EURYLAIMUS JAVANICUS. 



pass over them. These characters are Hkewise exhibited in the figures of Platy- 

 rhynchus olivaceus and cancromus. The tip of the bill, in all these species, consti- 

 tutes a hook more long and acute than in Eurylaimus., In the feet the union of the 

 outer and middle toe extends only to the first articulation ; while in Eurylaimus 

 these toes are completely united through the whole of the first and second phalanx, 

 and the interior and middle toe adhere closely in the first phalanx, as is accurately 

 represented in the Plate of Illustrations. The tarsi are proportionally short. In 

 taking all these characters into consideration, I have no hesitation to propose Eury- 

 laimus as a distinct genus, to be arranged among the Meropidse or Syndactylte. 

 Les Syndactyles, Cuv. 



In further confirmation of my views, I shall adduce the opinion of Sir Stamford 

 Kaffles. In the Catalogue of a Zoological Collection, made in the Island of Sumatra 

 under his direction, which has been communicated to the Linnean Society, at the 

 conclusion of the Second Part, containing a description of bhds belonging to this 

 Collection, Sir Stamford remarks : — " Besides the birds above mentioned, which are 

 " referable to known genera, there are three belonging to the division of Pic£e, with 

 " gressorial feet, which differ essentially fi'om all hitherto described, and must con- 

 " stitute two new and distinct genera of that order." After describing the first, 

 he proceeds : — " The second genus belonging to the same order, is characterized 

 " by a very large, thick, strong bill, wide and rounded at the base, hooked and 

 " slightly notched at the point. The edge of the lower mandible is incurved under 

 " the upper. Nostrils not covered. Feet gressorial. Of this genus there are two 

 " species ; they are both found in the interior of Sumatra ; and the second species 

 " enumerated is also met with at Singapura."— From these observations we can also, in 

 some ineasure, determine the range of this genus ; it extends from Sumatra eastward to 

 Singapura, and thence South to the eastern extremity of Java, near the Straits of Baly, 

 where I discovered it in the year 1806: since that period I have not met with it 

 again. We are indebted to Sir Stamford Raffles for the following remarks on the 

 first species : — " It frequents the banks of rivers and lakes, feeding on insects and 

 " woilns. It builds its nest pendant from the branch of a tree or bush which over- 

 " hangs the water." — I found it in Java, in one of the most distant and inaccessible 

 parts, covered with extensive forests, and abounding with rivers and marshes. 



The entire length of the Eurylaimus javanicus is eight inches. The bill has 

 half the length of the head, and measures nine lines. The head, sides of the neck, 

 and the whole of the neck and body uhderneath are of a violet, or rather vinous 

 colour, varying with different degrees of intensity. The plumes on the summit of 

 the head are lengthened, and extend to the occiput, where they form a very obscure 



