IANTHOCINCLA LUNU LATA, J. Perr.
Lunulated Ianthocincla.

Janthocincla lunulata, J. Verr. Nouv. Archiv. du Mus., tom. vi., Bulletin, p. 36, pl. 33. fig. 2

, et tom. vil., Bull. p. 41.
Yantocmcla lunulata, David, ib., tom. vil., Bull, p. 6.

 

One of the most pleasing traits connected with Janthocincla and the allied genera is the great diversity
which is displayed in their colouring and markings. Hitherto no species had been found exhibiting characters
similar to those which exist in the present one; hence its acquisition must have given great pleasure to its
discoverer when the first specimen fell to his gun ; nor could the gratification of being its first describer have
been less pleasing to M. Jules Verreaux, the veteran and excellent ornithologist of Paris.

The knowledge of the existence of this fine species affords additional evidence of the richness of the
Chinese avifauna ; and, judging from what we have seen during the short period that great country has been
thrown open to travellers and naturalists, a still richer harvest in the field of natural history may be reasonably
expected to be gleaned therein. That the Abbé David and our own excellent Consul, Mr. Swinhoe, may
long be spared and blessed with health and energy for the prosecution of their researches, must be the ardent
wish of every lover of natural science.

The following is M. Verreaux’s description of the Janthocincla lunulata, and the notes of the habits of the
bird furnished him by M. Armand David :—

‘“‘ Head and upper part of the neck dark olive-brown; the remainder of the upper surface of a light olive,
each feather having at the tip a black crescent bordered with yellowish white, not so conspicuous on the
rump, where the feathers are long and very tufted. Wings black, the primaries edged with light grey, the
secondaries with olive, and both tipped with white ; the lateral tail-feathers are light grey on the outer web
from the base, then black, and white at their extremities, less extensive upon the middle feathers. Face
pure white, mixed with light brown on the parotic region. Throat, front of the neck, and chest of the same
light brown, relieved on the latter by white edges; abdomen also light brown; flanks, vent, and under tail-
coverts olive-brown, with transverse bands of black. Bill light brown, yellowish at the base of the lower
mandible, irides yellow.

‘The male above described was killed in western Sse-tchuan on the 23rd of February, 1869, by M.
Armand David, who tells us that he subsequently found this species abundant and sedentary in the
woods of Moupin and eastern Kokonoor. According to our explorer, this bird resembles closely Janthocincla
Arthemisie and J. maxima in its voice and habits ; but it does not remain so much secluded in the centre of
the forests in winter, and descends lower into the valleys. It is also a sedentary species, and lives upon the
berries of the bay and insects, which it seeks by scratching up the dry leaves on the ground in the same way
as fowls and the other Janthocinclas. Although naturally wild and timid in the woods, it may easily be
tamed and brought up in a cage; but although its voice is loud and beautiful, its song is too short and
monotonous to render it desirable as a cage-bird. M. Armand David says there is a very slight difference
in the sexes, the female merely being a trifle lighter in colour.”

The figures are of the natural size.