DETAILED CHARACTERS OF 
of Western Africa, with Edwards’s representation of Turacus perm, 
(Natural History of Birds, pi. 7, London, 1743), shows the re- 
markable difference Wbtween these two birds, the latter of which has 
a white stripe over and under the eye ; whilst Corythaix buffonii 
has only one white stripe, and that above the black, between the 
corner of the mouth and the eye. Le Vaillant’s figure of Turacus 
buffonii (Promerop. part iii. pi. 17), is besides not correct. 
It has hitherto quite escaped naturalists, that when one com- 
pares Edwards’s accurate description of the 7th plate of his Na- 
tural History of Birds, and his figure of the bird, they do not agree. 
The words of his description run thus. (In Seligmann’s transla- 
tion, which exactly corresponds to the original text):* “ Von dem 
Winkel des Mundes zu dem Auge eine breite schwarze Lime, 
welche schmaler wird unter dem Auge hinweg, und dariiher hinaus 
liiuft. Unter dieser schwarzen Linie ist eine weisse, die sick hin- 
terwarts etwas weiter als die schwarze erstrecht, vornen aber 
nicht so nahe zum Schnabel konmit ; eine andere weisse Linie geht 
vom Winkel des Mundes fiber das Auge, lauft aber nicht so weit 
nach hinten als die untere ; auf dem ICopfe hat er eine Krone, die 
er nach Beliehen aushreitet, und an welcher die Spitzen der Federd 
roth sind; der Bucken, die Fliigel und der Schwanz haben erne 
schone blduliche Purpurfarbe .” But in the figure, the points ot 
the crest-feathers are the same grey colour as the entire upper 
head, and of red there is no visible sign ; further, the entire upper 
half of the back and wings is oi the same green colour, and by no 
* M Ruppell is mistaken as to the correctness of Seligmann. His woras, re- 
translated, are as follows-" From the corner of the month, a broad black 1 - 
which becomes narrower and runs under and beyond the eye. Under tins Mm 
line is a white, which extends backwards somewhat further than the blac . 
front does not come so near to the bill ; another white line goes from the cornel o 
mouth above the eye, but does not run so far behind as the under On thehead 
crest which it expands at pleasure, and on which the poults of the featheis ar 
the wtags and the tail have a beautiful bluish purple colour.” But m Edwards s 
own words it runs thus- “ From the corner of the month to the eye is a broa ^ 
line wliicb grows narrower, and extends itself under and beyon 7 > 
Ihis’is a white line, which extends itself a little farther back than the black lm , 
but doth not come forward so near the bill; from the corner o t e mou 
tended another white line, which passes above the eye, but not so ^ back a tl^ 
beneath ; the head, neck, breast, and lesser coverts of the wings, are of a fine 
green colour; on its head it hath a crest, which it raiseth at pleasure , the ve y P 
oTXe ftthe’rs in the crest are red ; the thighs lower belly, and 
tail are dusky or black; the back, wings, and tail, are of a fine blmJ P 
col o Ur ” — Copied from Edw. Birds; description of pi. 7-~ Translator. 
70 
