J. J. QUELCH. 125 
of pounded corn or maize, produce eventually yellow- 
colored birds. In the former case, the change is evidently 
a chemical one—probably of reduction; while in the latter, 
it would seem to be of the nature of the elimination or sub- 
stitution of certain elements of the normal coloring, de- 
pendent on certain normal kinds of food material. 
The peculiarity of form in many different organs of our 
birds is also noticeable. Thus the elongated and peculiarly 
curved beak of Xiphorhynchus the boat-bill of Cancroma, 
the scissors-bill of RAynchops, the swollen tubular bill of the 
Toucans and Jabiru (Ahamphastos and Mycteria), and the 
keel-bill of Crotophaga, excite wonder, as much so as the 
great gapes of the Calf-bird (Gymmnocephalus calvus) and the 
Giant Night-Jar (JVyctébius grandis). The elongated tails 
of the Macaws (Ara), the forked tails of Mlvulus, and 
the plucked central elongated tail-feathers of Momotus, may 
also be mentioned, as well as the peculiarities in beak, crests, 
pufis and tails of so many genera of Humming. birds, such 
as Zopaza, Discura, Lophornis and others. 
One of the most curious structural features in any of our 
birds is that found in the appendages of the genus Chasmo- 
rhynchus. As narrated elsewhere (see ‘‘Timehri,” June, 
1892, Georgetown, British Guiana), I have recently been 
able to ascertain that the intermaxillary caruncle in C. albus, 
has no influence on the notes of the bird, and cannot be 
erected in the peculiar vertical manner shown in all the 
former illustrations of the bird. This organ is extremely 
extensile, and at the time of utterance of its notes by the 
bird, hangs down to as much as five or six inches; but it 
never becomes inflated with air, neither when the head of 
the bird makes its horizontal movement for the anvil-like 
ring of “Kong-Kaay,” nor during its vertically upward 
movement for the bell-like sound “ Do-rong.” 
Brilliant as so many of our birds are, it must be confessed 
that song, or sweetness of sound, goes not with their beauty 
—at any rate, not with the most beautiful. The Macaws, 
