" Like Formosa, Hainan has also its peculiar species of Barbet ; and from the almost 
' identical colouring of the under parts, and the similarity of build and stature in the two 
' birds, one must necessarily come to the conclusion that the one has been derived from the 
' other, or that both are of common lineage. From its loud peculiar call, the Hainan 
' species has earned among the natives of the island the appellation of 'Ironsmith,' whence 
' I have derived its specific name (the ' Ironsmith,' so called because its voice sounds like 
' hammering the metal— Kiiina- Shan- Ree?i-che). Among the woods of the interior I often 
' saw this bird either singly or in small parties. It is a stupid heavy species, keeping mUch 
' to the upper boughs of umbrageous trees, especially those of the fig group, of which there 
' are a good many kinds in Hainan. It sits silent among the leaves munching the figs, and 
' you may be under a tree a long time without knowing that a party of Barbets are over- 
' head except from the constant falling of berries. On staring up into the tree it was often 
' difficult to make them out on account of their resemblance in colour to the fohage. When 
' roused they hop clumsily from twig to twig, sometimes giving utterance to a short faint 
" note. In flying they hold the head with the heavy bill well up, the body and tail inclining 
" downwards, while the wings keep on a continued fluttering and propel the bird in a 
" straight direction." 
This bird was figured for the first time in the Ibis for this year. Our plate is taken 
from a specimen in our collection, which we obtained through the kindness of Mr. Swinhoe, 
the only gentleman who has brought this species to England. It represents an adult bird, 
life size. 
