THE BLAGK-AlfD-REB BROAI>BIIiL 
Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus malacccnsU (Salvad.) 
Description : — This is a very brightly coloured bird and 
quite unlike any other local species. In general appearance 
it presents a combination of black and dark red with white 
streaks on the back. In detail, the top of the head, the back, 
tail and wings are lilack although when the bird spreads its 
tail some white spots can be seen. The scapulars are white, 
rump and entire underparts, except a band across the throat 
and the chin, are dark red. The edge of the wing orange. 
The soft parts of the bird are rather striking in colour. 
The beak presents a combination of bright blue and yellow. 
The feet are also bine and the irides are green* a most 
unusual colour for a bird's eyes. 
Length about 9 inches, wing 4 inches. 
Status in Singapore : —This very conspicuous and quite 
unmistakable bird is not common in Singapore but is likely 
to be seen at times by visitors to the less frequented parts of 
the island. We have never seen it in the Gardens but have 
met with one or two on several occasions in the country at 
the end of the Chua Chu Kang Road. It breeds on the island. 
Field Notes: — bold red and black bird about the size 
of a thrush with a dash of white in its plumage and an 
amazingly blue poreclain-like bill is the impression created by 
this "gaper" in the field. 
Other habits: — We regard the relative scarcity of this 
handsome bird in Singapore as due to its destruction by 
Chinese "sportsmen", who never allow a brightly plumaged 
bird to escape if only they can get near enough to avoid 
missing it and therefore wasting a cartridge I 
It is quite numerous on Pulau Ubin. Kelham notices the 
species as being shy and particnlarly silent and, except during 
the breeding season, rather inclined to be solitarj\ From 
Sumatra Mr. E. Jacobson writes: '*The bird lives in secondary 
forest, on the edge of clearings and near villages. It is not 
[162] 
