Bucco hæmacephalus P. L. S. Müller, Nat. Syst. Suppl. (1776), 88.
Xantholæma hæmatocephala Shelley, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1891), 19,
89; Blanford, Fauna Brit. Ind. Bds. (1895), 3, 98, fig. 27 (head).
Xantholæma hæmatocephalum Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 185, 238;
Oates and Reid, Cat. Birds' Eggs (1903), 3, 136; McGregor and
Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 64.
A-so-ni-pú-song, Manila; took-took, generally.
Calamianes ? (Bourns & Worcester); Leyte (Steere Exp., Whitehead);
Luzon (Meyer, Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead,
McGregor); Mindanao (Martens, Everett, Koch & Schadenberg,
Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Celestino, Goodfellow); Mindoro
(Steere Exp., Everett, Schmacker, Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead,
McGregor, Porter); Samar (Whitehead). Malay and Indian Peninsulas,
Burmese Provinces, Ceylon, Sumatra.
Adult (sexes similar).--Forehead and crown crimson, followed by a
blackish cross-band extending behind eye to ear-coverts; occiput and
nape bluish slate; rest of upper parts olive-green; superciliary line,
subocular line, chin, and throat light sulphur-yellow; lores, jaw,
and ear-coverts black; posterior to yellow throat a narrow crimson
band, followed by a narrower golden yellow band; remainder of under
parts pale yellow heavily streaked with dark green, lighter on middle
of abdomen; exposed edges of wing and tail-feathers grass-green. Iris
brown; bill and nails black; legs and bare skin about eye red. A male
from Bataan Province, Luzon, measures: Length, 175; wing, 87; tail,
42; bill from nostril, 17; culmen from base, 21; tarsus, 20; middle
toe with claw, 21. A female from Bataan Province measures: Wing, 83;
tail, 40; bill from nostril, 16; culmen from base, 20; tarsus, 17;
middle toe with claw, 18.
"Young.--Differs from the adult in wanting the scarlet on the head
and the bright colors of the under parts; uniform green above with
yellowish white edgings to wing-coverts and secondaries; a pale
yellow mark above and below eye; cheeks and ear-coverts blackish;
throat and abdomen pale yellow; fore neck and breast dull green,
the breast and sides of body narrowly streaked with green." (Shelley.)
"We heard a barbet on several occasions in Busuanga, but were unable
to procure any specimens. As X. hæmacephalum occurs in Mindoro,
it seems most probable that the Busuanga bird will prove to be of
this species. Called 'took-took' by the natives from its habit of
perching in the top of some tree and singing 'took, took, took' by
the hour. Sometimes called 'clock-bird' by the Spaniards, from the
regularity with which it utters its note.
"Seven males from Mindanao average, 158 in length; wing, 78; tail,
34; culmen, 22; tarsus, 18; middle toe with claw, 45. Seven females
from same locality: Length, 157; wing, 78; tail, 33; culmen, 22;
tarsus, 18; middle toe with claw, 20. Iris brown; legs and feet red;
nails black; skin around eye deep red." (Bourns and Worcester MS.)