PODARGUS JAVANENSIS. 



■only remark, that the bill, from an excessively wide base, tapers gradually to the 

 tip, which is provided with a hooked claw, like that of accipitrine birds; if the bill were 

 more compressed, it would greatly resemble that of the smaller species of owls, the 

 more as it is surrovxnded at the base by a capistrum of plumes and bristles pointing 

 forward. The sides of the bill rise gradually to a very obsolete back or culmen, and 

 the nostrils are pierced laterally and horizontally, representing a minute fissure 

 covered with a scale. The toes also are completely separate, and the claw of the 

 middle toe is not dentated. 



The Podargus Javanensis measures nine inches in length. The general colour 

 is ferruginous or rufous, with a tint of Isabella ; this is variegated by undulated 

 transverse bands of a dark brown colovu', which are dotted or confluent, and by 

 several large spots of white or pale yellow, forming a strong contrast with the other 

 parts. On the head above, the back, the wings, and the tail, the general colour of 

 rufous-isabella predominates. On the head and back the transverse bands are very 

 delicate ; they are stronger on the upper part of the tail, consisting of narrow 

 undulating lines, including broader bands, the ground of which is dotted, and which 

 alternate with bands of the general rufous tint. At the sides of the head, beyond 

 the ears, are several plumes, terminated by long delicate bristles ; and the border of 

 the bill is environed with recurved plumes and bristles which conceal it, and give to 

 the front of the bird an appearance somewhat like that of an owl. A collar of pale 

 whitish Isabella, variegated with two very narrow bands of deep brown, passes round 

 the lower part of the neck. Commencing at this collar, several large, irregular, 

 white marks are disposed in an interrupted series from the axilla to the middle of the 

 back. The superior of these marks are formed by plumes of the sides of the neck, 

 and the inferior by several of the wing coverts. They are individually surrounded 

 by a narrow zig-zag border of deep brown inclining to black, forming a strong 

 contrast with the pale colour of the marks. The rest of the coverts are very 

 delicately variegated, and the quill-feathers are dark and broAvnish towards the 

 extremity. The colour of the bird underneath is somewhat deeper; on the breast 

 and belly several white pkimes are scattered, bordered Avith dotted zig-zag lines of 

 brown and black, which cause a beautiful alternation of colours on these parts. The 

 plumes of the vent are delicate and silky, and the wings and tail are dusky under- 

 neath. The feet are rufous, the claws blackish, and the bill has an obscure yellow 

 tint somewhat shining. 



'a* 



The difficulty of observing this bird, from its retired and nocturnal habits, has 

 prevented me from acquiring any information regarding its manners. It appears to 

 conceal itself in large forests, and comparatively with the Goatsucker, is extremely 

 rare : our Collection contains but a single specimen. 



