The splendid little birds arranged under this group belong exclusively to Tropical America. They are generally seen in pairs, frequenting open woody tracts; feed principally upon fruits, and seldom if ever perch upon the ground: In the variety, and richness of their colours, they are only surpassed by the Humming Birds. The Red-headed Tanager has never, we believe, been found in Brazil; although it occurs in Cayenne, Surinam, and some of the West India Islands. Buffon was its first describer; he informs us that in French Guyana it appears in small flocks, two or three times in a year; arriving when the fruit of a particular tree is ripe, and departing when it begins to fail. Some specimens are more brilliant than others, originating probably from age or locality: those from Cayenne are known by a delicate blue tinge on the breast. A further variety has been described (_Ency. Meth._), in which the upper part of the neck is also red, and the back marked by a large spot of dull rufous (_brun-marron_). We suspect this will prove a distinct species. The rank of this group, whether as generic or subgeneric, can only be determined by analyzing the whole family. * * * * * * [Illustration: MELANIA Pl. 1. _1, setosa. 2, amarula._] MELANIA amarula. ---- Order Phytophaga. (_Gasteropoda, Cuv. Pars._) Molluscæ destitute of a syphon, but furnished with jaws, and generally enclosed in a univale shell, with an entire aperture. GENERIC CHARACTER. See Lam. Sys. 6, 2, p. 163.--Dubois Trans. 193. ---- SPECIFIC CHARACTER. _Shell ovate-conical, blackish, upper part of the whorls armed with solid porrect spines; aperture bluish white._ M. amarula. _Lam. Sys. 6, 2, p. 166. Chemn. pl. 134, f. 1218-9. Ency. pl. 468, f. 6._ ---- This is a genus of fresh water shells, particularly abundant in Africa, Asia, and America; we have also heard it has lately been detected in Europe. We should not have figured this common and well known shell, but for the purpose of comparing it with the next. When in a young state, the spines are very acute: more advanced they become less so; and in old individuals they are often very obtuse. ---- MELANIA setosa. _Shell ovate-conical, brownish olive; whorls armed with porrect tubular spines, enclosing setaceous bristles._ Melania setosa. _Sw. in Brand's Journal, No. 33, p. 13._ This is a most singular species. From the tubular spines emerge two or three hornlike, elastic bristles, which appear embedded in the substance of the shell. A very ample account of the first specimen we ever met with, will be found in Brand's Journal for April, 1824. It was discovered in the Isle of France, by Mr. Warwick, where it appears to be very rare. Other specimens have since been brought to this country.