1853.) ! 369 
arches four on each side. Branchiostegal rays six in number, three on either 
side. Scales varying in size according to the regions; small and not imbricated 
on the back, large and imbricated on the flanks, and of medium size on the belly 
and tail. Lateral line well marked, forming an open curve on the abdomen and 
straight on the tail. Caudal fin forked or crescentic, generally unicolor; the 
tints of the back, flanks and abdomen merely varying in intensity. 
1. Gira rosusta, B. and G.—Body very much swollen anteriorly, and taper- 
ing very suddenly from the dorsal fin to the insertion of the caudal. Head very 
much depressed above, sloping very rapidly from the nape to the snout, and 
forming one fourth of the entire length. Eyes proportionally small and subcir- 
cular. Mouth tolerably large; the posterior branch of the maxillary does not 
reach the vertical line of the pupil. Dorsal fin situated on the middle of the 
back, and a little higher than long. Caudal crescentic. Anal situated behind 
the dorsal. Insertion of ventrals in advance of the anterior margin of the dorsal. 
The posterior tip of the pectorals does not reach the insertion of the ventrals. 
All the soft rays are bifurcated. Lateral line composed of about ninety scales. 
Color greyish brown above, lighter beneath. 
Formula of the fins: DI.9.C8.1.8.8.1.7. A I.9. VI. 9. P15. 
2. Gita ELEGANS, B. and G.—Closely allied to the preceding species. Its 
body, however, is more slender, and its tail proportionally more elongatad. The 
caudal fin is more deeply emarginate and more developed, as indeed are all the 
fins. The head is very much depressed and flattened on the snout. Eyes ellip- 
tica]. The scales are proportionally more elongated than in the preceding spe- 
cies and are broader anteriorly than posteriorly; the lateral line has about 
ninety of them. The number of rays in the fins affords also a distinctive mark 
between both species. The ventrals have no rudiment of spiny ray. Color 
light brown. 
Binwraysi DPlllyo Cro T9 9 sole OPAY DIT 0; Va9 Beles 
&. Gita Gracitis, B. and G.—This species is proportionally shorter, deeper, 
and more compressed than its congeners. It reminds us, in shape and general 
appearance, of the Shiner ”? (Leuctscus americanus), Both the dorsal and anal 
fins are provided anteriorly, as in G. elegans, with three rudimentary spiny rays. 
The scales are rather small, very thin; there are from 80 to 90 of them in the 
lateral line. The relative position of the fins is the same as in the other species 
of this genus. Color yellowish brown. 
HON Hany ID) IMU 6 hy Uo Mile de Zo ve ANUS SG WY NG Bede NG. 
The Committee on Mr. Cassin’s * Catalogue of the Hirundinide in 
the Collection of the Academy,” reported in favor of publication in the 
Proceedings. (<7 See end of this Number.) 
The Committee on Mr. Cassin’s descriptions of new Swallows and 
Parrots in the Collection of the Academy, reported in favor of publi- 
cation. 
Descriptions of new species of Hirundiuide and Psittacid@, specimens of which 
are tn the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 
By Joun Cassin. 
I. HIRUNDINIDA. 
1. Cyprsetrs SQUAMATUS, nobis. 
Form. About the size and general fon of C. ambrosiacus and C. parvus. 
Bill rather broad at base, curved, wings and tail long, the latter forked, toes and 
claws strong. 
Dimensions. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail about 5 
inches, wing 4}, tail 3 inches. 
Colors. Entire plumage of upper parts greenish black with a slight greenish 
