M E G A L J I M A L A G R A N D I E RL
( L A G R A N D I E R E ' S B A R B E T .)
Megalama lagrandieri (1868) Verr.; Kouv. Arch, du Museum, III. p. 88.
(1870) Gray; Hand-1. of B. I I . p. 175.
M. rostro ad apiccm compresso et acuto: viridis: capite versicolor! : crisso rubro.
Hob. in Cochin-China.
Male.—General colour green, with more or less of a bluish shade on the upper surface
of the body; this blue colour is especially more pronounced on the lesser wing-coverts,
having more of an olive tone on the lower parts of the body, t h e middle of the belly being
clear b l u e ; head and neck brown, darker above than below; on the forehead a very narrow
band of greenish yellow terminated with red, the plumes being directed forward; the next
band, which is larger, has all t h e feathers terminated with red, the plumes of the nape and
hind part of the neck having also a darker or lighter shade of this colour, especially towards
t h e base of the l a t t e r ; ear-coverts washed with blue, traces of which colour are risible on
the ends of the feathers of the chin and fore part of the neck, some of the latter being
tinged with red towards the extremity; wings blackish, bordered externally with olive-green
on t h e primaries, green only on t h e secondaries, t h e inner webs all yellowish white, and the
under wing-coverts also of the same colour; tail-feathers coloured like the wing on the
upper part, but having a silvery tinge underneath; under tail-coverts blackish at the base
and red for the rest of their extent, the latter colour varying in intensity; beak much
curved and equal in length to the head, very strong at the base, conspicuously vaulted and
rather conical, the upper part blackish but all the rest whitish, furnished with long bristles
extending for more than half its length; tarsi rather long, bom-coloured, as also are the
nails; wings with the third and fourth quills longest; tail rather long and slightly rounded.
Total length 31 centimetres, closed wing 13 centims., tail 6 centims., beak from angle of
mouth 5 centims., height of bill at nostrils 1 centim. 8 millims., tarsus 3 centim., length of
anterior toe without the nail 3 centims., internal one from cleft 1 centim., posterior toe
2 centims. 4 millims., inner one 1 centim.