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FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

I

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THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA,

INCLUDING

CEYLON AND BURMA.

Published under the authority of the Secretary of
State for India in Council.

edited by w. t. blanford,

BIRDS.-Vol, II.

BY

EUGENE W. OATES.

LONDON:
TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

CALCUTTA: I BOMBAY:

THACKER, SPINK., & CO. THACKER & CO., LIMITED.

BERLIN:
R. ERIEDLANDER & SOHX, 11 CARLSTRASSE

1890.

ALEKK T FLAMMAM

PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FEANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

3 ?~ I3rf7*- Oct 1ST

V

PREFACE.

The appearance of the second volume of ' Birds' with fewer
pages than are contained in other volumes belonging to the
' Fauna of British India ' requires a brief explanation.

When the ' Birds ' were undertaken by Mr. Oates in 1888,
he knew that it would not be possible to complete them
within the two years of furlough to which he was entitled,
but it was hoped both by him and by myself that he would
obtain additional leave of absence. This has not proved
to be the case, and within the time available Mr. Oates
has only found it practicable to finish the Passerine Order,
comprising about five ninths of all the species of birds
found in India. As will easily be understood by those who
have been engaged in similar scientific work, constant
application has been necessary in order to accomplish this
within the period mentioned.

The first volume of the l Birds ' having appeared in
December of last year, there was, when Mr. Oates left
England in August last, considerably less than another
volume ready in manuscript. To have waited for a full
volume to be prepared would have entailed considerable
delay, and, under the circumstances, it has been thought
best to publish at once a second volume of less bulk at a
reduced price, and to leave the remaining birds to be

a 2

IV PREFACE.

described in a thicker third volume, the cost of which will
be proportionately greater, so that the price of the two
volumes together will remain unaltered. By this means
descriptions of all Indian Passerine birds, which are more
numerous than those of all other orders together, and
which afford the greatest difficulties in identification, are
placed at once in the hands of Indian ornithologists, whilst
Mr. Oates's work is kept distinct from that of any other
writer. I can only express my regret that Mr. Oates has
been unable to finish the work he has so well begun.

The present is the second volume of the ' Fauna of British
India ' published in the current year, Mr. Boulenger's
' Reptilia and Batrachia ' having been issued in August.
The only part now wanting to complete the Vertebrata of
the Indian Fauna, besides the third volume of Birds, is the
second half of the volume containing Mammalia ; and this
half -volume, the greater portion of which is written, will, I
hope, be completed early in 1891. It is not probable that
the Birds can now be finished next year, but I propose to
undertake the third volume as soon as the Mammalia are
completed.

W. T. BLANFORD.

October, 1890.

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Page

Fam. Muscicapidje 1

1. Muscicapa, Briss 4

1. grisola, Linn 4

2. Hemichelidon, Hodgs. . . 5

1. sibirica (Gm.) 5

2. ferruginea, Hodgs 6

3. Sipkia, Hodgs 7

1. strophiata, Hodgs 8

2. parva (Bechst.) 9

3. albicilla (Pall.) 10

4. hyperythra, Cab ]

4. Cyornis, Blyth 11

1. cyaneus (Hume) .... 13

2. hodgsoni ( Terr.) .... 14

3. hyperythrus (Blyth) . . 15

4. leuconielanurus

(Hodgs.) 16

5. superciliaris (Jerd.) . . 17

0. melanoleucus (Hodgs.) 18

7. astigma (Hodgs.) .... 19

8. sapphira (Tick.) 20

9. oatesi (Salvad.) 20

10. pallidipes (Jerd.) 22

11. unicolor, Blyth 22

12. rubeculoides ( Vig.) . . 23

13. tickelli, Blyth 25

14. magnirostris, Blyth . . 26

5. Nitidula, Jerd. 8f Blyth . . 27

1. hodgsoni (Moore) .... 27

6. Stoparola, Blyth 27

1. melanops (Vig.) .... 28

2. sov&i&n (Wald.) .... 29

3. albicaudata (Jerd.) . . 30

7. Muscitrea, Blyth 30

1. grisola (Blyth) 31

8. Anthipes, Blyth 31

1. moniliger (Hodgs.) . . 32

2. leucops (Sharpe) .... 33

3. submoniliger, Hume . . 33

4. poliogenys (Brooks) . . 33

5. olivaceus (Hume) .... 34

9. Alseonax, Cab 34

1. latirostris (Raffl.) 35

2. ruficaudus (Swains.) . . 36

3. niuttui (Bayard) .... 36

10. Ochromela, Blyth 37

1. nigrirufa (Jerd.) .... 37

11. Culicicapa, Sivinh 38

1. ceylonensis (Sivains.) . 38

12. Niltava, Hodgs 39

1. grandis (Blyth) 40

2. sundara, Hodgs 41

3. macgrigorise (Burt.) . . 42

13. Philentoma, Eyton 42

1. velatum (Temm?) .... 43

2. pyrrnopterum(!Temwi.) 43

14. Terpsiphone, Gloger .... 44

1. paradisi (Linn.) 45

2. affinis (Hay) 47

3. nicobarica, Gates .... 48

15. Hypotkyrnis, Boie 48

1. azurea (Bodd.) 49

2. tytleri (Beavan) 50

16. Chelidorbynx, Hodgs. . . 51
1. hypoxanthum (Blyth) . 51

17. Rbipidura, Vig. 8? Horsf. 52

1. albifrontata, Frankl. . . 52

2. albicollis ( Vieill.) 53

3. javanica (Sparrm.) . . 54

4. pectoralis (Blyth) 55

Fam. Turdid^: 56

Subfam. Saxicolince 57

1. Pratincola, Koch 58

1. caprata (Linn.) 59

2. atrata, Kelaart 60

3. maura (Pall.) 61

4. leucura, Blyth 63

5. macrorbyncha, Stol. . . 63

6. insignia (Hodgs.) .... 64

VI

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

2. Oreicola, Bonap 66

1. jerdoni, Blyth 66

2. ferrea (Hodgs.) 66

3. Saxicola, Bechst 67

1. monacha, Bupp 69

2. albinigra, Hume .... 70

3. picata, Blytli 71

4. capistrata, Gould .... 72

5. opistboleuca, Strickl. . 73

6. ptescbanka (Lepech.) . 73

7. barnesi, Gates 75

8. vittata, Hcmpr. fy Ehr. 75

9. cenantbe (Linn.) .... 76

10. isabellina, Cretzschm. . 77

11. deserti, Temm 78

12. niontana, Gould .... 78

13. cbrysopygia (De

Filippi) 79

4. Cercomela, Bonap 79

1. fusca (Blyth) 80

Subfain. Buticillince 81

1. Henicurus, Temm 82

1. maculatus, Vig 83

2. guttatus, Gould 84

3. scbistaceus, Hodcjs. . . 84

4. immaculatus, Hodgs. . 85

5. lescbenaulti ( Vieill.) . . 86

2. Hydrocichla, Sharpe .... 86

1." frontalis {BlytK) .... 87

2. run'capilla ( Temm.) . . 87

•'!. Microcichla, Sharpe .... 88

1. scouleri ( Vig.) 88

4. Chiruarrbornis, Hodgs. . . 89
1. leucocephalus ( Vig.) . . 89

5. ltuticilla, Brehm 90

1. frontalis [Vig.) 91

2. schisticeps, Hodgs. , . 92

3. aurorea (Pall.) 93

4. erytbronota (Evei'sm.) 94

5. bodgsoni, Moore .... 95

6. rufiventris (Vieill.) .. 95

7. erythrogastei (Giild.) . 97

6. Ilbyacornis, Blanf. 97

1. fuliginosns (Vig.) .... 98

7. Cyanecula, Brehm 99

1. suecica (Linn.) 99

2. wolb (Brehm) 100

8. Daulias, Boie 100

1. golzi(C'«5.) 101

9. Calliope, Gould 101

1. camtscbatkensis

(Gmel.) 102

Page

2. pectoralis, Goidd .... 103

3. tscbebaiewi, Prjev. . . 104

10. Tarsiger, Hodgs 104

1 . cbrysoeus. Hodr/s 104

11. Iantbia, Blyih . . . ." 105

1. rufilata (Hodgs.) 106

2. indica (Vieill.) 107

3. byperytbra, Blyth . . 108

12. Adelura, Bonap 108

1 . eeeruleicephala ( Vig.) . 108

13. Grandala, Hodgs 110

1. coelicolor, Hodgs Ill

14. Notodela, Less Ill

1. lencura (Hodgs.) .... 112

15. Callene, Blyth 113

1. frontalis (Blyth) .... 113

16. Thamnobia, Swains 113

1. carnbaiensis (Lath.) . . 114

2. fulicata (Linn.) 115

17. Copsycbus, Wagl 116

1. sanlaris (Linn.) 116

18. Cittocincla, Gould 118

1. rnacrura (Gmel.) .... 118

2. albiventris, Blyth .... 120

Subfam. Turdinae 120

1. Merula, Leach 121

1. maxima, Seebohm .... 123

2. simillima (Jerd.) .... 124

3. kinnisi, Kclaart 124

4. bourdilloni, Seebohm. . 125

5. erytbrotis, Dav 126

6. nigripileus (Lafr.) . . 126

7. albicincta (Boyle) 127

8. castanea, Gould 128

9. fnscata (Pall.) 129

10. ruficollis (Pall) 130

11. boulboul {Lath.) 130

12. atrigularis (Temm.) . . 131

13. unicolor (Tick.) 132

14. protomomebiena (Cab.) 133

15. obscura (Gmel.) .... 134

16. subobscnra, Salvad. . . 135

17. feae, Salvad 135

2. Geocicbla, Kuhl 136

1. wardi (Jerd.) 137

2. sibirica (Pall.) 138

3. cyanonotns (Jard. fy

Selby) 139

4. citrina (Lath.) 140

5. innotata, Blyth 141

6. albigularis, Blyth .... 142

7. andamanensis, Wald. . 142

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Page

3. Petropbila, Swains 142

1. erytbrogastra (Vig.). . 143

2. cinclorhyncba ( Vig.) . . 144

3. solitaria (Mull.) 145

4. cyanus (Linn.) 146

4. Monticola, Boie 147

1. saxatilis (Linn.) .... 147

5. Turdus, Linn. . . .' 148

1. viscivorus, Linn 148

2. pilaris, Linn 150

8. iliacus, Linn 150

0. Oreocincla, Gould 151

1. daunia (Lath.) 152

2. varia (Pall.) 153

3. nilgiriensis, Blyth .... 153

4. imbricata (Lay.) .... 154

5. mollissima (Blyth) . . 154

0. dixoni (Seebohm) .... 155
7. spiloptera, Blyth .... 155

7. Zoothera, Vig 156

1. monticola, Vig 157

2. marginata, Blyth .... 157

8. Cochoa, Hodgs 158

1. purpurea, Hodgs 159

.2. viridis, Hodgs 160

Subfam. Cinclince 161

1. Cinclus, Bechst 162

1. kashmiriensis, Gould. . 162

2. asiaticus, Swains 163

3. pallasi, Temm 164

4. sordidus, Gould 165

Subfam. Accentoriuce 165

1. Accentor, Bechst 166

1. nepalensis, Hodgs. . . 166

2« himalayanus, Blyth . . 168

2. Tharrbaleus, Kaup 168

1. immaculatus (Hodgs.) 169

2. rubeculoides (Hodgs.). 169

3. atrigularis (Brandt) . . 170

4. fulvescens (Sev.) .... 171

5. stropbiatus (Hodgs.) . 171

6. jerdoni (Brooks) .... 172

Fam. PLocEiDiE 173

Subfam. Bloceince 174

1. Ploceus, Cuv 174

1. baya, Blyth 175

2. megarbyncbus, Hume . 176

Page

3. bengalensis (Linn.) . . 177

4. manyar (Horsf.) .... 179
2. Ploceella, Oates 179

1. javanensis (Less.). . . . 180

Subfam. Viduince 181

1. Munia, Hodgs 181

1. malacca (Linn.) .... 182

2. atricapilla ( Vieill.) . . 183

2. Uroloncba, Cab 183

1. acuticauda (Hodgs.) . . 184

2. striata (Linn.) 185

3. semistriata (Hume) . . 186

4. fumigata (Wold.). ... 186

5. leucogastra (Blyth) . . 186

6. pectoralis (Jerd.) .... 187

7. kelaarti (Blyth) 187

8. malabarica (Linn.) . . 188

9. punctulata (Linn.) . . 189

3. Erytbrura, Swains 190

1. prasina (Sparrm.). . . . 190

4. Stictospiza, Sharpe 190

1. formosa (Lath.) .... 191

5. Sporsegintbus, Cab 192

1. amandava (Linn.). . . . 192

2. fiavidiventris (Wal-

lace) 193

Fam. Feingillida; 194

Subfam. Coccothraustince .... 196

1. Ooccotbraustes, Briss. . . 196

1. bumii, Sharpe 196

2. Pycuorbamplms, Hume. . 198

1. icteroides (Vig.) .... 198

2. affinis (Blyth) 199

3. carneipes (Hodgs.) . . 200

3. Mycerobas, Cab 200

1. melanoxantbus

(Hodgs.) 201

Subfam. Fringillince 202

1. Pynbula, Briss 204

1. aurantiacaj Gould .... 204

2. erytbrocepbala, Vig.. , 205

3. eritbacus, Blyth 206

4. nepalensis, Hodgs 206

2. Pyrrboplectes, Hodgs. . . 207

1. epauletta (Hodgs.) . . 207

3. Loxia, Linn 208

1. bimalayana, Hodgs. . . 208

4. Haematospiza, Blyth . . , . 209

1. sipabi (Hodgs.) 209

Vlll

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Page

5. Propyrrhula, Hodgs 210

1. subhimalayensis

(Hodgs.) ... 210

0. Pyrrhospiza, Hodgs 211

1. punicea, Hodgs 211

7. Propasser, Hodgs 212

1. t]mvn(Bonap4Schkg.) 213

2. pulcherrimus, Hodgs. . 215
8. arnbiguus, Hume .... 215

4. grandis (Blgth) 216

5. rbodocbrous ( Vigors) . 217

6. rhodopeplus ( Vigors) . 217

7. edwaidn (Ferr.) .... 218

8. Carpodacus, Kaup 219

1. erytbrraus {Pall.) 219

2. severtzovi, Sharpe .... 220

9. Erythrospiza, Bonap 221

1. githaginea (Temm.) . . 221

2. mongolica (Sivinh.) . . 222

10. Procarduelis, Hodgs 223

1. nepalensis (Hodgs.) . . 223

2. rubescens, Blanf. .... 224

11. Carduebs, Briss 225

1. caniceps, Vigors . . , . 225

12. Callacantbis, Reichenb. . . 226

1. burtoni (Gould) .... 226

13. Acantbis, Bechst 227

1. fringillirostris (Bonap.

8f Schlep.) 228

2. brevirostris ( Gould) . . 229

14. Metoponia, Bonap 230

1. pusilla (Pall.) 230

15. Hypacantbis, Cab 231

1. spinoides ( Vig.) 231

16. Cbrysomitris, Boie 232

1. tibetana, Hume 232

17. Fringilla, Linn 233

1. ruontifrmgilla, Linn.. . 233

18. Gymnorbis, Hodgs 235

1. flavicollis (Frankl.) . . 235

19. Passer, Briss 236

1. domesticus (Linn.) . . 236

2. pyrrbonotus, Blgth . . 238

3. bispaniolensis (Temm?) 239

4. lrjontanus (Linn.) .... 240

5. cinnamomeus (Goidd). 240

6. flaveolus, Blgth 242

20. Petronia, Kaup 243

2. stulta( Gmel.) 243

21. Montifringilla, Brehm . . 244

1. blanf ordi, Hume .... 245

2. ruficollis, Blanf. .... 245

3. adamsi, Moore . . 246

22. Frmgillauda, Hodgs 247

1. neiuoricola, Hodgs. . . 247

Page

2. sordida, Stol 248

3. brandti (Bonap.) .... 248

Subfarn. Emberizince 249

1. Emberiza, Briss 250

1. schceuiclus, Linn 251

2. fucata, Pall 252

3. pusilla, Pall. 254

4. leucocepbala,^. G. Gm. 254

5. stewarti, Blyth 256

6. stracbeyi, Moore ... 257

7. bucbanani, Blgth .... 258

8. bortulana, Linn 259

9. aureola, Pall 259

10. spodocepbala, Pall. . . 260

11. melauocepbala, Scop. . 261

12. luteola, Sparrm 262

13. rutila, Pall 263

14. striolata (Licht.) 264

2. Melopbus, Swains 265

1. melamcterus (Gm.) . . 265

Fam. HiRUNDiNiDiE 267

1. Chelidon, Forst 268

1. urbica (Linn.) 269

2. kasbrniriensis, Goidd. . 269

3. lagopus (Pall.) 270

4. nepalensis (Hodgs.) . . 271

2. Cotile, Boie 271

1. riparia (Linn.) 272

2. sinensis (Gray) 273

3. Ptyonoprogne, Reichenb. . 273

1 . rupestris (Scop.) .... 274

2. concolor (Sykes) .... 275

3. obsoleta ( Cab.) 275

4. Hirundo, Linn 276

1. rustica, Linn 277

2. gutturalis, Scop 277

3. tytleri, Jerd 278

4. erytbrogastra, Bodd. . . 279

5. javanica, Sparrm 279

6. smitbii, Leach 280

7. fluvicola, Jerd. 280

8. striolata, Temm 281

9. daurica, Linn 282

10. nepalensis, Hodgs 282

11. erytbropygia, Sykes . . 283

12. rufula, Temm 284

13. byperytbra, Lay 284

Fain. Motacillid^ 285

1. Motacilla, Linn 285

1. alba, Linn 287

SYSTEMATIC 1> T DEX.

2. leucopsis, Gould

3. ocularis, Swinh

4. personata, Gould ....

5. kodgsoni, Gray

C. ruaderaspateusis, Gmel.

7. melanope, Pall

8. borealis, Sunder

9. flava, Linn

10. beema, Sykes

11. feldeggi, Michah

12. citreola. Pall

13. citreoloides(ifocZi'/s.) . .

2. Liuioriidromus, Gould. . . .

1. indicus (Gmel.)

3. Antbus, Bechst

1. trivialis (Linn.) ....

2. maculatus, Hodgs. . ,

3. nilgiriensis, Sharpe . .

4. cockburnise, Oates . .

5. similis (Jerd.)

G. richardi, Vieill

7. striolatus, Blyth

8. rufulus, Vieill

9. campestris (Linn.) . .

10. cervinus (Pall.)

11 . rosaceus, Hodgs

12. spinoletta (Linn.). . . .

13. japuiiicus (Temm. §

Schleg.)

4. Oreocorys, Sharpe

1. svlvanus (Hodgs.). . . .

Page
288

289

290

291

291

293

294

295

296

297

298

299

300

300

301

302

304

305

305

300

307

308

308

309

310

311

312

312
313
313

Fain. Alaudid.e 315

1. Alaemon, Keys. $ Bias..

1. desertorum (Stanl.) .

2. Otocorys, Bonap

1. penicillata (Gould)

2. longirostris, Goidd .

3. elwesi, Blanf.

3. Melanocorypha, Boie . . ,

1. maxima, Gould

2. biinaculata (Menefr.

4. Alauda, Linn

1. arvensis, Linn

2. gulgula, Franld. . .

5. Calandvella, Kaup ....

1. brachydactyla (Leis

2. dukbunensis (Sykes)

3. tibetana, Brooks . .

4. acutirostris, Hume
0. Alaudula, Blyth

1. raytal (Buch. Ham.

2. adamsi (Hume) ....

3. persica, Sharpe ....
VOL. II.

V

317
318
319
319
320
321
322
322
323
324
324
326
327
327
328
329
329
330
330
331
331

Page

7. Mirafra, Horsf. 332

1. cantillans,* Jerd 333

2. assamica, McClell. . . 334

3. erytbroptera, Jerd. . . .'!.'!4

4. affinis, Jerd 335

5. microptera, Hume . . 336

8. Galerita, Boie 336

1. cristata (Linn.) 337

2. deva (Syhes) ........ 3:18

3. malabarica (Scop.) . . 339

9. Ammomanes, Cab 339

1. phcenicura(i , V«»7c/.) . . 339

2. pbcenicuroides (Blyth) 340
10. Pyrrhulauda, Smith .... 341

1. grisea (Sco}).) 341

2. melanauclieu ( Cab.) . . 343

Fam. NECTAEiNHDiE 343

Subfam. Nectctriniince 345

1. Chalcostetha, Cab 345

1. pectoralis (Temm.) . . 345

2. ^Ethopyga, Cab 346

1. seberias (Tick.) 348

2. andersoni, Oates .... 349

3. cara, Hume 349

4. nicobarica, Hume. . . . 350

5. vigorsi (Sykes) 350

6. ignicauda (Hodgs.) . . 351

7. gonldi«j(T T /V/.) 352

8. dabryi ( Verr.) 353

9. saturata (Hodgs.) 354

10. sanguinipectus, Wald. 354

11. nepalensis (Hodgs.) . . 355

12. borsfieldi (Blyth).. . . 356

3. Aracbueclitbra, Cab 357

1. lotenia (Linn.) 358

2. asiatica (Lath.) 359

3. basselti (Temm.) .... 360

4. pectoralis (Horsf.) . . 361

5. rlammaxillans {Blyth) 262

6. andamanica, Hume . . 363

7. minima (Sykes) .... 363

8. zeylonica (Linn.) .... 364

4. Antbotbreptes, Swains. . . 365

1. by pograminica (Mull.) 365

2. malaccensis (Scop.) . . 366

3. rhodolaema, Shell 367

4. simplex (Midi.) .... 367

Subfam. Arachnotherince . . 368

1. Aiachnothera, Temm. . . 368
1. magna (Hodgs.) .... 360

I,

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

Page

2. aurata, Blyth 370

3. modesta (Eyton) .... 370

4. longirostris {Lath.) . . 371

5. chrysogenys (Temm.). 371

[Fam. Crateropodid^;.

Subfatn. Liotrichirue.

a. Chalcoparia, Cab 373

1. phoenicotis(7«»>»,). . 373]

Fam. Dicjeibje 374

1. Dicseum, Guv 375

1. cruentatum (Linn.) . . 376

2. trigcmostigma (Scop.). 377

3. clivysorrkoeum, Temm. 378

4. iguipectus (Hodys.) . . 378

5. concolor, Jerd 379

6. olivaceuiii, Wahl 380

7. virescens, Hume .... 380

8. efythrorhynchus

(Lath.) " 381

2. Acinonorhyuclms, Gates. .

1. vincens (Scl.)

3. Piprisoma, Blyth

1. squalidum (Burt.) . .

2. modestum (Hume) . .

4. Prionocliilus, Strickl

1. iguicapillus (Eyton) . .

2. maculatus ( Temm?) . .

5. Pachyglossa, Hodys

1. melanoxantka, Hodys.

Fam. Pittid;e

Anthocincla, Blyth . .
1. phayrii, Blyth ....
Pitta, Vieill

1. nepalensis {Hodys.)

2. oatesi (Hume) ....

3. cfierulea (Raffl.) ....

4. cyanea, Blyth ....

5. cyanoptera, Temm.

0. megarhynclia, Schley.

7. brachyura (Linn.)

8. coccinea, Eyton

9. cucullata, Hartl.
10. gumeyi, Hume. .

Page

381
382
382
382
383
384
384
385
385
386

386

387
387
388
389
390
390
391
392
393
393
394
395
395

Pig. 1 . — Tcrpslphone parodist.

Family MUSCICAPID^E.

The intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the
bronchial semi-rings ; the edges of both mandibles smooth, the
upper one simply notched ; hinder aspect of tarsus smooth, com-
posed of two entire longitudinal lamina? ; wing with ten pri-
maries ; tongue non-tubular ; nostrils clear of the line of forehead,
the lower edge of the nostril nearer to the commissure than the
upper edge is to the culmen ; plumage of the nestling mottled or
squainated ; nostrils covered more or less by long curly hairs ;
rectrices twelve ; tarsi short ; an autumn moult only.

The Musdcapidoe, or Flycatchers, constitute a large family of
birds, whicli is well represented in India. Some are resident ; but
the majority ai'e migratory to a greater or less extent.

The Flycatchers may be known by the mottled plumage of the

VOL. II. *>t B

^ MUSCICAPnUE.

nestling, and by the presence of numerous hairs stretching from
the forehead over the nostrils. These hairs lie horizontally, and
in all cases reach beyond the nostrils, and not unfreqtiently nearly
to the end of the bill. They are not to be confounded with the
rictal bristles, which are stiff and strong and lie laterally, nor are
they to be confounded with the lengthened shafts of the frontal
feathers, which in some of the Thrushes resemble hairs. These
latter, moreover, are never horizontal, nor do they extend over the
nostrils except in cases where this is brought about by accident,
such as careless preparation of the preserved specimen.

The amount of mottling or squamation in the plumage of the
nestling varies considerably, but is present in every species in
a more or less marked degree. This character is perhaps least
developed in the genus Terpsiplione, the most typical of Ely-
catchers so far as structural characters are concerned ; but even in
this genus the mottled breast is unmistakable.

The Flycatchers may further be recognized by their very feeble
tarsi and feet, which quite incapacitate them from walking on the
ground ; and this character will by itself be sufficient to separate
them from the Thrushes, in which the tarsi are long and the feet
strong.

Young Flycatchers moult into adult plumage in most cases the
first autumn ; but Terpsiphone differs in this respect, the males
retaining an intermediate plumage for two or more years.

Those Flycatchers which have abandoned their migratory habits
and have become resident are well differentiated by generic cha-
racters ; but others which are still migratory resemble each other
structurally very closely, and generic characters by which to
separate them into convenient groups are not easy to be found.
In the ■ following key, therefore, I have had recourse to types
of colour, which appear to work well and to bring allied birds
together into natural groups.

The Flycatchers feed on insects, which they either catch on the
wing, starting from a perch to which they usually return several
times, or by running with the aid of their wings along the limbs of
trees. They seldom or never descend to the ground. The majority
construct their nests in holes of trees or banks, and some of the
species build very beautiful cup-shaped nests in the branches of
trees. Few of these birds have any song, and on the whole the
Flycatchers are remarkably silent. They are found solitary or in
pairs, and they are frequently familiar birds.

Key to the Genera.

a. Tail considerably shorter than Aving.
a'. Second primary equal to the fifth.

a". Closed wings not reaching- beyond

middle of tail Muscicapa, p. 4.

b" . Closed wings reaching nearly to tip

°f tfil IIemichelidon, p.

MUSCICAPID^.

V. Second primary very much shorter than
fifth.
c". Frontal feathers of ordinary structure,
not concealing the nostrils.
a'". Rictal bristles short and few in
number, generally less than six.
a 4 . Sexes different.

a '. In both sexes base of tail white,
upper tail-coverts black, upper
plumage brown or rufescent,

never blue nor black Siphia, p. 7.

b'\ Males with whole upper plu-
mage blue or black ; lower
plumage never entirely blue
or green. Females brown or
rufescent above, never com-
bined with black upper tail-
coverts and white on tail.
a 6 . Bill wide at base and strong. Cyornis, p. 11.
I 6 . Bill narrow throughout, and

feeble Nitidula, p. 27.

c 5 . Both sexes with the entire
plumage suffused with blue

or green Stoparola, p. 27.

6*. Sexes alike ; plumage plain brown
or rufous throughout.
d s . First primary never less than
half second.
e 8 . Bill laterally compressed ;

lower mandible pale Muscitrea, p. 30.

d b . Bill flattened ; lower man-
dible dark Anthipes, p. 31.

e 5 . First primary much less than

half second Alseonax, p. 34.

//". Bictal bristles very long and nume-
rous, about ten on each side.
c 4 . Tail much rounded; first primary

much longer than half second . . Ochromela, p. 37.
d % . Tail quite even ; first primary

much less than half second .... Culicicapa, p. 38.
d" . Frontal feathers lengthened and very
dense, concealing the nostrils.
c". Bill carinated and narrow; both

sexes with a brilliant neck-spot . . Niltava, p. 39.
d'". Bill broad and flattened ; no neck-
spot in either sex Piiilentoma, p. 42.

b Tail as long as, or longer than, wing.

c . Head crested Terpsiphone, p. 44.

d'. Head not crested.

e". Tail about equal to wing.

e'". Length of culmen about twice the

breadth of bill at forehead Hypotiiymis, p. 48.

f". Length of culmen about equal to

breadth of bill at forehead C'iielidorhynx, p. 51.

f". Tail considerably longer than wing . . Riiipidura, p. 52.

b2

MUSCicAPrniE.

Genus MUSCICAPA, Brisson, 1760.

The genus Muscicapa contains the Spotted Flycatcher, a common
summer visitor to England and Europe.

In this genus the sexes are alike : the culmen of the bill is about
as long as twice the breadth of the bill at the forehead ; the rictal
bristles are few and moderate in length ; the wing is long and
poiuted, the first primary being very small and the second very long
and equal to the fifth ; the tail is square ; and the plumage is
streaked. M. grisola is migratory.

557. Muscicapa grisola. The Spotted Flycatcher.

Muscicapa grisola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 328 (1766) ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. M. iv, p. 151 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 437 ; Oates in Humes N.

8f E. 2nd. ed. ii, p. 1.
Butalis grisola (Linn.), Blyth, Cut. p. 175; Hume fy Renders. Lah.

to Yark. p. 185; Hume, S. F. iii, p. 467, v, p. 495; id. Cat.

no. 299 bis; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 52 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.

p. 163.

Coloration. Upper plumage brown, the forehead, crown, and nape
with black centres ; wing-coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries dark
brown, rather broadly edged with pale fulvous ; primaries and the

Fig. 2.— Bill of M. grisola.

primary-coverts more narrowly edged with the same ; tail dark
brown, obsoletely edged paler ; lores greyish white ; a buff ring
round the eye ; sides of the head brown ; cheeks whitish, with an
irregular dark moustachial streak below ; lower plumage white, the
breast and the sides of the throat streaked with brown ; the sides
of the body less distinctly streaked.

The young have the upper plumage pale fulvous, with brown or
blackish margins ; the wings broadly edged, the lesser coverts
broadly tipped, with buff ; the lower plumage whitish, variegated
with dark brown.

Legs and feet black ; bill blackish, yellow at the base of the lower
mandible ; iris dark brown {Butler).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*5 ; wing 3*3 ; tarsus - 6 ; bill from
gape "8.

Distribution. Common from May to September in Gilgit, where
this species breeds at elevations over 8000 feet. This bird visits the
plains in the autumn, and is found at that season in Sind, Eaj-
putana, Guzerat, Cutch, and Kattywar. Its eastern limit in the

HEMICHELIDON. •)

Himalayas appears to be (Simla, where it has been obtained in
September.

This Flycatcher has an extensive range, being found, according
to season, over the greater part of Europe, Africa, and South-
western Asia.

Habits, Sfc. This bird breeds in Grilgit, but- nothing beyond this
is on record about its nidification in India. In Europe it makes its
nest on a branch of a tree near the trunk, in a shallow hole in a
tree, or on a branch of a fruit-tree or creeper trained against
a wall. The eggs are pale bluish or greenish, marked with reddish
brown, and measure about "75 by '57.

Genus HEMICHELIDON, Hodgs., 1844.

The genus Hemichelidon contains two species of Flycatchers
which are permanent residents in the Himalayas, a considerable
number descending to the lower ranges and plains iu the winter.

In HemicJielidon the bill viewed from above is almost an equi-
lateral triangle, sharp-pointed, pinched in towards the tip, and
very depressed; the rictal bristles are moderate; the wing is
long, reaching nearly to the end of the tail, the first primary very
minute and the second equal to the fifth ; the tail is square. In
this genus the sexes are alike, and the plumage brown or fer-
ruginous.

Key to the Species.

a. Genera] colour of plumage brown H. sibirica, p. 5.

b. General colour of plumage ferruginous . . H. ferruginea, p. 6.

558. Hemichelidon sibirica. The Sooty Flycatcher.

Muecicapa sibirica, Gm. Syst. Nut. i, p. 930 (1788).

Hemichelidon i'uliginosa,'.Z/offys. I'.Z.S. 1845, p. 32 ; Blyth, Cat.
p. 175 ; Horsf. fy 31. Cat. i, p. 137 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 458 ; Stohizka,
J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 28; Brooks, J. A. 8. B. xli, pt. ii,
p. 75 ; Hume $ Benders. Lah. to lark. p. 184, pi. iv.

Hemichelidon sibiiica (Gm.), Hume, A. 8f E. p. 206; id. Cat.
no. 296; iSharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 120 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 275;
id. in Hume's A. # E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 1.

Dang-chim-pa-pho } Lepch.

Fig. 3. — Bill of H. sibirica.

Coloration. Upper plumage brown, the feathers of the head with
darker centres and those of I he wings xnore or less edged paler;

6 MUS01CAP1D.E.

tail plain brown ; a ring of white feathers round the eye ; lores
mixed white and brown ; sides of the head brown ; chin, throat,
breast, and sides of the body smoky brown, dashed with grey
in places ; an indistinct white patch on the lower throat ; abdomen,
vent, and under tail-coverts white, the last mixed with brown.
After the autumn moult, the margins to the wing-feathers are
broader and more rufous.

The young have the crown and nape streaked with fulvous
white and the upper plumage spotted and streaked with fulvous;
the lesser wing-coverts are tipped, and the greater coverts and
quills margined broadly, with fulvous ; the lower plumage is much
whiter than in the adult.

Upper mandible dark brown, lower yellowish ; iris brown ; legs
brownish black.

Length about 4'5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2*8 ; tarsus "5 ; bill from
gape '55.

Distribution. A permanent resident in the Himalayas, from
Afghanistan and Kashmir to Sikhim, occurring as high as
] 3,000 feet in the summer. In the winter this species is found
along the lower ranges of those mountain s, and it has been
observed at Shillong, Manipur, and generally throughout Pegu and
Tenasserim, extending into the Malay peninsula. It is widely
spread over China and Eastern Siberia in summer. This Flycatcher
appears to be entirely absent from the plains of India.

Halnts, §c. Breeds in Kashmir in June. A nest found by
Major Cock was placed against the side of a tree-trunk. The
eggs are pale green mottled with pale reddish, and measure about
•65 by -46.

559. Hemichelidon ferruginea. The Ferruginous Flycatcher.

Hemidielidou ferruginea, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 32; Blyth, Cat.

p. 175; Horsf. <§• M. Cat. i, p. 137; Hume, N. $ E. p. 207;

Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 122; Oates, B. B. i, p. 276; id. in

Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 2.
Alseonax ferruginous (Hodgs.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 4G0 ; Hume, Cat.

no.299; id. S.F. x\, p. 106.

Dati;/-cJiim-j)a-pho, Lepcli.

Coloration. Forehead and crown of head dark brown ; back,
scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts reddish
brown, changing to chestnut on the latter two parts : median and
greater coverts brown, edged and tipped with chestnut ; quills
dark brown, the later secondaries and tertiaries edged with reddish
brown ; tail reddish brown ; a distinct ring of feathers round the
eye whitish or pale buff ; lores aud ear-coverts mixed rufous and
brown ; lower plumage pale rufous, deepening to chestnut on the
abdomen, under tail-coverts, and flanks, the breast infuscated, the
lower part of the throat whitish, and the sides of the throat mottled
with brown.

The young have the forehead, crown, and nape black, boldly

streaked with fulvous ; the upper plumage chestnut, mottled with
black ; wings and tail more rufous than in the adult ; chin and
throat white ; lower plumage uniform pale chestnut.

Bill dusky, fleshy-yellow at the base beneath ; legs pale whitish-
fleshy ; iris dark brown (Jerdori).

Length about 5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2*7 ; tarsus -5 ; bill from
gape '65.

Distribution. A permanent resident in the Himalayas from
Nepal to the extreme east of Assam, from about 4000 to 8000 feet.
This species has been procured in winter at Shillong, in the Khasi
hills ; in Pegu and in Tenasserim. Hume obtained it in April in
Manipur, where he is of opinion that it breeds. This Flycatcher
extends to China.

Habits, $c. Hodgson figures the nest, made of moss and lichens
and placed upon the surface of an old stump of a tree. The eggs
of this bird appear to be buff freckled with reddish, and to
measure '69 by - 5.

Genus SIPHIA, Hodgs., 1837.

The genus Siphia contains four Indian birds, one of which is the
type of the genus, and the other three are closely allied species,
which have been placed by various ornithologists in Muscicapa,
Siphia, or Erythrosterna. I consider the four species now noticed
to be absolutely congeneric both in structure and in style of
coloration. They have no close relationship with Muscicapa, in
which the sexes are alike and the wing very lengthened, and I
prefer to associate them together in the genus Siphia, which is
equal to Erythrosterna but of older date.

In Siphia the sexes are differently coloured, the base of the tail
in both sexes is white, the upper tail-coverts black, and the back
brown or rufous. The bill is small, and the rictal bristles mode-
rate; the wing is of moderate length, but sharply pointed, and the
first primary is shorter than half the second ; the tail is square.

The male nestlings soon lose their spotted plumage, and assume
the plumage of the adult female in September. It is not, however,
till towards the end of the winter that they commence to put on the
characteristic red colouring of the adult male, and consequently the
mass of birds which visit India are in the garb of the female till
near the time for their departure to summer-quarters.

Key to the Species.

a. Throat chestnut, not extending to the chin

or breast S. strophiata, p. 8.

b. Chin, throat, and breast chestnut ; crown

of different shade to back S. parva <$ , p. 9.

e. Chin and throat chestnut, breast ashy ;

crown and back of the same shade .... S. albicilla c? , p. 10.
<1 . ( 'liin, throat, breast, and upper ahdomen

chestnut, surrounded by a black band . . S. hyperythra <3 , p. 10.

[S.parva ) ~

e. No chestnut on lower plumage < S. albicilla \ \

( »S'. hyperytha \ •'

MUSCICAPIDJE.

560. Siphia strophiata. Tin Orange-gorgeted Flycatcher.

Siphia strophiata, Modg9. Ind. Rev. i, p. 651 (1837); Blyth, Cat.
p. 171 : Borsf. $ M. Cat. i. p. 293; Jerd. II. I. i, p. 479; Stoliczka,
J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 32 ; Blanf. J. A. 8. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 47 ;
Godw.-Aust. J. A. 8. 11. xlv, pt. ii, p. 72 ; Anders. Yunnan Exped.,
Ares, p. 620; fliwne # Daw. « 7''. vi, p. 232 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M.
iv, p. 4o."J; Hume, Cat. no. 319; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 278; 0«te.--,
/,'. B. i. p. 290.

Siphia rufigularis, Scully, S. F. viii, p. 279 (1879).

Siphya, Nep. ; Phatt-tay?'ak-pho, Lepch.

Fig. 4.— Bill of 8. strophiata.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with
fulvous on the back and rump; upper tail-coverts black; lores,
cheeks, chin, and throat black ; forehead and a short eyebrow
white; ear-coverts and feathers above the eye deep slaty; a large
oval patch below the throat bright chestnut ; breast and sides of
the neck slaty; abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white;
Hanks olive-brown ; lesser wing-coverts slaty ; the other coverts
and all the quills brown, edged with fulvous; tail blackish; the
pair next the middle pair with a patch of white on the outer web ;
the others with a larger white patch on both webs ; under wing-
coverts and axillaries light buff.

Female. Similar in style of coloration to the male, but the orange
gular patch paler and smaller, the white on the forehead of less
extent; and the black of the face and throat replaced by slaty.

The young bird is brown all over, closely streaked and mottled
with fulvous ; the tail is marked with white as in the adult, but
there is no indication of the gular patch.

Bill black; gape fleshy-whitish; iris dark brown; feet dark
horny-brown; claws black (Scully).

Length nearly o - 5 ; tail 2-'3 ; wing 3 ; tarsus "8 ; bill from
gape *65.

It is not unusual for the female to have the throat to some
extent orange-rufous, and it was to a specimen exhibiting this
peculiarity that Scully assigned the name of Siphia rufigularis.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Eastern Kashmir to the
Daphla hills in Assam up to 12,000 feet in summer, and descend-
ing to the lower valleys in winter ; the Kbasi and Naga hills ;
Manipur; the neighbourhood of Bhamo ; Arrakan ; Muleyit moun-
tain in Tenasserim. This species extends into China.

Habits^ Sfc. Nothing is known of the nidification of this Ely-
catcher. According to Jerdou it frequently alights on the ground

SIl'HIA.

9

to pick up an insect, and occasionally makes a dart at one in the
air, returning after each sally to its perch.

561. Siphia parva. The European Bed-breasted Flycatcher.

Muscicapa parva, Bechst. Naturg. Dentschl, iv, p. 505 (1795) ; Sharpe,

Cat. B. M. iv, p. 161.
Erythrosterna parva (Bechst.), Blanf. J. A. S. B. xxxvin, pt. n,

p. 174 ; id. 8. F. v, p. 484 ; Hume, J. A. 8. B. xxxix, pt. u, p. 116 ;

id. Cat. no. 323 bis ; Barnes, Birch Bom. p. 167.

Coloration. Male. When in fresh plumage, after the autumn
moult, the forehead, lores, and cheeks are grey, speckled at times
with blackish ; a ring of white feathers round the eye ; sides of the
head bluish ashy ; crown and nape ashy brown ; remainder of the
upper plumage fulvous-brown ; upper tail-coverts black ; wing-
coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries brown, edged with fulvous-
brown ; primaries and primary-coverts edged more narrowly with
the same; chin, throat, and breast bright chestnut; remainder of
the lower plumage white, tinged with buff on the sides of the
body; the two middle pairs of tail-feathers wholly black; the
others with the basal two thirds more or less white.

Female. The whole upper plumage brown, tinged with fulvous,
the crown being of the same colour as the back ; wings and tail
as in the male; upper tail-coverts black; feathers on the eyelids
white ; sides of the head rufous-brown ; lores whitish ; lower
plumage dull white, suffused with pale fulvous-ashy on the breast
and sides of the body.

The young are spotted on the upper plumage and breast with
fulvous. After the autumn moult young males commence to
assume some red on the breast, and they become fully adult by
the spring.

Iris blackish brown; legs and feet black; bill brown above,
brownish-flesh below (Butler).

Length about 5; tail 2-1; wing 2-6; tarsus "65; bill from

gape "6. j.

~ Distribution. A winter visitor to a great portion of the Indian
peninsula, being found to the east as far as the Bhutan Doars at
the base of the Himalayas and Singbhoom in the plains, and to the
south as far as Mysore and the Nilgiris.

This species is found in Central and South-eastern Europe
durino- the summer. Its distribution out of India is very difficult
to trace, as this Flycatcher has been confounded with the next by
many ornithologists, Seebohin going so far as to unite S. parva,
S. albicilla, and S. hyperythra into one species. I have seen no
example of S. parva from any portion of the Himalayas *, and 1
doubt if it ever crosses those mountains, the specimens said to

* Stoliczka (J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 32), however, records Erythrosterna
leucwa from Kotgarh. The species he obtained may liave been 8. parva or
more likely 8. hyperythra.

10 MUBUIOAPIDJS.

have been procured from Central Asia having probably found their
way thither from the west. This species is found in India from
October to April.

Habits, <$fc. This bird breeds in Europe, making a nest of moss
lined with grass and hairs, either against the trunk of a tree or in
a hollow of the trunk The eggs are pale green, marked with
piukish brown, and measure about "65 by '53.

562. Siphia albicilla. The Eastern Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Muscicapa albicilla, Pall. Zooyr. Rosso-Asiat. i, p. 462, Aves, tab. i

(1811) ; Sharpe, Cat. R. M.'iv, p. 162 ; Gates, B. B. i, p. 278.
Eiythrosterna leueura (Gm.), Rlyth, Cat. p. 171 ; Hortf. # M. Cat.

i, p. 297 ; Jerd. R. I. i, p. 481.
Eiythrosterna albicilla (Pall.), Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 621 ;
Hume &) Dav. S. F. vi, p. 233 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 280 ; Hume,
Cat. no. 323.
Tlie White-tailed Robin Flycatcher, Jerd.; Turra, Hind.; Chut-ki,
Beng.

Coloration. Male. Similar to the male of S. parva, but having
only the chin and throat chestnut, and not the breast, which is
ashy ; it differs also in the crown being, in freshly moulted birds
in good plumage, of the same colour as the back, and in the ear-
coverts being brown instead of bluish ashy.

Female. So similar to the female of /S. parva, as to be undistin-
guishable from it.

I have not been able to examine nestlings of this species, but
there is no reason to think that they differ from those of S. parva.
The youngest birds I have seen are like the females, but with some
fulvous tips to the wing-coverts.

Bill dark brown, yellowish at the gape ; mouth yellow ; iris
hazel-brown ; legs and claws black ; eyelids grey.

Length about 5; tail 2-1; wing 27; tarsus '65; bill from
gape "6.

Distribution. Visits the Eastern portion of the Empire from
October to April, extending on the west as far as Nepal in the
Himalayas and Dinapore in the plains, and southwards to Tenas-
serim. This species summers in Eastern Siberia and Northern
China.

Habits, fyc. The nest and eggs of this bird do not appear to be
known. This Flycatcher frequents groves of trees, running among
the larger branches and constantly flitting its tail up and down
and partially expanding it.

563. Siphia hyperythra. The Indian Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Siphia hvperythra, Cabanis, J.f. Orn. 1866, p. 301 ; Oates in Hume's
N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 2.

rythrosterna parva (Rechst.), Brooks, J. A. S. R. xli, pt. ii, p. 76,
xliii, pt. ii, p. 245.

CYOIINIS. 1 1

Erythrosterna hyperythra {Cab.), Holdsworth, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 442,
pi. 17; Hume, N~. $ E. p. 217; Brooks, S. F. iii, p. 236; Hume,
S. F. vii, p. 376 ; id. Cat. no. 323 ter.

Muscicapa kyperythra {Cab.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. \\, p. 163; Legge,
Birds Ceijl. p. 428.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage dark ashy brown ;
the tail -coverts black; wings and coverts dark brown, edged with
the colour of the back ; tail black, with the same distribution of
white as in S. parva and S. albicilla ; sides of the head dark ashy
brown like the crown ; chin, throat, breast, and upper part of the
abdomen rich chestnut, separated from the head and neck by a
broad black band produced down the sides of the breast; remainder
of the lower plumage white, tinged with rufous on the flanks and
under tail-coverts.

Female. Very similar to the females of S. parva and S. albicilla,
but darker above.

Some young males in May are acquiring the black pectoral band
and show indications of rufous on the throat and breast.

Iris hazel-brown ; bill above brown, pale next the forehead ;
gape and lower mandible fleshy yellow, with the tip dusky; inside
of mouth yellow ; legs and feet deep brown ; soles yellowish
{Legge).

Length about 5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2-7 ; tarsus *75 ; bill from

s a P e ' 6 -

Distribution. Summers in Kashmir and winters in Ceylon. This
species has not yet been procured in the intervening countries
during the periods of migration.

Habits, Sfc. Brooks remarks that this Flycatcher breeds in
Kashmir between 6000 and 7000 feet elevation, but he failed to
find the nest.

Genus CYOIINIS, Blyth, 1843.

I place in the genus C)/ornis fourteen species of Flycatchers in
which the sexes are different, and which appear to be congeneric
in structure, habits, and style of coloration.

The females of some of the species of this genus are amongst
the most difficult of birds to discriminate, and they remained in
great confusion till Sharpe brought them into order with the aid
of Hodgson's types and drawings.

In Cgomis the bill is about half the length of the head,
depressed, and rather broad at the base; the rictal bristles are
moderate ; the wing in most of the species is sharply pointed, and
the first primary generally small; the tail is square or nearly so.

In this genus all the males are blue or black on the upper
plumage, and the females brown or rufescent.

All the species are true Flycatchers, catching their prey on the
wing or by running along branches.

12 MUSCICAPIDvE.

Key to the Species.

a. Base of tail white.

a. White on tail extending nearly to tips of

feathers C. cyaneus, p. 13.

b'. "White on tail confined to base.
a". Upper plumage blue.
a" . Breast orange-chestnut.

a*. No white frontal band C. hodysoni S > P- 14.

bK A white frontal baud C. hyperythrus J , p. 15.

b'". Breast white, pale buff, or fulvous-
grey. _ ' [p. 16.

c 4 . No white supercilium C. leucomelanurus <$ ,

dK A white supercilium C. superciliaris $ , p. 17.

b" . Upper plumage black C. melanuleucus J , p- 18.

b. No white on tail.

c'. Upper plumage blue.

c'. Crown and rump cobalt-blue, back
dull blue.
c". Axillaries and under wing-coverts

white C sapphira <$ , p. 20.

d'". Axillaries and under wing-coverts

chestnut C. oatesi c? , p. 20.

d". Crown, rump, and back of the same
blue.
e". Whole lower plumage white .... C. astigma <$ , p. 19.
f ". Chin, throat, and breast dark blue ;

abdomen white C. pallidipes J , p. 22.

</". Whole lower plumage pale blue . . C. unicolor J, p. 22.
h'". Breast ferruginous or chestnut.

e 4 . Chin and throat blue C. rubeculoides S , P- 23.

f 4 . Throat ferruginous like breast.
a\ First primary about half length

of second ; wing under 3 . . C. tickel/i, p. 25.
b s . First primary much shorter

than half second; wing over 3. C. maynirvstris S , P- ~^-
d'. Upper plumage brown or rufescent.
e". Breast chestnut or ferruginous.
i'". First primary about half length of

second ; sides of head grey .... C. pallidipes $ , p. 22.
k'". First primary much shorter than
half second ; sides of head fulvous
or rufous.
r/ 1 . Wing considerably under 3 . . . . C. rubeculoides $, p. 23.

h x . Wing over 3 C. magnirostris § , p. 26.

f. No chestnut on breast.

/'". Wing considerably over 3.

i x . First primary much shorter than
half second ; yellowish - buff

patch on throat C. oatesi $ , p. 20.

JiK First primary about equal to half

second ; no patch on throat . . C. unicolor $ , p. 22.
m'". Wing considerably under 3.
I*. Second primary equal to ninth ;

wing 2-3 ; tail F6 C. hyperythrus § , p. 15.

m 4 . Second primary shorter than the [p. 16.

secondaries; wing2 - 4; tail 2.. C, leucomelanurus $> ,

CTOHX1S io

m 4 . Second primary between the
sixth and seventh or equal to
seventh. , .

c 5 . Wing 2-8; tail 22 C. hodgsom $ , p. 14.

d\ Wing 2-3 or 2-4 ; tail 17 or 1-8.

a 6 . Chin, throat, and breast pale

butt' or sordid white.

« 7 . Upper tail-coverts and

outer webs of tail-fea-

thers suffused with blue. C. superclliaris ? , p. 17.
b 1 '. Upper tail-coverts and
outer webs of tail-fea-
thers fulvous C. astigma $ , p. 1 J.

c 7 . Upper tail-coverts and
outer webs of tail-fea-

thers bright ferruginous. C. melanoleums % , p. l».
b\ Chin, throat, and breast _

orange-chestnut C. sapplura $ , p. -U.

564. Cyornis cyaneus. The White-tailed Blue Flycatcher.
Muscitrea cyanea, Hume, S. F. v, p. 101 (1877) ; Hume &/ Dav. S. F.

vi. P. 207; Hume, Cat. no. 206 bis. jr.. mo

TrLhastoma leucoproctum, Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 366; Hume,

S. F. vii, p. 318. .

Niltava leucoprocta (Tweedd), Gates, B. b. l, p. -J« :
Pachycephala cyanea {Hume), Gadow, B. M. tat. vui, p.

-Bill of 6'. cyaneus.
Coloration. Male. Lores and front Hue oE the forehead black ;
forebea e owe, nape, and some of the lesser coverts cobalt-blue ,
the Znnin. ving-Joverts and the whole upper plumage deep
m s Thrk brown edged with blue ; the lour middle tail-

;'| ; 'J II hhe be n«t pair white on both webs, with a broad
bltkP «be -xtvo pairs nearly entirely white on the mner

1 lark brown, broadly edged with bright rufous; fad brown,
?Wwith rufous and with the same distnbutaou id ^°J *

'in the male; ear-coverts olive-brown, with pale shalt, • c i ,
1 ,, t Last, and sides of the body rufous-olive ; a large patch ot

14 MUSCICAPID^.

white on the fore neck; middle of the abdomen whitish ; vent and
under tail-coverts pure white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
rufous-ashy.

Bill black ; legs light brown ; iris deep brown (Limbory).

Length about 7 ; tail 3 ; wing 3 - 6 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from gape 1.

Distribution. Muleyit mountain in Tenasserim up to 5000 feet.
This species has also been found on the mountains of Perak in the
Malay peninsula.

Habits, Sfc. A forest bird, fouud constantly on trees, and never
descending to the ground.

565. Cyornis hodgsoni. The Rusty-breasted Blue Flycatcher.

Siphia erythacus, Jerd. <§• Blyth, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 201 (nee Blyth) ;

Jerd. B. I. i, p. 480 ; Hume, S. F. ii, p. 458 ; Godiu.-Aust. J. A.

6'. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 158; Hume, S. F. v, p. 137 ; Hume 8f Bar.

S. F. vi, pp. 233, 510; Hume, Cat. no. 322; id. S. F. xi, p. 115.
Siphia hodgsonii, Verr. N. Arch. Mus. vi, Bull. p. 34 (1870), vii, p. 29 ;

David, op. cit. ix, pi. 4, fig. 4.
Erythrosterna sordida, Godiv.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 158

(1874) ; Hume, S. F. iii, p. 302.
Poliomyias hodgsoni (Verr.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 203 ; Oates,

B. B. i, p. 286.
The Busty-breasted Flycatcher, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage slaty blue ; lores,
cheeks, under the eye, and the upper tail-coverts black ; sides of
the head aud neck slaty blue ; wing-coverts brown edged with
cyaueous ; quills black edged with brown ; tail black, the base of
all the feathers except the middle pair white ; chin, throat, breast,
and abdomen orange-chestnut; lower abdomen, vent, flanks, and
under tail-coverts pale ferruginous.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with fulvous on the
upper tail-coverts ; tail brown, edged on the basal half with fulvous-
brown ; wing-coverts and quills brown edged with fulvous-brown,
and the greater coverts tipped with the same ; lores whitish ; a pale
ring round the eye ; sides of the head olive-brown tinged with
rufous ; lower plumage ashy brown, the abdomen whitish.

The young bird is not known.

The legs and feet vary from dusky liver-brown to plain dark
brown ; the bill in one bird entirely black, in other two blackish,
horny grey on base and lower ridge of rami of lower mandible ;
iris deep brown (Hume).

Length about 5*5 ; tail 2-2 ; wing 2-8 ; tarsus "65 ; bill from gape
•55.

C. luteola is an allied species found outside our limits and differs
chieily in having a considerable amount of white on the wing-coverts
of both sexes. It was to this species that Blyth first applied the
name Siphia erythaca (J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 126, 1847). Subse-
quently he and Jerdon reapplied this name to the Indian species,
for which, under these circumstances, the term erythaca cannot be
used.

CYORNIS. 15

I have examined the types of E. sordida obligingly sent me by
Godwin-Austen and I lind them to be the females of the present-
species.

Distribution. Specimens of this species have been obtained in
Sikhim (March and April) ; Shillong (no date) ; Japvo peak, Naga
hills, at 6000 feet (Januaiy) ; Manipur (February and April); Karen
hills near Toungngoo at 4000 feet (January) ; pine-forests, Sal ween
(February) : Muleyit mountain (January and February). This
Flycatcher extends into China.

566. Cyornis hyperythrus. The Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher.

Dimorpka superciliaris, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi, p. 190 (1842, nee Jerd.).
Muscicapa kyperythra, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi, p. 885 (1842).
Muscicapula rubecula, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 940 (1843).
Siphia superciliaris (Bl.), Blyth, Cat. p. 172 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 480 ;

Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 159 ; Hume, Cat. no. 321 ; id. S. F.

xi, p. 115.
Digenea superciliaris (Bl.), Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 293 ; Hume, N. § E.

p. 216.
Muscicapula kyperythra (BL), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 206.
Cyornis hyperythrus {BL), Oates in Hume's N. §• E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 2.
The Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Jerd.

Coloration. Mcde. Forehead, lores, chin, and cheeks black ; a
frontal band extending to the posterior part of the eye white ; the
whole upper plumage, sides of the head, and wing-coverts slaty
blue ; quills brown, the primaries and secondaries edged with rufous ;
tail brown suffused with slaty blue, aud the bases of all the feathers
except the middle two pairs white ; throat and breast orange-
chestnut, paling below the breast and becoming white on the
abdomen and under tail-coverts ; sides of the body tinged with
brown ; axillaries white.

Female. Forehead, lores, and a conspicuous ring round the eye
fulvous ; sides of the head fulvous-brown with paler shafts : upper
plumage olive-brown, the wings edged with ferruginous and the
tail suffused with rufescent olive-brown ; lower plumage ochraceous,
pale on the throat and abdomen, bright on the breast, the flanks
infuscated.

The young are streaked with fulvous above and on the sides of
the head, and the lower parts are fulvous with black margins on
the feathers of the breast.

Legs and feet very pale silvery to fleshy pink, the terminal joints
of the toes and the claws slightly brownish ; bill black ; iris deep
brown (Hume).

Length about 4-5 ; tail 1-6 ; wing 2-3 ; tarsus '7 ; bill from gape
•5.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Garhwal to Sikhim ; the Khasi
and Naga hills ; Manipur. This species breeds in the Himalayas
and also in the Khasi hills, whence I have seen specimens obtained
iu July and August.

Habits, $c. According to Hodgson this species makes a nest of

16 MUSCICAMD-ffi,

mo?s under the roots, or near the base, of a tree. The eggs are said
to be pale grey or brownish white marked with brownish red, and
to measure about # 68 by - 44.

567. Cyornis leucomelanurus. The Slaty-blue Flycatcher.

Digenea leucomelanura, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 26 ; Mors/. $• 31.

Cat. i, p. 294 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 216 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv,

p. 459, pi. xiii.
Digenoa tricolor, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 26 j Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i,

p. 294.
Siphia tricolor (Hodgs.), Blyth, Cat. p. 172; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 478;

Brooks, S. F. v, p. 471 ; Hume, Cat. no. 318.
Siphia leucomelanura (Hodgs.), Blgth, Cat. p. 172; Jerd. B.I. i,

p. 479; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 32 ; Brooks, J. A.

8. B. xli, pt. jii, p. 76; Blanf. ibid. p. 159 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A.

8. B. xlvii, pt. ii, p. 15 ; Hume, Cat. no. 3^0.
Siphia ruinuta, Hume, Ibis, 1872, p. 109 ; id. S. F. vii, p. 376 ; id.

Cat. no. 318 bis.
Digenea cerviniventris, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 460 (1879) ; Salv.

Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) vii, p. 388.
Cyornis leucomelanurus (Hodgs.), Gates in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed.

ii, p. 3.
The Brown-winged Flycatcher, The Slaty Flycatcher, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage and the margins of the wing-
coverts and tertiaries dull blue ; forehead and eyebrow greyish blue ;
lores and sides of head black ; upper tail-coverts and tail black,
the basal half of all the tail-feathers, except the middle pair, white ;
quills brown, edged with pale rufous ; chin and throat white, and
the remainder of the lower plumage pale fulvous-grey ; sometimes
the whole lower plumage including the chin and throat is a pale
buff.

Female. Whole upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with rufous
on the rump ; upper tail-coverts and tail ferruginous ; a fulvous
ring round the eye ; lores and sides of the head mixed fulvous and
brown : wings brown, margined with pale rufous ; chin, throat,
and middle of the abdomen whitish; remaining lower plumage
ochraceous.

The young nestling has the upper plumage brown sti'eaked with
fulvous and the lower plumage fulvous.

Bill black; legs dark brown; iris brown (Cockburn).

Length about 4*5 ; tail 2 ; wing 24 ; tarsus "75 ; bill from gape *5.

In Sikhim males the chin and throat are generally white and the
lower plumage pale. Birds from Shillong and Manipur become
much darker ; and to such a dark bird from the latter locality Sharpe
gave the name Digenea cerviniventris. I do not think the two
forms are more than races.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Murree and Kashmir to Sib-
sagur and Sadiya in Assam ; the Khusi hills ; Manipur; Karennee.
This species is found up to 7000 or S000 feet.

Habits, ijr. The nest of this Flycatcher is a massive little cup

CYOKNIS. 17

of moss, fur, and wool placed in a hollow at the side of the trunk of
a tree. Brooks found the nest in Kashmir at the commencement
of June. The eggs, four in number, are pale buff clouded with
rufous, and measure about -62 by "48. Many males of this species
breed while still in immature plumage, that is in the plumage of
the female.

568. Cyornis superciliaris. The White-browed Blue
Flycatcher.

Muscicapa superciliaris, Jerd. Madr. Journ. L. 8. xi, p. 16 (1840).

Dimorpha albogularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi, p. 190 (1842).

Muscicapa ciliaris, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool, 3Jisc. p. 84 (1844).

Muscicapa hemileucura, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 84 (1844).

Muscicapula acornaus, Hodgs., Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 127 (1847).

Erythrosterna acornaus (Hodgs.), Blyth, Cat. p. 171 ; Jerd. B. 1. i,
p. 483 ; Hume, Cat. no. 325.

Muscicapula hemileucura (Hodgs.), Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i. p. 296.

Muscicapula albogularis (BL), Horsf. fy 31. Cat. i, p. 297.

Muscicapula superciliaris (Jerd.), Blyth, Cat. p. 172 ; Horsf. fy M.
Cat. i, p. 296; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 470 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii,
pt. ii, p. 30 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 213 ; Ball, S. F. v, p. 415; Hume,
Cat. no. 310 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 204 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.
p. 166.

Muscicapula ciliaris (Hodgs.), Hume, Cat. no. 311 bis.

Cyornis superciliaris (Jerd.), Oates in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii,
P- 4-
The White-browed Blue Flycatcher, Tlie Brown Flycatcher, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage, lesser and median
wing-coverts, ear-coverts, cheeks, and sides of the neck dull blue ;
greater coverts and quills dark brown, edged with pale blue ; tail
black, edged with blue, the basal half of all the feathers except the
median pair white ; lores black ; a broad supercilium from the eye
to the nape white ; a broad collar across the breast, interrupted in
the middle, dull blue like the back; the whole lower plumage
white.

Female. After the autumnal moult the upper plumage is olive
brown, the forehead tinged with fulvous, the crown with minute
dark spots ; the upper tail-coverts tinged with blue ; wing-coverts
and tertiaries edged and tipped with fulvous; the other quills more
narrowly edged with the same ; tail brown, with a tinge of blue on
the outer webs ; lores and sides of the head fulvescent ; lower
plumage pale buff, turning to white on the lower part of the
abdomen and under tail-coverts.

When the plumage becomes worn, the female is frequently found
•with the back and rump suffused with blue.

The nestling is ashy brown above, with numerous buff spots, and
the wing-coverts tipped with the same ; lower plumage pale buff,
closely mottled with brown ; the outer webs of the tail-feathers
suffused with blue. In the young male the white on the tail is
present from the earliest age. The spotted plumage is soon lost,
and the adult plumage quickly acquired.

VOL. II. C

18 MITSCICAPIDvE.

Bill black; legs and feet dull purplish black; iris deep brown
(Hume).

Length about 4*5 ; tail 1'9 ; wing 2*6 ; tarsus '6 ; bill from gape *6.

