PTEROGLOSSUS SULCATUS, Swainson. 
Grooved-bill Ara^ari. 
Specific Character. 
Pter. 7 'ostro attenuato; mandihidis compressis, sulcatis, supei'ioris siilcis utrinque duolms, 
inferioris imico; superiors nigra, cuhnme apiceque saturate rufo-hrmmeis; it^eriore nigra, 
ad basin sanguined: viridis, siibtus pallidior ; jugulo cinerascente ; genis cm’uleis. 
Beak attenuated, curved, and ending in a sharp point at the tip; mandibles compressed, the 
upper having two deep channels and the lower a single one on each side ; base of the lower 
mandible blood red; the culmen and tip deep rufous brown, the remaining portion black. 
Feathers covering the cheelcs coerulean blue. The whole of the upper surface green, as is 
the under also, but somewhat ligliter, and inclining to grey under the throat. 
Total length, from 11 to 15 inches ; bill, 3 to 5 t ; tarsus, li. 
Ptet'oglossus sulcatus. Swains., in Journ. of Roy. Inst., vol. 9. p. 267- and in Zool. Ulus., 
vol. 1. pi. 44. Terara., PI. Col., pi. 556. 
This interesting species of Pteroglossus was first introduced to science by Mr. Swainson, who informs us it 
was received by him from the Spanish Main. Subsequently to the description which appeared in the “ Journal 
of the Royal Institution,” and the accurate figure given by Mr. Swainson in his “ Zoological Illustrations,” a 
second Plate of this bird has been published by M. Temminck iii his '■'■Planches Coloriees” Although 
many years have elapsed since the introduction of this bird, I am still unable to add any Information to that 
already furnished by those able naturalists, its extreme rarity having hitherto precluded all possibility of 
ascertaining any particulars respecting its natural habits and manners. 
The great difference which Pteroglossus sulcatus presents in the formation of its hill, together ivith some 
other characters, lead me to suspect that it will hereafter be found to constitute the type of a separate group, 
allied, in many important points, to the Barbets {Buccd)\ I am, however, restrained at present from 
instituting a new genus for its reception by the consideration that little information is as yet obtained respect¬ 
ing its habits, manners and general oeconomy. 
The two birds from which the figures were taken, and which ai*e at present in the Museum of the Zoological 
Society of London, are considered to be male and female: should this ultimately prove to be the case, the 
sexes will offer no external difference except in size, the female being somewhat the least. 
Inhahits the Spanish Main and Guiana. 
