70 PICIDiE. 



The Malabar variety H. cordatus measures less on an average 

 (wing in males about 3-7, in females 3'6), but small Burmese 

 specimens are identical in measurement with large Malabar skins. 

 The Malabar form has, as a rule, a more slender but not a shorter 

 tarsus. I can find no characters by which the two geographical 

 races can be constantly distinguished. 



Fig. 18. — Head of H. canente. 



Distribution. Throughout the Burmese countries from Cachar in 

 the north to Kussoom, about 150 miles south of the Tenasserim 

 frontier in the Malay Peninsula, ranging eastward to Siam, Cam- 

 bodia, and Cochin China. Also in the forests along the Malabar 

 coast of India both below and above the Ghats from Khandala to 

 Cape Comorin. The only place in the interior of the Peninsula 

 whence this bird has been reported is in the Chanda forests, where 

 Jerdon says he found it. I was on two occasions for some months 

 each time iu the forests around Chanda and certainly never saw it, 

 nor has it been observed in the Central Provinces since Jerdon's 

 time. Jerdon does not say he obtained specimens ; and although 

 he very rarely made a mistake, I think the occurrence of this 

 species in the Indian Peninsula, except in the Malabar tract, needs 

 confirmation. 



Habits, 4'c. Found in pairs, sometimes in families, in forest or clear- 

 ings, usually haunting the tops of high trees. The note is peculiar, 

 rather loud and long, and is frequently uttered. The eggs, usually 

 two in number, have been found by Mr. Inglis in Cachar in March, 

 by Major Bingham and ISlr. Davison in Tenasserim in December 

 and March, and by Mr. Darling near Kussoom, Malay Peiainsula, 

 in July : they are white and glossy, deposited on chips in a hole 

 made in a tree, and measure about -9 by '7. 



Genus HEMILOPHUS, Swainson, 1837. 



Size very large. Bill large, culmen curved at the base, then 

 straight, tip compressed and chisel-shaped ; nasal ridge well deve- 

 loped, near the culmen, continued almost to the tip ; nostrils 

 large, rounded, covered with plumes ; feet and claws large ; hallux 

 well-developed ; fourth toe shorter than third ; wings and tail 

 long ; tail-feathers very strong and pointed, the outer pair just 



