1020. Xantholaema malabarica.
The Crimson-throated Barbet.
Bucco malabaricus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, pp. 386, 465 (1847). Megalaima malabarica, Blyth, Cat. App. p. 336; Fairbank, S. F. iv, p. 255 ; Vidal, S. F. ix, p. 54. Xanthelasma malabarica, Horsf. & M. Cat. ii, p. 647; Jerdon, B. I j, p. 317; Marshall, Mon. Cap. p. 111, pl. 45 ; Bourdillon, S. F. iv, p. 392; Hume, Cat. no. 198; Butler, S. F. ix, p. 387 ; Davison, S. F. x, p. 358; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 123; Shelley, Cat. B. M. xix, p. 95 ; Oates in Hume's N. & E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 332; Davidson, Jour. Bomb. N. H. Soc. vi, p. 336.
Coloration. Crown and upper parts, wings and tail as in X. haematocephala, except that the general colour is grass-green. The band above and that below the eye, a spot at the base of the lower mandible on each side, chin, throat, and fore neck crimson, the malar and gular areas fringed with golden yellow; the black of the vertex runs down on each side behind the eye and the sub-ocular crimson patch but does not extend to the malar area; sides of head behind the black, and area between ear-coverts and throat, light greyish blue, lower parts from neck pale green, the feathers of the flanks darker green near the shafts.
Bill black; irides red-brown; legs red (Jerdon).
Length 6.25 ; tail 1.5 ; wing 3.2; tarsus .8 ; bill from gape .85.
Distribution. The forest-tracts near the Malabar coast as far north as Ratnagiri.
Habits, &c. Similar to those of X. haematocephala, but the call is more subdued. The eggs were obtained by Mr. Bourdillon in South Travancore on March 6th, and are white, without gloss, and measure .98 by .65.
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