MEGALiEMA FABER 
(THE BLACK-CAPPED BARBET.) 
Megalama faber 
(1870) Swinhoo, Ibis, p. 90 & plate IY. fig. 1. 
M. sexibus similibus ; viridis ; gutture aurantiaco, fronts, nigto. 
Hah. In insula “ Hainan ” dicta. 
Sexes alike : Body green ; whole top of the head black with a bluish green tinge, the 
feathers stiff shalfted ; the occipitals broadly tipped with scarlet, and the side feathers with 
blue ; a spot in front of the eyes scarlet ; the ear-coverts and a band across the throat 
cobalt blue ; upper plumage dark , green ; cpiills brown, base of the inner ivebs and the 
exterior edge of the primaries yellowish Avhite ; throat and a spot at the base of the loiver 
mandible golden yelloAV ; a large scarlet spot on the upper breast joining the blue band ; 
the rest of the under surface bright grass green ; tail underneath greenish blue : mdes 
deep reddish brown ; bill plumbeous black, whitish at the base of the mandibles ; rictal 
bristles strongly developed, black ; legs and feet leaden grey, with a greenish tinge ; wing 
4, tail 2 6-10, tarsi 1J. These measurements are from the dried skin. 
Habitat. The island of Hainan (, Swinhoe ). 
This bird, which was first discovered by Mr. R. Swinhoe in 1868 in the island ot 
Hainan, is the second new addition he has made to the genus, and is nearly allied to M . 
nuchalis of the island of Formosa. 
The following is Mr. Swinhoe’s account of this species, and as he is the only Naturalist 
Avho has obtained it as yet, we give it in extenso:— 
