NONNULA. 519 



NONNULA. 



Nonnula, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1853, p. 124; Mon. Jacamars and Puff-birds, p. xxxviii; Cat. Birds 

 Brit. Mus. xix. p. 199. 



Nonnula is a small weak form of Malacoptila, containing, according to Mr. Sclater, 

 five species, which are spread from the Isthmus of Panama to South-eastern Brazil. 

 Only one of these occurs just within our border in the State of Panama. 



The bill of Nonnula is flatter than that of Malacoptila, especially at the base, though 

 the curve of the culmen is similar and the tomia without notch; the bristle-like 

 feathers curving forwards over the nostrils and under the chin are very long and strong, 

 the rictal bristles themselves being also very strong. There are no pendent elongated 

 feathers from the rictus, as in Malacoptila. The wings are short and rounded, the tail 

 moderate and rounded, the rectrices narrow. The feet are feeble. In coloration the 

 plumage resembles that of Malacoptila, hut the tints are uniform without any darker 

 marks, and the size of all the species much less. 



1. Nonnula frontalis. 



Malacoptila frontalis, Scl. Ann. & Mag. N. H. 1854, xiii. p. 479 ' j Synops. Bucc. p. 20 ' ; P. Z. S. 



1855, pp. 136'; Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. vii. p. 318 *. 

 Nonnula frontalis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1855, p. 196 '; Mon. Jacamars and Puff-birds, p. 139% Cat. Birds 



Brit. Mus. xix. p. 201 \ 



Supra fusca, pileo rufescente tincto, loris et capitis lateribus cinereis : subtus ferruginea, gutture et pectore 

 saturatioribus, abdomine medio et tectricibus subcaudalibus albicantibus ; alis et cauda saturate fuscis, 

 hujus reetricibus externis (dimidio distali) indistincte pallide fusco terminatis ; rostro corneo, mandibula 

 infra pallida ; pedibus corylinis. Long, tota 5-5, ate 2'2, caudae 2'15, rostri a rietu 0-95, tarsi 0-5. 

 (Descr. maris ex Lion Hill, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 



5 mari similis. 



Hob. Panama, Lion Hill (M'Leannan*). — Colombia ^ ^ ''. 



Nonnula frontalis is a northern form of N. ruficapilla, of the interior of Brazil and 

 Peru, from which it diifers but slightly. Mir. Sclater described it in 1854 ^ from 

 specimens found in a collection of trade skins sent fiom Bogota, which were probably 

 obtained in the upper part of the valley of the Magdalena river. Mr. Sclater 

 subsequently (P. Z. S. 1860, p. 60) referred a specimen contained in a collection from 

 the valley of the Napo in Ecuador, with doubt, to this species ; but as nothing 

 further is said in his Monograph of the family concerning this bird beyond the reference 

 to the paper, we suppose the southern extension must be considered unconfirmed. 



The only other records of this bird are from Panama, where M'Leannan met with it, 

 as noted by Lawrence ^. 



The differences separating it from N. ruficapilla are thus given by Mr. Sclater ^ : — 

 " The cap, instead of being bright chestnut, well defined, is of a brownish colour. 

 There is no cinereous on the sides of the head and nape, cutting off" the cap from the 



