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Show 330 PROF. FLOWER ON THE COMMON FIN WHALE. [May 12, Acanthylis cinereicauda, Cassin, Pr. Ac. Sc. Phil. v. p. 58, pl. 13. fig. 2 (1858): Acanthylis oxyura, Burm. Syst. Ueb. ii. p. 366. Chcetura poliura, Sclater, Cat. A. B.p. 283, P.Z.S. 1863, p. 101, et 1865, p. 611 ; Pelzeln, Orn. Bras. p. 16. Hab. Wood-region of S.E. Brazil (Max. et Burm.), Prov. S. Paulo and Matto-Grosso (Natterer). Although these two birds have been confounded under one name, through the difficulty of recognizing Buffon's bad figure, they are very easily distinguishable upon comparison. The second species has a much longer tail, and is cinereous below instead of sooty black with slight bronzy reflections. 4. MELANERPES PULCHER, sp. nov. Niger, fronte lata alba, flavicante tincta, pileo supero toto et nucha coccineis: capitis lateribus nigris: dorsi linea media et uropygio albis ; alarum plumis omnibus in pogonio interno albo transfasciatis: cauda nigra, rectricum pogoniis internis albo punctatis : subtus griseus, a pectore ad ventrem imum albo nigroque transfasciolatis ; plaga ventrali media coccinea : subalaribus albis nigro maculatis: rostro et pedibus nigris - long. tota 7*0, alee 4*2, caudee 2*3, rostri a rictu 1*2. Fern. Pileo nigro et nucha coccinea flavo marginata differt. Hab. in rep. Columbiana, prope Bogota. Obs. Proximus M. chrysaucheni Salvini, sed pileo maris coccineo, feminae nigro, et corpore subtus a crisso usque ad summum pectus transfasciato differt. I have lately purchased a pair of this fine new Woodpecker in Paris ; and Mr. Salvin has a female from the same dealer. They are all " Bogota" skins. The species is a near ally of the Melanerpes chrysauchen from Veragua, lately described by Mr. Salvin *, but differs as above mentioned. It is somewhat doubtful, perhaps, whether it should be placed in the genus Melanerpes or Centurus, which are certainly closely allied ; but as Mr. Salvin has referred his species to the former genus, I have followed his lead. It may be remarked that in all the typical Centuri the wings are banded externally, whereas in these, as in other species of Melanerpes, they are uniform. 7. Additional Note on a Specimen of the Common Fin-whale (Physalus antiquorum, Gray; Balcenoptera musculus, auct.) stranded in Langston Harbour, Nov. 1869. By W . H. FLOWER, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., &c. In a notice of this animal, published in the ' Proceedings' Society for 1869, p. 604, the external characters alone are described. Having recently had an opportunity of examining some of the bones, * Antea, p. 213. |