " from the bird 

 just dead." The other drawings of the same artist represent 

 several of the common species, and their accuracy is pre- 

 sumptive evidence that this also is represented correctly. 

 The singular colouring of the bill at once separates it from 

 all known species ; and for its further history, we must trust 

 to the exertions of those travellers, visiting South America, 

 who may feel an interest in illustrating these singular birds. 



I more than once heard, when in Brazil, of a B/ite Toucan; 

 but it was said to be very rare, and I never was fortunate 

 enough to meet with one. 

 PI. 168. 



