development and colouring of the facial bristles, and its long tail, we have retained for it
t h e generic name given by the discoverer, Midler. Temminck, in his ' Planches Coloriées '
(I. c ) , states that its habits and food are the same as those of the other Barbets; the latter
consists of all kinds of wild berries, especially figs, to which all birds of this family are very
partial. It is a remarkably stupid bird, and allows itself to be closely approached, and falls
an easy prey to the collector. No difference has been observed in the plumage of the sexes.
They are said to be common in the districts where they are found ; but as they are very
locally distributed, and rarely wander far, specimens are not often brought to this country,
and it is still considered a very rare bird.
The skeleton does not appear to differ from that of a Megaloema ; there is a good figure
of one to be found in the ' Contributions to Ornithology.'
Temminck figured this bird, when it was first discovered by Midler, in his ' Planches
Coloriées.'
Mr. A. II. Wallace lent us a specimen which he obtained during his travels in Sumatra ;
and from this our Plate and description have been taken.