Some of the specimens in the British Museum are labelled as coming from Java; but 
this is probably a mistake ; for the species inhabiting that island are all peculiar to it, and 
Mr. A. R. Wallace observed that the common species of Sumatra and Malacca were alto- 
gether wanting there. 
The Gaudy Barbet is perhaps the most brilliantly coloured of all this showy family ; 
the depth and richness of the colouring in the adult bird are especially remarkable. Its 
habits are similar to those of its congeners. The young bird is entirely green, the bright 
colours being gradually assu m ed. 
There is a very good figure of this bird in the ‘ Planches Coloriees ’ of Temminck to 
accompany the original description. 
Our Plate and description are taken from specimens in our own collection ; the former 
represents an adult bird in full plumage, from Sumatra, and a young bird, in the transition 
state, from Penang, being the specimen which established the distinctness of M. humei from 
this species. 
