312 birds of india. 



The Small Green Barbet. 



Descr. — Very similar to the last, but smaller, the brown of the 

 head and nape scarcely lineated ; that of the under parts pale, becom- 

 ing whitish on the throat ; there are no pale specks on the wing- 

 coverts, nor any traces of pale streaks on the green of the back. 



Bill pale horny-brown ; irides red-brown ; orbitar skin small, 

 brown ; legs plumbeous-brown. 



Length 8 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 2f ; bill at front not y|. 



This is the common Green Barbet of the Malabar coast, extendins: 

 up the Neilgherries, where very common in the dense woods ; 

 and along the Malabar Ghauts as far as N. L. 14°. Its voice is not 

 quite so loud as that of the last species. Its flight is, like that of 

 the others of this genus, tolerably rapid, direct, and slightly 

 undulating. It perches generally on the higher branches of trees. 

 I have frequently heard both this and the last species calling 

 by moonlight ; and have always found fruit in its stomach. 



I never saw any of these Barbets climbing, like a Woodpecker ; 

 nor heard them tapping, that I am aware of. Mr. Blyth declares 

 positively, from familiar observation of them in an aviary, that 

 they do neither the one nor the other. 



Layard relates, of the M. zeylanica of Ceylon, that, in confine- 

 ment, although it ate fruit greedily, it would yet eat raw meat, and 

 devoured several little Amadina kept in an aviary with it. This 

 is quite in conformity with what has been remarked of the 

 S. American Toucans in captivity. Mr. Bennet describes in full 

 detail the despatching of an unlucky Goldfinch by a caged 

 Toucan.* All of the species build in holes of trees, laying 

 three or four shining white eggs. Other species of Megcdaima are 

 M. corvinus, T., from Java; and M. phaiostictus, T., from Cochin 

 China. 



Gen. Cyanops, Bonap. 

 Char. — Bill shorter, less compressed than in the last genus ; 

 the head ornamented with bright colours ; of moderate dimensions. 



* The Hornbills, also, as observed in captivity, are apt to evince a carnivorous 

 propensity ; of wMch, the Kev. "VV. Baker relates a notable anecdote iu the 

 Proc. As, Soc. 



