PRIONOPS TALACOMA. 
horny shell ; the middle toe rather longer than the outermost, the innermost 
slightly shorter than the latter, and of the same length as the liindermost ; 
claws pointed and considerably curved. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the bill to the top of the 
tail 8 0 
of the tail 3 9 
of the wings when folded 4 4 
Length of tarsus 
of the middle toe 
of the inner toe. . 
Inches. Lines. 
. 1 1 
. 0 6 
. 0 4 £ 
The female, as regards the colour of the plumage and the size, differs little 
if at all from the male. 
The first individuals of this species we obtained were killed in about 25° south latitude, and 
from that parallel specimens continued to occur as far as we advanced to the northward. They 
were generally observed among low bushes, in flocks of six or eight individuals, and either 
actively engaged in traversing those bushes, or in exploring the grounds around them in search 
of insects. The termites appeared to form their favorite food; and rarely was a specimen 
obtained whose stomach did not contain them in abundance. It is a shy bird, and rather 
noisy. In flying, sometimes all the individuals of the little flock utter their cries simultaneously, 
and the same practice they frequently observe while searching for food on the ground, or upon 
bushes. When the mere inclination of one of the flock induces it to fly, all the rest follow 
the example, and together, wing their way to another locality. The present, the third 
species yet discovered of the genus, is readily to be distinguished from the other two, 
( Prionops Geoffroyi, Vieillot ; and Prionops cristatus, Ruppell), by its having no crest. 
