The merit of having first directed the attention of Ornithologists to the singular spurious quill, which generally distinguishes the males of this group, we transfer from ourselves to Azara. His invaluable work we did not then possess, and knew not that the circumstance had already been mentioned by him.
We are only acquainted with the genus Pachyrhynchus of Spix, by seeing this name affixed to our Psaris Cuvierii in the Paris Museum. The distinction is judicious; particularly as the two groups point to different relations. Of Psaris, as now restricted, we know of six species, and of Pachyrhynchus, ten.
Our present bird is osculent between these forms: we place it with Psaris on account of its wings and tail; but it accords with Pachyrynchus in the rictus being slightly bristled. The spurious quill is half the length of the first, which latter is as long as the fourth. The tail is in a slight degree rounded. It is, perhaps, needless to remark, that all these birds are confined to Equinoctial America.
Pl. 42.
CHÆTURA macroptera
Longwinged Swift
CHÆTURA macroptera.
Long-winged Swift.
