XANTHORNUS CORONATUS, (nobis). 

 Crowned Xanthornus. 



PLATE XLV. 



X. niger, tectricibus, uropygio, crisso rectricibusque lateralibus flavis ; crista amplis- 

 sima pendula, rostro albescente. 

 Cassiculus coronatus, Swains. Philos. Mag. and Ann. for June 1 827- 



X his beautiful species agrees so well with the characters laid down for 

 Xanthornus, that we cannot see the propriety of separating it, and have 

 accordingly retained it as constituting a part of Cuvier's genus. We are 

 aware that some of the smaller species differ from what we consider the 

 more typical birds, in their more slender and gently curved bills, thereby 

 approaching nearer to the Icteri of Brisson ; and we would rather recom- 

 mend the separation of these under a new appellation, than to withdraw 

 this, with which the characters now formed so well accord, and which are 

 evidently taken from species equally agreeing in their generic distinctions. 

 It is a native of Mexico, and is probably one of the most elegant in the 

 whole group. The head is adorned with a full, gracefully pendent crest, 

 of rather broad feathers, which divides in the centre, and falls over both 

 sides of the back of the neck. The wing-coverts, the rump, the crissum 

 and tail, with the exception of the two centre, and the outer webs of the 

 exterior feathers, are fine chrome-yellow. All the other parts of the plum- 

 age are deep glossy black, tinged on the wings with a shade of brown. 

 The bill is greenish-white, perfectly straight, and sharp at the tip. The 

 nostrils are quite uncovered ; but the plumage at the base of each forms a 

 thick tuft of soft bristly looking feathers, which may serve as a slight de- 

 fence. The feet and legs are brownish-black. The total length is about 

 twelve inches and a half. The female is somewhat less, and nearly wants 

 the beautiful crest. 



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