Distribution. The Himalayas, from Kashmir and the Hazara
country to Sikhim. In summer this species is found up to
12,000 feet; but in winter it descends to the lower ranges, and
many birds find their way to the plains, whence I have examined
specimens procured at Allahabad, Etawah, Jhansi, Saugor, Raipur,
Seoni, and Khandesh. It pi-obably does not occur east of the
longitude of Calcutta. Two birds procured in Kai'ennee by
Wardlaw Ramsay were entered in my ' Birds of Burmah ' as
belonging to this species. On reexamining these specimens, I find
that they are without doubt females of C. astir/ma. Other localities
recorded for this species are Ajanta by Jerdon and Ahmednagar in
the Deccan by Eairbauk.

Habits, <Sfc. Breeds throughout the Himalayas from April to
June, laying five eggs in a cup-shaped nest of moss in a hole of a
tree or between two stones in a wall. The eggs are pale green,
profusely marked with reddish, and measure about "62 by "48.

569. Cyornis melanoleucus. The Little Pied Flycatcher.

Muscicapa maculata, Tick. J. A. S. B. ii, p. 574 (1833, dcscr. mill.),

nee P.L. S. Midi., nee Gmel.
Muscicapula melanoleuca, Hodas., Bh/th, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 940

(1843); id. Cat.y. 172.
Erythrosterna pusilla, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xviii, p. 813 (1849) ; id.

Cat. p. 171 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 482 ; Brooks, S. F. iii, p. 236,

v, p. 471 ; Hume, Cat. no. 324.
Muscicapula maculata (Tick.), Horsf. §• M. Cat. i, p. 296; Sharpe,

Cat. B. M. iv, p. 207 ; Oates, B.B.h, p. 294.
Erythrosterna maculata (Tick.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 483; Brooks, S. F.

iii, p. 277; Hume, Cat. no. 326; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 107;

Hume, S. F. xi, p. 117.

The Rufous-backed Flycatcher, The Little Tied Flycatcher, Jerd. ; Tuni-
ti-ti, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage, including the
lores, cheeks, ear-coverts, and sides of the neck, black ; a very
broad superciliary streak, reaching to the nape and widening pos-
teriorly, white ; the whole lower plumage white ; wings black, the
later secondaries edged with white on the outer webs ; greater
wing-coverts white; tail black, the basal two-thirds of all the
feathers except the middle pair white ; the bases of some of the
feathers of the rump white.

Female. Resembles closely the female of C. superciliaris, but may
be recognized by the bright ferruginous colouring of the upper tail-
coverts and the pale colour of the lower plumage.

Specimens of females from Manipur and south of that place are
generally much darker than those from the Indian peninsula.

The young closely resemble those of C. superciliaris, and are, in
fact, not distinguishable from them.

CTORNIS.

19

Bill, legs, and claws black ; iris deep brown.

Length about 4-5 ; tail 17 ; wing 2'4 ; tarsus '0 ; bill from
gape *55.

Distribution. The Himalayas, from Nepal to the extreme east of
Assam, up to 7000 feet ; the eastern portion of the Empire, from
the Eajmehal hills, Maunbhoom, Hingbhoom, and Midnapore,
through Bengal and Assam, down to Tenasserim and Karennee,
extending to Sumatra and Java. This species breeds in the
Himalayas and also in the Khasi hills ; and from the latter
locality I have seen young nestlings procured in June. To the
other parts above mentioned it appears to be a winter visitor. The
nest of this Flycatcher does not yet appear to have been found.

570. Cyornis astigma. The Little Blue-and-white Flycatcher.

Muscicapa astigma, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc.y*. 84 (1844) ; Gray,

Cat. Mamm. etc. Coll. Hodgs. p. 90, App. p. 155 (1846).
Muscicapula aestigma (Hotly*.), Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 297 ; Jerd.

B. I. i, p. 471 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 157,

xlv, pt. ii, p. 20l, xlvii, pt. ii, p. 22.
Muscicapula astigma (Hodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 205 ; Hume,

Cat. bo. 311 ; id. 8. F. xi, p. 112.
Muscicapula superciliaris {Jerd.), apud Oafes, B. B. \, p. 292.

Coloration. Male. Besembles the male of C. superciliaris.
Differs in having no white on the tail-feathers, the supercilium

Fig. 6. — Bill of C. astigma.

absent or very faintly indicated, and the white on the throat and
breast somewhat narrower.

Female. Besembles the female of C. superciliaris. Differs,
generally speaking, in having the upper tail-coverts more fulvous
than the other parts of the upper plumage, and in never having any
tinge of blue on these parts, as is almost always the case in
C. superciliaris. The plumage may be termed olive-brown on the
sides of the neck and breast, and not buff. The females of the two
species are, however, difficult to separate unless series of both are
examined.

The young are precisely similar to those of C. superciliaris.

Bill and legs black ; iris brown (Cod-burn).

Length about 4'5 ; tail 1*9; wing 26; tarsus -6; bill from
gape '6.

The two female specimens of a Flycatcher procured by Wardlaw
Bam say in Karennee, and referred by me to C. superciliaris in the
' Birds' of Burmah,' are now, I find, females of C. astigma.

c2

20 MUSCICAPID/E.

Distribution. Nepal and Sikhim ; the plains of Bengal, whence I
have seen specimens collected by Brooks at Mudhupur and
Assensole on the E.I. Railway in winter ; the Khasi hills, where
this species is a constant resident and breeds ; probably Manipur,
where Hume procured a specimen which he doubtfully refers to
this species, but which specimen I have not been able to discover
in his collection ; Karennee, where Wardlaw Ramsay obtained two
specimens.

571. Cyornis sapphira. The Sapphire-headed Flycatcher.

Muscicapula sapphira, Tickell, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 939 (1843) ;

Jerd. III. Ind. Orn. pi. 82 ; Blyth, Cat. p. 173 ; Horsf. $ M. Cat.

i, p. 295 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 471 ; Skarpe, Cat. B. M. iv. p. 20S ;

Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aoes, p. 619; Hume, Cat. no. 312.
Siphia superciliaris $, amid Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii,

p. 201.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, and upper tail-coverts
bright ultramarine-blue ; lores and a band from the eyes to the
nostrils black ; sides of the head and neck, upper breast, back, rump,
and visible portions of wing-coverts deep purplish blue; quills
black, narrowly edged with blue ; tail black, the outer webs suffused
with bright blue; chin, throat, and upper breast chestnut; remainder
of lower plumage pale bluish white ; under wing-coverts and axil-
laries white.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown tinged with rufous ; the
upper tail-coverts ferruginous ; wing-coverts and quills dark brown,
edged with rufous ; forehead and sides of the head bright fulvous-
brown, with a ring of fulvous round the eye ; chin, throat, and
breast pale orange-chestnut; remainder of lower plumage whitish,
the flanks and sides of the body tinged with fulvous ; under wing-
coverts and axillaries white.

The female of this species, with its red throat and breast, cannot
be confounded with the females of C. super cilia ris, C. melanoleucus,
or C. astigma.

The nestling is densely spotted above and on the coverts with
fulvous, and mottled with brown below.

At the autumn moult young males assume the plumage of the
female, but have the wings, tail, rump, and upper tail-coverts like
the adult male.

Bill black ; legs ashy brown; iris brown (Cockburn).

Length 4-5 ; tail 1-8 ; wing 2-3 ; tarsus -6 ; bill from gape -55.

Distribution. A permanent resident in Sikhim, probably extending
into Nepal ; found also in the Graro and Naga hills, and in the hills
to the east of Bhamo.

572. Cyornis oatesi. The Rufous-bellied Blue Flycatcher.

Cvornis vivida, Swinh. apud Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi, p. 229 ; Hume
Cat. no. 309 bis ; id. 8. F. xi, p. ] 11.

CTORNIS. 21

Niltava vivida (Swin/i.), apud Sharpe, Cat. B.M. iv, p. 403 (part ) •
Oates, B. B. i. p. 296.

Niltava oatesi, Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) v, pp. 514 (1887),
578 (1888).

Coloration. Male. Forehead and lores deep black ; crown, nape,
rump, upper tail-coverts, lesser and median wing-coverts shining
cobalt-blue: back and scapulars dark bluish black; winglet and

Fig. 7.— Bill of C. oaf est.

priinary-coverts black ; greater coverts and quills black, edged with
blue ; tail black, the outer webs suffused with cobalt-blue ; region
of eye and ear-coverts black, the latter bordered posteriorly by a
band of cobalt-blue running up to the nape ; chin and throat
black suffused with blue ; remainder of lower plumage, auxiliaries,
and under wing-coverts chestnut.

Female. Forehead, lores, round the eye, cheeks, chin, and upper
throat rufous, speckled and irregularly barred with brown; under
tail-coverts and a large patch on the throat, the axillaries, and under
wing-coverts clear yellowish buff ; remainder of lower plumage
ashy olive suffused with buff; crown, nape, and sides of neck
ashy brown ; remainder of upper plumage olive-brown with a
fulvous tinge ; tail brown, suffused with rufous on the outer
webs.

Legs, feet, and claws dark to blackish brown ; soles yellowish ;
bill black ; iris deep brown to reddish chocolate (Hume).

Length about 7*5; tarsus "7 to - 8; bill from gape about "8.
Males from Tenasserim have -wings varying from 3 - 7 to 4, tails 3
to 3*7 ; males from Manipur have wings varying from 3*9 to 4,
tails 3*1 to 3-3. In the females the wing is 3 # 7, and the tail 2'8
to 3-2.

C. vividus from China differs from the present species in being
much smaller, the wing in males varying irom 3-3 to 3*5 and tail
2 - 6 to 2-8 ; in females the wing is 3'3 and the tail 2*5. The male
has the upper parts of a much more brilliant blue. The female
differs merely in size.

I have examined the type of C. oatesi, and find it the same bird
as the one which Hume identified with doubt with c. vividus, and
of which there are numerous specimens in the Hume collection
from Manipur and Tenasserim.

There is a female specimen of a Cyorais in the Hume collection
from Tenasserim, which I cannot identify with any known species.
It differs from the females of C. oatesi and C. vividus, among other
things, in wanting the conspicuous yellowish-buff patch on the
throat. It is probably the female of an undescribed species, and

22 MUSCICAPIDJE.

it appears to be the same as a specimen noticed by Count Salvadori
(Aim. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) vii. p. 385, 1889) under the generic name
of Niltava. Mr. Fea procured this specimen in Karennee, and
Count Salvadori, with his usual courtesy, forwarded it to me for
examination. Being a female specimen, and, as such, difficult to
deal with till the male is known, the Count has prudently
refrained from naming it*.
Distribution. Muleyit mountain in Tenasserim ; Manipur.

573. Cyomis pallidipes. The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher.

Muscicapa pallipes, Jerri. Madr. Journ. L. S. xi, p. 15 (1840).
Cyornis pallipes (Jerri.), Blyth, Cat. p. 338; Jerri. B. 1. i, p. 469 ;
' Hume, S. F. iv, p. 397 ; id. Cat. no. 309 ; Butler, S. F. ix, p. 397 ;
Davison, S. F. x, p. 371 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 165.
Siphia pallidipes (Jerri.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 444.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and a supercilium ultramarine-
blue ; lores and a space in front of the eye black ; feathers round
the eye bluish black ; whole upper plumage, sides of the head and
neck, chin, throat, breast, and the margins of the wings and tail
indigo-blue; the lesser wing-coverts brighter; abdomen, vent, and
under wing-coverts white.

Female. Lores, in front of the eye, and the point of the chin
white ; an indistinct supercilium grey ; ear-coverts greyish brown :
forehead, crown, and nape ashy brown ; upper plumage and the
sides of the neck rufescent olive-brown, the upper tail-coverts and
the outer webs of the tail-feathers chestnut; wings brown, mar-
gined with pale rufous ; throat and breast orange-chestnut
remainder of the lower plumage white.

Legs and feet fleshy tinged purple ; bill black ; iris dark wood-
brown (Davison).

Length about 6-5; tail 2*6; wing 3; tarsus '75; bill from
gape "75.

Distribution. A permanent resident in the South of India on the
Western Grhats, from about the latitude of Belgaum to Mynall
in Travancore. This species appears to be found up to about 6000
feet.

Habits, Sfc. Davison calls this Flycatcher a magnificent songster.

574. Cyornis unicolor. The Pale Blue Flycatcher.

Cyornis unicolor, Blyih, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 1007 (1843); id. Cat.
p. 173; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 405; Wald. Ibis, 1876, p. 353; Godic-
Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii, pp. 71, 105, xlvii, pt. ii, p. 15 ; Hume,

* Count Salvadori thus describes the specimen : —

" $. Supra olivacca,]yileoet cerviee griscis ; urom/gio et supracaudalibus
hrunneo-rufescentibus ; f route, lateribus capitis et gu'laritjo f metis, quia ima
albicante ; gastrreo reliquo griseo-olivaceo, pectore magis olivasente sub-
caudalibus el mibalaribus fulvescente-albidis ; alls fascis, ex-ternis brunneo-
olivaceo marqiiiatis ; cauda brimneo-rufesccnte ; rostro nigra; pedibus
fuseis. Long, tota m ,200 ; al. m ,096; caud. O m ,077 ; rostri culm
n '.010; tarei m ,02Q." ■

CYORNIS. 23

Sir. F. vii, p. 516 ; id. Cat. no. 303 ; Salvador i, Ann. Mus. Civ.
Gen. (2) vii, p. 386; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 107; Gates in Humes N.
$ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 5.
Siphia unicolor (Bl. ), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 444.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, a broad eyebrow, and the lesser
wing-coverts ultramarine-blue; lores black, tipped with blue;
sides of the head and neck and the whole upper plumage, with the
exposed parts of the closed wing, light blue ; upper tail-coverts
and the margins of the tail-feathers deep blue ; lower plumage
pale dull blue, becoming albescent on the abdomen ; the under
tail-coverts broadly fringed with white ; axillaries pale fulvous.

Female. Lores and a ring round the eye pale rufescent ; the
whole upper plumage olive-brown tinged with rufous ; the upper
tail-coverts and the margins of the wings, together with the whole
tail, ferruginous ; the whole lower plumage earthy brown, tinged
with ochraceous on the sides of the body ; abdomen albescent ;
axillaries pale fulvous.

The young nestling is brown, densely spotted and mottled with
bright fulvous.

In the male the legs and feet are dull pale purple ; bill black ;
iris brown. In the female the legs and feet are greyish brown ;
upper mandible brown, lower mandible pale bluish horny ; iris
brown {Hume).

Length about 6-5 ; tail 2*8 ; wing 3-3 ; tarsus '65 ; bill from
gape •75.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Sikhim to the Daphla hills in
Assam ; the Khtisi hills ; the Naga hills ; Manipur ; Karennee ;
probably Arrakan.

C. cyanopolius, Blyth, from the Malay peninsula and islands, is
a much brighter bird than G. unicolor, and may be kept distinct.

Habits, <$fc. Mandelli found the nest of this bird in Sikhim in
August, a cup of moss and fern-roots placed in a depression in the
trunk of a tree about 10 feet from the ground.

575. Cyornis mbeculoides. The Blue -throated Fit/catcher.

Phoenicura mbeculoides, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 35 ; Gould, Cent.

pi. 25, fig. 1.
Cyornis rubeculoides (Vig.), Blyth, Cat. p. 173 ; Horsf. ,y M. Cat. i,
p. 289; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 406; Hume, N. §■ E. p. 211 ; Hume #
Dav. S. F. vi, p. 227 ; Anders. Yunnan JZxped., Aves, p. 619 ;
Hume, Cat. no. 304 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 164 ; Hume, S. F. xi,
p. 107 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 5.
Siphia rubeculoides (Vig.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 445 ; Legge,

Birds Ceyl. p. 424 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 287. _
Cyornis dialilsema, Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) vii, p. 387
" (1889).

The Blue-throated Redbreast, Jerd.; Chatki. Beng. Manzhil-pho,
Lepch.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and a streak over the eye glis-

24 muscicapid^.

tening blue; lores and the feathers at the base of the bill black ;
ear-coverts dusky blue ; upper plumage dark blue, the tail with

Fig. 8.— Bill of C. rubeeuloides.

black shafts and the inner webs mostly brown ; wings dark brown,
each feather narrowly edged with dark blue ; lesser wing-coverts
bright blue; chin, throat, cheeks, and sides of the neck dusky
blue ; breast and upper abdomen bright ferruginous ; lower ab-
domen and under tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts pale
ferruginous.

Female. Lores albescent; upper plumage olive-brown, tinged
with ferruginous, especially on the forehead, round the eye, and
on the upper tail-coverts ; wings and tail brown, edged with fer-
ruginous ; chin, throat, and breast ruddy ferruginous ; abdomen
and under tail-coverts white.

The young are brown, streaked above with fulvous, the coverts
broadly tipped with fulvous ; throat and breast bright fulvous
mottled with brown ; abdomen white.

Iris brown; bill black, flesh-coloured at the gape ; legs and toes
pale flesh-colour ; claws pale horn-colour.

Length 57 ; tail 2*4; wing 2-7 ; tarsus '7 ; bill from gape *7.
All the males of this species throughout the continent of India,
and from Assam to Manipur have the blue on the throat of con-
siderable extent, and sharply defined from the red breast. In only
a very few instances does the red of the breast run up into the
blue for a short distance.

From Manipur to Tenasserim the males almost invariably have
the red running up into the blue throat, but a considerable amount
of blue is always left between the tip of the red and the angle of
the chin. The amount and character of the blue on the sides of
the throat also varies a good deal in this species. I am therefore
quite unable to recognize the Tenasserim and Karennee race as
distinct from the Indian, as the transition from one type to the
other is very gradual.

Distribution. The whole extent of the Himalayas up to 6000 or
7000 feet; a considerable portion of the plains of India from the
Himalayas to Ceylon ; I have failed to And any record of the
occurrence of this species in Sind, the Punjab, Eajputana, Guzerat,
and Cutch; the line of migration from Kashmir is apparently
along the Himalayas to Nepal, and thence to the plains. In India
proper this bird is by no means common, but to the east, through-
out Burma down to the extreme south of Tenasserim, it is more
abundant. It is found in the Himalayas during the summer, and

CYORNIS. 25

in the plains during the winter ; but in some portions of the latter
this Flycatcher appears to be a constant resident, Hume stating
that it breeds in Manipur, and Davison having found the nest in
Tenasserim near Te at the end of March. In Pegu it appeared
to me to be only a winter visitor. In the Malay peninsula this
species is replaced by C. elegans, in which the throat is a bright
blue.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the Himalayas from April to June, con-
structing a nest of moss and lichens iu a hole of a tree, bank, or
rock. The eggs, three or four in number, are greenish or brownish
stone-colour, marked with purplish brown, and measure about '73
by -6.

576. Cyornis tickelli. TickelVs Blue Flycatcher.

Cvoruis b.inyumas (Horsf.), apud Blyth, Cat. p. 17-3 ; Horsf. $• M.

" Cat. i, p. 290 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 466.
Cyornis tickellise, Bh/th, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 941 (1843) ; Jerd. B. I.

i, p. 467; Blanf. Ibis, 1870, p. 533; Lloyd, Ibis,' 1872, p. 197 ;

Hume, N. 8f E. p. 212 ; id. S. F. Hi, p. 468.
Cyornis elegans (Temm.), apud Blyth, Cat. i, p. 173.
Cvoruis jerdoni, O. R. Gray, Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 371 ; Hume, Cat.

"no. 305.
Cyornis tickelli, Blyth, Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 620 ; Hume,

Cat. no. 306; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 164; Oates in Hume's N. fy

E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 7.
Siphia tickellise (Bl.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 447; Legge, Birds

Ceyl. p. 421 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 289.
HorsfieUV s Blue Redbreast, TickelVs Blue Redbreast, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Resembles the male of C. rubeculoides, but is
larger and of a duller colour ; the rufous of the breast runs up
into the throat and chin, leaving only the extreme point of the
latter black.

Female. Resembles the male closely. The whole upper plumage,
sides of the head, coverts aud visible portions of the closed wings
and tail dull blue; forehead, eyebrow, and bend of wing shining
cobalt-blue; lores and feathers over the nostrils whitish; chin,
throat, and breast pale orange ; remainder of lower plumage,
whitish.

The young are streaked with fulvous, and resemble the young of
the other members of the genus.

Iris brown ; bill blackish ; legs and feet bluish brown, dusky
bluish, or bluish grey (Legge).

Length nearly 6 ; tail 2-5 ; wing 2-8 ; tarsus *7 ; bill from
gape "75.

The few Tenasserim specimens I have seen agree well in colour
and size with Indian ones, but at Kossoom, in the Malay Penin-
sula, a very much smaller race occurs, which may hereafter be
thought worthy of separation under a distinct name. I have only
been able to examine four specimens, and cannot do more than
draw attention to the subject.

26 MUSCIC'ATIDJE.

Distribution. The whole peninsula of India, except Sind and the
extreme north-west portion. This species is absent from the
Himalayas. It appears to be a resident wherever found, but may
be locally migratory according to season and place. To the east
it has occurred in Manipur, the hills east of Bhamo, the Karen
hills east of Toungngoo, Karennee, Thoungyah in Tenasseium,
extending to Kossoom in the Malay peninsula in a modified form
as above noticed. This Flycatcher occurs in Cevlon up to 4000
feet.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in May, June, and July, constructing a nest
of dead leaves and grass in a hole of a bank or tree, and laying
three eggs, which are so thickly speckled as to appear to be of an
olive-colour or brownish rufous throughout, and measure about *76
by -56.

577. Cyornis magnirostris. The Large-billed Blue Flycatcher.

Cyoruis magnirostris, Bli/th, J. A. S. B. xviii, p. 814 (1849); Jerd.
' B. I. i, p. 469 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix, pt. ii, p. 100 ;

Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 158 ; Hume, Cat. no. 308.
Siphia magnirostris (BL), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 45u ; Oates, B.

B. i, p. 290.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage, cheeks, ear-coverts, sides of
the neck, and wing-coverts deep blue, brilliant on the forehead and
over the lores and eyes ; feathers at the base of the upper man-
dible and lores black ; chin, throat, and breast chestnut ; sides of
the breast blue ; sides of the abdomen fulvous ; middle of the ab-
domen and the under tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries clear buff ; tail-feathers dark brown, suffused with blue
on the outer webs; greater wing-coverts and quills dark brown,
with dull blue margins.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with rufous on the
upper tail-coverts ; tail brown, suffused with ferruginous ; coverts
and quills brown, edged with rufous-olive ; lores and a ring round
the eye fulvous ; chin, throat, and breast orange-rufous, paler on
the chin and throat ; flanks suffused with ochraceous ; abdomen
and under tail-coverts white.

The young are similar to those of C. rubeculoules.

Iris dark brown ; legs pale flesh-colour (Godwin-Austen).

Length about 6; tail 2-5; wing 3-2; tarsus -J; bill from
gape *9.

Distribution. Sikhim ; Cachar ; the Khasi hills; the extreme
south of Tenasserim. The distribution of this species as known
is very incomplete, and it will probably be found spread over the
greater part of Assam and Burma. It is a resident in Sikhim ;
occurs in Cachar in May, and in Tenasserim from December to
March.

There are some specimens of this bird in the Hodgson collection,
but nothing to show that- they came from Nepal. They were
probably obtained in Sikhim.

NTTTDUr-A. — STOPAROLA.

Genus NITIDULA, Jerdon & Blyth, 1861.

The single species of this genus differs from the members of
Cyornis in having a very narrow slender bill. It has been observed
very little, and I cannot find a single note about its habits. In
structure this bird is a true Flycatcher, having well-developed hairs
over the nostrils.

578. Nitidula hodgsoni. The Pigmy Blue Flycatcher.

Nemura hodgsoni', Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 70, pi. 62 : Horsf. $■ M.

Cat. i, p. 300.
Nitidula campbelli, Jerdon $ Blyth, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 201.
Nitidula hodgsoni (Moore), Jerd. B. I. \, p. -472 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B.

xli, pt. ii, p. 159; Oodw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xlvii, pt. u, p. 15;

Hume, Cat. no. 313 ; id. 8. F. xi, p. 112.
Tarsiger hodgsoni {Moore), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 258.

Coloration. Male. Lores and a frontal baud black ; sides of the
head black, with a bluish tinge ; the whole upper plumage bright

Fig. 9.— Bill of N. hodgsoni.

blue, the anterior half of the crown ultramarine ; wings and tail
black, the outer webs edged with blue ; the whole lower plumage
pale orange-yellow ; under wing-coverts and axillaries vyhite.

Female. The whole upper plumage, the exterior margins of the
wing- and tail-feathers, and the ear-coverts olive-brown, slightly
rufescent on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; lores and cheeks
fulvous yellow, slightly mottled with brown; the whole lower
plumage saffron-yellow, paling on the abdomen and under tail-
coverts.

I have not been able to examine a nestling bird ; but after the
autumn moult the young of both sexes resemble the adult female,
and the male begins to assume the adult plumage about March.

Bill black ; legs pale reddish ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length nearly 4 ; tail 1*4 ; wing 1*9 ; tarsus -6 ; bill from

gape - 5.

Distribution. A resident species in Sikhim up to /000 feet or
higher ; Sadiya and Dibrugarh in Assam ; the Naga hills.

Genus STOPAROLA, Blyth, 1847.

The genus Stoparola is hardly worthy of separation from
Cyornis. All the members of the genus, however, are green or
blue throughout in both sexes, and the tvpe of the genus has a

2S MUSCTCAPIDJE.

small and very depressed bill which, when viewed from above,
forms an equilateral triangle.

Two members of the genus are sedentary and confined to small
areas. The third is spread over the Empire and is migratory to a
greater or less extent. They are typical Flycatchers in habits.

Key to the Species.

a. No white on tail.

a'. First primary much shorter than half

second ; tail blue or green S. melanops, p. 28.

b'. First primary quite half the length of

second ; tail dark brown & sordida, p. 29.

b. Base of tail white S. albicaudata, p. 30.

579. Stoparola melanops. The Verditer Flycatcher.

Muscicapa melanops, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 171 ; Gould, Cent.

pi. 6.
Stoparola melanops (Vic/.), Blyth, Cat. p. 174; Hume, N. 8f E.

p. 208 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 438 ; Hume, Cat. no. 301 ;

Oates, B. B. i, p. 285 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 164 ; Oates in Hume's

N. # E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 9.

Nil kat-latia, Beng. ; Sibyell-pho, Lepch.

Fig. 10. — Bill of S. melanops.

Coloration. Male. Lores, feathers in front of the eye and the
feathers at the base of the upper mandible black ; the whole plum-
age verditer-blue, brightest on the forehead, chin, throat, breast,
and upper tail-coverts ; under tail-coverts broadly fringed with
white ; tail blue, the shafts black and the inner webs edged with
brown; primaries and secondaries blue on the outer and black on
the inner webs ; tertiaries wholly blue ; upper wing-coverts blue.

Female. The general colour is much duller, but otherwise re-
sembles the male; the chin and throat are mottled with white, the
lores are brown, and the under tail-coverts are more broadly fringed
with white.

The young are greenish grey, the sides of the head and the whole
lower plumage being spotted with fulvous. Occasionally white
spots are present on the head and back, aud one adult has a white
nape-patch.

The Stoparola spilonota of Gray (Hand-list, no. 4898), the type
of which is still in the British Museum, resembles the present

STOPAROLA. 29

species, but each feather of the rump, upper tail-coverts, aud
abdomen has a triangular streak of brown. No other specimen
resembling it has yet been found, aud it is probably an accidental
variety. It came from Nepal.

Bill and legs black ; iris brown ; mouth flesh-colour ; claws
black.

Length about 6 ; tail 2 - 8 ; wing 3 - 2 ; tarsus *65 ; bill from
gape "7.

Distribution. The whole Empire with the exception of Sind,
Ceylon, the Andamans and Nicobars, and that portion of the
peninsula of India south of the Nilgiris. This species breeds
throughout the Himalayas up to about 9000 feet, and visits the
plains during the winter. It probably breeds in some portions of
the plains, and in some of the hill-ranges of the peninsula and
Burma, for I have examined specimens killed at Ahmednagar in
July, >Shillong in the same mouth, and Momein, to the east of
Bhamo, in June. Hume found it breeding in Manipur, and
Godwin-Austen on the Khasi hills. This Flycatcher extends into
China, Cochin Chinn, and the Malay peninsula.

Habits, cf-c. Breeds from April to July, constructing a nest of
moss inside a hole in a tree, wall, or bank, and laying four eggs
which are pinky white, sometimes unmarked, at others speckled with
reddish. The eggs measure about -78 by '57.

580. Stoparola SOrdida. The Dusky-blue Flycatcher-.

Glaucomyias sordida, Wald. A. M. N. H. (4) x, p. 218 (1870) ;

Hume, S. F. iii, p. 401.
Stoparola sordida (Wald.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 440; Hume,

Cat. no. 302 bis ; Leyye, Birds Ceyl. p. 419, pi. xviii ; Oates in

Hume^s N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 11.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and a short eyebrow bright cobalt-
blue ; lores and region of the nostrils black ; the whole body-
plumage ashy grey tinged with blue, brightest on the crown ;
abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts albescent ; wing-coverts,
wings, and tail dark brown, very narrowly margined with ashy
blue.

The young are dark brown above, each feather with a streak or
oval drop of fulvous in the centre ; lower plumage fulvous white,
each feather margined with blackish ; abdomen albescent.

Iris reddish brown to brown ; bill black ; legs and feet dark
plumbeous, the feet sometimes blackish, much darker than tarsus ;
claws black (Legye).

Length about 6 ; tail 2-5 ; wing 3 ; tarsus *75 ; bill from
gape # 7.

It is very probable that the female of this species will be found
to be slightly duller in colour than the male, but I have seen no
sexed female. All the birds in the small series of this species in
the British Museum appear to be males, but only one is so sexed.

Distribution. A resident in Ceylon up to 2000 feet.

30 mtjscicapidjE.

581. Stoparola albicaudata. The Nilghiri Bine Flycatcher.

Muscicapa albicaudata, Jerd. Madr. Journ. L. fy S. xi, p. 16 (1840) ;
id. III. Ind. Orn. pi. xiv.

Stoparola albicaudata (Jerd.), Blylh, Cat. p. 175; Hume, N. $ E.
p. 210 ; id. Cat. no. 302 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 437 ; Davison,
S. F. x, p. 370; Gates in Humes N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 11.

Hypothymis albicaudata {Jerd.), Horsf. fy M. Cat. i, p. 292.

Eumyias albicaudata {Jerd.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 464.

Coloration. Male. The whole plumage indigo-blue; the fore-
head, a short and broad eyebrow, and the edge of the wing ultra-
marine-blue ; the throat suffused with the same ; lores and the
region of the nostrils black ; abdomen bluish brown mottled with
white ; under tail -coverts bluish brown, broadly fringed with white ;
wings and tail dark brown edged with blue, all the tail-feathers
except the median pair white at the base.

Female. The whole upper plumage dull greyish tinged with
olivaceous; upper tail-coverts dark bluish brown; tail blackish,
the bases of all the feathers except the median pair white ; entire
lower plumage dull greyish blue, tinged with olivaceous on the
throat and fore neck ; coverts and quills dark brown edged with
rufescent, the greater coverts tipped with fulvous.

The young have the upper plumage and wing-coverts brown,
each feather margined with black and centred with fulvous; wings
and tail as in the adult ; lower plumage pale greyish brown, barred
with black and fulvous.

Bill, legs, and feet black ; iris dark brown (Davison).

Length about 6 ; tail 2-6 ; wing 3-2 ; tarsus *75 ; bill from
gape '7.

Distribution. The Nilgiri and Palni hills up to 7000 feet.

Habits, <$fc. Breeds from February to May, constructing a nest
of moss in a hole in a tree, wall, or bank, and laying three eggs,
which are white or pale buff marked with reddish, and measure
about -81 by "SO.

Genus MUSCITREA, Blyth, 1847.

The genus Muscitrea contains one Indian species the position of
which is somewhat doubtful. The British Museum does not con-
tain a nestling bird of this species, but judging from the circum-
stauce that a few birds have the wing-coverts margined with
rufous, as is the case with so many young Thrushes and Flycatchers,
I incline to the belief that the nestling will prove to be spotted.
The presence of numerous long hairs over the nostrils further
induces me to place this species in its present position.

In Muscitrea the sexes are alike ; the bill is strong, deep, and
much compressed laterally ; the wing is rather long and straight,
and the first primary is large, being more than half the length of
the second ; the tail is square, and the plumage brown.

There is but little on record about the habits of this bird. The

ANTHIPES.

31

one T observed in Pegu was solitary and silent, and was perched
on a stalk of elephant-grass.

582. Muscitrea grisola. The Grey Flycatch< r.

Tephrodornis grisola, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 180* (1843) ; id. Cat.

p. 153 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 111.
Muscitrea cinerea, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 122; Hume, S. t. v,

p. 101.
Hylocharis philomela (Bote), Hume, S. F. n, p. 201.
Hylocharis occipitalis,' Hume, S. F. ii, p. 202 (1874).
Muscitrea grisola (BL), Hume $ Dav. S. F. vi, p. 206 ; Hume, tat.

no. 266] Oates, B. B.i, p. 257.
Pachycephala grisola (BL), Gadow, Cat. B. M. vm, p. 220.

The Arakan IVood-Shrike, Jerd.

Figs. 11 & 12.— Head and bill of M. grisola.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and lores ashy brown ; upper
plumage, wings, and tail rufous- or olive-brown, the secondaries
broadly edged with rufous ; sides of the head pale brown ; chin
and throat white mottled with ashy ; breast pale ashy ; remainder
of lower plumage and under wing-coverts white.

The young are slightly rufous.

Bill dark brownish black ; mouth flesh-colour ; iris reddish
brown; eyelids plumbeous; legs plumbeous; claws pale horn-
colour.

Length about 6*5 ; tail 2-6 ; wing 3-3 ; tarsus -8 ; bill from

gape - 8.

Some specimens are paler and greyer, others darker and browner,
and the plumage varies apparently according to the length of time
which has elapsed since the moult in the autumn.

Distribution. Jerdon states that this species has been procured
near Calcutta; it occurs in the Andaman Islands, Arrakan, Pegu,
and Tenasserim, extending to the Malay peninsula and islands.

Genus ANTHIPES, Blyth, 1847.

I place in the genus Antliipes&xe species of Flycatchers in which
the sexes are alike, the plumage brown or rufous, relieved, in the
case of three, by a patch of white on the throat, the bill flattened,
the first primary large, and the lower mandible dark coloured.
Thev are all very local, and they are not known to migrate.

In additiou to the above characters the rictal bristles are long
but few in number, and the tail is square.

32

MUSOICAPIIhE.

Key to the Species.

a. Chin and throat white, in strong contrast to

surrounding parts.
a'. White of chin and throat surrounded by a
firm black band.

a". Forehead and eyebrow fulvous A. moniliger, p. 32.

V '. Forehead and eyebrow white A. leucops, p. 33.

b . White of chin and throat not surrounded

by a black band A. submoniliger, p. 33

b. Chin and throat buff or whitish, blending with

surrounding parts.

&. General colour of lower plumage orange-
buff A. poliogenys, p. 33.

d'. General colour of lower plumage white,
merely tinged with ochraceous on breast
and flanks A. olivaccus, p. 34.

583. Anthipes moniliger. Hodgson's White-gorgeted
Flycatcher.

Dimorpha monileger, Itodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 26.

Anthipes gularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 122 (1847).

Anthipes moniliger (itodgs.), Blyth, Cat. p. 172 ; Jerd. B. I. i,

p. 477; Hume, Cat. no. 317 ; Oates in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed.

ii, p. 13.
Digenea moniliger (Hodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 4G0, pi. xiv,

fig. 1 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 300.

The White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Jerd. ; Phatt-tagralc-pho, Lepch.

ifftf!

Fig. 13. — Bill of A. moniliger.

Coloration. Forehead and a short eyebrow bright fulvous ; lores,
ear-coverts, and under the eye greyish brown with white shafts ;
the whole upper plumage and sides of the head olive-brown tinged
with rufous on the rump ; upper tail-coverts and tail dull ferru-
ginous ; coverts and wings brown edged with ferruginous ; chin
and throat white, surrounded on all sides by a black band ; lower
plumage fulvous-olive, becoming white on the abdomen.

Bill black ; legs and claws pale fleshy ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length about 5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2-4 ; tarsus -8 ; bill from gape *6.

The young nestling is no doubt spotted, but the youngest bird I
have seen merely differs from the adult in not having the black
band round the white of the throat.

Distribution. Sikhim up to about 7000 feet or so. Hodgson's
specimens, now in the British Museum, do not appear to have been
obtained in Nepal but in Sikhim.

Habits, <Sfc. According to Mandelli, this species breeds in Sikhim

ANTHIPES. 33

from April to June, constructing a nest of moss on the ground in
grass and low jungle. The eggs are described as being white
marked with brownish red, and measuring about *73 by "54.

584. Anthipes leucops. Sharpe 1 s White-gorgeted Flycatcher.

Anthipes moniliger (Hodys.), Blyth $ Walden, Birds Burnt, p. 103 ;

Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii, p. 195.
Digenea leucops, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1888, p. 24G.

Coloration. Resembles A. moniliger, but has the forehead and
eyebrow white, and the sides of the head ashy grey.

Iris bright dark brown ; bill slate-brown ; legs white tinged
fleshy ( Wardlaiv Ramsay).

Of the same size as A. moniliger.

Distribution. The Khasi hills ; Gonglong, Manipur hills ; Karen-
nee at 5000 feet.

585. Anthipes submoniliger. Hume's White-gorgeted

Flycatcher.

Anthipes submoniliger, Hume, S. F. v, p. 105 (1877) ; HumeSf Dav.

8. F. vi, pp. 232, 510; Hume, Cat. no. 317 bis. _
Digenea submoniliger (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv, p. 461 ; Oates,

B. B. i, p. 301 ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1888, p. 246.

Coloration. Upper plumage fulvous-brown ; forehead, lores, a
broad but short supercilium, and a circle of feathers round the eye
rich golden-fulvous ; sides of the head fulvous-brown ; chin and
throat white, with a few black feathers on the side of the chin ;
breast and flanks olive-brown ; abdomen, vent, and under tail-
coverts white ; wings and wing-coverts brown, edged with rufous ;
tail ferruginous.

Bill black, yellowish on lower mandible ; iris deep brown ;
legs fleshy white (Davison).

Length about 5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2*4 ; tarsus -85 ; bill from gape -6.

Distribution. Tenasserim, where this species has been found on
Muleyit mountain and at the foot of Nwalabo mountain.

586. Anthipes poliogenys. Broolss Flycatcher.

Cyornis poliogenys, Brooks, S. F. viii, p. 4C9 (1879) ; Hume, S. F.

ix, pp. 96, 295, xi, p. 108.
Siphia cacharensis, Madardsz, Zeitschr. yes. Orn. 1884, p. 52, pi. i,

fig. 2.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, and nape greyish brown; back,
rump, scapulars, and the margins of the quills olive-brown ; upper
tail-coverts and tail ferruginous ; lores and a ring round the eye
light grey ; sides of the head brownish grey ; chin and throat pale
buff ; breast and sides of the body orange-buff ; middle of the
abdomen whitish ; under tail-coverts pale buff or buffy white.

TOL. II. D

34 MITSCICAPID.E.

Iris brown ; bill black ; edges of the eyelids yellowish ; legs pale
greyish pink, pale silvery fleshy, pale silvery purplish (Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*4 ; wing 2-8 ; tarsus -75 ; bill from
gapo -8.

This bird resembles the female of Cyonus rubeculoides, but may
be recognized at a glance by the size of its first primary, which is
equal to half the length of the second, whereas in C. rubeculoides
the first primary is much less than half the second.

Distribution. The Bhutan Doars ; Dibrugarb in Assam ; Shil-
long ; Cachar ; Tipperah ; Manipur. Hume records this species
from the Sikhim Terai.

587. Anthipes olivaceus. Humes Flycatcher.

Cyornis olivacea, Hume, S. F. v, p. 338 (1877) ; Hume $■ Dav. S. F.

vi, p. 229 ; Hume, Cat. no. 307 ter.
Siphia olivacea (Hume), Shaipe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 457 ; Oates, B. B.

i, p. 292.

Coloration. Upper plumage greyish brown, tinged with fulvous
on the back and rump ; lores and the sides of the head ashy, the
shafts of the ear-coverts whitish ; lower plumage whitish, the breast
and the sides of the body suffused with ochraceous ; tail reddish
brown edged with ferruginous ; wing-coverts and quills brown
edged with rufous-brown.

Bill black in the male, brown in the female ; iris brown ; legs,
feet, and claws pinkish white (Hume 3f Davison).

Length 5-8 ; tail 2*5 ; wing 3 ; tarsus '75 ; bill from gape '8.

The young bird, which Hume identified with some doubt with
Hemichelidonferruginea (S. F. vi, p. 227), is in my opinion the young
of the present species. It resembles very closely tbe young of
Cyornis rubeculoides at the same age.

Distribution. The extreme southern part of Tenasserim at Ban-
ka^un and Maiawun. This species ako occurs in Java and Borneo.
It appears to be a resident in Tenasserim, Hume's specimens having
been obtained in March, June, and December.

Genus ALSEONAX, Cabanis, 1850.

Tbe genus Alseonax contains three Indian Flycatchers which are
allied to Cyornis. In Alseonax, however, the sexes are alike and
the plumage is brown or rufous as in Anthipes. The first primary
is very small and all the three species are wide migrants.

Key to the Species.

a. Upper plumage and tail ashy brown with no

tinge of rufous A. latirostris, p. 35.

b. Upper plumage olive-brown ; upper tail-

coverts and the whole tail chestnut A. n/Jicaudus, p. 36.

c. Upper plumage ruddy brown; upper tail-

coverts ferruginous; tail brown, suffused with

rufous on the outer webs of the feathers only. A, muttui, p. 36.

ALSEONAX. 35

588. Alseonax latirostris. The Brown Flycatcher.

Muscicapa latirostris, Raffl. Tr. Linn. Soe. xiii, p. .312 (1821).
Butalis terricolor, Hodgs., Blyih, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 120 (1847) ; id.

Cat. -p. 175.
Hemichelidon latirostris (Raffl.), Blyth, Cat. p. 175; Horsf.SfM.

Cat. i, p. 137.
Muscicapa elm reo-alba, Temm. Sf Schley. Faun. Jap., Aves, p. 42,

pi. 15 (1850).
Alseouax latirostris {Raffl,.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 459 ; Hume fy Henders.

Lah. to Yark. p. 185, pi. v ; Hume, S. F. ii, p. 219 ; Snarpe, Cat.

B. M. iv, p. 127; Leyye, Birds Ceyl. p. 415; Hume, Cat. no. 297;

Brooks, S. F. ix, p. 225 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 277 ; Barnes, Birds

Bom. p. 163.
Alseonax terricolor (Hodys.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 4G0 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 298.
The Southern Brown Flycatcher, The Rufescent-broivn Flycatcher, Jerd. ;
Zakki, flind.

Fig. 14. — Uill of A. latirostris.

Coloration. Upper plumage ashy brown, the feathers of the crown
with darker centres ; tail dark brown, the outer feathers very
narrowly tipped with whitish ; wings and coverts dark brown, all
but the primaries broadly edged with ashy white ; lores and a ring
of feathers round the eye white ; sides of the head brown ; lower
plumage white, tinged with ashy on the breast and sides of the body.

The young have the crown blackish streaked with fulvous ; the
upper plumage and wings with large terminal fulvous spots ; the
lower plumage like that of the adult but mottled with brown.
After the autumn moult and till the following spring the young
are very rufous.

Bill black, the base of the lower mandible yellow ; mouth orange ;
iris brown ; legs and claws black. The young bird has the whole
bill yellow except the tip, which is dusky.

Length rather more than 5 ; tail 2; wing 2-8; tarsus # 5 ; bill
from gape "7.

Distribution. The whole Empire except the north-west portion.
I have seen no example of this species from Sind, the Punjab,
Bajputana, or Guzerat. It occurs in Ceylon and the Andamans.
On the Himalayas it is a summer visitor as far west as Chamba,
and it is found in the other portions of the Empire chiefly in winter,
but some birds appear to be resident in certain parts all the year
round, for I have seen a specimen obtained in Ceylon in June.

This Elycatcher has a wide range, being found from Japan and
Eastern (Siberia to the Philippines and Java. Specimens killed in
the Malay peninsula in July and August are contained in the British
Museum Collection.

d2

36 MUSCICAPIDJE.

589. Alseonax ruficaudus. Tne Rufous-tailed Flycatcher.

Muscicapa ruficauda, Swains. Nat. Lib. x, Fit/catchers, p. 251 (1838).
Cyornis ruficauda (Swains.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 468 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B.

xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 30 ; I£u)ne, S. F. iv, p. 396 ; id. Cat. no. 307 ;

Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 165.
Siphia ruficauda (Swains.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 457.

Coloration. Upper plumage and sides of the neck dull olive-brown ;
upper tail-coverts and tail chestnut ; coverts and quills of wing
brown edged with olive-brown ; lores and round the eye greyish
white ; ear-coverts fulvous-brown with pale shafts ; the whole lower
plumage pale earthy brown.

The young are of the usual spotted character, but the upper tail-
coverts and tail are chestnut from the first.

Iris dark brown ; upper mandible pale brown, lower fleshy ;
legs, feet, and claws purplish brown (Davison).

Length 55 to 6 ; tail 2-3 ; wing 3*3 ; tarsus *6 ; bill from gape - 7.

Distribution. Found in summer in Kashmir, Grilgit, and the
Himalayas from Murree to the valley of the Bhagirati river up to
altitudes of 10,000 feet. This species extends in summer to
Afghanistan, where Wardlaw Ramsay observed it breeding but
failed to find its nest. In the winter months it has been recorded
from Ahmednagar and Mount Abu, and from numerous other
localities in the west of India down to Travancore, extending on
the east as far as Eaipur in the Central Provinces.

Godwin-Austen records this species from Cachar, but probably
by an oversight.

590. Alseonax muttui. Layard's Flycatcher.

Butalis muttui, Lat/ard, A . M. N. H. (2) xiii, p. 127 (1854) ; Leyqe,

Ibis, 1878, p. 203 ; Hume, S. F. vii, p. 513 ; id. Cat, no. 299 te'r.
Cyornis mandellii, Hume, S. F. ii, p. 510 (1874), iv, p. 396, vii, p. 456 ;

id. Cat, no. 307 bis.
Alseonax flavipes, Leyye, S. F. iii, p. 367 (1875).
Alseonax muttui (Layard), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 132 ; Legye,

Birds Ceyl. p. 417, pi. xviii.
Siphia mandellii (Hvme), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 453, footnote.
Alseonax mandellii (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, App. p. 472 ;

Hume, S. F. xi, p. 109.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, and nape olive-brown, with indistinct
brown shaft-streaks ; remainder of the upper plumage ruddy brown,
changing to bright ferruginous on the upper tail-coverts ; wings
brown, the outer webs of the coverts and quills broadly edged with
ferruginous ; tail brown, suffused with ferruginous on the outer
webs ; lores and a conspicuous ring round the eyes white ; chin
and throat white ; ear-coverts olive-brown ; cheeks, sides of the
neck, the whole breast, and the sides of the body yellowish brown ;
middle of the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts pale yellowish
white.

OCHROMELA. 3/

Legs and feet pale wax-yellow ; claws brown ; upper mandible
blackish brown, yellowish at tip ; lower mandible dull horny-yellow ;
iris brown (Hume).

Length about 5-5; tail 2-1; wing 2-8; tarsus -55; bill from
gape •65.

I have not been able to examine a young bird.

Distribution. Summers in Sikhini aud probably in other parts of
the Himalayas and winters in Travancore and Ceylon. This species
occurs at Shillong on the Khasi hills, where it has been obtained in
August, September, and October, and in Manipur, where Hume
observed it in April. It may probably be a permanent resident,
therefore, in Shillong and in Manipur. Brooks observed it at
Mudhupur on the E. I. Eailway on passage. Legge notes it from
Ceylon in January aud June. Altogether our knowledge of the
movements of this Flycatcher is very imperfect.

Genus OCHROMELA, Blyth, 1S47.

The genus Ochromela was instituted by Blyth for the reception
of a Flycatcher which is remarkable alike for its coloration and its
habits.

In Ochromela the sexes are slightly dissimilar, but both preserve
the characteristic black and orange plumage. The bill is blunt
and thick, and the rictal bristles are not only very numerous but
very long. The wing is blunt, with the first primary longer than
half the length of the second, and the tail is considerably rounded.

In habits this species approaches Pratincola, descending to the
ground for an instant to capture its prey, and it differs from all
other Flycatchers in constructing a large globular nest. It is
described by Jerdou as frequenting dense woods.

591. Ochromela nigrirufa. The BlacTc-and-0 range Flycatcher-.

Saxicola nigrorufa, Jerd. Martr. Journ. L. S. x, p. 266 (1839).
Ochromela nigrorufa {Jerd.), Bh/th, Cat. p. 173; Horsf. 8c M. Cat. i,

p 289; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 462; Hume, N. § E. p.' 207; id. tat.

no. •"»»<» ; Davison, S. F. x, p. 369 ; Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd

ed. ii, p. 14.
Sipliia nigrorufa (Jerd.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 455 ; Legge, Birds

Ceyl. p. 425.

Fig. 15. — Bill of 0. nigrirufa.
Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, hind neck, lores, sides

38 muscicapid^.

of the head, and the whole wing black, some of the coverts and
inner quills very narrowly tipped with orange ; remainder of the
plumage rich orange, somewhat paler on the abdomen.

Female. Resembles the male, but the black is replaced by
greenish brown, and the orange-coloured parts of the plumage are
paler ; the lores and a large space round the eye are rufous
speckled with dusky, and the wings are dark brown.

I have not been able to examine a young bird of this species.

Bill black ; iris dark brown ; legs and feet dark plumbeous fleshy
(Davison).

Length about 5 ; tail 2 ; wing 2 - 5 ; tarsus *8 ; bill from gape 'G.

Distribution. The Hill-ranges of Southern India from the
"Wynaad to Cape Comorin at 2500 feet and upwards. This species
appears to be common on the Xilgiri, the Palni, and the Assambu
hills. Its occurrence in Ceylon is doubtful. Colonel McMaster is
of opinion that he observed this bird at Chikalda in Berar.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to June, constructing a large
globular nest of coarse grass and fern-leaves in a clump of reeds
or on the summit of a stump of a tree. The eggs, two or three in
number, are greyish white marked with brownish red, and measure
about *7 by *53.

Genus CULICICAPA, Swinhoe, 1871.

The genus Culicicapa contains one species of very wide distri-
bution over the Empire, migratory in the plains, but resident in
the Himalayas and many of the lull-ranges.

Fig. 10. — Bill of C. ceylonensis.

In this genus the sexes are alike and the plumage is grey and
yellow. The bill is very much depressed, and viewed from above
forms an equilateral triangle; the rictals are extremely numerous
and long ; the first primary is short and the tail is square.

592. Culicicapa ceylonensis. The Grey-headed Flycatcher.

Platyrhynchus ceylonensis, Stvains. Zool. III. ser. 1, i, pi. 13 (1820-21).
Cryptolopha cinereocapilla ( Vieill.), Blyth, Cat. p. 205 ; Horsf. fy M.

'Cat. i, p. 147 ; Jerd. B. 1. i, p. 455.
Myialestes cinereocapilla ( Vieill.), Hume, N. fy E. p. 205.
Culicicapa ceylonensis (Swains.), Hume, Cat. no. 295 ; Sadly, S. F.

viii, p. 275; Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv, p. 369; Legge, Birds Cei/l.

p. 410 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 274 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 162 ; Oa'tes

in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 16.

Zirdphutkif Beng.

NILTAVA. 39

Coloration. The whole head, neck, and breast ashy, darker on
the crown, the feathers of which are obsoletely centred with
brown ; lower plumage bright yellow ; under wing-coverts pale
yellow; lores and the edges of the eyelids whitish ; hack, rump,
scapulars, and upper tail-coverts greenish yellow ; wings and coverts
dark brown, the outer webs of all the feathers edged with greenish
yellow; the lesser coverts edged on both webs; tail dark brown,
the outer webs of all the feathers except the median pair broadly
edged with greenish yellow.

Iris dark hazel ; bill brown, paler at the base and gape; mouth
yellow ; legs yellowish brown ; claws horn-colour.

Length about 5;' tail 2 m 2 ; wing 2*4; tarsus *55 ; bill from
gape '55.

Distribution. The whole Empire except Sind, the Punjab, and
Rajputana, from which provinces I have not seen any specimens.
This species is a permanent resident on the Himalayas up to
8000 feet, and on all the hill-ranges such as the Nilgiris, Khasi
hills, &c, but to many portions of the plains it is probably only a
winter visitor. The most westerly locality on the Himalayas from
which I have examined a specimen is Baramula on the Jhelum
river in Kashmir. It is found in Ceylon at about 1000 feet eleva-
tion, but it apparently does not extend to the Audamans nor to the
Nicobars. This Flycatcher ranges as far as Java and Borneo.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from March to June, constructing a small
nest of moss against a rock or tree-trunk. The eggs, three or four
in number, are whitish marked with brown and grey, and measure
about -61 by -43.

Genus NILTAVA, Hodgs., 1837.

The genus Niltava contains three species of Flycatchers remark-
able for the brilliant plumage of the males. The sexes differ in
colour, but both may be recognized by the presence of a bright
spot or mark on the side of the neck. Ci/ornis oatcsl approaches
these birds in having some bright blue on the side ol the neck, but
the patch is of a different character, being connected with the nape
and forming a band rather than a spot. This bright mark is more-
over absent in the female.

The Niltavas frequent thick jungle and are less typical in their
habits than the species of Oyornis, and they are said to eat berries.
They appear to be resident on the Himalayas. Mr. Cripps, how-
ever, states that N. sundara and N. macgrigorice are seasonal visitors
to Dibrugarh in Assam, but he omits to state at what season they
visit that district.

In Niltava the bill is somewhat compressed laterally and narrow,
and the base is covered by a multitude of dense plumelets, which
conceal the nostrils; the rictal bristles are moderate in number
and in length ; the first primary is large, being quite half the
length of the second, and the tail is rounded.

40 MUSCICAPID.E.

Key to the Species.

a. "Wing 4 inches or longer N. (/ranch's, p. 40.

b. Wing not much exceeding 3 inches or less.
a'. Under wing-coverts and axillaries chest-
nut or buff N. sundara, p. 41.

b . Under wing-coverts and axillaries white

or ashy white N. macgrigoriee, p. 42.

593. Niltava grandis. The Large Niltava.

Chaitaris grandis, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xi, p. 189 (1842).

Niltava grandis (Blyth), Blyth, Cat. p. 174 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i,

p. 28S ; Jerri. B. I. i, p. 476 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 215 ; Hume 8f

Dav. 8. F. vi, p. 232 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 464 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 316 ; id. S. F. xi, p. 113 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 297 ; id. in Hume's

N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 18.

The Large Fairy Blue-Chat, Jerd.; Margong, Lepch.

Fig. 17.— Bill of N. grandis.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, rump, upper tail-coverts,
lesser and median wing-coverts, and a large patch on each side of
the neck brilliant cobalt-blue ; back and scapulars purplish blue ;
middle tail-feathers purplish blue, the others brown on the inner
web and blue ou the outer ; greater coverts and quills black,
narrowly edged with blue ; feathers at base of upper mandible,
lores, sides of the head, chin, throat, and upper breast black ;
lower breast dull blue ; abdomen bluish ashy, the under tail-coverts
fringed with whitish.

Female. Forehead, lores, round the eye, ear-coverts, and cheeks
fulvous, with pale shafts ; crown and nape ashy brown ; a patch on
each side of the neck bright blue ; back and rump fulvous-brown ;
tail and wings dark brown, with the outer webs suffused with deep
rufous ; the whole lower plumage rich olive-brown, the feathers of
the throat and breast with whitish shafts ; the middle of the chin
and throat clear buff, and of the abdomen ashy ; under wing-coverts
and axillaries buff.

The young nestling is dark brown, streaked with fulvous ; wings
and tail as in the female.

Iris deep brown ; in the male the bill is black, the legs and feet
black or very dark plumbeous ; in the female the bill is brownish
black, the legs, feel, and claws fleshy-pink (Hume Sf Davison).

NILTAVA. 41

Length about 8-5 ; tail 3-6 ; wing 4-2 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape -1.

Distribution. Tbe Himalayas from Nepal to the Daphla hills in
Assam from 4000 to 7000 feet elevation ; the Khasi and Naga
hills ; Manipur ; Muleyit mountain in Tenasserim.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to June, constructing a nest of
moss in a cleft of a rock or of a tree-trunk, and laying four eggs,
which are pale buff freckled with pinkish brown, and measure
about -9 by -7.

594. Niltava sundara. The Rufous-bellied Niltava.

Niltava sundara, Hodgs. Incl. Rev. i, p. G50 (1837) ; Blyth, Cat.
p. 174 ; Horsf. % M. Cat. i, p. 268 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 473 ; Hume,
N. $ E. p. 213 ; Blyth, Birds Burm. p. 102 ; Hume, Cat. no. 314 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 463 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 2U5 ; id. in Hume's
N. Sr E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 20.

The Rufous-bellied Fairy Blue-Chat, Jerd. ; Niltau, Nep. ; Maryony,
Lepch .

Coloration. Male. Forehead, lores, sides of the head, chin, and
throat deep black ; crown of the head, nape, rump, upper tail-
coverts, a spot on either side of the neck, and the lesser wing-
coverts glistening blue ; the remaining coverts and quills dark
brown, edged with purplish blue; back and scapulars purplish
black ; tail black, the outer webs edged with bright blue ; the
whole lower plumage and the under wing-coverts chestnut.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with fulvous on the
rump ; upper tail-coverts and tail chestnut ; wings brown, edged
with rufous ; sides of the head and lores mixed fulvous and brown,
with paler shafts ; lower plumage rich olive-brown, tinged with
ochraceous ; the chin and throat rather rufous, the abdomen
whitish ; a large oval patch of white on the fore neck, and a small
patch of brilliant blue on each side of it ; under tail-coverts pale
buff ; under wing-coverts and axillaries buff.

Young birds are dark brown streaked with fulvous both above
and below. In males some trace of blue, and in females an indi-
cation of the white neck-patch, make their appearauce at an early
age.

Bill black ; legs brown ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length about 0*5 ; tail 2 - 7 ; wing 3*2 ; tarsus -8 ; bill from
gape -7.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Simla to Assam from 5000
to 8000 feet elevation ; the Khasi hills ; Karenuee at 4000 feet.
Blvth records this species from Arrakan and Tenasserim. I have
not been able to examine specimens from these localities. It
extends into Western China.

Habits, 4'°. Breeds in April and May, constructing a nest of
moss among the roots, or in a crevice of a trunk of a tree, or
sometimes against a rock. The eggs are pale buff freckled with
dingy pink, and measure about *93 by '71.

42

MUSCICAPID.E.

595. Niltava macgrigoriae. The Small Niltava.

Plicenicura macgrigorise, Burton, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 152.

Niltava macgrigoriae {Burton), Blyth, Cat. p. 174 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat.
i, p. 288; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 475 ; Hume, N. # E. p. 214 ; Wald. in
Blyth, Birds Burm. p. 102 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi, p. 231 ; Sliarpe,
Cat. B. M. iv, p. 465; Hume, Cat. no. 315 ; id. S. F. xi, p. 113 ;
Oates, B. B. i, p. 299 ; id. in Humes N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 21.

The Small Fairy Blue-Chat, Jerd. ; Phatt-tagrdk-pho, Lepcli.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage bright purplish blue ; fore-
head, supercilium, rump, upper tail-coverts, and a patch on each
side of the neck cobalt-blue; lesser whig-coverts brown, tipped
with blue; median coverts entirely blue; greater coverts and quills
dark brown, edged with blue; median tail-feathers entirely blue,
the outer webs of the others blue, the inner dark brown ; lores,
feathers at base of the upper mandible and those in front of and
below the eye black ; cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, throat, and breast
purple ; the breast occasionally ashy like the abdomen ; remainder
of the lower plumage ashy, becoming albescent on the abdomen
and under tail-coverts ; under wing-coverts ashy white.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with rufous ; tail
rufous-brown ; wing-coverts and quills brown, edged with rufous-
brown ; forehead and sides of the head mixed brown and fulvous ;
a patch of brilliant blue on each side of the neck ; lower plumage
ochraceous buff, paling on the abdomen and under tail-coverts ;
under wing-coverts and axillaries pure white.

The young nestling is streaked with fulvous.

Bill black ; legs reddish black ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length nearly 5 ; tail 2-1 ; wing 2-6 ; tarsus *7 ; bill from
gape "6.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Grarhwal to Assam from about
8000 to 5000 feet elevation ; the Khasi hills ; North Cachar hills ;
Manipur ; Karennee; Northern Tenasserim.

Habits, $x. Breeds from April to June, constructing a nest of
moss, sometimes, it is said, on the ground, at other times in the
hole of a trunk of a tree. The eggs are described as being white
or stone-coloured, freckled with brownish purple or brownish pink,
and measure about "76 by "53.

Genus PHILENT0MA, Eyton, 1845.

The two Flycatchers which constitute the genus Philentoma are
birds of peculiar coloration, maroon and chestnut eutering into its
composition.

In this genus the sexes are dissimilar. The bill is very large
and coarse, and its base is covered by the frontal plumelets ; the
wing is rounded, and the first primary is much longer than half
the length of the second ; the tail is square. Both species are
resident, and they have all the habits of the typical Flycatchers,
catching insects on the wing.

PITILENTOMA. 43

Key to the Species.

a. Wings and tail blue P. velatum, p. 43.

b. Wings and tail chestnut P. pyrrhopterum, p. 43.

596. Philentoma velatum. The Maroon-breasted Flycatcher.

Drymophila velata, Temm. PI. Col. no. 884.

Philentoma velatum (Temm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 204 ; Horsf. $ M. Cat.

i, p. 392; Hume $ Dav. S. F. vi, pp. 224, 509; Hume, Cat.

no. 289 ter ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 365 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 263.

Fig. 18.— Bill of P. velatum.

Coloration. Male. General colour indigo-blue ; forehead, lores,
chin, cheeks, ear-coverts, and round the eye black ; throat and
breast rich maroon ; quills black, the outer webs broadly margined
with- indigo-blue, and the tertiaries wholly of this colour, but with
the shafts black ; median tail -feat heirs indigo-blue ; the others
black on the inner web and blue on the outer.

Female. Wholly dull indigo-blue except the wings and tail,
which are coloured as in the male.

The nestling has the whole plumage chestnut except the wings
and tail, which are the same as in the adult, but all the median
and greater wing-coverts are broadly tipped with chestnut. Almost
before it is able to leave the nest blue feathers appear on all parts,
and probably before the first autumn the full adult plumage is
assumed; but both sexes resemble the adult female at first, the
male donning the maroon breast later on.

Legs and feet bluish- or purplish-black ; bill black, iris lake to
crimson (Hume § Davison).

Distribution. Tenasserim from about Muleyit mountain to the
extreme south. This species extends down the Malay peninsula to
Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.

597. Philentoma pyrrhopterum. The Chestnut-winged Flycatcher.

Muscicapa pyrrhpptera, Temm. PI. Col. no. 596 (1823).

Philentoma pyrrhopterum (Temm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 205; Hume fy

Dav. 8. F. vi, p. 223 ; Hume, Cat. no. 289 bis ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M.

iv, p. 366 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 264.

