206 
BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 
Genus MACHtEEHAMPHUS, TVesterm. 
679. MACH^RHAMPHUS ALCINUS. 
THE SLENDER-BILLED PERN. 
MachaBrhamphus alcinus, Westerm. Bijd. tot d. Dierk. i. p. 29, pi. 12 ; Sharpe^ 
Cat. Birds B. Mus. i. p. 342 ; Hume, S. F. iii. p. 269 ; Hume df Dav. S. F. vi. 
p. 24 ', Gurney, Ibis, 1879, p. 466 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 83. 
Description. — Adult. Everywhere black with a chocolate-brown shade ; 
an ill-defined spot above and below the eye white ; qnills and tail also 
black, the shafts dnll white underneath throat and centre of chest white ; 
the chin and a broad streak down the throat, as well as the sides of the 
latter and a few spots on the lower part, black. (Sharpe.) 
Irides bright yellow ; bill and claws black ; legs and feet pale plumbeous. 
{Davison.) 
Length 18*5 inches, tail 7'8, wing 14*2, tarsus 2'5, bill from 
gape I '8. 
The Slender-billed Pern is a very rare species about which little is 
known. Mr. Hough procured one specimen at Malewoon in Tenasserim_, 
and Capt. Bingham informs me that he thinks he once saw it in the 
Thoungyeen valley. 
It has been known to occur at Malacca^ in Borneo and in New 
Guinea. 
This species is probably crepuscular in its habits ; and if this is the case 
its apparent scarcity is accounted for. An allied species in Africa feeds on 
Bats. 
This Hawk has a remarkably narrow carinated bill_, large eyes, a very 
wide gape and an elongated occipital crest. 
