198 BIRDS. OUNI von*. 



serrated at the margin, with a horny protuberance near the 

 base of the upper mandible rising into a crest ; nostrils be- 

 hind the base of the bill, covered by a membrane ; legs short, 

 muscular ; lateral toes equal, the external one united to the 

 second joint ; the first three wing-feathers graduated, the 

 fourth or fifth longest. 



B. rhinoceros, Lin. Rhinoceros Hornbill. Plumage black ; tail tip- 

 v ' ped with white; casque red above ; bill about ten inches in length, 



yellowish, slightly curved, sharp-pointed, irregularly serrated on 



the edges. Size of the hen turkey, but more slender. Inhabits 



Java, &c. Shaw, viii. pi. 1. 



The singular bill of this species is furnished at the base of the upper mandible 

 with an extremely large process, continued, for a considerable space, in a parallel 

 direction with the bill, and then turned upwards in a contrary direction in the style 

 of a reverted horn. This appendage, which is eight inches long, and four in width 

 at the base, is divided into two portions by a longitudinal black line. Though ap- 

 parently a formidable weapon, this singular bill is by no means so in reality ; for 

 JLevaillant assures us, that he often put his hand into it, without feeling the slight- 

 est pain, though the bird exerted all its endeavours to wound him. The young is 

 destitute of the horn-like excrescence on the bill. 



B. monoceros, Shaw. (B. Malabaricus, Lath.) Unicorn Hornbill. 

 Plumage black above, with the abdomen and sides of the tail- 

 feathers white ; bill yellowish, with compressed casque, black 

 above, and pointed in front. About the size of a raven. In- 

 habits India Shaw, viii. 8. 



B. galeatus, Lath. Galeated Hornbill. Plumage black, with abdomen 

 and tail white, the latter marked by a black bar ; bill conical and 

 yellowish, with squarish, convex red casque. Four feet long. 

 Inhabits Papuan Islands. Shaw, viii. 24. 



B. violaceus, Shaw. Violaceous Hornbill. Violaceous black ; sides 

 of the wing and tail-feathers white ; bill whitish ; casque com- 

 pressed, obtuse in front, and marked by a black spot. Smaller 

 than the monoceros. Inhabits Ceylon. Shaw, viii. 19. 



B. Abys&micus, Lath. Abyssinian Hornbill. Black, with white 

 primary quills; the secondaries ferruginous; bill black, and casque 

 abruptly orbicular ; neck with protuberances, as in the turkey. 

 Inhabits Abyssinia Shaw, viii. 21. 



B. coronatus, Vaill. Crowned Hornbill. Black, with the abdo- 

 men, stripe on each side of the hind-head, and tip of the tail white ; 

 bill red, and slightly crested. Inhabits Africa. Shaw, viii. 35. 



Gen. 3. PRIONITES, Illiger. Momota, Shaw. 

 Bill of medium size, strong, hard, convex above, bent towards 

 its point, which is compressed ; edges of the mandibles ser- 

 rated; nostrils basal, lateral, oblique, open, but partly con- 

 cealed by feathers ; toes lateral, unequal ; the internal very 

 short, joined at its base ; the external united to the second 

 joint ; wings short ; the first three feathers graduated, the 

 fourth and fifth longest. 



* / 