Coloration. Male. The whole head and neck, back, breast, and

44 muscicapid^;.

lesser wing-coverts indigo-blue ; lower back and rump rufous-
grey ; upper tail-coverts, the tail, a portion of the outer webs of
the scapulars, the whole of the tertiaries, and the greater portion
of the outer webs of the secondaries bright chestnut ; remainder
of the quills dark brown, the outer webs of the primaries margined
with reddish grey ; primary-coverts blue, centred with blackish ;
greater wing-coverts chestnut; lower plumage pale buff, becoming
paler on the vent and under tail-coverts.

Female. Forehead, crown, nape, and ear-coverts dark olive-
brown ; lores and round the eye pale ashy ; back, scapulars, and
rump rufous-ashy ; upper tail-coverts and tail chestnut ; lesser
wing-coverts olive-brown, tinged with rufous on the margins ;
greater coverts chestnut ; wings dark brown, the outer webs of
the primaries rufescent, those of the other quills chestnut ; the
tertiaries wholly chestnut; lower plumage pale buff, somewhat
brighter on the throat and breast.

In the males legs, feet, and claws pale purplish blue ; bill black ;
iris crimson ; in the adult female legs, feet, and claws plumbeous
olive ; upper mandible pale horny-brown ; lower mandible fleshy-
white ; iris dull red ; in a young female legs and feet pale horny-
red ; iris pale red, speckled with white {Hume Sf Davison).

Length about 7 ; tail 2-8 ; wing 3*2 ; tarsus *65 ; bill from
gape *9.

I have not been able to examine a young bird of this species,
but it probably follows the young of P. velatum in its style of
coloration.

Distribution. Tenasserim from Nwalabo mountain to its southern
extremity, extending to the Malay peninsula, Cochin China,
Sumatra, and Borneo.

Genus TERPSIPHONE, Gloger, 1827.

In Terpsiplione the typical characteristics of the Flycatchers are
developed to a greater extent than in any other geuus.

The bill is extremely large, depressed, and swollen, and the
rictal bristles are very numerous, coarse, and long. The head is
crested, and the tail is greatly developed in the mature males.

In Terpsiphone the sexes are alike, or closely so, during the first
two years, and the prevailing colour of the plumage is chestnut.
The female never drops her chestnut garb, but the male after the
second autumn, or even later, assumes a white plumage. It thus
happens that a pair may be found breeding both being in the
chestnut plumage, or a female in chestnut plumage may be
found mated with a white male.

The Paradise Flycatchers are found over the whole Empire, both
on the Himalayas and in the plains and lesser hill-ranges, and are
resident in many portions of the country, but in others they appear
to be seasonal visitors, or in great measure so, but their movements
are probably of no great extent.

The members of this genus are typical Flycatchers, catching

TERPSIPHONE. 45

insects on the wing, never descending to the ground, and of
solitary habits. Their notes are very harsh.

Key to the Species.

a. Crest long and pointed, reaching to upper

part of back. I T. parodist: 5 at all ages

a'. Throat and sides of head ashy < and J before second

( autumn, p. 45.

!T. paradisi : $ after
second autumn moult,
p. 45.

b. Crest short and rounded, not reaching

beyond nape. I T. affinis : £ at all ages,

c . Back deep chestnut ; throat and sides I <$ while in chestnut

of head bluish ashy ( plumage, p. 47.

d'. Back ashy rufous. \ T. nicobariea : 5 a ^ all

a". Throat and sides of head dark ashy. . ) ages, p. 48.

,,, m j. i-i n j n i \ T. nicobariea: r? while in

o . 1 hroat and sides oi head black . . . . { , . , , u , Q

| chestnut plumage, p.4b.

598. Terpsiphone paradisi. The Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

Muscicapa paradisi, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 324 (17G0).
Muscipeta paradisea, Jerd. III. Orn. pi. 7.

Tchitrea paradisi {Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 203 ; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i,
p. 133 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 445 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 196 ; Hume $
Henders. Lab. to Yark. p. 184.
Muscipeta paradisi {Linn.), Cripps, S. F. vii, p. 274; Hume, Cat.

no. 288 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 273 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 158.
Terpsiphone paradisi {Linn.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 346; Leyge,
Birds Ceyl p. 404 ; Oates in Hume's N. &; E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 22.'
The Paradise Flycatcher, Jerd. ; Shah Bulbul, Hosseini Bulbul, Sultana
Bulbul, Taklah, Doodhraj, Hind. ; Tonka piyli pitta, Tel. ; Wal Konda-
lati, Tarn.

Fig. 19.— Bill of T. paradisi.

Coloration. The young of both sexes have the forehead, crown,
nape, and crest metallic bluish black ; sides of the head, chin,
throat, and the neck all round ashy brown, the brown of the throat
blending gradually with the pale ashy of the breast, and this again
with the white of the remainder of the lower parts ; upper plumage,

46 MUSCICAPID^5.

tail, wing-coverts, tertiaries, and the outer webs of the other quills
chestnut.

This plumage is retained till the second autumn by the male,
and permanently by the female, which undergoes no further change
of any kind. The young male for some time previous to the second
autumn becomes gradually blacker on the chin and throat, and
sometimes becomes quite black on those parts, as well as on the
sides of the bead, as in the adult, but the breast remains ashy and
is never pure white contracting with the black throat.

After the autumn moult of the second year the male has the
whole head and crest glossy black, the lower parts as before the
moult, and the whole upper plumage rich chestnut ; the median
tail-feathers grow to a great length, and are retained till May or
June, when they are cast.

After the autumn moult of the third year the chestnut plumage
is again assumed, and also the long median tail-feathers, but the
whole lower plumage from the throat downwards is pure white,
the breast being sharply demarcated from the black throat. After
this moult a gradual transition to the white upper plumage takes
place, the wings and tail being the first parts to be affected, but
the change to a complete white plumage is not affected till the
moult of the fourth autumn.

After this moult the male bird is fully adult, and permanently
retains the white plumage. The whole head, neck, and crest are
glossy bluish black ; the whole body-plumage white, the feathers of
the back, rump, scapulars, and wing-coverts with black shafts; tail
white, with black shafts and narrow outer margins, except on the
middle feathers, where the shaft is black only on the basal third
of its length and at the tip : wings black, with broad white margins
on both webs, the later secondaries and tertiaries being almost
entirely white.

Bill, gape, and margin of eyelids cobalt-blue, the tip of the bill
darker ; iris dark brown ; feet plumbeous blue ; claws dusky
(Scully).

Length from about 9 to 21 ; tail 4*5 to 16*5 ; wing 3*7 ; tarsus
•65 ; bill from gape IT.

Distribution. The whole of India proper as far east as Nepal in
the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra river in the plains. To the
west this species extends into Afghanistan, and to the north into
Turkestan. In Kashmir and other parts of the Himalayas it is
found in summer up to 9000 feet or so. This Flycatcher occurs in
Ceylon. It appears to be everywhere a permanent resident, except
in the Himalayas, where it moves to lower levels in winter.

Habits, tj-c. Breeds from May to July, constructing a small cup-
shaped nest of grass, fibres, or moss in the branch of a tree. The
eggs, four or five in number, are pink marked with brownish red,
and measure about "81 bv "6.

TERPsmioNi:. 4/

599. Terpsiphone affinis. The Burmese Paradise Flycatcher.

Tchitrea affinis, Hay, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv, p. 292 (1846) ; id. Cat.

p. 203; Horsf. <§■ M. Cat. i, p. 134 ; Jenl. B. I. i, p. 448.
Tchitrea paradisi (Linn.), Hume, S. F. iii, p. 102.
Muscipeta affinis (Hay), Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi, p. 223; Hume, Cat.

no. 280.
Terpsiphone affinis (Hay), Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 654 ;

Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 340 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 261 ; id. in Hume's

N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 26.

Coloration. Up to the second autumn both sexes are alike. The
forehead, crown, uape, and a short blunt crest are metallic black ;
sides of the head, chin, throat, and neck all round with the breast
dark bluish ashy ; remainder of the lower plumage white ; back,
rump, upper tail- and wing-coverts, and tail deep chestnut ; wings
black, broadly margined with chestnut.

The female undergoes no further change of plumage.

The male after the moult of the second autumn acquires two
long median tail-feathers, but probably sheds them at the end of
the breeding-season.

At the moult of the third autumn the white plumage is assumed
in its entirety, and in this state resembles the white phase of T.
paradisi, differing only in the shaft-stripes of the upper plumage
being much broader, the tail more broadly edged with black, and
the shafts of the median pair of tail-feathers being black for a
greater length (for three quarrers of their length and at the tip),
and in having a short rounded crest.

The nestling is rich chestnut above, with darker tips to some of
the feathers ; the lower plumage white, the breast mottled with
rufous.

Iris hazel-brown; eyelids plumbeous, the edges tumid and rich
blue ; mouth yellow ; bill blue, the tip and anterior half of the
margins black ; legs plumbeous blue ; claws dark horn-colour.

Length 8 to 18 ; tail 4 to 14 ; wing 3 - ; tarsus # 7 ; bill from

gape 1-

Distribution. The Himalayas from Sikhim to Dibrugarh in Assam,
and thence south throughout the hill-tracts and Burma to the
extreme southern part of Tenasserim. This species extends east
of Burma and down the Malay peninsula, where it meets T. incii,
and owing to the similarity of T. affinis and T. incii in certain
stages of plumage the respective limits of these two species have
not been determined with any great exactness.

T. incii resembles T. affinis very closely, but the large series of
the former in the British Museum appears to prove beyond doubt
that the male never assumes the white plumage.

Habits, fyc. I found the nest of this bird in Burma at the end
of April. It was cup-shaped, and composed of dry bamboo-leaves
and tibres, and it was placed near the summit of a small tree.
The eggs are similar to those of T. paradisi, and measure about
•85 by -6.

48 MPSCICAPIDJE.

600. Terpsiphone nicobarica, n. sp. The Nicobar Paradise-
Flycatcher.

Tchitrea affinis {Hay), Walden, Ibis, 1873, p. 309 ; Hume, S. F. ii,
p. 21G.

Coloration. The changes of plumage of this species cannot be
followed with the same certainty as in the two preceding species,
by reason of the smaller number of specimens available for ex-
amination, but certain characters are present which serve to distin-
guish the present form at once.

In the chestnut plumage the male has the whole head and neck
all round with the chin and throat glossy black ; the back ashy
rufous ; rump dull rufous ; upper tail-coverts, tail, and the visible
portions of the closed wing bright chestnut ; breast dark ashy ;
remainder of lower plumage pale ferruginous.

The female in the chestnut plumage, which is never changed,
resembles the chestnut male, but has the sides of the head, chin,
throat, breast, and sides of the neck uniform dark ashy.

In the white stage the male is undistinguishable from the male
of T. affinis.

This species differs from T. paradisi in all stages of plumage by
having a short, round crest, by the ashy tint of the plumage of
the back when in the chestnut stage ; and by the same characters,
when in the white stage, as those which separate T. affinis from
T. paradisi.

From T. affinis it differs when in chestnut plumage by the male
having the whole head and neck, chin and throat glossy black,
T. affinis (male) in this stage having only the crown and crest of
this colour, the other parts being constantly dark ashy. In white
plumage the two species appear to be undistinguishable.

From T. incii of the Malay peninsula it differs in the pale
coloration of the back when in chestnut plumage, and further in
attaining a white stage, which T. incii apparently never does.

It is of the same size as T. affinis.

Distribution. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where this
species appears to be a constant resident.

Genus HYPOTHYMIS, Boie, 1826.

The genus Hypothymis contains two Indian Flycatchers of a
brilliant blue colour, one being of wide distribution and the other
confined to the Andamans.

In Hypothymis the bill is very large and flattened, its length
being about double its width at the nostrils. The rictal bristles
are very strong and numerous. The tail is ample, being of the
same length as the wing. The sexes differ, but preserve the same
pattern of colour, with the exception of certain marks on the head
and neck. Both the species found within the Empire are resident.

HYPOTHYMIS. 49

Key to the Specie*.

a. Abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white 11. azurea, p. 4 ( J.

b. Abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts blue /i". tyileri, p. 50.

601. Hypothymis azurea. The Indian BlacJc-naped Flycatcher.

Muscicapa azurea, Bodd. Tabl. PL Enl. p. 41 (1783).

Myiagra casrulea ( Vieill.), Blyth, Cat. p. 204.

Myiagra azurea {Bodd.), Horsf. fy M. Cat. \, p. 138 ; Jerd. B. I. i,

p. 450 ; Hume, N. Sf E. p. 1*98.
Hypothymis azurea {Bodd.), Anders. Yunnan Exped., Ares, p. 055 ;

Hume, Cat. no. 290 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 274 ; Oates, B. B.

i, p. 2G5 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 159 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E.

2nd ed. ii, p. 27.
Hypothymis ceylonensis, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 277 (1879) ;

Legye, Birds Ceyl. p. 408, pi. xviii.

The Black-naped Blue Flycatcher, Jerd. ; Kala kat-katia, Beng.

Fig. 20.— Bill of H. azurea.

Coloration. Male. A patch on the uape, forehead, angle of the
chin, and a crescentic bar across the fore neck black ; abdomen,
vent, and under tail-coverts white, or faint bluish white ; re-
mainder of lower plumage azure-blue ; wings and coverts dark
brown edged with blue ; tail brown, suffused with blue on the
median pair of feathers and the outer webs of the others ; under
wing-coverts and axillaries white.

Female. Head above aznre-bliie ; sides of the head, chin, and
throat duller bine, the ear-coverts almost brown ; breast ashy
blue ; abdomen, flanks, and under tail-coverts white tinged with
grey; wings, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts brown; tail
darker brown, the outer edges washed with blue.

I have not been able to examine a nestling of this species.

Iris dark brown ; eyelids plumbeous, the edges blue ; bill dark
blue, the edges and tip black; month yellow; legs plumbeous;
claws horn-colour.

Length about 6*5 ; tail 3 ; wing 2-8 ; tarsus -7 ; bill from gape
•75.

H. ceylonensis, from Ceylon, is said to differ in the male wanting
the black bar across the throat, but I am of opinion that this
alleged difference does not really hold good. Ceylouese specimens
of this Flycatcher are not common in collections, but the British
Museum contains six males. Of these, five have no black throat-
bar, but they also have no nape-patch, which shows them to be

VOL. II. E

50 MUSCICAI'iD.E.

young. The sixth bird has a small nape-patch and traces of a
throat-bar. This last specimen, therefore, clearly shows that the
Ceylon bird does sometimes at least exhibit a throat-patch, and this
being the case there is no character by which the two sup-
posed races can be separated.

Distribution. The whole Empire east of a line drawn approxi-
mately from Mussoorie in the Himalayas to Khandala on the
Western Ghats. This species does not ascend the Himalayas above
3000 feet or thereabouts. It occurs in Ceylon and the Nicobar
Islands, but is absent from the Andamans, where it is replaced by
the next species.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds generally from May to August, constructing
a beautiful cup of fine grass coated exteriorly with cobwebs and
cocoons in the fork of a branch not far from the ground. The
eggs, three to five in number, are white or pinkish marked with
reddish, and occasionally some purple spots and specks, and
measure about -69 by "53.

602. Hypothyinis tytleri. The Andaman Black-naped Flycatcher.

Myiagra tytleri, Beavan, Ibis, 1807, p. 324 ; Ball, S. F. i, p. 68 ;

'Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 217 ; id. N. £ E. p. 199.
Hypothymis occipitalis ( Vig.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 275 (part.).
Hypothymis tytleri (Beavan), Hume, Cat. no. 290 ; Oates in Hume's

"N. k E - 2nd ed. ii ; p. 30.

Coloration. Eesembles //. azurea. The male differs from the
male of that species in having the abdomen, vent, and under tail-
coverts of the same blue as the breast ; the female similarly in
having those parts dingy lilac-grey.

The differences pointed out above hold good in a considerable
series of the Andamanese bird, and I think that it forms a species
easily recognizable from the Continental and Nicobarese form. A
richly-coloured Indian bird and a dull Andamanese bird may be
difficult to separate, but such pairs of birds are not often met with
and do not in my opinion affect the question. Hume recognizes
the two species in his Catalogue.

In retaining the Andamanese form under Beavan's name I do
so because I am not satisfied that any prior name applies to it
with certainty. The forms from the Malay peninsula and the
islands do not seem identical with the Andamanese bird, but rather
to be referable to if. azurea.

Distribution. The Andaman Islands and the Great and Little
Cocos.

Habits, 4'c. Davison found the nest of this species on 23rd April
at Aberdeen, South Andaman, with three eggs. Both nest and
eggs resembled those of H. azurea.

CHELIDOBHYNX. 5L

Genus CHELIDORHYNX, Hodgs., 1844.

The genus Chelidorhynx contains only one species of Flycatcher
remarkable for the shape of its bill, 'which is short and pointed,
and when viewed from above forms a perfect equilateral triangle.

Fig. ^.'l . — JJill of C. hypoxanthum.

The rictal bristles are extremely numerous and long. The tail is
of about the same length as the wing, rounded, and with the shafts
thickened aud white. The sexes are quite alike.

603. Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum. The Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher.

Rhipidura hypoxantha, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xii, p. 035 (1843); id.
Cat. p. 205.

Chelidorhynx hypoxantha (XL), Horsf. # M. Cat. i, p. 147 ; Jerd.
B. I. i, p. 455 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 47; Hume, N. §
E. p. 204 ; Hume, Cat. no. i94 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 275 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. M. iv, p. 279 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 269 ; id, in Hume's N.
8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 30.

The Yellow-bellied 1 ant ail, Jerd. ; Side kleom, Lepch.

Coloration. A broad band on the forehead, continued back as a
broad supercilium, and the whole lower plumage bright yellow ;
lores, feathers round the eye, cheeks, and ear-coverts dark brown,
tinged with green, the shafts of the latter part whitish ; tail brown,
with conspicuous white shafts and all the feathers except the
middle pair tipped white ; upper plumage and wing-coverts olive-
brown, the greater coverts tipped with white; wings brown, edged
with the colour of the back.

I have not been able to examine a young bird.

Bill black above, the lower mandible yellow; iris brown; gape
orange ; feet brownish (Scully).

Length about 4-7 ; tail 2-3 ; wing 2*1 ; tarsus - 6 ; bill from
gape '4.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Simla to Assam up to 12,000
feet; the Khasi hills; Manipur ; the hills east of Toungngoo in
Pegu. This species appears to be a permanent resident wherever
it is found.

Habits, 6)"c. According to Blanford this Flycatcher is usually
seen in small flocks hunting about trees. The nest appears to be
a deep cup made of moss, hair, wool, &c, built on the branch of a
tree, and the eggs white without spots.

e2

52 MUSCICAPIDJE.

Genus RHIPIDURA, Vigors & Horsf., 1826.

The genus Rhipidura is a very extensive one, and contains four
Indian Flycatchers. In these birds the bill is large, about twice
as long as broad, and the rictal bristles are very numerous and
long. The tail is very ample and rounded. The sexes are alike
or nearly so.

These Flycatchers are abundant everywhere and are resident.
They are very lively, constantly on the move, and frequently seen
with outspread tail dancing from branch to branch. They make
small and very beautiful nests covered with cobwebs.

Key to the Species.

a. Forehead and sides of the crown broadly

white , R. dlbifrontata, p. 52.

b. Forehead black; a small white supercilhim.

a'. Abdomen black R. albicollis, p. 53.

b'. Abdomen wbite or whitish.

a". Outer tail-feathers distinctly and

abruptly tipped white R. javanica, p. 54.

b" '. Outer tail-feathers merely paler towards

the tips R. pectoralis, p. 55.

604. Rhipidura albifrontata. The White-browed Fantail
Flycatcher.

Rhipidura albofrontata, Frank!, P. Z. 8. 1831, p. 116 ; Horsf. $ M.

Cat. i, p. 145; Anders. Yunnan Eeped., Aves, p. 655; Sharpe,

Cat. B. M. iv, p. 338; Legge, Birds Ceyl. p. 412; Gates, B. B. i,

p. 208 ; id. in Hume's N. §• E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 31.
Rhipidura aureola, Less. Traite, p. 390 (1831).
Leucocerca albofrontata (Frank!.), Bhjth, Cat. p. 200; Jerd. B. I. i,

p. 452 ; Hume, N. £ E. p. 201.
Leucocerca aureola (Less.), Hume, S. F. i, p. 430, iii, p. 104 ; id.

Cat. no. 292; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 100.
Leucocerca burmanica, Hume, S. F. ix, p. 175, footnote (1880).

The White-broived Fantail, Jerd. ; Macharya, Hind, in the South ;
Manati, Mai. ; Dasari-pitta, Tel.

Coloration. Male. Crown, lores, ear-coverts, and the feathers
round the eye black ; forehead and a very broad supercilium to
the nape wbite ; upper plumage and wings ashy brown, the wing-
coverts tipped with white ; tail brown, all but the median pair of
feathers tipped white, progressively more and more so to the
outermost feather, which is almost entirely white ; cheeks, chin,
and throat black, each feather broadly terminated with white,
except, on the lower throat, where the white is reduced to narrow
margins ; sides of the breast black ; remainder of lower plumage
white.

Female. Very similar to the male, but browner above.

RHIPIOURA. 53

The young resemble ihe adult, but the back and wing-coverts
are margined with rufous.

Bill, legs, and feet black; iris brown.

Length about 7; tail 3-7; wing 3-2; tarsus "8; bill from
gape -7.

Birds of this species from Burma are characterized by a nearly
total absence of white spots on the wing-coverts and by the presence
of more white on the chin and throat; to this race Hume has
given the name of burmanica. I do not propose to keep it dis-
tinct, as the specimens of this species in the British Museum from
Burma are very few, and the characters pointed out above may
prove to be accidental or variable.

Distribution. The whole Empire, ascending the Himalayas to
4000 or 5000 feet. This species is apparently rare frotn Assam
down to Tenasserim, but is found in suitable localities all over the
tract. It occurs in Ceylon, but not, so far as is known, in the
Andamans and Nicobars.

Habits, 6fG. Breeds from February to August, having two or
more broods. The nest, composed of fine grass and coated with
cobwebs, is generally placed on a stout branch of a tree, or some-
times in a fork, and is cup-shaped. The eggs, usually three in
number, are white or cream-coloured, marked with greyish brown,
and measure about "(56 by *5l.

605. Rhipidura albicollis. The White-throated Fantail
Flycatcher.

Platyrhynchus albicollis, Vieill, Nouv. Diet. tVIIist. Nat. xxvii, p. 13

(181 s).
Rhipidura fuscoventris, Frank!, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 117 ; Horsf. # M.

Cat. i, p. 144.
Leucooerca fuscoventris (FrankL), Blyth, Cat, p. 206; Jerd. B. 1. i,

p. 451 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 200.
Rhipidura albicollis ( Vieill.), Anders. Yunnan JExped., Aves, p. 656;

Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 317; Oates, B. B. i, p. 26(3 ; id. in

Hume's X. <y F. 2nd ed. ii, p. 35.
Leucooerca albicollis (Vieill.), Ball, S. F. vii, p. 211 ; Hume, Cat,

no. 2:0 ; Barnes, Birds Bom, p. 100 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 104.

The White-throated Fantail, Jerd.; Chok-dayal, Beng. ; Chak-dil, in
the N.YV. Provinces; Nam-dit-nom, Lepch.

Coloration. Crown, lores, sides of the head, and angle of the
chin black; a shorl supercilium while; throat white, extending
laterally to the Bides of the neck, the bases of the feathers black,
causing the white to appear dull; with these exceptions the whole
plumage is dark sooty brown ; tail dark brown, all but the middle
pair of Eeathers broadly tipped with white. The female does not
differ from the male.

The young have the back and wing-coverts tipped with rufous,
the lower plumage fringed with rufous, and the white super-
cilium and white on the throat barely indicated.

54

MTJSCICAPIDJE.

Bill, legs, and feet black; mouth fleshy white; eyelids grey;
iris deep brown; claws blackish born-colour.

Fig. 22.— Bill of R. albieoUis.

Length about 7*5; tail 4; wing 2-9; tarsus *75 ; bill from
gape -7.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Murree to Dibrugarh in
Assam from their base up to 5000 feet, and occasionally, as re-
corded by Stoliczka, up to 9000 ; portions of the Central Provinces
and Chutia Nagpur, Ball recording this species from Manbhoom,
Lohardugga, Jashpur, Sambalpur north of the Mahanadi, Baipur,
and the Godavari valley, and Hume from Bod ; to the west the
range of this bird is somewhat undefined, Barnes expressing his
belief that it does not occur in the Bombay Presidency, but Mr.
B. Aitken stating that it is common both at Bombay and Poona.
Sykes obtained it in the Deccan. It is found in Lower and Eastern
Bengal, Assam, and all the countries between this latter province
and Central Tenasserim, extending into Cochin China.

Habits, §c. Breeds in May, June, and July, constructing a nest
of grass coated with cobwebs, of the shape of an inverted cone, in
a small fork on a branch of a tree. The eggs, usually three in
number, are fawn-colour or yellowish, marked with grey, and
measure about *G5 by *49.

600. Rhipidura javanica. The Java Fantail Flycatcher.

Muscicapa j.ivanica, Sparrm. Mas. Carls, iii, pi. 75 (1783j.
Leucoceica javanica (Sparrm.), Blt/th, Cat. p. 20b' ; Hume fy Dav. S.

F. vi, p. 226 ; Hume, Cat. no. 293 bis ; id. S. F. ix, p. 175.
Rhipidura javanica (Sparrm.), Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i, p. 144; Sharpe,

Cat. B. M. iv, p. 332 ; Gates, B. B. i, p. 2G7.
Leucocerca infuniata, Hume, S. F. i, p. 455 (1873).

Coloration. Hale. Forehead, crown, and sides of the head sooty
brown ; the whole upper plumage and the wings brown, suffused
with rufous ; tail dark brown, the four outer pairs of feathers
broadly tipped with white, the pair next to these very narrowly
tipped with white ; a short supercilium white; chin, a band across
the upper breast, and the sides of the breast blackish brown;
throat white ; remainder of lower plumage white tinged with buff.

RHIPIDURA. 55

Female. Resembles the male, but has the lower plumage more
tinged with buff.

The young resemble the adult, but the back and the wing-
coverts are broadly tipped and fringed with rufous.

Iris brown ; bill black, fleshy at the base of the lower mandible
{Hume and Davison).

Length about 7^5 ; tail 3"6 ; wing 3 ; tarsus *75 ; bill from
gape -7.

Distribution. Tenasserim from Tavoy southwards, extending to
Siam, Cochin China, the Malay peninsula and islands.

607. Rhipidura pectoralis. The White-spotted Fantail
Flycatcher.

Leucocerca pectoralis, Jerd. III. hid. Orn. text to plate ii (1847) ;

Blijth, Cat. p. 200 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 453 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 203.
Muscipeta leucogaster, Cuvier, Jide Pucher. Arch. Mus. vii, p. 333

(1854).
Rhipidura pectoralis (Jerd.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 935 (1843) ;

Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv, p. 335 ; Oatesin Hume's N. ty E. 2nd ed. ii,

p. 38.
Leucocerca leucogaster (Cuv.), Hume, Cat. no. 293; Barnes, Birds

Bom. p. 161.

The White-spotted Fantail, Jerd.

Coloration. Resembles R. javanica. Differs in having the breast-
band ocellated with white and the outer tail-feathers merely paler
towards the tips, not abruptly aud broadly pure white.

Iris blackish brown; legs, feet, and bill black (Butler).

Length about 7 ; tail 3*8 ; wing 3; tarsus -7 ; bill from gape -6.

Distribution. Found chiefly and most abundantly in the western
portion of India from Abu nearly down to Cape Comorin. To the
eastward this species has been found at Raipur (Ball), Chikalda
(McMaster), Goona (King), Chanda (Blanford), and a line con-
necting these localities probably represents its eastern limits. It
appears to be found up to 6000 feet or even higher.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to August, constructing a nest
very similar to that of R. albifrontata. The eggs are buffy white,
with a zone of brownish spots round the larger end, and measure
about '6Q by *47.

56

TTJRD1D.E.

Fig. 23. — Copsychus saularis.

Family TURDID^.

The intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the
bronchial semi-rings ; the edges of both mandibles smooth, or the
upper one simply notched ; hinder aspect of tarsus bilaminated,
the laminse entire and smooth ; wing with ten primaries ; tongue
non-tubular ; nostrils always clear of the line of forehead, the
space between the nostril and the edge of the mandible less than
the space between the nostril and the culmen ; plumage of the
nestling mottled or squamated to a greater or less extent ; one
moult in the year, but frequently supplemented by a seasonal
change of plumage caused by the casting-off of the margins of the
feathers in spring; rectrices usually twelve, very seldom fourteen.

SAXICOLIN.E. 57

The Turdidce, or Chats, Robins, Thrushes, Dippers, and Accen-
tors, form a very large family of the Passereg. The only character
which links all the species together is the mottled or squamated
plumage of the nestling. In this character the Turdidce agree
with the Muscicapidce, bat they differ from this family in having
long or moderate tarsi and in having the nostrils and base of the
upper mandible quite free from all hairs. The only exception to
this latter feature appears to be in Zoothera, in which genus the
frontal hairs are developed and reach over the nostrils. The long
tarsus of the birds of this genus, however, will prevent them from
being confounded with any of the Flycatchers. In some few genera,
especially Buticitta and Pratincola, the shafts of the feathers of the
forehead are somewhat elongated and the webs disintegrated, but
these cannot be considered hairs nor do they lie over the nostrils
as is always the case with the Muscicapidcv.

The Turdidce axe found over nearly the whole globe and their
migratory instincts are generally very strong.

The Turdidce may be divided into five subfamilies, characterized
partly by habits and partly by structural characters.

Tarsus smooth ; rictal bristles present ; habits

Muscicapine, the insect-food captured

by sallies from a fixed perch Scwicolince, p. 57.

Tarsus smooth, with hardly an exception*;

rictal bristles present : habits terrestrial,

the insect-food captured on the ground. Buticillince, p. 81.
Tarsus smooth ; rictal bristles present : habits

terrestrial and arboreal, the species being

both insectivorous and frugivorous .... Turdince, p. 120.
Tarsus smooth ; rictal bristles absent : habits

aquatic; eggs unspotted white Cinclince, p. 161.

Tarsus scutellated ; rictal bristles present :

habits terrestrial ; eggs unspotted blue. . Accentorince,j>. 165.

Subfamily SAXICOLIN^.

The Sancicolinee or Chats form a natural section of the Thrushes
very nearly related to the Flycatchers and with many of their habits.
The Chats feed entirely on insects, which they capture generally on
the ground from a fixed perch, such as the summit of a stone, a stalk
of grass, or a branch of a bush, and then return at once to their post
of observation. The characteristic habit of the Chats is the fre-
quent movement and expansion of the tail. The majority of this
subfamily are migratory, and tbey have a very marked seasonal
change of plumage caused by the abrasion of the margins of the
feathers in the late autumn or early spring. The sexes usually
differ very much in colour.

* The only exception I know of is Thamnobia.

58 TURDID.E.

Ill the Chats the bill is strong and the rictal bristles occasionally
very numerous and strong ; the wing in most is pointed ; the tail,
of twelve feathers, is seldom or never longer than the wing ; and the
tarsus and foot are of medium size and strength.

The Chats nest in holes in the ground or in walls, or among
heaps of stoues, and they lay eggs which, so far as is known, are
always marked with brown or rufous.

Key to the Genera.

a. Bill broad at base ; rictal bristles numerous and

strong.

a'. Tail shorter tbau wing ; outer feathers reach-
ing nearly to tip Pbatincola, p. 58.

V . Tail about as long as wing ; outer feathers
falling short of tip by about 'half length of
tarsus * Oreicola, p. GO.

b. Bill narrow, not strikingly broad at base ; rictal

bristles few and weak.

e'. Tail with a pattern of two colours Saxicola, p. G7.

<?. Tail entirely of one colour Ceecomei.a, p. 79.

Genus PRATINCOLA, Koch, 1816.

The genus Pratincola contains a considerable number of species
of wide distribution, some of which are migratory and others
resident. They are mostly familiar birds, displaying little fear,
and one or more species are generally common in every part of the
Empire except the tracts covered with forest.

In Pratincola the bill is rather less than half the length of the
head, broad at base and well notched ; the rictal bristles are very
strong ; the wing is rather sharp, and the first primary varies from
one half to one third the length of the second ; the tail is shorter
than the wing and slightly rounded, and the tarsus is moderate in
length. The sexes are invariably dissimilar, and the seasonal changes
of plumage are very marked.

Key to the Species *.

a. Plumage entirely black and white.

a'. Wing about 2-8 ; bill from nostril to tip '3 . P. cuprata c?, P- 59.
b '. Wing about 3 ; bill from nostril to tip 4 . . P. atrata <S , p. 60.

* I exclude the following species from the Indian list : —

Pratincola robusta, Tristram.
Pratincola robusta, Tristram, Ibis, 1870, p. 497 ; Hume, S. F. ix, p. 133.
The type of this species, said to have been procured iu Mysore by Mr. H. E.
Fox more than twenty years ago, has been obligingly lent to me by Canon Tristram.
It is identical with the larger Bush-Chat of Madagascar, and both Sharpe and
Tristram agree with me in this identification. There are two Bush-Chats of
this type in Madagascar, agreeing in coloration but differing in size. To one

PRATINC'OLA. 59

Plumage not entirely black and white.
c . Chin and throat black.

a". No white on tail except at extreme base . P. manra J, p. 01.

b". Inner webs of tail-feathers white P. leucura $ , p. 63.

d'. Chin, throat, and uppor tail-coverts white or
pale rufous.

c". Inner webs of tail-feathers white P, macrorhgncha,

d". Inner webs of tail-feathers black or brown. [p. 63.

«'". Under wing-coverts and axillaries black

broadly edged with white ; wing 3 - . . P. insignis, p. 64.
V" . Under wing-coverts and axillaries rufous j P. viaura §, p. 61.

or fulvous ; wing 2'6 (P. leucura § , p. 63.

e'. Chin and throat bi'owa ; upper tail-coverts
deep ferruginous.

e". Wing about 2-8 P. caprata £ , p. 59.

/". Wing about 3 P. atrata $ , p. 60.

608. Pratincola caprata. The Common Pied Bush-Chat.

Motacilla caprata, Linn. S'jst. Nat. i, p. 335 (1766).

Saxicola bicolor, Sgkes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 92.

Pr.itincola caprata (Linn.), Bli/th, Cat. p. 169; Horsf. $ M. Cat.

i, p. 281 ; Jercl. B. 1. ii, p. 123 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 312 ; Anders.

Yunnan Erped., Ares, p. 617; Hum?, Cat. no. 481 ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. M. iv, p. 195 (part.) ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 2^1 ; Barnes, Birds

Bom. p. 19 J ; Oates in Humes N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 41.

The White-winged Black Robin, Jerd. ; Pidha, Kala pidha, Iliud. ;
Kumpa nalanchi, Tel.

Coloration. Male. In the summer the whole plumage is black,
except the lower part of the rump, the upper and lower tail-coverts,
and those feathers of the wing neai'est the body, which are white,
the latter forming a very conspicuous patch on the wing.

In the autumn the black feathers are more or less fringed with
rufous -brown.

of these, but to which will probably never be satisfactorily determined, Linnaeus
assigned the name Motacilla sybilla (Syst. Nat. i, p. 337). I propose, therefore,
that Linnaeus's name should be retained for the smaller bird, with wing 25
or 2'fi, and Tristram's name for the larger, with wing 2'9.

The occurrence of P. robusta in India must, for the present I think, be viewed
with a certain amount of distrust, and I therefore omit it from my list. The
following is a description of the type, which appears to be a male, judging from
its fine colour : —

The breast and sides of the body are a deep cinnamon-rufous, sharply de-
marcated from the pure white of the abdomen, which extends to the vent and
under tail-coverts ; the axillaries and under wing-coverts are white with dark
bases ; the tail is black ; the other parts of the plumage resemble the same
parts in P. maura and P. leucura in autumn plumage.

Length about 6 ; tail 24 ; wing 29 ; tarsus - 9 ; bill from gape "6.

The many specimens from the Himalayas which have baen identified with this
species by Brooks, Scully, and others are quite a different type of bird and are,
in my opinion, merely large specimens of P. maura.

60 TUKDIDyE.

Female. The upper plumage grey, with dark brown mesial streaks,
the back tinged with rufous ; upper tail-coverts ferruginous ; tail
black ; chin and throat brownish grey ; breast, upper part of the
abdomen, and sides wood-brown with dark streaks ; lower part of
the abdomen the same but without streaks; under tail-coverts
rufescent ; lores and feathers in front of the eye mixed with white ;
quills and the larger coverts brown narrowly edged with rufescent,
the other coverts brown broadly edged with light buff ; under wing-
coverts bright buff with dai'k centres. In the winter the grey
margins on the upper plumage are so ample that hardly any of the
dark brown centres are visible ; otherwise there is no change.

The young are fulvous-brown, mottled all over with dusky ; in
the young male the white patch on the wing makes its appeai'auce
from the earliest period.

Tris brown ; eyelids plumbeous ; bill black ; mouth dusky ; legs
and claws black.

Length ahout 5*5 ; tail 2-2 ; wing 2*8 ; tarsus "85 ; bill from
gape 7.

Fig. 24.— Head of P. caprata.

Distribution. A resident species throughout the whole of India
and Burma, except the southernmost part of the peninsula of India
and portions of Tenasserim. This bird ascends the Himalayas up to
8000 feet, probably in summer only. It is found in the south as
far at least as Maddur in Mysore. It is more or less abundant
throughout the peninsula and through Assam and the Burmese
provinces to Pegu. In Tenasserim Davison observed this bird in
the northern and central portions, but not in the extreme south,
and AVardlaw Bamsay procured it in Karennee.

Outside Indian limits this species extends to Persia on the west,
and on the east and south to the Philippines and Java.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from March to June, constructing a Hat, and
frequently shapeless, nest in a hole in the ground, in a bank or in
a well, composed of grass, roots, and hair. The eggs, usually four
in number, are pale bluish green, marked in various ways with
brownish red, and measure about "67 by "55.

C09. Pratincola atrata. The Southern Pied Bush-Chat.

Pratincola atrata, Kelaart, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xx, p. 177 (1851) ;

Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 124 ; Oates in Hume's N. $ F. 2nd ed. ii, p. 40.
Pratincola bicolor (Sykes), apud Hvme, N. fy E. p. 814 ; Ley ye, Birds

Ceyl. p. 430 ; Hume, Cat. no. 482 ; Davison, S. F. x, p. 389.
Pratincola caprata (Linn.), apud Sharpe, Cat. B. M. ix, p. 195

(part.).

PRATINCOLA. 61

Coloration. In all respects similar in plumage to P. eaprata, sex
for sex. Differs iu being much larger and in having a con-
spicuously more massive bill.

Length about 6 ; tail 2 - 3 ; wing 3 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape 'lz>.

In distinguishing between this and the preceding species,
P. eaprata, the size of the bill alone is quite sufficient. In the
present species the bill, measured from the anterior margin of the
nostril to the tip, is *4 ; in P. eaprata -3 or less.

I adopt Kelaart's name for this species, as Sykes's Saxicola
hicolor was procured iu the Deccan, where, so far as I know, only
P. eaprata, occurs.

Distribution. Southern India, from the Nilgiris to Cape Comorin,
above 5000 feet ; Ceylon. A permanent resident.

Habits, 6,-c. Breeds from February to May, placing its nest in
similar localities to thosa selected by P. eaprata, and laying similar
eggs, which, however, are much larger and measure about "77 by - 6.

610. Pratincola maura. The Indian Bash-Chat.

Motacilla maura, Pall. Reis. Rms. Reichft, ii, p. 708 (1773).

Saxicola saturatior, Hodys. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 83 (1814).

Pratincola iudica, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 129 (1817); id. Cat.
p. 170; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 124; Cabanis, Juurn. f. Orn. 1873,
p. 359 ; Severtz. S. F. iii, p. 429 ; Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves,
p. 618; Hume, Cat. no. 483 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 200.

Pratincola albosuperciliaris, Hume, S. F. i, p. 337 (1873).

Pratincola rubicola {Linn.), apud Hume, N. fy E. p. 316 ; Hume ty
Haiders. Lull, to Yark. p. 204.

Pratincoli maura {Pall.), Sharpe, Cat.B. M. iv, p. 183; Oates, B. B.
i, p. 279 ; id. in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 48.

Adnvi-kampa-nalanchi, Adavi-kampa-jitta, Tel.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
napa, hind ueck, back, scapulars, and upper rump are black, with
broad fulvous or rufous margins to the feathers ; the innermost
wing-coverts pure white ; the remaining upper wing-coverts black,
edged with rufous ; primary-coverts and winglet black, edged with
whitish ; quills dark brown, the primaries narrowly, the other
quills broadly, edged with rufous on the outer web and tip ; lower
rump and tail-coverts white, frequently suffused with orange-
rufous ; tail black, narrowly edged with pale rufous ; the extreme
bases of the feathers white ; lores, sides of the head, chin, and throat
black, most of the feathers edged with fulvous ; a large patch of
white on each side of the neck ; breast orange-rufous ; remainder of
the lower plumage paler rufous ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
black with narrow white tips. In summer the margins of the
feathers of the black portions of the plumage are almost entirely
lost, and these parts become deep black.

Female. After the autumn moult the upper plumage, wings, and
tail resemble those parts in the male, but the black is everywhere

62 TUKDID.E.

replaced by brown and the upper tail-coverts are uniform pale
rufous ; tbe lores, ear-coverts, and round the eye are dusky ;
supercilium, chin, and throat pale fulvous ; remainder of lower
plumage pale orange-rufous ; no white on tbe side of the neck ;
under wing-coverts and axillaries fulvous. In summer the edges
of the feathers are much worn down, and the plumage is paler.

The nestling has the upper plumage brown, the head and neck
streaked with fulvous, the back broadly edged with fulvous ; lower
part of the rump and upper tail-coverts bright ferruginous ; the
lower plumage fulvous, with brown mottlings on tbe breast. After
the first autumn moult the young male has the lower plumage very
bright chestnut, but resembles the adult in other respects.

Bill, legs, and feet black; iris dark brown.

Length about 5 ; tail 1*9 ; wing 2-8 ; tarsus - 8 ; bill from
gape *65.

This species differs from the European P. rubicola in having the
upper tail-coverts streakless, and the under wing-coverts and
axillaries very narrowly tipped with white.

Although I have assigned Pallas's name to the Indian Bush-
Chat, I am by no means satisfied that the Siberian and Indian
birds are identical, nor is it certain that any of the Bush-Chats
which visit the plains of India in the winter cross over to the north
of Ike Himalayas in the summer. Tbe Indian Bush-Chat breeds
so abundantly at all moderate levels in tbe Himalayas that it is
not improbable that the Himalayas form the northern limit of its
range. Siberian specimens of Bush-Chats are not very numerous,
but all I have seen are so intensely black on tbe bead and back, so
intensely rufous on the breast, and, moreover, so small, the wing
not exceeding 2*6 in length, that I have not been able to match
them with any breeding bird from the Himalayas, except in the
case of one bird from the interior of Sikhim. This small dark
race occurs also in Turkestan.

Distribution. A winter visitor to every porlion of the Empire
except the southern portion of the peninsula of India south of
Mysore. The most southern point from which I have seen a spe-
cimen of this species is Belgaum ; but Hume says (S. P. x, p. 389)
that it is reported common from South-viest Mysore. It occurs in
the Andamans.

In the summer this species is found throughout the Himalayas,
from Afghanistan to Assam, up to 5000 feet. Should the Indian
bird prove identical with the Sibeiian form, its range will extend to
Japan and China on the east and to Northern Russia on the west.
Specimens from Abyssinia are quite inseparable from Indian
birds.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the Himalayas at all heights up to about
5000 feet, constructing a nest of grass and moss in small shrubs or
in holes of walls, and laving four or five eggs, which are pale green
marked with brownish red, and measure about - 7 by "55.

PBATTHCOLA. 63

611. Pratincola leucura. The White-tailed Bush-Ghat.

Pratincola leucura, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 474 (1817) ; id. Cat.
p. 170; Jerd. B.I. ii, p. 126; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix,
pt. ii, p. 270 ; Hume, S. F. i, p. 183, iii, p. 135, v, p. 241 ; id.
Cat. no. 484 ; Brooks, S. F. viii, p. 473 ; S/tarpe, Cat. B. M. iv,
p. 194: Oates, B. B. i, p. 280; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 200;
Hume, 8. F. xi, p. 191.

Khar-pidda, Hind, at Monghyr.

Coloration. Resembles P. maura very closely. The male P.
leucura differs from the male P. maura in having the inner webs
and the basal half of the outer webs of all the tail-feathers, except
the middle pair, white, and the abdomen, vent, and under tail-
coverts also white.

The females, although undistinguishable from each other by mere
description, may perhaps be separable by actual comparison of spe-
cimens if the plumage be in good order. In P. leucura the rufous
of the upper tail-coverts and the lower plumage is much paler, in
P. maura much darker ; P. leucura is also somewhat greyer and less
rufous on the back.

Legs and feet black ; bill black ; iris brown (Hume).

Length about 5; tail 1"9 ; wing 2-6; tarsus *7; bill from
gape -7.

Hume draws attention to the great difference in plumage
between birds of this species from Sind and from Manipur. Con-
sidering, however, how very irregular the changes and tiuts of the
plumage of these birds are, I do not think that there are any
grounds for separating the Manipur from the Sind race.

Distribution. Sind ; the Terai and lower hills of Nepal and
Sikhim ; Eastern Bengal ; Dacca; Tipperah ; Mymensing; Mani-
pur; Thayetmyo and the valley of the Irrawaddy immediately
below this town ; Toungngoo ; Pahpoon in Tenasserim. There is
little doubt that this species is a permanent resident in those
places.

Habits, <§r„ This Bush-Chat is found invariably in or near
swamps where there are reeds and grass.

612. Pratincola inacrorhyncha. Stoliczka's Bush-Chat.

Saxicola rubetroides, Jameson, Jerd. B. I. ii, App. p. 872 (1864,

descr. null.).
Pratincola inacrorhyncha, Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 238

(1872); Hume, 6'. F. iv, p. 40, vii, p. 55; id. Cat. no. 485 bis;

Sharpe, Cut. B. M. iv, pp. 182, 473 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 201.
Pratincola jamesoni, Hume, 8. F. v, p. 239 (1877).

Coloration. Upper plumage sandy buff streaked with dark
brown ; upper tail-coverts pale rufous ; middle pair of tail-feathers
dark brown, narrowly margined with fulvous-white ; the nest pair
with the basal third of the outer, and three quarters of the inner,
web white, the remainder black; the others progressively more
white and less black ; the outermost almost entirely white ; wing-
coverts blackish with broad sandy margins, the last of each series

64 turdidtE.

next the body almost entirely white ; the earlier primary-coverts
chiefly white on the outer webs, dark brown edged with sandy
elsewhere ; quills dark brown edged with sandy ; lores and a
broad snpercilium pale buff; ear-coverts rufous; remainder of
the sides of the head mixed brown and buff ; chin and throat white ;
remainder of the lower plumage very pale buff, somewhat deeper on
the breast ; under wing-coverts white mottled with black ; axillaries
white, with blackish bases.

The sexes appear to be alike in the winter, but may probably
differ in the summer.

The above is the plumage of adults of both sexes during the
winter. I have not been able to examine birds in summer
plumage; but the skins most advanced towards this plumage in the
Hume Collection have a dark blackish streak from the bill down the
sides of the throat and breast, expanding in width gradually and
leaving the throat narrowly white. The sandy margins of the upper
plumage are probably at this season much reduced in extent, leaving
the upper plumage blacker.

The young resemble the adults in winter plumage, but there is
no white on the tail, which is brown with fulvous margins, and the
white on the wing-coverts is either absent or very much reduced.

Legs and feet black ; iris brown ; bill black (Hume).

Length nearly 6 ; tail 2-2 ; wing 3 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape 7.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the Punjab, Rajputana, Northern
G-uzerat, Cutch, and Sind. The summer-quarters of this species
are unknown. No one has met with it in Central Asia, and
Hume's conjecture that it may be a resident in the above provinces
of India may prove to be correct. Natives of Jodhpur assured him
that these birds remained in this State and bred there during the
rainy season.

Habits, <$fc. Hume states that this species was extremely abun-
dant in the thin, stunted, scrub-jungle that here and there studs
the sandy, semi-desert, waterless tracts which occur all round
Jodhpur. It has the ordinary habits of P. maura.

613. Pratincola insignis. Hodr/sons Bush-Chat.

Saxicola insignia, Ilodgs. in Grays Zool. Misc. p. 83 (1844, descr.

null.).
Pratincola insignia, Hodgs., Bli/th, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 129 (1847) ;

Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 127 ; Hume, S. F. v, pp. 132, 496, vii, pp. 454,

519; id. Cut. no. 485; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 183.
Pratincola robustior, C. If. T. and G. F. L. Marshall, S. F. iii,

p. 330.

The Large Bush- Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. In winter the lores, under the eyes, and the
whole of the ear-coverts are deep black ; forehead, crown, and nape
black with small fulvous edges ; mantle, back, and rump black with
broad fulvous edges; upper tail-coverts white dashed with rusty;
wing-coverts white next the body, black elsewhere ; the lesser

PKATINCOLA. 65

coverts near the edge of the wing fringed with fulvous ; primary-
coverts with the basal half black, the terminal half white ; quills
blackish, all of them broadly white at base, except the last two or
three primaries and the first secondary, the primaries and secon-
daries narrowly, the tertiaries broadly, edged with fulvous ; tail
black, with concealed white bases to the inner webs ; point of the
chin and a narrow stripe along the base of the mandible black ;
throat, extending laterally to the sides of the neck, white, more or
less marked with rusty ; remainder of the lower plumage rusty
ferruginous, the breast marked with some broad black streaks, the
abdomen paler; under tail-coverts pale fulvous-white; under wing-
coverts black edged with white ; axillaries white, with the bases of
the feathers blackish.

In summer, judging from the only specimen I have seen (one
collected by Hodgson at Segowlie, and figured by him), the fulvous
margins on the upper plumage are cast and this part becomes black,
the black streaks on the breast are absent, and there is no rusty
either on the throat or the upper tail-coverts. Hodgson's bird
appears to have been obtained on the 10th January, but it seems
nevertheless to be in full well-worn summer plumage, and there
may be some mistake about the date.

Female. In winter, and probably in summer also, the upper
plumage is brown, each feather margined with dull fulvous ; upper
tail-coverts rusty ; tail brown, with fulvous margins and tips and
with no white at the base ; wing-coverts dark brown, margined and
tipped with fulvous ; the innermost greater coverts and the last
tertiary chiefly white ; quills dark brown, with small dull white
bases and margined with fulvous ; sides of the head and neck, lores,
and above the eye dull fulvous, the ear-coverts rufescent; the
whole lower plumage rusty brown, darker on the breast, which
sometimes has a few dark-brown streaks.

A young male obtained in December has the wings, tail, and
upper plumage similar to the same parts of the adult male in
winter, but the lower plumage is that of the female and the ear-
coverts are nearly black.

The male has the iris deep brown, the bill and legs black ; the
female has the bill blackish brown, horny at base of the lower
mandible (Cleveland).

Length about 6-5; tail 2-4; wing 3-6; tarsus 14; bill from
gape '85.

Distribution. A rare species, occurring on the plains of Northern
India from Cawnpore to the Bhutan Doars. The Marshalls pro-
cured it near Cawnpore in February ; Mr. Cleveland in the
Grorakhpur and Basti districts hi October and December ; Hodgson
at Segowlie, as already mentioned ; and Mandelli in the lower hills
of Sikhim and the Bhutan Doars in April. The summer-quarters
of this species are not known, but lie probably in the Central bills
of Nepal and Sikhim.

Habits, Sfc. This Bush-Chat is found in flat open country thickly
dotted with cane-fields, which appear to be its favourite haunts.

VOL. II. F

TURDIDJE.

Genus OREICOLA., Bonap., 1854.

This genus differs from Pratincola in having a much longer tail,
which is also very much more graduated.

Key to the Species.

a. Whole upper plumage, wings, and tail

black O. jerdoni 3 , p. GO.

b. Upper plumage ashy and black; wing-

coverts largely white ; tail margined

white O. ferrea 3 , p. 66.

c. Upper plumage rufous-brown or rufous-

ashy.

«'. With no supereilium O. jerdoni 2 > P- 66.

V, With a supereilium O. ferrea $ , p. 66.

614. Or eicola jerdoni. Jordan's Bash-Chat.

Rhodophila melanoleuca, Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 128 (1863, nee Vieili),

App. p. 872 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. 8. B. xxxix, pt. ii, p. 270.
Oreicola jerdoni, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 14; Blanf. Ibis, 1870, p. 466;

Hume, Cat. no. 487 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 264 ; Oates, B. B.

i, p. 282 ; Solvation, Ann. Mas. Civ. Gen. (2) iv, p. 590 ; Hume,

S. F. xi, p. 103.
Pratincola jerdoni {Blyth), Anders, Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 616.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage, wings, tail, and
sides of the head and neck deep black ; the whole lower plumage
white ; under wing-coverts black slightly tipped with white.

Female. The whole upper plumage brown tinged with rufous,
especially on the rump and upper tail-coverfcs ; tail brown, edged
paler ; wings and coverts brown edged with rufous ; sides of the
head mixed ashy and brown ; chin and throat white ; remainder of
the lower plumage pale fulvous.

Bill and legs black ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length about 6; tail 2*7; wing 2*7; tarsus '85; bill from
gape -7.

I have not been able to examine a young bird of this species.

Distribution. Purneah in Behar ; Eastern Bengal ; Dibrugarh in
Assam ; Sylhet ; Cachar ; Manipur ; the neighbourhood of Btuimo ;
Bassein district ; Leppadan on the Rangoon and Promo Railway,
where I lately observed this species in March in thick grass on the
banks of the Leppadan river. It is not known whether this Bush-
Chat is migratory or not.

615. Oreicola ferrea. The Darlc-yrey Bush-Chat.

Saxicola ferrea, Hodys. in Gray's Cat. Mamm. fyc. Nep. pp. 71, 153
(1846).

Pratincola ferrea (Hodys.),_ Blyth, Cat. p. 170; Horsf.fyM. Cat.
i, p. 286 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 127 ; Stohczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii,
pt. i, p. 41 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 318 ; Hume $ Henders. Lah. to

SAXICOLA. 67

York. p. 20.3, pi. xii ; Anders. Yunnan Exped,, Arcs, p. 017;
Hume, Cat. no. 486 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 301.
Oreicola ferrea (Hodys.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 200 ; Gates, B. B.
i, p. 283 ; id. in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 50.

iSarrak-chak-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the whole upper
plumage is dark ashy grey, all the feathers except those of the
rump centred with black and margined with a varying amount of
rusty ; coverts and quills black edged with grey, which inclines to
white on the tertiaries ; the inner greater coverts entirely white ;
tail black, the feathers increasingly margined with white, the outer
web of the outermost feather being entirely white ; a white super-
ciliuui from the forehead to the nape ; sides of the head black ;
lower plumage white, tinged with ashy across the breast and on the
thighs.

The margins of the feathers of the upper plumage get worn
away rapidly, aud later on in the winter almost disappear, leaving
the upper parts black during the summer.

Female. The whole upper plumage rufous ashy, the centres of
the feathers dark, but not very distinctly visible till the spring,
when the edges of the feathers are reduced in extent ; upper tail-
coverts chestnut ; tail brown, broadly edged with chestnut ; wings
brown, narrowly edged with rufous ; a pale grey supercilium ; sides
of the head reddish brown speckled with brown ; chin and throat
whitish ; remainder of lower plumage rufous ashy.

The young are dark rufous-brown, with streaks aud spots of
fulvous, and broad rufous edges to the tail and wings.

Iris brown; tail black; legs dark brown.

Length nearly 6 ; tail 2'7 ; wing 2*7 ; tarsus *8 ; bill from
gape "65.

Distribution. The Himalayas, from Murree and the Indus valley
in Kashmir to the extreme east of Assam. This species is found
up to 9000 feet in summer, and it descends to the valleys in the
winter. It extends in the winter from Assam through the hill-
ranges and Burma as far as Karennee, Central Tenasserim, and
the Thoungyeen valley. This Bush-Chat is found in China.

Habits; <J"c. Breeds in the Himalayas from April to July, con-
structing a nest of grass, moss, and hair in a hole in the ground
or under the shelter of a stone or clod of earth. The eggs, four
or five in number, are pale green marked with reddish brown, and
measure about '1'2 by "57. It is not improbable that this species
may breed in some of the hill-ranges of Burma.

Genus SAXICOLA, Bechst., 1802.

The genus Saxicola contains a large number of species which
are essentially birds of deserts and waste lands, and they are most
developed in the dry parts of South-western Asia and Northern
Africa. The majority of them are migratory to a greater or less

r2

68 TURDIDvE.

extent, and a few appear to be resident. The sexes are usually
dissimilar, and both sexes undergo a seasonal change of plumage,
which in some species causes a very great alteration in their
appearance. In all the species and in both sexes the tail is
marked with two colours, generally black and white and occasion-
ally black and chestnut.

In Saxicola the bill is about half the length of the head, slender,
and not widened at the base ; the rictal bristles are few and weak ;
the wing is sharp, the first primary being about one third the
length of the second ; the tail is shorter than the wing and nearly
square, and the tarsus is moderate.

The young of Saxicola are in general like the adult female, but
each feather of the plumage has a terminal dark bar and a pale
centre, causing a mottled appearance. This plumage at the first
autumn gives place to that of the adult.

Ktif to the Species.

a. Tail white or bufl' and brown ; the lateral

feathers immaculate or merely obliquely

marked with black 8, monacha, p. 69.

b. Tail white and black ; the laterals with a

hroad band at the tip.
a'. Band on lateral tail-feathers not exceed-
ing 1 inch in breadth.
a". Second primary shorter than sixth.
a'". Sexes alike; plumage black and

white ; wing 4 inches or longer. . 8. albinigra, p. 70.
b'". Sexes different ; males black and
white ; female brown ; wing under
3"7 inches.
a 4 . Abdomen white, and crown

black *S'. picata c? , p. 71.

b l . Abdomen and crown white .... 8. capistrata $, p. 72.

c 4 . Abdomen black 8. opistholeuca tf , p. 73.

d l . Throat and breast dark brown,
contrasting with the pale ab-
domen 8. picata § , p. 71.

e 4 . Throat and breast buff, blending
softly with the paler buff of the

abdomen S. capistrata § , p. 72.

/ 4 . Throat, breast, and upper abdo-
men sooty brown 8. opistholeuca $ , p. 73.

b". Second primary between the fifth and
sixth ; sexes different *.
c"\ Okiu and throat black.
ff l . Back and scapulars of the same

colour 8. pleschanka tf , p. 73.

h\ Back buff, scapulars black .... 8. barnesi <$ , p. 75.

* I am not acquainted with the females of S. barnesi and S. vittata, and con-
sequently I do not enter either of these in the Key, nor the female of S. pies-
cha.ika. which comes into this same section.

SAXICOLA. 69

d'". Chin and throat white S. vittuta 6 , p. 75.

c". Second primary equal to or longer

than fifth ; throat never hlack.

e'". Sexes different ; hand on tail '8

inch ; under wing-coverts and ax-

illaries hlack edged with white, or

hrown edged fulvous 8. cenanthe, p 76.

f '. Sexes alike ; hand on tail 1
inch ; under wing-coverts and ax-

illaries uniform fulvous 8. isabeUina, p. 77.

//. Band on lateral tail-feathers more than
1 inch in breadth.
d". Wing 3 - 7 ; inner webs of quills of

wing narrowly margined white .... 8. deserti, p. 78.
e" . Wing 4; inner webs of quills of wing

nearly entirely white 8. montana, p. 78.

c. Tail chestnut and black ; the lateral fea-
thers with a broad band at the tip * . . 8. clmjsopygia, p. 79.

616. Saxicola monacha. The Hooded Chat.

Saxicola monacha, Hupp., Temm. PI. Col. no. 359, fig. 1 (1825) ;
Blanf. $ Dresser, P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 227 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,
p. 36*9 ; Hume, Cat. no. 490 bis ; Barnes^ Birds Bom. p. 203.

Dromoltea monacha (Biipp.), Hume, 8. F. i, p. 186.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
nape, hind neck, rump, upper tail-coverts, abdomen, vent, and
under tail-coverts are pure white ; tail white, the terminal two-
thirds of the middle pair and a dash or two on the laterals brown ;
remainder of plumage black, the back and breast with a few whitish
fringes, the secondaries, under wing-coverts, and axillaries with
white tips. In summer the white fringes on the back aud breast
disappear.

Female. Upper plumage buffi sh brown; wings and coverts brown
edged with buffy white ; lower rump and upper tail-coverts buff ;
tail as in the male, but the white replaced by buff and with more
brown on the laterals ; lower plumage pale buff.

Legs, feet, and bill black {Hume Coll.).

Length about 7 ; tail 2-9 ; wing 4-2 j tarsus -9 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. The hills dividing Sind from Khelat, extending

1 * Saxicola lur/ens, Licht., has been recorded from Daulatpur in Sind by
Mr. Murray, but under circumstances which render it doubtful whether the
specimen upon which the statement is based was really obtained in Sind. This
Chat resembles 8. pleschanka, but has the under tail-coverts a deep buff, and
the inner webs of the quills of the wing very largely white. (Cf. S. F. vii,
pp. 118, 527, where this bird is referred to under the name of S. Icucomela )
This species occurs in Persia and westwards to Palestine and Northern Africa.
S. persica, Seebohm, is also allied to S. pleschanka and <S'. lugens, and differs
from the latter in having the inner webs of the quills of the wing merely mar-
gined with white. In the former the whole wing is black. S. persica occurs in
Persia in summer.

70 TURDIDjE.

east to Sehwan, whence I have seen a specimen procured by Brooks
in January. This species is said to be a winter visitor to Sind,
but this statement requires confirmation. It extends westwards
to Baluchistan and Afghanistan, and on to Palestine, occurring
also in Nubia.

617. Saxicola albinigra. Hume's Chat.

S axicola alhoniger, Hume, S. F. i, p. 2 (1873) ; Blanf. fy Dresser,

P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 226 ; Blanf. Fast. Pers. ii, p. 153, pi. xi ; Seebohm,

Cat. B. M. v, p. 866; Hume, Cat. no. 489 bis; Barnes, Birds

Bom. p. 202; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 58; Scully, Ibis, 1881,

p. 442.

Drornolsea alboniger (Hume), Hume, S. F. i, p. 185.

Coloration. The sexes are alike. The whole head, neck, back,
scapulars, sides of breast, axillaries, and under wing-coverts deep
black ; wings dark brown, the coverts edged with black ; remainder
of the plumage white, except the terminal half of the middle tail-
feathers and a terminal band on the laterals, which are black.

Bill, legs, and feet black {Hume Coll.).

Length about 7 ; tail 2 # 8 ; wing 4 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from gape "9.

Distribution. The hills dividing Wind from Khelat, ranging west
to Sehwan and Larkana; Gilgit at 5000 feet; extending east to
Persia.

This species is no doubt resident in Sind and Gilgit, as it pro-
bably is in the other parts of its somewhat limited range. I have
seen specimens killed on the following dates : — Gilgit, January
and June ; Sind, November to January ; Baluchistan and Mekran
Coast, February, April, August, and November; Afghanistan,
August and December : Persia, May.

The next two species are united by Hume and some other orni-
thologists, but I consider them distinct on the following grounds : —
S. picata, a species with the crown black, visits the plains of India
only in the winter, and retires for the summer to the mountains
of Afghanistan and Kashmir. S. capistrata, a species with the
crown white, is a constant resident in the plains of India and the
lower parts of Afghanistan, and is never found on the mountains.
The females of both species when in good plumage, from Septem-
ber to April, are quite distinct, and may be recognized without
difficulty by their colour.

