M E G A L i E M A F A B E E.
( T H E BLACK-CAPPED BARBET.)
Megalama faber (1870) Swinhoe, Ibis, p. 96 & plate IV. fig. 1.
M. sexibus similibua ; viridis ; gutture aurantiaco, fronte, nigro.
Hob. In insula " Hainan " dicta.
Sexes alike : body green ; whole top of the head black with a bluish green tinge, the
feathers stiff shalftcd ; the occipital* broadly tipped with scarlet, and the side feathers with
blue ; a spot in front of the eyes scarlet ; the ear-coverts and a band across the throat
cobalt blue ; upper plumage dark green ; quills brown, base of the inner webs and the
exterior edge of the primaries yellowish white ; throat and a spot at the base of the lower
mandible golden yellow ; a large scarlet spot on the upper breast joining the blue band ;
the rest of the under surface bright grass green ; tail underneath greenish blue : irides
deep reddish brown ; bill plumbeous black, whitish at the base of the mandibles ; rictal
bristles strongly developed, black ; legs and feet leaden grey, with a greenish tinge ; wing
4, tail 2 6-10, tarsi 1£. These measurements are from the dried skin.
Habitat. The island of Hainan (Swinhoe).
This bird, which was first discovered by Mr. R. Swinhoe in 1868 in the island of
Hainan, is the second new addition he has made t o the genus, and is nearly allied t o M.
nuchalis of the island of Formosa.
The following is Mr. Swinhoe's account of this species, and as he is the only Naturalist
who has obtained it as yet, we give it in extenso:—