111 
larly elongated ellipses, while the corpuscles of the Common Brown 
Owl have the usual oval form ; and a similar peculiarity, though in 
a less degree, was observed in comparing the corpuscles of the Pas- 
senger Pigeon (Columba migratoria) with those of other allied species. 
“Subsequently I have mentioned, in the ‘ Appendix to Gerber’s 
Anatomy,’ that the corpuscles of Birds may present, comparatively, 
either the figure of a very broad or of a very narrow ellipse. Of the 
latter shape, examples may be found in the corpuscles of the Great 
Butcher Bird (Lanius excubitor), Nightingale (Philomela luscinia), 
Snow Bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis); and of the former shape in 
the corpuscles of the Java Sparrow (Lowia Javensis), and several 
other granivorous birds. 
“The nucleus of the blood-corpuscles of Birds, when exposed by 
acetic acid, has almost always a more elongated form than the un- 
changed envelope, as mentioned in the book just quoted. But to 
this rule I have since found a few remarkable exceptions. In the 
Common Fowl (Gallus domesticus), for instance, the nucleus is a 
very short ellipse, and even sometimes nearly or quite circular. For 
the difference between the shape of the nucleus, when exposed by 
acetic acid, or by soaking the corpuscles in water, a figure may be 
consulted which I have given to illustrate this subject in my ‘ Con- 
tributions to Minute Anatomy,’ Lond. and Edin. Phil. Mag., August 
1842, page 109.” 
A paper was then read from Mr. Gould, in which he gives the 
characters of two new genera of Birds, one belonging to the family 
Sylviade and the other to the Psittacide. 
‘Having observed,” says Mr. Gould, “during my late visit to 
Australia, much difference to exist in the habits of the birds usually 
placed in the genus Platycercus, I was naturally led to investigate 
the matter as fully as circumstances would admit, and on examina- 
tion of the two birds known as PI. erythropterus and Pl. scapulatus, 
I found that the difference of their habits from those of the typical 
Platycerci was accompanied by a sufficient difference in their ana- 
tomy to warrant their separation into a distinct genus. Indepen- 
dently of the variations indicated in the generic characters given 
below, these birds are remarkable for possessing a tolerably well- 
developed os furcatorium, which bone is entirely wanting in the true 
Platycerci and Euphemi : in their habits they approach nearer to the 
Lories, are of a dull and sullen disposition, and do not readily become 
tame and familiar like the Platycerci ; they are also essentially arbo- 
real, procuring their food among the branches of the trees; while 
a resort to the ground and feed principally upon grass 
seeds.” 
These two birds he therefore proposed to erect into a new genus, 
under the appellation of 
APROSMICTUS. 
Gen. Char. ut in Platycerco.—Rostrum attamen debilius, ceromate 
plumis tenuibus instar pilorum nares adumbrantibus instructo. 