A few birds obtained in Gilgit have the crown largely white,
but they were shot just before the autumn moult, when the feathers
of that part are extremely worn and ragged, and this may be the
result of bleaching. I do not think too much importance should
be attached to the occurrence of these abnormal specimens among
a very large series of typical S. picata. In the same way a few
specimens from the plains of India exhibit some black among

SAXICOLA. 71

the white feathers of the crown. These variations are no doubt
puzzling, but their cause will probably be solved hereafter without
having recourse to the theory of interbreeding, which in this
instance is singularly inapplicable, since the breeding-areas of the
two species are totally distinct one from the other. One point is
quite clear from the immense series of these Chats in the National
Collection : the white or the black crown, or the intermixture of
black and white, is not due to age.

618. Saxicola picata. The Pied Cfliat.

Saxicola picata, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 131 (1847) ; id. Cat. p. 167;

Horsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 287 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 131 ; Blanf. §

Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 227 ; Hume, S. F. iii, p. 475 ; id. Cat.

no. 489 ; Seebohm. Cat. B. M. v, p. 367 ; Barnes, S. F. ix, p. 217 ;

Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 56; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 441 ; Biddulph,

Ibis, 1882, p. 236 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 202 ; Oates in Humes

N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 52.
Dromoloea picata (Blyth), Hume, S. F. i, p. 184 ; Ball, S. F. iii,

p. 206.

The Pied Stone- Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole head and neck all round, back,
scapulars and wings, under wing-coverts and axillaries deep black :
remainder of lower plumage with the rump and upper tail-coverts
white ; tail white, except the terminal half of the middle pair of
feathers and a broad band at the tip of the others, which are
black. There is hardly any difference between the summer and
winter plumages.

Female. Upper plumage brown; rump and upper tail-coverts
white ; tail as in male, but black replaced by brown ; wings brown,
all the feathers broadly edged with rufous ; chin, throat, and breast
dark ochraceous brown ; remainder of the lower parts very pale
buff or pinkish white.

The young resemble the female but are mottled below, and the
crown is always of the same colour as the back.

A few adult males have sometimes a small amount of white on
the crown or over the ear-coverts, and occasionally in birds about
to moult neai'ly the whole crown is white.

Bill and legs black ; iris dark brown (Bingham).

Length about 7 ; tail 2-7 ; wing 3*5 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape - 75.

Distribution. The Pied Chat summers in digit and the moun-
tains of Afghanistan and Baluchistan, extending at this season to
Persia. In winter it visits the plains of the Punjab, Sind, G-uze-
rat, Eajputana as far east as Deesa and Sambhar, and the North-
west Provinces down to Allahabad. At this season it is also
found in the low country of Baluchistan and Afghanistan.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from March to July, constructing a nest of
grass, lined with feathers, in a hole of a wall or a cleft of a rock.
The eggs are greenish blue, with very pale marks of rusty brown
round the larger end, and measure about *81 by "56.

72 tuediDjE.

619. Saxicola capistrata. The White-headed CJiat.

Saxicola leucomela (Pall.), apud Jercl. B. I. ii, p. 131.

Saxicola capistrata, Goidd, Birds Asia, iv, pi. 28 (1865) ; Hume,

S. F. iii, p. 475 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 368.
Saxicola niorio (Hempr. fy Ehr.), apud Hume, Cat. uo. 490 ; Barnes,

Birds Bom. p. 203.

The White-headed Stone-Chat, Jerd.

Fig. 25. — Head of S. capistrata.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult, the forehead, crown,
nape, and hind neck are greyish white, somewhat whiter over the
eye and ear-coverts ; sides of the head, chin, throat, neck all
round, back, scapulars, wings, under wing-coverts, and axillaries
black ; remainder of lower plumage with rump and upper tail-
coverts white ; tail white, except the terminal half of the middle
pair of feathers and a broad band on the tip of the others, which
are black. Soon after the autumn moult the tips of the crown-
feathers become reduced, and the crown is much whiter than
before. When these feathers become still more worn, the crown
has a tendency to exhibit patches of black. There is no other
seasonal change of plumage.

Female. Eesembles the female of S. picata, but the upper plu-
mage is more sandy ; the chin, throat, and breast are light fulvous,
very little darker than the remainder of the lower plumage.

The young resemble the adult female, but are mottled below.
After the first autumn the males are blackish brown with broad
brown fringes, and the crown is always conspicuously paler than
the back.

Bill and legs black ; iris brown (Hume).

Length about 7 ; tail 2-7 ; wing 3*6 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape '75.

Distribution. A constant resident in the plains of the Punjab,
Sind, and Rajputana, extending in this latter area as far south only
as Jodhpur and Sambhar ; and apparently not passing east of the
Jumna river. This species extends on the west to Kandahar. It
appears to be somewhat rare, but I have seen specimens killed in
the above localities in every month of the year except May and
July..

Seebohm records this bird from the cultivated districts of Turk-
estan, apparently on the authority of Severtzoff ; but this gentleman
states (S. F. iii, p. 429) that 8. lur/ens, Licht., of his Turkestan list,

SAXICOLA. 73

is nothing but S. morio or 8. hendersoni, and consequently there
are now no grounds for stating that 8. cajoistrata occurs in Turk-
estan.

Habits, SfC. Nothing is known of the nidification of this species.

620. Saxicola opistholeuca. Strickland's Chat.

Saxicola opistholeuca, Striclcl., Jard. Contr. Orn. 1849, p. 60 ; Blyth,
Cat. -p. 167; Blanf. 8f Dresser, P.Z.S. 1874, p. 229: Butler $
Hume, S. F. iii, p. 475 ; Hume, Cat. no. 488 ; Seebohm, Cat. B.
M. v, p. 376; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 55 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881.
p. 441 : Biddulph. Ibis, 1882, p. 27(5 : Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 201.

Saxicola leucoroides, GuSrin, apvd Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 130.
The India?! White-tailed Stone-Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole plumage black except the rump
and upper and under tail-coverts ; tail white, except the terminal
half of the middle pair of feathers and a broad band at the tip of
the others, which are black. There appears to be no seasonal
change of plumage.

Female. Eesembles the females of 8. picata and 8. capistrata in
general colour, but is very dusky throughout and has the ear-
coverts a rich brown.

Bill, legs, and feet black ; iris dark brown (Bine/ham).

Length about 6-5 ; tail 2-7 ; wing 3-6 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape -75.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the plains of India from the
Punjab down to Khandesh and Nagpur, and from Sind to Etawah
in the N."W. Provinces. This species extends to Afghanistan in
the winter. It passes through Gilgit in the spring aud autumn,
and summers in Turkestan. In addition to the above localities in
the plains, it has been recorded by Stoliczka from the lower hills
of the Sutlej valley.

621. Saxicola pleschanka *. The Siberian Chat.

Motacilla pleschanka, Lepeeh, Nov. Com. Petr. xiv, p. 503, pi. xiv,

fig. 2 (1770).
Motacilla leucomela, Pall. Nov. Com. Petr. xiv, p. 584, pi. xxii,fig. 3

(1770).
Saxicola morio, Hempr. et Ehr. Synth. Phys. fol. aa (1833) ; Blanf.

8f Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 225 (part.) ; Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis,

1880, p. 55 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 372 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881,

p. 58; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 443 : Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 276.
Saxicola hendersoni, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 408 ; Hume Sf Holders.

Luh. to York. p. 206, pi. xiii ; Hume, S. F. ii, p. 520 ; Scully, S.

F. iv, p. 144 ; Hume, Cat, no. 492 bis ; id. S. F. ix, p. 326 note.
Saxicola pleschanka (Lep.), Oates in Humes N. SfE. 2nd ed. ii, p. 53.

* As the names leucomela and morio have been frequently misapplied, espe-
cially by Indian ornithologists, it is a matter for congratulation that Lepechiu's
name is available for this species.

74 turdidjE.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the feathers at the
base of the upper mandible, lores, a narrow line above the eye,
sides of the head, chin, and throat black, most of the feathers with
fawn-coloured fringes ; forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck
greyish brown, with the bases of the feathers white ; a pale buff
supercilium ; back, scapulars, and upper rump black, very broadly
fringed with rufous, the black being nearly invisible ; lower rump
and upper tail-coverts white ; tail white, except the terminal two-
thirds of the middle pair of feathers and a band at the tips of the
others, which are black ; wings black, all the feathers margined
with rufous ; lower plumage from the throat downwards rufous-
fawn, deepest on the breast ; under wing-coverts and axillaries
black, with very narrow white fringes. In spring and summer
the plumage, by a course of abrasion of the tips of the feathers,
becomes quite different to that of the autumn and winter. The
forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck become pure white; the
feathers at the base of the upper mandible, sides of the head, chin,
throat, back, scapulars, wings, under wing-coverts, and axillaries
uniform deep black ; the remainder of the lower plumage pure
white ; the rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail undergo no
alteration.

Female. In the autumn the forehead, crown, nape, hind neck
and sides of neck, back, and scapulars are rufous-brown, with
narrow paler fringes ; wings dark brown, with broad rufous
margins; rump and upper tail-coverts white ; tail as in the male ; a
pale rufous supercilium ; ear-coverts darker rufous ; lower plumage
rufous-brown, varying in different individuals, darkest on the
breast, a few feathers of the breast and flanks with dark streaks ;
under wing-coverts and axillaries blackish, with narrow whitish
fringes. In spring and summer all the margins to the feathers
are lost. The chin, throat, and fore neck become dusky, and the
remainder of the lower parts nearly white ; the upper plumage is
earthy brown, with a fulvous tinge.

Bill, legs, and feet black ; iris probably brown.

Length about 6 ; tail 2-4 ; wing 3*7 ; tarsus -0 ; bill from
gape '65 ; second primary longer than sixth.

A perfectly connected series of this Chat in the British Museum
conclusively proves that S. hendersoni is merely the present species
in freshly-moulted plumage.

Distribution. This Chat has a very extensive range, and is
migratory, but the materials for tracing its movements are very
imperfect. The only part of India in which it occurs is Gilgit
and the extreme northern portions of Kashmir, where it is very
common throughout the summer and breeds. At this season of
the year this species is found in Turkestan and throughout Central
Asia to Siberia and Western China. To the west it ranges in
summer to Afghanistan, and it is said to breed in Persia and South-
eastern Europe. The winter-quarters of this Chat are said to be
Abyssinia and Arabia, but I have seen one specimen killed in
Crilcrit in December.

SAXICOLA. 75

Habits, §c. Breeds in May and June, building its nest in a hole
of a stone wall or in a pile of stones. The eggs are described as
being pale blue, with small dusky red freckles, and one measured
•72 by -56.

622. Saxicola barnesi. Barnes's Chat.

Saxicola ervthraea, Hemp, fy Ehr., apud Blanford, East. Pers. ii.

p. 150.
Saxicola finschii, Heugl., apud Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 388 (part.) ;
apud St, John, Ibis, 1889, p. 168.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
nape, hind neck, and the middle portion of the back are buff; the
sides of the back, scapulars, wing-coverts, tertiaries, lores, sides of
the head and neck, chin, and throat black, a few of the feathers
with narrow pale fringes ; winglet and primary-coverts black,
broadly edged with pale buffy white ; quills dark brown, more
narrowly edged with pale buff ; rump, upper tail-coverts, breast,
and lower plumage white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black ;
tail white, except the terminal half of the middle pair of feathers
and a band at the tip of all the others, which are black. In
summer the buff upper plumage wears down almost to a white
colour, and the fringes on the black portions are cast.

The female is unknown to me. The female of the allied 8.
finschi is thus described by Canon Tristram : — " Back uniform
cinereous ; wings brown ; rump white ; tail white, with broad
black termination like the male ; throat pale ashy brown ; rest of
lower parts dull white."

Length nearly 7; tail 2-6; wing 3*7; tarsus 1-05; bill from
gape - 2.

This species differs from S. finschi, the only Chat with which it
can be confounded, in having only the chin and throat black, and
this colour not connected with the axillaries, from which it is
separated by a broad band of white. In S. finschi the breast is
black, and connected with the black axillaries.

Distribution. Occurs in Baluchistan and Afghanistan and east-
wards to Persia. This species is probably resident in all parts of
its range. 1 have examined specimens obtained at Quetta in
February, at Kandahar in March and September, and in Persia in
March and June.

623. Saxicola vittata. The Black-backed Eared Chat.

Saxicola vittata, Hempr. § Ehr. Symb. Phys. Aves, fob cc (1833) ;
Blanf. ,y Dresser, P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 220 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,
p. 396; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 59; Hume, S. F. ix, p. 324 note ;
Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 444 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 277.

Coloration, Male. In autumn the forehead, crown, nape, hind
neck, and a small portion of the upper back are white, tinged with

76 TURDIDJE.

grey or brown ; lores, round eye, ear-coverts, sides of neck and of
the breast, axillaries and under wing-coverts, back, scapulars, and
wings black, many of the feathers fringed with greyish brown, and
the wing- coverts with white ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and entire
lower plumage white ; tail white, except the terminal two-thirds
of the middle pair of feathers and a band at the tips of the others,
which are black. The summer plumage hardly differs.

Female. According to Seebohm differs from the male in having
the black parts replaced by brown, and in having the head and
nape suffused with brown.

Bill black, gape leaden ; iris dark brown ; legs black (Scully).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*4 ; wing 3"6 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape -8.

The only specimens of this Chat that I have been able to examine
are two males in Seebohm's Collection, one obtained by Severtzoff
in Turkestan in March, and the other by Scully in Grilgit in June.
The female is unknown to me.

Distribution. Has occurred iu Gilgit in May and June. This
species breeds in Turkestan, and is said to winter in Arabia and
the Bogos country.

624. Saxicola oenanthe. The WTieatear Chat.

Motacilla oenanthe, Linn. Si/st. Nat. i, p. 332 (1766).

Saxicola oenanthe {Linn.'), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,p. 391 ; Biddulph,

Ibis, 1881, p. 60: Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 444; Hume, S. F. ix,

p. 325 note.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the feathers at the
base of the upper mandible, asupercilium, and a moustachial streak
are white ; lores, under the eye, and ear-coverts black ; upper
plumage slaty grey with broad rufous fringes ; rump and upper
tail-coverts whh% ; tail white, except the terminal two-thirds of
the middle pair of feathers and the terminal quarter of the others,
which are black ; all the tail-feathers also tipped with pale buff ;
wings black, each feather with a rufous margin ; lower plumage
buff ; under wing-coverts and axillaries brown, edged with white.
In summer the rufous fringes are cast, leaving the upper plumage
slaty grey and the wings black.

Female. Feathers at base of upper mandible and supercilium
pale rufous : lores and upper part of ear-coverts brown ; lower
part of ear-coverts rich ruddy ; upper plumage brown tinged with
rufous ; rump and upper tail-coverts white ; tail as in male ; wing
as in male, but not so black ; lower plumage rich buff; axillaries
and under wing-coverts brown, edged with white. In summer
the colours are less brilliant, and the fringes to the wing-feathers
are reduced in extent.

Bill and claws black ; legs and toes brownish black (Scully) ;
iris dark brown (Seebohm).

Length about 6 • tail 2-3 ; wing 3-8 ; tarsus 1-05 ; bill from
gape -8.

SAXICOLA. 77

Distribution. Has been noticed in Gilgifc during the spring
migration in March and April. It is highly improbable that
Jerdon should have procured this Chat in Central India, and there
can be little doubt that the species recorded by him under the
name of S. cenanthe was S. isabellina.

The Wheatear Chat has an immense range and migrates great
distances. According to season it is found over a great part of
Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America.

625. Saxicola isabellina. The Isabelline Chat.

Saxicola isabellina, Cretzschm. Hiijjp. Atlas, p. 52 (1820) ; Sto/iczka,
J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 239 ; Blanf. <§• Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 229 ; Scully, S. F. iv, p. 142 ; Hume, Cat. no. 491 ; Seebokm,
Cat. B. M. v, p. 399 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 444 ; Barnes, Birds
Bom, p. 203.

Saxicola cenanthe {Linn.), apud Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 132.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the upper plumage
is sandy brown, the longer feathers of the rump and the upper
tail-coverts white ; wings dark brown, every feather with a fulvous
margin and tip, the margins broader on the secondaries and greater
coverts ; middle pair of tail-feathers with basal third white, re-
maining two-thirds black ; the other tail-feathers with rather more
than the basal half white, and remainder black, and all of them
tipped narrowly with white ; a white supercilium from the nostrils
to the end of the ear-coverts ; lores black ; ear- coverts fulvous-
brown ; chin whitish ; whole lower plumage buff ; under wing-
coverts and axillaries fulvous. In summer the margins of the wing-
feathers are much reduced in breadth.

Female. Hardly differs from the male, but has the lores generally
paler.

Legs and feet black ; bill black ; iris brown (Hume).

Length about 7; tail 2*3 to 2-6 ; wing 3'6 to 4 ; tarsus 1*15 to
1*25 ; bill horn gape "8 to "9.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the plains of India from the
Punjab south to Ahmednagar and east to Chuuar and Benares,
which are the extreme limits of this species as indicated by the
specimens I have examined. This Chat breeds and passes the
summer in Turkestan, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and Persia, and
passes throught Grilgit in the spring and autumn. It has a very
wide range, extending to South-east Europe and North- east Africa
on the one side, and to the east of Asia on the other.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in Afghanistan, according to Barnes, in
March, and in Turkestan, according to Scully, in April and May,
but neither the nest nor eggs have yet been taken in these
countries.

78 TURDID.E.

626. Saxicola deserti. The Desert Chat.

Saxicola deserti, Temm. PI. Col. pi. 359, fig. 2 (1826) ; Jerd. B. I.

ii, p. 132 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 42; Hume, S. F.

i, p. 188 ; Blanf. $ Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 224 (part.) ; Scully,

S. F. iv, p. 143 ; Hume, Cat. no. 492 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,

p. 383 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 205.
Saxicola atrogularis, Bli/th, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 131 (1847) ; Bh/th,

Cat. p. 167 ; Horsf. 8,- M. Cat. i, p. 287 ; Hume $ Senders. Lah.

to Yark. p. 205.
The Black-throated Wheatear, Jerd.

Coloration. Hale. After the autumn moult the upper plumage
is rich buff, turning to pale fulvous-white on the rump and upper
tail-coverts ; basal third of tail-feathers white, remainder black ;
wing-coverts and quills . black, all the feathers more or less mar-
gined with white ; the tertiaries broadly margined with buff ; the
inner coverts white ; feathers at base of upper mandible and a
supercilium pale buff ; sides of head and neck, chin, and throat
black, fringed with pale buff ; remainder of lower plumage buff,
brightest on the breast ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black,
tipped with white ; the inner webs of quills, when viewed from
below, narrowly margined with white. In spring and summer the
supercilium becomes more distinct, the fringes of all the black
feathers disappear, and the mantle is marked with dusky; the
under wing-coverts and axillaries frequently become entirely black.

Female. Eesembles the male in general appearance, but has the
colours duller and the supercilium paler ; the chin, throat, sides of
head and of neck pale brown, not black ; ear-coverts rich brown ;
all the wing-coverts and quills brown, broadly margined with buff,
and the inner coverts not white as in the male ; under wing-coverts
brown, tipped white.

Bill, legs, and feet black; iris brown (Hume).

Length about 6'5 ; tail 2'7 ; wing 3-7 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape *85.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the plains of India, where the
limits of this species are almost identical with those of S. isabelliiia,
being the latitude of Bombay on the south and Nagpur on the
east. This Chat has been obtained at Sambhar in June, and it is
not improbable that this and other Chats, which are considered
winter visitors, may remain in small numbers to breed in some of
the less-frequented parts of the deserts of Bajputana and Sind.
The Desert-Chat breeds in Turkestan, and at the seasons of passage
to and fro must occur in Kashmir and Gilgit. It is common,
according to Stoliczka, in Western Tibet. It ranges west as far
as Algeria.

627. Saxicola montana. Gould's Chat.

Saxicola montana, Goidd, Birds Asia, iv, pi. 30 (1865) ; Seebohm, Cat.
B. M. v, p. 384 ; St. John, Ibis, 1889, p. 164.

Coloration. Male. Eesembles the male of S. deserti, but has

CEBCOMELA. 79

almost the whole of the inner webs of the quills of the wing pure
white quite up to the shaft ; is also much larger, the wing measur-
ing 3"9 or 4 inches.

Female. Resembles the female of S. deserti, but has a large
amount of white on the inner webs of the quills, whereas S. deserti
has none or hardly any ; is also considerably larger.

Distribution. I have examined specimens of this Chat killed by
Biddulph at Skardo on the Indus river in Kashmir in October ;
by Blanford at Gwadar, in Baluchistan, in December, and near
Dizak in March.

Outside our limits this species occurs in Afghanistan in Sep-
tember, and in Turkestan and Tibet daring the summer. It ranges
to the west as far as the island of Socotra, whence I have seen a
specimen killed in February.

628. Saxicola chrysopygia. The Ited-tailed Chat.

Dromolsea chrvsopygia, De Filippi, Arch. Zool. Genova, ii, p. 381

^ (1863). _

Saxicola kingi, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 29 ; Stoliczka, J. A. 8. B. xli,

pt. ii, p. 239 ; Hume, S. F. i, p. 187, iii, p. 476 ; id. Cat. no. 491 bis ;

Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 204.
Saxicola chrysopygia {De Fil.), Blanf. $ Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874,

p. 230; Blanf. Fast. Pers. ii, p. 151, pi. x, fig. 1 ; Hume, S. F.

vii, p. 57 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 389.

Coloration. Sexes alike. Forehead, crown, nape, back, and sca-
pulars brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts pale chestnut ; tail
brighter chestnut, the terminal half of the middle pair of feathers
and a band at the tip of the others black : lesser, median, and
primary coverts and winglet brown, edged with grey ; greater
coverts and quills brown, edged with rufous ; lores dark brown ;
ear-coverts rich hair-brown; a supercilium greyish white ; chin,
throat, and breast white tinged with ashy; remainder of lower
plumage pale brown with a vinaceous tinge, and turning to buff
on the vent and under tail-coverts ; axillaries and under wing-
coverts greyish white.

Legs, feet, and bill black ; iris dark brown (6r. King).

Length about 6*5 ; tail 2*5 ; wing 3 - 8 ; tarsus 1*05 ; bill from
gape '85.

Distribution. Apparently a winter visitor to the plains of
North-western India, beiug found in the Punjab west of the
Jhelum river, Sind, Cutch, Northern Guzerat, and llajputana as
far east as Jodhpur. This species extends to the west as far as
Persia, where it is certainly found in the summer.

Genus CERCOMELA, Bonap., 1856.

The genus Cercomela contains one Indian species, the position
of which is somewhat doubtful. The only young bird I have been
able to examine resembles the adult, but, on the other hand, the

80 TURDID^.

habits and colour of the egg of this species ally it to the Saxico-
lince. It is probable that the position of Cercomela is among the
Brachypterygince.

The Bock-Chat seems to have the habits of Saxicola, frequenting
stony tracts of land and breeding in holes of rocks and old build-
ings. The sexes are alike, the plumage is very dull, and there is
little or no seasonal change of plumage.

In Cercomela the bill and rictal bristles resemble those of
Saxicola ; the wing is blunt and the first primary is about half the
length of the second ; the tail is entirely of one colour and much
shorter than the wing, and the tarsus is short.

Cercomela melanura (Temm.) occurs in Palestine, Ai'abia, and
North-east Africa, and has been met with at Aden. This species
was included among the birds of India by Jerdon, on the authority
of Blyth, who identified it by a drawing in the possession of Sir A.
Burnes. The bird, from which the drawing w r as taken, is stated to
have been killed in Sind. I do not propose to include this species
in my list, as I do not consider its occurrence in India sufficiently
well authenticated. The general colour of the plumage is grey,
paler beneath, and the tail and upper tail-coverts are black : tail
2-3; wing 3-1.

629. Cercomela fusca. The Brown Roclc-Chat.

Saxicola fusca, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xx, p. 523 (1851) ; id. Cat. p. xi.
Cercomela fusca (Blyth), Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 134; Stoliczka, J. A. 8. B.

xli, pt, ii, p. 240 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 319 ; Adam, S. F. i, p. 380 ;

Butler, 8. F. iii, p. 477; Hume, Cat. no. 494; Barnes, Birds Bom.

p. 20G ; Oates in Humes N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 54.
Myrmecocichla fusca (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 360.

Shama, Cent. Prov.

Coloration. Upper plumage dull rufous-brown, the feathers of
the upper tail-coverts darker ; wings brown, every feather edged
with rufous-brown ; sides of the head and lower plumage dull fer-
ruginous ; tail very dark brown.

Legs and feet black; bill black; iris dark brown (Hume).

Length about 6*5 ; tail 2*6 ; wing 3*5 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape '85.

Distribution. A resident in a considerable portion of the central
parts of the Indian peninsula. The western limits of this species
appear to be a line drawn from Cutch through Jodhpur to
Hardwar. Thence it extends to Chunar, near Benares, on the
east, and to Jubbulpur on the south, and I have not been able to
trace its distribution more accurately than this.

Habits, SfC Breeds from March to July, constructing a nest of
grass and roots, lined with hair and w 7 ool, in holes of walls,
quarries, banks, and cliffs, and laying three or four eggs, which are
blue marked with rufous, and measure about *82 by "62.

RUTICILLIN^:. 81

Subfamily RUTICILLINiE.

The Ruticillince, or Redstarts and Robins, connect the Chats
with the Thrushes. They feed principally on the ground, their
tarsi are lengthened, and their feet are well adapted for running.
Tliey are almost entirely insectivorous, and they are seldom or
never gregarious like the Thrushes.

Many of the RuticiUintr are migratory ; others are resident.
The seasonal change of plumage in the majority of the species,
caused by the abrasion of the margins of the feathers, is consider-
able, especially in the Redstarts.

The Redstarts and Robins have the habit of frequently moving
the tail and drooping the wings ; they mostly build their nests in
holes of trees and rocks, and their eggs are of various colours,
generally spotted, but in the case of Ruticilla plain blue.

Key to the Genera.

a. Tail forked.

a . Tail much longer thau wing ; middle

rectrices one third the length of tail. . Henicurus, p. 82.

V . Tail about equal to wing ; middle rec-
trices half the length of tail Hydrocichla, p. 86.

c'. Tail much shorter than wing ; middle

rectrices reaching nearly to tip of tail. Microcichla, p. 88.

b. Tail rounded or square.

d '. Tail in both sexes largely chestnut *.
a". Tail considerably longer than twice
tarsus.
a'". Tail much rounded ; sexes alike.. Chimarrhornis, p. 8(
b"'. Tail nearly square ; sexes different. Ruticilla, p. 90.
b". Tail about twice tarsus.

c'". Rictal bristles very long and

strong Rhyacornis, p. 97.

d'". Rictal bristles weak or obsolete. . Cyanecuxa, p. 99.
e'. Tail without any chestnut.

c" . First primary shorter than one-third
of second.
e'". Difference between wing and tail

less than tarsus Daulias, p. 100.

/'". Difference between wing and tail

twice tarsus Grandala, p. 110.

d". First primary longer than one-third

of second. .

//'". Tail equal to or shorter than wing.

a 1 . Outer tail-feathers falling short

of tip of tail by a distance less

than half length of middle toe.

* The only exception is in the female of Rhyacornis fidiffinosus
VOL. II. G

v _' ITKJJll'.l.

a 5 . Uill straight and Thrush-like ;
rictal bristles well developed.

u . Tail about twice tarsus.
a'. Throat of male brilliantly

coloured Calliope, p. 101.

0~. Throat of male coloured
like remainder of lower

parts Tabsigek, p. 104.

I/'. Tail considerably more than
twice tarsus.
c 7 . Tail uniformly of one
colour.
a\ Tips of tail-feathers

mucronate Ianthia, p. 105.

b~. Tips of tail-feathers

rounded Adeluha, p. 108.

it'. Tail largely white Notodela, p. 111.

/r. Bill slender and curved ; rictal

bristles obsolete Thamnobia, p. 113.

& 4 . Outer tail-feathers falling short
of tip of tail by a distance
quite equal to length of middle
toe.

c\ Tail of one colour Calle.xe, p. 113.

d\ Tail black and white Copsychus, p. 116.

V". Tail much longer than wing .... CTxtocincla, p. 11*.

Genus HENICURUS, Temm, 1823.

The genus Benicurus comprises certain birds with the general
appearance of Pied Wagtails, but differing from them in having a
forked tail and tea primaries, together with a coarse bill.

The Forktails are found in mountain-streams flitting from pool
to pool and feeding on insects which are found on the edge of the
water. They are solitary and not very shy when disturbed, flying
some distance further on, and on being disturbed a second time
frequently disappearing into the jungle to return to the stream
shortly afterwards. They wag their tails. incessantly, and seldom
perch except on rocks and bare branches near the ground. They
build nests of moss in the banks of streams or under rocks and
snags, and lay spotted eggs.

In Henicurus the bill is nearly as long as the head, stout and
straight, and the lower mandible is much bulged out in the
middle ; the rictal bristles are well developed ; the wing is large,
the first primary being about half the length of the second ; the
tail is much longer than the wing, deeply forked, and the median
feathers of about one third the length of the outer ones; the
tarsus is long and of a very pale colour. The sexes are alike.
None of the species are known to migrate.

HENICUBUS. 83

Key to the Species.

a. I lack spotted.

a'. Spots on back Lunate; feathers on lower

breast fringed with white 11. maculatus, p. 83.

b '. Spots on bach round; featherson lower

breast entirely black II. guttatus, p. *4.

b. Back plain.

c\ Ohio and throat black.

a". Back slate-coloured 11. schistaceus, p. 84.

//'. Back Mack If. immaculatus, p. 85.

</'. Chin, throat, and breast black II. leschenaulti, p. 86.

630. Henicurus maculatus. TJn Western Spotted Fork-tail.

Enicurus maculatus, Vigors, 1'. Z. <S'. ls:;o, p. 9; Gould, Cent.
pL xwii ; Blyth, Cat p. 159; flora/; £ M. Cat. i, p. 346; «/ m /.
11. I. ii, p. 212 ; Hume, X. § K p. 374.

Henicurus maculatus, Vigors, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 29; Stoliczka,
J. A. S. B. xxx \ ii, pt. ii, p. 47 ; Ehoes, Ibis, 1872, p. 200 ; Hume
# Hemlrs. La//, to York, p. 221'; Hume, Cat. no. 584; Sadly,
•V /■'. viii, p. 310 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.M. vii, p. 317 ; Gates in Humes
N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 57i

The Spotted Fur/:- tail, Jerd. ; Khanjan, N.W. Him.

Fig. 26. — Head of //. maculatus.

Coloration. Forehead and anterior half of crown white; re-
mainder <»i tin) head, the whole neck, breast, hack, lesser and
median wing-coverts, primary-coverts, and winglet black; the
feathers of the hind neck thickly marked with large round white
spots, those of the hack ami scapulars with large ovate transverse
bars; greater wing-coverts black, tipped white; the earlier pri-
maries black ; the other quills broadly white at base and also
tipped while; rump, upper fcail-coverts, abdomen, and under tail-
coverts white; the lower part of the black of the breast fringed
with white; the two outer pairs of tail-feathers white; the others
black, broadly white at base and tipped white; under wing-coverts
black; axillaries white.

In many specimens the crown and nape are rufous-ashy, with
black margins to the feathers.

The young have the head, back, and lower parts down to the
breast rufous-ashy, the breast with whitish shaft-streaks.

Bill black; iris dark brown; legs, feet, and claws white, with a
pink tinge at junction of toes with tarsi and on all the toe-joints

g2

84

TURDIDvE.

Length about 11 ; tail up to 6-2 ; wing 4-5 ; tarsus 1*15 ; bill
from gape T05.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Murree to Nepal at all eleva-
tions up to 12,000 feet.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to June, constructing a cup-
shaped nest, chiefly of moss, on a ledge of rock or at the root of a
tree, or on a bank near water, and laying four or five eggs, which
are greenish white marked with yellowish or reddish brown, and
measure about -96 by "72.

631. Henicurus guttatus. The Eastern Spotted Forktail.

Enicurus maculatus, Vig., Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 212 (part.).

Enicurus guttatus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 664 ; Hume, N. # E.

p. 375 ; 'Oates, S. F. iii, p. 342.
Henicurus guttatus, Gould, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 29 ; Ehves, Ibis,

1872, p. 261 ; Hume, S. F. vii, p. 399 ; id. Cat. no. 584 bis ; Sadly,

S. F. viii, p. 311 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 316; Oates, B. B.

i, p. 26; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 227; Oates in Hume's N. $ E. 2nd

ed. ii, p. 58.
Oony-sam ching-pho, Lepch. ; Chubia leka, Bliut.

Coloration. Resembles H. maculatus. Differs in having the
white marks on the back fewer in number, small, and perfectly
round in shape, and in having the breast deep black without any
white fringes ; smaller in size.

Length about 10 ; tail 5-3 ; wing 4 ; tarsus 1*2 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. Nepal ; Sikhim ; North Khasi hills ; Maui pur ;
Arrakan. I have seen a typical specimen of this species from
Mussoorie, but it is seldom that this bird occurs so far west.

Habits, <$fc. Breeds in Sikhim from 2000 feet upwards in May
and June. The nest and eggs do not appear to differ from those
of H. maculatus. The eggs measure about "93 by - 68.

632. Henicurus schistaceus. The Slaty-bached Fork-tail.

Enicurus schistaceus, Hodgs. As. Pes. xix, p. 189 (1836); Blyth,

Cat. p. 159 ; Ilorsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 346 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 214 ;

Hume, N. # E. p. 376.
Henicurus schistaceus, Hodgs., Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 253 ; Godw.-

Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii, p. 80 ; Hume $■ Ear. S. F. vi, p. 361 ;

Hume, Cat. no. 586 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 311 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M.

vii, p. 315; Oates, B. B. i, p. 27; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 229 ; Oates

in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 60.

Coloration. A frontal band and the feathers immediately over
and behind the eye white ; lores, cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, upper
part of the throat, and the sides of the lower part black ; crown,
nape, sides of neck and back slaty blue ; lesser wing-coverts black,
margined with slaty black ; median coverts black ; greater coverts
black, tipped with white; scapulars slaty blue, tipped with white;
quills black, broadly white at base ; the secondaries and tertiaries

HENICURUS. 85

with white tips ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and the two outer pairs
of tail-feathers white ; the other tail-feathers black, with white
bases and tips ; lower part of throat and the whole lower plumage
white, the breast with narrow indistinct black cross bars.

The young have the head and back ashy brown ; chin and lower
plumage white, the throat and breast mottled with brown.

Bill black ; iris blackish brown ; feet fleshy white ; the tarsi
livid in front ; claws whitish.

Length up to 10 ; tail up to 5 ; wing 3 - S ; tarsus 1-05 ; bill
from gape 1.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Kumaim* to the Daphla hills
in Assam; the Naga hills; Manipur ; Arrakan ; the whole of
Tenasserim. This species extends into Southern China.

Habits, fyc. Breeds in Sikhhn and Tenasserim from March to
July. The nest and eggs do not differ in any respect from those
of the preceding species. The eggs measure about "85 by "65.

633. Henicurus immaculatus. The Blaclc-bacTced Forktail.

Euicurus immaculatus, Hodys. As. Res. xix, p. 190 (1836); Blyth,

Cat. p. 159 ; Hursf. 8? M. Cat. i, p. 346 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 213 ;

Hume, S. F. iii, p. 141.
Henicurus immaculatus, Hodgs., Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 254 ; Antlers.

Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 6io ; Hume, Cat. no. 585 ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. M. vii, p. 314 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 25 ; Hume, 8. F. xi, p. 228 ;

Oates in Hume's N. c/ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 62.

Coloration. Forehead and the feathers above and behind the eye
white; the plumes at the base of the bill, the lores, sides of the
head, sides of the neck, chin, throat, crown, nape, and back black ;
lesser and median wing-coverts black ; primary-coverts and winglet
black ; scapulars and greater coverts black, tipped with white ;
primaries black ; secondaries and tertiaries black, the bases broadly
white and tipped white ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and the lower
plumage white, the feathers at the side of the breast tipped with
black ; axillaries white ; the two outer pairs of tail-feathers white,
the others black, with broad white bases and narrower tips.

The young have the head, neck, back, and breast sooty black,
and there is no white on the forehead and about the eyes. The
nestling is probably spotted.

Bill and inside of mouth black ; iris brown ; feet and claws pale
yellowish white.

Length nearly 10; tail 5-3; wing 4; tarsus 1-2; bill from
gape '95.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Garhwal to Dibrugarh in
Assam; Cachar ; Sylhet ; the Garo and Khasi hills; Manipur;

* Hume assures us that he procured the nest of this species in Kumaun
(N. & E p. 37«), and I accordingly give the range as extending westwards to
this State, but I have seen no specimen from any locality west of Nepal.

86 TUHDID/F.

the neighbourhood of Bh;imo ; Arrakan ; Pegu, probably not
extending to the east of the Sittoung river. This species is found
at low elevations chiefly.

Habits, $"c. I found the nest of this Eorktail placed on a bank afe
the side of a nullah in the Pegu hills on the 20th April, and con-
taining three fresh eggs.

634. Henicurus leschenaulti. LeschenauM's Forktail.

Turdus leschenaulti, Vieill. Nouv. Diet, a" Hist. Nat. xx,p. 209 (1818).
Enicurus leschenaulti ( V.), Horsf. fy 31. Cat. \, p. 345 ; Godw.-Aust.

J. A. 8. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 108.
Henicurus leschenaulti ( V.), Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 258 ; Hume, 8. F.

v, p. 249; Tweedd. Ibis, 1877, p. 310; Hume fy Dav. 8. F. vi,

p. 360; Hume, Cat. no. 584 ter; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 313;

Gates, B. B. i, p. 27 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 228.
Henicurus sinensis, Gould, apud Godw.-A.ust. J. A. 8. B. xlv, pt. ii,

p. SO; Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) vii, p. 412.

Coloration. Porehead and two thirds of the crown white ; the
remainder of the head, neck, breast, back, scapulars, and wings
black, the scapulars and the greater coverts broadly tipped white,
the secondaries and tertiaries white at their bases, and the later
ones tipped white ; rump, upper tail-coverts, abdomen, vent, under
tail-coverts, under wing-coverts, and axillaries white ; the two
outer pairs of rectrices entirely white ; the next black, with white
base and tip ; the others black, tipped white.

The nestling has the head, neck, and back chocolate-brown, the
sides of the head with pale shafts; chin and throat grey ; breast
brown, with yellowish streaks ; the other parts as in the adult ; the
white of the crown is assumed at a late period.

Length about 11 ; tail up to 5-9 ; wing up to 4*5 ; tarsus 13;
bill from gape 1*1.

This species is slightly smaller than //. sinensis, Gould, from
China, and is inseparable from it in coloration. The two species
may, however, be always separated by the structure of the tail. In
//. leschenaulti the outermost tail-feathers are about as long as
those next to them, whereas in //. sinensis these feathers are
shorter than the penultimate pair by about two inches.

Distribution. Sikhim ; the Bhutan Doars : Upper Assam ; the
Daphla bills ; the E. Nu'ga hills ; the Khasi hills; Manipur ; the
northern and central portions of Tenasserim below 2500 feet.
This spociess in occur Java.

Genus HYDROCICHLA, .Sharpe, 1S83.

This genus differs from Henicurus in having the tail about equal
in length to the wing, and the middle pair of tail-feathers about
half the length of the tail. There are two species of this genus
found in India, in one of which the sexes are alike and in the other
dissimilar.

HYDROCICHLA. 87

Key to the Species.

a. Crown of head white; nape black II. frontalis, p. 87.

b. Crown of headland nape chestnut II. ritjicapilla, p. 87.

635. Hydrocichla frontalis. The White- crowned Forktail.

Enicurus frontalis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 156 (1847) ; id. Cat.

p. 159 j Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 346.
Ilenicurus frontalis, Blyth, Flwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 259, pi. ix ; Oates,

S. F. v, p. 248 ; Tweedd. Ibis, 1877, p. 310 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi,

p. 360 ; Hume, Cat. no. 584 quat.
Hydrocichla frontalis (Blyth), lSharpe,Cat. B. M. vii, p. 321 : Oates,

B. B. i, p. 29.

Coloration. Forehead and front of crown white ; head, neck,
breast, back, lesser and median wing-coverts, primary-coverts and
winglet black; scapulars and greater wing-coverts black, tipped with
white ; primaries black ; secondaries and tertiaries black, with broad
white bases ; rump and upper tail-coverts, abdomen, and under
tail- coverts white; the two outer pairs of tail-feathers white, the
others black with white bases and tips.

The youngest bird I have been able to examine has the whole
head, neck, back, and breast dusky brown, with no trace of white
on the forehead or crown. Nestling birds will, no doubt, prove to
be spotted as in the other species.

Bill black ; legs flesh-colour.

Length nearly 8; tail 3 - 6 ; wing 3*6; tarsus 1*1; bill from
gape "95.

Distribution. The extreme south of Tenasserim, extending down
the Malay peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo.

636. Hydrocichla ruficapilla. The Chestnut-backed Forktail.

Enicurus rulicapillus, Temm. PI. Col. iii, pi. 534 (1832) ; Blyth, Cat.

p. 159.
Henicurus ruficapillus, Temm., Ehocs, Ibis, 1872, p. 257 ; Hume ty

Dav. S. F. vi, p. 361 ; Hume, Cat. no. 588 bis.
Hydrocichla ruficapilla (Temm.), Sharpe, Cat. B.M. vii, p. 319;

Oates, B. B. i, p. 28.

Coloration. Male. Forehead white; a frontal band, the lores,
cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, and throat black ; the forehead, crown, nape,
upper part of back, and the sides of the neck chestnut ; back, lesser
and median coverts, primary-coverts, and winglet black ; greater
coverts and scapulars black, tipped with white ; primaries black ;
secondaries and tertiaries black, with broad white bases and narrower
tips; rump, upper tail-coverts, and the lower plumage white ; the
feathers of the breast and the upper part of the abdomen margined
with black ; the two outer pairs of tail-feathers white; the others
black, with broad white bases and tips.

Female. Resembles the male, except that the whole of the back
is chestnut, tinged with olivaceous on the lower portion.

The young bird is probably spotted in its first stage of plumage.

88 TURDIDJE.

Legs, feet, and claws pale pinky- or fleshy- white ; bill black:
iris dark brown (Hume 3r Davison).

Length about 8 ; tail 3'3 ; wing 37 ; tarsus 1-15 ; bill f/otn
gape 1"1.

Distribution. Tenasserim, from Nwalabo mountain southwards.
This species extends down the Malay peninsula and is found iu
Borneo.

Genus MICROCICHLA, Sharpe, 1883.

This genus differs from the two preceding genera in its very
short tail, which is very much shorter than the wing and very
slightly forked, the middle feathers reaching nearly to the tip of
the outermost ones. There is only one species known, and the
sexes are alike.

637. Microcichla scouleri. The Little ForJctail.

Enicurus scouleri, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 174; Gould, Cent. pi.

xxviii ; Blyth, Cat. p. 159 ; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i, p. 347 ; Jerd. B. I.

ii, p. 214; Hume, N. \ E. p. 377.
Enicurus nigrifrons, Hodgs., Gray, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 102; Jerd. B.I.

ii, p. 215 ; Hume, Cat. no. 58S.
Henicurus scouleri, Vigors, Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 255 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 587 ; Scully, 8. F. viii, p. 311 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 279.
Microcichla scouleri ( Vigors), Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. vii, p. 322 ; Gates

in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 62.

The Short-tailed Forktail, The Black-fronted Forktail, Jerd. ; Oong-
sumbrek-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Forehead and anterior half of crown white ; the
whole head, neck, upper part of breast, back, lesser and median
wing-coverts, primary-coverts, and winglet black ; scapulars and
greater coverts black tipped white ; primaries black ; secondaries
and tertiaries black with broad white bases, the later quills also
with white margins ; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with a
broad black band across the former ; the two outer pairs of tail-
feathers white ; third pair white, with a black tip ; the others
progressively with less white and broader black tips ; lower plumage
white, the breast and the sides of the body mottled with black.

The young have the forehead and anterior half of the crown
black like the rest of the upper plumage ; the chin and throat
white and the breast more mottled than in the adult.

Bill black ; iris dark brown ; feet and claws pure fleshy white
(Scully).

Length 5 ; tail 1*9 ; wing 2*9 ; tarsus "95 ; bill from gape '6.

Distribution. The whole of the Himalayas, from Gilgit to the
Daphla hills in Assam; the E. Naga hills. This species is found
up to 11,000 feet in summer. It extends into Western China.

Habits, Sfc. This Forktail appears to differ from all the other
Forktails in its habit of plunging into the water. The nest does
not appear to have been found yet.

CHIMARBHORSIS. 89

Genus CHIMARRHORNIS, Hodgs., 1844.

The genus Chimarrhornis is closely allied to the Forktails in
habits, and connects them with the Redstarts. The sole species of
this genus is found on the Himalayas and on certain hill-ranges of
Assam and Burma.

Fig. 27.— Head of C. leucocephalus.

In Chimarrhornis the sexes are alike, and the tail, which is
chestnut tipped with black, is much rounded; the wing is large
and rounded, the first primary being about half the length of the
second ; the tarsus is long.

638. Chimarrhornis leucocephalus. The White-capped

Redstart.

Phoenicura leucocephala, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1830, p. 35 ; Gould, Cent.

pi. xx vi, tig. 1.
Ruticilla leucocephala (Vig.), Blyth, Cat. p. 1G9; Horsf. 8f M. Cat.

i, p. 309 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 51.
Chtemorrornis leucocephala {Vig.), Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 143; Stoliczka,

J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 44 ; A. Anders. S. F. iii, p. 355 ; Hume

cy Senders. Lah. to Yark. p. 214; Hume, Cat. no. 508; Scully,

S. F. viii, p. 303; Oates, B. B. i, p. 24.
Chimarrhornis leucocephala (Vig.), Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves,

p. 613 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 47 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 197 ;

Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 63.

Gir-chaondia, Hind. ; Kali-pholia at Mohun Ghat ; Mati-tap-pho,
Lepch. ; Chubia-mati, Bhut.

Coloration. Crown and nape white ; with this exception, the
whole head and neck, with the breast, back, and the whole of the
\\ ingsi black ; rump, upper tail-coverts, abdomen, flanks, and under
tail-coverts chestnut ; tail chestnut, broadly tipped with black.

The young have the plumage blackish brown, the feathers of the
back, rump, and of the whole lower plumage fringed with rufous :
crown and nape white with black edges; tail and wings as in the
adult. The rufous and black tips and fringes are soon cast off,
and the adult plumage assumed in October or November.

Bill black ; gape fleshy white ; iris deep brown ; feet blackish
brown ; claws black (Scully).

Length about 7*5 ; tail 3-2 ; wing 3-9 ; tarsus 1-2 ; bill from
gape -8.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan and Gilgit to
Assam; the Khasi hills; Manipur; the second defile, Irrawaddv
river ; Arrakan.

90 turdidjE.

This species is found at high elevations on the Himalayas
in summer, Stoliczka recording it from about 20,000 feet above
the sea. In winter it descends to below 3000 feet, or probably to
the plains at the foot of the hills.

This Redstart extends to China.

Habits, cj-c. Frequents the banks of rivers and nullahs, feeding
at the edge of the water on insects, and constantly moving its tail
up and down and expanding the feathers. Breeds in May, con-
structing a cup-shaped nest of green moss and hbres, lined with
hair, in the hollow of a bank on the side of a stream. The eggs
are greenish white covered with rufous spots.

Genus RUTICILLA, Brehm, 1828.

The genus Ruticilla contains the true Redstarts, which may be
recognized by their rather long tail, which is more than twice the
length of the tarsus and nearly or quite square at the tip ; by tin?
large amount of chestnut in the tail ; and by the sexes being dif-
ferently coloured. The bill is short, slender, and black, and the
rictal bristles moderate or short. The wing is sharply pointed, and
the first primary less than half the second. The tarsus is of
moderate length.

The Redstarts feed on the ground largely, but they also catch
insects on the wing and perch freely. They constantly vibrate
their tail. Nearly all the species migrate to a greater or less
extent, and those that inhabit the Himalayas move vertically
according to season. They breed in holes of trees and rocks, and
lay unspotted blue eggs.

The nestlings of the Redstarts are streaked with fulvous above
and have the feathers margined with brown below. In each
species the nestling has the same pattern of tail as the adult, render-
ing specific recognition comparatively easy.

The seasonal change of plumage in the Redstarts, due to the
wearing away of the edges of the feathers in the winter and spring,
is very great.

Key to the Species'"'.

a. All tail-feathers except the middle pair

abruptly tipped with black R. frontalis, p. 91.

b. None of the tail-feathers tipped.

a'. A large white patch on throat R. schist iceps, p. !>2.

* The following species are reported to have occurred in India, but either by
error or on insufficient evidence : —

R. riiosNicuitA (Linn.)- — Two skins of this species now in the British Museum,
originally deposited in the Indian Museum, as noticed by Horsfield and Moore
(Cat. i, p. 301), are said to have been procured at Salu'iranpur by Dr. Jameson.
The two specimens in question, which ha\e been atone time stuH'ed and mounted,
are typical R. phanicura. The occurrence of this species in India requires con-
firmation. It resembles It. rujiuentris, but has the anterior part of the crown

BUTIOCLIiA. 91

A'. Nn white patch on throat.

a". Middle tail-feathers distinctly different
to others ; wing- under 3*5.
a'". Secondaries with white on hoth

wehs R. aurorea, p. 93.

U" . No white on inner webs of secon-
daries.
a x . Terminal portion of shafts of all

lateral tail-feathers black R. erythronota, p. 94.

b*. Shafts of lateral tail-feathers uni-
formly chestnut.
<v\ Throat and breast black.

a 1 '. Portion of outer webs of secon-
daries broadly margined with

white It. hodgsoni $ , p. 95.

/•' . No white margins to secon-
daries R. rtifiventris J , p. 95.

6 5 . Throat and breast buff or ashy
brown.
c 6 . Lower plumage in general

ashy brown R. hodgsoni $ , p. 95.

d 6 . Lower plumage in general
bud", frequently suffused

with orange R. rujioentris $ , p. 95.

b". Middle tail-feathers of much the same

colour as others ; wing over 4 R. erythrogaster, p. 97.

639. Ruticilla frontalis. The Blue-fronted Redstart.

Phoenicura frontalis, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 17:2; Gould, Cent.
pi. xxvi, fig. 1.

Ruticilla frontalis (Vig.), Myth, Cat. p. 168; Horsf. fy M. Cat. i,
p. 308 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 141 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 50;
Hume Sf Senders. Lah. to York. p. i?ll ; Hume, Cat. no. 503;
Scully, 8. F. viii,p. 302; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 63 ; Scully, Ibis,
L881,p. 11(1; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 349: Hume, S. F. xi,
p. L96j Oates in Hume's X. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. (id.

l\il;-tirriri-pho. Lepch.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead and

while with ;i distinct greyish-white supercilium, and the back is grey without a
t r: 1 1 F black at any season.

I\. i Hi ruuoPROCTA, Gould.- This bird has been recorded from India under a
misapprehension as to what the species really is. The only specimens known
are two from the G-ould collection, now in the British Museum. They were
obtained in Asia Minor. This Redstart resembles Ii. rufiventris, but has the
under wing coverts and axillaries black tipped with ashy, and the black of the
lower parts produced further down on the abdomen.

I.' MESOLi i i \ i llempr. & Ehr.). — This species is said to have been procured
at Daulatpur in Bind by Mr. Murray's native collector. The specimen obtained
reached Mr Hume's hands without, a label. Doth Hume (S. P. vii, p. 115)
and Blanford (S. F.vii,p.527) entertain doubts of the occurrence of this species
in India, ami 1 think I lie matter requires confirmation. For the present it is
perhaps advisable to omit it from my list. li. mesoleuca resembles B. rufiventris,
Imt has the anterior third of the crown pure white and the supercilium whitish ;

tie ter webs of Ihe secondaries and later primaries are, moreover, margined

with white.

92 tubdidjE.

supercilium are bright blue; remainder of bead, neck, back, and
lesser and median wing-coverts dull blue, the feathers with brown
fringes ; greater coverts dark brown, suffused with blue on the
outer webs and tipped with rufous; quills dark brown, margined
with pale rufous; rump, upper tail-coverts, breast, and lower

Fig. 28.— Head of R. frontalis.

plumage chestnut; tail chestnut, except the middle pair of feathers
and broad tips to the others, which are black ; under wing-coverts
and axillaries chestnut with blue bases. In summer the fringes
to the feathers of the blue parts of the plumage get worn away,
leaving those parts pure blue.

Female. Forehead, crown, nape, scapulars, and back rich brown
with a tinge of fulvous ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail as in
the male ; quills and coverts brown, edged with fulvous ; a ring of
pale feathers round the eye; chin fulvous; throat and breast
fulvous-brown ; remainder of lower parts orange-brown, becoming
brighter and purer orange on the abdomen and under tail-coverts.

The young nestling has the tail similar to that of the adult.

Bill, legs, feet, and claws black; iris deep brown (Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*6 ; wing 34 ; tarsus -9 ; bill from
gape - 7.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Gilgit and Kashmir to Assam ;
the Khasi hills ; North Cachar ; Manipur. This species is seldom
found below 5000 feet in summer, and it occurs up to 14,000 feet
or even higher at that season. It extends into Tibet and Western
China.

Habits, 4"c. Little is known of the nidification of this Redstart ;
eggs said to belong to this species, procured in Sikhim in June,
measured about - 82 by *59.

640. Euticilla schisticeps. The White-throated Redstart.

Euticilla schisticeps, Hodgs. Cat. Mamm. etc. Nej). Coll. p. 69, App.
p. 153 (1846) ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 140 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xlvii, pt. 2,
p. 1, pi. i; Hume, Cat. no. 501 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. x, p. 351.
Euticilla nigrogularis, Moore, P. Z. 8. 1854, p. 29, pi. xli ; Hortf.
<§• 31. Cat. i, p. 307; Jerd. B. 7. ii, p. 140; Hume, S. F. iv,
p. 497 ; id. Cat. no. 502.
The Slaty -headed Redstart, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and crown cobalt-blue, turning to
duller blue on the nape ; feathers at base of upper mandible, sides

ETTTICILLA. 93

of the head aiid neck, chin, throat, back, and scapulars black, the
longer scapulars tipped with chestnut, and all the feathers of these
black portions of the plumage, and also of the crown, fringed with
fulvous after the autumn moult ; a well-defined white patch on the
throat; rump, upper tail-coverts, and lower plumage rich chestnut,
the middle of the abdomen albescent ; tail black, all but the middle
pair of feathers chestnut on the basal third of their length ; the
median wing-coverts, the innermost greater coverts, and the outer
margins of tertiaries and later secondaries white; remainder of
wings black ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black, with broad
white tips.

Female. Forehead, crown, nape, back, upper part of rump,
scapulars, and sides of neck rich brown ; lower part of rump and
upper tail-coverts chestnut ; tail dark brown, the basal half of all
but the middle pair of feathers dull rufous ; wings as in the male,
but the black replaced by brown and the white margins narrower ;
lower plumage pinkish ashy, albescent on the abdomen, and with
a large white patch on the throat ; under wing-coverts and axil-
laries brown, tipped white.

Bill and legs black.

Length about 6 ; tail 2-9 ; wing 3-3 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape *55.

Distribution. Confined to the higher portions of Nepal and
Sikhim and the adjoining parts of Tibet and Central Asia, such as
Kansu.

641. Ruticilla aurorea. The Daurian Bedstart.

Motacilla aurorea, Pall. Rei*. Russ. Reichs, iii, p. 695 (1776).
Phoenicura leucoptera, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xii, p. 962 (1843)
Ruticilla leucoptera (BL), Blyth, Cat. p. 168.
Ruticilla aurorea (Pall.), Horsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 305 ; Jerd. B. I. ii,

p. 139; Hume, Cat. no. 500; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 345;

Oates, B. B. i, p. 16 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 195.

Reeves' 1 Redstart, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
nape, and mantle are slaty grey, the feathers fringed with slaty
brown, the portion over the eye and along the sides of the neck
purer grey ; lower back, scapulars, and wing-coverts black with
fulvous margins ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail chestnut,
except the middle pair of feathers of the latter, which are black ;
quills black, each secondary with a patch of white, forming a large
wing-spot; feathers at base of bill, chin, throat, and sides of head
black, with whitish margins ; remainder of lower plumage chest-
nut. In the spring and summer the fringes of the feathers are
much reduced in extent, but seldom entirely lost except on the
throat.

Fun/!,. Everywhere brown, paler beneath and albescent on the
abdomen ; a circle of pale feathers round the eye ; rump, upper
tail-coverts, and tail as in the male ; wings brown edged with

94 TURDID/F.

fulvous, and the secondaries with white patches as in the male,
but reduced in extent and slightly fulvous.

Legs and feet black ; bill blackish brown to black, yellow or
yellowish at gape in the male and sometimes on base of lower
mandible also ; iris deep brown ( Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2'5 ; wing 2*9; tarsus "9; bill from gape "65.

Distribution. A winter visitor to Bhutan ; Assam ; the Khasi
hills; Cachar ; Sylhet; the Naga bills; Manipur; Thayehnyo.
In winter this species extends to Java and Timor, and in summer
it is found in (Siberia, Mongolia, Japan, and China.

642. Ruticilla erythronota. Eversmann's Redstart.

Sylvia ervthruuuta, Eversm. Add. Pail. Zoogr. Ross.-Asiat. fasc. ii,

p. 11 (1841).
Ruticilla rufogularis, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 27, pi. lix ; Horsf. >.y

M. Cat. i, p. 306.
Ruticilla erythronota (Eversm.), Hume, S. F. vii, p. 889 ; id. Cat.

no. 498 bis ; Scully, Ibis, 1881 , p. 44.") ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 277 ;

Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 348.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
nape, and hind neck are pale blue, nearly concealed by broad slaty-
grey fringes ; lores, cheeks, point of chin, sides of the head and of
the neck, produced round the upper back as a collar, black with
narrower slaty-grey fringes ; back, scapulars, throat, breast, and
thinks chestnut fringed with grey; rump and tail chestnut, the
middle pair of feathers black, as also the tip of the outer web of
the outermost feather, and the terminal portion of the shaft of all
the feathers ; lesser wing-coverts black, tipped with white ; median
coverts and the inner greater coverts pure white ; remaining
coverts and the quills brown edged with pale fulvous, the primary-
coverts very largely white ; abdomen and under tail-coverts pale
fulvous ; under wing-coverts and axillaries white with black bases.
In summer the fringes are all dropped.

Female. Forehead, crown, nape, back, scapulars, and upper part
of rump brown : lower part of rump and upper tail-coverts chest-
nut ; tail as in the male; wing-coverts and quills brown, broadly
edged with fulvous white ; no white on wing ; a ring of pale
feathers round the eye ; lower plumage greyish brown, tinged with
dull orange in places, and paler on the abdomen.

In the dry slate the legs and bill are black.

Length about 6-5 ; tail 2-9 ; wing 3-4 ; tarsus -9 ; bill from
gape *6.

Distribution. A winter visitor to every portion of Kashmir, ex-
tending on the west to Hazara and Afghanistan and on to Asia
Minor. The most easterly locality from which I have seen a
specimen of this bird is Kotokbai in the Himalayas. In summer
this Redstart is found in Turkestan, and even in Mongolia and
(Siberia, if R. alaschanica, Prjev., should prove to be the same
species, as is probable.

EUTICILLA. 95

643. Ruticilla hodgsoni. Hodgson's Redstart.

Ruticilla erythrogastra (GnUL), apud Blyth, Cat. p. 168 (part.).
Ruticilla hodgsoni, Moore, I'.Z.S. 1854, p. 26, pi. lviii ; Horsf. *Y
M. Cat. i, p! 303 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 138; Godw.-Awt. J. A. 8. II.

xlv, pt. ii, p. 199; Hume, Cat. no. 498 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 302 ;
Seeboltm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 344 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 195.

Thar-capni, Nep.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, lores,
sides of head and neck, chin, throat, and upper breast are deep
black with a few grey fringes ; crown, nape, and back ashy, the
portion of crown above the forehead and at the sides nearly white;
lower rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail chestnut, except the
terminal two thirds of the middle pair of feathers ot the latter,
which are black; wing-coverts black, edged with ashy ; quills dark
brown, a few of the later secondaries margined with white about
their middle portion, forming a patch in the closed wing ; lower
plumage chestnut. Males in summer are unknown to me, but
probably differ in wanting the grey fringes on the throat and
breast.

Female. Upper plumage and wings brown tinged with ashy, the
feathers of the wings edged paler; lower rump, upper tail-coverts,
and tail chestnut except the middle pair of tail-feathers, which are
blackish ; a ring of whitish feathers round the eye ; lower plumage
/ashy brown, albescent on the abdomen and turning to pale rufous
on the flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts.

Bill black ; gape fleshy yellow ; iris dark brown ; feet black or
brownish black, soles yellow ; claws black (Scully).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*8 ; wing 3-4 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape *7.

Distribution. Nepal ; Sikhim ; Bhutan ; the Daphla hills in
Assam; the Naga hills ; Manipur. This species is only a winter
visitor to the above localities. It summers in Western China and
probably in Central Asia. This Redstart has been erroneously
recorded from Afghanistan and Gilgit.

644. Ruticilla rufiventris. The Indian Redstart.

(Enanthe rufiventris, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. aVHist. Nat. xxi, p. 431
(1818).

Ruticilla indica, Blyth, Cat. p. 108 (1849).

Ruticilla phcenicuroides, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 25, pi. lvii ; Horsf.
§ M. Cat. i, p. 301 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 136.

Ruticilla nipalensis (Hodys.), Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 26; Horsf. $
M. Cat. i, p. 302.

Ruticilla rufiventris (Vieill.), Jerd. B. hid. ii, p. 137; Blanf.
J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 50 ; Hume, N. Sf E. p. 321 ; id. S. F. v,
p. 30 ; id. Cat. no. 49/ ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 342; Hume,
S. F. xi, p. 104 ; Oates in Hume's N. §• E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 64.

Thir-tliira, Thirtir-kampa, Hind. ; Phir-ira, Lal-yirdi, Beng. ; Nuni-
budi-yadu, Tel.

96 tuedid^:.

Coloration. Male. In typical autumn plumage the forehead,
sides of the head, chin, throat, breast, and sides of neck are black
with grey fringes, the black more or less concealed ; crown, nape,
hind neck, back, and scapulars ashy grey, this grey appearance
caused by broad fringes which generally quite conceal the black
bases of the feathers ; lesser and median wing-coverts black, edged
with ashy ; the other coverts and the quills brown, edged with
rufous ; rump and upper tail-coverts bright chestnut ; tail chestnut
except the middle pair of feathers, which are brown ; abdomen,
vent, under tail- and wing-coverts, and axillaries deep orange-
brown.

In typical summer plumage the whole head, neck, back, scapu-
lars, lesser and median wing-coverts, and the breast are deep black,
with an ashy supercilium and some ashy on the crown just behind
the forehead. The rufous margins to the greater coverts and
quills are reduced or disappear.

Between these two stages every intermediate form occurs re-
gardless of season, the deep black plumage sometimes making its
appearance immediately after the moult, and some birds even at
midsummer retaining the broad ashy-grey fringes in varying
legrees. Some males are said to breed in female plumage.

