wm
GIFT OF
PROBSTHAIN& Co.
Oriental Books*
41 Great Russell Street^
British Museum.
LONDON, iv. C.
THE :':':..
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA
AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.
A SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE KNOWN
SPECIES OF BIRDS INHABITING BRITISH INDIA,
OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS, NIDIFICATION, &c.,
TABLES OF THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL
DISTRIBUTION IN PERSIA, BELOOCHISTAN,
AFGHANISTAN, SIND, PUNJAB, N. W. PROVINCES,
AND THE PENINSULA OF INDIA GENERALLY,
WITH
WOODCUTS, LITHOGRAPHS, AND COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS,
BY
JAMES A. MURRAY, F.S.A.L.
MEM. NAT. HIST. SOC. AND OF THE ANTHROP. SOC., BOMBAY ;
MANAGER, VICT. NAT. HIST. INSTITUTE; LATE CURATOR KURRACHEE MUNICIPAL
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ; AUTHOR OF " A HAND-BOOK TO THE GEOLOGY,
BOTANY, AND ZOOLOGY OF SIND j" " THE PLANTS AND DRUGS OF SIND :"
KURRACHEE TO KANDAHAR ; " THE VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY OF SIND ;"
"THE REPTILES OF SIND;" "THE EDIBLE AND GAME BIRDS OF
BRITISH INDIA, WITH ITS DEPENDENCIES AND CEYLON," &C.
VOLUME II.
LONDON : TRUBNER & Co., LUDGATE HILL.
BOMBAY : EDUCATION SOCIETY'S PRESS, BYCULLA.
1890.
:..
BIOLOGY
LIBRARY
G
PREFACE.
IT is not without some degree of gratification that this work
on the Avian inhabitants of British India and its Depen-
dencies is now brought to a close. It has occupied fully
three and a half years of incessant labour and research,
which, considering that there were as many as 1,460 species
to examine and describe, and that the literature of this
number had to be referred to with regard to their habits,
nesting, distribution, and synonomy, &c., is not long. It is
however some satisfaction to find my subscribers and corre-
spondents so impatient for its completion ; a proof of its utility
as a Thesaurus with special reference to the Ornis of the
British Indian Empire. There has not been any unnecessary
delay in issuing the several parts, but the difficulties to be con-
tended with in treating the subject systematically as well as in
some degree popularly, and the time which would be involved in
obtaining specimens of certain doubtful species or sub-species
from various correspondents in different parts of India was
not calculated, nor was there, at the outset, the faintest
thought, that during the publication, I would lose the valuable
assistance of several contributors of note, as well as sup-
porters of the work, who either died or left for England, but
whose reputation in Ornithology have been long ago recorded
in the annals of Natural History. By such loss, the distri-
bution table, so far as Northern India is concerned, is not as
complete as it should otherwise have been.
ii PREFACE.
In the first volume, part of the first great division of the
Avifauna of British India was treated of viz., the carnivorous
and rapacious kinds, which by the aid of their piercing sight
and some by their developed sense of smell discover their
prey from immeasurable heights. Several groups of Passeri-
forme birds were also dealt with. In the present volume,
which is more than double the size of the first, the remaining
divisions are treated of, beginning with some of the Turdidae
and Timelidae, or birds which though ordinarily less noticed,
are nevertheless of much service in the economy of nature, in
keeping down the myriads of insects which infest the earth
and atmosphere. The total number of species as now as-
certained and dealt with in this work is 1,460, or 452 in excess
of the number described by the late Dr. Jerdon in his u Birds
of India." The distribution in India of this number, so far
as it has been possible to collate information, is shown in the
following table :
Sind 419 Guzerat 296
Punjab 476 Concan 323
N.-W. Provinces 623 Deccan 334
Bengal 541 South India 557
Oudh 401 British Burmah 754
Rajputana 286 Nepaul 541
Kutch 328 Beloochistan 299
Central India 348 Persia 263
Central Provinces , 302 Afghanistan 275
It will be seen from the distribution table that it is chiefly
the migrant forms which are more generally distributed, as the
Motacillidae, Emberizidae and the waders and swimmers, and
naturally, following in their wake, the rapacious species. As-
similation of climatic conditions as affecting this distribution
may be easily judged from the number of species occurring
in each of the countries above named, while the number
PREFACE. Ill
V
occurring in Beloochistan and Persia must only be calculated
as being generally a diffusion of species along the coast line
during winter. It is much to be regretted that statistics of
the occurrence of species in Cashmere are wanting, and that
Nepaul has been only partially worked up. In course of time,
when the British Museum authorities have completed their
catalogue of Mr. Allan Hume's valuable contribution to the
National collection, we may learn more of the distribution of
species in those regions, as well as of the distance of their
migration.
In the Introduction (Vol. I.) mention has been made of the
authors from whose works information has been collated, and
in many instances original descriptions also. Here I must
now refer to the illustrations. In the first place, for many
reasons, they are not as numerous as was at first contem-
plated, but of the manner in which the majority have been
done, I can speak with perfect satisfaction. Of the full page }
plates, some are original, and others have been taken from
either the Zoological Society's Journal, The Ibis, Blanford's
Zoology of Persia, my work on the Vertebrate Zoology of
Sind, and from the British Museum Catalogues. The coloured
plates have been done by Mintern Brothers, and the manner in
which these have been finished reflects much credit on the firm.
It now remains for me to mention the names of those
Naturalist -Collectors who have very kindly assisted me in
making the work full of more recent information, especially in
regard to the distribution of species and nidification. Mr.
Mahon Daly of the Shevaroy Hills has been good enough to
send information and specimens from the locality he worked
in ; Mr. P. W. MacKinnon of Mussoorie also, as well as Mr.
Charles Wilkinson of Darjeeling, Mr. Beckwith in the Sikkim
iv PREFACE.
Terai, and Messrs H. Parker and F. B. Armstrong of Ceylon.
Mr. A. G. Cardew of Ootacamund also very kindly sent copious
notes, also Mr. C. Wyeth of Tavoy. To this list must be
added the name of Mr. J. A. Cave-Browne, of Rangomati,
to whom both myself and all subscribers to this work are in-
debted for the English Index which was very kindly compiled
by him. Mr. H. M. Phipson very kindly placed at my dis-
posal such works of reference as he possessed, and for similar
obligations I am indebted to Mr. Charles Taylor, to whom, as
Superintendent of the Press, is also due the neatness and
general out-turn of this work.
JAMES A. MURRAY.
Ripon Road } Byculla, Bombay,
\st February 1890.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Woodcut. Saxicola oenanthe (Head) ... ... ... ... ... 2
Plate ... Saxicola chrysopygia 6
Woodcut. Hemixus flavala (Read) 20
lole viridescens ( do. ) 23
,, Micropus melanocephalus (Head) 26
Criniger barbatus ( do. ) 28
Alcurus striatus ( do. ) 32
Plate ... Pycnonotus pusillus ... , 43
Woodcut. Copsychus saularis (Head and leg) 65
Plate ... Trochalopteron Jerdoni ... ... ... ... ... 85
Woodcut. Acanthoptila nipalensis (Head) ... ... ... ... 89
lanthocincla ocellata (Bill) 89
Gampsorynchus rufulus (Bill) ... 90
Plate ... lanthocincla ocellata (Head, leg, bill and quills) ... ... 90
... Myiophoneus Temmincki (Head, leg and bill), fig. I. ... 120
... Actinodura nipalensis (Head and leg), fig. 2. ... ... 120
... Crateropus griseus (Head and leg), fig. i 122
... Cutia nipalensis ( do. ), fig. 2 122
Woodcut. Yuhina gularis (Head) 171
Plate ... Accentor nipalensis (Head and leg) 180
,, ... Parus sultaneus ( do. ) 180
,, ... Liothrix lutea ( do. )... ... ... ... 180
... Pellorneum ruficeps ( do. ) 180
Plate ... Arachnothera magna (Head and leg) 212
... Rimator malacoptilus ( do. ) 212
... Tichodroma muraria ( do. ) 212
,, ... Salpornis spilonota ( do. ) ... 212
... vEthopyga seheriae 222
... ^Ethopyga nipalensis 225
,, ... ^thopyga sanguinipectus 225
... Cinnyris (Arachnechthra) brevirostris 228
VI
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Woodcut. Sturnus vulgaris 363
Pastor roseus 37 2
Coracias garrula 475
Palumbus casiotis $06
Columba livia 508
Plate ... Pterocles coronatus (Head}
... Pterocles senegallus ( do. )
... Pterocles arenarius ( do. )
... Pterocles exustus ( do. ) ) 520
... Pterocles alchata ( do. ) ...
... Pterocles Lichtensteinii ( do. )
... Pterocles fasciatus ( do. )
Woodcut. Crossoptilon thibetanum (Head) 533
Ceriornis melanocephalus (do.). 535
Ithaginis cruentus ( do. ) 537
Pucrasia macrolopha (do. )... 538
Phasianus Hardwickii (do. )... 539
Lerwa nivicola (Head) 550
Plate ... Francolinus vulgaris 551
... Coturnix communis 565
Woodcut. Otis tarda 572
Glareola pratincola 582
Charadrius pluvialis 584
Vanellus cristatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 589
CEdicnemus crepitans * 595
Strepsilas interpres 597
Grus cinerea... ... B-I 601
Scolopax rusticola 6o 3
Gallinago scolopacina 6 O 5
Gallinago gallinula 6 O 3
Phalaropus fulicarius 6! 8
Limosa lapponica 627
Numenius arquatus %> 5^0
Porphyrio poliocephalus 635
Fulica atra (Head} 5^5
Gallinula chloropus 644
ILLUSTRATIONS. yii
PAGE
Woodcut. Ardea cinerea 652
Falcinellus igneus 668
Cygnus olor 671
Anser albifrons 674
Tadorna cornuta 681
Spatula clypeata 682
Anasboscas 683
Chaulelasmus streperus 686
Dafila acuta 689
Mareca penelope 691
Querquedula circia ... ... ... ... ... ... 693
Querquedula formosa 694
Fuligula cristata , 698
Fuligula marila 699
Fuligula ferina 700
Clangula glaucion ... 702
Mergus merganser ... *. 706
,, Plotus melanogaster . . ,. 741
ERRATA.
At p. 364, No. 911, instead of Sturnpoastor, read Sturnopastor.
At p. 403, after i2th line from the top, add Hab* Concan and Deccan,
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
ORDER PASSERIFORMES.
SUB~ORDER PASSERES.
GROUP CICHLOMORPH^:.
Family TURDID.E.
Sub-Family TURDIN<.
PAGE
124. Myrmecocichla, Cab i
405. fusca, Blyth ... I
125. Saxicola, Bechst 2
406. albonigra, Hume 2
407. picata, Blyth 2
408. capistrata, Gould 3
409. monacha, Rupp 3
410. morio, Hemp, et Ehrenb 4
411. opistholeuca, Strickl 4
412. deserti, Tern 5
413. chrysopygirj, De Fillipi 5
414. isabellina, Cretsechm 6
Family TIM ELII DJE.
Sub-Family BRACHYPODIN^E.
126. JEgithina, Vieill 7
415. viridissima, Bp 8
416. tiphia, Linn 9
417. nigrolutea, G. F. L. Marshall.. 10
127. ^3thorhynchus, Sunder. ...... 11
418. lafresnayi, Hartt II
128. Chloropsis, Jard and Selby 12
419. Hardwicki, Jard and Selby. ... 12
420. aurifrons, Tern 13
421. malabarica, Gmel 14
422. zosterops, Vigors 15
423. jerdoni, Blyth. 15
424. chlorocephala, Wald 16
425. cyanopogon, Tent 17
Sub -Family PYC NO NOTING.
129. Hypsipetes, Vigors 18
426. psaroides, Vigors 18
427. concolor, Blyth 19
428. ganeesa, Sykcs 1 9
130. Hemixus, Hodgs. 20
429. flavala, Hodgs .. 2O
430. hildebrandti, Hume* 21
PAGE
431. davisoni, Hume 22
432. malaccensis, Blyth 22
131. lole, Blyth 23
433- viridescens, Blyth 23
434. Macclellandi, Horsf. 24
435. tickelli, Blyth: 25
132. Pinarocichla, Skarpe 25
436. euptilosa, Jard and Selby. ... 25
133. Micropus, Swains 26
437- melanocephalus, Gmel 26
438. fusciflavescens, Hume 27
439. cinereiventris, Blyth 27
440. phseocephalus, Jerd 28
134. Criniger, Tern 28
441. phaeocephalus, Hartl 29
442. flaveolus, Gould 29
443- gnseiceps, Hume 30
444. guttural is, Bonap 30
135. Tricholestes, Safaad 31
445. criniger, Blyth 31
136. Alcurus, Hodgs 32
446. striatus, Blyth 32
137- Trachycomus, Cab 33
447. ochrocephalus, Gmel 33
138. Xenocichla, Hartl 33
448. icterica, Strickl 33
139. Pycnonotus, Boie 34
449. haemorrhous, Blyth 34
450. burmanicus, Sharpe 35
451. nigripileus, Blyth 36
452. atricapillus, Vieill 36
453- Pyg^us* Hodgs 37
454. leucotis, Gould. . f 38
455. analis, Horsf. 38
456. flavescens, Blyth 39
457. luteolus, Less 39
458. Finlaysoni, Strickl 40
459. davisoni. Hume 40
460. xantholaemus, Jerd 41
461. blanfordi, Jerd 41
462. plumosus, Blyth 42
463- simplex, Less 43
464. balvadorii, Sharpe 43
CONTENTS.
PAGE
140. Otocompsa, Cab 44
465. jocosa, Linn 44
466. eineria, Linn 44
467. leucogenys. Gray and Hard-w. 45
468. flavi vent ris, Tickell 46
141. Rubigula, Myth 47
469. gularis, Gould 47
470. cyaniventris, Blyth 47
142. Spizixus, Blyth 48
471. canifrons, Blyth 48
Sub-Family TROG LO DYTI N/E.
