J.Gmdd ¿rUCtìicfutr, del tb Jiïh . 5AS1A A U K O ÏtM IS .
WahrrJirtp.
SASIA ABNORMIS.
Malayan Piculet.
Picumnus alnormis, Temm. Pl. Còl., 371. fig. 3.—Less. Traité d’Ora., p. 231 ; Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 115.—Wagl.
Isis, 1829, p. 646.
Sasia àbnormis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. ii. p. 433, Sasia, sp. 1.—Blyth, Cat. o f Birds in Mus Asiat.
Soc. Calc., p. 65.—Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 140, Sasia, sp. 1.—Horsf. & Moore, Cat. of Birds
in Mus. East-Ind. Comp., vol. ii. p. 678.
Microcolaptes àbnormis, G. R. Gray, List o f Gen. of Birds, p. 54 ; 2nd edit., p. 70.—Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc.
Beng., vol. xiv. p. 191.—Gray, Cat. of Gen. and Subgen. o f Birds in Brit. Mus., p. 91.
Picumnoides àbnormis, Malli. Mon. des Picidés, vol. ii. p. 286, vol. iv. pl. 115. fig. 1.
In my account of the foregoing species (S. ochraced), I have omitted any observations on the structure of the
feet of the singular birds forming the genus S a sia; I mean more particularly any allusion to the total
absence of a fourth toe—a circumstance which affords a very striking instance o f the diversity of form which
is found to occur in the structure o f the feet o f birds, and which at once points out the propriety of
separating these Piculets from the members of the genera Viola and Picumnus. This deprivation of what
would seem to be a very important member appears to be fully compensated by the great development
of the hind toe and claw, the lengthened form of which doubtless enables them to cling with perfect security
to the smaller branches of the fallen trees lying prostrate in the dense and humid forests where it is believed
they principally dwell, and subsist upon insects the forms and structure of which are entirely unknown to
us. I may remark, further, that this singular deprivation is doubtless designed for some special purpose,
most likely to assist them in some particular mode of progression; for that they must principally depend
upon their feet to remove them from one place to another is certain, their wings being too round and too
feeble to admit of their flying to any great distance ; nor can they derive much aid from their tail, for which
the word little is the most appropriate that can be employed with reference to it, and which they cannot use
in any way after the manner o f the members o f the genera Picus and Certhia.
In size aud general colouring but little difference occurs in the two only known species of the genus; but
a conspicuous distinguishing, superciliary stripe is, I believe, always present in the more northern species
(S. ochraced).
Malherbe states that the peninsula of Malacca and the Sonda Islands are the habitats of this species; it
is also said to be found in Java. Mr. Wallace brought specimens to England from the first-mentioned country.
Of its nidification, and the number and colour of its eggs, nothing has been ascertained.
Forehead yellow; crown, nape, back, and wings greenish olive, passing into ochre-yellow on the upper tail-
coverts; all the under surface ochreous red ; tail black; shoulders or wing-coverts dusky ; bill lead-colour,
becoming yellowish on the base of the under mandible ; irides pale brown ; naked orbits red ; feet pale red.
The figures are o f the natural size.