Female. Upper plumage brown tinged with fulvous ; the wings
broadly edged with fulvous ; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail
chestnut, except the middle pair of feathers, which are brown ; a
circle of pale feathers round the eye ; lower plumage buffy brown,
suffused with orange on the abdomen, flanks, vent, and under tail-
coverts.

Bill, legs, feet, and iris black ; base of bill yellow {Bingham).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*6 ; wing 3*3 ; tarsus *9 ; bill from

gape -7. ... .

Distribution. A common winter visitor to a great portion of the
Empire, this species occurs from the Himalayas down to Bangalore
and the Nilgiris, and from Sind to Assam, thence ranging down to
Manipur. It appears to be common from September to April.
Some few birds are found in the plains in summer, but do not
apparently breed. In the Hume Collection there are specimens
shot at Sambhar in July and at Ahmednagar in June.

This Bedstart extends on the west to Persia and on the east to
China, and large numbers appear to summer in Turkestan and
Mongolia. Within our limits it breeds on the higher mountains
of Kashmir above 10,000 feet. It also breeds in Afghanistan.
Mandelli procured a specimen in Native Sikhim in June, and pro-
bably it may be found to breed throughout the Himalayas at great
heights.

Habits, Sfc. The nest of this species has seldom been found, and
little is known of its nidification. Wardlaw Bamsay found the
nest in Afghanistan on the 1st July in an old tree- stump, but the
young had apparently left it some time before.

KlIYACOllNIS. 97

645. Ruticilla erythrogaster. Guldemtadt's Redstart.

Motacilla erythrogastra, G'uld. Nov. Com. Petrop.xix, p. 469, pis. 10,

17 (1775).
Ruticilla erythrogastra (Giild.), Blyth, Cat. p. 168 ; Jlorsf. 8f M. Cut.

i, p. 304 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 139 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 51 ;

Hume 8; Haulers. Lah. to York, p. 210; Scully, S. F. iv, p. 144 ;

Hume, Cat. no. 4U9 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 03; Scully, Ibis,

1881, p. 445 ; Seebohm, Cut. B. M. v, p. 347.
Ruticilla vigorsi, Moore, P.Z.S. 1854, p. 27, pi. lx; Horsf. 8f M.

Cat. i, p. :104.

The White-winged Redstart, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the crown and nape
are white with a few ashy margins; forehead, sides of head and
neck, hack, scapulars, upper wing-coverts, chin, throat, and upper
breast deep black', a few of the feathers margined with grey;
wings black, the middle portion of all the quills except the terti-
aries white; remainder of the plumage with the tail deep chestnut.
Soon after the autumn, the few margins present on the black por-
tions of the plumage drop off, and the crown becomes pure white.

Female. Upper plumage brown tinged with ashy ; the lower
portion of rump, upper tail- coverts, and tail ferruginous, the
middle tail- feathers and the tips of the others dusky; wings brown,
edged with pale fulvous ; sides of head and whole lower plumage
uniform fulvous-grey. The female has no seasonal change of
plumage.

Bill black, vellow at gape; iris brown; legs, feet, and claws
black (Hum< Coll.).

Length about 7 ; tail 3 ; wing 4*2 ; tarsus 1*05 ; bill from

S a P e ' 7 \

Distribution. The Himalayas from Kashmir and Gilgitto Sikhim.

In summer this species is found at very high altitudes, from 10,000

to 14,000 feet or even higher. In winter it descends to 5000 feet.

This Redstart extends on the west to the Caucasus ; on the north,

through Turkestan and Tibet, to Lake Baikal in Southern Siberia;

and on the cast into China.

Habits, \e. This species, like Ghimarrhornis leucoeephalus, affects

streams and lakes, but is more frequently seen, according to

Blanford, on rocky hill-sides. Its nest has not yet been found

by any naturalist.

Genus RHYAC0RNIS, Blanford, 1872.

The genus Khyacornis contains one species, which is closely allied
to both Ghimarrhornis and Ruticilla. It differs from both these,
however, in the shortness of its tail, which is about twice the
length of the tarsus, and in its strong rictal bristles. The female,
moreover, has no chestnut on the tail.

The only member of this genus inhabits mountain-streams, and
is always found near water, especially where this forms a rapid or
a cascade. It has the habit of expanding its tail frequently.

\ ox. ii. n

98 Triunca:.

646. Rhyacornis fuliginosus. The Plumbeous Redstart.

Phoenicura fuliginosa, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1831, p. 35.

Ruticilla fuliginosa (Fig.), Blyth, Cat. p. 161); Horsf. fy M. Cat. i,

p. 308; Jerd. B.Ind. ii, p. 142 ; Hume fy Renders. Lah. to York.

p. 212, pi. xv.
Nymphseus fuliginosus ( Vig.), Hume, N. § E. p. 322.
Rhyacornis fuliginosa (Vig.), Blunf. J. A. 8. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 50;

Hume, Cat. no. 505 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 303 ; Hume, S. F. xi,

p. 196 ; Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 65.
Xanthopygia fuliginosa (Vig.), Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv, p. 253; Gates,

B. B. i, p. 284.
Chimarrhornis fuliginosa (Vig.), StoliczJca, J. A. 8. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,

p. 43.

The Plumheous Water-Robin, Jerd. ; Suradum parbo-pho, Lepch. ;
Chubbia naJcki, Bhut.

Coloration. Hale. The whole plumage dull cyaneous ; tail-
coverts, both upper and lower, the vent, and tail bright chestnut ;
wing black with bluish margins.

Female. The whole upper plumage dull bluish brown ; upper
and under tail-coverts white ; base of tail white, the amount on
the outer four pairs of feathers increasing towards the outside,
the outermost feather being white with a narrow dusky margin ;
lores and ear-coverts dusky mottled with white ; the whole lower
plumage ashy brown, each feather with a whitish centre and a
paler ashy margin ; upper wing-coverts aud tertiaries brown, edged
rufous and tipped with whitish ; quills brown, narrowly edged
with rufescent.

The nestlings of both sexes resemble the female, and have the
same amount of white in the tail, but the whole upper plumage is
closely spotted and streaked with dull white or pale fulvous ; the
lower plumage is mottled and cross-barred with brown.

Bill black ; gape fleshy white ; iris dark brown ; feet dark
horny brown ; claws black (Scully).

Length about 5-5 ; tail 21 ; wing 3 ; tarsus - 9 ; bill from
gape '65.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Eastern Kashmir to Assam ;
the Khasi hills ; Cachar; Manipur ; Arrakan. Blyth records this
species from Thayetmyo, where, however, I failed to meet with it.
This Redstart is found on the Himalayas from low elevations up
to 13,000 feet, according to season. It extends into China and
Mongolia.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds apparently in every portion of its extensive
range. The nest is made of moss, lined with hair, wool, or soft
fibres, and placed on a shelf of a rock or in the hollow of a bank
by the side of a stream. The nesting-season is May and June.
The eggs are greenish white, thickly mottled with yellowish or
reddish brown, and measure, about 76 by "6

CYANECULA. 99

Genus CYANECULA, Brehm, 1828.

The genus Cyanecula contains the Blue-throats, birds which are
very closely allied to the English Kobin. The Blue-throats may
be recognized by their very short tail, which is only twice the
length of the tarsus, and by the chestnut colour of the basal half
of the tail. The males, moreover, have the chin and throat a
brilliant blue. The females are of a dull colour, but have the tail
chestnut as in the male.

The Blue-throats feed on the ground, and are generally found
in India in thick grass-jungle, and more rarely in open country.
They prefer swampy ground. They run well, elevating the tail
on arriving at the end of each short course of running, and some-
times expanding it. They are said to be good songsters. They
breed in holes on the ground, and lay blue eggs spotted with
reddish brown. The only two species of this genus are highly
migratory.

Key to the Species.

a. Throat blue, with a chestnut spot in the

centre C. suecica S > p» 99.

b. Throat blue, either entirely or with a white

spot in the centre ....'. C. wolji rf , p. 100.

c. Throat huffish * like j ^ JJ|** ^ p ' P foa'

647. Cyanecula suecica. The Indian Blue-throat.

Motacilla suecica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 336, part. (17C56).
Motacilla caerulecula, Pall. Zoogr. Boss.-Asiat. i, p. 480 (1811).
Cyanecula suecica {Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 107; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. \,

p. 811 ; Jcrd. B. I. \\, p. 152 ; Hume 8f Headers. Lah. to Yark.

p. 214 ; Anders. Yunnan Exped. p. 614 ; Legge, Birds Ceyl. p. 443 ;

Hume, Cat. no. 514 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 304 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.

p. 209.
Erithacus eseruleculus (Pall.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 308 ; Oates,

u. n. i, p. 15.

Huaent-pidda, Hind. ; Nil kunthi, Hind, in the N. ; Gunpigera, Gurpedra,
Beng. ; Dumbak, Sind.

Coloration. Male. Whole upper plumage with wings brown,
the feathers of the head and back with darker centres; chin and
throat bright blue, with a chestnut spot in the centre of the throat ;
below the blue a band of black and below this a broader band of
chestnut ; lores black ; a stripe from the nostrils to the eye fulvous ;
cheeks and ear-coverts mixed fulvous and black ; belly, flanks, vent,
and under tail-coverts huffish white ; middle tail-feathers brown,
the others chestnut on the basal half and brown on the terminal
half.

/' idle. The whole lower plumage buffish white, with a broad
brown-spotted gorget across the breast.

h2

100 TUEDID2E.

It is seldom that the male is in the full plumage described above.
The amount of blue and chestnut on the throat varies much ; and
sometimes only the presence of a few blue feathers serves to indicate
that the bird is a male.

The nestling is blackish above streaked with fulvous, and fulvous
below, each feather edged with black.

Bill black, the base tlesh-colour ; iris brown ; eyelids plumbeous ;
inside of mouth yellowish ; legs dusky fleshy ; claws brown.

Length 5-9 ; tail 2-3 ; wing 2'9 ; tarsus l'l ; bill from gape "75.

Distribution. A winter visitor to almost every portion of the
Empire and Ceylon. The only parts from which this species has
not yet been recorded are the Nicobar Islands and the portion of
Tenasserim south of Tavoy, but even in these it probably occurs.

In summer this species is found immediately north of the
Himalayas and thence through Asia to the Arctic Circle, extending
west throughout Europe and east to the Pacific. In winter it is
found not only in India but in North Africa on the one hand and
in Southern China on the other.

648. Cyanecula WOlfi. The White-spotted Blue-throat.

Motacilla suecica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 330, part. (1706).
Svlvia cyanecula, Wolf, Taschonb. i, p. 240 (1810).'
Sylvia wolfii, Brehm, Beitr. mr VogeTk. ii, p. 173 (1822).
Cyanecula leucocyana, Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 353 (1831).
Cyanecula wolfii {Brehm), Hume, S. F. vii, p. 391 ; id. Cat. no. 514

bis.
Cyanecula leucocyanea, Brehm, Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 65 ; Scully,

Ibis, 1881, p. 447 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 278.
Erithacus cyaneculus {Wolf), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 311.

Coloration, liesembles C. suecica, the male differing from the
male of that species in having the patch on the throat white instead
of chestnut, or in wanting a spot altogether. The females and
young of the two species appear to be inseparable.

Distribution. A rare visitor to the extreme north of Kashmir,
occasionally straggling even to the plains. Biddulph secured a
specimen in digit in April, and he records this species as very
common on both sides of the Digar pass, between the Nubra and
Indus valleys. In the Hume Collection there is a specimen which
was obtained in Tirhoot in April, and Hume states that he has seen
some half-dozen specimens from various parts of India.

The headquarters of this Blue-throat are Eui'ope in the summer,
and North Africa and Palestine in the winter.

Genus DAULIAS, Boie, 1831.

The genus Daulias contains the Nightingales, birds of plain
plumage but of great powers of song. The one species that has
been known to occur in India is of extreme rarity in that country,
only two instances of its occurrence being known.

]n Daulias the whole plumage is brown, somewhat ruddy on the

CALLIOPE. 101

tail, but making no approach to the chestnut exhibited in the pre-
ceding genera. The sexes are quite alike. The first primary is
much smaller than in any other genus of this subfamily, being
considerably less than a third of the length of the second. The
tail is long and rounded, and the tarsus is also long.

The Nightingales frequent dense brushwood and are shy birds.
They feed principally on the ground like Robins, and they nest
near the around in dense underwood.

G49. Daulias golzi. The Persian Nightingale.

Luscinia golzii, Cahanis, Journ.fiir Orn. 1873, p. 79.

Luscinia hafizi, Severtz. Turkest. Jevotn. p. 120 (1873).

Daulias golzii (Cab.), Hume, S. F. iv, p. 500; id. Cat. no. 514 ter.

Erithacus golzii (Cab.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 297.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage and the margins of the
wing-feathers russet-brown, brighter on the upper tail-coverts and
tail ; wings brown : lores, cheeks, and the whole lower plumage
pale buff.

Length 7'5 ; tail 3*4; wing 3*6 ; tarsus l'l ; bill from gape '85.

This species may be separated from D. luscinia, Linn., which
occurs in England and Europe, and from D. philomela, Bechst., of
Eastern Europe and South-western Asia, by its long tail and by its
first primary, which is equal to the primary-coverts. In both the
above species the tail is less than three inches long : in the first
the first primary is considerably longer than the primary-coverts ;
in the second it is considerably shorter.

Distribution. Two specimens of this rare Nightingale have been
procured in Oudh, one in October and the other in November.
They are both in the Hume Collection. No other instance of the
occurrence of this species in India has been recorded. It extends
to Turkestan and to the Caucasus.

Genus CALLIOPE, (ToukCl836.

The members of the genus Calliope, are characterized by the
absence of chestnut in the tail, a comparatively long first primary,
a short tail, and by the males having a brilliant red throat. Iu
habits Calliope agrees closely with Cyanecula. All the species of
this genus are migratory, and the sexes are very different in colora-
tion. The tarsus is very long, and these birds spend most of their
time on the ground in thick cover.

Key to the Species.

a. No white in the tail C. camtschatkensis, p. 102

b. Base or tip of tail or both white.
a'. ( 'liin and throat red.

a". Cheeks black C. pectoialis J , n. 103„

b". Cheeks white ('. tschebaiewi J, p. 104.

V. ( 'Inn and throat white \ C ' V^ralis ? , p. 103

('. tschebaiewi $, p. 10 1.

102 tubdid^e.

650. Calliope camtschatkensis. The Common Ruby-throat.

Motacilla calliope, Pall. Reise Rim. Reichs, iii, p. 697 (1776).

Turdus camtschatkensis, Omel. Syst. Nat. i, p. 817 (1788).

Calliope camtschatkensis {Omel), Blyth, Cat. p. 169; Horsf. Sf M.

Cat. i, p. 313 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 150 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi, p. 337 ;

Anders. Yunnan Riped., Aves, p. 615 ; Hume, Cat. no. 512 ; Barnes,

Birds Bom. p. 209 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 199.
Calliope yeatmani, Tristram, Ibis, 1870, p. 441.
Erithacus calliope (Pall), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,p. 305 ; Oates, B. B.

i, p. 14.
Gunpigora, Beng. ; Gangula, Nep.

Fig. 29. — Head of C. camtschatkensis.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage olive-brown, the
head darker, and all the feathers indistinctly edged paler ; a line
from the forehead over the eye white ; lores and under the eye
black ; a broad moustachial streak white ; throat and fore neck
scarlet, each feather margined at the tip with white, and the whole
patch bordered by black ; upper breast brownish grey, paling and
becoming buffy grey on the lower breast and sides of the body ;
abdomen and under tail-coverts white ; tail brown, edged on the
outer webs with olive-brown ; wing-coverts and quills brown, edged
with bright olive-brown ; axillaries buff.

Female. Superciliary streak buffy white ; lores and in front of
the eye dusky brown ; the bright scarlet of the throat and the
surrounding black line absent, and replaced by dull white ; mous-
tachial streak olive-brown ; other parts as in the male.

The young are mottled, and moult into the plumage of the adult
female at the first autumn, and the crimson throat- patch is assumed
in the first winter without a moult.

Bill light brown, white at the gape ; mouth flesh-colour ; iris
brown ; legs pale plumbeous; claws horn-colour.

Length 6 ; tail 2-4; wing 2-9 : tarsus 1-15 ; bill from gape -8.
Distribution. A winter visitor to Nepal and Sikhim, extending
through the plains of the Eastern portion of India proper as far
south as the latitude of Raipur in the Central Provinces. This
species is common in Bengal, Bhutan, and Assam, and extends down
to Arrakan, Pegu, Karennee, aud the northern portion of Tenas-
serim. As an accidental visitor this bird may be expected to occur in
almost every part of India, and Jerdon records an instance of its
being found near Bombay.

In winter the Common Buby-throat extends its migration as
far as the Philippines, and in summer it is found throughout
.Northern Asia up to the Arctic Circle.

CATii-TOPE. 1 (J '3

851. Calliope pectoralis. The Himalayan Baby-throat.

Calliope pectoralis, Gould, lcm. Av. pt. i, pi. W (1837) : 5 ^'Afj*
p 101) ; .Hbrtf $■ itf. CW. i, p. 313 ; Jez-rf. if. in, p. 150 ; Siohczka,
V JA 8 B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 45 ; Blanf. J. A. 8. B. xli, pt. n p. 52 ;
SumeN 2 J£ p 325; id. Cat. no. 513 ; Scully, S.F._jin,V- 304;
Tmulphl Ibis, 1 P 881, p. 64 ; Gates in Hume's N. $ E. 2nd ed. n,

Erftnacus pectoralis {Gould), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 303.

The White-tailed Ruby-throat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the whole upper
plumage, wing-coverts, and sides of the neck are dark slaty,
blacke?on the crown ; forehead and a short supemhum whde ;
middle of chin and of throat bright crimson; lores, sides of head,
ddes of chin and of throat, and the whole breast deep black, every
feather fringed with ashy; abdomen, vent, and under ^*™£*
white ; wings brown, edged with olivaceous ; middle tail-feathers
black, the others with the basal half white and the terminal half
black tipped with white. In summer the ashy fringes are cast and
the upper plumage is tinged with olivaceous.

Female. Olive-brown, the outer webs of the quills suffused with
fulvous ; lores, edge of forehead, and a short supercihum dingy
white ; chin and middle of throat white, contrasting with the ashy-
brown of the sides of the throat and the breast ; abdomen pale
fulvous ; middle tail-feathers olive-brown , the others blackish brown

tiP The neltlinVlfas the upper plumage fulvous-brown, much darker
on the crown, all the feathers with fulvous streaks ; lower plumage
fulvous, all the feathers margined with dark brown; the tail-feathers
at first tipped with fulvous instead of white, and the male from
the eariiei age has the base of the tail white. At the firs autumn
moult the young male assumes the dark upper pumage of the adult
ale, but retains the lower plumage of the adult female ; traces ot
the black breast are assumed during the first summer, but t he
breast does not become fully plumaged till the moult ot the second
autumn. The female becomes adult at the first autumn moult.

m black, brownish at tip and base of lower mandib e ; iris
brown ; feet brown ; the tarsi rather livid ; claws dusky {Scully).
Length about 6; tail 2-4 ; wing 3 ; tarsus 1-2; bill trm. .gape -75.
Distribution. A constant resident on or a summer visitor to, the
higher portions of the Himalayas from Gilgif to Sikhim and ^Bhutan.
A winter visitor to the intermediate and ower ranges ot the same
mountains, being occasionally found m the plains at the foot as in
the Bhutan dears and at Sultanpur in Oudh. In summer this species
is also found in Turkestan. , ,

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in Kashmir and Sikhim at 10,000 feet and
upwards. A nest, said to belong to this species and found «j8*^
is described as being a saucer-shaped pad of fine moss and ^
placed in a deep crevice of a rock. The eggs are described as being
pale salmon-buff and as measuring about -9 oy 'Ob.

10 1 TUBDIDJE.

G52. Calliope tschebaiewi. The Tibet Ruby-throat.

Calliope pecfcoralis, Gould, apud Godto.-A.ust. J. A. S. B. xxxix,

pt. ii, p. 270, xlv, pt. ii, p. 79 ; Anders. Yunnan Ejcped., Ares,

p. G15 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 199.
( 'alliope tschebaiewi, Prjev., Rowley's Orn. Misc. ii, p. 180, pi. liv,

% 1(1877).
Erithacus tschebaiewi (Prjev.), Scebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 308.

Coloration. Male. Differs from the male of C. jwctoralis, when
adult, in being olive-brown, tinged with russet above, and in
having the checks white, not black.

The females and immature birds of both species are inseparable.

Bill and legs black ; iris brown (Goekburn).

Length about 6; tail 2-3; wing 3; tarsus 1'2; bill from
gape -75.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the Himalayas from Sikhim to
the Dikrang valley in Assam, extending to the Khasi bills, where
it is very common at tShillong; Godwin-Austen procured this
species at Mymensing and Anderson near Bhamo. In summer
this bird is found in Tibet and Kansu.

Genus TARSIGER, Hodgs., 1814.

The genus Tarsiger contains one species, in which the sexes
resemble each other somewhat closely, and have the whole lower
plumage yellow. In structure this genus differs in no respect from
Calliope.

Tarsiger chrysceus is a constant resident at moderate heights on
the Himalayas.

653. Tarsiger chrysseus. The Golden Bush-Robin.

Tarsiger chrysseus, Hodas. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 28; Blyth, Cat. p. 169;
Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i, p. 310; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 149; Stoliczka, J. A.
S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 45 ; Hume, N. 8? E. p. 325 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.
M.'iy, p._200; Hume, Cat. no. 511; Oales in Hume's N. $ E.
2nd ed. ii, p. G7.

The Golden Bush-Chat, Jerd. ; Manshil-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, hind neck, and the
middle portion of the back olive-green; a superciliary streak
reaching to the nape, the lesser wing-coverts, scapulars," sides of
the back, the rump, the upper tail-coverts, and the whole lower
plumage bright orange-yellow, many of the feathers more or less
fringed very narrowly with brown ; median and greater coverts
and the quills black, margined with olive-green ; tail orange-
yellow, broadly tipped with black, the median pair of feathers
black, with a yellow margin on the outer webs ; lores, round the
eye, and the ear-coverts black.

Female. The whole upper plumage and the exposed parts of the

TANTniA.

105

wings olive-green ; median pair of tail-feathers olive-green, the
others golden yellow, broadly tipped, and margined on the outer
webs, with olive-green ; a yellowish-white ring round the eye ; ear-
coverts olive-brown, with pale shafts ; lores and an indistinct
supercilium olive-yellow ; the whole lower plumage ochraceous
yellow, most of the feathers with tiny dusky fringes and the flanks
washed with olivaceous.

The young have the whole plumage dark olive-brown, the
feathers streaked with fulvous and tipped with black.

Lower mandible and edge of the upper along the commissure
yellow ; rest of the bill black ; iris very dark brown ; legs, feet,
and claws fleshy, tinged with brown (Flume).

Length about 6; tail 2-3; wing 2-7; tarsus 1*2; bill from
gape -7.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Chainba to Sikhim, apparently
up to 5000 feet ; the Khasi hills ; the Naga hills ; Manipur. This
species extends into Western China.

Habits, fyc. Nests on the ground from May to August, in holes
of rocks and banks, and lays three or four eggs, which are pale
blue, and measure about *8 by - 5S.

Genus IANTHIA, Blyth, 1847.

The genus Ianihia contains three species of Indian birds, in
which the males are very brightly coloured and the females are
dull. They inhabit the Himalayas, and migrate locally according
to season.

Fig. 30.— Tail of I. indica.

This genus differs from Tarsiger and Calliope in having a much
longer tail, the feathers of which are moreover pointed at the tips.
Very little is on record about the habits of: the members of this
genus, but they probably do not differ in any important particular
from those of the Blue-throats and Ruby- throats.

106 TTJRDIDiE.

Key to the Species.

a. Sides of body orange- chestnut, contrasting

with remainder of lower plumage I. rufilata, p. 108.

b. Sides of body of same colour as remainder of

lower plumage.

a'. A white supercilium /. indica, p. 107.

b'. No white supercilium I. hyperythra, p. 108.

654. Ianthia rufilata. The Hal -flanked Bush-Robin.

Nemura rufilatus, Hodys. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 27 ; Horsf. $ M. Cat. i,
p. .99; Hume, N. <§■ E. p. 324 ; id. S. F. xi, p. 198.

Ianthia rufilata (Hodys.), Blyth, Cat. p. 170 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli,
pt. ii, p. 52; Brooks, J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 77; id. S. F. iii,
p. 240 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 68.

Ianthia cyanura (Pall.), apud Jerd. B. 1. ii, p. 146 ; Sloliczka, J. A.
S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 44.

Nemura cyanura (Pall.), apud Hume, Cat. no. 508 ; Scully, S. F. viii,
p. 304 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 64.

Tarsiger rutilatus {Hodys.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 256 ; Scully,
Ibis, 1881, p. 446.

The White-breasted Blue Wood-Chat, Jerd. ; Manyzhil-pho, Lepch.

Fig. 31. — Head of I. rufilata.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and a broad eyebrow, rump, upper
tail-coverts, aud the median wing-coverts bright ultramarine-blue ;
eai-coverts, lores, and round the eye black ; upper plumage, edges
of wing-coverts and quills, sides of the head, throat, and neck
extending down to the sides of the breast deep purplish blue ; tail
black, the outer webs suffused with deep blue ; chin, throat, middle
of breast, and remaining lower plumage white, sullied with ashy
brown on the breast ; a very large and conspicuous patch of
orange-chestnut on each side of the hody ; under wing- coverts and
axillaries white.

Males from Sikhim are very bright ; those from other parts have
the upper plumage a greenish blue.

Female. Upper plumage olive-brown, the coverts and wiugs
edged with rufous ; rump greenish blue ; upper tail-coverts deep
blue ; tail dark brown, the outer webs suffused with deep blue ;
chin and throat narrowly white ; sides of the head and neck and
the whole breast ochraceous ; a large patch of orange-chestnut on
each side of the body ; remainder of the sides ochraceous ; middle
of abdomen aud under tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries pale yellowish buff.

IANTHIA. 107

Some females have a well-marked bluish-grey supercilium, and
others are without it.

The young resemble the female, and have the orange patch on
each side of the body and also a blue tail and rump, but the upper
plumage is everywhere streaked with fulvous as well as the sides
of the head and the throat.

Bill black ; legs and feet deep brown ; iris brown (Hume).

Length nearly 6 ; tail 2-6 ; wing 3*3 ; tarsus 1-05 ; bill from
gape - G.

J. cyanura is an allied species from Northern Asia.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Grilgit and Kashmir generally
to Sikhim ; the Khasi hills ; Tipperah ; Mauipur. This species is
found up to 11,000 feet in the Himalayas in summer, and
descends to lower levels in winter.

Habits, SfC Breeds in May and June, constructing a nest of
moss and grass in holes in banks and under tree-roots, and laying
four eggs, which are white with a green tinge, spotted sparingly
round the larger end with minute specks of reddish brown, and
measuring about -71 by - 56.

655. Ianthia indica. The White-browed Bush-Robin.

Sylvia indica, Vieill. N. Diet. cVHid. Nat. xi, p. 267 (1817).

Neniura flavo-olivacea, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 27.

Tarsiger supevciliaris, Hodgs., Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 76 ; Horsf. $

M. Cat. i, p. 311 ; Hume, Cat. no. 510.
Erythaca flavo-olivacea, Blgth, Cat. p. 171.
Iauthia superciliaris {Hodgs.), Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 148 ; Blanf. J. A. S.

B. xli, pt. ii, p. 161.
Tarsiger indicus (Vieill.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 259.

The Rufous-bellied Bush- Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage dull slaty blue ; a
very well-defined supercilium from the point of the forehead to
the nape white ; lores and in front and under the eye black ; sides
of the head blackish blue ; coverts and quills dark brown, edged
with olive-yellow, the coverts next the body more or less suffused
with blue f tail black, suffused with blue on the outer webs ; lower
plumage orange-rut'ous, the sides of the throat mottled with white
and the middle of the abdomen whitish.

Female. The whole upper plumage olive-brown, tinged with
fulvous on the rump ; a partially-concealed white supercilium
extending to the nape ; sides of the head and a ring round the eye
ochraceous, mottled with whitish; wings and tail brown, edged
with the colour of the back; entire lower plumage ochraceous,
tinged with rufous on the breast and paler on the abdomen.

1 have not been able to examine a young bird of this species.

Bill black ; legs pale horny-brown ; iris brown (Jerdon).

Length about 6; tail 2-9; wing 3-2; tarsus 145; bill from
gape -7.

Distribution. Nepal and Sikhim, extending into Western China.
There are few birds about which so little is known as this species.

108 TURDID^.

656. Ianthia hyperythra. The Rufous-bellied Bush-Rubin.

Ianthia hyperythra, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 132 (1847) ; id. Cat.

p. 170; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 147; Godiv.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix,

pt. ii, p. 106.
Nemura hyperythra {Blyth), Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 299; Hume, Cat.

no. 509.'
Tarsiger hyperythrus (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 257.
The Rusty-throated Blue Wood-Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Forehead continued back as a supercilium,
the upper tail-coverts, and a patch on the lesser wing-coverts near
the edge of the wing bright ultramarine-blue ; ear-coverts, lores,
and in front of the eye black ; upper plumage and the sides of the
head and neck deep purplish blue ; wing-coverts and quills black,
edged with purplish blue ; tail black, suffused with purplish blue
on the outer webs ; chin, throat, breast, and abdomen chestnut ;
vent and under tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts and axil-
laries pale chestnut.

Female. Upper plumage and the visible portion of the closed
wing olive-brown tinged with rufous ; rump slaty blue ; upper
tail-coverts deep blue ; tail black, the outer webs suffused with
deep blue ; sides of the head fulvous olive-brown ; lower plumage,
under wing-coverts, and axillaries rich ochraceous, becoming white
on the vent and under tail-coverts.

I have not been able to examine a young bird, but it will prove,
without doubt, to be spotted.

Bill black in the dry skin ; legs and feet brown.

Length about 5*5 ; tail 2-3 ; wing 3*2 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape "6.

Distribution. Sikhim and the Khasi hills. In the former tract
this species is a resident, probably moving vertically according to
season. This bird is figured by Hodgson, and there are likewise
some specimens collected by him in the British Museum, probably
from Nepal, but there is no certainty on this point.

Genus ADELURA, Bonap., 1854.

The sole member of this genus is frequently associated with the
true Redstarts, but the total absence of the chestnut in the tail,
which forms so conspicuous a feature in all the Redstarts, induces
me to place the present type apart from them. In habits this
species appears to be a Redstart, and structurally it does not
differ from Rutieilla. From Ianthia, which it somewhat resembles
in coloration, this genus differs in having the tips of the tail-
feathers rounded.

657. Adelura caeruleicephala. The Blue-headed Robin.

Phcenicura caeruleocephala, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1830, p. 35: Gould,
Cent. pi. xxv, fig. 2.

ADELUBA. 109

Etaticilla caeruleocephala (Vig.), Blyth, Cat. p. 168; Horsf. Sf M.

Cat. i, p. 307 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 141 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii,

pt. ii, p. 42; Hume §• Haulers. Lah. to York. p. 211, pi. xiv ;

Hume, N. $ E. p. 322 ; id. S. F vii, p. 391 ; id. Cat. no. 504 ;

Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 353 ; Gates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed.

ii, p. 69.
Adelura (Iluticilla) caoruleocephala ( TV//.), Brooks, S. F. iii, p. 240.

The Blue-headed Redstart, Jerd.

Fig. 32. — Tail of A. cierideicephala.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
and nape are pale blue, each feather with a broad brown fringe ;
back, scapulars, upper rump, sides of neck, chin, throat, and breast
black, the feathers broadly fringed with brown; lores, cheeks, and
ear-coverts plain black ; lower rump and upper tail-coverts black,
with very narrow brown fringes ; tail entirely black ; wings dark
brown or black, the median coverts, the inner greater coverts, and
broad margins to tertiaries and later secondaries white ; abdomen,
vent, and under tail-coverts white ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries black, with white tips. In spring all the fringes of the
feathers are lost, the forehead, crown, and nape become uniform
blue, and the black parts of the plumage deep black.

Female. Upper plumage rich brown, the lower part of the rump
tinged with rufous, and the upper tail-coverts ferruginous ; tail
brown, narrowly edged with ferruginous ; wings brown, the
coverts and tertiaries broadly edged and tipped with fulvous-white ;
the other quills narrowly margined paler ; lower plumage ashy
brown tinged with fulvous, becoming almost pure white on the
abdomen and upper tail-coverts ; a ring of pale feathers round the
eye.

The nestling is mottled all over, and the young male may be
known at all ages by the white margins on the wings.

Bill dark brown ; legs, feet, and claws black ; iris dark brown
{Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2 - 7 ; wing 3*2 ; tarsus - 8 ; bill from
gape - 65.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan and Gilgit to
Bhutan. 1 have seen no specimen of this bird from Sikhiin,
and only one from Bhutan, collected by Pemberton. This species

110 TUBDIDyE.

is found from 10,000 feet upwards in summer, but. at much lower
levels in winter. In summer it extends into Turkestau.

Habits, §c. Breeds in Gilgit and Afghanistan in May and June,
and generally throughout the higher parts of the Himalayas.
According to Wardlaw Ramsay the nest is composed of small
twigs and grass, lined with hair, and is placed in a crevice or hole
in the face of a cliff. The eggs, five in number, are of a dull
cream-colour, with a darker zone of the same round the thicker
end, and measure about -84 by *62. According to Hume this
species lays a blue unspotted egg, but it appears from his accouut
that in the single instance in which he found the nest he did not
secure the bird, and consequently there may have been some
mistake about it. 1 am also disposed to believe that Wardlaw
Ramsay's identification of the eggs is correct, as the bird is not a
Redstart according to my views.

Genus GRANDALA, Hodgs., 1843.

The genus Grandala contains one bird of remarkable structure,
the position of which it is somewhat difficult to determine. It is
placed by Seebohm among the Thrushes, and by Jerdon among
the Saxicolince, and I place it here in an intermediate position,
considering it more allied to the Robins than to the Thrushes or
Chats. The proper position of this species may probably be among
the Bracliypterygincp.

The plumage of the nestling of this species is streaked, and so
far it resembles that of the adult female ; but the streaks are more
numerous and less distinctly defined, giving it a decided, though
not typical, Thrush-like appearance.

Fig. 33.— Head of G. ccelicolor.

In Grandala the bill is about half the length of the head and
slender ; the nasal membrane is clothed with plumelets to its
middle portion, and the rictal bristles are rather long ; the wing
is excessively long, the first primary very minute, and the second
reaching to the tip of the wing ; the tail is rather longer than half
the wing and square ; the tarsus is slender and smooth and fairly
long. The sexes are coloured differently, and the plumage is soft
and copious.

Only one species of this genus is known. Seebohm unites it
with Sialia, a genus of American birds, with which, however, it
has, in my opinion, no affinities.

NOTODELA. Ill

G58. Grandala coelicolor. Hodgson's Grandala.

Grandala coelicolor, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. xii, p. 447 (1843) ; Bluth,
Cat. p. 166 ; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i, p. 281 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 119 ;
Blanf. J. A. S. B. xii, pt. ii, p. 49 ; Hume, Cat. no. 478.

Grandala schistacea, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. xii, plate illustrating p. 447
(1843).

Sialia coelicolor (Hodgs.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 328.

The Long-winged Bine Chat, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Wing, tail, greater wing-coverts, priinary-
coverts, and winglefc black ; remainder of plumage bright smalt-
blue, most brilliant on the rump and upper tail-coverts.

Female. The whole plumage brown with a bluish tinge, the
rump and upper tail-coverts decidedly blue ; the head, back, sides
of head and neck, and the whole lower plumage except the flanks
streaked with fulvous-white ; wings and tail brown ; the quills
with a patch of white near the base, forming a wing-spot; some
of the secondaries tipped white ; under tail-coverts broadly edged
with white.

The young resemble the female closely, but they have the streaks
broader and extending on to the flanks. The young male pro-
bably assumes the adult plumage at the first autumn moult ; before
finally acquiring it some of the feathers of the head and neck are
fringed with brown.

Bill and feet jet-black ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length about 9 ; tail 3 - 6 ; wing 5*8 ; tarsus 1-15 ; bill from
gape - 9.

Distribution. The highest parts of the Himalayas from Garhwal
to Sikhim. Blanford did not meet with this species below 15,000
feet in Sikhim, and he observed it as high as 17,000 feet. It ex-
tends into the mountains of Tibet and Western China.

Habits, Sfc. Probably found in pairs in the summer, but in flocks
iu the winter ; described as having the flight of a Starling, and
feeding on the ground on insects.

Genus N0T0DELA, Lesson, 1831.

The genus Notodela contains one species, which is largely dis-
tributed from Nepal to Tenasserim. The sexes are very different,

Fig. 34. — Head of N. leucura.

the male being blue and the female rufous, but both sexes have a
large amount of white on the tail, which is considerably longer
than twice the tarsus.

112 turdidte.

The White-tailed Blue liobin frequents the ground, flying up
into trees when disturbed, and expanding and closing its tail
frequently. It does not appear to be shy, and it is said to be very
silent.

059. Notodela leucura. The White-tailed Blue Robin.

Muscisylvia leucura, Hodgs. P. Z. 8. 1845, p. 27.

Myiomela leucura (Hodgs.), Horsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 280 ; Jerd. B. I.

ii, p. 118; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 101 ; Blyth $ Wald.

Birds Burm. p. 100 ; Hume $■ Dav. S. F. vi, p. 334 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 477 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 23 ; Hume, 8. F. xi, p. 190.
Notodela leucura (Hodgs.), Blyth, Cat. p. 100 ; Hume, N. fy E. p. 300 ;

Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 23 ; Oates in Hume's JV. 8? E. 2nd ed.

ii, p. 70.

The White-tailed Blue Chat, Jerd. : Mangsliia, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, eyebrow, and the smaller upper
wing-coverts near the bend of the wing bright cobalt-blue ; the
whole upper plumage black suffused with blue ; lores, sides of the
head and neck, and lower plumage deep black, with a few of the
feathers of the abdomen fringed with blue ; a concealed patch of
white on the side of the neck ; wings black with bluish edges ;
tail black, all the feathers except the outermost and the middle
pair with a large patch of white on the outer web, increasing in
size towards the middle of the tail ; under tail-coverts fringed with
white.

Female. The whole plumage rufescent brown, and the exposed
parts of the closed wings and tail bright ferruginous ; no concealed
white spot on the side of the neck : tail brown with white patches, as
in the male, but smaller in extent ; the feathers of the chin, throat,
lores, and sides of the head with paler shafts ; a ferruginous ring
round the eye.

The young are reddish brown, with bright shaft-streaks and
with ferruginous tips to the feathers of the upper wing-coverts ;
the white patches on the tail-feathers are present from the earliest
age ; in the young male the tail and wings are black, in the female
rufous ; the adult plumage appears to be acquired by a moult when
the young are about a year old.

Bill, legs, feet, and claws black ; iris deep brown (Hume Sf
Davison).

Length about 7 ; tail 3 ; wing 3"8 ; tarsus 1*1 ; bill from gape
•9.

Distribution. Nepal, Sikhim, the Daphla hills in Assam, the Ivhasi
hills, Cachar, Manipur, Karennee, Muleyit mountain in Tenasserim.
Blyth, in his catalogue, recorded a specimen obtained by Hutton
at Mussoorie, but no specimen is contained in the British Museum
from any locality west of Nepal. This bird is found from about
4000 to 9000 feet, and appears to be a constant resident in the
parts it affects.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in April and May, constructing a cup-shaped
nest of roots and leaves, sometimes hooded, on the ground under

ALLEGE. 113

the shelter of a rock or on the face of a bank. The eggs are
salmon-pink, very faintly freckled with grey all over, and measure
about -91 by *65.

Genus CALLENE, Blyth, 1847.

The genus Oullene differs from Notodela in having a very much
longer tail, and one the feathers of which are greatly graduated
and without any white pattern. The tarsus is extremely long.
Little is recorded of the habits of the sole Indian member of the
genus, which, however, are not likely to differ materially from
those of Notodela.

660. Callene frontalis. The Blue-fronted Callene.

Cinclidium frontale, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi, p. 181 (1842).

Callene frontalis {Blyth), Blyth, Cat. p. 178; Horif. $ M. Cat.i,

p. 396 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 496 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 220 ; id. Cat.

no. 340 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 15 ; Oates in Hume's N. §■ E.

2nd ed. ii, p. 71.

The Blue-fronted Short- winy, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. Lores and a frontal band black; forehead
aud a short eyebrow cobalt-blue; with the exception of the abdo-
men, which is dark brown, and the under tail-coverts brown
fringed with white, the whole plumage is slaty-blue with the edges
of the feathers brighter; wings and tail dark brown, the outer
webs suffused with blue; a portion of the under wing-coverts
white ; the lesser upper wing-coverts bright cobalt-blue.

Female. The whole plumage rufescent brown, and the visible
portions of the closed wings and tail bright ferruginous ; tail
brown ; the feathers of the chin, throat, lores, and sides of the
head with paler shafts ; a ferruginous ring round the eye ; a portion
of the under wing-coverts white.

The young are dusky brown, with pale mesial streaks ou the
feathers of the scapulars and the lower plumage. The young male
assumes the adult plumage at the commencement of its first year.

Bill black ; legs brown.

Length about 8 ; tail 3'7 ; wing 3*6 ; tarsus 1*5 ; bill from
gape ;8.

This bird, though structurally very different from Notodela
leucura, resembles it closely in coloration.

Distribution. Sikhim only. There is no evidence that Hodgson
met with this bird in Nepal ; on the contrary, his drawing appears
to have been taken from a Sikhim specimen. There is nothing
known of the habits of this species.

Genus THAMNOBIA, Swains., 1831.

The genus Thamnobia contains two species, one or other of
which is found over a considerable portion of India.

YOL. II. I

114 tuhdid^;.

I have much hesitation in placing this genus here. It is the
only genus of the Turdidce, with the exception of the Accentoriiue,
in which the tarsus is strongly or at all scutellated ; the hill is,
moreover, quite of a different character to that of any of the
Thrush tribe, and the rictal bristles are reduced to a minimum.
The young are mottled to a slight extent only. A better place
may possibly hereafter be found for it.

In Thamndbia the bill is slender and curved downwards, the
wing is very rounded, and the tarsus is strongly scutellated in
front.

The two species of this genus appear to run into each other at
the common point of meeting in about the latitude of Bombay ;
but with reference to this, two points should be carefully regarded.
They are both subject to two kinds of change of plumage. One
change is caused by the ordinary wearing away of the margins of
the feathers during the winter, and the other, coincident in time
with this, is caused by the further abrasion of the feathers after
the margins are worn off. In consequence of these changes it is
difficult for nine months of the year to be quite certain to which
species any particular specimen may belong if the abrasion of the
feathers has been at all normal. I have had no difficulty, how-
ever, in separating autumnal freshly-moulted birds, and they can
be ranged into two series, each of which is found to occupy a
different geographical area. In a certain zone, from Ahmednagar
to the mouth of the Godavari valley, both species occur, but they
are to be separated even here if birds in good plumage be
examined.

The Indian Robins, as they are termed by residents in India,
are familiar birds, being found in compounds, &c, and nesting in
houses, or in their immediate vicinity. These birds feed a good
deal on the ground, and have the habit of erecting the tail after the
fashion of Robins. Both species are resident. The sexes are
different, and while the males of the two species are not difficult to
discriminate, the females are very close to each other.

Key to the Species.

a. With white on the wing-coverts.

a . Upper plumage sandy brown T. cambaiensis J, p. 114.

V ' . Upper plumage black T.fuUeata J , p. 115.

b. With no white on the wing-coverts . . . . \ T ' f^aier,MS $ , p 114.

° j T.fuhcata §, p. 115.

6G1. Thamnobia camhaiensis. The Brown-bached Indian Robin.

Sylvia cambaiensis, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, p. 554 (1790).

Thamnobia cambaiensis (Lath.), Blyth, Cat. p. 165 ; Horsf. 8f M.

Cat. i, p. 283 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 122 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii,

pt. ii, p. 40, xli, pt. ii, p. 237 ; Hume, S. F. i, p. 182 ; id. N. $ E.

p. 300; Ball, S. F. vii, p. 21G ; Hume, Cat. no. 4,80 ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. 31. vii, p. 55 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 108 ; Oates in Hume's

N. § E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 71.

THAMNOBIA. 115

Coloration. Male. When freshly moulted in September, the
whole upper plumage is sandy brown ; upper tail-coverts and tail
black ; wings dark brown, the lesser coverts and a portion of the
median ones white, the remaining coverts with bluish edges ; lores,
sides of the head and neck, chin, throat, breast, upper part of
abdomen, and the sides of the body glossy black with a few sandy
edges ; lower part of abdomen and the under tail-coverts deep
chestnut.

The male continues in this plumage up to February, when the
feathers of the upper plumage become much darker in colour,
owing apparently to the wearing away or casting off of the tips.
During the summer the plumage resembles that of T. fulicata in
many respects, but is seldom or never so dark.

Female. Ear-coverts and round the eye rufous, the former with
pale shafts; chin, cheeks, and a frontal band over the lores pale
fulvous ; with these exceptions, the whole plumage is sandy brown,
tinged with ashy below ; tail and wings dark brown ; middle of the
abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts chestnut.

The young are rufous, the feathers of the back obsoletely barred
and the wing-coverts and quills broadly edged with brighter rufous ;
upper tail-coverts smoky brown ; tail very dark brown ; lower
plumage ashy brown tinged with rufous and slightly mottled ;
under tail-coverts, vent, and middle of abdomen pale chestnut.

Iris dark brown ; legs, feet, and bill black {Hume Coll.).

Length about 6*5 ; tail 2*7 ; wing 3 ; tarsus l - 05 ; bill from
gape -75.

Distribution. A resident in a very large portion of India proper.
On the west this species extends to Sind and the Punjab ; on the
north to the lower ranges of the Himalayas, ascending them at
times up to 5000 or 6000 feet ; on the east to the Rajmehal hills
and Midnapur, and on the south to Abmednagar and the Godavari
valley.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from March to August, constructing a flimsy
nest of miscellaneous materials in holes of walls, banks, &c, and
laying four to six eggs, which are greenish white mottled with
reddish brown, and measure about -79 by '59.

6G2. Thamnobia fulicata. The Black-backed Indian Robin.

Motacilla fulicata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 336 (1766).

Thamnobia fulicata (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 165 ; Horsf. 8? M. Cat. i,

p. 281 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. ] 21 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 307 ; id. Cat. no. 479 ;

Lec/f/e, Birds Ceyl. p. 440 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 54 ; Davison,

S. F. x, p. 388; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 198; Gates in Hiuiiex

N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 76.

The Indian Black Robin, Jerd.; Kalchuri, Hind.; Nalanchi, Tel. j

11 'a/i/iati-kuravi, Tarn.

Coloration. Male. When freshly moulted in September, the
whole plumage is glossy black except the lesser wing-coverts and
a portion of the median, which are white, and the under tail-

i2

116 TIKDIIX*:.

coverts and a portion of the lower part of the abdomen, which are
chestnut ; wings brown or dull black. Tins plumage is retained
till February, when the coloration becomes paler either by bleach-
ing or abrasion of the feathers, and in this state the birds resemble
T. cambaiensis, but there is always some black left to indicate the
species.

Fig. 35. — Head of T.fulicata.

Female. Lores, forehead, and cbin rufous-ashy ; ear-coverts
rufous, with pale shafts ; the whole upper plumage brown with a
rufous tinge, the wing-coverts edged paler ; quills brown, edged
with the colour of the back ; lower plumage ashy grey, varying in
different individuals ; middle of the lower abdomen and the under
tail-coverts chestnut.

The young are rufous-brown above, obsoletely barred or tipped
brighter ; wing-coverts and quills broadly edged with rufous ;
upper tail-coverts dusky; tail blackish: lower plumage brown
mottled with rufous, the chin paler ; middle of the abdomen and
the under tail-coverts pale chestnut.

The young of this species are more distinctly spotted than are
those of T. cambaiensis.

Iris dark brown ; legs, feet, and bill black (Butler).

Length about 6 - 5 ; tail 2*5 ; wing 2-9 ; tarsus 1*05 ; bill from
gape "75.

Distribution. Ceylon ; the southern portion of India up to
Ahmednagar on the west and the Godavari valley on the east.

Habits, 6fc. Precisely those of the last species in all respects.
Eggs of the same type and size.

Genus COPSYCHUS, Wagler, 1827.

The genus Copsychus contains the well-known Magpie-Robin of
India and some other allied species. It differs from all the other
genera of this subfamdy in having a tail which is about equal to
the wing in length, considerably graduated, and coloured black
and white. The sexes are different, although both possess the
same pattern of colour.

663. Copsychus saularis. The Magpie-Robin.

Gracula saularis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 165 (1766).

Copsychus saularis (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 166: Horsf. fy M. Cat. i,

p. 275; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 114; Hume 8f Haulers. Lah. to Yark.

p. 202 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 30-3 ; id. S. F. ii, p. 230 ; Hume $

COPSYCHl'S. * * '

Far 8 F vi, p. 332; Anders. Yunnan Expert., Aves, p. 613;
Legge, Birds Ceyl. p. 433; Hume, Cat. no. 475; (to, B. B. i,
p. 20 ; &taye, CW. 5. 3f. vii, p. 61 : tfarae*, 5w<Zs Z?o»». p. 19/ ,
Oates in Hume a N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 80.
Copsychus musicus (Raffl.), apud Hume # 7)«». & /-. vi, p. *» ,
JZwne, CM. no. 475 bis ; Oates, i?. P. i, p. 21.
Dffj/flr or Z>^/«/, Hind, and Beng. ; Perfrfa nalanchi, Sarela-gadu, Tel.
Zannid-pho, Lepch.: Thapate-lway, Buna.

Fig. 36.— Head of C. saularis.

Coloration. Male, Head, neck, breast, and upper plumage glossy
black ; abdomen, sides of tbe body, and under tail-coverts white ;
wing black, the last two secondaries with a considerable amount ot
white on tbe outer webs, the lesser and median coverts and the
outer webs of tbe later greater coverts also white ; tbe median
two pairs of tail-feathers black, the others white, the fourth pair,
however, varying from white with a small black tip to white with
a greater or less amount of black in combination ; under wing-
coverts and axillaries white, with ashy bases varying in extent.

Female. Wings and tail dark brown, with white distributed as
in the male ; chin, throat, breast, and sides of the neck dark grey ;
forehead, lores, and cheeks mottled with white and grey ; the
whole upper plumage uniform dark brown glossed with bluish ;
sides of tbe bodv, vent, and under tail-coverts pale fulvescent;
middle of the abdomen whitish ; under wing-coverts white.

The young have the crown and nape ashy brown ; upper plumage
dark brown, streaked or barred with rufous ; wings dark brown,
with rufous tips to the lesser coverts and broad rufous margins to
the quills ; the white in the wing disposed as in the adult, and
the tail brown, with tbe white portions similarly disposed ; throat
and breast greyish brown tipped with rufous ; remainder of the
lower plumage white. The adult plumage is assumed almost as
soon as the young bird is fully fledged. _

Bill black; mouth flesh-colour; eyelids plumbeous; ins hazel-
brown ; legs dark plumbeous ; claws horn-colour.

Length about 8; tail 3-6; wing 3-7; tarsus 1-15; bill irom

gape 1. . . , . .,

Throughout its great range C. saularis is very constant in its
type of plumage, the only variation noticeable being in the colora-
tion of the tail and the under wing-coverts and axillaries.

Throughout Continental India and Burma to about Moulmein
most of the birds have the fourth pair of tail-feathers, from the
outside white with a small black tip. South of Moulmein and

118 TURDIDJE.

throughout Tenasserim these feathers contain more black and less
white, and in this respect approach G. musicus of Java. It is not,
however, difficult to find birds in Ceylon and parts of India with
these feathers almost entirely black, aud consequently I do not
think that this character can be utilized for the separation of the
two species.

"With regard to the other point, Indian and Burmese birds
have the under wing-coverts and axillaries almost entirely white,
but in the southern parts of Tenasserim some birds are found
with these parts more black than white ; but still they cannot be
considered to be G. musicus, in which these parts are almost entirely
black, and consequently I do not admit this latter species into the
Indian list.

Distribution. Occurs in almost every part of the Empire and
Ceylon, ascending the Himalayas up to about 5000 feet ; rare in
the extreme North-west and Sind, and probably absent from the
Nicobars.

Habits, Sfc. A common and familiar bird wherever it occurs.
This species has many of the habits of the common English Robin,
being equally confiding and entering verandahs of houses without
fear. It is a fairly good songster, feeds on the ground on insects,
and has the habit of raising its tail perpendicularly at the end of
its run. This bird breeds from March to July, constructing a
rough nest in holes of trees, or walls, or in houses, and laying live
eggs, which are greenish marked with reddish brown, and measure
about "87 by '66.

Genus CITTOCINCLA, Gould, 1836.

The genus Cittocincla contains the Shamas, of which two species
inhabit India, one being universally distributed and one confined to
the An damans.

This genus differs from Gopsychus in its longer tail, which con-
siderably exceeds the wing in length. The Shamas frequent thick
woods and tree-jungle, and feed on the ground. One species at
least sings very well, but G. albiventris is said to have no voice.

Key to the Species.

a. Abdomen rufous C. macrura, p. 118.

b. Abdomen white C. albiventris, p. 120.

064. Cittocincla macrura. The Shama.

Turdus macrourus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i, p. 820 (1788).

Kittacincla macroura (Gm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 165 ; Horsf. Sf M. Cat.

i, p. 271); Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 116 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.'y. 197.
Cittocincla macrura (Gm.), Leyye, Birds Ccyl. p. 437 ; Oates, B. B.

i, ]). 22 ; id. in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii. p. 86.

11!)
C[TTOCI>~CLA.

Cercotrichas macrurus (Gm.), Hu>no,X. % R p. 300; id. $ Dav.

S F \\ d. 333: Hume, Cat. no. 47b. ..

Cittocincla tricolol- (F**), *•* ^«rp«, Cat. B. M. w, p. 8o.
fiAomo, Hind. ; Pod* iwfanc^ roofer nafonett, Tel.
CoZorafion. Male. Head and neck all round breast back, sca-
nuhis "nd win-coverts glossy black ; rump and upper tail-co verts
£?^X four tail-feathers entirely black, he others
blacl at L base and then white ; quills, winglet and primary-
coverts dull black, with a slight gloss on ^Z°T\Z tuXs
abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts bright chestnut; thighs

W W, In the female, which resembles the ^^^
bution of colours, all those parts are slaty brown which are DlacK
finale the bright chestnut parts of the male are pale rufous
£ the fetle, and tl quills and wing-coverts are narrowly edged
with rufous In other respects the sexes are alike.

The young vary a good deal. The general colour of the upper
plumage s dark brown, the wing-coverts and some of he , ea he s
5 the Waek tipped with rufous ; the quills ™g^^^J
the lower plumage is chiefly pale rufous, ^^/^Xmage
the throat and breast. Young birds assume the adult plumage
very soon after they are fully fledged. throughout

The coloration of this bird is very constant to type tlnougtioiw
the lar'e arelof its distribution/the only variation apparent
big in the darker coloration of some of the females in lenas-

sernn.

Bui black; legs pale flesh-colour; claws light ^n-colour ;
mouth flesh-colour ; eyelids plumbeous j ms darl brown.

Length about 11 ; tail about 6 ; wing 3-/ ; tarsus l i , wu
gape 95 ; the female has the tail about one inch shorter than the

^Distribution Ceylon ; the hills along the western coast of India

in the Hume Collection, and it may be more widely ^spread over
India proper than the above localities indicate .Tins bid a
permanent resident, and does not ascend the hills to any grean

^IJalits Src Frequents thick jungle and is very shy ; a most
exS'stngsL? breeds from W to ^^-g-
of leaves and grass &c. in a hole of a tree at no great neig n ;m>
1 giwnd, and laying four eggs, which are very simdar in colout
to those of Copsychus mularis, and measure about 8fl by .b~

120 TURDTD.T.

G65. Cittocincla albiventris. The Andaman Shama.

Kittacincla albiventris, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xxvii, p. 269 (1858) ; Ball,
8. F. i, p. 73; Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 232 ; Walden, Ibis, 1873, p. 307,

pi. xii, fig. 1.
Cercotriclias albiventris (Blyth), Hume, Cat. no. 47Gbis.
Cittocincla albiventris, Blyth, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 90.

Coloration. Both sexes are alike, or nearly so, the female merely
differing from the male in having the chin and throat less glossy
and they both resemble the male o£ C. macrura, from which they
differ in the colour of the abdomen and vent, which is white instead
of chestnut. The under tail-coverts and flanks are pale ferru-
ginous. The tail is much shorter.

The nestliug bird is dark brown, spotted with ferruginous; the
wings are margined with the same, and the coverts spotted.

Legs and feet pale fleshy ; bill black {Hume).

Length about 9 ; tail about 5 ; wing 3-6 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape 1. The female has usually a shorter tail.

Distribution. The Andamans.

Subfamily TURDINiE.

The Turdince comprise the true Thrushes. These differ chiefly
from the Saxicolinoi and Ruticillince in being of larger size, in
having a greater tendency to be gregarious, aud in being less
dependent on insects for their food — berries forming a considerable
portion of their diet during winter.

The Thrushes are mostly migratory ; some few are resident, and
when this is the case they are generally confined to limited areas.
The majority undergo a seasonal change of plumage through
the margins of the feathers dropping off ; but these changes are
never very striking, aud frequently hardly appreciable. The
Thrushes feed a great deal on the ground, and their long tarsi
enable them to hop with great facility ; they are good songsters ;
they mostly build cup-shaped nests in trees, and they lay spotted
eggs.

The Turdince resemble each other closely in structure, and it is
by no means easy to divide them into genera. I have had recourse
to the type of coloration in subdividing them, and I have found the
colour of the under wing-coverts and axillaris of considerable
importance in classification.

The young of the Thrushes are greatly spotted, and they acquire
the adult plumage at the first autumn moult. I have not attempted
to describe the young of each species, as, from the nature of the
coloration, the descriptions, to be of any utility, must of necessity
be somewhat lengthy, and space does not permit of this ; and it
may be doubted if any description of young Thrushes, however
elaborate, would enable the student to identify the species.

MERITA.

121

Key to the Genera.

a. Bill narrow ; breadth at forehead not more
than half length of culmen ; rictal bristles
well developed.
a'. Sexes different in coloration.

a". Axillaries and under wing-coverts in
both sexes uniformly of one colour or
very nearly so ; lower plumage never
blue nor chestnut combined with black

or blue Mebtjla, p. 121.

b". Axillaries and under wing-coverts in
both sexes of two colours in strong
contrast; arrangement of colours in
axillaries transposed iu under wing-

coverts Geocichla, p. 13b

c". Axillaries and under wing-coverts in
males of one colour, in females more
or less barred with two colours ; lower
plumage of males wholly blue, or chest-
nut combined with blue or blade, in
females squamated.
a"'. Tail very much longer than half

w i ng " Petrophila, p. 142.

&'". Tail about equal to half wing Monticola, p. 147.

V. Sexes alike in coloration.

d'. Axillaries and under wing-coverts en-

tirelv of one colour , Tuhdus, p. 148.

e. Axillaries and under wing-coverts ot
two colours ; arrangement of colours
in axillaries transposed in under wing-
coverts,
c'". Lower plumage distinctly barred or
spotted; rictal bristles few and

lateral ; • • • Oreocincla, p. 151.

d'". Lower plumage squamated; rictal
bristles numerous, and anterior ones

projecting forwards over nostrils .... Zootheka, p. lob.
b Bill broad ; breadth at forehead more than half

length of culmen ; rictal bristles obsolete . . Cochoa, p. lo».

Genus MERULA, Leach, 1816.

I restrict this genus to those Thrushes in which the sexes are
different in coloration and in which the under wing-eoverts and
axillaries in both sexes are uniformly of one colour or nearly so.
The lower plumage of the Thrushes of this genus is, moreover,
never blue, nor chestnut combined with black or blue.

In Merula the bill is about half the length of the head; the
rictal bristles moderate ; the wing long and sharp the firs primary
being small ; the tail rather ample, and the tarsus long. The under-
side of the wing has no pattern.

122 TUIiDIDiE.

Key to the Species.

a. General colour of plumage black or brown,

unrelieved by any distinctive marks.

a'. Legs black or brown M. maxima, p. 123.

b'. Legs yellow or orange.

a". Wing quite 5 inches and generally
more.
a'". Lower plumage uniformly dark
brown ; crown of male not much

darker than back M. simillima, p. 124.

b'". Lower plumage albescent on abdo-
men and under tail-coverts ; crown
of male black, forming a cap con-
spicuously darker than back M. nigripileus, p. 126.

b". Wing about 4*5 inches, rarely reach-
ing 5.
c'". Upper plumage with all feathers

margined M. kinnisi, p. 124.

d'". Upper plumage uniform.

a 4 . Sides of head of much the same

colour as other parts of head .... 31. bourdilhni, p. 125.
bK Sides of head rufous * 31. erythrotis, p. 126.

b. Plumage variegated.

c'. Hind neck of different colour from back.

c". Crown and back of same colour 31. albicincta, p. 127.

d" . Crown and back of different colours . . 31. castanea, p. 128.
d' . Hind neck of same colour as back.

e". Feathers of upper plumage variegated

with dark central marks M.fuscata, p. 129.

/". Feathers of upper plumage not varie -
gated,
e'". Tail, throat, and upper breast chiefly

chestnut 31. ruficollis, p. 130.

/'". No chestnut on tail, throat, or upper
breast.
c 1 . Wings boldly marked with a large

patch of grey or rufous M. boulboul, p. 130.

d*. Wings uniform.

a 5 . Under wing- coverts and axil-
laries wholly or in part chest-
nut or orange-brown.
a e . Sides of breast and abdomen
grey or brown.
a 7 . Throat and breast uni-
formly of one colour.
a 8 . Throat and breast black. M.atrigularisS ,p. 131.
b 8 . Throat and breast slaty

grey 31. unicolor <$ , p. 132.

b 7 . Throat and breast streaked.
c\ Under wing - coverts
orange-brown ; axillaries
rufous-grey M. atvignlaris 5 , p. 131.

* Of M. kinnisi, 31. bourdilloni, and 31. erythrotis the series to which I
have access is so very small and unsatisfactory that the characters for these
three species given here may not prove to hold good in all cases.

MERULA. 12d

<l\ Under wing - coverts
and axillaries uniformly

chestnut-brown M. unicolor ? , p. 1*M.

b 6 Sides of breast and abdomen

orange-ferruginous M. protomomelcena,

b\ Under wing-coverts and axil- LP- l66 '

laries slaty grey.
c G . Breast and sides of abdomen
chestnut-brown.
c\ Wing 4-8 ; second primary

longer than fifth M. obscura, p. lo4.

d 7 . Wing 5-4; second primary

shorter than fifth M. subobscura, p. 135.

d e . Breast and sides of abdomen

slaty grey* ilf./^p. 135.

666. Merula maxima. The Central-Asian Blackbird.

Merula vulgaris ?, /e/'dow, I&w, 1872, p. 137.
Merula vulgaris, i?«y, Scully, S. F. iv, p. ,16».
Mprula vulsariB, Xece^, JBime, Oa«. no. day bis.
Merula maxima, feftota, CW.'*. Jf. v, p. 405 (1881) ; St. John, Ibis,
1889, p. 161.

