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Show 1877.] THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE ON BATRACHOSTOMUS. 435 BATRACHOSTOMUS JAVENSIS. Podargus javensis, Horsf. Tr. L. S. xiv. p. 141, "Java," (1820). Podargus javanensis, Horsf. Zool. Res. Java (1830) **. Batrachostomus javanensis, Horsf, G. R. Gray, Gen. Birds, i. p. 45 (1846). Batrachostomus javensis, Horsf., Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1847, p. 1680, partim. Podargus javanensis, Horsf, Blyth, Cat. Calc. Mus. p. 81. no. 404, "ex Java," d (1849); conf. Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 190, sub Otothrix hodgsoni. Batrachostomus javanensis, Horsf., Bp. Consp. i. p. 57 (1850) partim. Batrachostomus javensis, Horsf, Moore, Cat. E.I. C. Mus. i. p. 112, "Java" (1854), type. Podargus javanensis, vel cornutus, Schlegel, Handleid. d. Dierkunde, i. p. 224, "Java, Sumatra, Borneo" (1857), partim. Batrachostomus javanensis, Bp., Bernstein, J. fiir O. 1860, p. 428, "Java." Batrachostomus javanensis, Horsf, Walden, J. A. S. B. 1875, pt. ex. no. p. 84, "ex Java." Hab. Java. Bernstein (I. ci), who gives an account of the nesting of the Java bird, states that the iris is pure sulphur-yellow. Careful examinations of an authentic Javan example in rufous plumage (mus. nostr.), though lacking all the rectrices, has led me to doubt the specific identity of typical B. javensis with Sumatran and Bornean individuals. The bill, on comparison, is less massive, and the gape narrower. The dimension of the wing and tarsus are less. Hors-field's type specimen still exists, but in a deplorable condition, in the India Museum at South Kensington. With the exception of one or two broken rectrices and a few scattered plumes, the whole of the webs have been destroyed by the moth. Yet enough of the type remains to show that the width of the gape, the form of the bill, and the dimensions of the wing and tarsus agree with my authentic Javan example ; and I feel therefore justified in separating the Sumatran and Bornean species from that inhabiting Java. Still they are but representative forms of one another, and along with B. affinis constitute a small characteristic group. 2 (?) not in quite perfect plumage (?), ex Java (mus. nostr.). Bright rufous or chestnut. Lengthened auriculars brown for the greater part of their length. Frontal long imperfect plumes brown, almost black. A yellow, chestnut-tinged supercilium. Feathers before the eye pale rufous-yellow at base, with a transverse rufous or else brown line near the tips, which are bright rufous. A series of nuchal plumes pale rufous white, then an irregular transverse rufous brown narrow bar, followed by a broad white band, ter- 1 This is the date on the titlepage of the complete work ; but it is evident, from Temminck's remarks (Pl. Col. 159, sub P. cornutus), that the part, no. 2, in which the plate appeared must have been published in the year 1823, or earlier. |