206 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



Genus MACH^KEAMPHUS, Western. 



579. MACHJERHAMPHUS ALCINUS. 



THE SLENDER-BILLED PERN. 



Machaerhamphus alcinus, Westerm. Bijd. tot d. Dierk. i. p. 29, pi. 12 ; Sliarpe, 

 Cat. Birds B. Mus. i. p. 342 ; Hume, 8. F. iii. p. 269 ; Hume $ Lav. S. F. vi. 

 p. 24 j Gurney, Ibis, 1879, p. 466 ; Hume, 8. F. viii. p. 83. 



Description. Adult. Everywhere black with a chocolate-brown shade ; 

 an ill-defined spot above and below the eye white; quills and tail also 

 black, the shafts dull white underneath ; throat and centre of chest white ; 

 the chin and a broad streak down the throat, as well as the sides of the 

 latter and a few spots on the lower part, black. (Sharps.) 



Irides bright yellow ; bill and claws black ; legs and feet pale plumbeous. 

 (Davison.) 



Length 18*5 inches, tail 7'8, wing 14% tarsus 2'5, bill from 

 gape 1'8. 



The Slender-billed Pern is a very rare species about which little is 

 known. Mr. Hough procured one specimen at Malewoon in Tenasserim, 

 and Capt. Bingham informs me that he thinks he once saw it in the 

 Thoungyeen valley. 



It has been known to occur at Malacca, in Borneo and in New 

 Guinea. 



This species is probably crepuscular in its habits ; and if this is the case 

 its apparent scarcity is accounted for. An allied species in Africa feeds on 

 Bats. 



This Hawk has a remarkably narrow carinated bill, large eyes, a very 

 wide gape and an elongated occipital crest. 



