PLATE LXVI. 



OXYRHAMPHUS PRATER 



(SHOET-TAILED OXYKHAMPHUS). 



Oxyrhy n clius fia m m icep s 

 Oxyrhamphus f rater 



Lawr, Ann. L. K T. ix. p. 106. 

 Sclat. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 326. 



Clare viridis ; pileo nigro variegato, crista mediali coccinea : alis caudaque nigris extus viridi limbatis ; secundariorum 

 et tectricura marginibus externis et cauda3 apice extrema pallide flavis: subtus pallide navus, nigro squamatus, ventris 

 medii et crissi maculis fere evanescentibus : rostro corneo, pedibus plumbeis: long, tota 6"5, alse 35, caudae 2*1, rostri 

 a rictu - 85, tarsi 0*8. 



Hab. in Veragua {Arce) : Costa Eiea (v. Frantzius.) 



It is a remarkable fact tliat in some cases the fauna of Central America presents us with 

 species nlore intimately allied with those of the wood-region of South Eastern Brazil than with 

 any found in the intermediate country. For instance, Neomorphus salvini of Veragua is much 

 more nearly allied to N. geoffroyi of Brazil than to N, rufipennisoi Guiana. But no more striking 

 example of the recurrence of Brazilian forms north of the Isthmus of Panama can be given than 

 that of the present species. Oxyrhamphus has been hitherto justly regarded as one of the most 

 characteristic types of the Ornis of South Eastern Brazil, and as absolutely unknown in every 

 other part of the neotropical region. But now we find in Veragua a species so closely allied 

 to the Brazilian form that even the experienced eye of our friend Mr. GL N. Lawrence was 

 unable to detect the differences. 



Our original description of Oxyrhamphus Jrater was based upon two specimens obtained by 

 Arce at Calovevora in Veragua in 1867. Since their receipt a subsequent collection from the 

 same locality has arrived containing a more ample supply of specimens. These fully confirm 

 the differences which Ave have already pointed out as subsisting between the two species, viz., 

 the much shorter tail, the generally brighter plumage, and the rather broader cream-coloured 

 edgings to the outer webs of the secondaries and wing-coverts in the Veraguan form. 



Mr. Lawrence's recently published Catalogue of the Birds of Costa Rica shews us that this 

 Oxyrhamphus occurs also in that country, specimens having been forwarded to the Smithsonian 

 Institution from the vicinity of San Jose by Dr. v. Frantzius. But, as has been already remarked, 

 Mr. Lawrence has not distinguished this bird from its Brazilian ally. . 



The genus Oxyrhamphus is a very isolated type, and there is great difficulty in assigning 

 it a proper systematic position in the natural series. The presence of ten fully developed 

 primaries and the structure of the tarsi seem to prove that Cabanis was right in arranging it 

 amongst the Tracheophonce. But we can hardly follow him so far as to regard this peculiar 



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