TITYRA PILEATA, (nobis). 

 Black-crowned Tityra. 



PLATE XVII. 



T. ferruginea infra pallidior, vertice occipiteque nigris. 



W hen making out the generic characters of Tityra, previous to writing 

 the sketch of that genus given in our first Number, we omitted the pre- 

 sence of the rigid, falciform feather described by Mr Swainson * as insert- 

 ed between the first and second quills ; but this is not present in all the 

 species we then thought should belong to the group, and could not be ad- 

 mitted as a proper distinguishing or characteristic mark. We are not 

 aware of the existence of this curious variation of structure in any other 

 birds, and it is very difficult to form any idea for what purpose it is intended. 

 It exists in T. cyanea, personata, and niger, and we should strongly suspect 

 also in T. erythrogenys, although we have not had an opportunity of exa- 

 mining the wings of this species. In T. niger, it is developed apparently 

 to its highest degree, and is considerably more than half the length of the 

 first and second quills. T. pileata, castanea, and Vieillotii, want it entirely, 

 and might form a separate group, taking T. pileata for the type, and in 

 which, perhaps, might be included T. Cuvieri. Until, however, we can 

 see the species together, and compare them more closely with one another, 

 we think it better to retain the genus as it stands, lest we should make al- 

 terations upon too uncertain characters, which would again require a 

 change. We shall take the very earliest opportunity of recurring to it. 



For the loan of this new species of Tityra, now figured, we are indebted 

 to the liberality of Mr Leadbeater, Brewer Street, London. It was re- 

 ceived by him from South America among some other skins, but without 

 any notice whatever accompanying it. In the general form, in the shape 



* Zoological Journal, No. vii. p. 354. 



