EPIMACHIJS SPECIOSUS. 



The E. speciosus was first named by Boddaert, as quoted in the list of synonyms given above. Gray, in his 

 ' Handlist,' refers it, however, to the E. maximus of Scopoli. I have been unable to find this name. It is not in 

 'Annus primus;' and as this is the only one of Scopoli's works that takes precedence of Boddaert, we may 

 properly deem the appellation given by the latter author the correct one for the species. 



Male. — Upper part of head bright metallic steel-blue. Entire upper parts brownish black, with steel-blue 

 reflections; a line of metallic steel-blue feathers in the centre of the back, purple in some lights. Primaries 

 and secondaries brownish black, the latter with steel-blue reflections. Cheeks metallic blue, with purple gloss. Chin 

 purplish black ; throat bright purple. Entire underparts dark olive-green. On each side of the breast spring a mass 

 of lengthened feathers, with very broad outer webs, exceedingly narrow inner ones, curving abruptly downwards at 

 the tips, purplish black, the lower feathers tipped with most brilliant steel-blue, glossed with purple and green, 

 forming a most conspicuous bar on either side of the body. The lower flank-feathers extending beyond these lateral 

 plumes are tipped broadly with brilliant metallic green, separated from the olive-brown of the remaining portion by 

 a narrow line of blue, followed by one of black. Two central tail-feathers exceedingly long, black, with steel-blue 

 and purple reflections ; remaining feathers brownish black. Bill long, slender, and much curved, jet-black. Feet and 

 tarsi also black. 



Female. — Upper part of head brownish red ; rest of upper parts olive-brown, becoming slightly rufous on the rump 

 and upper tail-coverts. Secondaries reddish brown edged with rufous. Primaries dark brown ; edge of outer web 

 rufous. Cheeks, throat, and upper part of breast brownish black. Underparts white narrowly barred with black. 

 Tail light brown, with a rufous tinge. Bill long and slender, much curved, and, together with the feet and tarsi, jet- 

 black. 



The above descriptions are taken from perfect skins belonging to the Leyden Museum, loaned to me by Prof. 

 Schlegel. 



