CHAM^ZA MERULOIDES, Vigors. 



PLATE XI. 



C. supra brunnea, subtus rufescenti-albida, nigro longitudinaliter maculata ; gula, al- 

 bida : crisso, rectricumque apice rufescentibus. 



Chamseza meruloides, Vigors, Zool. Joum. vol. ii. p. 395. (note.) 



Kjhammza meruloides forms the type, and the only individual of a genus 

 first characterized by Mr Vigors in the Zoological Journal, from a specimen 

 brought by Dr Such from the Brazils, and from which we made the drawing 

 for the accompanying plate. At first sight it would be taken for a species 

 of Pitta, which genus and Grallaria it intimately connects with the true 

 Thrushes ; but on a closer examination, some differences appear, which are 

 sufficient to entitle the formation of a new group. The bill is short, and of 

 no great strength, while that of Pitta is remarkable for its power ; the legs 

 and feet are slender and weak ; the claws are slender, and that on the hind 

 toe very much compressed ; the wings are very short and rounded, and differ 

 from Pitta in the comparative length of the quill-feathers. We must regret 

 that only one specimen has yet reached this country, and that the correct- 

 ness of the generic characters cannot be proved by an examination of a great- 

 er number. We at present refrain from making any further remarks, in the 

 hope of receiving a supply of specimens from Dr Such, who has again gone 

 to South America, and has promised to send whatever he can procure that 

 can illustrate the ornithology of that country ; and his well known zeal in 

 this department of natural history, leaves little room for doubting the speedy 

 fulfilment of his promises. 



The length of this specimen was seven inches and a half ; that of the bill 

 to the forehead only half an inch. The prevailing colour of the upper parts, 

 the wings and tail, is dark yellowish oil-green, paler on the lower part of the 

 back, and on the edge of the quills tinged with a greater proportion of red- 



(11) E 



