Buceros semigaleatus Tweeddale, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1878), 279.
Hydrocorax semigaleatus Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1892), 17,
360; Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 64; McGregor and Worcester,
Hand-List (1906), 55.
Cao, Bohol.
Bohol (McGregor); Leyte (Everett, Steere Exp., Whitehead); Panaon
(Everett); Samar (Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead).
Adult.--Colors of plumage as in the two preceding species, colors
of bill as in H. mindanensis, but the casque abruptly contracted in
front and its upper outline, in front, continuous with that of the
culmen. "Naked skin round eye darkest sepia, almost black; gular skin
dark indian-yellow; iris light yellow (light green in living bird);
feet coral-red; nails dark brownish gray." (Everett.) Length of male,
about 890; wing, 400; tail, 320; bill from nostril, 153; greatest
width of casque, 53; tarsus, 53.
"Adult female.--Does not differ in plumage from the male. Length,
787; wing, 350; tail, 279; tarsus, 53.
"Young.--Similar to that of H. mindanensis, except that the outer
tail-feathers have not the basal half chestnut, although the middle
feathers are the same.
"In older examples of both sexes, when the adult plumage has been
nearly attained the bill is jet-black, the yellow tip of the young
having disappeared, and the anterior part of the casque is distinctly
raised above the line of the culmen." (Grant.)
"Extremely abundant on the hills back of Catbalogan in Samar. Sometimes
comes down into the mangrove swamps near the town. In damp weather its
hoarse cry can readily be heard a mile. Usually frequents very lofty
trees, but may be readily called down by imitating its note. We secured
a fine series of specimens in this way. In a few cases we observed
H. semigaleatus feeding in low brush, and even on the ground. This
species has a highly developed oil-gland the secretion from which
is gamboge-yellow. When the feathers are well oiled the color of the
whole bird is changed. Feeds on fruit.
"Two males measure, 883 in length; wing, 385; tail, 305; tarsus, 57;
middle toe with claw, 74. Six females, length, 830; wing, 361; tail,
298; tarsus, 53; middle toe with claw, 71." (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
Genus ANTHRACOCEROS Reichenbach, 1849.
Casque small, compressed and rounded on top, its outline gently curved,
rounded and vertical behind, and continuous with culmen in front; very
fine striæ near base of bill; chin and upper throat partly feathered.