Coloration. Male. Entirely black throughout

Amob. Upper plumage dark slaty brown with an olive tinge ,
tail black; w mgs dark brown, all the feathers edged with oliva-
ceous ; lores dark brown, with a whitish line over them; sides of
the head ashy brown, the lower portion of the ear-coverts with w bite

arts! lower plumage slaty grey, the chin, throat, and breast
streaked with blackish ; axillaries and under wmg-coverts uniform

8k l y yo T r g n bird procured by Jerdon in Kashmir is black ; but the
abdomen, vent, thighs, under tail-coverts and under wmg-coverts
are barred with buff, and the feathers of the rump and upper tad-
coverts are tipped with the same.

The male has the bill yellow, tip of upper mandible blackish ;
leo-s and feet dark brown ; claws black {Scully).

The female has the bill brownish black ; legs and feet blackish
brown; claws black (Scully).

Length about 11; tail 4-8 to 545 ; rag 6-4 to 5-9; tarsus 1-45 ;
bill hom .ape 1-2. Scully gives the length of the tail of a female
bird of"hi B P s P ecies as 5'6 ; but this is probably a misprint, as the
tail of a male, as given by the same author, is only 5-15.

TMS species differs from its European ally in being much larger
the wing in Merula vulgaris being seldom more than 5 inches and
the tail 4-5 inches.

* M kcssleri Prjev., was obtained by Mandelli in Tibet (S.F v, p. 484) not
far from e Sikhim frontier. In the male the abdomen and flanks arc deep
chesnu Tin the female dull chestnut-brown; in both sexes the rump .s dull
rufous the Swings and tail nearly black ; the head and breast in the male are
black or dark brown, in the female paler and streaked on the throat. Wing
57 ; tail 4-7.

124 TURDID^.

Distribution. I have examined specimens of this Blackbird from
Kashmir, Kandahar, Bala Murghab, Tashkend, and Yarkand. It
meets M. vulgaris in Persia, and both species occur in that country.

Habits, Sre. According to Scully, this bird is said not to be
uncommon during the winter near Kashgarh and Yarkand. It
seemed to keep principally among Eleagnus trees and thorn-bushes
in the vicinity of unfrozen bits of water. It migrated northwards
in spring. St. John states that it is common about Kandahar.

667. Merula simillima. The Nilgiri Blackbird.

Turdus simillimus, Jerd. Madr. Journ. L. 8. x, p. 253 (1839).

Merula simillima {Jerd.), Blyth, Cat. p. 162 • Horsf. $ 31. Cat. i,
p. 401 ; Jerd. B. 1. i, p. 524 ; Hume, N. # E. p. 232 ; Fairbank,
S. F. v, p. 403 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 251 ; Hume, Cat.
no. 360 ; Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 88.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, and nape black ; the whole
upper plumage and the outer webs of the feathers of the wings and
tail dark ashy brown ; the whole lower plumage, axillaries, and
under wing-coverts dark brown, the feathers indistinctly edged
paler.

Female. The whole upper plumage, including the forehead, crown,
and nape, dark ashy brown ; the whole lower plumage, including
the axillaries and under wing-coverts, brownish grey, some of the
feathers of the abdomen with whitish shafts ; chin and throat
streaked with dark brown.

Iris brown: bill reddish orange; orbital skin and eyelids
yellow ; legs orange-yellow (Wardlaiv Ramsay).

Length about 10'5 ; tail 4-2 ; wing 5 to 5-2 ; tarsus 1-25 ; bill
from gape 1*2.

Distribution. A resident on the higher portions of the Nilgiri
hills, the Brahmagiris in Coorg, and the Palni hills.

Habits, 6,-c. Frequents dense woods, occasionally entering
gardens. Breeds from March to May, constructing a massive
cup-shaped nest of ferns, grass, moss, and roots, more or less
plastered together with mud, in a branch of a tree up to 20 feet
from the ground. The eggs, usually four or five in number, are
greenish marked with brownish red, and measure about 1*17
by -86.

668. Merula kinnisi. The Ceylon Blackbird.

Merula kinnisii, Ketaart, Blyth, d. A. S. B. xx, p. 177 (1851) ; id.

Ibis, 1867, p. 304; Hume, Cat. no. 360 his ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M.

x, p. 252 ; Oates in Hume's N. 8r E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 00.
Turdus kinnisi (Blyth), Lecjge, Birds Ceyl. p. 449.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage black, each feather with a
bluish-orey margin at all seasons apparently ; quills and wing-
coverts black, with similar margins ; tail black, the feathers with
narrow and less distinct bluish-grey margins; lower plumage
slaty brown, each feather with a pale margin.

MERDXA. 125

Female. The small series of this bird in the British Museum
appears to cousist entirely of males. Legge thus describes the
female : — Above dark bluish slate, pervaded with brownish on the
head, the margins of all the feathers black ; outer webs of pri-
maries and secondaries washed with brownish slaty ; tail blackish
brown ; beneath slaty washed with earthy brown, the feathers of
the abdomen sometimes with light shaft-streaks ; under wing-
coverts edged with earthy brown.

In the male the iris is pale.brown ; eyelid and bill orange-yellow ;
legs and feet paler yellow than the bill ; claws yellowish horny. In
the female the bill is yellowish orange ; eyelid yellow ; legs and
feet pale yellow (Legge).

Length about 9-5 ; tail 3'6 to 4 ; wing 4-3 to 4-5 ; tarsus 1*3 ;
bill from gape 1"2.

This species differs from M. maxima in being very much smaller
and in having yellow feet ; from M. simillima in being smaller and
blacker ; from M. bourdilloni also in being smaller, and in having
the feathers of the upper plumage margined with bluish grey ; and
from M. enjthrotis in having the whole head black or brown.

Distribution. A resident in the forests of Ceylon above 2500 feet
elevation. Breeds from April to June, constructing a cup-shaped
nest in trees, and laying four eggs, which are pale green marked
with reddish-brown and umber, and measure about 1*05 by '82.

669. Merula bourdilloni. Bourdillons Blackbird.

Merula kinnisi (Kelaart), apud Hume, S. F. vii, p. 35; Terry, S. F.

x, p. 474.
Merula bourdilloni, Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 251, pi. xv (1881) ;

Oates in Hume's N. $• E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 91.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage deep black ; tail
black ; wings black, the outer webs of the feathers suffused with
slaty grey ; the whole lower plumage blackish brown.

Female. The only bird of this sex that I have seen has the whole
upper plumage dark bi'own tinged with olivaceous, the chin and
throat whity brown, and the lower plumage fulvous ashy.

In the male the bill, legs, feet, and claws bright orange-red ; iris
dark brown (Hume Coll.).

Length about 9 - 5 ; tail 3'6 to 4 ; wing 4*6 to 5 ; tarsus 1*25 ;
bill from gape 1*2.

This species, long accepted as M. kinnisi, differs from that species
in being larger and in having the upper plumage (in the males) deep
black without slaty margins. The legs would also appear to be of
a different colour, judging from the recorded colours above. I have
not been able to compare females of the two species together.

Distribution. The hills of Southern Travancore, extending north
to the Palnis. This species does not appear to be found below
3000 feet.

Habits, Sj-c. Breeds on the Palnis in May and June. The nest

126 turdim:.

and eggs resemble those of M. simillima, but the size of the eggs
has not been recorded.

670. Merula erythrotis. Davison's Blackbird.
Merula erythrotis, Davison, Ibis, 1886, p. 205.

Coloration. The type of this species, the only specimen I ha\e
seen, is in the British Museum. It appears to be a female, and
resembles the only female of M. bourdilloni contained in the same
collection in general appearance. It differs, however, in having a
supercilium, the lores, the sides of the head, cheeks, and chin
rufous-brown.

Davison discovered this specimen, with another similar to it, in
the Museum of Trivandrum in Travancore, and they are thought
to have beeu obtained in the Palghat hills in Travancore. Davison
remarks on the triangular bare patch of skin behind the eye in this
species, but this patch is present, in a more or less distinct form, in
all Thrushes, and forms no character of any value.

Length about 10; tail 4*1; wing 4*8; tarsus 1*2; bill from
gape 1-2.

Distribution. Probably the Palghat hills in Travancore.

671. Merula nigripileus. The Black-capped Blackbird.

Turdus (Merula) nigropileus, Lafrcsnaye, Delessert, Toy. de VInde,
pt. ii, p. 27 (1843) ; Blyth, Cat. p. 162 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 523 ;
Butler, S. F. iii, p. 470 ; Hvme, Cat. no. 359 ; Vidal, S. F. ix, p. 63 ;
Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 250; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 173; Oates
in Humes N. 4- E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 91.

Kasturi, Hind. ; Poda palisa, Tel.

(Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, and sides of head
black, paling on the lower portion of the ear-coverts ; hind neck,
mantle, sides of the neck, and the whole lower plumage brownish
grey, infuscated on the throat and suffused with ashy on the
flanks ; the under tail-coverts whitish along the shafts ; lower
back, scapulars, rump, the wings, and tail dark ashy ; axillaries
and under wing-coverts ashy.

Female. Whole upper plumage brown, tinged with ashy on the
rump ; wings and tail with the outer webs of the feathers suffused
with ashy ; ear- coverts with pale shafts ; chin and throat dull
greyish white, streaked with brown ; breast, upper abdomen, and
flanks brownish grey ; lower abdomen dull whitish ; under tail-
coverts whitish, broadly edged with ashy brown ; axillaries and
under wing-coverts brownish grey like the breast.

In the male the legs and feet are dirty straw-colour; iris dark
brownish red ; bill dirty orange : in the female the legs and feet
are dark straw-colour; bill dark orange (Hume).

Length about 10 - 5; tail 4; wing 51 ; tarsus 1*2; bill from
gape 1*2.

MERULA. 127

The male of this species cannot be confounded with any other
Blackbird, but the female resembles the females of the other
species somewhat in colour and M. simillima in size. From this
hitler she may generally be recognized by the whitish abdomen.

Distribution. The western parts of India from the Nilgiris and
Mysore up to Mount Abu. This species extends into the interior
of the peninsula, and has been recorded from Chikalda, Raipur,
and Sambalpur. It appears to be a summer visitor only to the
extreme northern portions of its range, but to be resident else-
where.

Habits, 4'c Breeds throughout its limits from May to July, con-
structing a nest of twigs and grass mixed with earth and moss,
and laying three eggs, which are greenish marked with brownish
red and purple, and measure about T08 by *82.

672. Merula albicincta. The White-collared Ouzel.

Turdus albocinctus, Boyle, El. Bot. Himal. fyc. pp. Ixxvii, lxxviii

(1839).
Turdus albicollis, op. cit. pi. viii, tig. 3.
Merula nivicollis, Hodgs. Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 83 (1844).
Merula albocincta (Iloyle), Blyth, Cat. p. 162 ; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i,

p. 197 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 526 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,

p. 35 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 49; Hume, Cat. no. 362 ;

Scully, S. F. viii, p. 285 ; Seehohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 245 ; Oates in

Humes N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 92.

Kundoo kastura, Hind.

Coloration. Male. Entire plumage black, except the hind neck,
upper back, sides of neck, chin, throat, and upper breast, which
are white and form a broad collar ; the chin and throat frequently
streaked with brown ; under tail-coverts with white shafts.

Female. Forehead, crown, nape, and sides of the head rufous-
brown ; the white parts in the male replaced by dull ashy ; lesser
wing-coverts, scapulars, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts rufous-
brown ; wings and tail dark brown tinged with olivaceous ; breast,
under wing-coverts, and axillaries rufous, gradually becoming darker
and blacker on the remainder of the lower plumage, many of the
feathers of which are fringed with light rufous ; under tail-coverts
with white shafts.

The nestling exhibits no indication of the white collar till the
autumn moult.

Bill yellow, dusky at extreme tip ; iris deep brown ; tarsi and
toes buffy yellow ; claws brown-horny (Scully).

Length about 11; tail 4'4 ; wing 5*5 j tarsus 1*3; bill from
gape 1*3.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Eastern Kashmir to Sikhim.
In the summer this species is found up to 13,000 feet, and in
winter down to 7000 feet. Godwin-Austen procured this Ouzel
at Remta in Manipur.

Habits, Sfc. Found singly or in pairs. Breeds in May. The

128 TURDlDvE.

nest has not been described, but the eggs are said to be greyish
white marked with reddish brown, and to measure about 1*2
by - 85.

673. Merula castanea. The Grey-headed Ouzel.

Merula castanea, Goidd, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 185; Blyth, Cat. p. 102;
Horsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 197 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 526 ; Code & Marshall,
S. F. \, p. 354 ; Godw.~A.ust. J. A. S. B. xxxix, pt. ii, p. 268 ;
Hume, N. fy E. p. 235 ; id. Cat. no. 363 ; Seebuhm, Cat. B. M. v,
p. 259 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 93.

Lai kastura, Hind.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, and sides of the bead
dark grey ; chin, throat, and neck all round pale greyish white ;
upper back dark chestnut ; lower back, scapulars, rump, and upper
tail-coverts bright chestnut ; wings and tail black; lower plumage
chestnut, the middle of the abdomen whitish ; under tail-coverts
black, with mesial white streaks and fulvous margins near the tip
of the feathers ; auxiliaries and under wing-coverts chestnut-brown.

Female. Resembles the male in general pattern of colour, but
the head and neck are a darker grey, the chestnut of the upper and
lower parts is paler, and the wings and tail are brown ; the under
tail-coverts are brown instead of black, but marked in the same
manner as in the male.

Bill, orbits, and legs yellow; iris brown (Jerdon); legs dull
yellow, iris dark brown (Godw.-Aust.).

Length about 11; tail 4-3; wing 5 - 3 ; tarsus 1-3; bill from
gape 1*2.

This species and M. alhicincta were at one time thought to be
the same, but no one now doubts their distinctness from each
other.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Murree to Sikhim. Godwin-
Austen procured this species in the Tura range, Garo hills.
Griffith appears to have obtained it in Assam. This Ouzel, accord-
ing to Stoliczka (J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 35), comes to Kotgarh
in the winter, and probably lives during the summer months in
Central Asia and Eastern Tibet. This distribution has not, how-
ever, been confirmed, and the nest of tbis species has been found
at Kotgarh and Murree, showing that some birds at least remain
in the Himalayas during the summer and at comparatively low
levels.

Habits, Sfc. Associates in flocks (during the winter?) according
to Hutton. This species appears to construct its nest in banks,
making it of moss and fern-leaves with a little earth, and lining it
with grass. The eggs are pale green marked with brownish red
and pinkish purple, and measure about 1*2 by "85.

MEBFLA. 129

674. Merula fuscata. The Dusky Ouzel.

Turdus fuscatus, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso- Asiat. i, p. 451, pi. xii (1813).
Planesticus fuscatus (Pall.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 530 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A.

S. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 159, xlv, pt. ii, p. 72.
Turdus dubius, Beehst. apud Hume, Cat. no. 366.
Merula fuscata (Pall), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 262.
The Dusky Thrush, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
and nape are black, with narrow grey margins ; the remaining
upper plumage black, with broad rufous-grey margins, the rufous
increasing in intensity towards the tail ; wing-coverts and quills
blackish, each feather margined exteriorly with dull chestnut; tail
black, very narrowly edged with rufous ; a distinct pale buff super-
cilium from the nostril to the nape ; lores and ear-coverts black ;
chin, throat, upper breast, and sides of the head and neck pale buff,
with a few brown marks ; lower breast and sides of the body black,
the former with narrow, the latter with broad, white margins ;
abdomen white ; under tail-coverts brown, broadly edged with
white ; axillaries and under wing-coverts dull chestnut.

Female. Differs from the male in having the dark portions of
the upper plumage brown, in having the chin and throat much
spotted with black, and in having the black on the lower breast
much less in extent.

In the spring the margins on the upper plumage disappear, and
these parts become nearly uniform black or brown. Borne birds
from Siberia, however, exhibit a large amount of rufous on the
upper plumage even in the height of summer, the black or brown
parts becoming very worn and faded.

Young birds after the first autumn moult have the black centres
to the feathers of the upper plumage smaller than in adults, the
chin and throat very much streaked and spotted and less black on
the lower parts.

Iris dark brown ; bill horny brown, yellowish towards the base
of the lower mandible ; legs light brown ( Wardlaw- Ramsay) ; iris
dark brown, bill black above, dull yellow below, legs dull brown
(Godw.-Aust.).

Length about 9-5 ; tail 3*5 ; wing 5 ; tarsus 1*25 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. A rare winter visitor to the north-eastern portion
of the Empire. Hodgson procured this species in Nepal; Godwin-
Austen at Harmutti in the Daphla hills in Assam and on the peak
of Japvo, the highest point of the Burrail range, at 10,000 feet ;
Hume at Shillong and Dibrugarh in Assam, and Wardlaw-liainsay
at Toungngoo in Burma. A specimen in the Hume Collection
from the Bhutan Doars, referred to this species, appears to me to
be M. atrigularis in immature plumage.

This Ouzel summers in the eastern portion of Siberia, and is
found in winter in Japan and China. Occasionally it wanders
into Europe.

VOL. II. k

130 TUBDID^.

675. Merula ruficollis. The Red-throated Ouzel.

Tardus ruficollis, Pall. Rids. Russ. Reichs. iii, p. 694 (1776) ; Blyth>
Cat. p. 161 ; Mors/. Sr M. Cat. i, p. 194 ; Hume, Cat. no. 364 ;
Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 53 ; Hume, S. F. ix, p. 318, xi, p. 129.

Planesticus ruficollis (Pall.), Jercl. B. I. i, p. 528 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A.
S. R. xxxix, pt. ii, p. 102.

Merula ruficollis (Pall.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 269.

Turclus kyemalis (Dyboivski), apud Biddulph, Ibis, 1882, p. 271.

The Red-tailed Thrush, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage ashy brown, the
shafts of the feathers of the crown dark ; wings dark brown, the
outer webs suffused with ashy brown ; tail chestnut, the terminal
half or third of the middle pair of feathers brown, the others suc-
cessively with less black at the tip ; a narrow pale chestnut super-
cilium ; lores and ear-coverts ashy brown; cheeks, chin, throat,
breast, and sides of the neck chestnut, the feathers of these parts
immediately after the autumn moult very narrowly margined with
white, and all but the very oldest birds with a row of black spots
down each side of the throat ; remaining lower plumage white, the
sides of the body mottled with brown ; under tail-coverts chestnut
at base ; axillaries and under wing-coverts orauge-brown.

Female. Resembles the male, but has the chestnut of the lower
parts much paler, and the breast spotted with black. In very old
females, however, these spots disappear, and the sexes are then
very closely alike.

Tarsi greyish fleshy ; feet fleshy brown ; upper mandible and tip
of lower brown, rest of lower mandible, gape, and margins of
upper mandible, except at tip, dull yellow ; iris hazel (Hume).

Length about 10 ; tail 4 ; wiug 5*4 ; tarsus 1*3 ; bill from
gape 1*1.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the Himalayas from Kashmir to
Assam. This species has also been observed in winter at Groalpara
in Assam, Sylhet, Cachar, the Khasi hills, and Mauipur.

In winter this Ouzel occurs on the west in Afghanistan, and on
the east in China. It summers in Siberia and Central Asia.

676. Merula bonlhoul. The Grey-winged Ouzel.

Lanius boulboul, Lath. Ind, Orn. \, p. 80 (1790).

Tardus pcecilopterus, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 54; Gould, Cent.
pi. xiv.

Merula boulboul (Lath.), Bhjth, Cat. p. 162 ; Horsf. # M. Cat. i,
p. 196 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 525 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,
p. 35 ; mime, N. $ E. p. 234 ; id. Cat. uo. 361 ; Scully, S. F. viii,
p. 285 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 248 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 128 ;
Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 93.
The Grey-ioinyed Blackbird, J erd. ; Kasluri, Hind. ; Patariya masaicha,
Beng. ; Phoyiong pho, Lepck. ; Chomam, Bhut.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage, wings and tail,

MERULA. 131

the whole head, neck, and breast deep glossy black, except the tips
of the median coverts, the outer webs of the greater coverts and
tertiaries, and the margins of the outer webs of the later secon-
daries, which are silvery ashy grey with a tinge of vinaceous ;
lower plumage from the breast downwards, the axillaries, and
under wing-coverts dull black, each feather narrowly margined
with whitish.

Fig. 37.— Head of M. boulboul.

Female. Brownish ashy throughout with an olivaceous tinge, the
marks on the wings, which are similar to those of the male in
shape and disposition, being pale rufous.

In the male the legs and feet are brownish in front, yellow
behind ; bill coral-red, tip black ; iris brown ; edges of eyelids
orange-yellow {Hume Coll.) : in the female the iris is hazel-red ;
bill orange, horny at tip ; legs burnt sienna (Coclcbum).

Length about 11*5 ; tail 4-5 ; wing 5'7 ; tarsus l - 3 ; bill from
gape 1*25.

Distribution. A resident on the Himalayas from their bases up
to 8000 feet, the range varying according to season. This Ouzel
occurs from Murree to Sikhim ; it has also been obtained in the
Bhutan Doars, the Khasi hills, Cachar, and Manipur.

Habits, Sfc. This Ouzel builds its nest sometimes on the ground
in the hollow of a massive root or fallen trunk, and some-
times, more frequently perhaps, on a ledge of rock or on the
extremity of a thick branch, where it has been cut or broken off.
The nest is constructed of moss and leaves, and little or no mud is
used in the structure. The breeding-season lasts from April to
August. The eggs, four in number, are dingy green thickly marked
with reddish brown, and measure about 1*2 by "87.

677. Merula atrigularis. The Black-throated Ouzel.

Turdus atrogularis, Temm. Man. cVOrn. ed. 2, i,p. 169, pi. (1820) ; Blyth,
Cat. p. 161 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. \, p. 195 ; Hume, Cat. no. 365.

Planesticus atrogularis (Temm.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 529; Stoliczka,
J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 35 ; Hume 8f Henders. Lah. to York.
p. 192 ; Scully, 8. F. iv, p. 140, viii, p. 286.

Cichloides atrogularis (Temm.), Hume, S. F. i, p. 179.

k2

132 TFRDIDJE.

Merula atrigularis (Temm.), Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 173; Seebokm,
Cat. B. M. v, p. 267.

The Black-throated Thrush, Jerd. ; Mach-reycha, Beng.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the lores, cheeks,
chin, throat, breast, and sides of the neck are black, each feather
with a broad white margin ; rest of the underparts white, the sides
of the body with ashy streaks ; under wing-coverts dull orange-
brown ; axillaries rufous-grey ; under tail-coverts dark brown tipped
with white ; ear-coverts, the whole upper plumage, and the visible
portions of the closed wings and tail greyish brown, the feathers
of the crown centred with dark brown. Soon after the moult the
white margins of the head, neck, and breast become reduced in
width, and are altogether lost by summer, causing the parts to
appear uniformly black.

Female. Sides of the head and neck greyish brown like the upper
plumage ; chin and throat whitish streaked with dark brown ;
breast ashy brown spotted with black ; otherwise as the male.

Legs and feet greyish browu ; bill blackish brown, dusky yellow
at base of lower mandible ; iris blackish brown {Butler).

Length about 10 ; tail 3-8 ; wing 5'2 ; tarsus 1'3 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. A winter visitor to the Himalayas and the plains
of Upper India. This species extends throughout the Himalayas
from Hazara to Assam. In the plains it is found as far south as
Karachi, Cutch, Delhi, and Dacca. From Assam it ranges south
through the hill-tracts to Manipur.

Jerdon speaks of this Ouzel as inhabiting the higher ranges of
the Himalayas in summer. This statement has received no confir-
mation since he made it ; but it is not improbably correct, as I have
seen a specimen killed at Simla on the 14th August and one killed
in Kashmir in May. The bulk of these Ouzels, however, if not
all, retire north to Siberia to breed. In winter they are found in
Central Asia and Afghanistan, but not to the east of Assam.

' - >7 S . Merula unicolor. TiekelVs Ouzel.

Turdus unicolor, Tick. J. A. S. B. ii, p. 577 (1833).
Petvocincla homochroa, Hodys. in Grays Zool. Misc. p. 83 (1844).
Turdus dissiuiilis, Bhjth, J. A. 8. B. xvi, p. 144, part. (1847).
Geocichla dissimilis, Blyth, Cat. p. 163; Horsf. § M. Cat. i, p. 191.
Geocichla unicolor (Tick.), Blyth, Cat. p. 163; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 519;

Hume Sf Headers. Lah. to Yark. p. 192 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 230;

Ball, S. F. ii, p. 408, vii, p. 213 ; Hume, Cat. no. 356 ; Scully, 8. F.

viii, p. 283 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 171.
Merula uuicolor (Tick.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. \, p. 271 ; Oates in

Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 96.
The Dusky Ground-Thrush, Jerd. ; Desi pawai, Hind. ; Machasah,
Beng. ; Poda 2>alisa, Tel.

Coloration. Male. The upper plumage, sides of head and neck,
and the visible portions of the closed wings and tail ashy grey ;

MERTTLA. 133

lower plumage slaty grey, paler on the chin and becoming white
on the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts ; axillaries ashy grey,
generally tinged with buff ; under wing-coverts chestnut-brown.

Female. Upper plumage and sides of neck olive-brown ; wings
and tail dark brown, the outer webs suffused with olive-brown ;
lores blackish with a pale band above ; sides of the bead mixed
brown and fulvous ; chin and throat white, the sides streaked with
black ; breast olivaceous, the upper part spotted with black ; sides
of the body pale ochraceous ; abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts
white; axillaries and under wing-coverts chestnut-brown.

In the male the iris is reddish, legs and feet light brownish
{Hume Coll.) ; in the female the bill is yellow with a few dusky
cloudings ; iris brown; eyelid greenish yellow ; feet vivid orange-
yellow ; claws yellowish horny (Scully).

Length about 9; tail 3-4; wing 4-7; tarsus 1*2; bill from
gape 1-1.

Distribution. Found in summer throughout the Himalayas from
Murree to Sikhim up to about 7000 feet. In the winter this species
occurs throughout the plains of Northern India from Sind to Bengal.
So far as is known it extends at this season to Khandala, Baipur,
and Orissa, and Jerdon records it even from the Eastern Ghats,
a specimen from this latter locality being now in the British Museum.
An Ouzel obtained at Belgaum in March, now in the Hume Col-
lection, and referred to M, unicolor, is undoubtedly a specimen of
M. obscura.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the Himalayas in May and June, con-
structing a nest of moss and fibres in trees. The eggs, three or
four in number, are greenish white, spotted and freckled with rufous
and measure 1*06 by '78.

679. Merula protomomelaBna. The Black-busted Ouzel.

Turdus dissimilis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 144, S (1847) ; Godw.-
Aust. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 142 ; Seebohm, S. F. viii, p. 437.

Geocichla dissimilis (Blyth), Blyth, Cat. p. 163, tf; Jerd. Ibis, 1872,
p. 136, pi. vii ; Hume, Cat. no. 358 ; id. S. F. ix, p. 103, xi, p. 126.

Turdulus cardis (Temm.), apud Jerd. B. I. i, p. 521.

Turdus protomomelas, Cabanis, Journ.f. Orn. 1867, p. 286.

Geocichla tricolor, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 411 ; id. S. F. iii, p. 409.

Merula protomomelrena (Cab.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 265.

The Variable Pied Blackbird, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, neck, and upper breast black ;
upper plumage, wings, and tail dark slate-colour ; sides of the
lower breast, sides of the body, axillaries, and under wing-coverts
bright orange-ferruginous ; middle of lower breast, abdomen, vent,
and under tail-coverts white.

Younger males have the upper wing-coverts tipped with rufous
and some black spots on the red of the lower parts of the plumage.

Female. The whole upper plumage olive-brown tinged with slaty ;
wings and tail brown, suffused with olive on the outer webs ; sides

134 TUBDID^.

of the head ashy brown, the shafts of the ear-coverts whitish ;
chin and upper throat white streaked with brown, the streaks in-
creasing in number at the sides ; upper breast olivaceous, spotted
with black ; middle of lower breast, abdomen, vent, and under
tail-coverts white ; sides of breast, sides of body, axillaries, and
under wiug-co verts bright orange-ferruginous.

In the male the bill and orbital skin are yellow ; iris deep brown ;
legs and feet dusky orauge-yellow (Gripjps). In the female the
legs, feet, bill, and eyelids are wax-yellow {Hume) ; iris deep brown
(Scully).

Length about 9 ; tail 3*3 ; wing 4*7 ; tarsus 1*3 ; bill from
gape 1"1.

The synonymy of M. protomomelcena has been determined entirely
by a careful perusal of the various original descriptions of the bird,
which fortunately are sufficiently in detail to render the identification
certain. Judging from Hume's remarks (S. F. ix, p. 103), any appeal
to Blyth's types in the Indian Museum on this point must prove
useless if not misleading. Blyth applied the name Turclus dissimilis
to specimens of both if. unicolor and M.protomomelcena, confounding
the two together, and consequently it is advisable to discard this
name.

Distribution. I have examined specimens of this Ouzel from
Dibrugarh in Assam, the Tipperah hills and Manipur. Blyth
appears to have procured it from the neighbourhood of Calcutta,
and I know of no other locality for this species, which is probably
a constant resident in the above-mentioned places.

Scully (S. F. viii, p. 284) records a specimen of this Ouzel from
Nepal, but judging from his description, in which a supercilium is
mentioned, and the sides of the breast and flanks are referred to
as ferruginous, there can be little doubt that the bird was M. obscura,
which Hodgson procured in Nepal, one of his specimens being now
in the British Museum.

680. Merula obscura. The Dark Ouzel.

Turdus obscurus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i, p. 816 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi,
p. 251 ; Hume, Cat. no. 369 bis ; id. S. F. xi, p. 130.

Tardus pallens, Pall. Zooc/r. Rosso-Asiat. i, p. 457 (1811).

Turdus rufulus, Drop. Diet. Class. ctHist. Nat. x, p. 443 (1826) ;
Horsf.fyM. Cat. i, p. 401.

Turdus modestus, Eyton, P. Z. 8. 1839, p. 103.

Turdus javanicus?, Horsf., Blyth, Cat. p. 161.

Geocichla dissimilis {Blyth), Scully, S. F. viii, p. 284,

Merula obscura (Gm.), Seebohm, Cat B. M. v, p. 273 ; Oales, B. B.
i, p. 1.

Geocichla unicolor (Tick.), apud Butler, S. F. ix, p. 399.

Coloration. Male. Upper plumage olive-brown ; the forehead,
crown, and nape in old birds tiuged with ashy ; lores black ; a broad
white supercilium from the lores to the nape ; chin, a patch at base
of bill, and under the eye white ; ear-coverts and the whole throat
dark slaty brown ; breast and sides of the body chestnut-brown ;

MERULA. 135

abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white, the last basally mar-
gined with brown ; wings and tail brown, suffused with olive on
the outer webs ; axillaries and under wing-coverts slaty grey.

Female. Eesembles the male in general coloration, but has the
crown always of the same colour as the upper plumage; the lores
and ear-coverts pale, the latter with whitish shafts ; the middle of
the chin and throat white with a few minute brown streaks.

Iris olive-brown ; eyelids greenish ; upper mandible dark brown ;
lower mandible and gape yellow ; inside of mouth yellow ; legs
yellowish brown ; claws horn-colour.

Length nearly 9; tail 3-5; wing 4*8; tarsus 1*2; bill from
gape 1*1.

Distribution. A winter visitor, more or less abundant, to the
whole of Burma, the Andamans, Manipur, Shilloug, Sikhim, and
Nepal. An occasional straggler visits the plains of India, and in
the Hume Collection there is a specimen procured at Belgaum in
March. In the winter this species extends to China and to the
Malay peninsula and islands, and it summers in Siberia.

681. Merula subobscura. Salvador? 's Ouzel.

Morula subobscura, Salvadori, Ann. Mm. Civ. Gen. (2) i, p. 418
(1889).

Coloration. Similar to Merula obscura but larger, with the white
superciliary band less conspicuous, the sides of the body paler
ochraceous, and the proportion of the primaries different.

The type of this species, the only specimen known, was procured
by Mr. Fea at Tab 6 in the Karen hills, north-east of Toungngoo,
in March. It is an adult male.

The measurements of this specimen are : length 10 ; tail 3*8 ;
wing 5-25 ; tarsus 1*2 ; bill from gape 1.

The third and fourth primaries are subequal and longest ; the
second shorter than the fifth and longer than the sixth. In
M. obscura the third primary is the longest, the fourth is rather
shorter than the third, and the second is between the fourth and
fifth.

I have examined the type of this species and I have failed to
find any example of this Thrush from Burma in the British Museum
scries.

682. Merula feae. Fea's Ouzel.

Turd us chrysolaus, Temm., apud Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix,

pt. ii, p. i02, xli, pt. ii, p. 143.
Turdulus pallens (Pad.), apud Godiv.-Aust. J. A. 8. B. xliii, pt. ii,

p. 178.
Turdus pallidus, Gmel., apud Godw.-u4.tist. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii,

p. 196 ; Hume $ JDav. S. F. vi, p. 258 ; Hume, Cat. no. 369 ter ;

id. S. F. xi, p. 130.
Merula pallida, Gmel., apud Oates, B. B. i, p. 2.
Merula fese, Salvadori, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2) v, p. 514 (1887),

p. 610 (1888).
Turdus subpallidus, Hume, S. F. xi, p. 132

136 TimDlDiE.

Coloration. Resembles M. obscura, but differs in the following
respects : — the breast and sides of the body in both sexes are slaty
grey, not chestnut-brown ; the upper plumage in both sexes is
russet-brown, not olive-brown ; the crown in the adult male is never
darker than the other upper parts ; the sides of the head and the
sides of the chin and throat are russet-brown, not slaty brown ;
and in the adult male the throat itself is slaty grey, not slaty brown.

Iris deep chocolate ; bill black ; legs pale cloudy brown ( Wardlaw
Ramsay) ; legs and feet brownish yellow ; bill blackish brown,
yellow at gape and on base of lower mandible ; iris brown (Hume).

Of the same dimensions as M. obscura.

This Ouzel resembles M. pallida, Gmelin, but may be instantly
distinguished from that species by the presence of a supercilium,
which is altogether absent in M. pallida. The latter inhabits
Eastern Asia and may occasionally visit Burma.

Distribution. Shillong and Cherra Poonjee ; Japvo peak in the
Naga hills at 10,000 feet; Manipur; Karennee at 5000 feet;
Muleyit mountain in Tenasserim.

All the specimens of this species that I have examined from the
above localities were procured in the winter months, but this Ouzel
is not unlikely to prove a resident species in those parts.

Genus GE0CICHLA, Kuhl (teste Gould), 1836.

In the Thrushes of this genus the sexes are different and the
under wing-coverts and axillaries are each of two colours, the
position of the two colours on the under wing-coverts being
transposed on the axillaries.

From Menda this genus differs in having a somewhat blunter
wiug and shorter tail. The underside of the wing presents a
pattern formed by the white bases of many of the quills.

Key to the Species.

a. No chestnut on lower plumage.

a'. Upper tail-coverts margined with white . . G. wardi, p. 137.
b' . No white on upper tail-coverts G. sibirica, p. 138.

b. Lower plumage almost entirely chestnut.

c'. Median wing-coverts broadly tipped with
white.

a". Chin and throat white . . ..; G. cyanonotus, p. 139.

b" . Chin and throat chestnut like the breast. G. citrina, p. 140.
d'. Median wing-coverts without white tips.

c". Chin and throat chestnut G. innotata, p. 141.

d". Chin and throat white G. albigularis, p. 142.

e" Chin white, throat chestnut G. andamanensis,

[p. 142.

GEOCICHLA.

137

683. Geocichla wardi. The Pied Ground-TJirush.
Turdus wardii, Jerd. J. A. S. B. xi, p. 882 (1842) ; id, III. Inch Om.

pi. viii ; Leqge, Birds Ceyl. p. 453.
Merula wardii (Jerd.), Blyth, Cat. p. 103; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i,

Turdulus wardii (Jerd.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 520 ; Hume, Cat. no. 357 ;

Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 172.
Cichloselys wardii (Jerd,), Hume, N. # E. p. 231.
Oreocincla pectoralis, Legge, 8. F. iv, p. 244.

Geocichla wardi (Jerd,), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 1/8; Oates m
Hume's N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 97.
Ward's Pied Blackbird, Jerd.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, neck, breast, upper plu-
mage, wings, and tail black; the lesser and median wing-coverts
very broadly tipped with white; the greater wing-coverts and
quills tipped with white, except the earlier primaries, which, with
the primary-coverts, are partially margined with white ; the rump
and upper tail-coverts with crescentic white tips; tail with a con-
siderable amount of white, increasing in extent from the middle
feathers to the outer ; a white supercilium to the nape ; abdomen,
vent, and under tail-coverts white; sides of the body aud the
axillaries white, each feather with a subterminal black bar ; under
wing-coverts black tipped white.

Female. Upper plumage and mugs olive-brown, all the wing-
coverts and tertiaries with buff tips, the outer webs of the quills
suffused with russet, the longer feathers of the rump and upper
tail-coverts tipped with dull white ; tail olive-brown, the portion
next the shafts darker, the four outer pairs of feathers tipped
white ; a broad buff supercilium to the nape ; sides of the head and
of the throat mixed buff and black ; chin nearly plain white ;
middle of throat and the upper breast pale huffish white, each
feather margined with dark brown ; lower breast, upper abdomen,
and sides of the body barred with olivaceous and suffused with
ochraceous; middle of abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts

white.

Iris brown ; bill ochre-yellow, the tip of upper mandible black ;
legs and feet fleshy ochre (Hume).

Length about 8-5 ; tail 3'3 ; wing 4-5 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from

3 Distribution. Summers in the Himalayas from the Sutlej valley
to Sikhim aud the Bhutan Doars up to 6000 or 7000 feet ; winters
in Southern India and Ceylon. The chief winter-quarters of this
species appear to be the Nilgiris and other hill-ranges clown to
Cape Comorin and Ceylon. It must necessarily occur over a great
part of India when migrating, but it has seldom been observed at
that period. Major Lloyd records it from the Konkan, and Jerdon
from Nellore in the Carnatic.

Habits, 4-c. Brooks remarks that this species has a strange song
of two notes and quite unmusical. It breeds in the Himalayas
from May to July, constructing a nest of moss and fibres, with or

138 TURDIDvE.

without mud, in the branch of a tree, and lays four eggs, which are
described as being pale green marked with purple and brownish
red, and measuring about 1 by -72.*

684. Geocichla sibirica. The Siberian Ground-Thrush.

Tardus sibiricns, Pall. Reis. Buss. Reich, iii, p. 694 (1776) ; Hume,

Cat. no. 369 quat.
Oreocincla inframarginata, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxix, p. 106 (1800) ;

Ball, 8. F. i, p. 70 ; Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 223.
Turdulus davisoni, Hume, 8. F. y, pp. 03, 136 (1877).
Turdulus sibericus (Pall), Hume # Bar. 8. F. vi, pp. 2-55, 513 ;

Hume, 8. F. xi, p. 132.
Geocichla sibirica (PaU.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. y, p. 180; Oates,

B. B. i, p. 4.

Coloration. Male. The fully adult has the whole plumage slaty
black, the margins of the feathers paler ; the outer three pairs of
tail-feathers narrowly tipped with white ; a broad white super-
cilium to the nape ; the under tail-coverts tipped with white ;
axillaries white tipped with dark ashy, and the under wing-coverts
ashy tipped white. Males after the second autumn moult are
bluish slaty instead of slaty black, but the middle of the abdomen

* Geocichla avensis.

Turdus aveusis, Gray, Griffith's ed. Cuvier, vi, p. 530, pi. (1829).
Geocichla avensis (Gray), Hume, 8. F. viii, p. 39 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v,
p. 167.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck bright chestnut ; upper
plumage, wings, and tail dark slaty brown, the lesser and median wing-coverts
almost entirely white, and the greater coverts tipped with white ; lores, cheeks,
and a portion of the ear-coverts white ; remainder of the head, throat, and
upper breast black ; lower breast, abdomen, and sides of the body white spotted
with black ; middle of abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white ; axillaries
white tipped black ; under wing-coverts black tipped white. Wing 4 - 2 ; tail 2 - 5.
It is not known how the sexes differ. The above description probably applies
to the male only.

The only record of the occurrence of this species within Indian limits is the
statement of Gray that the plate of G. avensis in his work was taken by
Mr. Crawfurd from a specimen procured at Ava. Until this habitat is con-
firmed, I think it preferable merely to notice this species and thus draw atten-
tion to it. This species has never been observed in Burma again since
Crawfurd's time.

I have little doubt that G. avensis is the same bird as G. interpres, Kuhl.
The two species are said to differ only in one slight respect. 67. avensis has
the greater wing-coverts plain, and 67. interpres has them tipped with white ;
but as all we know of the former bird is derived from Gray's figure, too much
reliance must not be placed on this character.

Hume received a specimen of a Thrush from the Malay peninsula (Rumbow)
which he identified with 67. avensis. On examining this specimen, which is
now in the British Museum, I find that the greater wing-coverts are wanting
or in part moulting, and that the new sprouting feathers of this part appear
to be tipped with white. The sjiecimen is by no means a good one for the
purpose of deciding the question of the identity or difference of the two species,
which must for the present remain unsettled.

GEOCICHLA. 130

is white ; and the distribution of white marks is the same as in the
fully adult. Males after the first autumn moult are similar to
those just described, but the centres of the feathers of the upper
abdomen and sides of the body are white and the tips darker than
the other parts, causing a barred appearance ; they have also a
rufous baud across the breast, the remains of the nestling plumage.
The nestling is unknown.

Female. The whole upper plumage, wings, and tail olive-brown
with a slaty tinge on the rump ; the wing-coverts tipped with
buff ; the outer webs of quills tinged with rufescent ; the outer
tail-feathers narrowly tipped white ; an indistinct buff supercilium
to the nape ; sides of the head mixed brown and buff ; cheeks buff
bordered below by a dusky stripe ; chin and throat buff ; breast
pale buff, the feathers tipped and margined with brown ; middle of
abdomen white ; sides of the body olivaceous brown obsolelely
barred darker ; under tail-coverts white with basal brown margins ;
axillaries white tipped olive- brown ; under wing-coverts olive-
brown tipped white.

Adult males have the bill black ; iris deep brown ; front of legs,
feet, and claws greenish yellow ; back of legs dirty yellow. Females
have the iris dark brown ; the upper mandible very dark brown ;
the lower mandible and gape to angle of gonys dirty yellow ; legs,
feet, and claws orange-yellow {Hume Sf Davison).

Length about 9 ; tail 3-6 : wing 4*8 ; tarsus 1*1 ; bill from
gape 1*1. •

Distribution. A winter visitor to the eastern portions of the
Empire. This species has been obtained on Muleyit and Nwalabo
mountains in Tenasserim ; at Toungngoo ; in Karennee ; and in
Manipur. It has also occurred in the Andamans, a female speci-
men from these islands having been named 0. inframarginata by
Blyth. In winter this bird is found from China to Java, and it
summers in Siberia and Japan.

685. Geocichla cyanonotus. The White-throated Ground-
Thrush.

Tardus cyanotus, Jard. ,y Selby, III. Orn. i, pi. xlvi (1828).
Geocichla cyanotus (J. $ S.), Blyth, Cat. p. 163 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat. i,

p. 191 ; Jerd. B. 1. i, p. 517 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xxxviii, pt, ii,

p. 179; Hume, J. A. 8. B. xxxix, pt, ii, p. 118; id. N. $ E.

p. 229 ; id. Cat. no. 354 ; Davison, S. F. x, p. 374 ; Seebohm, Cat.

B.M.y,]). 172; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 171; Oates, in Hume's

N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 98.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, hiud neck and sides
of the neck, breast, abdomen, and sides of the body golden rufous,
the crown tinged with greenish ; vent and under tail-coverts
white ; back*, rump, upper tail-coverts, scapulars, and wing-coverts
slaty blue ; the median wing-coverts broadly tipped with white ;
quills dark brown, margined on the outer webs with pale slaty;
tail slaty blue, the outer feathers tipped pale ; lores, cheeks, chin,

J 40 tttkdiDjE.

and throat white ; an oblique brown band from the eye down-
wards, succeeded by a band of white behind it running down the
neck, and by another brown band running through the middle of
the ear-coverts, followed again by a narrow white patch ; axillaries
white, tipped with ashy fulvous; under wing-coverts slaty blue,
tipped with white ; a large patch of white on the underside of the
quills.

Female. Differs from the male in having the back, scapulars,
the outer webs of the secondaries, and many of the wing-coverts
suffused with olive-green.

Iris dark brown ; bill black ; feet fleshy ; claws dusky (Fair-
bank).

Length about 8-5 ; tail 3 ; wing 4*1 ; tarsus 1-2 ; bill from
gape 1*1.

Distribution. The southern half of the peninsula of India, from
about north latitude 24° to Travancore. This species appears to
be resident or very locally migratory within the above-defined area,
and to be found up to 4000 feet-
flails, <5fc. Breeds from June to September, making a nest
apparently very similar to that of O. citrina, but using mud in its
construction. The eggs are pale bluish or greenish white marked
with rufous, and measure about 1 by '75.

686. Geocichla citrina. The Orange-headed Ground-
Thrush.

Tardus citrinus, Lath. Ind. Orn. i, p. 350 (1790).

Geocichla citrina (Lath.), Blyth, Cat. p. 163 ; Horsf. # M. Cat. i,

p. 189; Jerd. B. L i, p. 517 ; Hume, N. 8f E. p. 229 ;_ Hume $

Dav. S. F. vi, p. 250 ; Hume, Cat. no. 355 ; Legc/e, Birds Ceyl.

p. 457 ; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 283 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 172 ;

Oates, B. B. i, p. 3 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 171 ; Oates hi Hume's

N. # E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 100.
Geocichla layardi, Wald. A. M. N. H. (4) v, p. 416 (1870) ; Hume,

S. F. hi, p. 401.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, neck, and lower parts as
far as the vent orange-chestnut, darker on the crown and paler
beneath ; vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts pure white ; back,
scapulars, rump, upper tail-coverts, and lesser wing-coverts bluish
grey, the edges of the feathers paler ; median wing-coverts broadly
tipped white, forming a conspicuous spot ; remaining coverts and
the quills dark brown, edged exteriorly with bluish grey ; tail ashy
brown indistinctly cross-barred ; axillaries white, tipped with
grey ; under wing-coverts ashy tipped with white ; a large white
patch on the underside of the quills.

Female. Of a paler chestnut throughout ; the back and scapulars
greenish brown with yellowish margins ; upper tail-coverts and
the outer webs of the feathers of the wings and tail suffused with
green.

Bill very dark brown, the gape and the base of the lower mandible

GEOCICHLA. 141

flesh-colour ; inside of mouth flesh-colour ; eyelids slate-colour ;
iris dark hazel ; legs fleshy pink ; claws pink.

Length nearly 9 ; tail 3 ; wiug 4'6 ; tarsus 1*3 ; bill from
gape l'l.

Distribution. Found in summer throughout the Himalayas from
Murree to the extreme east of Assam up to 5000 or 6000 feet.
At otlier times of the year this Thrush occurs sparingly in the
plains of India, extending occasionally to Ceylon, but it has not
been known to occur in the Punjab, Rajputana, Bind, or Guzerat,
and it appears to be extremely rare in the west and south of the
peninsula. This bird is more abundant to the east, being found
throughout the whole country stretching from Assam to Tenas-
serim, where a considerable number remain the whole year and
breed. This species extends down the Malay peninsula as far as
Tongkah, but does not otherwise occur outside the limits of the
Empire.

Habits, 6,'c. Breeds on the Himalayas and also in Burma from
April to July, constructing a large nest of coarse grasses, roots,
and fibres, in a bush or low tree, and laying three or four eggs,
which are greenish white freckled with rufous, and measure about
1 by -77.

087. Geocichla innotata. The Malay Ground-Thrush.

Geocichla innotata, Blyth,J. A. S. B. xv, p. 370 (1846), xvi, p. 146 ;
id. Cat. p. 163 ; Ball, S. F. i, p. 69 ; Hume # Dav. 8. F. vi, p. 250 ;
Hume, 8. F. viii, p. 60 ; id. Cat. no. 3/55 ter ; Seebohm, 8. F. ix,
p. 99 ; id. Cat. B. M. v, p. 176.

Coloration. Ensembles G. citrina, and differs only in entirely
wanting the white tips to the median wing-coverts.

Iris intense rich brown ; bill black, whitish plumbeous at base
of lower mandible ; legs dull white tinged with pink, especially on
the feet (Wardlaw Ramsay).

Of the same size as G. citrina.

I look upon this species as quite distinct from G. citrina. In
the large series of this latter bird in the British Museum, I fail to
find a single specimen from any part of India or Burma north of
Amherst without the white tips to the wing-coverts. From
Amherst southwards to Malacca spotless birds occur — as far as
Tongkah in company with G. citrina, but south of that place by
themselves.

Distribution. G. innotata occurs at Amherst, Toungya, Banka-
sun, and Malavvun in Tenasserim ; in Karennee ; and down the
Malay peninsula as far at least as Malacca. There are no grounds
for the belief that this species occurs in the Andamaus or Nicobars.

Toung birds shot in Tenasserim in September and October show
that this species breeds in Burma.

142 TURDID^.

688. Geocichla albigularis. The Nicobar Ground-Thrush.

Geociclila albogularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 146 (1847) ; Hume,
S. F. ii, p. 221 (part.) ; id. 8. F. iv, p. 289 (part.) ; id. Cat.
no. 355 bis (part.) ; Seebohm, 8. F, ix, p. 99 ; id. Cat. B. 31. v,
p. 175.

Coloration. Resembles G. citrina, sex for sex, but differs in
having the chin and throat white, and the lores and cheeks also
whitish ; the median wing-coverts are not tipped with white ; the
under tail-coverts are much tipped and otherwise marked with
greenish or slaty brown ; and the chestnut of the hind neck
descends on to the upper back.

The colour of the bill &c. does not appear to have been re-
corded.

Length about 8*5 ; tail 2-8 ; wing 4 ; tarsus 1*2 ; bill from
gape 1-05.

Distribution. The Nicobar Islands.

689. G-eocichla andamanensis. The Andaman Ground-lhrush.

Geocichla albogularis, Blyth, apud Wald. Ibis, 1874, p. 138 ; Hume,

8. F. ii, p. 221 (part.), iv, p. 289 (part.) ; id. Cat. no. 355 bis

(part.).
Geocichla andamanensis, Wald. A.M. N.H. (4) xiv, p. 156 (1874) ;

Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 495 ; Seebohm, 8. F. ix, p. 100 ; id. Cat. B. M.

v, p. 175.

Coloration. Resembles G. citrina. Differs in having the forehead,
crown, and nape suffused with brown, in having no white tips to
the median wing-coverts, and in having the chin white.

From G. albigularis it differs in having the forehead, crown,
and nape suffnsed with brown, and the throat chestnut.

Iris umber-brown ; bill horny brown, whitish at base of lower
mandible ; legs fleshy white ( Wardlaw fiamsaij).

Length rather more than 8 ; tail 2*9 ; wing 4-1 ; tarsus 1*2 :
bill from gape 1.

Distribution. The Andaman Islands.

Genus PETKOPHILA, Swains., 1837.

The genus Petrophila contains those Rock-Thrushes which have
a short wing and a comparatively long tail. The males have the
under wing-coverts and axillaries entirely of one colour and the
lower plumage blue, chestnut, or black, or a combination of these
colours. The females have the lower plumage squamated or
irregularly barred and the under wing-coverts and axillaries also
barred.

The Rock-Thrushes frequent open rocky ground and are
generally solitary in their habits. They make their nests in holes
of walls and rocks.

PETBOPHILA. 143

Key to the Species.*

a. Lower plumage of two colours, black

or bliifj with chestnut.

a'. Chin and throat black P. erythrogastra d , p. 143.

b'. Chiu and throat blue.

a". Large white patch on wing. ... P. cinclorkyncha <$ , p. 144.

b". No white patch on wing P. solitaria S > p. 145.

b. Lower plumage almost uniformly of

one colour, barred or squauiated with

black or brown.

c\ Upper plumage blue or suffused

with blue.

c". Under wiug-coverts and ax-

illaries blue, narrowly tipped

white P. cyanus $ , p. 140.

d". Under wing-coverts and axil-

laries barred with black or , p soBa) . ia $ f U5

- TT br0W 1 U ,:••', | P. cyanus $ , p. 146.

a. Upper plumage olive-brown. l * + r

e". Back and rump barred ; wing 5. P. erythrogastra 5 > P- 143.

/". Back plain, rump barred ; wing4. P. cinclorkyncha $ , p. 144.

6U0. Petrophila erythrogastra. The Chestnut-bellied Roclc-
Thrush.

Tardus erythrogaster, Viyors, P.Z.S. 1831, p. 171 ; Gould, Cent.

pi. xiii.
Petrocincla erythrogastra ( Vig.), Blyth, Cat. p. 164 ; Hovsf. 8,- M.

Cat. i, p. 185.
Orocetea erythrogastra (Vig.), Jercl. B. I. i, p. 514; Ward-law

Ramsay, P. Z. 8. 1870, p. (577 ; id. Ibis, 1877, p. 463.
Petrophila erythrogaster ( Tig?), Hume, N. 8f JS. p. 227 ; id. Cat.

no. 352; Scully, S. F. viii, p. 282 ; Oates in Hume's N. *§• E. 2nd

ed. ii, p. 102.
Monticola erythrogaster ( Viy.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 325; Oates,

B. B. i, p. 10.
The Chestnut-bellied 'Thrush, Jerd. ; Ningri-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult, the lores, sides of
the head and neck, and the mantle black, each feather margined
with whitish ; remaining upper plumage brilliant cobalt-blue ;
lesser and median coverts brown edged with cobalt-blue ; greater
coverts and quills brown edged with duller blue ; tail bluish brown ;
chin and throat black overlaid with blue; remainder of lower
plumage maroon-chestnut. The white edges to the black portions
of the plumage soon wear off, and in spring and summer these
parts are usually black.

Female. Dull olive- brown, the feathers of the back, scapulars,
rump, and upper tail-coverts with wavy black bars and paler fringes ;

* I cannot identify Petrocincla castaneocottis, Lesson, Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 166,
described as occurring in the Himalayas. Seebohm does not refer to this species
in bis Catalogue of the Thrushes. Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, p. 34 note,
suggests that the type was a young Monticola saxatilis.

144 TURDID^.

lores, centre of chin and throat, a patch on the side of the neck,
and a broad but ill-defined cheek-stripe buff, each feather more or
less fringed with black ; ear-coverts black with mesial buff streaks ;
greater coverts and quills more or less margined white ; tail plain
brown ; lower plumage, axillaries, and under wing-coverts barred
with black and buff.

In the male the bill is black ; gape yellow ; iris dark brown ;
feet vinous brown or black ; claws blackish : in the female the bill
is dusky ; mouth and gape yellow ; iris brown ; tarsus dark brown ;
toes blackish (Scully).

Length about 9*5; tail 4*2; wing 4-9; tarsus 1*1; bill from
gape 1*2.

Distribution. A permanent resident in the Himalayas from
Chamba to Bhutan ; the Khasi hills ; Cachar ; Manipur ; the
mountains east of Toungngoo. This species extends into Western
China.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to July, constructing a nest on
the ground under a rock or stump or in a hole in a bank, and laying
three eggs, which measure about 1 by *75, and are described by
Hodgson as being somewhat buff-coloured.

691. Petrophila cinclorhyncha. The Blue-headed Bod-Thrush.

Petrocincla cinclorhyncha, Vigors, P. Z.S. 1831, p. 172.

Phceuicura cinclorhyncha ( Vig.), Gould, Cent. pi. xix.

Monticola cinclorhvncha ( Tig.), Bli/th, Cat. p. 1G4 ; Seebohm, Cat.

B. M. v, p. 320 ; Gates, B. B. i, p. 9 ; Barnes, Birds Bom, p. 170.
Orocetes cinclorhynchus {Vig.), Horsf. fy M. Cat, i, p. 188; Jcrd.

B. I. i, p. 515 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xxxviii, pt. ii, p. 179.
Petrophila cinclorhynchus ( Vig.), Hume, N. 8f E. p. 227 ; id. Cat.

no. 353 ; Scully, 8. F. viii, p. 282 ; Oates in Hume's N. i? E. 2nd

ed. ii, p. 103.
The Blue-headed Chat-Thrush, Jerd. ; Krishen patti, Nepal.

Coloration. Male. Head, from the nostrils to the nape, and the
lesser wing-coverts, the chin, throat, and cheeks cobalt-blue ; lores,
under the eye, ear-coverts, sides of neck, back, and scapulars black ;
primaries black, all but the first two edged exteriorly with blue ;
secondaries black, each with a white patch on the outer web ; tertiaries
wholly black ; greater coverts black, edged with faint blue ; rump,
upper tail-coverts, and lower plumage, with the axillaries and under
wing-coverts, chestnut ; tail blackish, edged faintly on the outer
webs with bluish. In autumn most of the feathers of the black
and blue portions of the plumage are fringed with pale buff and
these fringes are dropped in spring and summer plumage.

Female. The whole upper plumage is olive-brown tinged with
ochraceous, especially on the rump and upper tail-coverts, which
are also barred with black ; wings brown, the quills ochraceous on the
outer web, and the tertiaries and later secondaries margined with
white ; chin and throat nearly white ; sides of the head mottled with
white and brown ; remainder of lower plumage white, tinged with
ochraceous on the breast ) and the whole, with the exception of the

PETROPHILA.

1-15

abdomen, barred with dark brown; under tail-coverts white with
blackish streaks.

Bill brownish black, the gape bright yellow ; tarsi dusky slaty ;
the toes brownish black ; claws blackish horny (Scully).

Length about 7-5 ; tail 2-8 ; wing 4 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from gape 1-1 .
Distribution. Found in summer throughout the Himalayas from
Afghanistan and Kashmir to Bhutan ; in winter throughout the
plains of India as far south as Coorg, the Nilgiris and probably to
Cape Comorin. This species in the winter months is more fre-
quent on the hill-ranges of Western India than elsewhere, but it is
known to occur in almost all parts of the peninsula from Sind to
Bengal. Blyth records it from Arrakan.

Habits, 4'c. Breeds in the Himalayas from 4000 to 8000 feet
from April to June, constructing a cup-shaped nest of moss and
dead leaves at the root of a tree, in a hole in a bank or in an old
wall. The eggs, four in number, are pinkish white, densely
freckled with brown and rufous, and measure about -92 by '72.

692. Petrophila solitaria. The Eastem Blue Bock- Thrush.
Turdus solitarius, P. L. S. Midler, Syst Nat, Anhang, p. 142 (1770).
Turdus manillensis, Gmel. Syst. Nat. \, p. 833 (1788).
Petrocincla manillensis (Gm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 104; Hursf.fy M. Cat.

i, p. 188.
Ovanocincla solitaria (Mull.), Hume 8? Bar. S. F. vi,p. 248 ; Hume,

"Cat. no. Solbis; id. 8. F. xi, p. 125.
Monticola solitaria (Midi.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 310. ■

Coloration. Male. The whole head, neck, breast, upper plumage
and lesser wing-coverts bright blue, most of the feathers with smal
white tips and subterminal black spots; median, greater, and
primary coverts blackish, edged with blue and tipped with white ;
quills and tail black, edged with bluish and each feather very
narrowly tipped white ; abdomen, vent, under tail-covert, axil-
laries, and under wing-coverts chestnut, with narrow white fringes
and black subterminal bars; thighs and flank-feathers adjacent
to them blue.

At the end of winter the white fringes and subterminal black
bars on the blue parts of the plumage are entirely lost, and the
marks on the chestnut parts are also removed by abrasion in great
measure, but never entirely.

Female. After the autumn moult the whole upper plumage and
lesser wing-coverts are avery dull blue, most of the feathers being
fringed with white and with a subterminal black bar, and the
feathers of the back with black shafts ; quills and remaining wing-
coverts dark brown, edged with dull blue and tipped white ; the
whole lower plumage and the sides of the head and neck pale buffy
white, each feather subterminally margined with black ; the under
wing-coverts, axillaries, and under tail-coverts suffused with rufous
and irregularly barred with black. In summer all the margins of
the feathers become abraded, causing the plumage to become more
uniform.

VOL. II. L

146 tubdidjE.

The nestling resembles the adult female, but has the margins of
the feathers more extended, causing a squamated appearance. The
young male assumes the chestnut of the adult very rapidly aud
acquires the greater part of it before the autumn moult.

The females and young of this and the next species cannot be
discriminated with certainty ; but the females of P. solitaria are
generally suffused with rufous on the under wing- and tail-coverts.

Length about 9-5 ; tail 3*4 ; wing 4*9 ; tarsus 1-2 ; bill from
gape 1*2.

Birds of this species in typical plumage are only found in Japan
and the islands of the China seas. Further west the males always
exhibit some admixture of blue with the chestnut of the lower parts.
The only bird killed within Indian limits that I have been able to
examine at all approaching a typical Japan bird is from the Anda-
mans. On examining all the available specimens of Blue Rock-
Thrushes killed in the Indian Empire, I find that out of 102 birds
from the west of the longitude of Calcutta only 8 exhibit a trace
of red ; of 30 specimens from Assam clown to Rangoon, only 7,
and out of 72 Tenasserim birds only 27 show any red. This red
is generally present on the under tail-coverts, and only in a few
cases extends to the abdomen in varying quantities. The cause of
this variation is unknown, but may be attributed either to climatic
causes or to the interbreeding of P. cyanus with P. solitaria.

Distribution. Birds exhibiting red in the lower plumage are
found in Nepal, Sikhim, Dacca, Cachar, the whole of Burma and
the Andamans. This species visits the Empire in the winter only,
and at this season is found also in Southern China, extending down
to the Malayan islands. It breeds in Japan and Northern China.

693. Petrophila cyanus. The Western Blue Rock-Thrush.

Turdus cyanus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 29G (1766).

Petrocinela pandoo, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 87 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat. i.

p. 186.
Petrocinela cyaneus (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 164.
Petrocinela affinis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 177* (1843) ; id. Cat.

p. 164 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 187.
Petrocossyphus cyaneus (Linn.), Jerd. B. 1. i, p. 511 ; Hume fy

Henders. Lah. to Tark. p. 190.
Oyanocincla cyanus (Linn.), Hume, N. 8f E. p. 226 ; Hume Sf Dae.

S. F. vi, p. 247 ; Hume, Cat. no. 351.
Monticola cyanus (Linn.), Anders. Yunnan Exped., Ares, p. 611 ;

Leyye, Birds Ceyl. p. 460 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 316 ; Oates,

B. B. i, p. 11 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 169.
Petrophila cyana (Linn.), Oates in Hume's N. Sf E . 2nd ed. ii, p. 105.

The Blue Rock- Thrush, J erd. ; Shama, Hind, in the South; Pandu,
Mahr. ; Poda kuchi pitta, Tel. ; Nmyri-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the whole plumage
is bright blue, most of the feathers with white fringes and sub-
terminal dark bars ; a supercilium, the cheeks, throat, and ear-
coverts brighter than the other parts ; lores blackish ; wings and

MOSTIC'OLA.

147

tail dark brown, the quills all tipped with white and edged with
bluish. In summer most, if not all, of the whitish fringes and
subterminal bars are cast, and the bird is nearly uniform blue.

Female. After the autumn moult the upper plumage, together
with the wings and tail, resemble the same parts in the male, but
are of a very dull blue ; the lower plumage is pale buffy white,
each feather subterminally margined with black, the under wing-
coverts, axillaries, and under tail-coverts barred with black. In
summer most of the whitish fringes and black bars are lost.

The nestling closely resembles the adult female, but has the
white fringes to the feathers broader.

