1870.] A Contribution to Malayan Ornithology. 293 



26. Venilia porphyromelas, B o i e. 



Celeopicus porphyromelas, Malherbe, Mon. Pic. II, p. 39 ; Picus 

 rubiginosus, Eyton, Ann. and Mag. N. H., XVI, Octb. 1845, 

 p. 229 ; Picus melanoy aster, A. H a y, Madras Journal, 1845, XIII, 

 pt. II, p. 153. 



The species does not appear to be common. Specimens from 

 Malacca and the Wellesley Province quite agree with Lord Hay's 

 description and measurements. Old males have some of the musta- 

 chial feathers posteriorly crimson, which Malherbe denies, but 

 they certainly are present in $ with full plumage. Judging from 

 Malherbe's figure, he could not have had a full grown $ , for in 

 this the upper plumage, especially on the scapulars and the outer webs 

 of the wing feathers, is very distinctly deep crimson. The first quill 

 is 1^", the second 1|" longer, the third again |£" longer, the fourth 

 again ■§■" longer, and the fifth again £" longer and sub equal to the 

 sixth ; the four central feathers are pointed and subequal, the next 

 outer somewhat shorter and obtuse, the following rounded. Bill 

 yellowish white, dark greenish at the base, strongly compressed at 

 tip ; feet brownish black. 



27. MlCROPTERNUS BADIUS, E a f f 1 e s. 

 Linn. Trans. XIII, pt. II, p. 289. 



27a. MlCROPTERNTTS BRACHYURUS, V i 6 i 1 1. 



Malherbe, Mon. PicidvE, II, p. 5. 



It does not appear very improbable that these two species are 

 really distinct. A Malacca specimen agrees perfectly with the short 

 account which E a f f 1 e s gives of his badius ; the head above and 

 below is somewhat pale, the rest of plumage rufous brown, the 

 cheek below the eye is spotted with crimson ; the feathers on the 

 chin are broadly margined with very pale rufous ; the breast is un- 

 - spotted, the vent with tolerably distinct cross bars ; wing 4 T 5 ^ ; tail 

 2-f ; bill at front T f", from gape nearly H" ; tarsus f". 



Another specimen from the Wellesley Province has the plumage 

 throughout of a deeper hue, the head above is rather dark brown ; 

 the throat is also darker, each feather being rufous brown in the mid- 

 dle, then blackish, to which follows a narrow pale margin, (while in 

 the former specimen {badius) the feathers are blackish in the middle 



38 



