THE GREAT-BILLED TODY. 



L5.5 



le swampy 



wooded lands of its native countiy, and tlicre taking np its residence near tl 

 grounds that are often found within the precincts of vast forests. 



It is ratlier variable in its plumage ; 

 some specimens having a Ijlack bar across 

 the chest. In all cases it is a striking 

 bird, owing to the foi'cible contrast between 

 the deep velvet purple of the back and 

 the bright golden yellow with which it is 

 relieved. Another species, lielouging to 

 the same genus, the Hooded Eurylaimus 

 (Euri/hiiinus oc/iromalus), is still moi'e 

 b(.'autiful, on account of the delicate ro.se 

 hue witli wliich its throat is tinted, and 

 the bold black, white, and yellow marking 

 of the remainder of the jdumage. 



Although a very handsome bird, it 

 does not equal the preceding species in the 

 brilliancy of its plumage. The general 

 colour is a deep rich purple, diversified by 

 yellow, black, and Ijrown. The yellow is 

 chiefly seen in the coverts and edges of 

 the wing, and the tips of the tail-coverts. 

 The forehead, tail-coverts, and tail feathers 

 are black, with the exception of a white 

 mark ujjon the quill feathers of the tail. 



The Great-billed Tody has been 

 placed by some authors in the genus Eury- 

 laimris, together with the Javan Tody, but 

 in the catalogue of the British jMuseum it is 

 separated into a new genus under the title 

 of Cymbirhynclius, or lioat-billed, in allu- 

 sion to the singular form and shape of its 

 beak. The specific title of Macrorhynchus 

 is also given in allusion to the same pecu- 

 liarity, and signifies Long-billed. 



It is rather a thickly made bird, pos- 

 sessing a stout, heavy-looking body, which 

 harmonises well with the great boat-shaped 

 Ijeak. Tlie curiously-shaped bill is very 

 large, thick, and strong, very wide at its 

 base, well arched above, and hooked at 

 the point. Both mandibles are about the 

 same length, and the colour is blue. The 

 bird is an inhabitant of the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, and is most numerously found in 

 the interior of Sumatra, where it may be 

 seen haunting the banks of rivers and 

 searching for its food, which consists 

 chiefly of insects, worms, and various 

 aquatic creatures. Its nest is inge- 

 niously constructed of slender twigs 

 woven into a nearly globular form, and 



is fastened to the extremity of some convenient branch which overhangs the water, so that 

 the young and eggs are safe from the attacks of the many enemies which assail them in 

 these regions. The eggs are from two to four in number, and of a pale blue tint. 



iiT\.= 



O.nEAT-BIM.HD TliriY. —Cymhirhynrlnis miiemrtinnchlis. 



