Zoological Illustrations, Volume 1: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting AnimalsSwainson, William
Science
Zoological Illustrations, Volume 1: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals
Swainson, William
Animals -- Pictorial works
The vast and little known region of New Holland has afforded us some of the
most beautiful birds of this superb family, and among which the species
now, as we believe, for the first time published, will stand conspicuous.
It is from a fine skin in the possession of Mr. Leadbeater, and is named in
honour of the late M. Barraband, the first ornithological painter that
France or any other country has produced.
The tail is very long, measuring eight inches three quarters; the total
length of the bird being near fifteen inches. The green which predominates
over the plumage is bright and changeable, having a blueish tinge on the
hind head, which is much darker and stronger on the outer margins of the
quills and middle of the tail-feathers: the back and scapulars are tinged
with an olive-brown; the spurious quills and their protecting covers are
greenish-blue, appearing in some lights entirely of the latter colour; the
inner margin of the quills and tail, as well as their entire under surface,
deep brownish-black; but the tips of the tail-feathers beneath are much
paler; the two middle feathers five inches longer than the outermost, and
extending near two inches beyond any of the others; their extremities
instead of being pointed are rather widened and rounded. Bill red; ears and
space between the eye and bill green; fore-part of the head, chin, and half
the neck, a clear orange-yellow, which is terminated by a narrow collar of
a beautiful orange-red; the remaining under plumage pale-green; inner
wing-covers darker. Legs black. The fourth, fifth and sixth quills notched
at their tips.
* * * * *
Pl. 60
[Illustration]
THYREUS Abbottii.
* * * * *
GENERIC CHARACTER.
(_Familia Sphingidis_ Latreille.)
_Antennae lineares, in medio incrassatae, in maribus extrinsecus
ciliatae, (sub-barbatae) in foeminis simplices, filiformes, mucrone
obtuso arcuato sensim terminantes. Palpi breves, obtusi, in utroque
sexu similes. Alae opacae, angulatae. Abdomen crassum, barbatum._
Antennae linear, thickened in the middle, externally ciliated in the
male, simple and filiform in the female, gradually ending in an
arcuated, obtuse hook. Palpi short, obtuse, alike in both sexes. Wings
opaque, angulated. Abdomen thick, bearded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_T. alis angulatis, anticis testaceis, fusco umbratis et oblique
lineatis; posticis flavis, margine lato nigro._
T. Wings angulated; anterior testaceous, with lineated brown shades and
oblique lines; posterior yellow, with a broad black border.
* * * * *
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