187 



THE CROWNED CRYPTON1X. 



Cryptonix coronata TEMM. 

 PLATE XXVI. 



Le Rouloul de Malacca, Sonnerat, ii. p. 174, pi. 100. 

 Cryptonix ou Rouloul couronne, Cryptonix coronatus, 

 Temminck, PL Coloriees, pis. 350 and 351. 



THIS singular bird has been placed by ornitholo- 

 gists alternately among the pheasants, pigeons, and 

 partridges. Its nearest alliance is perhaps to the 

 last, but it differs from them in the form of the bill 

 and nostrils, and from all the Tetraonidae in the im- 

 perfection of the hallux, which wants the claw. It 

 is further remarkable for the large naked space round 

 the eyes, and for the ample tuft or crown of hairy- 

 looking plumes which adorn the head. The form of 

 the bird is compact and robust, the wings short and 

 rounded, and the tail almost concealed by the fea- 

 thers of the rump. It inhabits the forests of India, 

 never visiting the plains, and is most frequently met 

 with in Malacca, Java, Sumatra, &c. 



The length of the male is about ten inches ; the 

 plumage of the upper parts, except the wings, head, 

 and neck, is a deep olive-green ; on the breast and 

 under parts it becomes almost black or steel blue, 

 and the head and neck are of that colour, with purple 



