PODARGUS JAVANENSIS. 
only remark, tliat the bill, from an excessively wide base, tapers gradually to the 
tip, which is provided with a hooked claw, like that of accipitrine birds; if the bill were 
more compressed, it would greatly resemble that of the smaller species of owls, the 
more as it is surrounded at the base by a capistrum of plumes and bristles pointing 
forward. The sides of the bill rise gradually to a very obsolete back or culmen, and 
the nostrils are pierced laterally and horizontally, representing a minute fissure 
covered with a scale. The toes also are completely separate, and the claw of the 
middle toe is not dentated, 
The Podargus Javanensis measures nine inches in length. The general colour 
is ferruginous or rufous, with a tint of Isabella ; this is variegated by undulated 
transverse bands of a dark brown colour, which are dotted or confluent, and by 
several large spots of white or pale yellow, forming a strong contrast with the other 
parts. On the head above, the back, the wings, and the tail, the general colour of 
rufbus-isabella predominates. On the head and back the transverse bands are very 
delicate ; they arc stronger on the upper part of the tail, consisting of narrow 
■undulating lines, including broader bands, the ground of which is dotted, and which 
alternate with bands of the general rufous tint. At the sides of the head, beyond 
the ears, are several plumes, terminated by long delicate bristles ; and the border of 
the bill is environed with recurved plumes and bristles which conceal it, and give to 
the front of the bird an appearance somewhat like that of an owl. A collar of pale 
whitish Isabella, variegated with two very narrow bands of deep brown, passes round 
the lower part of the neck. Commencing at this collar, several large, irregular, 
white marks are disposed in an interrupted series from the axilla to the middle of the 
back. The superior of these marks are formed by plumes of the sides of the neck, 
and the inferior by several of the wing coverts. They are individually surrounded 
by a narrow zig-zag border of deep brown inclining to black, forming a strong 
contrast with the pale colour of the marks. The rest of the coverts are very 
delicately variegated, and the quill-feathers are dark and brownish towards the 
extremity. The colour of the bird underneath is somewhat deeper; on the breast 
and belly several white plumes are scattered, bordered with dotted zig-zag lines of 
brown and black, which cause a beautiful alternation of colours on these parts. The 
plumes of the vent are delicate and silky, and the wings and tail are dusky under- 
neath. The feet are rufous, the claws blackish, and the bill has an obscure yellow 
tint somewhat shining. 
The difficulty of observing this bird, from its retired and nocturnal habits, has 
prevented me from acquiring any information regarding its manners. It appears to 
conceal itself in large forests, and comparatively with the Goatsucker, is extremely 
rare : our Collection contains but a single specimen. 
