Megalaima henrici brachyrhyncha Neumann: Yellow-crowned Barbet.—Specimens, 3: Cocoa Research Station: ♀, 72.8 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2696; ♂ testis 5 × 4 mm., 83.2 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2705; ♂ testis 6 × 5 mm., 73.7 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2706.
This barbet was common at the Cocoa Research Station and its call could be heard at any time of day until dusk. Smythies (1960:324) described this call as took-took-took-took-trrrroook. All birds of this species that I watched and listened to, however, were calling thus: trrrroook-took-took-took-took. The number of tooks varies, but is generally four and can be as high as seven. This species was heard at all stations on the east coast. At Kalabakan, one was heard calling all day long from the top of a 70-foot tree.
Comparison of my specimens with those in the U. S. National Museum revealed that M. h. brachyrhyncha was readily distinguishable from the nominate race by measurements. The average length of bill in my specimens was 23 mm., whereas the average length in two specimens from Sumatra and Siam in the U. S. National Museum was 27 mm. The Bornean specimens differ also in having the blue patch on the head larger and darker than in M. h. henrici. M. h. brachyrhyncha certainly seems to be a valid race on the basis of the available specimens.
Megalaima chrysopogon chrysopsis Goffin: Gold-whiskered Barbet.—Specimens, 10: Cocoa Research Station: ♀ largest ovum 2 mm., 164.4 gm., July 21, 1962, MCT 2627; ♂ testis 6 × 3 mm., 156.0 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2697; ♀, 177.2 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2701; ♂ testis 3 × 2 mm., 172.6 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2717; ?, 182.2 gm., August 2, 1962, MCT 2718; ♀, 181.5 gm., MCT 2721; ♂ testis 10 × 8 mm., 148.5 gm., August 8, 1962, MCT 2741; ♂, June 23, 1963, ADG 155; ♀, May 25, 1963, ADG 109. Tiger Estate: ♂, November 25, 1962, MCT 3324.
Next to the Brown Barbet, this was perhaps the most common barbet at the Cocoa Research Station and was often the only bird heard in the heat of the day. On three occasions birds were observed clinging to the side of a tree as a woodpecker might, pecking away at dead wood. This species was seen both in the cocoa and primary forest.
Megalaima mystacophanes mystacophanes (Temminck): Gaudy Barbet.—Specimens, 8: Cocoa Research Station: ♀, 60.3 gm., July 25, 1962; ♂ testis 8 × 5 mm., 79.2 gm., August 9, 1962, MCT 2749; ♂ testis 9 × 5 mm., September 1, 1962, MCT 2845; ♀, September 25, 1962, MCT 2950; ♀, April 30, 1963, ADG 88. 12 mi. N Kalabakan: ♂, October 20, 1962, MCT 3103. 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: ♂ testis 8 × 6 mm., December 25, 1962, MCT 3530; ♀, December 25, 1962, MCT 3537.
This common bird lived in the secondary and primary forest and cocoa. I saw it at all localities. At least two calls were given by this species. One was a simple took with a long pause between calls; the other was as described by Smythies (1960:323).
The birds fed from high in trees down to nearly ground level. This species like M. chrysopogon, clung to the sides of trees and pecked at dead wood.
Megalaima australis duvauceli (Lesson): Little Barbet.—Specimens, 3: Cocoa Research Station: ♂ testis 7 × 5 mm., 35.2 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2692; ♂ testis 9 × 5 mm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2699; ♀ ovary granular, 33.0 gm., August 1, 1962, MCT 2704.
I was unable to make detailed observations on this species. All specimens were taken from a high feeding tree, where it was impossible to identify them before hand.
Indicator archipelagicus Temminck: Malaysian Honey-guide.—Specimens, 2: Cocoa Research Station: ♀ ovary minute, 29 November 1962, MCT 3394. Tenom: ♂ testis 3 × 2 mm., January 5, 1963, MCT 3580.