appears to be common enough there. Its silvery grey ears, cheeks, and throat, and, above 
all, the conspicuous blue on the shoulders, are characteristic of this species only. Its 
colouring is unusually tasteful and ornamental. It is very plentiful in the forests of 
Sikkim, According to Tickell this species is found from three to four thousand feet 
above the sea in the Tenasserim hills, never higher or lower; “in the forests of Danna 
the woods resounded with its cries, resembling ‘ piouw-piouw.' ” 
The following account of the habits and structure of this bird is taken from the MS. 
memoranda of Mr. Brian Hodgson : — 
“ The native names for the ‘ Silvered-eared Barbet ’ are Ban basi, or Bagh basi. It 
inhabits the lower region of Nepal, and always breeds in the lower valleys. It builds in 
April in holes of trees, and lays four pure white eggs. The young fly in June. It is 
entirely frugivorous, feeding chiefly on the fruit of the Peepul ( Ficus religiosus ), Bur (Ficus 
indicus), other species of fig-trees, and the guava-tree. It is frequently caged in Nepal. 
They usually are found in pairs, and are not gregarious. The sexes are alike, both in size 
and colouring ; the female is perhaps a little the lighter in weight. The stomach has the 
outer coat equal, and of moderate thickness ; the inner one softish and subgrooved, and is 
somewhat muscular and large. The intestines are very capacious, equal throughout, and 
furnished with two tiny caeca. The irides are pale brown tinged with red. The bill is 
dusky above, plumbeous below. The feet are green. 
Sex. 
Length. 
Expanse. 
Weight. 
Intestines. 
Contents of Stomach. 
$ 
II 
II 
oz. 
" 
Green pulpy fruits. 
December 1st 
6 
9 
13-5 
3-5 
12-5 
Pulpy fruits only. 
December 1st 
? 
9 
13 
3 
12-5 
Pulpy fruits only. 
14 
Pruit of “ mvdh byas ” (whinberry). 
April 22nd 
d 
2-75 
14 
Pulpy fruits only. 
April 22nd 
S 
2-75 
14 
Pulpy fruits only. 
“The length of the tail is 2‘55 inches, and of the wing is 3'75 inches. 
“ I took a nest belonging to this species, at Fahee Powah, in the month of April. It 
was in a tree on the outskirts of the forest. The bird had excavated, apparently with its 
bill, a hole in the centre of a large lateral decayed branch. The orifice was circular, and 
rather on the lower edge of the side of the branch, and led obliquely downward to the 
chamber ; this latter was retort-shaped, with a highly curved neck and elliptical body ; on 