Iris hazel ; eyelids plumbeous ; bill blackish horn ; mouth yellow ;
feet black ; claws dark horn.

Length about 9-5; tail 3-4; wing 4-9; tarsus 1-2; bill from
gape 1*2.

Distribution. This species, without any admixture of red in the
lower plumage, is found in the winter throughout the whole Em-
pire. It extends to Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The
birds which are found in India and Burma appear to breed in
Afghanistan, Kashmir, and probably other parts of the Himalayas,
Turkestan, Tibet, and Western China.

Habits, <$fc. This Rock-Thrush frequents open, and by preference
rocky, country, and it is not unfrequently found near buildings.
Colonel C. 4L T. Marshall found a nest of this bird at Murree in
a low stone wall in June. The eggs are described as pale blue
speckled with brownish red, and measured about IT by '75.

Genus MONTICOLA, Boie, 1822.

The genus Monticola differs from PetropMla in the proportion
between the length of the wing and tail, the former in Monticola
being twice the length of the latter. The Thrushes of the two
genera are quite alike in habits and in general type of coloration.

694. Monticola saxatilis. The Hock-Thrush.

Turdus saxatilis, Linn. Sy&t. Nat. i, p. 294 (17GG).

Monticola saxatilis (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 165; Blanf. Ibis, 1870,
p. 466 ; Hume 8f Hc?iders. Lah. to Turk. p. 100 ; Sadly, S. F. iv,
p. 139: Hume, S. F. vii, p. 379; id. Cat. no. 351 ter; Biddulph,
Ibis, 1881, p. 53 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 439 ; Seebohn, Cat. B. M.
v, p. 313.

Orocetes saxatilis (Linn.), Horsf. % M. Cat. l, p. 189.

Coloration. Male. The entire head and neck blue; back, scapu-
lars, lesser wing-coverts, and rump blackish blue; the centre of
the back occupied by a large white patch ; lower plumage, upper
tail-coverts, and tail chestnut, the middle pair of tail-feathers with
their terminal half brown ; median and greater coverts and quills
dark brown, the coverts and secondaries narrowly tipped with

l2

148 TVRD1DJE.

whitish. After the autumn moult the lower parts are fringed
with white, and some of the feathers of the head with black.

Female. Upper plumage brown, each feather with a blackish
shaft-streak and a subterminal dark bar with a pale tip ; upper
tail-coverts chestnut, similarly barred and tipped ; tail chestnut,
the middle pair of feathers brown on their terminal half ; lower
plumage dull white, suffused with rufous everywhere except on the
throat, each feather with a wavy interrupted cross-bar near the
tip ; under tail- and wing-coverts and the axillaries chestnut with
indistinct white tips.

Bill dusky, lower mandible yellow at base ; iris brown ; legs,
feet, and claws black (Scully).

Length about 7*5; tail 2-5; wing 4*7; tarsus 1*1; bill from
gape l'l.

Distribution. Occurs in Gilgit at. the autumn migration, the
birds met with in this locality being chiefly young. Stoliczka
obtained a specimen, probably of this species, near Dras. Blanford
records this species from the banks of the Irrawaddy, near Ava, in
Upper Burma.

This Rock-Thrush has an extensive range from Northern Africa
and Southern Europe through Asia to China. Its migration
appears to be of very limited extent.

Genus TURDUS, Linn., 1766.

The genus Turdus contains those Thrushes in which the sexes
are alike and the under wing-coverts and axillaries of one colour.
The three Indian species of this genus are found in Europe (and
in England) and are among the best known birds of the tribe.

In Turdus both the wing and tail are long, and the latter is
slightly graduated ; the bill is small, aud there is no pattern on
the underside of the wing.

The Thrushes of this genus are good songsters ; they are
found in well-wooded country ; they make cup-shaped nests in
trees, using mud in the constructiou, and they feed largely on
berries and fruit.

Key to the Species.

a. Under wing-coverts and axillaries white.

a'. Crown and mantle brown T. viscivorus, p. 148.

b'. Crown blue, mantle rufous T. pilaris, p. 150.

b. Under wing-coverts and axillaries rufous T. iliacus, p. 150.

695. Turdus viscivorus. The Missel- Thrush.

Turdus viscivorus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 291 (1766) ; Blyth, Cat.
p. 160 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 194 ; Hume, Cat. no. 368 ; Seebohm,
Cat. B. M. v, p. 194; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 53; Scully, Ibis,
1881, p. 439 ; Oates in Hume's JV. §• E. 2nd ed. ii, p, 106,

TURDTJS.

Tardus hodgsoni, Homeyer, Rhea, ii, p. 150 (1849) •,*£•*•£%
p 531 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxsvii, pt. n, p. 3b ; Hume, JS. $ L.
p. 236 ; Brooks, S. F. iii, p. 237, vm, p. 1/ 1.
The Himalayan Missel-Thrush, Jerd.

Pio-. 38.— Head of T. visciuorus

Coloration. Upper plumage greyish brown, the edges of the
feathers paler, a tinge of oehraceous running through the rump
and upper tail-coverts ; tail ashy brown, the exterior webs nar-
rowly ed-ed with white, and all the feathers tipped whitish, the
middle p D air narrowly, the others more and more ; wings brown,
all the quills and coverts edged and tipped with fulvous white ;
lores pale fulvous ; a whitish ring round the eye ; ear-coverts
brown streaked with fulvous; lower plumage pale buffi, the chin
and middle of the throat nearly spotless, the sides of the throat
and the whole breast with triangular black spots, the abdomen and
sides of the body with roundish spots ; the under tail-coverts
broadly margined at the base with brown ; axillanes and under
wing-coverts pure white. Birds in the summer with worn plumage
are paler and greyer. . ,

Bill dark horny brown, paler on lower mandible, which is yel-
lowish along the margins ; iris deep brown ; legs and feet pale
yellowish brown ; claws dark horny brown (Hame).

Length nearly 12; tail 4-8 ; wing 6-1 to 6-8 ; tarsus 1'4; bill

T °Bird a s P itom Europe have the wing generally under 6 inches and
the bill slightly smaller, but do not otherwise ditter trom Hima-
layan examples. _ . , , w -,
Distribution. Occurs in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal.
All the dated specimens that I have seen from India were killed
in the summer months. Scully states that this species is met
with in the Gilgit district in summer at elevations ot over 9UUU ieet,
where it breeds ; and Biddulph writes that it was tolerably common
iu Gilgit during the severe winter of 1877-78, but seldom comes
so low down, keeping generally to the higher valleys, where he
found it in Wat 10,000 feet. The Missel-Thrush occurs in
Europe, North Africa, and a considerable part ot Asia.

1 50 TURDIDVE.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the Himalayas from April to June above
0000 feet. The nest is a large deep cup made of grass and dry
leaves, with clay and mud, placed in trees. The eggs vary from
pink to greenish grey ; they are marked with brownish red and
purplish pink, and measure about 1*2 by *9.

006. Turdus pilaris. The Fieldfare.

Tardus pilaris, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 291 (1766) ; Blyth, Cat. p. 161 ;

Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 194 ; Hume, Cat. no. 367 ; Seebohm, Cat.

B. M. v, p. 205.
Planesticus pilaris (Linn.), Jerd. B. I. \, p. 530.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck slaty grey, the
feathers with narrow brown tips and darker shafts ; back and
scapulars chestnut-brown, with pale edges ; ru'mp and upper tail-
coverts slaty grey ; tail dark brown, the outer feathers very nar-
rowly tipped white ; wing-coverts dull rufous-brown with greyish
margins ; winglet, primary-coverts, and primaries dark brown with
narrow grey margins ; secondaries with the outer webs rufous,
the inner brown ; lores and under the eye dark brown ; ear-coverts
slaty grey ; traces of a pale supercilium extending as far as the
ear-coverts; chin, throat, and breast bright buff streaked with
black ; abdomen white ; sides of the body white, with large roundish
rufous-brown spots; axillaries and under wing-coverts pure white.

The plumage of this bird in summer, differs little from the
plumage in winter, the loss of the margins of the feathers causing
but little change.

Bill yellow ; feet and legs black ; iris very dark brown (Seebohm).

Length about 11 : tail 4 ; wing 5'5 ; tarsus l - 3 ; bill from gape
1-1.

Distribution. The Fieldfare, according to Jerdon, has occurred
once at Simla, and Adams records it from Kashmir. The only
specimen I have ever seen from India is one obtained by Dr.
Jameson at Saharanpur, and presented by him to the Indian
Museum, from which it passed to the British Museum. It can
only be considered a Aery rare winter visitor to the north-west of
India.

The Fieldfare has a wide range, being found from the Atlantic
1o the Tenesay river in Siberia, and coming south in winter as
far as Turkestan on the east and North Africa on the west.

097. Turdus iliacus. The Redwing.

Turdus iliacus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 292 (1706) ; Blyth, Cat. p. 161 ;
Jerd. B. 1. i, p. 532 ; Hume, Cat. no. 369 ; Seeboh?n, Cat. B. M.
v, p. 189.

77/e Rediciny Thrush, Jerd.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage and tail olive-brown ; the
wings dark brown, all the feathers edged with olive-brown, the

OREOCINCLA. 151

greater coverts most conspicuously so ; a broad pale buff super-
ciliuin from the bill to the nape; lores black ; ear-coverts brown
streaked with buff ; chin, throat, and breast pale buff streaked
with blackish ; middle of the abdomen white ; sides of the abdomen
white streaked with brown ; flanks, auxiliaries, and under wing-
coverts chestnut ; under tail-coverts white, basally margined with
brown.

The summer plumage, resulting from the wear of the feathers
at their margins, does not differ very much from the winter
plumage.

Bill dark brown ; legs pale ; iris brown (Seebohm),

Length about 8*5; tail 3*3; wing 4-6; tarsus 1-2; bill from
gape 1. . ■ .

Distribution. I have not been able to examine any specimen of
Eedwing procured in India, and I admit the species on the authority
of Jerdon, who states that at the time he wrote it had been lately
found in the JN T .\A r . Himalayas, but very rarely. " But at Kohat,"
he adds, " as I am assured by Mr. Blyth, according to a very good
observer, the late Lieut. Trotter, it is a regular winter visitant in
large flocks."

The Eedwing has even a larger range than the Fieldfare, being
found in the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in summer from
the Atlautic to the Pacific, and wandering south in the winter as
far as Turkestan and Persia on the east, and Southern Europe on
the west.

Genus OREOCINCLA, Gould, 1837.

In the genus Oreocincla the sexes are alike, the under wing-
coverts and axillaries are each of two colours, those on the axillaiies
being transposed or reversed in order on the under wing-coverts ;
the lower pi urn age is distinctly barred or spotted, never squamated,
and the rictal bristles are few and confined to the gape. The tail
is typically short, and the upper tail-coverts very ample. There
is a distinct pattern on the underside of the wing.

The Thrushes of this genus are permanent residents in the tracts
they inhabit, or very locally migratory. They are found in thickly
wooded parts.

The bill of the Thrushes of this genus varies much in shape and
size. In 0. dauma, 0. mollissima, and 0. dixoni it is as small as
in Turdus ; in 0. gpilopt&ra it is larger and very deep ; and in
0. imbricata and 0. nilgiriensis it is extremely large and coarse,
resembling the bill of Zoothera.

Key to the Species.

a. Feathers of upper plumage boldly tipped with
cre»centic black bars.
a . Ground-colour of lower plumage white
a". Third and fourth quills equal and longest ;

152 TTJBBIB7F.

second and fifth nearly equal, and about
a quarter inch shorter than longest ;

wing 55 O. dauma, p. 152.

b". Third, fourth, and fifth quills equal and
longest ; second rather shorter than
sixth, and about half inch shorter than

longest ; wing 5 O. nilgiriensis, p. 153.

//. Ground-colour of lower plumage ochraceous

buff O. irribricata, p. 151.

/. Feathers of upper plumage plain without
darker margins or tips.
c . Lower plumage with black crescentic tips ;
wiug over 5.
c". Wing-coverts not tipped ; tail not ex-
ceeding 4 3 0. mollissima, p. 151.

d". Wing-coverts tipped ; tail about 4 - 7 . . O. di.voni, p. 155.
d'. Lower plumage with black triangular

spots ; wing about 4 O. spUoptera, p. 155.

608. Oreocincla dauma. The Small-hilled Mountain-Thrash.

Turdus dauma, Lath. Ind. Orn. i, p. 362 (1790).

Oreocincla dauma (Lath.), Bh/th, Cat. p. 160; Horsf. Sf M. Cat. i.

p. 193 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 533 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 236 ; Ball, S. F.

ii, p. 408; Hume, S. F. iii, p. 115 ; id. fy Dav. S. F. vi, p. 256 ;

Ball. 8. F. vii, p. 213 ; Hume, Cat. no. 371 ; Oates in Hume's N.

$ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 107.
Geocichla dauma {Lath.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 154 ; Oates, B.

B. i, p. 0.

Coloration. After the autumn moult the whole upper plumage
is ochraceous brown, each feather with a crescentic black bar at
the tip, preceded by a fulvous patch ; wing-coverts with large
bright fulvous tips, the median series blackish above the tips ;
primary-coverts black, with a broad band of fulvous on the outer
webs ; quills dark brown, margined on the outer web with fulvous ;
the four middle tail-feathers olive-brown, the next three pairs
blackish with white tips, the outermost feathers blackish, with the
terminal third fulvous ; sides of the head pale fulvous variegated
with black; chin, middle of throat, and middle of abdomen white;
remainder of lower plumage white, tinged with fulvous, each
feather with a terminal band of black, and with a subterminal
lighter patch ; under tail-coverts white, some of the feathers tipped
with black ; axillaries with basal half white and terminal half
black ; under wing-coverts black and terminally white.

In summer the plumage becomes very dull, the fulvous parts
fading to olive-brown.

Upper mandible and middle of lower dark brown, remainder of
bill pale brown, the gape tinged with orange; inside of mouth
yellowish ; eyelid and ocular region plumbeous ; iris dark hazel-
brown ; legs and claws fleshy white.

Length about 10-5; tail 3'8 ; wing5-G; tarsus 1*3 ; bill from
gape 1*2.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Hazara and Kashmir to Assam,

OBEOCTNCLA. 153

and thence clown to the central parts of Tenasseriin. This Thrush
is also found in the plains of India, where it has been recorded
from the North- West Provinces, Behar, Bengal, Chutia Nagpur,
Orissa, and Central India, extending, according to Jerdon, as far
south as the Wynaad.

It is doubtful to what extent this Thrush is migratory. It breeds
throughout the Himalayas, and also occurs in those mountains in
winter, and it is found throughout the year in the Dhoon. From
the plains of India and from Assam to Tenasserim I have seen no
specimens that were killed in the summer months ; but this is not
improbably due to the inactivity of collectors during the latter
part of the hot season and during the rains. On the whole I am
inclined to think that this bird is resident on all the hill-ranges
within its area of distribution, and merely descends to the adjoining
plains in the winter.

Habits, 6fc. Breeds in the Himalayas in May and June up to
7000 feet at least. The nest is a ciip, constructed of moss and
lined with fern-leaves, placed in a tree. The eggs, probably three
in number as a rule, are greenish white, marked with brownish
and reddish purple, and measure about 1*23 by "91.*

699. Oreocincla nilgiriensis. The Nilgiri Thrush.

Oreocincla nilgiriensis, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xvi, p. 141 (1847) ; id.

Cat. p. 160; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 534; Hume, S. F. iv, p. 399; id.

Cat. no. 372 ; Davison, 8. F. x, p. 374 ; Terry, 8. F. x, p. 474 ;

Oatcs in Humes N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 107.
Geocichla nilgiriensis (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 157.

Coloration. Resembles 0. dauma in general appearance, but has
the wing shorter and more rounded, the third, fourth, and fifth
quills being about equal and longest, the second rather shorter than
the sixth ; has a much larger bill, resembling that of Zoothera ;
has the upper plumage more rufous, with the subterminal pale
patches hardly indicated, and the lower plumage less tinged with
fulvous and whiter throughout.

Legs, feet, and claws dark fleshy ; iris dark brown : upper man-
dible blackish ; lower mandible brown, palest at base ; gape yellow
(Davison).

* 698 a. Oreocincla varia. Whites Thrush.

Turdus varius, Pall. Zoogr. Eosso-As. i. p. 419 (1811).
Geocichla varia, Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v. p. 151.

So similar to O. dauma as to require no separate description, but much larger
and with 14 tail-feathers.

Iris brown ; upper mandible brown, lower pale ; legs whitish brown ( Wardlaw
Ramsay).

Length about 12; tail 4-5 ; wing 6'4 ; tarsus 1"35 ; bill from gape 15.

Distribution. South-eastern Siberia and North China in summer ; South
Japan, South China, and the Philippine Islands in winter. A male specimen
was procured by Wardlaw Eamsay at Toungngoo on January 11th, 1876.

154 TURDIDvE.

Length about 10-5 ; tail 3*6 ; wing 5-2 ; tarsus 1*2 .; bill from
gape 1-5.

Distribution. The hill-ranges of Southern India, from the Nilgiris
to Travancore, above 2000 feet, where this Thrush appears to be a
permanent resident.

Habits, <$c. Represented to be a very fine songster. Breeds
from March to June, constructing a nest of green moss in trees,
and haying three eggs, which are greenish blue speckled with rusty
brown, and measure 1*21 by - 82.

700. Oreocincla imbricata. The Ceylon Thrush.

Zoothera imbricata, Layard, A. 31. N. II. (2), xiii, p. 212 (1854).
Oreocincla gregoriana, Kevilt, Hume, 8. F. i, p. 437 (1873).
Oreocincla imbricata (Layard), Hume, Cat. no. 372 quat. ; Legge,

Birds Ceyl. p. 455, pi. xix.
Geociclila imbricata (Layard), Seehohm, Cat. B. 31. v, p. 159.

Coloration. Resembles O. dauma in general appearance, but has
the upper plumage darker olive-brown, the tips of the feathers
blacker, and the subterminal pale bars absent ; tips of wing-coverts
inconspicuous ; the whole lower plumage a rich ochiaceous buff,
with the bars very black ; the bill is much larger, resembling that
of a Zoothera.

Iris brown ; bill blackish brown, paling at the base of the lower
mandible ; legs and feet fleshy brown, some with a bluish tinge ;
claws brownish at the tips (L«j<je).

Length about 9 - 5 ; tail 3'2 ; wing 4*9; tarsus 14 ; bill from
gape 1'4.

Distribution. Confined to Ceylon, above 3000 feet.

701. Oreocincla mollissima. The Plain-backed Mountain-
Thrush.

Turdus mollissimus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi, p. 188 (1842).

Oreocincla mollissima (Blyth), Blyth, Cat. p. 1(30 ; Horsf. $ 31. Cat.
i, p. 193 ; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 533 ; Stoliezka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,
p. 36; Hume, Cat. no. 370; id. S. I\ xi, p. 132; Oates in Hume's
N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 108.

Geocichla mollissima (Blyth), Seehohm, Cat. B. 31. v. p. 159.

Phanaiok-kiok-pho, Lepch. ; Teliahanrim, Bhut.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage rich olive-brown ; wings
dark brown, the feathers all broadly edged with olive-brown, the
median and greater coverts very narrowly and indistinctly tipped
with fulvous ; the four middle tail-feathers olive-brown, the next
three pairs blackish faintly tipped with white, the outermost pair
black on the basal two thirds of the inner web, olive-brown else-
where and tipped with white ; a ring of fulvous feathers round the
eye ; sides of the head mingled black and fulvous ; chin, throat,
breast, and sides of the body ochraceous, each feather with a
terminal black band ; abdomen white, with similar bands ; under
tail-coverts greenish brown streaked with white ; axillaries white

OREOCINCLA.

155

broadly tipped with black ; under wing-coverts black, broadly tipped
with white.

The young after the first autumn moult appear to be tinged with
rufous, and to have the spots on the wing-coverts larger than in
the adult.

Legs and feet yellowish fleshy ; claws horny brown ; bill dull
black; base of lower mandible pale fleshy brown; iris deep brown
(Hume).

Length about 11 ; tail 3-8 to 4-2; wing 5-5 to 6; tarsus 1*4 ;

bill from gape 1*2.

Distribution. I have examined specimens of this Thrush from
numerous localities in the Himalayas from Chamba to Darjiling,
and from no other part. Godwin-Austen records it from the
Khasi hills, and Hume is under the impression that he recognized
this species in Manipur, but he was unable to secure a specimen.

This Thrush ascends the Himalayas up to 6000 or 8000 feet in
summer, and probably descends to the lower valleys in winter.

Habits, 4'c. The eggs of this species are described as being
white marked with two shades of red, and measuring about 1-35
by -88.

702. Oreocincla dixoni. The Long-tailed Mountain-Thrush.

Oreocincla mollissima (Blyth), apud Walden in Myth's Birds Burnt.
p. 100 ; Hume §■ Dav. S. F. vi, p. 256 ; Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis,
1877, p. 463. n n . „

Geocichla dixoni, Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 161 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 7.

Coloration. Eesembles 0. mollissima, but differs in having a
much longer tail and large and distinct fulvous tips to the median
and greater wing-coverts at all ages.

Iris brown; bill brown; gape yellowish; legs dull brownish
yellow (Wardlaw Ramsay).

Of the same size as O. mollissima, with the exception of the tail,
which measures about 4-7.

Distribution. I have examined specimens of this species procured
in the hills north of Mussooree, in Nepal, at Darjiling, and in
Karennee.

703. Oreocincla spiloptera. The Spotted-wing Thrush.

Oreocincla spiloptera, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 142 (1847); id. Cat.

p. 160 ; Legge, S. F. iii, p. 367 ; Hume, S. F. vh, p. 382 ; id. Cat.

no. 372 ter ; Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 109.
Turdus spiloptera {Blyth), Legge, Birds Ceyl. p. 451, pi. xix.
Geocichla spiloptera (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. 31. v, p. 167.

Coloration. Upper plumage and lesser wing-coverts rich olive-
brown tinged with russet; tail rusty olive-brown; wings dark
brown, broadly edged with olive-brown, the median and greater
coverts more or less black tipped with white ; lores whitish ; ear-
coverts mixed white and black; lower plumage white, tinged with

156 TURDID^.

grey on the sides of the breast and body ; the cheeks, sides of the
throat and neck, the whole breast, and the upper half of the
abdomen with fan-shaped or triangular black spots ; axillaries

Fig. 3 ( J. — Head of Or. spiiojttera.

white, tipped with dark brown ; under wing-coverts dark brown,
tipped with white.

Iris brown ; eyelid leaden grey ; bill blackish, pale at gape ; legs
and feet dusky bluish grey or greyish fleshy ; claws dusky horn
(Ler/ye).

Length about 8-5 ; tail 3*2 ; wing 4 ; tarsus 1-4 ; bill from
gape 1*15.

Distribution. Confined to Ceylon up to 4000 feet.

Habits, §c. A nest of this bird was found by Legge in January
containing two eggs bluish green freckled with rufous, and
measuring 1*19 by *79.

Genus ZOOTHERA, A 7 igors, 1831.

In the genus Zoothera the sexes are alike, the under wing-coverts
and axillaries of two colours, the colours in the one part transposed
or reversed in the other, the lower plumage squamated, not distinctly
barred nor spotted, and the rictal bristles very numerous and long.
The anterior or supplementary bristles extend over the nostrils as
in the Flycatchers, and Zoothera is the only genus of Thrushes in
which this feature is present. The bill is very long and strongly
curved near the tip, and the edges of the mandibles are frequently
serrated by wear and tear, but never originally so.

The Thrushes of this genus are non-migratory, and they are
found in thickly-wooded tracts.

Key to the Species.

a'. Upper plumage dark slaty ; feathers of breast

tipped with brown ; wing 5-5 Z. monticola, p. 157.

b. Upper plumage olive-brown ; feathers of breast

margined with brown ; wing 5 Z. marginata, p. 157.

1 ^7
ZOOT1IKRA. lal

704. Zoothera monticola. The Large Brown Thmsh.

Zoothera monticola, Vigors P. Z. 8 f^^V^ATl
r.1 xxii ; Blyth, Cat. p. 160 ; Horsf. 8fM. Cat. i, p. lȣ, .*'ǥ ^-
/if p. 509 ; y Stoliczka,J. A. S. B. xxxvh pt n , p. 33 ; &&•/•£
S. B xli, pt. ii, p. 49; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. n, p. 72 ,
7/«we, Cirf. no. 350. , ftl

Geocichla monticola {Vig.), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 101.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage dark slaty each feather
narrowly bat distinctly margined darker, giving a scaly appearance
to the feathers; forehead and crown tinged with rufous; wings
dark brown, the quills margined with fulvous-brown .and the
median and greater coverts tipped with ochraceou ; sides of the
head rufescent brown, with ochraceous shafts to the featheis
chin and middle of the throat white, each feather with a triangular
brown tip ; breast and sides of the throat dark oke-brown with
black subterminal spots, the feathers of the middle of t^ breast
with a good deal of fulvous at their centres ; abdomen white, irre-
gularly spotted and barred with brown; under ail-coyerts dark
o live-brown, broadly tipped white; sides of the body dark oliva-
ceous; axillaries basally white, then black and ^narrowly tipped
white ; under wing-coverts black, tipped white ; tail blackish, obso-
letely cross-barred, and the outer feathers paler.

Fig. 40.— Head of Z. monticola.

Legs and feet light brown; iris dark brown ; bill dark brown

^Length between 11 and 12; tail 8-5; wing 5-5; tarsus 1-3;

^iM^The Himalayas from the Sutlej valley to the
Daphla hills in Assam, where this bird is a permanent resident
up to 10,000 feet.

705. Zoothera marginata. The Lesser Brown Thrush.
Zoothera nwginata^g JA^. *-^«<^i*£
p/lOO; Hume $ Dav. 8. F. vi, p. 246; Hume, Cat. no. 350 bis ;

158 TUKDULE.

Binyham, S. F. viii, p. 195, ix, p. 177 ; Oaten, B. B. i, p. 8; Hunte,
S. F. xi, p. 124 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 109.

Zoothera monticola, BL, apud Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii,
p. 142 {fide Wald. in BL Birds Burnt, p. 100 n).

Geocichla marginata (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 162.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage olive-brown tinged with
rufous, especially on the outer webs of the quills, ail the feathers
margined darker, causing a scaly appearance ; tips of the median
and greater coverts ochraceous ; tail brown, indistinctly cross-rayed,
and the outer feathers paler ; sides of the head mixed fulvous and
dark brown; chin, throat, middle of breast, and abdomen white,
with brown tips and margins ; sides of the throat, breast, and
body dark olive-brown, the feathers of the sides of the throat and
upper breast with darker centres ; under tail-coverts pale buff, the
feathers broadly margined with olivaceous at the sides; axillaries
basally white, then black ; uuder wing-coverts basally black, and
then white.

Bill very dark horny brown, lower mandible reddish from angle
of gonys to base ; iris dark brown ; legs and feet dark brown
{Hume Coll.).

Length about 10 ; tail 3 ; wing 4*9 ; tarsus 1-1 ; bill from
gape 1*5.

Distribution. Sikhim ; Bhutan ; the whole of the Eastern portion
of the Empire from the Brahmaputra river to the extreme south
of Tenasserim. This species is probably a permanent resident
throughout its range.

Habits, Sfc. Mr. Grammie found the nest of this Thrush in Sikhim
at the end of May — a cup composed of moss and fibres and placed
on a low branch of a tree. The eggs were three'in number, and
one of these is described by Hume as being very pale greenish
white much marked with ferruginous-brown and pinky purple. It
measured 1*05 by -79.

Genus C0CH0A, Hodgson, 1836.

The genus Cochoa contains two species, the position of which
remained doubtful for many years. An examination of the young
of these birds, however, clearly proves, as shown by Hume, that
they belong to the Turdince.

In Cochoa the sexes differ and the plumage of both sexes is very
brilliant. The bill is short and very broad at the base ; the nostrils
are large exposed ovals ; the rictal bristles are obsolete; the wing is
long and pointed, and the first primary minute ; the tail of moderate
length, aud the tarsus short.

The Thrushes of this genus inhabit forests, go in pairs or small
Hocks, feed both on the ground and on trees, and have a harsh
note. They make cup-shaped nests in trees, and lay spotted eggs.
They are non-migratory.

COC1IOA.

159

K< // to tlic Species.

a. Crown of head lavender-blue C. purpurea, p. 159.

b. Crown of head cobalt-blue C. vindis, p. 160.

TOG. Coclioa purpurea. The Purple Thrush.

Cochoa purpurea, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. v, p. 359 (1836) ; Blyth, Cat.
p 195 ; Horsf. $ M. Cat. i, p. 390 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 243 ; Hum£,
N tv E. p. 388 ; Hume # Dav. S. F. vi, p. 3137 ; Hume, Cat.
no. 607; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 3; Oates, B. B. i, p. 136; id.
in Humes N. 8$ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 110.
The Purpk Thrush-Tit, Jerd. ; Cocko, Nep. ; Lho-nyum-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, and nape lavender-blue ; a
narrow frontal band, lores, and sides of the head black, this colour
extending narrowly round the hind neck ; the upper plumage ashy
purple; wing-coverts, wiuglet, tertiaries, and the basal half, or
more, of the outer webs of most of the primaries and of all the
secondaries dull lavender; primary-coverts and remainder of wing
black; tail lavender-blue, the inner webs of all but the median
pair of feathers mostly black, and all tipped black ; the whole
lower plumage purplish brown, inclining to black on the chin and
throat.

Female. Forehead, crown, and nape lavender-blue ; a narrow
frontal baud, lores, and sides of the head black, this colour extend-
ing narrowly round the hind neck ; upper plumage reddish brown ;
wnig-coverts, tertiaries, and the basal half, or more, of the outer
webs of the secondaries reddish brown ; the basal portion of the
outer webs of the primaries blue ; remainder of the wing dark
brown ; winglet and the larger coverts near the edge of the wing
and the bases of the primary-coverts suffused with blue ; tail as
in the male ; lower surface reddish brown, paler than the upper
plumage.

The young male has the wings and tail like the adult male ; the
forehead, crown, and nape black, barred with white ; the upper
plumage black, with fulvous streaks on the scapulars and lesser
wing-coverts ; the sides of the head black, with a white patch on
the & ear-coverts ; the whole lower plumage bright reddish brown
cross-barred with black. A young male in August has nearly lost
the fulvous streaks on the scapulars and lesser wing-coverts; the
back is turning to ashy purple ; the head is still barred with white,
and the lower plumage is still barred as in the young bird above
described. This plumage is probably retained throughout the
winter.

The young female has the wings and tail like the adult female ;
the forehead, crown, and nape black, each feather with a broad
Bubtenninal white band; the upper plumage reddish brown, with
pale fulvous stripes, which become elongated drops on the sca-
pulars ; sides of the head black; ear-coverts centrally white;
lower plumage reddish brown cross-barred with black.

160 tukdidjE.

Legs and feet dark plumbeous, shaded with black ; claAvs dark
horny-brown ; bill black ; gape dark plumbeous ; iris red-brown ;
eyelids dark plumbeous (Hume Sf Davison).

Length about 11; tail 4*5; wing 5*7; tarsus 1*1 ; bill from
gape 1*3.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Kumaun to Sikhim ; Muleyit
mountain and the Thoungyeen valley in Tenasserim. This species
is no doubt a permanent resident up to at least 8000 feet.

Habits, fyc. A nest said to belong to this species, and found by
Mr. Home at Binsur, in Kumaun, was a cup made of moss placed-
in a small tree. The egg was greenish thickly blotched with brown.

707. Cochoa viridis. The Green Thrush.

Cochoa viridis, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. v, p. 359 (T830) ; Blyth, Cat.
p. 194 ; Jerd. B. L ii, p. 243 ; Hume, N. $ E. p. 389 ; id. Cat.
no. 608; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 2; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 239;
Oates in Hume's N. % E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 111.

The Green Thrush-Tit, Jerd.

Fig. 41. — Bill of C. viridis.

Coloration. Male. Forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck bril-
liant cobalt-blue; lores and a short supercilium black ; ear-coverts
indigo-blue ; cheeks greenish blue: the whole upper plumage and
scapulars varying in different individuals, according to age, from
deep green to golden-yellow, the feathers of the back and scapulars
fringed with black ; median pair of tail-feathers purplish blue
tipped black, the next four pairs black on the inner web, blue on
the outer and tipped black, the outermost pair entirely black;
lesser wing-coverts green narrowly tipped black, the median with
broader tips; winglet black; primary-coverts with the inner webs
black, the basal two thirds of the outer blue and the terminal third
black ; greater coverts with the inner webs greenish brown tipped
black, the outer with the basal two thirds green, broadly edged
with blue, the remainder black ; first two primaries black ; the
remaining quills black, with a long patch of blue at the base of
each outer web; the whole lower plumage green, suffused with
blue on the abdomen and with oil-yellow on the breast and
flanks.

cinclin^;.

161

Female. Differs from the male in the coloration of the wiug
only. The secondaries and tertiaries have the basal patch on the
outer webs yellowish brown instead of blue, and this colour occu-
pies the major portion of the outer webs of the greater coverts,
the blue edgings being very narrow.

The young bird (perhaps the female nestling only, the male
resembling the adult male probably in the coloration of the wing)
has the crown, forehead, and nape bluish brown, each feather
tipped black and with a subterminal band of white ; the upper
plumage greenish brown, with large buff spots ; supercihum black ;
ear-coverts white, with blackish tips ; the whole lower plumage
buff, irregularly and narrowly cross-barred with black ; the wings
and tail as in the adult female.

A nearly adult bird killed in Sikhim in March, and one in
Manipur in May, have the cheeks, ear-coverts, and a demi-collar
at the side of the neck pure white ; the chiu and throat also are
whitish, and the lower plumage bright chestnut-brown. Accord-
ing to Hume this is the second stage of plumage. There does not
appear to be anything analogous to it, however, in C '. purpurea.

Iris brown, brownish orange, dull brownish maroon ; legs brown,
with a varying amount of pinkish tiuge ; bill black ; gape and
orbital skin pink {Hume Coll.).

Length about 11; tail 4-8; wing 5*6; tarsus 1-1; bill from
gape 1*2.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Kumaun to Sikhim up to
11,000 feet; Cachar; Manipur. This species extends into China.
Hume gives the Bhagirati valley as the western limit of this
Thrush, but there is no specimen from this locality now in his
collection, and I have seen none from further west than Jeoli
below Nairn Tal.

Habits, Sfc. The nest of this species is described as being a cup
composed of fine twigs and roots coated externally with moss, and
built on branches of large trees ten to twenty feet from the
ground. An egg was greyish green marked with red, and measured
1-03 by -75.

Subfamily CINCLIN^.

The Cinclhue or Dippers appear to be allied to the Thrushes, but
to have uudergone some modification of structure to adapt them to
a different mode of life.

In the Dippers the bill is about as long as the head, narrow and
straight, the tip slightly bent down and notched ; the nostrils are
covered by a large membrane and the rictal bristles are entirely
absent ; the wing is very short and rounded ; the tail exceedingly
short ; the tarsus long and smooth.

The sexes are alike and the young are spotted. These do not
assume the adult plumage till the first spring of their life, and the
change is effected by the casting-off of the margins of the feathers.

VOL. IT. M

162 ttjrdtd.t;.

The Dippers are aquatic in their habits, and they are admirably
fitted for obtaining their food in the water. The plumage is every-
where very dense and even the eyelids are clothed with feathers ;
the head is narrowed in front, and the feathers of the forehead are
very short and lie flat.

The Dippers frequent mountain-streams, and the Indian species
do not migrate. They build large domed nests of moss amongst
rocks or between the roots of trees near the water, and they lay
numerous white eggs.

Genus CINCLUS, Eechst., 1802.

The characters of the genus are the same as those of the sub-
family.

Key to the Species.

a. Throat and breast white C. kashmiriensis, p. 102.

b. Throat and breast brown, uniform with re-

mainder of lower plumage.

a . Plumage light-coloured C. asiaticns, p. 1G3.

//. Plumage dark-coloured C. pallasi, p. 1U4.

e Throat and In-east brown, but conspicuously

paler than remainder of lower plumage . . C. sordidus, p. 165.

708. Cinclus kashmiriensis. The White-breasted Asiatic Dipper.

Cinclus cashmeriensis, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1859, p. 494; Salvin, Ibis,

1867, p. 117; Blanf. J. A. 8. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 48; Hume, Cat.

no. 348; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vi, p. 312; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 438.
Hydrobata cashmiriensis {Gould), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 507 ; Bhjth, Ibis,

1866, p. 374; Stoliezka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 33; Hume Sf

Senders. Lah. to York. p. 189.
The White-breasted Cashmere Dipper, Jerd.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, lores, sides of the head and
neck, and the whole mantle chocolate-brown ; remainder of the
upper plumage slate-colour, each feather distinctly margined with
black ; the mantle and back blending gradually together, the brown
of the former suffusing the upper part of the latter ; wings dark
brown, the outer webs edged with slate-colour, and the secondaries
and tertiaries tipped with white : wing-coverts dark brown, broadly
edged with slaty ; tail slaty, the shafts dark; cheeks, chin, throat,
and breast pure white ; remainder of the lower plumage chocolate-
brown, gradually turning to dark brown or blackish towards the tail.

The young have the whole upper plumage slate-colour with black
margins ; the wing-coverts tipped white ; the quills more broadly
tipped with white than in the adult ; the whole lower plumage
white with numerous irregular cross-lines of brown. After the
autumn moult the young resemble the adult, but the abdomen is
dark brown without any tinge of chocolate immediately next the
while of the breast, as is the case in the adult, and each feather

CINCLUS.

1G3

of the vent, abdomen, and under tail-coverts narrowly margined
with white; tips to quills broader than in the fully adult. Early
in the first spring the white margins and tips are cast and the
full plumage donned.

Legs and feet dark brown ; bill black (G. Henderson).

Length about 8 ; tail 2T ; wing 3-8 ; tarsus 1*15 ; bill from
gape "95.

This species extends westward to Asia Minor, and is closely allied
to the three races of Dipper which are found in Europe. It may
be distinguished from them by the absence of rufous on the abdomen
immediately next the white breast, and further by the brown of
the mantle extending some distance down the back and blending with
the colour of the latter. To the north, the present form tends to
run into G. leucogaster, in typical examples of which the whole
lower parts are white. In some specimens there is a tendency
towards G. sordid us, the white of the throat and breast being
infuscated and occasionally these parts are quite brown.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Grilgit to Sikhim from 9000 to
14,000 feet or higher, according to season. This Dipper extends
on the west to Asia Minor and on the east to China, and it has a
very extended range through Central Asia.

709. Cinclus asiaticus. The Brown Dipper.

Cinclus asiaticus, Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer., Birds, p. 174 (1831) ;
Salmn, Bis, 1 807, p. 120 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 48 ; Hume,
Cat. no. 347; SJiarpe, Cat. B. M. vi, p. 314; Scully, S. F. viii,
p. 281 ; id. Ibis, 1881, p. 437 ; Gates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii,
p. 112.
Hydrobata asiatica (Swains.), Bhjth, Cat. p. 158; Horsf. <§• M. Cat.
i, p. 185; Jercl. B. I. i, p. 50G ; Hume, N. Sf E. p. 225 ; Hume f
Hcnders. lath, to York. p. 188 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii,
p. 203; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 52.
The Brown Water-Ouzel, Jerd. ; Nambong karriak, Lepch. ; Chubia
■i afcka, Bhut.

Fig. 42. — Head of G. asiaticus.

Coloration. The whole plumage chocolate-brown, the edges of
tbe feathers somewhat paler in places; the eyelids covered w it h
white feathers; wings and tail dark brown, edged with the same
colour as that of the plumage in general, the later quills tipped white.

The young in March, just fledged, have the upper plumage grey,
the feathers tipped with black and the subterminal portion more

m2

164 TriRDTD.E.

or less whitish ; wings black, the quills and coverts all tipped and
margined with white ; tail very dark brown, tipped white ; sides
of the head grey with white shaft-streaks ; the lower parts grey
and marked in the same manner as the upper plumage, but with
more conspicuous black tips and subterminal white patches. In
August the nearly adult plumage is assumed by a moult, but
the new feathers of each side of the head, of the throat, breast,
and middle of the abdomen, and sometimes those of the crown
aud back, are fringed with white, and the wing-coverts and
quills are conspicuously margined with white. The fully adult
plumage is assumed in the first spring by the casting of the white
fringes.

Bill black ; legs pale brown ; soles of the feet yellow ; iris dark
brown (Jerdon).

Length about 8; tail 2-2; wing 3-9; tarsus 1-15; bill from
gape 1-05.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan aud Gilgit to
Bhutan at elevations from 1000 to 14,000 feet, according to season.
This species occurs in the North Khasi hills, specimens from
that locality being in the National Collection. It extends into
Turkestan.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds throughout the Himalayas at all levels from
December to May. The nest is a rounded ball of moss lined with
ferns and roots, with an opening at the side, wedged into a cleft of
a rock near water and not far above its surface. The eggs, gene-
rally five in number, are white and measure about 1 by # 72.

710. Cinclus pallasi. Pallas's Dipper.

Cinclus pallasii, Temm. Man. d'Orn. ed. 2, i, p. 177 (1820) ; 8ahin, Ibis,
1867, p. 118 ; Hume, 8. F. vii, p. 378 ; id. Cat. no. 349 bis ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. M. vi, p. 316 ; Hume, 8. F. xi, p. 124.

Coloration. The whole plumage with the lesser wing-coverts a
very rich dark chocolate-brown ; the eyelids clothed with white
feathers; the abdomen blackish ; greater wing-coverts dark brown,
edged with chocolate-brown ; wings and tail blackish, suffused with
chocolate-brown on the outer webs.

The young differ markedly from those of Q. asiaticus. The whole
upper plumage and the sides of the head and neck are blackish
brown with subterminal rufous margins ; the wings and coverts
with white, or on some of the feathers slightly rufous, edges ; tail
black, narrowly tipped with white ; the whole lower plumage
blackish brown, with ashy fringes to all the feathers.

Another bird, which has just completed its first autumn moult,
resembles the adult, but the throat, breast, and middle of the
abdomen are mottled with white and the wings retain their white
edges.

Iris hazel; bill horny ; legs plumbeous in front, dusky behind
(Cockbuni).

ACCENTORIX.E. 165

Length about 8 ; tail 2*1 j wing 3*9; tarsus 1*15; bill from
gape 1-15.

Distribution. In the British Museum there is an adult procured
by Cockburn at Shilloug and two young birds obtained by A. W.
Chennell in the North Khasi hills. The latter were shot in March
and are those described above. In the collection of Godwin- Austen
are three specimens of this species, two adults, procured at Shillong
in April and May respectively, and a young bird procured in North
Cachar without date. I have seen no other specimens from Indian
limits. This species is found in China and the whole of North-
eastern Asia.

711. CinclllS SurdidllS. The Sombre Dipper.

Cinclus sordidus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 494 ; Salvin, Ibis, 1867,
p. 118 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 48 ; Hume, Cat. no. 349 ;
Sharpe, Cat.' B. M. vi, p. 317.

Hydrobata sordida {Gould), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 507.

The Black-bellied Cashmere Dipper, Jerd.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, mantle, sides of the head
and neck chocolate-brown ; chin, throat, and upper part of breast
the same but strikingly paler ; upper plumage and wing-coverts
blackish brown; wings and tail blackish, the outer webs somewhat
paler ; lower plumage very dark chocolate-brown ; the eyelids are
probably clothed with white feathers as in the other members of
the genus, but the type specimen, the only one I have been able
to examine, exhibits no ti-ace of them.

Length about 7 ; tail 2 ; wing 3 - 5 ; tarsus IT ; bill from
gape - 9.

Distribution. This species was founded on a specimen procured in
Kashmir. Blanford appears to have met with this Dipper in Sikhim
at 15,000 feet, and Hume records its occurrence in the tract of
country traversed by Dr. Henderson (Lab. to Tark. p. 189). I can
find no other notice of it, and this species appears to be very rare.
It has been met with in Kansu and Northern Tibet.

Subfamily ACCENTORINtE.

The Accentorince or Accentors comprise a number of birds the
position of which has been much disputed. Looking to their
habits and to the colour of the nestling, their position appears to
me to be among the Thrushes.

The Accentors have a bill about half the length of the head,
wide at base, compressed somewhat abruptly in the middle, the
culmen nearly straight, the upper mandible teiminating in rather
a fine point and slightly notched ; the nostrils large, diagonal, and

1G6 TURDID^E.

covered by a large membrane ; the rictal bristles few aud weak ;
the feathers of the forehead slightly disintegrated ; the tail nearly
square or sometimes slightly forked ; the tarsus strongly scutel-
lated.

The sexes are alike, and some species have a seasonal change of
plumage caused by the wearing away, in winter, of the margins of
the feathers. The young moult into adult plumage at the first
autumn. The nestlings of the various species resemble each other
closely, and may be described as pale rufous below, densely streaked
with dark brown, especially on the breast and sides of the body,
the chin being frequently barred. The upper plumage is dark
brown, each feather edged with rufous.

The majority of the Accentors inhabit mouutains at considerable
elevations ; others, like the common Accentor or Hedge-Sparrow
of England, inhabit gardens and cultivated spots. They feed on
insects, and also, it is said, on small seeds. They build their nests
in bushes or in holes of rocks, and lay blue eggs.

Key to the Genera.

a. Wing- large and pointed, longer than tail by

more than length of tarsus Accentor, p. 1GG.

b. Wing small and blunt, longer than tail by

much less than length of tarsus Tharrhaleus, p. 108.

Genus ACCENTOR, Eechst., 1802.

The genus Accentor, in addition to the characters of the subfamily,
has a long and pointed wing. The wing is longer than the tail by
more than the length of the tarsus, and the secondaries fall short
of the tip of the wing also by about the length of the tarsus.

The Accentors of this genus are more or less migratory.

Key to the Species.

a. Breast uniformly greyish brown A. nepa/ensis, p. 1G6.

b. Breast rufous, feathers edged with white . . A. himalayanus, p. 168.

712. Accentor nepalensis. The Eastern Alpine Accentor.

Accentor nipalensis, Hodys., Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 958 (1843) ;

Blyth, Cat. p. 130; llorsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 359 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 286 ;

Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. G3 ; Hume 8f Haul. Lah. to Yuri;.

p. 234; Hume, Cat. no. 652; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 74; 1882,

p. 281 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 5G8 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. vii, p. G(J4.
Accentor cacharensis, Hodys. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 34.

The La rye Himalayan Accentor, Jerd.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck greyish

16'

ACCEKTOB.

brown , with indistinct darker streaks : tad t JA fa, o n dged
with rufous-brown ; rump and upper t^^jft^ . all the
bluish shaft-streaks : lesser * mg-cov or s grej ^ b ^7t e rtiarie S
other coverts blackish, tipped with white scapulars an
black, edged with ferruginous; the other quills darK

Fig. 43.— Head of A. nepalensi

narrowly edged aud tipped with rufous; tail dark brown, each
" r w b tipped with a spot, which is white on the «££*«

^o^S^irno^tog^heg^e^^

^^■th about 7 , tail 2-8 ; wing 4 ; tarsus -95 ; bill from gape

'" This snecies is allied to the European A. cOaru, from which it
differs i7K very richly coloured, and in haring the second
differs in Deing «l J whereas m .1. eoWarw

! iml r ai d in Asia Minor an intermediate race is found A

; !/,£ ^lo, , I-,, Turkestan, appears to me to be idenhea

with A. nepalensis. A. , rythropygxus, Swmhoe, from 11 n a, ditteis

from the present species in having very rufous upper tail-coverts,

^■SS^NK Hnnalayas from Afghanistan and Gilgit to
SiVhim at very high elevations, Blanford recording this species
^nm 14 000 feet. I have seen specimens from Sikhim killed in
^°ery m^nth of the year, hut in Gilgit this Accentor is represented
to be merely a winter visitor.

168 TUBUID.'E.

713. Accentor himalayanus. The Altai Accentor.

Accentor himalayanus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 187 (1842).
Accentor altaicus, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb. i, p. 365 (1843) ;

Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 287 ; Stoliczka, J. A. 8. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 52 ;

Hume, Cat. no. 653; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 74 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.

M. vii, p. 660.
Accentor variegatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 958 (1843) ; id. Cat.

p. 131 ; Horsf. 8f M. Cat. i, p. 359.
The Himalayan Accentor, Jerd.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and hind neck greyish
brown, with darker shaft-streaks ; a pale but distinct greyish
supercilium ; ear-coverts rufous, with pale shafts ; all the feathers
under the eye speckled with white ; back, scapulars, and tertiaries
black edged with rufous ; rump greyish brown, with obsolete darker
shaft-streaks ; upper tail-coverts aud tail dark brown, edged with
rufous, the inner web of each feather tipped with white or rufous ;
wing-coverts blackish, more or less edged with rufous and tipped
with white ; quills dark brown, edged with rufous ; middle of chin
and throat pure white ; sides of these parts banded with black ;
feathers of lower throat tipped with black, forming a small collar ;
sides of neck greyish brown ; remainder of lower plumage ferru-
ginous, each feather edged with white ; the middle of the abdomen
almost pure white ; the feathers of the flanks and under tail-coverts
with broader white edges.

Base of bill at gape and the gape fleshy ; rest of bill dull black ;
legs and feet brownish fleshy ; claws dull black ; iris carmine-red
or cinnabar-red (Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2-4 ; wing 37 ; tarsus -85 ; bill from
gape '6.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Chamba and Grilgit to Sikhim.
This species occurs in Sikhim throughout the year, but probably at
various altitudes according to season. At Simla it appears to be
found only in winter, and it visits Gilgit at the same season. It
occurs throughout a considerable portion of Central Asia.

Genus THARRHALEUS, Kaup, 1829.

The genus Tharrhaleus contains those Accentors which have a
blunt and feeble wing. The wing is longer than the tail, but by a
distance much less than the length of the tarsus, and the second-
aries fall short of the tip of the wing by a distance equal to about
half the length of the tarsus.

The Accentors of this genus do not migrate to such an extent
as those of the genus Accentor, and some are resident.

TIIA.RRHA.LEUS.

Key to the Species.

169

a. Upper plumage unstreaked T. immaculatus, p. 169.

h. Upper plumage streaked.

«'. &o supercilium ^ rubecuhides, p. 169.

6'. A supercilium. . . 17n

a". Chin and throat black T. atngularis, p. 1/0.

6". Chin and throat white or fulvous.
a". Breast of same colour as remainder

of lower plumage T. fulvescens, p. 17 1 .

6'". Breast ferruginous, quite different
to other parts of lower plumage.
a*. Supercilium and breast deep ferru-
ginous ; crown and rump dis-

tinctly streaked T. strophmtus, p. 171.

bK Supercilium and breast pale ferru-
ginous ; crown and rump obso-
letely streaked T. jerdoni, p. 172.

714. Tharrhaleus immaculatus. The Maroon-bached Accentor.

Accentor immaculatus, Bodge. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 34 ; JjTora/. f M.
Cat. i, p. 361 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 286 ; tfwme, Cat. no. 651 ; «A«rpe,
Cat. B. M. vii, p. 656. ,',„.-* -,^, i qi

Accentor mollis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv, p. 581 (1845) ; id. Cat. p. 131.

Coloration. Forehead, crown, and nape dark ashy the feathers
of the forehead margined with white ; upper back olive-brown
tinged with rufous, gradually changing to maroon on the lower
back, rump, scapulars, and outer webs of tertianes and later
secondaries ; upper tail-coverts olive-brown tinged with rufous ;
tail greyish brown; wing-coverts dark grey ; primary-coverts and
winglet black ; quills dark brown, the earlier primaries edged with
grey on the outer webs above the ernargiuations ; lores black ;
ear-coverts slaty brown; chin, throat, breast, sides of neck, upper
abdomen, and sides of body ashy brown ; lower abdomen, vent,
and under tail-coverts dark chestnut ; thighs slaty.

Iris whitish yellow ; bill black ; legs horny (Hume Col.).

Length about 6; tail 2-5; wing 3-2; tarsus -9; bill from

distribution. Nepal andSikhim. The specimens of this species
that I have examined from the latter country were killed from
October to April. It extends to Western China and Moupm.

715 Tharrhaleus rubeculoides. The Eobin Accentor.
Accentor rubeculoides, Hodgs., Moore, P.ZS. 1854, p. 118 ; Horsf.
& M. Cat, i, p. 361 ; Jerd. B. I. n, p. 288; Stohczka J. AS. B
xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 53 Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt n, p. 64; Hume $
Henderl Lai to Yark.%. 234; Hume, tat. no. 65b; Sharp*,
Cat. B. M. vii, p. 657.
Coloration. Forehead, crown, nape, and sides of head brown ;
back, scapulars, and rump reddish brown with broad black streaks ;
upper tail-coverts nearly plain brown; tad brown, edged paler ;

170 TURDLDiE.

lesser and median Ming-coverts ashy, centred darker and tipped
whitish ; greater coverts dark brown, broadly edged with rufous
and tipped whitish ; qnills dark brown, edged with rufous ; chin,
throat, and sides of neck ashy brown with the bases of the
feathers darker, causing a mottled appearance ; breast deep ferru-
ginous ; abdomen whitish or pale fulvous : sides of the body aud
under tail-coverts rufous streaked with brown.

Iris clear pale brown ; bill black; legs reddish brown {Blanford).

Length- about 6~o ; tail 2*7 ; wing 3'2 • tarsus *9 ; bill from
gape "6.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Eastern Kashmir and Ladak
to Sikhim. Blanford found this species above 14,000 feet, aud I
have seen specimens from Sikhim killed in June and October aud
iu the adjoining parts of Tibet in February, March, and September :
it breeds iu Tibet, as Mandelli procured quite a young bird in
September. Dr. Henderson met with this species at Sukti in July
and at Taukse in October.

716. Tharrhaleus atrigularis. The Black-throated Accentor.

Accentor atrigularis, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. P&tersb. ii, p. 140
(1844) ; Blyth, Cat. p. 13] ; Hume, Cat. no. 055; Biddulph, Ibis,
1881, p. 75; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 500; Skarpe, Cat. B. 31. vii,
p. 050.

Accentor huttoni, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 119 ; Ilorsf. $ M. Cat. \,
p. 300 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 288 ; Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,
p. 53 ; Scully, S. F. iv, p. 155.

Coloration. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown, nape,
back, and scapulars dark brown, each feather with lateral fulvous
margins ; rump and upper tail-coverts ashy brown ; a broad black
band ou each side of the crown, below which runs a broad buff
supercilium ; lores, cheeks, ear-coverts, and under the eye dark
brown or blackish ; a narrow moustachial streak buff, joining the
breast and enclosing the chin and throat, which are black with
narrow white margins; the whole breast and sides of the throat
ochraceous buff, with partially concealed black bases to all the
feathers ; middle of the abdomen creamy white ; sides of the body
and under tail-coverts buff streaked with rich brown ; tail brown,
edged paler ; quills and coverts brown, margined with fulvous or
rufous and the coverts more or less tipped paler. In summer the
buff tips of the moustachial streaks wear away, as also the whitish
margins of the chin and throat, which parts become quite black
and are joined to the black of the sides of the head. The front
part of the supercilium in a similar manner becomes black and the
hinder part bleaches to white.

Iris hazel-brown ; base of upper and lower mandibles at gape,
and the gape, legs, and feet brownish fleshy : rest of bill dull black ;
claws horny brown {Hume).

Length about 6 ; tail 2'G; wing 2-9 ; tarsus -8; bill from gape
•55.

THATUUIALEUS. 171

Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan and Gilgit to
Garhwal. Jerdon records this species from the Punjab Salt-
Bange. This Accentor is a winter visitor to the Himalayas,
summering in Turkestan and other parts of Central Asia.

717. Tharrhaleus fulvescens. The Brown Accentor.

Accentor fulvescens, Severtz. Turkest. Jevotn. pp. 66, 132 (1873) ; id.

S. F. iii, p. 428; Biddidph, Ibis, 1881, p. 75 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881,

p. 569 ; Biddidph, Ibis, 1882, p. 281, pi. viii ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M.

vii, p. G55.
Accentor montanellus (Pall.), apud Scully, S. F. iv, p. 155; Hume,

Cat. no. 655 bis.

Coloration. Porehead, crown, and nape uniform dark brown, or
sometimes dark brown with the feathers edged paler; a broad
supercilium white or buffy white ; lores, ear-coverts, and under
the eye dark brown ; back and scapulars ashy brown, sometimes
tinged witb fulvous, each feather with a broad dark brown streak ;
rump and upper tail-coverts plain ashy brown ; Mings and tail
brown, edged with fulvous ; the wing-coverts and tertiaries tipped
with buffy white ; lower plumage rich ochraceous buff, the Hanks
with a few darker streaks.

Bill black, brownish at base below ; iris very dark brown ; legs
and feet fleshy ; claws dusky, yellowish at tips (Scully).

Length about 6 ; tail 2*6 ; wing 3 ; tarsus -8 ; bill from gape - 6.

T. montanellus, Pallas, from Lake Baikal and Amurland, differs
from the present species in having the back and scapulars rich
chestnut-brown, the feathers edged with pale ashy, and the breast-
feathers with partially concealed black bases. In both species the
colour of the supercilium is liable to variation from buff to white.

Distribution. Gilgit and Sikhim in winter only. Mandelli pro-
cured this species in the country north of Sikhim. It summers in
Turkestan, Mongolia, and Southern Siberia.

718. Tharrhaleus strophiatus. The livfous-lreasted Accentor.

Accentor strophiatus, Hudf/s., Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 959 (1843) ;

Blyth, Cut. p. 131; Horsf. § M. Cat. i, p. 360 ; Jerd. B.I. ii,

p. 287 ; Hume, N. § E. p. 401 ; id. Cat. no. 654 ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. 31. vii, p. 658.
Accentor multistriatus, David, A. M. N. II. (4), vii, p. 256 (1871).
Tharrhaleus strophiatus [Hodys.), Oates in Humes N. fy E. 2nd ed.

ii, p. 113.
Phooching-pho, Lepch.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage rufous-brown streaked
with black ; wings dark brown edged with rufous, the coverts
tipped with fulvous on the outer web; tail brown; lores, cheeks,
and ear-coverts black ; a broad supercilium, white in front of the
eye, deep ferruginous behind, bordered above by a black band ;
chin and throat white, spotted with black chiefly at the sides ; sides

172 TVRU1DJE.

of neck ashy streaked with black ; breast deep ferruginous ; middle
of abdomen whitish ; remainder of lower plumage reddish brown
streaked with black.

Many birds have the breast streaked with black ; they are pro-
bably birds of the first winter.

Bill black ; legs reddish brown ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).

Length about 5*5 ; tail 2-3 ; wing 2*7 ; tarsus *8 ; bill from
gape "55.

Distribution. Sikhim and Nepal, extending west along the
Himalayas to Kotgarh. This species appears to be a constant
resident in the higher portions of the Himalayas and to breed
both in Nepal and Sikhim. It is found throughout Tibet and
Western Chiua.

Habits, &{c. According to Hodgson this species makes a cup-
shaped nest of grass-roots and moss, lined with Wool and hair, in
tufts of grass, and lavs three or four eggs, which measure about
•74 by -54.

719. Tharrhaleus jerdoni. Jerdon' s Accentor.

Accentor jerdoiii, Brooks, J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 327 (1872) ; Hume,
N. 8f E. p. 408 ; id. S. F. iv, p. 491 ; id. Cat. no. 654 bis ; Bid-
dulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 75 ; 1882, p. 281 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 569;
Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. vii, p. 660.

Accentor strophiatus, Hodgs., Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii,
p. 53 ; Hume 8f Headers. Lah. to York. p. 234.

Tharrhaleus jerdoni (Brooks), Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii,
p. 114.

Coloration. Besembles T. strophiatus. Differs in having the
whole upper plumage greyish brown, with only the back streaked,
the few traces of streaks visible on the crown being obscure or
obsolete ; the lateral black bands on the crown are broader and
more massive ; the hinder part of the supercilium and the breast
are pale rufous, not deep ferruginous.

Iris dark brown ; base of bill, legs, and feet fleshy white ; upper
mandible and base of lower dull black ; rest of lower mandible and
claws pale brown (Hume).

Length 5*5 ; tail 2*2 ; wing 2*7 ; tarsus *8 ; bill from gape '55.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Gilgit to Mussooree. This
species appears to be a summer visitor to Gilgit, where it breeds
at 10,000 feet and upwards, and a winter visitor to the lower
portions of the mountains.

Habits, 4"c Captain Cock found the nest of this bird at Sona-
marg in Kashmir in June, a cup of pine-needles and grass placed
in a low bough of a pine-tree. The eggs measure about "75 by
•55.

PLOCEIDJE.

Pig. 44, — Ploceus baya.

Family PLOCEID/E.

The intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the
bronchial semi-rings; the edges of both mandibles perfectly smooth ;
the hinder part of the tarsus longitudinally bilaminated, the laminae
entire and smooth; wing with ten primaries, the first notably
small; nostrils pierced within the line of the forehead or closely
outside it, the space between the nostril and the edge of the
mandible greater than the space between the nostril and the
cultnen ; bill conical and entire, the notch being absent, or obsolete.

174 PLOCEIDvE.

The Floceidce are divisible into two subfamilies, the Ploceince or
Weaver-birds and the Viduince or Munias.

First primary about as long as the tarsus ; a

partial spring moult Ploceince, p. 174.

First primary very minute, much shorter than

tarsus ; no spring moult Viduince, p. 181.

Subfamily PLOCEINiE.

The Ploceince or Weaver-birds comprise a large number of birds
which are found in Africa and South-eastern Asia. They are
Finch-like in structure and appearance, but they differ from the
Finches in having ten primaries and in undergoing^ partial spring-
moult.

The Weaver-birds are gregarious, breeding in company, and
associating at other seasons in large flocks. They construct elabo-
rate nests of grass which are suspended from the branches of trees
or attached to the stalks of tall reeds. The eggs are either two or
three in number, in the genus Ploceus pure white, in Ploceella of
various colours.

The males of these birds have a distinct summer and winter
plumage, and the former is acquired by a moult of the feathers of
those parts which undergo a change of colour. The moult in the
spring is thus apparently partial.

All the Weaver-birds are sedentary in their habits, fearless of
man in the breeding-season, but more wary at other times. They
feed largely on grain and seeds. They have no song, but they
keep up a ceaseless chirping in the breeding-season, especially
when the building of the nest is in progress.

The Asiatic Weaver-birds form two well-defined genera, differ-
ing in structure and their mode of nidification, as well as in the
colour of their eggs.

Key to ilie Genera.

a. Bill considerably longer than it is high ; no

nuchal hairs ; difference between length of
wing and length of tail more than length of
tarsus Ploceus, p. 174.

b. Bill as long as it is high ; nuchal hairs present;

difference between length of wing and length

of tail much less than length of tarsus Ploceella, p. 179.

Genus PLOCEUS, Cuvier, 1817.

The genus Ploceus contains the true Weaver-birds, which con-
struct flask-shaped nests with a tubular entrance, varying in length
from two feet to a few inches. The eggs are in all cases white.
In this genus the males accpiire a yellow crown in the spring, and

pjiOCEUs. 175

in the autumn resume their plain appearance, which resembles
thai of the female.

In Ploceus the bill is thick with the cultnen curved, and the
length of the bill is considerably more than its height; the wings
are of moderate length, and the first primary is as long as the
tarsus, and slightly curved inwards ; the tail is short and mode-
rately rounded, of twelve feathers ; the tarsus is strong and
scutellated, and the claws are of considerable length.

Key to the Species.

a. Crown of head yellow (breeding-males).

a'. Breast yellow P. baya, p. 175.

