“ 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 
I 
“ 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 — Kiunp-Shan-Heen-clie). 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 bez-ries. On staring up into the tree it was often 
“ difficult to make them out on account of their resemblance in colour to the foliage. When 
“ roused they hop clumsily from twig to twig, sometinzes giving utterance to a short faint 
“ note. In flying they hold the head with the heavy bill well up, the body and tail inclining 
“ dowmwards, while the w r ings keep on a continzzed fluttering and propel the bird in a 
“ straight directiozz.” 
This bird was figured for the first time in the Ibis for this year. Our plate is taken 
frozn a specimen in our collection, which we obtained through the kizzdness of Mr. Swinhoe, 
the only gentleznazz who has brought this species to Ezzgland. It represents an adult bird, 
life size. 
