NONNULA. 519 
NONNULA. 
Nonnula, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1853, p. 124; Mon. Jacamars and Puff-birds, p. xxxviii; Cat. Birds 
Brit. Mus. xix. p. 199. 
Nonnula is a small weak form of Malacoptila, containing, according to Mr. Sclater, 
five species, which are spread from the Isthmus of Panama to South-eastern Brazil. 
Only one of these occurs just within our border in the State of Panama. 
The bill of Nonnula is flatter than that of Malacoptila, especially at the base, though 
the curve of the culmen is similar and the tomia without notch; the bristle-like 
feathers curving forwards over the nostrils and under the chin are very long and strong, 
the rictal bristles themselves being also very strong. There are no pendent elongated 
feathers from the rictus, as in Malacoptila. The wings are short and rounded, the tail 
moderate and rounded, the rectrices narrow. ‘The feet are feeble. In coloration the 
plumage resembles that of Malacoptila, but the tints are uniform without any darker 
marks, and the size of all the species much less. 
1. Nonnula frontalis. 
Malacoptila frontalis, Scl. Ann. & Mag. N. H. 1854, xiii. p. 479°; Synops. Buce. p. 20°; P. Z.S. 
1855, pp. 186°; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vii. p. 318 *. 
Nonnula frontalis, Scl. P. Z.S. 1855, p. 196°; Mon. Jacamars and Puff-birds, p. 139°; Cat. Birds 
Brit. Mus. xix. p. 201’. 
Supra fusca, pileo rufescente tincto, loris et capitis lateribus cinereis: subtus ferruginea, gutture et pectore 
saturatioribus, abdomine medio et tectricibus subcaudalibus albicantibus; alis et cauda saturate fuscis, 
hujus rectricibus externis (dimidio distali) indistincte pallide fusco terminatis; rostro corneo, mandibula 
infra pallida; pedibus corylinis. Long. tota 5°5, ale 2:2, caude 2°15, rostri a rictu 0°95, tarsi 0-5. 
(Descr. maris ex Lion Hill, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 
mari similis. 
Hab. Panama, Lion Hill (‘Leannan *)—Cotomsia! ® 7, 
Nonnula frontalis is a northern form of NV. ruficapilla, of the interior of Brazil and 
Peru, from which it differs but slightly. Mr. Sclater described it in 1854! from 
specimens found in a collection of trade skins sent from Bogota, which were probably 
obtained in the upper part of the valley of the Magdalena river. Mr. Sclater 
subsequently (P. Z. S. 1860, p. 60} referred a specimen contained in a collection from 
the valley of the Napo in Ecuador, with doubt, to this species; but as nothing 
further is said in his Monograph of the family concerning this bird beyond the reference 
to the paper, we suppose the southern extension must be considered unconfirmed. 
The only other records of this bird are from Panama, where M‘Leannan met with it, 
as noted by Lawrence *. 
The differences separating it from J. ruficapilla are thus given by Mr. Sclater °:— 
“The cap, instead of being bright chestnut, well defined, is of a brownish colour. 
There is no cinereous on the sides of the head and nape, cutting off the cap from the 
