1842.] Asiatic Society. 789 



to have seen before. Middle tail-feathers eleven inches and a half long, and 

 uniform bright purple ; the collar between the black moustache and the emerald cap 

 of the finest peach-blossom hue, heightened on the nape (like the crown of P. 

 Bengalensis) with a ccerulean bloom ; and the rest of the colours exquisitely brought 

 out. 



*Psittinus (Nobis) Malaccensis : Psittacus Malaccensis, Latham, but not of Gme- 

 lin ; le petit Perruche de Malacca, Sonnerat. This bird cannot be arranged in 

 Psittacula of Kuhl, where generally located, if P. galgulus is to be regarded as 

 typical of that division ; but, though having a short tail, the rest of its structure places 

 it in immediate proximity with Paloeornis, while a further token of this affinity exists 

 in the maronne wing-spot, seen also in Pal. Alexandrinus, schisticeps, and Bengalensis. 

 The allied Ps. setarius of Temminck, an inhabitant of Borneo, presents an additional 

 approximation to Paloeornis in having its two middle tail-feathers much elongated 

 beyond the rest, though remarkable for being partly naked-shafted. I add a description 

 of the specimen before me. Length nearly seven inches, of wing four inches and 

 three quarters, and tail an inch and seven-eighths, the three first primaries being 

 equal and pointed fas in Paloeornis), and reaching to the end of the short tail, which 

 latter consists of somewhat narrow feathers resembling those of Paloeornis, even 

 though not elongated, the outermost being but a quarter of an inch shorter than the 

 middle ones. Beak coloured as in Paloeornis generally, or having the upper mandible 

 bright coral-red with a white tip, and the under one dusky ; its form precisely 

 as in that genus. Crown, rump, and upper tail-coverts, bright purplish smalt- 

 blue, passing on the crown into the greyish-dusky colour of the back; under-parts dull 

 yellowish-olivaceous, the mesial portion tinged with brownish-ruddy : lower tail- 

 coverts yellowish-green tipped with blue ; and tibial plumes mingled blue and green: 

 uropygials deep green, and the rest of the tail-feathers yellow, more or less green- 

 edged : wings deep green, margined with yellowish on the coverts, except those of the 

 primaries which are wholly purple : maronne wing-spot before noticed ; and the 

 coverts underneath the wing are brilliant crimson, as are also the axillaries, which 

 must shew to advantage as the bird is flying overhead, and induce the expectation 

 that the species is much handsomer than it proves on closer examination. 



lerax ccerulescens, Vigors. I am now acquainted with three species of these very 

 diminutive Falcons, viz. in addition to the present one, — /. erythrogenys, Vigors, 

 P. Z. S. 1831, 76, (from Canton,)— and a Nepalese species, rather larger than the 

 others, contained among the specimens sent by Mr. Hodgson, and which is the Falco 

 Bengalensis of the old authors, currently but erroneously identified with /. cceru- 

 lescens.* 



* Alive specimen of 7. Ccerulescens has lately been received by Dr. M'Clelland from Assam; 

 and the aspect of the living bird gives the idea of a larger species than would be supposed from 

 examination of preserved skins, as it puffs up its feathers much, in a manner which can only 

 be successfully imitated when mounting a recent specimen. 



It is not generally known that these tiny Falcons are trained for hawking in the Upper Provinces 

 of India, being flown at Quails and other game of corresponding size, as I have been informed 

 by different eye-witnesses of the sport, which is thus described in Capt. Mundy's ' Sketches of 

 a Tour in India,' II, 25. " We had also some amusing sport with another kind of Falcon, 

 a very small bird, perhaps barely so large as a Thrush, and its prey was proportioned to its 

 strength. It is flown at Quails, Sparrows, and others of the feathered tribe, of like calibre. The 

 mode of starting it is different from that used with any other hawk. The falconer holds the little, 



