Imperfectly Described, Species of Birds. 



155 



point out. To the Malabar bird, as I said before, I would re- 

 tain Linne's name of religiosa ; to the Malacca bird, should* it 

 prove the same as the Javanese species, the name of Jacanus ; 

 and to the third species which has not as yet been noticed as 

 distinct, I would, to avoid confusion, give Cuvier's name of 

 Indicus, and so avoid adding another name to the already 

 overloaded list of synonyms. > 



As the two names religiosa and Indicus have become so mix- 

 ed up that they have been applied by some to oar Indian bird, 

 and again in the opposite way by others to the Malasian bird, 

 the following description and dimensions will perhaps serve 

 to aid the elucidation of the species, should my previous re- 

 marks not prove satisfactory. 



Is*. — G. religiosa, Linne, Jerd. Cat. 168. 

 The whole of the upper plumage and the lesser shoulder 

 coverts glossy purplish black, the metallic reflections changing 

 to green on the lower part of the back and upper tail coverts ; 

 under plumage the same as the upper, though not so bright; 

 under tail coverts dull black and fringed only at the ends 

 with the glossy hues of the general plumage ; this latter 

 character indeed is possessed by all the feathers when taken 

 singly. Wings and tail, coal black without reflections ; the 

 spurious quill is very short, and quite black; the first primary 

 has a white mark on its inner edge only ; the next six have 

 the white marks on both sides of the shaft, but forming in 

 the sixth (that is the seventh including the first) a roundish 

 blotch, and not occupying the whole breadth of the inner web ; 

 the wattles on the head commence below each eye, pass be- 

 yond the ear where each forms a small flap, and then returns 

 on to the head, so dividing the occiput and nucha into three 

 distinct portions, which are closely clothed like the rest of the 

 head with short velvety feathers. The legs are yellow, the 

 bill prange, and the eyes deep brown. 



Specimens in my Cabinet both from Malabar and Goomsoor 

 agree perfectly in their colours, form, and dimensions. 