143. UrOCichla, Sharps 49
472- longicaudata, Moore. 49
144. Anorthlira, Rennie 49
473. nipalensis, Blyth 49
474. Formosa, \Vnld 5
145 Sphenocichla, Godm.-Austen. ... 50
475. humii, Mandclli 5
146. Pnoepyga, Hrtgs 52
476. albiventris, Hodgs 52
477- pusilla, Hodgs 52
478. caudata, Blyth 53
147. Cinclus, Bechst 53
479. cashmeriensis, Gould 54
480. asiaticus, Swains 54
i4 R . Myiophonous, Tem 54
481. Temmincki, Vigors 55
482. Eugenii, Hume 56
483. Horsfieldi, Vigors 57
149. Callene, Blyth 57
484. frontalis, Blyth 58
485. albiventris, Blanf. 58
486. rufiventris, ferd 59
15^ Notodela> Less 59
487. leucura, Blyth 59
151. Brachypteryx, Horsf. 60
488. cruralis, Hodgs 60
489. hyperythra, Jerd and Blyth. .. 6 1
490. nip.i'.. -i;M>, Moore 61
491. stellata, Gould 62
15-'. Chimarrhorms, Hodgs 63
492. leucocephalus, Vigors 63
ix3- Thamnobia, Swains 53
493. f ill irata. Linn 64
cambaiensis, Lath 64
< lopsychus, Wagler, 65
405. saularis Linn 65
Lioptila, Blyth 66
;'//. 6 7
PAGE
155. Hodgsonius, Bp 67
497. phoenicuroides, Hodgs 67
157. Cittocincla, Sclater 68
498. tricolor, Vieill 68
499. albiventris, Blyth 69
Group- HENICURI.
158. Henicurus, Tem 69
500. Leschenaulti, Vieill 70
501 immaculatus, Hodgs 70
502. schistaceus, Hodgs 71
503. guttatus, Gould 72
504. maculatus, Vig 73
159. Hydrocichla, Sharps 73
505. ruficapilla, Tem 73
506. frontalis, Blyth 74
1 60. Microcichla, Sharpe 74
507. scouleri, Vigors 74
Order CRATEROPODES.
161. Trochalopterum, Blyth 76
508. affine, Blyth 76
509. variegatum, Vigors 76
510. erythrocephalum, Vigors 77
511. chrysopterum, Gould 78
512. ruficapillum, Blyth 79
513. erythrolaema, Hume 79
514. melanostigma, Blyth go
515. rufigulare, Gould 80
516. cineraceum, Godw- Aust 81
517. squamatum, Gould 82
518. sub-unicolor, Blyth 82
519. Austeni, Jerd 83
520 ph(Kniceum, Gould 83
521. cachinnans, Jerd 84
522. Jerdoni, Blyth 85
523. Fairbanki, Blanf. 85
524. meridionale, Blanf. 86
525. lineatum, Vigors. ... 86
526. imbricatum, Blyth 87
527. virgatum, Godia.-Aust 88
162. Acanthoptila. Blyth 88
528. nipalensis, Hodgs 89
163. lanthocincla, Gould 89
529 ocellata, Vigors 90
164. Gampsorhynchus, Blyth. ... go
530. rufulus, Blyth 91
531- torquatus, Hume 91
165. Argya, Less p 2
532. subrufa, Jerd 92
CONTENTS.
Ill
PAGR
533. hyperythra, Sharp? 92
:> 534. Earlii, Blyth 92
535. caudata, Drap 93
536. eclipes, Hume .... 94
537. gularis, Blyth 94
538. malcolmi, Sykes 95
166. Sibia, Hodgs 95
539. picoides, Hodgs 95
167. Malacias, Cab 96
540. capistrata, Vigors 96
541. melanoleuca, Tickell 97
542. gracilis, McClell 97
543. pulchella, Godw^Aust 98
168. Pomatorhinus, Horsf. 98
544. schisticeps, Hodgs 99
545. Pinwilli, Sharpe .. 100
546. Horsfieldi, Sykes loo
547. ochraiceps, Waid IOI
548. Austeni, Hume POI
549. ferruginosus, Hodgs IO2
550. Phayrii, Blyth IO2
551. albigularis, Blyth 103
552. stenorhynchus, Qodw.-Aust. ... 103
553. ruficollis, Hodgs 104
554. hypoleucus, Blyth: 104
555. Tickelli, Blyth- 105
556. erythrogenys, Vigors 105
557. Macclellandi, Jerd K>6
169. Xiphoramphus, Blyth'. 106
558. superciliarifi, Blyth. 106
170. Garrulax, Less 107
559- leucolophus, Hardis): ,. ... 1077
560. Belangeri, Less Io8 ;
561. Diardi, Less 109
562. albigularis, Gould'. 109
563. pectoralis, Gould Iio
564. moniliger, Hodgs. Ill
565. galbanus, Godw.-Aust 112
566. gularis, McLell 112
567. delesserti, Jerd JI2
171. StactOCichla, Sharpe 113
568. merulina, Blyth 113
172. Grammatoptila, Reich. 113
569. striata, Vigors 114
173. Dryonastes, Sharpe 114
570. ruficollis, Jard. and Selby 114
571. chinensis, Scop 115
572. nuchalis, Godw-Aust 1 16
573. strepitans, Tickell 116
574. sannio, Swinh 117
PAGF
575. caerulatus, Hodgs 117
576. subcaerulatus, ffume 118
174. Actinodnra, Gould. 118
577- Egertoni, Gould 118
578. Ramsayi, Walden ... 119
579. Waldbni, Godw.-Ahst 119
580. nipalensis, Hodgson 12O
581. Dafikensis, Godw.-Ausf. 120
582. Ogleii, Godiso.-Aust: Ki
F75- Crateropus, Swains 122
583. canorus, Linn F22
584. griseus, Gmel 122
585. Somervillei, Sykes 123
176. Conostoma, Hodgs 123
586. semodium, Hod"gs 123
177- Suthora, Hodgs 124
587. Humiii Sharpe 124
588. poliotis, fflytb. 125
589. nipalensis, Hodgs 125
590. ruficeps, .Blyth 125
591. gularis, Gray 126
592. unicolor, Hodgs 126
178. Chleuasicusy Blyth 127
593. ruficeps, Blyth 127
594. fulvifrons-, Hodgs 127
179. Paradoxornis. Gould 128
595. flavirostris, Gould 128
596. guttatioollis, A. David 128
GroupXIMELLE.
1 80. Timelia, Horsf. 129
597. pileata, Horsf. 129
598. longjrostris, Moore. 130
1*1. Pyctorhis, Hodgs 130
599. sinensis, Gm 130
600. altirostris, Jerd. 131
182 Dumetia, Blyth 132
6ai. albigularis, Blyth 132
602. hyperythra, Frankl 133
183. Pellorneum, Swains 134
603. nipalense, Hodgs 134
604. intermedium, Sharpe 135
605. ruficeps, Swains 136
606. subochraceum, Swinh. ... 137
607. palustre, Gould 138
184. Stachyris, Hodgs. 138
608. nigriceps, Hodgs 138
609. guttata, Blyth 139
185. Turdinus, Blyth 140
610. Abbotti, Blyth 140
6n. magnirostris, Moore 141
IV
CONTENTS,
PACK
186. Erythrocichla, Sharpe M 2
612. bicolor, Less I4 2
187. Drymocataphus* Blvth i4 2
613. nigricapitatus, Eyton 143
614. ignotus, Hume 143
615. Assamensis. Sharpe 144
616. Tickelli, Blyth 144
617. rubiginosus, Walden 145
188. Gypsophila, Oates 145
618. crispifrons, Blyth 146
189. Trichastoma, Blyth 146
619. rostratum, Blyth I4 6
190. Malacopterum, Eyton. 147
620. magnum, Eyton 147
191. Mixornis, Hodgs 148
621. gularis, Raffles H 8
622. rubricapilla, Tiekell 148
623. erythroptera, Blyth 149
192 Corythociclila. Sharpe 15
624. brevicaudata, Blyth 150
625. striata, Walden 151
193. Turdinulus, Hume 151
626 murinus, Blyth I5 2
194 Bimator, Blyth is 2
627. malacoptilus, Blyth 153
Group LIOTRICHES.
195 Stachyridopsis, Sharpe 153
628. ruficeps, Blyth 153
629. rufifrons, Hume 154
630. pyrrhops, Hodgs 154
631. chrysaea, Hodgs 155
632. assimilis, Wold 155
196. Oligura, Hodgs 156
633. castaneocoronala, Burton 156
634. cyaniventris, Hodgs 157
197. Minla, Hodgs 157
^35- igneotincta, Hodgs 158
636. castaneiceps, Hodgs 158
637. brunneicauda, Sharpe 159
638. cinerea, Blyth 160
679. rufigularis, Mandelli 160
640. Mandelli, God-w.-Aust 161
641. dubia, Hume 161
198. IxuhlS, Hodgs 162
642. flavicollis, Hodgs 162
643. occipitalis, Blyth. ... 163
644. humilis, Hume 164
iQv? Staphidia, Swinhoe 164
645. rastaneiceps, Moore 164
PACK
646 rufigenis. Hume 165
647. striata, Blyth 165
200. Alcippe, Blyth 166
64$. vinipectus, Hodgs 166
649. nipalensis, Hodgs 167
650. phaeocephala, Jerd 167
651. Phayrii, Blyth 168
652. atriceps, Jerd 169
653. Bourdilloni, Hume 169
654. chryssea, Hodgs 170
201. Yuhina, Hodgs 171
655. gularis, Hodgs 171
656. occipitalis, Hodgs 172
657. nigrimentum, Hodgs 172
202. Myzornis, Hodgs 173
658. pyrrhura, Hodgs 173
203. Herpornis, Hodgs ,. 174
659. xantholeuca, Hodgs 174
204. Siva, Hodgs 175
660. strigula, Hodgs 175
661. castaneicauda, Htime 175
662. cyanuroptera, Hodgs 176
663. sordida, Hume 177
205. Mesia, Hodgs 178
664. argentauris, Hodgs 178
206. Liothrix, S-wainson 179
665. lutea, Scop 179
207. Cutia, Hodgs 180
666. nipalensis, Hodgs 180
Family-PARID>
Sub-Family PARING.
208. ParUS, Linn 181
667. sultaneus, Hodgs 182
668. cinereus, Bonn. et. Vieill. ... 182
669. monticolus, Vigors 183
670. xanthogenys, Vigors 184
671. haplonotus, Blyth 185
672. spilonotus, Blyth 185
673 melanolophus, Vigors 186
674. rufonuchalis, Blyth 186
675. rubidiventer, Blyth 187
676. dichrous, Hodgs 188
677. modestus, Burton 188
678. nuchalis, Jerd 188
679. acmodius, Hodgs 189
Group-ACCENTORES.
209. Accentor, Hodgs 190
680. immaculatus, Hodgs 190
681. atrigularis, .Brandt 190
CONTENTS,
682. rubeculoides, Moore 191
683. strophiatus, Hodgs 19!
684. Jerdoni, Brooks 192
685. altaicus, Brandt 193
686. nipalensis, Hodgs 193
210. Acredula, Koch 194
687. erythrocephala, Vigors 194
688. Jouschistos, Hodgs 195
689. niveogularis, Moore 196
an. JEgithalus, Boie 196
690. flammiceps, Burton 196
212. RegulUS, Koch 197
691. cristatus, Koch 197
Family LAN II DJ.
Sub-Family-MALACONOTIN^:.
213. Ptererythrius, strickl 198
692. erythropterus, Vigors 198
693. aeralatus, Tickell 199
694. rufiventer, Blyth 200
695. intermedius, Hume 2OO
696. melanotis, Hodgs , 2OO
697. xanthochloris, Hodgs 2Oi
Sub-Family LANIIN^:.
214. Lanius, Linn 202
698. fallax, Finsch 202
699. assimilis, Brehm 203
700. lahtora, Sykes 203
701. tephronotus, Vigors 204
702. erythronotus, Vigors 205
703. nigriceps, Frankl 206
704. cristatus, Linn 207
705. lucionensis, Linn 207
706. isabellinus, Ehrenbr 208
707. phoenicuroides, Severtz 209
708. vittatus, Valenc , 2io
709. collyrioides, Less 2IO
Group-CERTHIOMORPH^].
Family C E RT H 1 1 D.^ .
Sub-Family CERTHIIN,.
215. Certhia, Linn 211
710 himalayana, Vig 212
711. discolor, Blyth 212
712. nipalensis, Hodgs 212
216. SalpOmiS, Gray 213
713. spilonotus, Frankl 213
217. Tichodroma, Illiger 213
714. muraria, Linn 213
Sub-Family -SITTING.
218. Sitta, Linn 215
715. nagaensis, Godw.-Aust 215
716. magna, Wardlaw-Ramsay. ... 215
717. himalayensis, Jard. and Selb. . 215
718. neglecta, Wald 216
719. castaneoventris, Frankl 217
720. cinnamomeiventris, Blyth. ... 217
721. leucopsis, Gould 217
722. formosa, Blyth 2l8
723. frontalis, Swains 218
Group CINNYRIMORPH^:.
Family NECTARINIID^.
219. Chalcostetha, Cab 220
724. insignis, Jard 22O
220. .ZEthopyga, Cab 220
725. saturata, Hodgs 221
726. Vigorsii, Sykes 221
727. seherise, Tickell 222
728. ignicauda, Hodgs 224
729. nipalensis, Hodgs 225
730. sanguinipectus, Wald 226
731. gouldi, Vigors 226
732. dabryi, y. Verr 227
221. Cinnyris, Cuv 228
733. asiatica, Lath 228
734. brevirostris, Blanf. 228
735. lotenia, Linn 229
736. minima, Sykes 230
737. zeylonica, Linn. 230
738. hasselti, Tern 232
739. flammaxillaris, "Blyth 233
222. Arachnothera, Tem 234
740. longirostris, Lath 234
741. magna, Hodgs 235
742. modesta, Eyton 236
743. chrysogenys, Tem 237
223. Anthothreptes, Swains 237
744. hypogrammica, 5. Mull 238
745. simplex, S Mull 238
746. phcenicotis, Tem 239
747 malaccensis, Scop 240
Family MELIPHAGID./E.
Sub-Family ZOSTEROPIN^E.
224. Zosterops, Vig 242
748. palpebrosa, Tem 242
749. aureiventer, Hume 243
750. siamensis, Blyth 243
VI
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Section-FRlNGILUFORMES.
Family DICSEIDJE.
