Some of the specimens in the British Museum are labelled as coming from Java; but
this is probably a mistake; for the species inhabiting that island are all peculiar to it, and
Mr. A. R. Wallace observed that the common species of Sumatra and Malacca were altogether
wanting there.
The Gaudy Barbet is perhaps the most brilliantly coloured of all this showy family;
the depth and richness of the colouring in the adult bird are especially remarkable. Its
habits are similar to those of its congeners. The young bird is entirely green, the bright
colours being gradually assumed.
There is a very good figure of this bird in the ' Planches Coloriees' of Temminck to
accompany the original description.
Our Plate and description are taken from specimens in our own collection; the former
represents an adult bird in full plumage, from Sumatra, and a young bird, in the transition
state, from Penang, being the specimen which established the distinctness of M. humei from
this species.
