HYPOSITTA CORALLIROSTRIS. 257 



Subfamily HYPOSITTIN2E and Genus HYPOSITTA. 



These divisions are represented by a single known Madagascar species, 

 Hypositta corallirostris. 



Bill coral red, shorter than the head or tarsus, rather stout and wide, with 

 the keel slightly inclining upwards ; no nasal groove, nostril round and 

 partially hidden by nasal bristles ; rictal bristles strongly developed ; wing 

 formula : 4, 5, 3 = 6, 7, 8 ; 2 = 9, 10 ; 1 = half of 2 ; tail slightly rounded, with 

 the centre pair of feathers a trifle elongated ; hind claw half as long as the 

 hind toe and much curved. 



Professor A. Newton first distinguished this genus under the name of 

 Hypherpcs, but finding that Baron Chaudoir had previously employed that 

 title in entomology he altered the name to Hypositta, by which it is now 

 known. 



Hypositta corallirostris. 



Hypositta corallirostris, A. Newton, Gadow, Cat. B. M. viii. p. 366 (1883) 

 Madagascar; Sibree, Ibis, 1891, p. 440; Shelley, B. Air. I. No. 139 

 (1896). 



Hypherpes corallirostris, Milne Edw. and Grand. Hist. Mad. Ois. i. p. 319, 

 pis. 121, 121% 121", 121 c (1882). 



Adult Male. General plumage bright blue with a band of black feathers 

 entirely encircling the bill and black loral bristles ; under surface of the 

 quills and tail black ; bill vermilion ; iris dark red ; legs leaden grey. Total 

 length 5'5 inches, culmen 0'45, wing 315, tail 2-5, tarsus 065. 



Adult Female. Differs from the adult male in having the head and entire 

 under parts yellowish brown with a strong wash of blue on the crown ; a 

 broadish white band from the eye to the nostril and no black feathers next 

 to the bill ; under wing-coverts yellowish-brown like the breast, under 

 surface of the quills and tail dark brown, the former with broad rufous buff 

 edges to the basal half of the inner webs. Total length 5*5 inches, culmen 

 0-45, wing 3, tail 2-5, tarsus - 65. 



The Coral-billed Creeper is confined to Madagascar, where 

 it is known only from the eastern side of the island. 



Mr. E. Newton first discovered the species at Chasmanna, 

 and the type has been well figured. It was, I presume, an 



[April, 1000. 17 



