ORDER PASSERES. 503 



part of our work than what we have now presented to 

 tliem. We shall, therefore, pass on to the Cotixgas, under 

 which head we shall notice the common Gymnocephalus of the 

 Baron. 



This genus of birds, which, under the Latin denomination of 

 Ampelis, is composed of eleven species in the thirteenth 

 edition of the Systema NaturcB, by Gmelin, and of fourteen 

 in the Index Ornifhologicus, of Latham, now forms a more 

 extended family, divided into six sections, viz., the Piauhaus, 

 the Common Cofingas, the Eckenilleurs, the Jaseurs, the 

 Procnias, and the Gymnoderes ; all of which have the bill 

 depressed like that of the flycatchers, but a little shorter in 

 proportion, tolerably broad, and slightly arched. The Piau- 

 haus, thus named on account of their cvy, and well designated 

 under the Latin word querula, are those which have the bill 

 most pointed ; insects constitute their principal aliment, and 

 they hunt their prey principally in the woods. 



Of these birds we insert the figure of one under the name 

 of Lumachelli Querula^ from a specimen in Drew's Collection, 

 Plymouth. The head and upper part of the back are black 

 and green with a metallic lustre ; the lower part and tail are 

 black ; the wing-coverts are partly blue and partly brown ; and 

 the epaulette is composed of distinct red, blue, yellow, and 

 green spots. 



The common cotingas, properly named ampells, have the 

 bill rather weaker, and besides insects, they search out in 

 humid places, berries, and tender fruits. M. Le Vaillant even 

 pretends that they are wholly frugivorous. The procnias, 

 under which name Illiger forms a distinct genus, and which 

 was first given by Hoffmansegg, have the bill weak, depressed, 

 and slit even to below the eyes. They are also distinguished 

 by caruncles on the forehead, or a naked skin under the throat, 

 and their regimen is more particularly insectivorous. The 

 gymnoderes, of which but a single species is known, have 

 i-ather a stronger bill than the last : the neck exhibits naked 



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