OCR Text |
Show 1868.] ON VENEZUELAN BIRDS. 165 species, P. formosus and P. occidentalis, from which we may infer he does not intend, in his succeeding yet unpublished volume, to give Geopsittacus as a distinct genus. If external markings and colour reveal affinity, then Geopsittacus, Pezoporus, and Strigops are nearly allied. Osteological characters come to divide the two former from the latter. While admitting that the shorter tail, rather stouter body, and the want of the red frontal band sufficiently define G. occidentalis from P. formosus specifically, these points, I am inclined to believe, are not of sufficient value or equal import when considered generically. Admitting that the nocturnal habits of Geopsittacus vary from those of Pezoporus, this itself would throw the balance in favour of its separation as a genus. Through the kindness of Mr. Flower I have been enabled to compare the sternum of the latter with the former bird. Excepting the relation of size, Pezoporus being the smaller and altogether the more slender of the two, there is essentially no difference in structure. In the genus Platycercus, altogether a group of ground-loving birds, there is a close resemblance to the two last-spoken-of forms; but they differ not only in colour, but structurally, as regards the sternum and other anatomical characters. Of Strigops that intense similarity in outward aspect to Geopsittacus and Pezoporus is outweighed when its osteology is compared. Yet, notwithstanding its almost keelless sternum, I cannot help believing its real affinities are with the nocturnal Parrakeet, and that some intermediate form may one day be found. Platycercus and Strigops are the extremes of a Psittacine group (it may be subfamily). Pezoporus, including Geopsittacus under that genus, is the central type of the same group. 3. O n Venezuelan Birds collected by M r . A . Goering. By P. L. S C L A T E R , M.A., F.R.S., and O S B E R T S A L V I N , F.L.S. - P a r t I. (Plate XIII.) Mr. Anton Goering, of Saxe-Altenburg, who accompanied Dr. Burmeister as preparateur during his travels through La Plata, left England, in September 1866, to collect objects of natural history in Venezuela. Mr. Goering reached Carupano (vid Trinidad) on the 30th of November of the same year. From Carupano he made an excursion of several months into the interior, visiting Caripe, several caves iuhabited by the Guacharo (Steatornis caripensis) in that neighbourhood, aud Pilar, and collecting extensively. Unfortunately a large part of these collections were lost by an accident during his return back to Carupano. From Carupano Mr. Goering proceeded to Caraccas, where he arrived in the latter part of last summer. |