Tab. X X .
MYOPHON US HOR S F IE LDI I .
M ijo p h . c m l e s c e n u - a t e r ,f rm i t e , h ume ris, m a rg in ib u sq u e p lw n a r um p e c to r is splendide cwrulcis.
S t a tu r a M y o p h . c ya n e i, H o rs f.
L o n g itu d o oorqxris, IW- u n c .; alee, d ■, ro s tr i, H ; ta r s i, H ; cauda:, 5.
T in s very beautiful species o f Myophomes is immcil in honour o f that distinguished follower of science Dr
Horsfield. The genus in which it is entered was first eharneterized bv M. Teimninck : the propriety of
separating it IS now confirmed by the addition o f the present and a tl.iril s|.eeies figured in the succeeding
1 late, J J y o p tm m s T em m tn dm . As regards the habits and mode o f life o f the birds o f tliis groap little can
be said with certainty, e.veeptiag that, from their lengthened tarsi and general striietnrc, they miy he con-
mdcred as depending m a gre a t measure for tlieir sabsistciice upon tlie worms. Insects and larvm whicli
inhabit the surface of the earth.
Although we have figured this bird as an ¡„habitant o f the Himalaya,i mountains, yet from havlim
subsequently learned that it is met with la considerable abm,dance in tlie plains in tlieir vleinlty, wc are noF
warranted in stating that those elevated regions are its c.NcIuslvc h a b i ta t s p e c im e n s , indeed, have been
prociireil by collcetors even so far south as Madras.
Tlie general plumage of this species is black with reflections of metallic bine ; a scmilnnar line o f deep blue
extends across the forchenil from eye to e y e ; and the shonldcrs arc resplendent with a still deeper tinge of
the same lustrous lin e ; the head with the exception of the line o f bine, the neck, and breast are je t b la ck ;
but on the lower p a rt of the hreiBt and abdomen each feather Is elegantly edged a t its extremity with bright
blue ; the back, wings, and tall are black, rcficctiag a rich bloom of bine, which in some lights prevails oFer
tlie sable ground colour; the beak and tarsi arc black.
Tlie figure is o f the natural size.