MUSOPHAGA VARIEGATA, Vieillot. 

 Variegated Plantain-eater. 



PLATE XXV. 



M. supra grisea, brunneo maculata, subtus alba nigrescente-castanea striata, ca- 

 pite crista occipitali. 



Musophaga variegata, Vieill. Gal. des Ois. PL 48. 



Le Musophage varie, 2de. edit, du Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. tome xxii. p. 92. 



J_ his elegant Musophaga has long been known in our museums, but has 

 hitherto remained undescribed by British naturalists : it, however, fell un- 

 der the observation of the continental ornithologists, and we find it de- 

 scribed by Vieillot in his Gallerie des Oiseaux, under the title of Muso- 

 phaga variegata. In the general contour of its form, it greatly resembles 

 the type of the genus M. violacea, but differs from it in wanting altogether 

 that extension of the base of the upper mandible which extends consi- 

 derably over the forehead, and which has been considered as constituting 

 a generic character. With the views of the Baron Cuvier and Mr Vi- 

 gors, regarding the station which this and the nearly allied genus Corythauv 

 hold, as forming the link which connects the perching birds or Insessores 

 of the latter author with the Rasores or Gallinaceous Order, we fully con- 

 cur : it appears, indeed, a matter of doubt, whether the plantain-eaters 

 might not as naturally be placed among the Cracidce of the latter order, as 

 among the Cuculidce of the former. The versatility or power of turning 

 backwards the extreme toe, must determine to which it is most closely al- 

 lied, and of this it is difficult to form a correct judgment from an exami- 

 nation of dried specimens ; but the form and proportion of the feet, as well 

 as the strong membrane which connects the toes at the base, would seem 

 to imply that this power, if possessed, must be very limited and confined. 

 Isert, who first described the Violet Plantain-eater, and instituted the 

 genus, considered it as possessing pedes ambidatorii, or feet with three an- 



