From the Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara [...] Zoologischer Theil, 1. Band: Wirbelthiere, A. Pelzeln, "Vögel": "A female was killed on 26 March near a small river in the primeval forest at the southern end of Great Nicobar. Black iris, dark vermilion beak, mottled brown, red-brown legs. Total length 13 1/2", wingspan 19 1/4". Uncommon; observed only once with a male, which could not be found after shooting through the dense, impenetrable undergrowth of the tropical jungle. The Nicobar people call the bird Catjapa. Zlbr. [Zelebor] Of the two specimens from Java, one is significantly younger than the other. It has a pure white throat and feathers on the ochre-yellow nape band and on the breast it has dark spots at the end. The beak measures 2" 1''' from one end of the nostril; that of the older specimen measures 2" 6'''" (pp. 49-50).