GREAT RUFOUS MOTMOT 



i. Baryphthengus martii semirufa (Sclater) 

 Great Rufous Motmot 



Urospatha martii semirufa RIDGWAY, Birds of N. and 

 M. Amer. VI, p. 468, 1914; STONE, Proc. Phila. Acad. 

 Nat. Sci. f 1918, p. 252. 



Sexes alike. Length, 456 mm. (17.90 in.); 

 tail, 277 mm. (10.90 in.). Head, neck and under 

 parts (excepting feathered thighs and under tail 

 coverts) bright chestnut shading to tawny on 

 throat, f or eneck and chest, sharply outlined above 

 against the parrot green of remaining upper 

 parts; the outer wing coverts light bluish green 

 and the outer wing quills for the most part bright 

 turquoise and violet blue; tail greenish blue; a 

 broad, velvety patch of elongated black feathers 

 from bill through eye, including ear coverts, and 

 a small tuft of black feathers on middle of fore- 

 neck; thighs and under tail coverts bluish green. 

 Bill and feet black. Middle tail feathers denuded, 

 with racquet shaped tips. 



Young. Similar to adults. 



This bird frequents the lower, well-shaded 

 parts of the tops of the tall trees in heavy forest, 

 being usually found in small groups. It is not 

 very wary, nor very active in its movements. 

 Its commonest note is a rather loud whooping 

 or cooing call of about five rapid syllables, some- 

 what like that of some pigeons, but louder and 

 more resonant, which is repeated many times and 

 is one of the characteristic sounds of the Barro 

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