225. Dicseurn, Cuv 244
751. cruentatum, I Ann 244
752. trigonostigma, Scop 245
753. ignipectus, Hodgs 246
754. chrysorrhseum. Tern 247
755. concolor, Jerd 247
756. inornatum, Hodgs 248
757. erythrorhynchum, Lath. ...... 249
226. Prionochilus, Strickl 249
758. ignicapillus, Eyton 249
759. maculatus, Tern 250
760. melanoxanthus, Hodgs 251
761. squalidus, Burton 251
762. modestus, Hume 252
Family HI RUN DINID/E.
Sub-Family HIRUNDININVE.
227. Chelidon, Bole 253
763. urbica, Linn 253
764. cashmiriensis, Gould w 254
765. lagopus. Pall 254
766. nipalensis, Hodgs 255
228. Cotile, Boie 255
767. riparia, Linn 255
768. sinensis, J. E. Gray 256
769. concolor, Sykes 257
770. rupestris, Scop 258
771. obsoleta, Cab 258
229. Hirundo, Linn 259
772. rustica, Linn 259
773- gutturalis, Scop 261
774. erythrogastra, Bodd 262
775. Tytleri, Jcrd 262
776. Javanica, Sparrm 263
777. Smithi, Leach 264
778. nipalensis, Hodgs 265
779. Japonica, Temm. and Schleg... 265
780. erythropygia, Sykes 266
230. Petrochelidon, Cab. 268
781. fluvicola, Blyth 26$
Family M OT AC I L LI D^E.
231. Motacilla, Linn 269
782. alba, Linn 269
783. ocularis, Swinh 272
784. personata, Gould 273
785. leucopsis, Gould 275
PACK
786. Hodgsoni, Blyth 276
787. madraspatensis, Gm 277
788. melanope, Pall 278
789. citreola, Pall 279
790. citreoloides, Hodgs. 280
791. beema, Sykes 281
792. borealis, Sundev 281
793. Feldeggi, Michah 282
232. Limonidromus, Gould 283
794. indicus, Gould 283
233. Anthus, Linn 284
795- trivialis, Linn 284
796. maculatus, Hodgs 285
797. nilghiriensis, Sharpc 286
798. sordidus, Rupp 287
799. Jerdoni, Finsch 288
800. Richardi, Vieill 289
801. striolatus, Blyth 290
802. campestris, Linn 290
803. rufulus, Vieill 291
804. cervinus, Pall 292
805. rosaceus, Hodgs 293
806. spipoletta, Linn 294
234. Oreocorys, Sharpe 295
807. sylvanus, Hodgs 295
Family.-FRlNGILLID/.
Sub-Family. -COCCOTHRAUSTIN^.
2.15- Coccothraustes, Linn 296
808. humii, Sfiarpe 296
236- Mycerobasr/fo^s 296
809. melanoxanthus, Hodgs 296
2 37- Pycnoramphus, Hume 297
810. icteroides, Vigors 297
811. affinis, Blyth: 298
812. carneipes, Hodgs 298
Sub-Family. FRINGILLIN^.
238. Fringilla, Linn ,. 299
813. montifringilla, Linn 299
239. Procarduelis, Hodgs. 299
814. nipalensis, Hodgs 299
815. rubescens, Blanf. 300
240. Carduelis, Briss 300
816. cariiceps, Vigors 300
241. Chrysomitris, Boie 301
817. spinoides, Vigors 301
818. thibetana, Hume 301
242. Callacanthis, Reich 302
819. burtoni, Gould 302
CONTENTS.
vn
PAGE
243. Acanthis, Bechst ... 3 02
820- brevirostris, Bp 302
821. fringillirostris, Bp. and Schleg. 303
244. Montifringilla, Linn 303
822. adamsi, Moore 303
823. ruficollis, Blanf. 304
824. blanfordi, Hume. 304
825. sordida, Stol 305
826. nemoricola, Hodgs 305
827. Brandti, Bp 36
245. Rhodopechys, Cab 306
828. sanguinea, Gould 306
246. Erythrospiza, Bp 307
829. githaginea, Licht 307
247. Petronia, Kaup 38
830. flavicollis, Fretnkl 308
248. Passer, Briss 39
831. montanus, Koch 309
832. domesticus, Linn 310
833. pyrrhonotus, Blyth 310
834. hispaniolensis, Temm 311
835. cinnamomeus, Gould 311
836. assimilis, Wold 312
837. flaveolus, Blyth 313
249. Serinus, Koch 314
838. pectoralis, Murray 314
839. pusillus, Pa// 315
250. Pyrrhoplectus, Hodgs 315
840. epauletta, Hodgs 315
251. Carpodacus, Kaup 316
841. erythrinus, Pall 316
842. sipahi, Hodgs 317
843. rubicilla, Gould 317
844. grandis, Blyth 318
845. rhodochrous, Vigors 318
846. rhodopeplus, Vigors 318
847. Edwardsii, Verr 319
848- thura, Bp. & Schleg 320
849. dubius, Pryer 320
850. ambiguus, Hume 321
851. pulcherrimus, Hodgs 321
252. Pyrrhospiza, Hodgs 322
852. punicea, Hodgs 322
253. IsOXia, Linn 323
853. curvirostra, Linn 323
254. Pyrrhula, Briss 324
854. erythrocephala, Vigors 324
855. nipalensis, Hodgs 324
856. erithacus, Blyth 325
857- aurantiaca, Gould 325
PAGE
255. Propyrrhula, Hodgs 326
858. subhimalayensis, Hodgs 326
Sub-Family EM BERIZIN/E.
256. Emberiza, Linn 326
859. schceniclus, Linn 326
860. pusilla, Pall 327
861. fucata, Pall 328
862. melanocephala, Scop 329
863. luteola, Sparrm 329
864. aureola, Pa// 330
865. rutila, Pall ; 331
866. spodocephala, Pall 332
867. Buchanan!, Blyth 333
868. Stracheyi, Moore 333
869. Steward, Blyth 334
870. leucocephala, Gm 334
257. Fringillaria, Swains 335
871. striolata, Licht 335
258. MelophUS, Swains 337
872. melanicterus, Gm 337
Sub-Family PLOCEIN^E.
259. PloCGUS, Linn 338
873. phillipinus, Linn 338
874. baya, Blyth 339
875. manyar, Horsf. 339
876. bengalensis, Linn 340
877. Javanensis, Less 340
Sub-Family ESTRELDIN^S.
260. Amadina, Swains 341
878. malacca, Linn 341
879. atricapilla, Vieill ,342
880. punctulata, Linn 342
881. pectoralis, Jerdon 343
882. leucogastra, Blyth 343
883 acuticauda, Hodgs 344,
884. striata, Linn 344
885. malabarica, Linn 345
261. Erythrura, Swains 346
886. prasina, Sparrm 346
262. Estrilda, Swains 346
887. punicea, Horsf. 346
888. amandava, Linn 347
889. Formosa, Ln th. 348
Family ALA UDID/E 348
263. Mirafra, Horsf. 348
890. Assamica, McClell 348
891. affinis, Jerd 349
VI 11
CONTENTS.
PAGE
892. erythroptera, Jerd 350
893. cantillans, Jerd 350
264. Ammomanes, Cab 351
894. lusitania, Gmel. 351
895. phoenicura, Frankl 352
265. Pyrrhulauda, Smith 352
896. grisea, Scop. ... 352
897. melanauchen, Cab 353
266. Calendrella, Kaup 355
898. brachjdactyla, Leisl 355
267. Melanocorypha, Boie 355
899. bimaculata, Menet 355
268. Alau.du.la, Blyth 356
900. raytal, Blyth 356
901. A dam si, Hit me ... 357
269. Otocorys, Bonap 358
902. penicillata, Gould 358
270. Spizalauda. Blyth 359
903. deva, Sykes ; 359
271. Alauda, Linn 359
904. gulgula, Frankl 359
272. Galorida, Bole.. 360
905. cristata, Linn 360
2/3. Certhilauda, Swains 361
906. desertorum, Stanley 361
Section. OSCINES CULTIROSTRES.
Family STURNID^E.
Sub-Family STURN I N/E.
274. Sturnus, Linn 363
907. vulgaris, Linn 363
908. minor, Hume 363
909. unicolor, Marmora 364
275. Sturnopastor, Hodgs. 364
910. superciliaris, Blyth 364
911. contra, Linn 364
276. Acridotheres, Vieill 365
912. tristis, Linn 365
913. ginginianus, Lath 365
914. fuscus, Tern 366
915. siamensis, Swinh 367
277. Sturnia, Less 367
916. pagodarum, Gmel. ... 367
917. sturnina, Pall 368
918. sinensis, Gmel. 368
919. burmannica, Jerd 369
920. leucocephala, Gigl. and Salv. . 369
921. malabarica, Gmel , 370
922. Blythi, Jerd 37!
923. nemoricola, Jerd 37!
PAGE
278. Calomis, G. R. Gray 371
924. chalybea, Horsf. 771
279. Pastor, Tern 372
925. roseus, Linn 372
280. Gracula, Linn 373
926. intermedia, A. Hay 373
927. religiosa, Linn 373
281. Saraglossa, Hodgs 374
928. spiloptera, Vigors 374
282. Ampeliceps, Blyth 374
929. coronatus, Blyth 374
283. Gracupica, Less 375
930. nigricollis, Payk 375
Family PITTIDyE 375
284. Anthocincla, Blyth 376
931. Phayrii, Blyth 376
285. Pitta, Vieil. 37 6
932. nipalensis, Hodgs 376
933- Oatesi, Hume 377
934. caerulea, Raffles 377
935. cyanea, Blyth 37^
936. cyanoptera, Temm 379
937. megarhyncha, Schl 379
938. brachyura, Linn 380
939. coccinea, Eyton 380
940. cucullata, Hartl 381
286. JEucichla, Cab. ct Hein 381
941. Gurneyi, Hume 381
Family EUR YL/EM I DJE, Swains ... 382
Sub-Family CALYPTOMENIN/E- 382
287. Calyptomena, Raffles 382
942. viridis, Raffles 382
288. Psarisomus, Swains 382
943. dalhousiae, Jameson 383
289. Serilophus, Sivains 383
944. lunatus, Gould 383
945. rubropygius, Hodgs 384
290. Eurylaemus, Horsf.- 385
946. Javanicus, Horsf. 385
947. ochromelas, Raffles 385
291. Corydon, Lesson 386
948. sumatranus, Raffles 386
292. Cymborhynchus, Vigors. 386
949. macrorhynchus, Cm 386
Order MACROCHIRES 387
Family CYPSELID^ 337
Sub-Family- CYPSELIN^ 388
29J. CypSelUS, llliger 3*8
950. melba. Linn 388
CONTENTS.
IX
PAGE
951. apus, Lin 388
952. affinis, Gray , 388
953. acuticaudus, Blytk 389
954. pacificus, Lath , 389
955. subfureatus, Blytk 389
956. leuconyx, Blytk 390
957. batassiensis, Gray , 390
958. infumatus, Sclater 390
39i
294- Hirundinapus, tiodgs 391
959- giganteus. Van Hass. ,...,,... 391
960. indicus, Hume 392
961. leucopygialis, Blyth. 392
962. sylvatica, Tickell 392
963. caudacuta, Lath 393
695. Collocalia, Gray 393
964. unicolor, Jerd 393
965. innominata, Hume 394
966. spodiopygia, Pe&le 394
967. Linchi, Horsf. , ,,..... 394
296. Dendrockelidon, Boie. 395
968. coronatus, tick ** 395
969. longipennis, Rafin^ *.... 396
970. comatus, Temm 397
I'amily-CAPRIMULGID^E, Vigors. 397
Sub-Fam. STEATORNIN^), Gray.- 397
297. Batrachostomus, Gould* 397
971. montliger, Blytk. ., 397
972. affinis, Blytk 398
Sub-Family-CAPRIMULGIN^. ... 399
698. Caprimulgus, Lin 399
973. asiaticus, Lath 399
974. mahrattensis, Sykes. 399
975. monticolus, Frankl 400
976. albonotatus, Tick .... 400
977. atripennis, jerd. 401
978. Unwinii, Hume 401
979. indicus, Latham. ,-. 402
980.. kelaarti, Blyth 403
981. jotaka, tem 400
Sub -Family POD AGERIN/E. 404
299. Lyncornis, Gould . 404
982. cerviniceps, Gould 404
Sub-Order- COCCYGES HE-
TERODACTYLyE
Family TROGONID^: 405
300. Harpactes, Swainson 405
PAGE
983. fasciatus, Gmel 405
984. erythrocephalus, Gould, 405
985. oreskios, Temm 406
986. Duvaucellii, Temm 407
Sub-Order ZYGODACTYLI ... 407
Family CUCULTD^E, Leach. ... 408
Sub-Family-CUCULIN^E. ... 408
301. CUCUIUS, Linn 408
987. canorus, Linn* *.... 408
988. striatus, Drop 468
989. poliocephalus, Latham 409
990. Sonnerati, Lath 410
091. micropterus, Gould *... 410
302. Hierococcyx, Muller 411
992. sparverioides, Vigors 411
993. varitis, Vahl *.... ,. 412
994. nanus, Hume 412
995* nisicolor, Hodgs 413
303. Cacomantis, Muller 413
996. threnodes, Cab, et Hein 413
997. nigra, Jerd 414
304. Surniculus, Lesson 414
998. lugubris, Horsf. 414
305. Chrysococcyx, Boie. 415
999. maculatus, Gm* 415
IOOO. xanthorhynchus, Horsf. 416
loor. Limborgi, Tweed 416
306. Coccystes, Gloger 416
1002. Jacobinus, Bodd 417
1003. coromandus, Linn 4 1 ?
307. Endynamys, Vig. and Horsf. ... 418
1004. honorata, Linn 418
1005. malayana, Cab. et Hein 418
Sub-Family PHCENICOPH^IN^ 418
308. Rhinortha, Vigors 419
1006. chlorophsea, Raffles 419
309. Rhopodytes, Cab. et Hein 419
1007. tristis, Lesson 419
1008. diardi, Lesson 420
1609. sumatranus, Raffles. 420
IOIO. viridirostris, Jerd i 421
310. Rhamphococcyx, Cab. et Hein. 421
ion erythrognathus, Hartl 421
311. Zanclostomus, Swains 422
1012. javanicus, Horsf* 422
Sub-Family CENTROPODIN^ ) 5^. 4 22
312. Centrococcyx, linger 422
1013. maximus, Hume 422
CONTENTS.
