PTEROGLOSSUS BITORQUATUS, Vigors. 
Double-collared Aracari. 
Specific Character. 
Pter. mandihula superiore alhescenti-jiavd ; inferiore albidd, fascia obliqud apicali nigrd: capite 
nigro ; dorso, alis, cauddque olivaceo-viridibus ; guld guttureque castaneis, hoc subtus nigro- 
marginato; torque pectorali angustd, abdomine, crissoque sulphureis; pectore, nuchd, 
uropygioque coccineis. 
Upper mandible whitish yellow, lower white with a black oblique fascia at the apex; upper 
surface olive green; top of the head black; throat and sides of the neck chestnut, terminated 
by a narrow black pectoral band, below which is a similar one of yellow; breast, back of 
the neck, and rump scarlet; abdomen and under tail-coverts sulphur yellow; thighs olive 
green. 
Total length, 14 inches ; bill, 3. 
Pteroglossus bitorquatus. Vig., in Zooi. Journ., vol. 2. p. 481. 
The first and only notice of this bird, as far as I am aware, is the one which appeared in the second volume 
of the “ Zoological Journal,” as above quoted. It is there characterized as a species new to science, by 
Mr. Vigors, from a fine specimen in his possession, but since transferred with the whole of his collection to 
the Museum of the Zoological Society of London. From the two narrow bands, one of yellow, the other of 
black, which partially surround the chest, it received the specific name of bitorqiiatiis, though these colours 
are but partial. 
The Pteroglossus bitorquatus is remarkable, not only for its beauty and elegance of form, but also for its 
extreme rarity. The only individuals I have ever had an opportunity of examining, were, the specimen from 
which the original description was taken; a second, similar in all its characters to the former, which was 
kindly transmitted for my inspection by Lord Stanley; and a third in the Museum at Berlin: the last differed 
in one point from the preceding ones, in wanting the yellow pectoral band, the black edging of the chestnut 
throat being succeeded by scarlet; whether this slight difference is to be regarded as dependent upon sex, age, 
or season, or whether it is an accidental circumstance, the limited knowledge I possess of the species prevents 
my being able to ascertain with satisfaction. 
In point of affinity it is somewhat allied to the Pteroglossus ulocomus, possessing as it does a style of 
colouring extremely similar ; and the head, although destitute of the curled appendages, is covered with black 
feathers differing from tlie rest of the plumage, the shafts being glossy and bristle-like. This affinity is by no 
means surprising, as we might naturally expect that a character so remarkable as the curled crest of the 
P. ulocomus would not be given to one species without traces appearing in different degrees in others, abrupt¬ 
ness even in the slightest details being ever repugnant to nature ; and, relying upon these principles, we may 
reasonably anticipate the discovery of species forming a regular graduated series. 
Inhabits Guiana and the Spanish Main. 
