[ 
Habitat. Java ( Reinwardt ), Banda (Wallace). 
This species is easily distinguishable from all the other members of the genus Megalcema , 
except M. duvaucelli , by its diminutive size and the great length and fineness of its rictal 
bristles, which frequently extend an inch beyond the tip of the bill. From M. duvaueeUii 
it may be at once known by its conspicuous yellow cheek-spot, which is crimson in that 
bird. 
These two species have been associated with the genus Xantholcema by some authors, 
but although they are not the same diminutive size do not resemble the latter in form. 
Their bodies are more slender and the bill is compressed and sharp at the tip; while the 
chief characteristics of a Xantholcema are its short stout bill much blunted at the tip, and 
the generally squat appearance of the whole bird. 
After glancing through the long list of authors mentioned at the head of this paper 
who have noticed this species in their works, one might naturally suppose that some infor- 
mation concerning its habits, etc., would have been recorded, but unfortunately such is not 
the case, for the only mention made of this bird is the following note by Temminek : — 
“ This new species was named by Reinwardt, who was the first to send it, but 
“ unaccompanied by any notes on its habits and customs. It is exceedingly common in 
“ Java ; I received more than fifty specimens, all in a very similar state of plumage.” 
From what we know of the similarity of habit, food, and nidifi cation of this group, we 
may safely infer that it in no ways differs from its congeners in these points. 
It has only as yet been obtained from Java and Banda, but as there are several islands 
intervening between the two above mentioned it may probably occur in some of them. 
It was figured bv Temminek in his “ Planches Coloriees.” The accompanying plate 
is taken from three specimens from Java in our collection. 