PAGE
1014. rufipennis, llliger. 423
1015. intermedius, Hume 423
1016- bengalensis, Gmel 424
313. Taecocua, Lesson 425
1017. leschenaulti, Less 425
1018. sirkeer, Gray 425
1019. infuscata, Blyth 425
Family CAPITONID^E 426
314. Megalsema, G. R. Gray 426
1020. marshallorum, Swinh. ... 426
1021. virens, Bodd 427
1022. mystacophanus, Tern 427
1023. hodgsoni, Bonap 427
1024. caniceps, Frankl 428
1025. inornata, Wald 428
1026- viridis, Gmel 429
315. Cyanops, Bonap 429
1027. asiatica, Lath 429
1028. Davisoni, Hume 430
1029. incognita, Hume 430
1030. Ramsayi, Wald 430
316. Xantholsema, Bonap 431
1031. hsemacephala, P. L. S. Mull. 431
1032. malabarica, Blyth 432
1033. cyanotis, Blyth 432
317. Caloramphus, Less 432
1034. Hayi, Gray 432
ORDER-PICI 433
Family PICID^E 433
Sub-Family YUNCIN^ 433
318. Yunx, Linn 433
l35- torquilla, Linn 433
Sub/Family-INDICATORIN,E. 433
319. Indicator, /x/A 433
1036. xanthonotus, Blyth 434
Sub-Family PICUMNIN^E ... 435
320 Vivia, Hodgs 435
1037. innominata, Burton 435
321. Sasia, Hodgs 43 6
1038. ochracea, Hodgs, 4,36
Sub-Family GECININyE. ... 436
322. Gauropicoides, Math 436
1039. rafflesi, Vigors 436
323. Gecinulus, Blyth 437
1040. grantia, McClell 437
1041. viridis, Blyth '.... 437
PAGE
324. Tiga, Kaup 43$
1042. javanensis, Ljungh 438
325. Brachypternus, Strickl 439
1043. aurantias, Linn 439
1044. chrysonotus, Less 440
326. Micropternus, Blyth 440
1045. phaeoceps, Blyth 440
1046. brachyurus, Viell 441
1047. gularis, Jerd 441
327. Venilia, Bonap 441
1048. pyrrhotis, Hodgs 441
1049. porphyromelas, Boie 442
328. CallolophUS, Salvad 442
1050. mentalis, Tern 443
1051. malaccensis, Lath 443
1052. puniceus, Horsf. 444
329. Chrysophlegma, Gould 444
1053. flavinucha, Gould 444
1054. chlorolophus, Vieill 445
1055 chlorigaster, Jard. and Selb. 446
33- Gecinus, Boie 446
1056. squamatus, Vigors 446
1057. striolatus, Blyth 447
1058. occipitalis, Vigors 447
1059. viridanus, Blyth 448
1060. erythropygius, Elliot 449
Sub-Family CAMPEPHILIN/E. 449
331. Thriponax, Cab. et Hein 449
1061. Hodgsoni, Jerd 449
1062. Javensis, Horsf. 450
1063. Feddeni, Blanf. 450
332. Mulleripicus, Bonap 450
1064. pulverulentus, Tern 450
333- Chrysocolaptes, Blyth 451
1065. strictus, Horsf. 451
1066. festivus, Bodd 452
334. Hemicercus, Swains 453
1067. cordatus, Jerd 453
ic68. sordidus, Eyton 453
335- PiCUS, Linn 454
1069. himalayanus, Jard. and Selby 454
1070. majoroides, Hodgs. 455
1071. cathpharius, Hodgs 455
1072. scindianus, Gould 455
1073. macii, Vieill 456
1074. analis, Tern 456
1075. atratus, Blyth 457
1076. brunneifrons, Vigors 4^,7
1077. mahrattensis, Lath 457
CONTENTS.
XI
PAGE
1078. canicapillus, Blyth 475
1079. pumilus, Hargitt 458
336. HypOpiCUS, Bonap 459
1080. hyperythrus, Vigors 459
337. lyngipicUS, Bonap 459
1081. rubricatus, Blyth 459
1082. pygmceus, Vigors 460
1083. Hardwickii, Jerd 460
338. Meiglyptes, Swains 460
1084. grammithorax, Malh ,. 460
1085. jugularis, Blyth 461
1086. tukki, Lesson 461
Order PSITTACI 462
Family PS ITT A CIDJE 462
Sub-Family PSITTACIN^: ... 462
339. Psittinus, Blyth 462
1087. incertus, Sham 462
Sub-Pamily-LORIIN^E 463
340. Loriculus, Blyth 463
1088. vernalis, Sparrm 463
Sub-Pamily-PAL^EORNIN^:. 464
341. Palseornis, Vigors 464
1089. fasciatus, P. L. S. Muller. ... 464
1090. columboides, Vigors 465
1091. indo-burmannicus, Hume. ... 465
1092. schisticeps, Hodgs 466
1093. torquatus, Bodd 467
1094. cyanocephalus, Linn 467
1095. rosa, Bodd 468
Sub-Order COCCYGES ANISO-
DACTYUE 469
Family -UPUPIM: 469
Sub-Family UPUPIN^E, Bp. 469
342. Upupa, Linn 469
1096. epops, Linn 469
1097. longirostris, Jerd 469
1098. ceylonensis, Reich , ... 470
Family ME RO PI M: 470
343. Merops, Linn 470
1099. viridis, Linn 471
1100. phillipinus, Linn 471
1101. Leschenaulti, Vieill 472
1 102. persicus, Pall 473
1103. apiaster, Linn 473
344. Nyctiornis, Swains 474
1104. Athertonl, Jard. and Selby. .. 474
1105. amicta, Tern 474
PAGE
Family COR ACI AM: 475
345. Coracias, Linn 475
1106. garrula, Linn 475
1107. indica, Linn 476
1108. affinis, McClell 476
346. Eurystomus, Vieill 477
1109. orientalis, Linn 477
Family A LCEDINID^: 478
Sub-Family-ALCEDININ^E. . 478
347- Alcedo, Linn 478
1110. bengalensis, Gm 478
1111. grandis, Blyth 479
IU2. ispida, Linn 479
1113. asiatica, Swains , 479
1114. euryzona, Tern. , 480
448. Ceryle, Boie , 481
1115. guttata, Vigors 481
1116. rudis, Linn 481
Sub-Family -HALCYONIN^S.. 482
349. Halcyon, Swains 482
1117. coromanda, Lath 482
1118. smyrnensis, Linn 483
1119. pileata, Bodd 483
U2o. chloris, Bodd 484
1121. concreta, Tent 485
350. Carcineutes, Cab. et Hein 486
1122. pulchellus, Horsf. 486
351. Ceyx, Lacep 486
1123. tridactyla, Pallas 486
352. Pelargopsis, Gloger 487
1124. gurial, Pearson 487
1125. amauroptera, Pearson 487
1126. burmannica, Sharpe 488
Family BUCEROTID^E 488
353. Dichoceros, Gloger 489
1127. bicornis, Linn 489
354. Anthracoceros, Reich 490
1128. coronatus, Bodd 490
1129. albirostris, Shaw 490
1130. affinis, Button 491
355. Rhinoplax, Gloger 491
1131. vigil, J. R. Forst 491
1132. griseus, Lath 492
356. Ocyceros, Hume 492
1133. birostris, Scop 492
357. Rhytidoceros, Reich 493
1134. subruficollis, Blyth 493
Xll
CONTENTS.
1135. undulatus, Shaw. ... 494
358. Aceros 494
1136. nipalensis, Hodgs 494
359. Anorrhinus, Reich 495
1137. comatus, Raffles 495
1138. galeritus, Tern 495
1139. Tickelli, Blyth 496
Order GEMITORES 497
Family TRERON I D/ 497
360. Treron, Vieill 497
1140. nipalensis, Hodgs 497
361. CrOCOpUS, Bonap 497
1141. phcenicopterus, Lath 498
1142. chlorigaster, Blyth 498
1143. viridifrons, Blyth 499
362. Osmotreron, Bonap 499
1144. bicincta, Jerd 499
1145. vernans, Linn 500
1146. malabarica, Jerd, 500
1147. Phayrii, Blyth 501
1148. fulvicollis, Wagler 501
1149. pompadoura, Gmel 502
363. Sphenocercus, Gray 502
1150. sphenurus, Vigors 502
1151. apicaudus, Hodgs 503
Sub-Family-CARPOPHAGINLE... 503
364. Carpophaga, Selby 503
1152. senea, Linn 503
1153. insignis, Hodgs 504
1154. griseicapilla, Wald 504
1155. bicolor 505
Family COLUMBID^E 505
Sub-Family PALUMBI1SWE. ... 505
365. Palumbus, Linn 505
1156. pulchricollis, Hodgs 505
1157. casiotis, Bonap 506
1158. Elphinstonei, Sykes 507
366. Palumbsenaj Bonap 507
1159. Eversmanni, Bonap 507
367. Columba, Linn 507
1160. intermedia, Strickl 507 |
n6i. livia, Bonap 508
1162. rupestris, Pall 509
1163. leuconota, Vigors 509
368. Alsocomus, Tick 509
1164. puniceus, Tickell 509
1165. Hodgsonii, Vigors 510
PAGE
Sub-Family MACROPYGIIN.E ... 510
369. Macropygia, Swains 511
1166 leptogrammica, Temm 511
1167. assimilis, Hume 512
Sub-Family TURTURIN/E 512
370. Turtur, Selby 512
. 1168. pulchratus, Hodgs 512
1169. meena, Sykes 513
1170. senegalensis, Linn 513
1171. suratensis, Gm 514
1172. tigrinus, Tern 515
1173. risorius, Linn 515
1174. humilis, Temm 515
Family GO URID^E 517
Sub-Family PH API DIN^E ... 517
371. Chalcophaps, Gould 517
1175. indica, Linn 517
372. Geopelia, Swains 518
1176. striata, Linn. 518
Sub-Family C A LCEN I Ny ... 518
373- Calcenas,
1177. nicobarica. Linn 518
Order RASORES 519
Family PTEROCLIDJE 519
374. Pterocles, Tem 519
1178. coronatus, Liclit 520
1179. senegallus, Linn 521
1180. arenarius, Pall 523
1181. exustus, Tem 524
1182. alchata, Linn 525
1183. Lichtensteinii, Tem 526
1184. fasciatus, Scop 527
375- Syrrhaptes, Lin 528
1185. thibetanus, Gould 528
Family PH ASIAN ID> 529
Sub-Family PAVONINE ... 529
376. Pavo, Linn 529
1186. cristatus, Linn 529
1187. muticus, Linn 529
377. Argusianus, Rafin 530
1188. argus, Linn 530
378. Polyplectron, Tem 531
1189. thibetanum, Gm 531
Family MEGAPODID^: 53 ,
379- Megapodius 532
1190. nicobariensis, Blyth ,,,, 532
CONTENTS.
Xlll
Sub-Family PHASIANIN^E. . 532
380. Crossoptilon, Hodgs 53 2
1191. thibetanum, Hodgson 533
381. Lophophorus, Temm 533
1192. Impeyanus, Lath 533
1193. Sclateri, Jerd 534
382. Ceriornis, Swainson 534
1194. satyra, Linn 534
1195. melanocephalus, Gray 535
383. Ithaginis, Wagler 536
1196. cruentus, Hardm 53^
384. Pucrasia, Gray 538
1197. macrolopha, Lesion 53&
385. Phasianus, Linn 539
1198. Wallichii, Hardw 539
386. Euplocamus, Temm , 540
1199. albocristatus, Vigors 54
1200. leucomelanus, Lath 541
1201. melanonotus, Blyth 54 1
1202. horsfieldi, G. R. Gray 542
1203. lineatus, Elliot 542
1204. Cuvieri, Temm 543
1205. Andersoni, Elliot 544
1206. Vieilloti, G. R. Gray 544
Sub-Family-GALLIN^ 545
387. GallTlS, Linn 545
1207. ferruginous, Gm 545
1208. Sonneratti, Tern 546
388. Galloperdix, Blyth 547
1209. spadiceus, Gmel 547
1210. lunulatus, Valenc 548
Family TETRAONIM: 549
Sub-Family PERDICIN^ ... 549
389. Tetraogallus, Gray 549
121 1. Himalayensis, G. R. Gray. ... 549
1212. thibetanus, Gould 549
390. Lerwa, Hodgs 550
1213. nivicola, Hodgs 55
391. Francolinus 550
1214. vulgaris, Steph 550
1215. pictus, Jerd. and Selby 551
1216. chinensis, Osb 552
392. Caccabis, Kaup 552
1217. chukor, Gray 553
393. Ammoperdix, Gray 553
1218. bo n ham i, Gray 553
394. Ortygornis, Reich 554
1219. ponticeriana, Gmel 554
1220. gularis, Temm, ,,,, ,, c .,. 554
PAGE
395. Arboricola, Hodgs 555
1221. torqueola, Valenc 556
1222. atrogularis, Blyth 556
1223. brunneipectus, Tickell 556
1224. chloropus, Tickell 557
1225. intermedia, Blyth 558
1226. rufogularis, Blyth 558
1227. Mandelli, Hume 559
396. Bambusicola 560
1228. Fytchii, Anderson 560
397. Caloperdix, Blyth 560
1229. oculea, Temm 560
398. RoHulus, Bonn 561
1230. roulroul, Scop 561
399* Perdicula, Hodgs 562
1231. asiatica, Latham 562
1232. argoondah, Sykes 562
400. Ophrysia, Gray 563
1233. superciliosa, J. E. Gray 563
401 Microperdix, Gould. 564
1234. erythrorhyncha, Sykes 564
1235. Blewitti, Hume 565
Sub-Family COTURNICIN/E. ... 565
402. Coturnix, Brisson 565
1236 communis, Linn 565
1237. coromandelica, Gmel 566
403. Excalfactoria, Bonap 567
1238. chinensis, Linn 567
Family TINAMID^E 568
404. Turnix, Bonap 568
1239. plumbipes, Hodgs 568
1240. joudera, Hodgs 569
1241. Dussumieri, Temm 570
1242. maculosa, Temm 570
1243. albiventris, Hume 571
Order-GRALLATORES 571
Tribe PRESSIROSTRES, Cuvier.... 571
Family OTITID.E 572
405. Otis, Linn 572
1244. tarda, Linn 572
1245. tetrax, Linn 573
406. Eupodotis, Less. 574
1246. Edvvardsi, Gray 574
407. Houbara, Bonap 575
1247. Macqueenii, Gray 575
408. Sypheotides, Lesson 577
1248. bengalensis, Gmel 577
1249. auritus, Lath 578
XIV
CONTENTS,
PAGE
Family CURSORID.E 578
409. Cursorius, Lath 579
1250. coromandelicus, Gmel 579
1251. gallicus, Gmel 579
410. RhinOptilUS, Strickland. 5 8
1252. bitorquatus, Jerd 5 8
Pamily-GLAREOLID^E 580
411. Glareola, Linn 5 8z
1253. orientalis, Leach 5^1
1254. pratincola, Linn 5 Sl
1255. lactea, Tern 5 82
Sub-Family CHARADRIN^: 583
412. Squatarola, Cuv 583
1256. helvetica, Linn 5^4
413. Charadrius
1257. fulvus, Gm 584
1258. pluvialis, Linn 584
414. .Slgialitis, Boie 585
1259. Geoffroyi, Wagl 5 8 5
1260. mongolica, Pall 86
1261. cantiana, Lath 5 8 7
1262. dubia, Scop 5 8 8
1263. Jerdonii, Legge 5 88
Sub-Family VANELLIN^E 589
415. Vanellus, Linn 589
1264. cristatus, Meyer 5 8 9
416. Chettusia, Bp 59
1265. gregaria, Pallas 59
1266. leucura, Licht 59'
1267. cinerea, Blyth 59 1
417. Hoplopterus, Bonap 592
1268. ventralis, Wagl 59 2
418. Lobivanellus, Strickl 59 2
1269. indicus, Bodd 59 2
1270. atronuchalis, Blyth 593
419 Sarciophorus, Strickl 593
1271. bilobus, Gmel 593
Sub-Family-^SACIN>E 594
420. JEsacus 594
1272. recurvirostris, Cuv 594
421. CEdicnemus, Cuv 595
1273. crepitans. Temtn. 59^
Family HJEMATOPODIOE, Bp. 596
S ub -Family STREPS I LI N/E, Bp. 596
422. Strepsilas
1274. interpres, Linn 597
PAGE
423. Dromas, Payk 598
1275. ardeola, Paykl. 598
424. Heematopus, Linn 599
1276. ostralegus, Linn 599
Family GRUID/E 599
425. GrUS, Linn 599
1277. antigone, Linn 599
1278. leucogeranus, Pall 600
1279. cinerea, Bechst 60 1
426. Anthropoides, Vieill. ... 602
1280. virgo, Linn 603
Tribe LONGIROSTRES.
