Ill iiiaill NMMR 



Polyplectrum bicalcaratum, Linne. 



VemaCUlar Names-— [Quou-chermin, (Malay.)] 



LTHOUGH we have figured this species, it having 

 been on more than one occasion sent from Mergui, 

 I entertain grave doubts whether it really occurs with- 

 in our limits. The bird, however, may yet prove to 

 occur in the higher hills of Southern Tenasserim, 

 inland from the now ruined city of that name, which 

 have been variously estimated to rise to elevations of 

 from five to eight thousand feet, but these hills roadless, unin- 

 habited, and almost impenetrable, remain as yet unexplored. 



From almost the southern boundary of Tenasserim to the 

 extreme south of the Malay Peninsula, it certainly occurs, and 

 it has been recorded in a doubtful fashion by Raffles from Su- 

 matra, but I think its occurrence there needs confirmation. 



Absolutely nothing is known of its habits or nidification, 

 nor have we any measurements recorded in the flesh. 



A MALE measures in the skin about 20*5 inches in length ; 

 wing to the end of the longest primary, 8 inches ; elongated 

 tertiaries projecting about O' 5 further; tail about iro; tarsus, 

 2*9, with two conspicuous spurs on the back thereof, each nearly 

 0-5 long ; mid-toe and claw, r8 ; bill, straight from frontal bone 

 to tip, 1*1. 



A female similarly measures — 



Length, i8'0 ; wing, yo ; the tertiaries in this sex falling short 

 of the longest primaries ; tail, 9*0 ; tarsus, which has no spurs, 

 2'4 ; mid-toe and claw, 16 ; bill at front, ro. 



The legs and feet are said to be dusky ; the upper mandible 

 blackish ; the lower horny ; the orbital space red. 



Some males have only one, and some three instead of two 

 spurs, on one or both legs. 



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