BIRDS OF UPPER PEGU. 47 



116.— Harpactes Hodgsoni, Gould. 



After comparing" seven specimens from Thayetmyo, the East- 

 ern and Western Pegu Hills, and the Arracan Hills, with a much 

 larger series from Tipperah and Sikhim, I entertain no doubt 

 that the Pegu bird at any rate is identical with that from Sikhim. 

 One specimen sent me by Captain Feilden is no doubt a good 

 deal smaller than the others, with a wing of only 5*6 ag*ainst 

 5*8 to 6 - l, the limits within which the wings of the males of 

 Hodgsoni generally seem to vary; but, comparing this with 

 numerous other specimens both from Pegu and elsewhere, as 

 above noticed, I find it is quite impossible to separate this small 

 bird, either by reason of size or difference of color, which latter 

 is really so variable that one requires a series of twenty or so 

 to understand the limits within which it does vary. 



Captain Feilden says : " This Trogon is found in the densest 

 jungle, always, I think, on the banks of streams ; it does not ap- 

 pear to signify what the height of the jungle is, so long as it is 

 thick ; or whether the stream is running through hills or plains." 



Mr. Oates says : " Common throughout both the Pegu and 

 Arracan Hills; it is less common in the plains near the Irrawaddy 

 and Sittang. I have generally seen it solitary or in couples, 

 occasionally in a party of five or six, but all acting independent- 

 ly of each other ; it is somewhat tame and allows a rather near 

 approach. After catching an insect on the wing, it generally 

 makes for a new perch. It is very silent. The following are 

 the dimensions of several birds measured : — 



"Males: Length, 13*1 to 13"6; expanse, 17 to 17'5; tail, 

 from vent, 7*6 to 8 - 15; wing, 57 to 5*9; bill, from gape, 

 1*05 to I'll; tarsus, 06. 



"Females: Length, 12-7 to 12-8; expanse, 17; tail, from 

 vent, 7 to 7 - 3; wing, 5 -7; bill, from gape, 1-18 to T2; 

 tarsus, 0"65 to 0*7. 



" The irides are red. Jerdon says chestnut brown, but our bird 

 has it distinctly red. Bill, deep smalt blue; the culmen, the tip 

 of both mandibles, and anterior half of margin of upper man- 

 dible, black. The smalt blue changes to brilliant purple blue at 

 the gape. Eyelids and orbital skin, lavender blue ; inside of 

 mouth and centre of lower eyelid, flesh color. Legs, pale pink ; 

 claws, dusky at base, fleshy at tip." 



116 ter.— Harpactes oreskios, Tem. 



No specimens received from either Captain Feilden or Mr. Oates. 

 Mr. Oates remarks : " I saw this bird once only in the Evergreen 

 Forests. It was in company with Hodgsoni, and its bright yellow 

 belly rendered it easily recognizable. They were all in a nullah, 

 about twenty feet broad, overgrown with Ferns and Palms, the trees 