Family SCOLOPACID/E 603
427. Scolopax, Linn 603
1281. rusticola, Linn 603
428. Gallinago, Stepk 604
1282. nemoricola, Hodgs 604
1283. solitaria, Hodgs 605
1284. stenura, Kuhl 605
1285. scolopacina, Bonap. , 606
1286. gallinula, Linn 608
429. Rhynchsea, Cuv 609
1287. capensis, Linn 609
430. Limicola, Koch 610
1288. platyrhyncha, Temm 610
Sub-Family TRINGIN^ .. 610
431. Eurynorhynehus, Nilsson. ... 611
1289. pygmseus, Linn 6ll
432. Tringa, Linn 611
1290. minuta, Lcisl 6ir
1291. subminuta, Midd 6l2
1292. Temmincki, Leisl 613
1293. crassirostris, Temm 613
1294. subarquata, Gould 615
1295. cinclus, Linn 615
433. Machetes, Cuv 616
1296. pugnax, Linn 616
434. Calidris, Cuv 617
1297. arenaria, Linn 617
Sub-Family PHALAROPIN/E. 617
435. Phalaropus, Briss 617
1298. hyperboreus, Linn 617
1299. fulicarius, Linn 618
Sub-Family TOTANIN^:. ... 619
436. Actitis, /// 619
1300. hypoleucos, Linn 619
CONTENTS.
xv
PAGE
1301. ochropus, Linn 619
437. Totanus, Beck 620
1302. glareola, Cm 620
1303. canescens, Gmel 621
1304. stagnatilis, Bechst 621
1305. calidris, Linn 622
1306. fuscus, Linn 622
1307. Haughtoni, Hume 623
1308. dubius, Murray 623
438. Terekia, Bonap 624
1309. cinerea, Gould 624
Sub-Family LIMOSIN^E 625
439. Pseudoscolopax, 625
1310. semipalmatus, Jerd 625
440. Limosa, Briss 626
1311. segocephala, Linn 626
1312. lapponica, Linn 627
Sub-Family NUMENIN^E ... 629
441. Numenius 629
1313. phseopus, Linn 629
1314. arquatus, Linn 630
442. Ibidorhynchus, Vigors 631
1315. Struthersii, Vigors 631
Sub-Fam. RECURVIROSTRIN.E. 631
443. Recur virostra, Linn 631
1316. avocetta, Linn 631
444- Himantopus, Briss 632
1317. candidus, Linn 632
Family PAR RID^E 632
445 Metopodius, Wagi 633
1318. indicus, Lath 633
Sub-Family EARRING 633
446. Hydrophasianus, Wagl 633
1319. chirurgus, Scop 634
Family RALLIDyE 634
Sub-Family GALLINULIN^E. 634
447- Porphyrio, Briss 635
1320. poliocephalus, Lath 635
448. Fulica, Linn 636
1321. atra, Linn 639
449. Podica, Less 637
1322. personata, G. R. Gray 637
450. Hypotsenidia, Reich 637
1323. striata, Linn 637
451. Rallus, Linn 638
1324. indicus, Blyth 638
452. Rallina, Reich 639
1325. evwyzonoides, Lafresn 639
PAGE
1326. fasciata, Raffl 640
1327. Canning!, Tytler 640
Sub -Family RALLINA 641
453. Porzana, Vieill 641
1328. Bailloni, Vieill 641
1329. maruetta, Linn 642
1330. fusca, Linn 642
1331. minuta, Pall 643
1332. akool, Sykes 643
454. Gallinula, Briss. 644
J333- chloropus, Linn 644
1334. phcenicura, Penn 645
455- Gallicrex, Blyth 646
1335. cinereus, Gra 646
Order HERODIONES 647
Family CICONID^: 647
456- Leptoptilos 647
1336. argula, Lath 647
! 337- Javanicus, Horsf. 648
457- Xenorhynchus, Bp 648
1338. asiaticus, Lath 648
458. Ciconia, Linn 649
J 339- nigra, w 649
1340. alba, Belon. 649
1341. leucocephala, Cm 649
Family. AR DEI DM 650
459. Ardea, Linn 651
1342. goliath, Tern 651
1343. sumatrana, Raffles 651
1344. insignis, Hodgs 652
1345. cinerea, Linn 652
1346. purpurea, Linn 653
460. Herodias, Boie 653
1347. alba, Linn 655
1348. intermedia, Von Haast 655
1349. garzetta, Linn 655
1350. eulophotes, Swinh 656
461. Demi-egretta, Blyth 656
1 35 1 - gularis, Bosc 656
1352. sacra, Gmel 657
462. BubulCUS, Pucker 657
1353. coromandus, Bodd 657
463. Ardeola, Boie 658
1354. Grayi,Sy 658
1355. prasinoceles, Svtinh 658
464. Butorides, Blyth 659
1356. Javanica, Horsf. 659
465. Ardetta, Gray 660
'357- flavicollis, Lath 660
XVI
CONTENTS.
PAGE
1358. cinnamomea, Gmel 661
1359. sinensis, Gmel 661
1360. minuta, Linn 662
466. Botaurus, Briss 662
1361. stellaris, Linn 662
467. Nycticorax, Steph 663
*362. griseus, Linn 663
468. Gorsachius, Pucker 664
1363. melanolophus 664
Family TANTALID/E 664
Sub-Fam. TANTALIN/E 664
469. Tantalus, Linn 665
1364. leucocephalus, Penn 665
Sub-Fam. PLATAIJEIN/E. ... 665
470. Platalea, Linn 665
1365. leucorodia 665
Sub-Fam.-ANASTOMIN/E ... 666
47 1 - Anastomoua, Illiger 666
1366. oscitans, Bodd 666
Sub-Fam. 1BIDINME 666
47 2 - Threskiornis, Gray 667
1367. meianocephalus, Lath 667
473- Geronticus 667
1368. papillosus, Tent 667
474- Graptocephalus, Elliot 667
1369. Davisoni, Hume 667
475- Falcinellus, Beck 668
I 37- igneus, Linn 668
Order NAT ATORES 669
Family PHCENICOPTERID/E. 669
476. Phcenieopterus, Linn 669
1371. antiquorum, Tern 669
1372. minor, Geoff. St. Hill 670
Family CYGN I D/E 671
477- CygmiS, Linn 671
1373. olor, Gm 671
Family AN SE RIM: 672
Sub-Fam. ANSERINE 673
478- Anser, Briss 673
1374. cinereus, Meyer 673
1375- brachyrrhynchus, Baillon. ... 673
1376. albifrons, Gm 674
1377. erythropus, Linn 675
1378. indicus, Lath 675
Family. A NATION 676
Bub-Pam. PLECTOPTERIN/E. . 676
479. Sarkidiornis, Eyton 677
1379. melanonotus, Penn 677
PAGE
480. Nettapus 677
1380, coromandelianus, Gmel 677
Sub-Fam, TADORNIN/E 678
481. Dendrocygna, Sw 678
1381 javanica, Horsf. 678
1382. fulva, Gmel 679
482. Casarca, Bp 679
1383. rutila, Pall 680
1384. scutulata, P. L. S. Mull 680
483. Tadorna , 681
1385. cornuta, Gm 681
Sub-Fam. ANATIN.E 682
484. Spatula, Boie 682
1386. clypeata, Linn 682
485. Anas, Linn. 683
1387. boscas, Linn 684
1388. psecilorhyncha, Forst 684
1389. caryophyllacea, Lath 685
486. Chaulelasmus, Gray 686
1390. streperus, Linn 685
1391. rufiventris, Sf. NOT) 686
1392. augnstirostris, Menet 687
487. Daflla, Leach 689
1393. acuta, Linn 689
488. Mareca, Steph 691
1394. penelope, Linn 691
489. Querquedula, Steph 692
I 395- crecca, Linn 692
1396. circia, Linn ... 693
1397. formosa, Georgi 694
1398 falcata, Georgi 695
Sub-Fam.-FULIGULIN^) 697
490. Fuligula, Steph 697
1399. rufina, Pall 697
1400. cristata, Linn 698
1401. mania., Linn 699
1402. ferina, Linn 700
1403. nyroca, Gould 701
491. Clangula 702
1404. glaucion, Linn. 702
492. Erismatura, 703
1405. leucocephala, Scop 703
Family MERGID/E 704
493. Mergus, Linn 704
1406. serrator, Linn 704
1407. merganser, Linn 706
494. Mergellus, Selby 706
1408. albellus, Linn 706
Family PO DIG I PI D/E 707
CONTENTS,
PAGE
495. Podiceps, Lath 707
1409. cristatus> Linn 707
1410. nigricollis, Linn 708
1411. minor, Linn* 709
Family PROCELLAR1M: ... 709
Sub-Fam. PRO-CELLARING. . 709
496. Oceanites, Keys and Bias-. 709
1412. oCeanica, Kuhl. 79
497- Daption, Stephens 710
1413. capensisj Linn 710
498. Puffinus 711
1414. persicus, Hum*. ,. 711
1415. chlororhynchus, Less 7 12
Order GAVI^-E 712
Family LA RID^E 712
Sub-Fam STERCORARIN^E., 712
499. Stercorarius, Briss 712
1416. asiaticus, Hume 7 : 3
Sub-Fam. LARING 714
500. LaruS) Lin'n 714
1417. cacchinnans, Pall 714
1418. affinis, Reinhardt 715
1419. gelastes, Licht 715
1420. hemprichi, Bp *ji6
1421. brunneicephalus, Je'rdon. ... 717
1422. ichthysetus, Pall. 717
1423. ridibundus, Linn 718
Sub-Fam. STERN ING 719
501. Hydrochelidon, Boie 719
1424. hybrida, Pall 719
1425. leucoptera, Meisn. & Schine. . 719
1426. nigra, Linn 7 20
502. Gelochelidon, Linn 721
1427. anglica, Mont 721
503. Sterna, Linn 721
1428. caspia, Pall 721
1429. Bergii, Licht 721
1430. cantiaca, Gm 722
1431. media, Horsf. 723
1432. melanauchen, Temm 723
1433. seena, Sykes 724
1434. melanogastra, Temm 724
1435. Dougalli, Mont. ,., 725
PAGE
1436. hirundo, Linn 726
1437. albigena, Licht 726
1438. Saundersii, Hume 727
1439. sinensis, Gm. . kl . 728
1440. anaesthetus, Scop ... 728
1441. fuliginosa, Gm 729
504. Anous, Leach 729
1442. stolida, Linn 730
1443. tenuirostris, Tern 730
1444. leucocapillus, Gould 730
Sub-Fam. RHYNCHOPSING. 731
505. Rhynchops, Linn 731
1445. albicollis, Szvains 731
Qrder-^STEGANOPODES 731
Family PH/E"TONTIDG 732
506. Phaeton, Lin 732
1446. rubricauda, Bodd 732
1447. flavirostris, Brandt 732
1448. indicus, Hume 733
Family- FREGATIDG 733
507. Fregata, Briss 734
1449. aquila, Linn 734
Family-PELECANIDG 734
Sub-Fam. SU LI DG 734
508. Sula 734
1450. Cyanops, Sundew 734
1451. austral is, Steph 735
1452. piscator, Linn 735
Sub-Fam. PELECANING 735
509. Pelecanus, Linn 735
1453. crispus, Bruch 736
1454. manillensis, Gm, 737
1455. roseus, Gm , 738
Sub-Fam. PHALACROCORACID^738
510. Phalacrocorax, Briss 738
1456. carbcs, Linn 73^
1457. fuscicollis, Steph 739
1458. pygmseus, Pall 740
Sub-Fam. PLOTIN^E 740
511. Plotus, Linn 741
1459. melanogaster, Penn.,. % 741
THE
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA
AND
ITS DEPENDENCIES.
