BAM BU SI CO LA HYPERYTHRA, Sharpe.
Rufous-breasted Bamboo-Partridge.
Bambusicola hyperythra, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 266.
T h i s handsome bird was discovered by Mr. W. H. Treacher on the Lawas river in North-western Borneo,
and forms the third remarkable species of game-bird which the English naturalists have discovered on that
river during the last few years. To those ornithologists who consider that our knowledge of the avifauna
of Borneo is gradually becoming complete, it is only necessary to point to the very interesting discoveries
which have been made by Governor Ussher and Acting-Governor Treacher since their appointments to the
British colony of Labuan. There can be no doubt that much still remains to be done in that great island,
whence have been brought to our notice in the short space o f five years a new Polyplectron, the extraordinary
Bulwer’s Pheasant, and the equally interesting new species of game-birds which are figured for the first
time in the present work. Mr. Sharpe has placed this species in the genus Bambusicola, and states that
the nearest ally which he has found exists in my Bambusicola sonorvoox from Formosa; but a glance at the
plates of the two birds will show that it is a very different species from the last named. As Mr. Treacher
is still continuing his exertions in collecting birds in North-western Borneo, we may hope to be furnished
with additional specimens of this fine species; but at present there is nothing to say with respect to its habits
and economy.
I translate the description given by Mr. Bowdler Sharpe in ‘ The Ibis ’ :—
“ Upper surface olive-brown, banded across with black, more broadly on the lower back and rump;
wing-coverts dark brown, broadly tipped with olive-brown, the greater coverts dull rufous at their ends;
primaries brown, externally broadly margined with dull rufous or rufous brown ; the secondaries, however,
tipped with black, and subterminally banded across with pale olive-brown, the innermost pale whity-brown
near the tip ; tail dark brown; top of the head and nape black, produced in a narrow band down the hind
neck; lores, as well as a narrow eyebrow and a broad band running down the sides o f the neck, dull
ashy-grey; a narrow black line running above and below the eye, and joining a broad black band which
runs down the sides o f the neck; ear-coverts and hind part of cheeks dull ashy-grey; fore part of cheeks
and under surface of body chestnut red; the flanks rather more orange, and variegated by black feathers with
a large subterminal spot of white o f an oval shape; middle of the abdomen whitish ; under wing-coverts
ashy-brown, the axillaries tipped with whitish. Total length 10-5 inches, culmen 0*85, wing 5'2, tail 2*2,
tarsus 1*6.”
As in the case of Hcematortyx sanguiniceps, I have to thank Professor Rolleston for allowing me to figure
the unique specimen in the Oxford Museum. The principal figure in the Plate is life-size.