



CUBA TROGON.— fridfc/Ms temnurus. 



MALABAR TROGOJ!l.—Harpactes Malaldriois. 



The very rare and curiously formed Cuba Teogon is a native of the country from 

 wliich it derives its name. 



According to Goidd, it bears a singular resemblance to the woodpeckers, both in its 

 habits and in the general formation of its plumage. Like those birds, it runs about the 

 trunks and branches of trees, peers into the hollows, and dislodges from under the bark 

 the insects on which it feeds. The most striking peculiarity in its form is the shape of 

 the tail feathers, which have the web extending beyond the shaft in such a manner that 

 they seem to have been trimmed with scissors. The specific name " temnurus " signifies 

 " clipped wing," and is given to the bird on account of this remarkable formation. 



The back and upper taU-coverts of the Cuba Trogon are bright grassy green, and the 

 head and ear-coverts are steel-blue. The wings are beautifully barred with white, green, 

 and black ; and the tail is blue-green in the centre, the feathers being green with blue 

 edges, those of the exterior are white, and the rest baiTcd with white and green. The 

 total length of this bird is about eleven inches. In the illustration the left-hand figure 

 represents the Cuba Trogon. 



The Malabae Teogon is a very local bird, and is thought never to be seen in any 

 locality except that from which it derives its name. 



It is a somewhat nocturnal bird, and is so totally different in its habits according to 

 the time of day, that it would hardly be recognised for the same creature. During the 

 day the Malabar Trogons sit in pairs on the topmost branch of some tree, and seldom stir 

 from their post until evening. Sometimes they rouse themselves sufficiently to pounce 

 upon a passing insect, but immediately return to the perch, and resume their position. 

 2. M 



