ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 
Sir William Jardine has also called my attention to the fact 
that the Galbulce have really twelve rectrices, as the Alcedinvfo 
and the greater part of the Insessores, but the outer pair are so 
diminutive that they are nearly entirely concealed by the under 
tail-coverts. In describing the rectrices of these birds in the 
synopsis of species given, page 29-33, I have omitted to count 
this exterior pair, not having been aware of their existence. 
In G. maculicauda and ruficauda they measure only i in length, 
the medial rectrices being four times as long or nearly so. In 
the genus Jacamaralcyon they are still more diminutive. In Ja- 
camerops, on the other hand, they are of more normal dimensions, 
measuring 2, while the medial are about 5 in length. 
So little has been written, especially in Epglish, on the habits 
of exotic birds, that I am tempted to give here a translation of the 
remarks made by an observer of this genus in its native country. 
The Prince Maximilian of Neuwied, in his most excellent but too 
little studied work “ Beitrage zur Naturgescbicte von Brasihen, 
vol. iv. p. 437, writes nearly as follows: 
“ These birds differ more in habits than in structure from the 
Kingfishers ; and in this respect as in many others, seem to have 
more connection with the Humming Birds. Like them they have 
a soft, loose, splendid gold-glancing feathering; a long straight 
sharp-pointed beak; small, weak delicate feet; and a long strong 
feathered tail. They differ chiefly in the formation of the tongue, 
bill, and feet, and their shortness of wing; from which it may 
be understood that the Jacamars stand somewhere between the 
Kingfishers and Golibri . , 
After describing accurately the only species met with, anc 
stating that the native name for this bird signifies “ The rea 
Humming Bird"— as in Guiana they are called " Les Coltbn 
des Grands Bois"— the Prince continues— 
“ They live solitary and still, in the damp woods and shaay 
brakes, sitting generally on low twigs over the watei% flying 
hut not far, phlegmatic and difficult to be roused. Then r voice 
not a pleasing short song as Buffon says; but a loud, cea , 
repeated sound. They are on the look out during the whole J . 
for insects, of which I have found the remains in their stoma 
The Jacamars place their nest, like the Kingfishers, in a 
], 0 l e in a bank, but I have never been able to find one. 