V, Breast fulvous P. megarhynchus, p. 176.

c'. Breast black, or black with fulvous

fringes P. benyalensis, p. 1 77.

d'. Breast fulvous, boldly streaked with

black P- manyar, p. 179.

b. Crown of head brown (females at all seasons

and males in winter). , p b -^

e\ Lower plumage plain fulvous . j p m J^yncAt«, p> 17G .

/'. Breast black, or black fringed with

fulvous P. bengalensis, p. 177.

g '. Breast boldly streaked with black .... P. manyar, p. 179.

720. Ploceus baya *. The Bay a.

? Loxia philippina, Linn. Si/st. Nat. i, p. 305 (1700).

Ploceus baya, Blyth, J. A.'S. B. xiii, p. 945 (1844) ; Horsf. S>- M.

Cat. ii, p. 515 (part.) ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 343 (part.) ; Blanf. J. A.

S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 167 ; Hume, N. # E. p. 436 (part.) ; id. 8f Bav.

S. F. vi, p. 399 ; Skarpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 488 ; Gates in Hume's

N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 114.
Ploceus philippinus (Linn.), Blyth, Cat, p. 115 (part.) ; Leyye, Birds

Ceyl. p. 641 ; Hume, Cat. no. 694 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 259.

The Common Weaver-bird (Jerdon) ; Baya, Hind. ; Chindora, Hind,
in Bengal ; Bawi, Talbabi, Beng. ; Parstqju-pitta, Tel. ; Manja-kuravi,
Tarn. ; Thuckenam Jcuruoi, Tarn, in Ceyl. ; Tatta kurula, Wada kurutta,

Ceyl.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the whole upper
plumage is fulvous streaked with blackish brown, the streaks be-
coming obsolete on the lower rump and upper tail-coverts ; wing-
coverts, quills, and tail dark brown, each feather edged with
fulvous, the edges of the primaries and tail-feathers also being
tinged with greenish; a clear fulvous supercilium ; sides of the
head pale fulvous-brown; the whole lower plumage fulvous,

* Linnseus's name, even if it applied to the Continental race of Weaver-bird,
which is very doubtful, is inappropriate, as no bird of this genus is known to
occur in the Philippine Islands. I prefer, therefore, to follow Sharpe in
adopting Ittyth's well-known name for this species.

176 PLOCEID^.

darker ou the breast and flanks, the feathers of which parts are
frequently streaked with narrow shaft-lines of brown. After the
spring moult the appearance of the bird is much changed : the
forehead, crown, and nape become bright yellow ; the back and
scapulars are black, each feather broadly margined with bright
yellow ; the sides of the head, the chin, and throat dark blackish
brown, and the breast bright yellow ; the other parts of the
plumage remain unchanged.

Fig. 45.— Head of P. baya.

Female. At all times resembles the male in winter plumage so
closely as to require no separate description.

The intensity of the fulvous tinge on these birds varies much
according to age, and in some degree according to the time which
has elapsed since the moult.

In the male in summer the bill is dark horny brown, yellowish
at gape and base of lower mandible ; legs and feet flesh-colour ;
iris brown. The female in summer and both sexes in winter have
the bill yellowish horn-colour.

Length about G ; tail 2 ; wing 2'9 ; tarsus -8 ; bill from gape
•65.

Distribution. Ceylon and the whole of India proper from the
extreme south to the base of the Himalayas as far east as the 85th
degree of loDgitude, about which boundary this species meets the
next.

Habits, <Sfc. Breeds from April to September, constructing a
hanging flask-shaped nest of grass, strongly woven, suspended
from a branch of a tree generally growing over water. The nest
terminates in a long funnel of grass, sometimes nearly two feet in
length, through which the bird enters the nest proper. The eggs,
either two or three in number, measure about '82 by *59.

721. Ploceus niegarhynchns. The Eastern Baya.

Ploceus atrigula, Hodys. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 84 (1844, desc.

null.); Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 491 (1890).
Ploceus philippinus (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 115 (pt,).
Ploceus baya, Blyth, Horsf. $ M. Cat. ii, p. 515 (pt.) ; Jerd. B. I. ii,

p. 343 (pt.) ; Hume, N. 8? E. p. 436 (pt,); id. # Bav. S. F. vi,

p. 398 ; Anders. Yunnan Exped., Aves, p. 597 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 694 bis ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 358.

177

PLOCEUS. L ' '

Rocens megmWhns, H,„ne, S F. ttgJM (1875); i,l. Cat.

(1886).
Took-ra, Assam.

Obturation The male in winter and the female at all seasons

ii X t™« sexes of P. W« at the same seasons. In

«e the m^as the forehead, crown, and nape bright yellow ;

Bl rofS2nt species varies as much as does the last in the in-
tensity of the fulvous tinge, and towards the southern porta of
the bird's rancre the fulvous changes to a rich tawny.

The male hi summer has the bill black, the inside of the mouth
HelcoTour; eyelid grey; iris dark brown; legs ^bur
claws pinkish horn-colour. The male m winter and the female at
all seasons have the bill yellowish horn-colour

Length about 6; tail 2; wing 2-9 ; tarsus -b ; bill from gape

^This species increases in size from south to , nortt i, and : attains
its Greatest size in the Himalayan Terai. Here the tarsus fie-
SeSST^hTto a length of -05, and the bill, from gape to tip,
? 8 T To this larger bircf Hume gave the name of rntgarhy^hm
It is however, impossible to separate this larger race from the
form inhab ting Burma and the Malay peninsula, and consequently
Hume's name will stand for the species, no previously-imposed

^SrSgal and the base of the Him^yas ^ the
85th degree of longitude to Assam, and southwards through the
whole of Burma to the southern end of the Malay peninsula, ex-
endin" to Sumatra and Java. This species, in a somewhat larger
form, fs found along the base of the Himalayas as tar west as the

^JSKta^ to September, constructing a
nef v y shnilar to that of P. baya The nest is not u^uendy
attached to the thatched eaves of native houses, or even to the
entoTthe loose leaves inside the verandahs. The eggs measure
about -82 by -6.

722. Ploceus bengalensis. The BlacJc-throated Weaver-bird.

Loxia benghalensis, Linn. Syst I Nat. i, p. 305 '0-^k . » M , ,

Ploceus bengalensis (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 115; #<%* f- L f

;; -r, <;iv Tprd B L ii. D. 349; Hume, N. Sf h. p. 441 , id Lot,

nYtiOO • '(££ I: B. t I 361 ;' Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, ,, 493 ,

VOL. II.

178 plocbidjE.

Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 261 ; Hume, 8, F. xi, p. 270 ; Oates in
Hume's N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 120.

Sarbo baya, Hind. ; Shor baya, Kantmvala baya, Beng.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead, crown,
and nape are dark brown, each feather narrowly margined with
fulvous-browu ; back, scapulars, and all the feathers of the wings
dark blackish brown, each feather broadly margined with fulvous ;
rump and upper tail-coverts dull fulvous, streaked with pale brown ;
tail brown, narrowly margined paler ; a distinct supercilium, widen-
ing aud becoming paler at the nape, yellow ; a large yellow patch
on the side of the neck ; a pale yellow patch under the eye ; re-
mainder of side of the head brown ; cheeks, chin, and throat pale
yellow ; a narrow moustachial streak black ; fore neck and upper
breast black, each feather very broadly margined with fulvous ;
remainder of lower plumage fulvous, paler on the abdomen, and
the sides of the body narrowly streaked with brown. Soon after
the moult the broad fulvous margins on the fore neck and upper
breast commence to wear away, and by February and March these
parts are almost uniform black.

After the partial spring moult the forehead and crown become
bright golden yellow surrounded by a black band ; the chin and
throat become whitish or whity brown, and the entire side of the
head and neck become uniform bx*own ; the other parts of the
plumage remain unchanged, except that the pale margins to the
feathers of the back and wings get worn away, causing those parts
to become very dark and more uniform brown.

Female. Very similar to the male in winter plumage, but with
all the yellow marks on the head paler, and with much less black
on the fore neck and upper breast. The pale margins on these
parts wear away as in the male, but these parts apparently never
become quite so black in the breeding-season as in the male.

Bill pearly white or pale plumbeous at all seasons and in botli
sexes ; iris light brown ; legs flesh-colour.

Length about 5*5; tail 1*8; wing 2*8; tarsus '8; bill from
gape # 65.

Distribution. Occurs sparingly throughout Northern India from
Sind to Bengal, and up to the foot of the Himalayas. The Southern
limit appears to be a line drawn from Bombay to Bastar, south
of which line this species does not appear to have been recorded.
Eastwards it occurs throughout Assam, and it is found commonly
as far south as Manipur. Blanford records this Weaver-bird from
Ava and Thayetmyo, but its occurrence in Burma has not been
confirmed.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds in the rains. The nest resembles that of
P. baya in general shape, but the funnel is very short. The nest
is invariably attached to the leaves of elephant-grass, with which
it is well incorporated and by which it is more or less supported.
The eggs measure about # 83 by *58.

PLOCEELLA. 179

723. Ploceus manyar. The Striated Weaver-bird.

Fringilla manyar, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii, p. 160 (1820).
Ploceus manyar {Horsf.), Blyth, Cat. p. 115 ; Horsf. <§• M. Cat. ii,
p. 514 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 348 ; Hume, N. 8e E. p. 440 ; Anders.
Yunnan Exped., Ares, p. 598 ; Legge, Birds Qeyt p. G46 ; Hume,
Cat. no. 695 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 360 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.
p. 260 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 496 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E.
2nd ed. ii, p. 121.
Bamani baya, Hind, in the Deccan ; Telia baya, Beng. ; Bawoyi in
Rungpore.

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult the forehead and
crown are yellow ; throat, cheeks, ear-coverts and sides of neck
black or brownish black ; lower plumage fulvous, each feather
striated with black down the centre, except on the abdomen and
under tail-coverts ; upper plumage dark brown edged with pale
fulvous ; wings and tail brown edged with yellowish ; the throat is
sometimes coloured a pale brown, and the intensity of the fulvous
on the lower parts varies much.

After the partial spring moult the forehead, crown, and nape
become deep yellow ; the supercilium and the spot behind the ear-
coverts disappear, aud the whole of the sides of the head and neck
together with the cheeks, chin, and throat become blackish brown

Female. Resembles the male in winter plumage.

The male in summer has the bill bluish black, paler at gape ;
the female in summer and both sexes in winter have the bill yellow-
ish horn-colour ; the iris is at all times brown, legs flesh-colour, and
claws pinkish horn.

Length nearly 6 ; tail 1-8; wing 2-7; tarsus *8 ; bill from
gape -7-

Distribution. The whole Empire from the foot of the Himalayas
southward to Ceylon on the one hand, and to about the latitude
of Moulmeinin Tenasserim on the other. This species also occurs
in Java.

Habits, $x. Breeds throughout the rains, attaching its nest, which
resembles that of P. baya, but has a shorter funnel, to the extremities
of several leaves of elephant-grass. The eggs measure about *8
by -58.

Genus PL0CEELLA, Oates, 1873.

The genus Ploceella differs from Ploceus in many important par-
ticulars. The bill is much shorter, being no longer than it is nigh ;
the nape is furnished with a few short hairs, and the tail is much
longer aud more rounded. The plumage of the male in summer
is largely yellow. The nest differs much from that of a Ploceus,
being supported at the sides by reeds and not suspended from their
tips ; it has no tubular entrance, and the exterior surface of the
nest is of quite a different appearance, being rough and coarse

n2

180 PLOCEID^.

instead of smooth. The eggs are of all colours and but seldom
pure white.

Ploceella approximates more to the African Weaver-birds than
does Ploceus. Only one species of this genus is known.

724. Ploceella javanensis. The Golden Weaver-bird.

Loxia javanensis, Less. Tr. cTOm. p. 446 (1831).

Ploceus hypoxantlms (Daud.), Blyth, Cat. p. 114 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat.

ii, p. 513 ; Hume, N. S,- E. p. 442 ; id. 8. F. iii, p. 154.
Ploceella javanensis (Less.), Oates, S. F. v, p. 160 ; Hume, Cat.

no. 696 bis ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 362 ; Skarpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 474 ;

Oates in Hume's N. fy E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 124.
Ploceus chryseus, Hume, S. F. vi, p. 399 note (1878).

Coloration. Male. After the autumn moult"" the whole upper
plumage is rufous-brown streaked with dark brown ; wings and
tail brown, margined with rufous-brown ; a supercilium, the sides
of the head and neck, and the whole lower plumage tawny buff,
becoming paler on the abdomen. After the spring moult, the
cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, and throat become deep black ; the re-
mainder of the lower plumage, the sides of the neck, forehead,
crown, nape, rump, and upper tail-coverts rich golden yellow ; back
and scapulars black, each feather edged with bright golden yellow ;
wings and tail black, edged with pale yellowish, the latter also tipped
with the same colour.

Female. Resembles the male in winter plumage.

The male in summer has the bill black with the underside of the
lower mandible dark horn ; inside of the mouth flesh-colour ; iris
brown ; eyelids grey ; legs pinkish flesh-colour ; claws horn-colour.
The female in summer and both sexes in winter have the bill fleshy
brown, dark on the upper and pale on the lower mandible, and the
other parts as in the male in summer.

Length nearly 6 ; tail 2 - 3 ; wing 2 - 7 ; tarsus *8 ; bill from gape
•55 ; the female has the tail about 1*9 and the wing about 2*5.

Distribution. Upper Burma and Pegu between the Irrawaddy
and Sittoung rivers from Mandalay down to the Gulf of Martaban ;
Northern Tenasserim ; Siam, Cochin China, and Java.

Habits, Sfc. Commences to breed in May and June, making a
cylindrical nest of woven grass attached to several stalks of elephant-
grass or sometimes placed in a thorny bush or tree. The eggs,
either two or three in number, vary much in colour, being white,
greenish white, grey, or purplish, either unmarked or marked with
grey, greeuish brown, and neutral tint. They measure about *73
by *54.

MUNIA. 181

Subfamily VIDUINiE.

The Vichdnce or Munias differ from the Weaver-birds in having
a very minute first primary and in having no spring moult.

The Munias associate in large flocks during the winter months,
but they separate and are no longer sociable in the breeding-season,
although several nests may be found near each other. They have
a rapid flight. The sexes of these birds are usually quite alike in
plumage, and when they differ, the differences between the sexes
are not very great.

The Munias construct large round nests of grass with an opening
at the side. The nest is placed in a bush or in a clump of grass,
and some species approach man and build their nests in houses, under
the eaves or in the trellis-work of a verandah. The eggs are
numerous, being frequently six or more, and they are invariably
pure white.

None of the Munias are known to migrate. They feed on the
ground or else cling to the heads of flowering grass or corn, and they
consume large quantities of grain.

Key to the Genera.

a. Middle pair of tail-feathers narrow and

pointed.
a'. Tail rounded and very slightly graduated ;

difference between wing and tail quite

equal to tarsus ; crown black, different

from back Munia, p. 181.

V . Tail wedge-shaped and much graduated ;

difference between wing and tail much

less than tarsus; crown of much the

same colour as back Uroloncha, p. 183.

c . Tail wedge-shaped and much graduated;

tail in male longer thau wing ; colours

green and crimson Erythrura, p. 190.

b. Middle tail-feathers broad and rounded.

a". Difference between outer and middle tail-
feathers less than tarsus; plumage
green Stictospiza, p. 190.

e'. Difference between outer and middle tail-
feathers equal to tarsus ; plumage red. Sporjeginthus, p. 192.

Genus MUNIA, Hodgs. 1836.

The genus Munia contains two Indian species, which are
characterized by a short and rounded tail, having the middle
pair of feathers very narrow and pointed. The tail is shorter
than the wing by a distance quite equal to the length of the
tarsus. The plumage is chiefly black and chestnut, and the sexes are
absolutely alike.

182

PLOCEIDJ5.

Key to the Species

a. Lower breast and sides of body wbite

b. Lower breast and sides of body cbestnut . .

M. malaeca, p. 182.
M. atricajnllciy-p. 183.

Fig. 46.— Tail of M. malaeca.

Fig. 47. — Head of M. malaeca.

725. Munia malaeca. The Black-headed Munia.

Loxia malaeca, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 302 (1766).
Munia malaeca (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 116; Horsf. c/ M. Cat. ii,
p. 507 ; Jerd, B. I. ii, p. 352 ; Hume, N. fy E. p. 443 ; Legge, Birds
Ceyl. p. 652 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 330 ; Oates, in Hume's
N. f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 126.
Amadina malaeca (Linn.), Hume, Cat. no. 697 ; Barnes, Birds Bom.
p. 362.
Nahal-nor, Hind. ; NalJa jinawayi, Tel. ; We-kuridla, Ceyl. ; Tinna
huruvi, Tarn.

Coloration. The whole head, neck, and upper breast, the middle
of the abdomen, vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts deep black ;
remainder of lower plumage white ; back, upper rump, scapulars,
and the whole of the wings chestnut ; lower rump and upper tail-
coverts glistening maroon : tail dull chestnut, edged with glistening
maroon.

The young bird has the whole upper plumage, wings, and tail
rufous-brown : the whole lower plumage pale buff.

Bill pale lavender ; legs and feet leaden blue ; iris dark brown
(Butler).

Length about 5 ; tail 1*6 ; wing 2*2 ; tarsus "6 ; bill from gape
•45.

Distribution. Ceylon and the southern half of India up to about
the latitude of Bhandara and Raipur in the Central Provinces.

* Munia oryzivora (Linn.).

The Java Sparrow has been introduced into parts of India and is now to be
met with in the wild siate in Madras and, according to Blyth, in Tenasserirn.
I do not, however, propose to include it in my list. The following is a descrip-
tion of the bird. The sexes are alike : —

Cheeks and ear-coverts white ; chin, throat, a line bordering the ear-coverts,
the forehead, and the whole top of the head black ; neck, breast, upper abdomen,
back, scapulars, and wings bluish grey ; rump, upper tail -coverts, and tail black ;
fdidomen, sides, thighs, and vent vinous, paler down the middle ; undpr tail-
coverts white.

UROLONCHA. 183

Jerdon states that tins species occasionally extends to Bengal, but
I have not seen any specimen from that province.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to October. The eggs measure
about -64 by '47.

726. Munia atricapilla. The Chestnut-bellied Munia.

Loxia atricapilla, Vieill, Ois. Chant, p. 84, pi. 53 (1805).

Munia rubroniger, Hodgs. As. Res. xix, p. 153 (1836) ; Bhjth, Cat.

p. 116 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat. ii, p. 507 : Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 353 : Legge,

Birds Ceyl. p.* 652.
Munia atricapilla (Vieill.), Hume, N. 8f E. p. 444; Anders. Yunnan

Exped., Aves, p. 598 ; Sharp?, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 334 ; Oates in

Hume's N. $ E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 129.
Atnadina rubronigra (Hodgs.), Hume, Cat. no. 698 : Barnes, Birds

Bom, p. 262 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 272.
Amadina atricapilla ( Vieill.), Oates B. B. i, p. 366.

Coloration. The whole head, neck, and upper breast deep black ;
middle of the abdomen, vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts dull
black ; remainder of the lower plumage, the back, scapulars, upper
rump, and the whole of the wings chestnut ; lower rump and upper
tail-coverts rich maroon, the latter tipped with glistening golden
fulvous ; tail brown, margined with glistening golden fulvous.

Towards the southern part of its range this species has the back
washed with silvery grey.

The young bii'd is plain rufous-brown above and pale buff
below.

Bill leaden blue ; iris dark brown ; legs dark plumbeous.
Length about 4*5 ; tail 1*5 ; wing 2-1 ; tarsus '55 ; bill from
gape "45.

Distribution. The country skirting the base of the Himalayas
from the Dehra Dun to the extreme east of Assam ; Lower
Bengal ; Chutia Nagpur and Sambalpur in the Central Provinces ;
the whole eastern portion of the Empire from Assam down to
Tenasserim. This species has been recorded from Ceylon, but it
is probable that the specimens observed there had escaped from
captivity. M. atricapilla has a wide range, being found iu China,
Siam, and the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.

Habits, Sfc, Breeds from June to September in swampy localities.
The eggs measure about *63 by # 43.

Genus UROLONCHA, Cabanis, 1851.

The genus Uroloncha contains numerous species of Munias in
which the tail is much longer than in typical Munia, the difference
between the tail and the wing being much less than the length of
the tarsus ; the graduation of the tail-feathers is also much
greater.

In this genus the sexes are absolutely alike, and the colour of
the crown of the head is very closely, or quite, the same as that of
the back.

184

PLOCEIDjE.

Key to the Species.

a. Rump white.

a'. Abdomen white mottled with brown .... U. acuticauda, p. 184.
b' . Abdomen plain, unmottled white.

a". Feathers of upper plumage with white
shafts.
a'". Fore neck and breast deep black . . U. striata, p. 185.
V". Fore neck and breast brown with

rufous margins U. semistriata, p. 180.

b". Feathers of upper plumage without

white shafts U. fumigata, p. 186.

b. No white on rump.

c'. Shafts of feathers of upper plumage pale ;
upper tail-coverts black or tipped with
glistening fulvous.
c". Abdomen white, sides of bod)' black. . U) leucoyastra, p. 186.
d". Abdomen and sides of the body plain

pinkish brown U. pectoralis, p. 187.

e". Abdomen and sides of the body cross-
barred with brown.

c" . Chin and throat black U. kelaarti, p. 187.

d'" . Chin and throat chestnut U. punetulata, p. 189.

d'. Shafts of feathers of upper plumage of
same colour as feathers ; upper tail-
coverts white U. malabarica, p. 188.

Fig. 48. — Tail of U. acuticauda.

727. Uroloncha acuticauda. Hodgson's Munia.

Munia acuticauda, Hodi/s. As. Res. xix, p. 153 (1836) ; Horsf. §■ 31.

Cat. ii, p. 510 ; Jercl. B. I. ii, p. 356 ; Hume, N. § E. p. 450.
Munia molucca {Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 117.
Amadina acuticauda (JSodgs.), Hume, Cat. no. 702; Oates, B. B. \,

p. 364; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 273.
Uroloncha acuticauda (Hodys.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 356;

Oates in Hume's N. Sf E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 131.

The Himalayan Munia, Jerd. ; Samprek-pho, Lepch. ; Namprek, Bhut.

Coloration. The whole upper plumage chocolate-brown, with a
band of white across the rump, the upper tail-coverts washed with
rufous, all the shafts of the feathers of the upper plumage white ;
tail black ; wing-coverts brown with white shafts ; wings blackish

UROLONCHA.

185

brown • feathers round the bill, the chin, and upper throat black ;
ear-coverts and sides of neck rufous, with paler margins and white
shafts • lower throat, fore neck, and breast chocolate-brown, with
pale rufous or whitish margins and white shafts ; abdomen and
sides of the body white mottled with brown ; vent, thighs, and
under tail-coverts chocolate-brown with white shaft-streaks.

Young birds have the upper plumage somewhat similar to that
of the adult, and the lower plumage almost uniform dull greyish
white mottled with brown. , .

Upper mandible blackish, the lower plumbeous : ins dark brown :
legs plumbeous ; claws horny.

Length about 4-5; tail 1-76; wing 2; tarsus -55; bill from

This bird varies slightly in plumage throughout its great range

Distribution. The lower ranges of the Himalayas from (xarnwal

to Assam, up to 5000 feet; the whole eastern portion of the

Empire from Assam to Tenasserim : sparingly distributed. _ this

species extends to Southern China, Siam, the Malay peninsula,

and Sumatra. ,

Habits, 6fc. Breeds from about June to November or Deceinbei.
The eggs measure about -61 by -42.

728. Uroloncha striata. The White-backed Munia.

Loxia striata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 306 (1766). ..„„...
Munia striata (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 117 ; Horsf.Jf M. Cat u,
p 511 ; Jerd.B. I. ii, p. 356 ; Hume, N. 8f E p. 448 ; Legge, Birds

Amalna striata (Linn.), Hume, Cat. no. 701 ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 365 ;

Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 263. ...

Uroloncha striata (Linn.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xm, p. 3o9; Oates

in Hume's N. 8? E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 133.
ShaJcari munia, Beng. ; We-Jctmdla, Ceyl. ; Tinna huruvi, Tarn.

Coloration. Forehead and crown blackish, with the shafts in-
distinctly white ; upper plumage chocolate-brown, becoming blacker
on the upper tail-coverts, all the feathers with a white shaft ; a
broad white band across the rump ; tail black ; wmg-coverts black
with whitish shafts ; quills black ; lores, round the eye, cheeks,
chin, throat, and breast deep black,; ear-coverts and sides of the
neck chocolate-brown with pale shaft-streaks ; abdomen and sides
of the body white ; vent, thighs, and under tad-coverts dark brown
or blackish ; under wing-coverts and axillanes white.

Toung birds resemble the adult, but have the chm, throat, and
breast brown with paler margins and shafts. _

Upper mandible blackish, the lower bluish ; ins reddish brown ;
legs greenish horny.

Length about 4-5 ; tail 1-8 ; wing 2 ; tarsus -5 ; bill from gape 4.

This bird is subject to slight variations in plumage according to
age and locality. ..

Distribution. Ceylon and the southern half of India up to a line

186 PLOCEID^.

drawn roughly from Bombay to Sambalpur and Manbhoom in
S.W. Bengal. Blyth recorded this species from Arakan, but pro-
bably by an oversight.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds from April to December and probably in
the remaining months of the year. The eggs measure about -61
by -44.

729. Uroloncha semistriata. TJie Nicobar White-backed Mwnia.

JVIunia semistriata, Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 257 (1874).
Amadina semistriata (Hume), Hume, Cat. no. 701 quat.
Uroloncha semistriata {Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 361.

Coloration. Resembles U. striata but is smaller ; the striatums or
white sbafts on the upper plumage less distinct ; v and the feathers
of the fore neck and breast dark brown, not deep black, with
conspicuous rufous-brown margins.

Length about 4-2 ; tail 1*6 5 wing 1*8 ; tarsus '5 ; bill from
gape "4.

Distribution. The Nicobar Islands.

730. Uroloncha fumigata. The Andaman White-backed Munia.

Munia fumigata, Walden, A. M. N. H. (4) xii, p. 488 (1873) ; id.

Ibis, 1874, pp. 144, 145.
Munia nonstriata, Hinne, S. F. ii, p. 257 (1874).
Munia striata (Linn.), Hvme, 8. F. ii, p. 497.
Amadina fumigata (WaUh), Hume, Cat. no. 701 ter.
Uroloncha fumigata (Wald.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 361 ; Oaten

in Hume's N. § E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 135.

Coloration. Resembles U. striata. Differs in entirely wanting
any white shafts on the upper plumage, in having the upper tail-
feathers broadly margined with rufous-brown, and in the feathers
of the sides of the breast being also margined with rufous, these
margins sometimes extending across the lower breast.

Iris reddish brown ; upper mandible black, the lower leaden blue ;
legs and feet plumbeous green or greenish horny (Hume).

Length about 4*5 ; tail 1*8 ; wing 2 ; tarsus - 5 ; bill from gape '4.

Distribution. The Andaman Islands.

Habits, §c. Davison remarks that when he arrived at the Anda-
mans in December, the young birds of this species had left the
nest. This bird probably breeds, therefore, in the latter part of
the rains.

731. Uroloncha leucogastra. The White-bellied Munia.

Amadina leucogastra, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv, p. 286 (1846) ; Hume,

Cat. no. 701 bis ; Oates, B. B. i, p. 307.
Munia melanictera (Gm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 117.
Munia leucogastra (Blyth), Davison, 8. F. v, p. 460 ; Hume Sf Dar.

S. F. vi, p. 402.
Uroloncha leucogastra (Bl), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 362 ; Oates

in Hume's N. | E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 135.

UEOLONCHA. 187

Coloration. Upper plumage, scapulars, and wing-coverts chocolate-
brown, the shaft of each feather white ; upper tail-coverts black ;
tail blackish, with broad shiny fulvous margins ; wings blackish ;
lores, cheeks, chin, throat, breast, sides of the body, thighs, and
under tail-coverts black ; abdomen and under wing-coverts white,
the white of the abdomen forming an angle in the breast.

Legs and feet dusky plumbeous or dull smalt-blue ; lower man-
dible dull smalt- or pale blue ; upper mandible brownish black or
black ; iris dark brown (Hume df Dav.).

Length about 4-5 ; tail 1 -8 ; wing 1*9 ; tarsus '55 ; bill from
gape '45.

Distribution. The extreme south of Tenasserim, ranging down
the Malay peninsula and to Borneo.

Habits, &;c. Davison took a nest of this species in Tenasserim in
April. The eggs appear to measure about '65 by •44.

732. Uroloncha pectoralis. The Rufous-bellied Munich

Mimia pectoralis, Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 355 (1863) ; Hume, N. § E.

p. 448 ; id. S. F. iii, p. 263, iv, p. 403.
Arnadina pectoralis (Jerd.), Hume, Cat. no. 700.
Uroloncha pectoralis {Jerd.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 365 ; Oates

in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 136.

Coloration. Upper plumage chocolate-brown with pale shafts,
the head a darker brown ; the rump blackish, with broad triangular
streaks of pale buff ; upper tail-coverts glistening fulvous ; tail
black ; wings dull black ; lores, cheeks, chin, throat, and fore neck
black ; ear-coverts buff with pale shafts ; sides of the fore neck,
sides of breast, breast, sides of the body, and the whole abdomen
pinkish brown ; vent and under tail-coverts blackish, with pinkish-
brown streaks.

The young are plain chocolatedjrown above with fulvous upper
tail-coverts, and have the lower plumage buff with pale shaft-streaks.

Bill, legs, and feet slaty ; iris brown (Miss Cockbum).

Length nearly 5 ; tail 1*8 ; wing 2'2 ; tarsus '5 ; bill from
gape '45.

Distribution. The hills on the western coast of India from the
Wynaad to Travancore.

Habits, Sfc. Appears to breed chiefly in June and July. The
eggs measure about "62 by '44.

733. Uroloncha kelaarti. The Ceylon Munia.

Munia kelaarti, Bhjth, Jerd. B. 1. ii, p. 356 (1863) ; Blyth, Ibis, 1867,
p. 299 ; Hume, S. F. vii, p. 410 ; Leyye, Birds Cei/1, p. 650, pi. xxvii,
tig. 2.

Arnadina kelaarti (Blyth), Hume, Cat. no. 700 bis.

Uroloncha kelaarti (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 366.
We-kurulla, Ceyl. ; Tinna kuruvi, Tam.

Coloration. Upper plumage chocolate-brown with pale shafts,

188

PLOCEID.E.

the head darker ; rump black, with white cruciform marks ; upper
tail -coverts glistening fulvous ; tail black ; wings dark brown or
blackish ; cheeks, lores, chin, throat, and fore neck black ; sides of
the neck and of the breast pinkish brown with pale shafts ; breast
and whole lower plumage pinkish white, irregularly but closely
cross-barred with black.

The young are plain chocolate-brown above, without pale shafts
or white marks on the rump, and pale buff below with white shafts
and irregular cross-bands of brown.

Iris sepia-brown ; bill blackish leaden, bluish at the base of the
lower mandible ; legs and feet plumbeous, in some with a greenish
tinge (Legge).

Length about 4-5 ; tail 1-8 ; wing 2-1 ; tarsus -5 ; bill from
gape -45. „

Distribution. Confined to the island of Ceylon.

734. Uroloncha malabarica. Tlie White-throated Munia.

Loxia malabarica, Linn. Syst. Nat. \, p. 305 (1766).

Munia malabarica (Linn.), Blyth, Cat. p. 117; Horsf. # M. Cat. ii,

p. 508 ; Jercl B. I. ii, p. >357 • Hume, N. $ E. p. 451 ; Legge,

Birds Ceyl. p. 662.
Munia similaris, Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 56 (1868).
Amadina malabarica (Linn.), Hume, Cat. no. 703; Barnes, Birds

Bom. p. 263.
Aidemosyne malabarica (Linn.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 369.
Uroloncha malabarica (Linn.), Oates in Hume's N. & E. 2nd ed. ii,

p. 136. y

The Plain Brown Munia, Jerd.; Charchara in the N.W. Prov. ; Piddari,
Southern and Central India ; Sar-munia, Beng. ; Jinuwayi, Tel.

Coloration. Upper plumage, wing-coverts, secondaries, and ter-
tiaries earthy brown ; primaries and wiuglet black ; upper tail-
coverts white, the outer webs of the exterior feathers partially black ;
tail dark brown, margined with rusty ; sides of the head and lower
plumage pale buffy white, the sides of the body faintly cross-barred
with rusty.

The young closely resemble the adult.

Upper mandible plumbeous horn-colour ; lower mandible lav-
ender ; legs and feet pale purplish pink ; iris dark brown (Butler).

Length about 4-5; tail 1-9; wing 2-1; tarsus -55; bill from
gape -4.

Distribution. The whole continent of India from the Himalayas,
which this species ascends up to 5000 feet, to Cape Comorin and
Ceylon. The most easterly locality at which this bird appears
to have been observed is Kooshtea on the Ganges, Beugal,
where Godwin-Austen obtained it (J. A. 8. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 3 71).
To the west it ranges into Afghanistan.

Habits, Sfe. Breeds throughout the greater part of the year.
The eggs measure *6 by "47.

TJROLONCHA. 189

735. Uroloncha punctulata. The Spotted Munia.

Loxia punctulata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 302 (1766).

Loxia undulata, P. L. 8. Mull. Syst. Nat Anhang, p. 151(1776).

Munia undulata (Lath.), Blytli, Cat. p. 117; Horsf. $ M. Cat. u,

t) 500 : Jej-fZ. 5. 2. ii, p. 354. .

Munia punctulata (2*4 Bum* 2V. $ E p. 444 ; Legge, Birds Ceyl.

p. 656 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 346
Munia subimdulata, Godw.-Aust, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 48 ; Hume, S. F.

Munia ^striata, Hume, 8. F. ii, p. 481 (1874) ; Hume $ 2to.

& P. vi, p. 402.
Munia inglisi, Hume, S. F. v, p. 39 (1877).
Amadina punctulata (£*m.), Bwme, Cat. no. 699 ; Oates,B.B.i,

p. 308 ; Faroes, 5tr«fo Bom. p. 202.
Amadina subundulata {Godw.-Aust), Hume, Cat. no. 099 bis , K*.

6'. 2-. xi, p. 272.
Amadina superstriata [Hume), Hume, Cat. no. bJJ ter.
Amadina inglisi {Hume), Hume, Cat. no. 699 quat
Uroloncha punctulata {Linn.), Oates m Humes N. S> E. 2nd eu. n,
p. 141.
Telia munia, Hind, in the North; Sing-baz, Shinbaz, Hind .in the
Deccan and at Mussooree ; Shut* munia, Beng. ; Kakkara jmuwayi, Lei. ,
We-kurulla, Ceyl. ; 27n«a fcuraw, Tarn.

Coloration. Upper plumage dull chocolate-colour with the shafts
pale ; lower rump barred irregularly with brown and yellowish and
streaked with white ; upper tail-coverts glistening yellowish lulvous ;
tail fulvous-yellow ; wings chocolate, the coverts with pale shafts ;
sides of the head, chin, and throat rich chestnut; lower plumage
white, each feather, with the exception of those on the abdomen,
submarginally banded with fulvous-brown; under tail-coverts
fulvous white mottled with black.

The above description applies to birds from the Continent ot
India, which, however, vary considerably among themselves m the
shade of colouring of the rump and the amount and distinctness ot
the bars on this part. Birds from Assam, southwards to Burma,
are less distinctly barred on the rump, the general colour ot which
and of the upper tail-coverts and tail is more olivaceous Many
species have been established on these slight differences, but 1 am
unable to recognize them even as races, the differences being by no
means constant over the same small areas.

Bill bluish black, paler and somewhat plumbeous on the lower

mandible : iris deep reddish brown ; legs plumbeous ; claws horny.

Length nearly 5; tail 1-7; wing 2-1; tarsus -b ; bill from

^Young birds are rufous-brown above and pale buff below without
marks of any kind. . , ,

Distribution. The whole continent of India, except bind, the
Puniab, and portions of Rajputana and the N.f. Provinces ,
ascending the Himalayas up to about 50 00 feet ; Ceylon; he
eastern part of the Empire from Assam to about the latitude ot

190 ploceid.*:.

Tavoy. To the east, in China, this species is replaced by an allied
race M. topela.

Habits, Sfc. Breeds almost throughout the year. The eggs
measure about '05 by '46.

Genus ERYTHRURA, Swains., 1837.

The genus Erythrura contains one species of Munia, the pre-
vailing colours of which are green and crimson. The sexes are
slightly different. In the male the tail is longer than the wing ;
in the female it is considerably shorter. The middle pair of tail-
feathers is very narrow and pointed.

736. Erythrura prasina. The Long-tailed Munia.

Loxia prasina, Sparrm. Mas. Carls, pis. 72, 73 (1788).

Erythrina prasina (Sparrm.), Blyth, Cat. p. 118.

Erythrura prasina (Sparrm.), Horsf. <§• M. Cat. \i, p. 503 ; Hume $

Dav. S. F. vi, p. 405 ; Hume, Cat. no. 703 ter ; Oates, B. B. i,

p. 370; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 381.

Coloration. Male. Lores and a narrow line to the nostril black;
forehead, cheeks, round the eye, chin, and throat blue ; upper
plumage, wing-coverts, and tertiaries bright green ; lower rump
and upper tail-coverts crimson ; middle pair of tail-feathers dull
red, the others brown tipped with greenish ; primaries and secon-
daries black, margined with green ; ear-coverts and sides of the
neck green : lower plumage buff, except the middle of the abdomen,
which is crimson.

Female. Resembles the male in general appearance, but has the
blue of the forehead, cheeks, and round the eye replaced by green
with a slight blue tinge, and the blue of the chin and throat replaced
by greenish buff ; the crimson on the abdomen is absent, that part
being buff like the remainder of the lower plumage.

The young resemble the female in general appearance, but have
the upper tail-coverts and middle pair of tail-feathers yellowish,
not crimson.

Legs, feet, and claws fleshy pink ; bill black ; iris dark brown
(Hume Sf Dav.).

Length of male about 6 ; tail 2- 8; wing 2*3; tarsus *6 ; bill from
gape "55. Length of female nearly 5 ; tail 1*6 ; other parts as in
the male.

Distribution. The extreme south of Tenasserim, extending down
the Malay peninsula and to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.

Genus STICT0SPIZA, Sharpe, 1890.

The genus Stictospiza contains a single species of Munia of a
green colour. The female differs from the male chiefly in being
paler. In this genus the middle tad-feathers are broad and
rounded, and not narrow aud pointed as in the preceding genera.

STICTOSPIZA..

191

737. Stictospiza formosa. The Green Mania.

Fringilla formosa, Lath, hid. Orn. i, p. 441 (1790).

Estrelda formosa (Lath.), Blyth, Cat. p. 119 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 361 ;

Hume, N. $ E. p. 456 ; Butler, S. F. iii, p. 496 ; Hume, Cat. no.

705 ; Reid, S. F. x, p. 56 ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 265.
Stictospiza formosa (Lath.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 287 ; Oates

in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 145.
The Green Wax-bill, Jerd. ; Havre lal, Harre munia, Hind.

Fig. 49. — Tail of 8. formosa.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage light green, tinged
with yellow on the upper tail-coverts ; wings and their coverts
brown, each feather broadly edged with light green, the closed
wing appearing entirely of this latter colour ; tail black ; sides of
the head and neck yellowish green ; lower plumage yellow, pale on
the chin, throat and fore neck, brighter on the breast, and becoming
deep on the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts ; flanks and
sides of the body transversely barred with dark greenish brown
and white, the white bars sometimes tinged with yellow : under
wing-coverts pale yellowish.

Female. Not very dissimilar to the male, but having the green
of the upper plumage and wings duller ; the chin, throat, and breast
grey barely tinged with yellow, and the yellow of the remaining
lower parts much paler.

The young bird has the upper plumage olive-brown ; the lower
plumage ochraceous, turning to pale yellow on the abdomen ; flanks
and sides of the body pale buff, uniform and unbarred ; bill black.

Bill waxy red ; feet plumbeous brown ; iris pale brown (Jerclon).

Length about 4; tail 1*5 ; wing 1*95 ; tarsus '5; bill from gape
•45.

Distribution, The Central portion of the Indian continent, the
extreme points to which this species extends being apparently
Mount Abu on the west, Palamow and Lohardugga on the east,
Jhansi on the north, and Chanda and Ahiri on the south.

Habits, Sfe. Breeds apparently twice a year, once in the rains
and once in the cold season, laying five eggs, which measure about
•66 by -47.

192 PLOCEID.E.

Genus SPOILKGINTHUS, Cabanis, 1850.

The genus Sporceginthus coutaius two Indian species of Munia,
in which the males are red and the females brown, and both sexes
are much spotted with white on various parts of the plumage.
This genus differs from the last not only in the general coloration
of the plumage but also in the shape of the tail, which in Sporcs-
ginihus is much more rounded.

Key to the Species *.

a. Abdomen black S. amandava $ , p. 192.

b. Abdomen yellowish red S.Jiavidiventris S i P- 193.

738. Sporaeginthus amandava. The Indian Red Munia.

Fringilla amandava, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 319 (1766).
Fringilla punicea, Horsf. Tr. Linn. Soc. xiii, p. 160 (1820).
Estrelda amandava (Linn.) Blyth, Cat. p. 118 ; Horsf. fy M. Cat. ii

p. 502 ; Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 359 ; Hume, N. fy E. p. 454 ; Leyge

Birds Ceyl. p. 662 ; Hume, Cat. no. 704 ; Barnes, Birds Bom

p. 264.
Sporeeginthus amandava (Linn.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 320

Oates in Hume's N. § E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 147.
The Bed Wax-bill, Jerd. ; Lai munia, Hind. ; Torra jinuwayi, Tel.

Coloration. Male. The fully adult has the whole head, upper
plumage, neck, breast, and sides of the body crimson, with the
ashy or brown bases of the feathers showing through more or less ;
rump and upper tail-coverts, sides of the neck, breast, and body
spotted with white ; abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts black,
the feathers of the abdomen with crimson fringes ; wings and
coverts brown, each covert-feather and the tertiaries with a term-
inal white spot ; primary-coverts and winglet plain brown ; tail
blackish, the outer feathers tipped white.

Female. Upper plumage and scapulars brown ; upper tail-coverts
dull crimson with minute white tips ; tail dark brown, the lateral
feathers tipped white ; wings brown, the median and greater
coverts with the tertiaries tipped white ; lores black ; chin and
throat whitish ; sides of the head and neck and the breast ashy
brown ; remainder of lower plumage dull saffron, the sides of the
body more or less tinged with ashy.

The young have the whole upper plumage brown, the wing-
coverts and tertiaries broadly edged with fulvous ; the whole lower
plumage uniform ochraceous brown ; bill dark brown.

Iris orange-red ; bill red, dusky at base of culmen : legs and
feet brownish flesh (Butler).

Length about 4-5 ; tail 1*6 ; wing 1*9 ; tarsus -55 ; bill from
gape -4.

* The females of the two species are not separable by any characters known
to me.

SPOK^GINTHUS. 193

Sharpe is of opinion that the male bird of this species undergoes
a seasonal change of plumage. I cannot follow him in this, as all
the evidence 1 can find in the large series of this bird in the British
Museum leads me to the same conclusion I arrived at some years
ago with respect to the allied Burmese race, viz., that the male
is a very considerable period in acquiring his perfectly mature
dress, but that having once acquired it he never changes.

The nestling male at the first autumn appears to don the female
plumage, and from this point slowly advances step by step towards
his complete adult plumage, which is probably not fully attained
till the second autumn or a short time previously.

Distribution. The whole of India proper from Sind to Assam and
from the foot of the Himalayas to Cape Comorin ; Ceylon ; the
hill-ranges of Assam, Cachar, Sylhet, and Tipperah. This species
is again found in Siam, Cochin China, Singapore, and Java.

Habits, Sfc. Appears to breed twice a year, once in the cold
season and once in the rains, constructing its nest near the ground.
The eggs measure about -55 by *43.

739. Sporseginthus flavidiventris. The Burmese lied Munia.

Estrelda flavidiventris, Wallace, P. Z. S. 1863, pp. 486, 495 ; Ward-
law Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 461 ; Anders. Yunnan Fxped., Ave*,
p. 600 ; Hume, Cat. no. 704 bis.

Estrelda amandava {Linn.), Oates, S. F. iii, p. 342.

Estrilda burmanica, Hume, S. F. iv, p. 484 ; Oates, S. F. v, p. 163.

Estrilda punicea (Horsf.), Oates, B. B. i, p. 371.

Sporseginthus flavidiventris (Wall,), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xm,p. >j23 ;
Oates in Hume's N. # F. 2nd ed. ii, p. 149.

Coloration. Very similar to 8. amandava, the male differing from
the male of that species in having the abdomen yellowish red. The
females of the two species are apparently undistinguishable. The
young are also alike, and the males undergo the same changes in
adopting the adult plumage.

Bill deep red, the posterior half of culmen black ; iris crimson ;
eyelids purpurescent ; inside of mouth salmon-colour ; legs flesh-
colour ; claws horny.

Length 4 ; tail 1-5 ; wing 1-8 ; tarsus -55 ; bill from gape -35,

Upon re-examining Horsfield's type of Fringilla punicea from
Java, it now appears to me to be a specimen of S. amandava
rather than of 8. flavidiventris. Such is also Sharpe's opinion.
A considerable number of specimens from Singapore are undoubt-
edly S. amandava. The distribution of the two species is thus
very difficult to understand.

Distribution, Burma, from the neighbourhood of Bhaino down to
the southern coast of Pegu and to Karennee and Central Tenas-
serim This species occurs in the islands of Flores and Timor.

Habits, SfC. Breeds in Pegu in October and November, con-
structing its nest in clumps of low grass. The eggs, four to six
in number, measure about -56 by -44.

TOL. II. °

194 FEINGIILU)^.

Family FR1NGILLID.E.

The intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the
bronchial semi-rings ; the edges of the mandibles smooth ; the
hinder part of the tarsus longitudinally bilaminated, the laminae
entire and smooth ; wing with nine primaries, the first and second
about equal in length ; secondary quills reaching about three-
quarters the length of the wing ; bill more or less conical ; tail of
twelve feathers ; tarsus scutellated ; nostrils pierced close to the
line of the forehead and very near the culmen ; rictal bristles
few and short; plumage of nestling various; sexes generally
dissimilar.

The Fringillidce or Finches comprise a very large number of
birds which have a considerable general resemblance to each other,
and are characterized by points of structure which render their
separation from other groups comparatively easy.

Although Finches have, as a rule, but one moult a year, yet their
summer and winter plumages differ considerably in many of the
species. In spriug aud summer the margins of the feathers are
lost by abrasion or by being cast off, and then the colour of
the parts affected becomes more uniform and frequently more
brilliaut.

The Finches are normally granivorous or frugivorous, but they
also eat insects and the young are fed entirely on these. They are
for the most part gregarious and arboreal, but they descend to the
ground freely to pick up food. Many of them are good songsters,
and they are all hardy and bear captivity well.

Sharpe, in the twelfth volume of the British Museum Catalogue
of Birds, has treated this family in a very complete and satisfactory
manner. This was the first Catalogue written by him with the
combined Hume and Tweeddale Collections at his disposal. I
follow him in the arrangement of this group, and I have found no
reason to differ from him except in some minor matters, such as
the extent of a few of the genera.

The Fringillidce may be divided into three very natural sub-
families by the character of the shape of the skull and bill.

FRINOJLLIDJ;.

Upper mandible produced backwards
beyond the front liue of the bony-
orbit ; inferior outline of lower
mandible straight or nearly so ... .

195

Coccothraustince, p. 196.

Fig. 50.— Skull of Coccothraustes vulgaris

Upper mandible not produced backwards
beyond front line of orbit ; inferior
outline of lower mandible with a
slight re-entering angle ; cutting-
edges of upper and lower mandibles
everywhere in contact FruxjUlu

p. 202.

Fig. 51.— Skull of Fringilla ccelebs.

Upper mandible not produced backwards
beyond front line of orbit ; inferior
line of lower mandible greatly an-
gulate; cutting-edges of mandibles

Fig. 52. — Skull of EmbcrLa citrinctla.

not everywhere in contact, but
leaving a gap of greater or less
extent Emberizinai, p. 249.

o'J

196 FRISGILLIDJE.

Subfamily COCCOTHR AUSTINS.

The subfamily Coccothraustince contains those Finches which are
characterized by a very large bill. They are birds of considerable
size and rather bright coloration, and in all the Indian species the
sexes differ from each other. They have only one moult a year.

The Indian Grosbeaks are chiefly inhabitants of the higher parts
of the Himalayas ; they live in forests, feed on stony fruits, and
are mostly gregarious. They make, so far as is known, cup-shaped
nests in trees and lay spotted eggs.

Key to the Genera.

a. Tips of later primaries and earlier secon-

daries square or sinuated ; margin of
upper mandible not toothed near
gape Coccothraustes, p. 196.

b. Tips of later primaries and earlier secon-

daries rounded or pointed ; margin of
upper mandible sinuated or toothed
near gape.
a . Difference between wing and tail

hardly equal to tarsus Pycnorhamphus, p. 198.

b' . Difference between wing and tail

about equal to twice tarsus Mycerobas, p. 200.

Genus COCCOTHRAUSTES, Brisson, 1760.

The genus Coccothraustes contains the Hawfinches, of which two
species are known, one inhabiting a considerable portion of Europe
and Asia, and the other the north-west portion of the Punjab and
probably Afghanistan.

In Coccothraustes the bill is conical, with the culmen nearly
straight and the cutting-edge of the upper mandible curved, but
not toothed near the gape ; the nostrils partially concealed by
hairs ; tail short and almost square ; wing sharp, the primaries,
commencing from the fifth, with sinuated or square tips ; tarsus
short.

The nestling in this genus is highly spotted and also suffused
with yellow.

740. Coccothraustes humii. Hume's Hawfinch.

Coccothraustes vulgaris (Pall.), Hume, Ibis, 1869, p. 456; id. S. F.

vii, p. 462 ; id. Cat. no. 728 bis ; Barnes, S. F. ix, p. 456.
Coccothraustes humii, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1886, p. 97 ; id. Cat. B. M.

xii, p. 40, pi. 1.

Coloration. Male. Feathers immediately next the bill, the lores,
chin, and throat black; a narrow baud next these black parts dull

COCCOTHRAUSTES. 197

white; forehead, crown, nape, back, scapulars, and tertiaries tawny
brown ; a broad ashy collar on tbe hind neck and sides of neck ;
rump, upper tail-coverts, sides of tbe bead, and the whole lower
plumage a paler but clearer tawny brown ; middle of abdomen and
the under tail-coverts white ; tail black, the feathers with broad
white tips, the middle pair frequently ashy for some distance in front
of the white tip ; lesser wing-coverts brown, tipped ashy ; median

Fig. 53. — Head of C, hwmii.

coverts and tbe greater part of tbe outer webs of the greater coverts
white ; remainder of wiug black, tbe primaries tipped with metallic
blue, and each with a large white patch on the inner web ; the later
primaries and secondaries edged with metallic lilac or purple.

Female. Black parts of the head as in the male ; remainder of
head and neck ashy brown ; other parts of plumage as in male, but
the tawny brown everywhere very pale and dull, the wings chiefly
brown with some asby on the outer webs.

Both sexes in winter have the black feathers of the chin and
throat narrowly tipped with white. These margins soon wear
away.

The young of this species are unknown, but in tbe European
ally the nestling is brown above with black tips to tbe feathers ;
the bead is suffused with yellow ; the lower plumage is white, each
feather with a black terminal bar ; tbe wings and tail resemble
those of the adult.

Bill in winter whitish ; in summer blue ; legs flesh-colour.

Length about 7 ; tail 2*5 ; wing 4 ; tarsus - 85 ; bill from gape
•85.

This species differs from C. vulgaris of Europe in having a
lighter and less richly coloured head, a paler back, and the lower
plumage tawny brown, not vinaceous.

Distribution. Tbe only specimens of this species that 1 have seen
were collected at Attock in the Punjab in February and March.
There can be little doubt that the Hawfinch procured by Barnes at
Chaman in Afghanistan belonged to this species. Of it be remarks
that it is a common bird and resident.

19S FItlNGILLIDiE.

Genus PYCNORHAMPHUS, Hume, 1874.

In Pycnorhamphus the bill is very similar in shape to that of
Coccothraustes, but the cutting-edge of the upper mandible is
toothed near the gape ; the tail is square and comparatively long,
the difference in length between it and the wing being about equal
to the tarsus ; the primaries have the ordinary rounded tips.

The Grosbeaks of this genus are of rather large size and well-
marked colours. They inhabit the Himalayas and but little is
known of their habits.

The nestling bird appears to resemble the adult female closely
in this genus, but it is doubtful whether the young male _ 7noults
into adult plumage at the first autumn moult. Materials for
settling this question are at present insufficient.

Key to the Species.

a. No white spot on wing.
a.' Head black.

a". Thighs black P. icteroides tf , p. 193

b". Thighs yellow P. affinis J , p. 1 99.

V '. Head ashy.

c". Breast ashy grey ; abdomen fawn-
buff P. icteroides $ , p. 198.

d". Breast and abdomen olive-yellow . . P. affinis 5 , p. 199.

h. A white spot on wing P. carneipes, p. 200.

741. Pycnorhamphus icteroides. The Black and Yellow
Grosbeak.

Coccothraustes icterioides, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 8 ; Gould, Cent.

pi. 45 ; Blyth, Cat. p. 125.
Hesperiphona icterioides (Vic/), Horsf. $ M. Cat. ii, p. 462;

Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 384 ; Sto/iczka, J. A. S. B. xxxvii, pt. ii, p. 59 ;

Hume 8f Menders. Lah. to Yark. p. 257 ; Cock fy Marsh. 8. F. i,

p. 358 ; Brooks, J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 84 ; Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis,

1880, p. GO ; C. II. T. Marshall, Ibis, 1884, p. 420.
Pycnorhamphus icteroides (Vig.), Hume, N. fy E. p. 469; id. Cat.

'no. 725 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xii, p. 44 ; Oates in Hume's N. fy E.

2nd ed. ii, p. 150.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, chin and throat, wings,
scapulars, sides of the back, upper tail-coverts, under wing-coverts,
axillaries, and thighs dull black ; remainder of plumage deep
yellow, tinged with orange on the hind neck.

Female. Head, neck, chin, throat, breast, axillaries and under
wing-coverts, back, scapulars, lesser and median wing-coverts, and
the greater part of the outer webs of the greater coverts and
secondaries ashy grey, the head darker than the other parts ; rump
fulvous ; upper tail-coverts grey ; winglet, primary-coverts, and
primaries biack ; abdomen, sides of the body, and under tail-coverts
fawn-buff.

PYCNORIIAMPHUS. 199

A young male shot in August is moulting from the female to the
adult male plumage.

Legs and feet fleshy pink ; bill horny greenish ; iris reddish
brown {Hume). The bill becomes yellow in winter. A young bird
had the bill waxy green ; iris hazel ; legs and feet pale fleshy
(Bingkam, August).

Length about 9 ; tail 3*7 ; wing 5*2 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Murree and Central Kashmir
eastwards to Garhwai, where this species is found in the hills
north of Mussooree. Jerdon's statement that this bird extends
into Nepal requires confirmation. This Grosbeak occurs from
5000 to 9000 feet, and according to Stoliczka not beyond the limit
of the large forests.

Habits, $c. Breeds in May and June, constructing a nest of
twigs and grass, lined with fern-roots, in a branch of a tree, and
laying two or three eggs, which are white marked with broad longi-
tudinal dashes of rufous-brown at the larger end, and measure from
•9 to 1-07 in length by -77 to '81 in breadth.

742. Pycnorhamphus affinis. The Allied Grosbeak.

Hesperiphona affinis, Bh/th, J. A. S. B. xxiv, p. 179 (1855) ; Jerd,

B. I. ii, p. 385 ; Bh/th, Ibis, 18G7, p. 43.
Pycnorhamphus affinis (Bh/th), Hume, Cat. no. 726 ; Sharpe, Cat.

B. M. xii, p. 46.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, chin and throat, the upper
part of the fore neck, wings, scapulars, the sides of the back, and
the tail deep black ; the feathers of the middle line of the back
black on the outer web, yellow on the inner ; neck all round, rump,
and entire lower plumage from the throat downwards rich yellow,
tinged with orange on the rump and hind neck ; upper tail-coverts
black ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black.

Female. The whole head, chin, and throat ashy ; hind neck, sides
of neck, rump, and lower plumage olive-yellow ; back, scapulars,
upper tail-coverts, the lesser and. median wing-coverts, and the
greater portion of the outer webs of the greater coverts and second-
aries ashy green ; remainder of wing and the tail deep black.

Males not quite adult have the head, chin, and throat dark brown
with pale fringes, and the lower plumage saffron -yellow.

Bill bluish in winter, yellow in summer ; feet fleshy yellow
(Jerdon). The few dated specimens in the British Museum,
however, show that the bill is blue in summer and yellow in winter,
in the dried. state at least.

Length about 9 ; tail 3'8 ; wing 5 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from
gape "95.

Distribution. Nepal and Sikhim, extending into Tibet and
Western China. In the British Museum there is a specimen of
this bird which is marked as having been procured at Dharmsala.
This Grosbeak appears to be found only at high elevations.

200 FRTNGTLLTD.E.

743. Pycnorhamphus carneipes. The White-winged Grosbeak.

Coccothraustes carnipes, Hodgs. As. Res. xix, p. 151 (1836);

Blyth, Cat. p. 125.
Mycerobaa carnipes (Hodgs.), Horsf. fy M. Cat. ii, p. 462 ; Jerd.

B. I. ii, p. 387 ; Wardlaw Ramsay, Ibis, 1879, p. 448, 1880, p. 66 ;

Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 81 ; Scully, Ibis, 1831, p. 577.
Pycnorharnplms carneipes (Hodgs.), Hume, Cat.no. 728; Sharpe, Cat.

B. M. xii, p. 47.

Coloration. Male. The whole head, neck, back, scapulars, wings,
chin, throat, breast, upper abdomen, upper tail-coverts, and tail
black with ashy margins ; the upper tail-coverts margined with
greenish yellow ; the scapulars, innermost greater coverts, and
tertiaries tipped with greenish yellow on the outer web ; all but
the first primary with a white patch at base ; the primaries aud
secondaries narrowly margined with white on the outer web near
the tip ; rump, lower abdomen, sides of body, and under tail- coverts
greenish yellow ; thighs ashy brown ; under wing-coverts and
axillaries pale ashy.

Female. Very similar to the male in general appearance. The
dark parts of the plumage are ashy brown,. not black, and the
margins of the feathers have a greenish tinge ; the cheeks and the
sides of the head are streaked with whitish ; the lower abdomen,
sides of the body, and under tail-coverts are ashy yellow ; the breast
is more or less streaked with white, but is occasionally quite plain.

Upper mandible brownish, the lower one whitish horn-colour ;
legs pale fleshy brown ; iris hair-brown ( Wardlaw Ramsay). The
bill does not appear to undergo any seasonal change of colour.

Length 8 to 9 ; tail 3*5 to 4 ; wing 4-3 to 4'8 ; tarsus 1 ; bill
from gape "8 to 1. The size of this species varies extremely but not
according to locality, probably according to age.

Distribution. The Himalayas from Grilgit to Sikhitn, generally
above 8000 feet, but occasionally descending to 5090 feet. This
species extends to Afghanistan on the west, and to parts of Central
Asia on the north.

Genus MYCER0BAS, Cabanis, 1847.

In the genus Myeerobas the bill is of very great size, the height
at the nostrils being about equal to the length of the bill ; the
cutting-edge of the upper mandible, as in Pycnorhamphus, is
provided with a large tooth near the gape, and the nostrils are
covered by hairs ; the tail is comparatively short and decidedly
forked ; and the wing-quills have ordinary rounded tips. The sexes
differ in colour.

The only member of this genus inhabits the Himalayas, aud has
also occasionally been found in Mauipur. Very little is known of
its habits.

MYCEROBAS. 201

"44. Mycerobas melanoxantlius. The Spotted-winged Grosbeak.

Coccothraustes melanozantlms, Hod;/s. As. Res. xix, p. 150 (1836) ;

Blyth, Cat. p. 125.
Mycerobas melauoxanthus (Hodi/s.), Horsf. Sf M. Cat. ii, p. 461 ;

Jerd. B. I. ii, p. 386 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli, pt. ii, p. 64 ; Godw.-

Aust. J. A. S. B. xlv, pt. ii, p. 200; Hume, Cat. no. 727; Sharpe,

Cat. B. M. xii, p. 41 ; Hum", S. F. xi, p. 286.

MaHam-pho, Lepch.

Fig. 54. — Head of M. melanoxanthus.

Coloration. Male. The whole upper plumage, sides of the head
aud neck, chin and throat slaty black, each feather with an ashy
margin more or less distinct ; wings black, the feathers margined
with ashy, the inner greater coverts and tertiaries with an elongated
oval pale yellow spot on the outer web near the tip ; the fourth to
eighth primaries white at base ; the secondaries and inner primaries
with a short white margin near the tip of the outer web ; tail black ;
lower plumage deep yellow ; axillaries black, tipped with yellow.

Female. Upper plumage black, the feathers edged with yellowish
green, those of the head, hind neck, and back subterminally bright
yellow, causing those parts to be about equally black and yellow ;
feathers of forehead and those at the side of the crown almost pure
yellow ; a broad black baud from the lores through the eye to the
ear-coverts, followed below by a yellow band ; a black patch on the
cheeks ; sides of the chin aud throat, sides of neck, breast, aud
sides of body deep yellow streaked with black; chin, throat,
abdomen, and under tail-coverts deep unstreaked yellow ; wings
and tail much as in the male, but the feathers margined with
greenish yellow.

The nestling resembles the female in general appearance, but
has the yellow of the head and upper parts replaced by yellowish
white, and the lower plumage pale vinaceous streaked with black
and occasionally tinged with yellow. It is difficult to trace the
transition of plumage from youth to maturity in the series in the
British Museum, but Hodgson asserts that the young males retain
the plumage of the female till after the second moult.

Bill leaden blue ; feet leaden grey, claws brown ; iris brown
(Hodgson).

202 FRINGILLID^.

Length about 8-5 ; tail 3-1 ; wing 5 ; tarsus "85 ; bill from
gape 1.

Distribution. The Himalayas from the Haztira country to Sikhim
at considerable elevations ; Manipur.

Subfamily FRINGILLIN.E.

The Fringillince cpmprise the Bullfinches, the Rose-Finches, the
Crossbills, the true Finches, the Sparrows, and the Mountain-
Finches. They have a bill of medium size, the upper mandible not-
being produced behind the front line of the bony orbit, and the
cutting-edges of the two mandibles are everywhere in contact.

The Fringillince have one moult a year only, but the wearing
away of the margins of the feathers in parts of the plumage in
the spring causes many of them to have a summer plumage, which
in some cases is very different to the winter dress. The young
birds resemble the adult females and probably retain this dress
till the second autumn.

The Fringillince are more or less gregarious or sociable, live
both on seeds and insects, and are frequently good songsters.

1 have made the division of the Fringillince into genera to depend
in great measure on types of colour as well as structure *.

Key to the Genera.

a. Rump white ; quills and tail uniform

black Pyrrhtjla, p. 204.

b. Inner webs of tertiaries white Pyrrhoplectks, p. 207.

c. Sexes (except in Erythrospiza) very dis-

similar ; males red or pink, females
brown or greenish ; no white on tail ;
tail forked.

a'. Tips of m