ORDER. PASSERIFORMES.
SUB-ORDER. PASSERES.
GROUP.-CICHLOMORPH.E.
Family. TURDID^:.
Sub-Family. TURDIN^E.
Gen. Myrmecocichla. Cab.
Bill moderate, slender, straight, tolerably curving at tip and barely notched ;
rictal bristles small; wings as in Saxicola; 2nd quill generally slightly the
longest; tail long, of 12 feathers, and slightly rounded; feet stout; bill
Saxicoli'ncz, black.
405. Myrmecocichla fusca (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
v. p. 361. Saxicola fusca, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xx. p. 523 ; id. J. A. S. B.
xxiv. p. 1 88. Cercomela fusca (BlytK), Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 134 ; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 319; Butler, Str. F. 1875, p. 477. The INDIAN CHAT
ROBIN, or BROWN ROCK-CHAT.
Upper parts chocolate brown, paler on the forehead and ear-coverts ;
wing coverts and quills dark brown ; tail nearly black ; under surface of body
pale chocolate brown, shading into dark brown on the under tail coverts,
axillaries and under wing coverts ; bill, legs, feet and claws black ; 3rd
and 4th primaries sub-equal and longest ; second intermediate in length
between the sixth and seventh ; irides deep brown.
Length. 6*5 inches; wing 3-4 to 3-65 ; tail 2-5 ; culmen 0-65 ; tarsus ro.
Hab. The Northern Provinces of India. Has been recorded from Saugor
in Central India, also from the States of Bhopal, Gwalior and Bundelcund.
1
,v /;
Not uncommon in the N.-W. Provinces. Jerdon says it is a permanent
resident at Saugor, living among sand-hills and rocks, and rarely or never
coming to cultivated ground.
Gen. SaxiCOla. Bechst.
Bill rather flat at base ; nostrils in a membranous groove, opening round ;
wings long; 3rd and 4th quills longest; tail even; outer toe longer than
inner.
Head of Saxicola cenanthe.
406. SaxiCOla albonigra (Hume), Blanf. and Dresser, P. Z. S.,
1874, p. 226 ; Blf. East. Persia, ii. p. 153, pi. xi. ; Seebolim, Cat. B. Br. Mus>
p. 366. Saxicola alboniger, Hume, Sir. F. i. p. 2 (1873). Dromolgea albo-
niger, Hume, Str. F. i. p. 185 ; Murray, Hdbk. ZooL, fyc., Sind, p. 146.
HUME'S PIED STONE CHAT.
Adult Male. Head, neck, upper back and throat black ; quills dark brown ;
under wing coverts and axillaries black ; tail white, with a broad terminal band
of dark brown, broader on the two central feathers ; lower back, rump, upper
tail-coverts, breast, belly and under tail coverts white ; bill and legs black ;
irides dark brown.
Length. 7-5 inches, wing 4-25, bill at front 0-65.
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan (Kundilanee, Abigoom, Bolan Pass and Bam-
pusht, Kalagan, Blf), South E. Persia, S. Afghanistan (Gulistan, Chaman,
Dubrai, and Kandahar). Winters in Sind, and probably also in S. E. Persia.
407- SaxiCOla picata, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 131; Bp. Consp.
i. p. 304 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 131, No. 489; Blf. and Dresser, P. Z. S.
1874, p. 227 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus. p. 367; Blf. Eastern Persia, ii. p.
153; Hume Str. F. i. pp. 3, 184. Dromolaea picata (Blyth), Gould B.
Asia, pt. xvii. The PIED STONE CHAT.
Head, neck, back, throat and upper breast black ; quills dark brown, much
paler on the under surface ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black ; rump,
upper tail coverts, lower breast, under tail coverts and vent white ; the under
tail coverts in some specimens with a very faint tinge of buffy ; tail white, the
two central feathers black for their terminal half, and the others for about one-
fourth terminated with blackish brown ; bill and legs black ; irides dark brown.
SAXICOLA. 3
The adult female in breeding plumage is earthy brown, slightly paler on
the margins of the quills, wing coverts, the chin, upper throat and breast
shading into nearly white on the belly and more or less suffused with buff on
the under tail coverts ; rump and tail as in the male, except that the white is
occasionally slightly suffused with buff.
Length. 6^25 to 6*5 inches ; wing 37 ; tail 2*75 ; bill at front 0*5.
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan, S. E. Persia, S. Afghanistan, the Punjab. N. W.
Provinces, Oudh, and Guzerat. Breeds in Persia and South Afghanistan.
408. SaxiCOla Capistrata, Gould B. Asia, pt. xvii. 1865 ; Seebohm,
Cat. J?. Br. Mus. vol. v. p. 368 ; Gray, Handlist B. i. p. 224. Saxicola
leucomela (Pall), apud. Elyth, J . A. S. B, xvi. p. 131 ; apud. Jerd. B. 2nd.
ii. p. 131, No. 490. Saxicola morio, Hemp, et Ehr. apud. Blanf, and Dresser,
P. Z. S. 1874, p. 225 (pariim) ; apud. Sever tz. Sir. F. iii. p. 429. The
INDIAN STONE CHAT.
Adult Male in Breeding Plumage. Head and nape greyish white, shading
into white on the hind neck and eye stripes ; lores, chin, throat, ear coverts,
sides of neck, scapulars, back, wing coverts, axillaries and under wing coverts
black; quills dark brown, slightly paler on the under surface; rump, upper
tail coverts, breast, flanks, belly and under tail coverts white, the latter occa-
sionally suffused with buff ; tail white, the two central feathers nearly black
for the terminal half, and the remainder tipped with nearly black from a
quarter to half an inch; bill and legs black ; wings, 3rd, 4th and 5th prima-
ries nearly equal and longest ; second, intermediate in length between the 6th
and 7th ; bastard primary o'9 to 0*7.
Length. Wing 37 to 3-5 inches; tail 27 to 2*4 ; oilmen 07 to 0*62; tarsus
J'l to 0*9. Fe ma le unknown. {Seebohm.)
Hab. North- Western and Central India, and Sind during winter. Breeds
in Turkistan and probably Afghanistan also. (Seeboh?n, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
p. 368.)
409. Saxicola monacha, Rupp. fide Ten. Pi. Col. No. 359, fig. i ;
id. Syst. Uebers. p. 58 ; Gray, Handlist B. i. p. 226 ; Shelley, B. Egypt,
p. 78 ; Sharpe and Dresser $ B. Eur. pt. xvi. ; Blf. and Dresser ; P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 227; Blf. East. Pers. ii. p. 150; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. v.
p. 369. Saxicola pallida, Rupp. fide Cretzschm, Rupp. Atl. xxxiv. ; Gray,
Handlist B. i. p. 224, No. 3213. Dromolaea monacha (Rupp.), Bp. Consp. i.
302 ; Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 186. Saxicola gracilis, Licht. Nom. Av. p. 35.
The HOODED STONE CHAT.
Adult Male. General colour black ; quills dark brown, paler on under
surface ; head, nape, upper and lower tail coverts, belly, and flanks white ;
tatf white, except the terminal half of the two central feathers, and the tips of
others, which are very dark brown ; bill and legs black ; irides brown.
4 TURDID/E.
Length. 7 to 7*25 inches; wing 4 to 4-42 ; tail from vent 275; tarsus 0*9 ,
bill at front 0-62.
Adult Female. General colour very similar to the male, but browner, and
the white parts suffused or tinged with buffy,
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan, Persia, Egypt, Nubia and Palestine ; wintering
in Sind. Said to be resident in Persia and Egypt.
410. SaxiCOla moriO, Hemp, et Ehr. Symb. Phys. fol, a. a. ; Dresser,
JB. Eur. pt. xxvii. (1874 partim) ; Dresser and Blf. Ibis 1874, p. 338;
Blf. East. Pers. ii. p. 152; Ward I. Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 55; Seebohm,
Cat. Birds Br. Mus. p. 372. Saxicola leucomela (Pall), Tern. Man. d'Orn. i.
p. 243 ; Gould. B. Eur. ii. pi, 89 ; Gray, Gen. Birds, i. p. 178; Bp. Consp. i.
303 ; Severtz. Sir. F. 1875, P- 4^9- Saxicola hendersoni, Hume, Ibis, 1871,
p. 408 ; Hume and Henderson, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 206, pi. xiii. The
WHITE-HEADED STONE CHAT.
Adult Male. General colour black ; quills dark brown, paler on the under
side ; head, nape, hind neck, rump, upper and lower tail coverts, breast,
flanks, and belly, white ; the head and nape tinged greyish ; tail white, the
two centre feathers black for the terminal half, and the others tipped black
from a quarter to half an inch ; bill and legs black j irides brown.
Length. Wing 3-9 103-6 inches (Female 3-6 to 3-45); tail 2-66102-25,
culmen 07 to 0-6; tarsus ro to 0'8$.(See&ohm.') Female, like the male,
but the upper parts earthy brown.
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan, Cashmere, Palestine, and
Egypt. Winters in Sind, Arabia, and Abyssinia ; and breeds (according to
Seebohm) in Cyprus, Crimea, Caucasus, Persia, Afghanistan and Turkistan ;
also in Western Thibet, Mongolia, Siberia, and N. W. China.
411. SaxiCOla Opistholeuca, (Strickl.\ Jard. Contr. Orn. 1849,
p. 60; Blyth* Cat. B. Mus. A. S. p. 167; Gray, Handlist B. i. p. 226;
Blanf. and Dresser, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 229; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vol. v. p. 376. Saxicola leucura, Gmel. apud. Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 131.
Saxicola leucoroides, Guer. apud. Jerd. B. Ind. p. 130. Saxicola syenitica,
HeugL apud. Severtz. Turkest. Jevotn. p. 65. Saxicola leucopygia {Brehm /^)
Dresser, Ibis 1875, p. 337 ; Str. F. vol. viii. p. 473 ; Murray, Hdbk., ZooL,
&c., Sind, p. 146. The INDIAN WHITE-TAILED STONE CHAT,
Entire head, neck, back, throat, breast, belly, wings, and under wing coverts
black ; quills dark brown ; rump, upper and under tail coverts, vent and tail
white ; the terminal half or a little more of the two central feathers of the tail,
and the tips of others from a quarter to half an inch deep, dark brown ; bill
and legs black ; irides dark brown.
Length. 6-5 inches ; wing 375 ; tail 275 ; bill at front O'68. Female,
length 6'5 inches; wing 3-52; tail 2'6; tarsus 0-95 to 0-99.
SAXICOLA. 5
>.S'md, Punjab (at Mooltan and Cheechawutnee), N.-W. Provinces,
Beloochistan (Quetta, May 2 1st), Afghanistan (Chaman), and S.-W. Turkistan.
Occurs also in Jodhpore, and probably in Kutch and Kattiawar.
412. Saxicola deserti, Tem. Pi. Col. pi. 459, fig. 2 ; Rupp. Sysi.
Uebers. p. 58 ; Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 179 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 303 ; Jerd. B. Ind.
ii, p. 132, No. 492 ; Blf. Geol. and Zaol. Abyssinia, p. 362; Shelley, Birds
Egypt, p. 74 ; Blf. East. Pers. ii. p. 148 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. v.
p. 383. Saxicola atrigularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 131 ; Gould, B. of
Asia, pt. xvii. Saxicola homochroa, Tristram, Ibis, 1839, p. 59; Heugl.
N. 0. Afr. B. i. p. 243 ; Shelley, B. Egypt, p. 75. The BLACK-THROATED
WHEATEAR.
Top of head, neck, back, scapulars, breast and belly buff ; upper and under
tail coverts very pale buff ; chin, throat, lores, behind the eye, and terminal
half of the tail black ; the two central feathers of the tail with the black for
nearly a quarter of an inch higher from the base than the others ; basal half of
tail feathers and a supercilium from the base of the bill to the nape white ;
wings and wing coverts dark brown, the secondaries margined on the outer
webs with buff ; tertiaries lighter, broadly margined and narrowly tipped with
buffy, the basal half of inner webs of all margined with white ; axillaries
and under wing coverts black, some of the feathers white tipped ; bill and
legs black ; irides hazel.
Length. 675 to 7 inches ; wing 3*9 to 4 ; tail 275 ; tarsus I to ri ; bill at
front 0-5.
Hob. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Beloochistan, S.-E. Persia, Afghan-
istan, E. Turkistan, Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, Nubia. Occurs also in Central
India, Deccan, Concan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and North Guzerat.
Seebohm, in his Cat. B. Br. Mus., p. 385, describes Saxicola mon-
tana, Gould., B. As. pt. xvii. from Gwadur, Yarkand and Cashmere. I have
a long series of the Desert Chat from Beloochistan, S. Afghanistan, Sind and
Sibi in Afghanistan and all have the basal half of the inner webs of quills
margined white. S. deserti and S. montana I believe to be one and the same
species, the differences, if any, are due to seasonal changes. In one stage of
plumage (autumn and beginning of winter) the edge of the wing is a mixture
of buffy white and black, the axillaries whitish, and the black feathers of the
throat tipped with buffy white.
413. SaxiCOla ChrySOpygia, De FUlippi, Arch. Zool. Genova, ii.
p. 381 ; id. Viag. Pers. p, 347 ; Gray, Handlist B. i. p. 226 ; Blf. East. Pers.
ii. p. 151; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. M. p. 389; Murray, Hdbk., ZooL, &c.,
Sind> p. 148. Saxicola kingi, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 29 ; id. Sir. F. i. p. 187 ;
vii. p. 57. The RED-TAILED WHEATEAR.
TURDID^E.
PLATE.
