KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 56. N:0 2. 35 
Observed and obtained in the Northern parts of the country, where it was not un- 
common in shrub-jungle and at the outskirts of the deciduous forests. In the Siamese 
Malaya I can not remember having seen it. This was rather curious because it is stated 
to be distributed over the whole Malay Peninsula and Davison found it »rather com- 
mon in every part of Tenasserim ». 
During my previous journey 1911—1912 I found it common in Eastern and Central 
Siam but never south of Lat. N. 14° but GeRMatn records it from Cochin China though 
he found it rather rare. 
Fam. Diceide. 
49. Diceum cruentatum coccinea. Scop. — The Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker. 
Diceun cruentatum: Gould p. 151; Muller p. 373; Grant p. 74; Bonhote p. 65; Oustalet 1903 p. 14; Flower 
p. 324; Robinson & Kloss p. 78; Williamson I p. 45; Gyldenstolpe I p. 46; Gyldenstolpe II; Gylden- 
stolpe III p. 171; Robinson II p. 152; Gairdner p. 149; Robinson III p. 755. 
Hartert has recently (Novitates Zoologice Vol. 17. 1910 p. 243) discussed the 
various forms of Dicceeum cruentatum Linn. and comes to the conclusion that there are 
three different subspecies viz. the typical Diceum cruentatum from India, Diceum 
cruentatum ignita, Brasiz. from the Malay Peninsula and Dicewm cruentatum coccinea, 
Scope. from Southern China and Hainan. 
Unfortunately Harrert does not give any measurements on these forms. HartERtT 
states that the last-mentioned form differs from the Indian one, which it, however, res- 
embles very much in having the wing-coverts steel-blue, without any purplish shade, and 
in having larger bills and longer wings. 
The race inhabiting the Malay Peninsula has the upper wing-coverts distinctly purp- 
lish blue and the bill is sometimes wider at base, sometimes as in the specimens from India. 
In the collections of the R. Nat. Hist. Museum of Stockholm there are only two 
specimens, one from Kuala Lumpur in Selangor and one specimen from Malacca (mounted 
specimens not counted) and these two have the wing-coverts purplish blue, while the 
Siamese birds have the upper wing-coverts steel-blue without any purplish tinge. 
The wings of the two male specimens from the Malay Peninsula measure 44,5 and 
44,3 mm. respectively, while a male from Chum Poo in Northern Siam measures 48 mm. 
A female obtained at Koh Lak in Siamese Malaya must also be referred to Dicewm 
cruentatum coccinea, its wing measuring 46 mm. 
Diceum cruentatum coccinea Scor. therefore seems to inhabit Southern China, 
Hainan and Siam at least as far south as to Lat. N. 12° and probably Burma and certain 
parts of Tenasserim. 
Like other members of the family Dicwide the Scazlet- backed Flower-pecker was 
most often observed in the clumps of parasitical plants growing on other trees, and they 
are not easy to detect among the dense foliage. thei sharp notes, however, often de- 
tected them. 