A dark grey line from the gape to and under the eye ; a broad slightly
greyish white line from the nostrils over the eye much more conspicuous
in some specimens than in others ; ear coverts silky rufescent brown ; fore-
head greyish brown; crown, occiput, nape, back and scapulars nearly
uniform grey-earthy brown, as a rule only very slightly tinged with rufescent
towards the rump, but in some specimens more strongly so ; rump and upper
tail coverts bright rufous fawn, in some specimens pale rufous buff ; tail
feathers bright, in some pale ferruginous, with a sub-terminal blackish brown
band extending over both webs, and a narrow tipping of rufous white jets in
at the shafts for about the tenth of an inch ; occasionally on the lateral
feathers the black bar is more or less imperfect, the dark band is from ri to
1-4 broad on the central tail feathers, about o'6 to 0*8 on the feathers next
the centre, and 0*4 to 0*6 on the external ones. The tertiaries and most of
the coverts are hair brown, broadly margined with pale rufescent ; the vvinglet,
primaries, and secondaries, and primary greater coverts are slightly darker
hair brown, very narrowly tipped with white, and some of them, the seconda-
ries especially, very narrowly margined with pale rufescent ; the chin and
upper throat white with a faint creamy tinge ; the sides of the neck, behind
and below the ear coverts, grey, greyish white and greyish brown, blending
on the one side into the colour of the throat, and on the other into that of the
back of the neck. The breast and upper abdomen are a very pale rufescent
brown, all the tips of the feathers being paler. The centre of the abdomen
and vent slightly rufescent white ; flanks rufescent fawn ; lower tail coverts a
somewhat pale buff ; wing lining and axillaries pure white ; legs and feet
black ; bill black ; irides dark brown.
Length* 6'2 to 6*5 inches, expanse 10 to ii'3, tail from vent 2*2 to 2'4 ;
wings, when closed, reach to within 07 to 1-5 of end of tail, wing 37 to 4-4;
the 3rd primary is the longest, the second 0*25, and the 1st 2-0 shorter than
the third ; the tail is perfectly square ; bill, length at front 0*55 to O'6 ; tarsus
1 to roi ; foot, greatest length, 1*15 to 1*3; mid-toe to root of claw 0-55 to
0-65, its claw straight, o'2 to 0-24. (Hume, Str. F. vol. i. p. 187.)
Hab. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Beloochistan, S.-E. Persia, Afghan-
istan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and North Guzerat. In one specimen
I possess, a female collected at Kurrachee in January, the feathers on the
crown of the head are dark shafted, the tertiaries are tipped greyish white, and
the edge of wing is also greyish white, with a few dusky spots ; the basal
third or little more of the inner webs of the primaries, secondaries, and
tertiaries narrowly margined with white. S. cenanthe is said to migrate as
far as N. India, but of this there is nothing positive known.
414. Saxicola isabellina, Crelszchm. Rupp. AtL p. 52 ; id. Syst.
Uebers. p. 58; Bonap. Consp. i. p. 304 ; Gray, Handlist B. i. p. 225 ; Blf.
AVIFAUNA or BRITISH INDIA
Minteni Bros .
;: A '*'*
1 .:.
^GITHINA.
and Dresser ', P. Z. S. 1874, p, 229 ; Dresser, B. Eur. pi. xxviii. 1874 j
j0j/. Pers. ii. p. 147 ; Seebohm, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. v. p. 400. Motacilla
stapazina, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso, As. i. p. 474 ; ex. Willoughby nee. Motacilla
stapazina, Lin. Saxicola saltator, Menet. Cat. Rais< Cauc. p. 30 ; Severtz,
Jevotn. Turkest. p. 65. Saxicola cenanthe (Linn.) apud. Jerd. B. Ind. ii.
p. 132; Hume, Str. F. i. pp. 45, 48, 187; vii. pp. 57, 95, 112; Murray,
Hdbk., ZooLj 8fc., Sind, p. 148. The WHEATEAR.
Adult Male. Head, neck, back, and scapulars sandy brown. A stripe from
the nostrils, above the eye as a supercilium ; the nape white or buffy white, a
narrow black stripe below this from the gape to the eye ; chin buffy white ;
throat, breast, and belly pale buff, darker on the breast ; rump and upper tail
coverts white ; under tail coverts also white, tinged with buffy ; primaries,
their coverts, secondaries and tertiaries brown, margined on their outer webs
with whitish or buffy white ; the secondaries (in all Sind specimens) tipped
with whitish ; wing coverts brown, margined with pale rufescent brown ; ear
coverts rufescent brown ; tail white, the terminal half of the central feathers
and about one-third of the others dark brown ; axillariesand under wing coverts
white ; bill and legs black ; irides light brown.
Length. 6'5 to 675 inches ; wing 3-75 to 4; tail 275.
Had. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan,
Eastern Turkistan, Cashmere, Palestine, Abyssinia, Thibet and North China.
Breeds in Asia Minor; winters in Sind, N. W. -Provinces, Punjab, Egypt, Nubia
and Abyssinia. Occurs also in Kutch, Jodhpore, Deccan, Kattiawar and
North Guzerat.
Family. TIMELIID.E.
Sub-family. BRACHYPODIN^:.
Rictal bristles scanty or numerous, generally strong; tarsi short, not longer
than the length of the bill measured from the gape ; legs and feet strong
and short ; wings moderate ; bill variable, more or less wide and depressed
at base.
Gen. .aSgitirina. Vieill.
Bill moderate ; culmen shorter than the tarsus, somewhat compressed,
slightly curved and hooked at the tip ; rictal bristles scanty, not extending
beyond the hind edge of the nostrils, which are apert ; wing short and
rounded ; 4th, 5th, and 6th quills generally sub-equal and longest ; tail even
and short ; tarsi short, scutellate.
This genus contains three good species, i.e., ^E. viridissima, tiphia and nigro-
lutea, and twice as many races. Mr. Hume, in Stray Feathers, 1877, p. 423,
and Mr. Sharpe, in B. M. Cat., have both exhaustively treated the subject ; and
so far, Mr. Sharpe, the latest writer, says that Mr. Hume's conclusions with
regard to sE. tiphia and its races are thoroughly borne out by the series of
8 TIMELIID^.
specimens he has examined. It is scarcely necessary to say that the changes
of plumage in " tiphia " and its races are still not quite understood. Mr.
Sharpe's account of the results obtained by him are given as follows, He
says :
1. JE. viridissima and sE. nigrolutea are both distinct species. JE. tiphia
is the most widely spread form, and embraces five races, or sub-species, which
cannot infallibly be recognized.
2. The females of all the races of JE. tiphia cannot be recognized one
from the other.
3. In Southern India and Ceylon the full-plumaged birds are black on the
head and back. Birds with more or less black are found in other parts of the
Indian Peninsula and the Burmese countries ; but black-backed birds are
rather the exception than the rule. In the Malayan Peninsula, however,
black-backed birds again occur, not to be distinguished from South Indian
specimens.
4. In East Central India there is a black -backed form like sE. zeylonica,
but easily distinguished by its paler colouration. This race is noticed by
Mr. Hume in Str. F.> 1877, p. 439.
5. ^E. scapular is from Java never has any black on the males, which
appear to resemble 1 the females , excepting in being a little darker on the
wings.
6. JE. viridis from Sumatra and Borneo is the JE. scapularis of authors
from the abovementioned Islands. From an examination of numerous
individuals, I am certain that it never has a black-backed plumage ; and it
might be considered a distinct species were it not that the adult males can be
matched by others' from Ceylon in the stage of plumage which they assume
before getting the black head and back, but when they are brilliant yellow
below with black wings and tail the lores and forehead of JE. viridis is
also brilliant yellow. This is peculiar to the adult Bornean birds.
415. ^githina viridissima (-#/>.), Tweed, Ibis, 1877, p. 304, pi. v. ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 6 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 20. lora
viridissima, Bonap., Consp. Av. i. p. 307 ; Salvad., Ucc. Born. p. 192 ;
Hume, Sir. F. v. p. 427 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 327 ; Hume,
Str. F. viii. p. 99. The GREEN DWARF BULBUL.
Adult Male. Plumage dark grass green above and below, slightly yellower
on the abdomen and vent, and lighter on the lower back and rump ; lores
blackish ; a narrow line above the eye and a large spot below it yellow ; upper
tail coverts and tail black, also the scapulars ; wings black, with a double white
wing bar formed by the white tips to the greater and median series of coverts ;
quills black, narrowly edged with green ; thighs yellow, the feathers with
black bases, flanks with a silky white tuft ; axillaries white ; the under wing
coverts the same, but washed with yellowish ; edge of the wing yellow.
Legs and feet plumbeous blue ; claws black ; lower mandible, gape and a
line on each side of upper mandible dark plumbeous blue ; rest of upper
mandible black or blackish brown ; irides dark to reddish brown. (Hume.)
Length. 5'O to 5-2 inches; wing 2-35 to 2*4; tail rS to 1-9 ; tarsus 07;
bill from gape 075 ; culmen 0*65.
The female has the upper plumage dark grass green ; the tail green,
narrowly edged with yellow ; lores and sides of the head greenish yellow ;
wing coverts brown, broadly edged and tipped with pale yellow ; quills blackish
brown, edged with greenish yellow ; ear coverts streaked with yellow ; a large
tuft of silky white feathers on the flanks ; under wing coverts white, washed
with yellow ; axillaries white.
Length. 5'O to 5*1 inches ; wing 2*25 ; tail r6 ; tarsus 07.
Hah, Throughout the Malay Peninsula, and in Borneo and Sumatra. Occurs
as a rare straggler in the southern portion of Tenasserim. Mr. Davison
procured one specimen in Mergui. It is found chiefly in low brushwood and
in mangrove swamps, where it feeds on insects.
416. ^Sgithina tiphia (Linn.), Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 295 ;
Gates, Sir. F. v. p. 157 ; Sharpy Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 7 ; Gales, B. Br.
Burm. i. p. 202. Motacilla tiphia, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 331. Motacilla
zeylonica, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 964. lora zeylonica, Jerd. B. hid. ii. p. 101,
No. 467. lora typhia, Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 103, No. 468 ; Blyth and Wald.,
B. Burm. p. 137; Hume, Sir. F. v. p. 428; Anders., Yunnan Exped.
p. 660 ; Legge, B. Ceyl. p. 490 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 99. The COMMON
DWARF BULBUL.
Adult Male in summer plumage. Lores, forehead, crown and back black,
the feathers of the mantle yellowish white at base and showing through;
rump greenish yellow ; upper tail coverts and tail black, also the lesser wing
coverts ; the greater coverts black, tipped with white ; the median coverts white,
the white tippings forming a double bar across the wing ; quills black ; the
primaries narrowly edged with yellow, and the secondaries fringed with whitish
at the tips ; sides of the head and neck, lores and eyelids glossy black ; lower
edge of eyelids, cheeks, ear coverts, chin, throat, breast and under surface of
body deep intense, or bright yellow, fading off into paler or greenish yellow
on the lower abdomen, vent, under tail coverts and sides : a large tuft of silky
white plumes on either flank; thighs yellowish green, with dark brown
bases ; under wing coverts white, washed with yellowish ; axillaries white.
The female is yellowish green above, with rather more yellow on the head ;
mantle long and silky ; tail green, with a narrow yellowish edge ; wings with
two bars across ; median coverts dusky green, with broad white tips ; greater
2
10
coverts blackish, tipped with white ; quills dusky blackish, narrowly edged
with pale yellowish ; lores, sides of the head and face, round the eye and
under surface of the body bright yellow, the sides washed with greenish;
axillaries and under wing coverts as in the male. In winter the male loses all
the black of the upper parts except on the tail and wings, while the immature
have not the black even on the wings and tail. Feet and claws plumbeous ;
iris yellowish, olive grey, or hazel ; bill bluish, darker on the culmen.
Length. $'i to 5*4 inches; wing 2-4 to 2-6; tail 1-85 to 2'o; tarsus 07 ;
bill from gape 07 ; culmen o'6.
Hob.- The Punjab (?), N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Bengal, Rajputana, Central
India, the Central Provinces, Kutch, Concan, Guzerat, Deccan, South India,
British Burmah, Nepaul, and Sikkim.
The Dwarf or White-winged Green Bulbul is common in all the places
mentioned above. Jerdon mentions Nagpore, Saugor, and Jaulnah as some
localities. It is a very widely spread species, and, owing to the changes
of its plumage is difficult to identify with any degree of certainty. In
Assam, Arrakan, Pegu, and Tenasserim it is abundant. Captain Wardlaw-
Ramsay met with it in Karenne. In the Indo-Burmese countries, Siam,
Cochin-China, and the Malay Peninsula to Singapore, it is abundantly met
with. It frequents orchards, low trees and brushwood, active, and restlessly
searching the twigs, leaves, and smaller branches for insects, which are
its chief food. It does not, according to Jerdon, confine itself to cultivated
ground, but is also a denizen of the open spaces of jungles. Its flight is per-
formed by a succession of quick vibrations of the wing, and causes a loud whir-
ring sound. When searching for food it keeps up a continuous loud warble
or a peculiar querulous note.
The breeding season of this Bulbul is from May to September, building
usually on the upper surface of a horizontal bough at a height of from 10 to 25
feet from the ground. The nest is not unlike that of a Leucocirca. It is cup-
shaped, but not very compact, with an egg cavity of 2 inches diameter on an
average, and lined with fine grass stems. The general structure is of fine fibres
and grass, coated on the outside with cobwebs. The eggs, usually three in
number, are greyish white, or with a creamy or salmon tinge, streaked with
long pale brown, brown or reddish brown markings, confined chiefly to the large
end. In shape they are moderately broad ovals and slightly pointed at one end.
In size the average may be said to be 0'6 to 076 X 0*51 to 0-57.
417. JEgithina nigrolutea* G. F. L. Marshall, Sir. F. 1876,
p. 410; Hume, Str.F. 1877, pp. 134, 441 ; id. i878,p.454; id. 1879^.99;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi., p. 12. MARSHALL'S DWARF BULBUL.
Adult Male in breeding plumage. Forehead, crown, occiput and nape
glossy black ; chin, throat, cheeks, ear coverts, breast, sides of neck, and a
broad half collar occupying the base of the back of the neck and upper back,
, AETHORHYNCHUS. H
intense gamboge yellow. This collar is rarely entirely uniform, as generally
a few of the feathers are fringed at the tips with black. Mid-back glossy
black, generally with a little of the yellowish bases showing through ; rump
pale greenish ; upper tail coverts and tail black, the tail with all the feathers
broadly tipped with white, the white not unfrequently running some distance
up the margin of the inner, and in a few cases of the outer webs also. Coverts
and tertiaries black, both median and greater coverts broadly tipped with
white ; primaries and secondaries hair brown, more or less of their outer
webs towards their bases blackish and margined, in some very narrowly with
white ; abdomen pale gamboge yellow, the sides tinged with greenish ; wing
lining and axillaries and more or less of the inner margins of the quills
satiny white ; edge of the wings slightly tinged with primrose. (Hume.)
The females have the under parts a pale mealy yellow, shaded with olive
green. The head is similar, but not quite so light; the nape and entire back
similar, but strongly overlaid with olive green. The wings and tail are as in
the breeding season, except that the wings have the margins, especially of the
tertiaries, very conspicuous and much tinged with pale yellow ; that the greater
coverts often have pale yellow margins besides the white tips ; and that the
central tail feathers are almost entirely greyish white, tipped pure white, and
with the outer webs in many specimens more or less shaded with ashy or
olivaceous ashy. (Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 443.) The soft parts and measure-
ments are not given by Hume.
The range of Marshall's Dwarf Bulbul is given by Mr. Hume as follows :
Western India Kutch, Deesa, Anadra at the foot of Mount Aboo, Sambhur,
Koochawun, Agra, Muttra, Delhi, Etawah, Jhansi, Sumbulpoor, Allyghur,
Meerut, Saharunpoor. It is not correct to call these places Western India.
The present geography or distribution of Provinces would bring the localities
quoted under the following districts : Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Bengal,
Rajputana, Central India, Central Provinces, Kutch, and Guzerat.
Gen. AethorhynchuS. Sundev.
Characters the same as those of ^Egitliina tarsus equalling the length of
bill or sub-equal with it.
418. Aethorhynchus lafresnayii, Hartl., Rev. Zool. 1844^.401 ;
Blyth and Wald., B. Burm., p. 13?; Hume, Str. F. v. p. 423 J Hume and
Dav., Str. F. vi. -pp. 328, 516; Hume, Str. F. viii. pp. 63, 99; Oates,
B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 204; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 14. lora innotata,
Blyth. J . A. S. B. xvi. p. 472. Phoenicomanes iora, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 427, pi, liv. LAFRESNAY'S DWARF BULBUL.
12 TIMELIID/E.
Adult Male. Lores, feathers round the eye, cheeks, sides of the neck and
the whole lower plumage bright yellow ; flanks with a large tuft of silky white
feathers; forehead tinged with yellowish; crown, nape and back greenish
yellow, the feathers terminated with black ; rump black ; upper tail coverts
and tail greenish black ; wing-coverts and quills black, externally washed
with greenish black ; the primaries narrowly edged with yellow ; under wing
coverts and axillaries white, washed with yellowish.
The female is dull grass green above with a gloss of oily green, the feathers
grey at the base ; least wing coverts like the back ; median and greater coverts
and quills dusky black, washed with green and inclining to pale yellow on the
edges ; tail, yellowish green, edged with brighter yellow on the inner webs ;
rest of plumage as in the male. (Sharpe.) Bill dark above, bluish grey
underneath ; legs bluish grey ; iris brown.
Length. 5-8 to 6 inches ; wing, 2*75 to 2'8 ; tail, 2*2 to 2-3 ; tarsus, O'8 ;
oilmen o'8 to 07. (Sharpe.)
Hob. Arrakan and through Tenasserim into the Malay Peninsula as far
as Malacca.
Gates says this Dwarf Bulbul is a rare bird in Burmah, except in the extreme
southern portion of Tenasserim. Blyth has recorded it from Arrakan.
Gates met with it in Pegu. Captain Bingham found it in the Thoungyeen
Valley. Davison procured it in Mergui and Bankasoon.
In habits it does not appear to differ from the common Dwarf Bulbul, and
Gates adds that it goes about in couples or singly, searching the leaves of trees,
and has a fine whistling call.
An allied species is sEthorynchus xanthotis, which occurs in Cambodia. It
is smaller than lafresnayii and has the wing coverts conspicuously tipped and
margined with yellow. The ear coverts, too, are bright yellow.
Gen. ChloropSiS- Jard and Selby.
Bill moderate, longer than the tarsus, and variable ; the culmen keeled and
more or less curved ; tip bent down and notched ; nostrils basal, long ;
rictal bristles scanty ; wing rounded, moderately long ; the 4th and 5th quills
sub-equal ; tail moderate, even.
This genus comprises birds of bright grass green plumage. All are marked
or varied with blue and yellow markings about the head, neck, or wings.
419. Chlor OpsiS hardwickii, Jard and Selby y III. Orn. ii. App. p. I ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 18. Chloropsis auriventris, Deless., Rev.
Zool. 1840, p. loo; id. Mag. de. ZooL 1840, pi. 17. Phyllornis hardwickii,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii., p. 392; Gould, B. Asia Pt. xiii ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii.
p. loo, No. 466; Blyth B. Burm. p. 137; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 327; id.
1879, p. 99 ; Scully t. c. 297 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 206. The ORANGE-
BELLIED GREEN BULBUL.
CHLOROPSIS. 13
Adult Male. Upper plumage green, yellower on the head, and washed
with fulvous yellow on the mantle and back ; lores, feathers under the eye,
chin, throat, ear coverts and upper breast black ; a broad moustachial streak
reaching to the end of the ear coverts cobalt ; remainder of under surface of
body rich ochraceous orange, the flanks slightly washed with greenish ; tail
dull purple, the inner webs blacker ; lesser wing coverts verdigris blue or
bright greenish cobalt, forming a shoulder patch ; remaining wing coverts
purplish blue ; secondaries brown on the inner and green on the outer webs ;
tertiaries and inner greater coverts entirely green ; under wing coverts ashy,
washed with blue ; bill black ; legs plumbeous ; iris light brown.
Length. 7*5 inches; wing 3*8 ; tail 3*1 ; tarsus 0*7 ; culmen 0*9.
The female has the upper plumage green like the male, but without any
yellowish wash on the head ; lesser wing coverts blue ; other coverts and
tertiaries wholly green ; secondaries and primaries brown, edged with green,
the first three primaries with a tinge of blue ; tail green ; moustachial streak
cobalt, but not as bright as in the male ; sides of the head and neck, chin,
throat, and upper breast with the whole of the flanks green, the throat tinged
with blue ; lower breast, abdomen, vent and under tail coverts orange.
Young birds are entirely green, and the moustache and wing patch are
barely indicated. As they mature, traces of the orange belly are seen.
Hab. N.-W. Provinces, and perhaps the Punjab also ; East Bengal,
British Burmah, Assam, Sikkim, and along the Himalayan range to Nepaul.
Occurs also in Bhootan, Sylhet, Cachar and Arrakan. It has been got in the
Tounghoo Hills and in Karenne at from 3,500 to 4,000 feet elevation. In
Tenasserim it is said to be confined to the Mooleyit Mountain and its spurs,
where it appears to be not uncommon. Sharpe records it from Nynee Tal,
Darjeeling, Khasia Hills and the Karin Hills. Of its nidification nothing
appears to be known.
420- ChlorOpsiS aurifrons (Tern.), Jard. and Sell., III. Orn. text.
to pl..c. ; Blyth., J .A. S. B . xi. p. 458 ; xii. p. 956 ; Jcrd., Madr.Journ. xiii.
p. 123; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. vi. p. 20; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
p. 205. Phyllornis aurifrons, Tern., PI Col. 484, fig. I. ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii.
p. 99, No. 465 ; Ball, Sir. F. 1874, p. 411 ; Hume, t. c. p. 477 ; id., Sir. F.
1875, p. 129; Ball, Str. F. 1877, p. 417; 1878, pp. 215, 326; vol. viii.
p. 99 ; Scully, Sir. F. 1878, p. 297. Phyllornis hodgsoni, Gould., B. Asia.
pt. xiii.; Blanf.,J,A.S. B. xxxii. p. 73; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm.
p. 137. The GOLD-FRONTED GREEN BULBUL.
Adult. General colour bright grass green; fore-crown brilliant deep orange ;
lores, eyelids, sides of face and throat black ; a superciliary fringe of yellow
extends to the ear coverts and skirts the black down the sides of the neck ;
cheeks and throat deep purplish cobalt ; remainder of under surface of body
14 TIMELIID/E.
bright green, lighter in the centre of the abdomen ; wings deeper green than
the back ; lesser coverts cobalt blue, forming a shoulder patch ; quills blackish
and externally green, shading off into yellowish towards the tips of the
primaries; tail dark green; the inner webs dusky; axillaries green; bill
black ; legs bluish plumbeous ; iris dark bro\vn.
The female is not unlike the male, but the colours are less vivid.
Length.- 6-5 to 7-5 inches; wing 2-9 103-45 ; tail 2-4 to 2-6; tarsus 07;
culmen 0-85.
Hab. The sub-Himalayan region from Dehra Doon to Sikkim, extending to
Lower Bengal. It also occurs through Arrakan, Pegu, Assam and Burmah to
Tenasserim and Cambodia ; also Cochin-China. In Tenasserim, according to
Davison, it is common as far south as Amherst, and Captain Bingham states it
is abundant in the Thoungyeen Valley. It has also been procured in Karenne.
According to Gates, this Bulbul goes in pairs when feeding. Their food
consists of insects. The male bird, he says, frequently sits on the summit of
a tree and gives utterance to a series of notes, which at times becomes a rather
sweet song. They feed a good deal on fruit too and the nectar of flowers.
They are not at all shy, and may be met with in gardens and compounds just
as frequently as in deep forests.
421. ChlorOpSiS malabarica (GmeL), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 22. Turdus malabaricus, GmeL, Syst. Nat. i. p. 837. Phyllornis
malabaricus, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xiv. p. 566 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. xiii. ; Jerd.
Bt Ind. ii. p. 99, No. 464 ; Fairbank, Str. F. 1876, p. 258 ; Bourdillon, t. c.
p. 400 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 99 : Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 488. The
MALABAR GREEN BULBUL.
Adult Male. Bright grass green ; wing coverts like the back, the lesser
series bright greenish cobalt, forming a shoulder patch; quills blackish,
externally green, and edged with brighter green ; tail dull green, the inner
webs blackish ; forehead bright orange ; no orange across the foreneck, which,
like the breast, is green ; lores, a circle of feathers round the eye and below
it, under part of the cheeks as well as the entire thorax black ; ear coverts
and sides of neck green ; moustachial streak cobalt ; under surface of body
light green ; edge of the wing blue ; bill blackish ; legs and feet plumbeous ;
irides light yellow brown.
Length. 7*3 to 7-5 inches; wing 3-5 to 375 ; tail 27 to 3; tarsus O'8;
culmen 0*9.
The female is smaller and has the forehead green, and the throat patch and
moustachial stripe smaller.
Hab. The forests of Malabar and Southern India, occurring also inTravan-
core, on the Eastern Ghauts, forests of Central India, and throughout the
northern half of Ceylon. Jerdon mentions it from Wynaad, Coorg, and on the
I
CHLOROPSIS. 15
sides of the Neilgherries up to about 4,000 feet elevation. It has also been
reported from the Deccan. In its habits the Malabar Green Bulbul does not
differ from the last.
422. Chloropsis zosterops, Vig., App. Mem. Life Raff. p. 674;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 24 ; Oates, B. Br. Btirm. i. p. 207.
Phyllornis sonneratti, apud, Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 193 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1877,
p. 15. Phyllornis javensis (Horsf.), apud. Blyth, B. Burm. p. 136 ; Hume and
Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 324; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 99. The MALACHITE-
SHOULDERED GREEN BULBUL.
Adult Male. Whole upper plumage, wing coverts and tertiaries bright
green ; a patch on the lesser wing coverts malachite-green ; other wing
coverts bright green ; quills dusky blackish, broadly edged with bright green ;
tail green, the inner webs of all but the central pair of feathers brown towards
the outer edge ; lores, feathers above the nostrils, a narrow line above and
round the eye, the cheeks, chin and throat black ; ear coverts and a line along
the black of the throat on each side paler green than the back ; moustachial
streak deep violet cobalt, under surface of body bright green, also the axil-
laries and edge of wing, but darker ; under wing coverts ashy, washed with
greenish at the tips ; legs, feet and claws pale plumbeous j bill black ; irides
brown, dark brown or crimson ; eyelids blackish grey.
Length. 7-5 to 8-5 inches; wing 3-85 to 3-9; tail 2'6 to 3; tarsus 075 ;
culmen 0*85.
The female has not the black throat of the male ; the shoulder patch is
emerald green ; the moustachial streak very small.
Hal. Central and Southern Tenasserim, through the Malay Peninsula to
Sumatra, Borneo and Malacca.
423. Chloropsis jerdoni (Dlyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi.
p. 26; Jerd., Madr. Journ. xiii. pt. 2, p. 124. Phyllornis jerdoni, Blyth, J.
A. S. B. xiii. p. 392 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 97, No. 463; Holdszv. P. Z. S.
1872, p. 451 ; Ball., Str. F- 1874, p. 410; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 294 ; Fairbank^ Str. F. 1876, p. 259 ; id. 1877, P- 46 ; Ball., t. c. p. 215 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 99. JERDON'S or the COMMON GREEN BULBUL.
Above light grass green ; the head dull yellow, shading into the emerald
green of the occiput and nape ; anterior edge of eyelid and lores black, also
the feathers below the eye, the cheeks and throat ; ear coverts dull yellow, sepa-
rated from the black throat by a similar band which extends from behind the
eye down the sides of the neck on to the lower throat, where it forms a gorget;
moustachial streak violet cobalt ; shoulder patch turquoise blue ; quills
blackish brown, edged externally with green, the primaries yellow towards
the tips of the outer webs ; inner secondaries green ; tail green ; under plumage
16 TIMELIID/E.
emerald green, deeper on the sides ; under wing coverts and axillaries green,
with greyish bases ; edge of wing emerald green ; bill blackish ; legs and
feet plumbeous or pale lavender ; iris brown or pale brown. (Legge.)
Length. 7*8 inches ; wing 3*45 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 0*75 ; culmen O 4 8.
The/emale has not the black throat, which is pale turquoise blue, and is
much smaller.
Hal. The greater part of the Continent of India, but does not extend to
Lower Bengal or the sub-Himalayan districts. It is common in Ceylon,
also, according to Jerdon, in the Western Provinces of India and in the jungles
of the Eastern Ghauts. In the open country of the Carnatic, Travancore,
Mysore, and Hydrabad it is said to be rare, but not so in Central India, at
Mhow, Saugor, &c., and through the jungles of Chota Nagpore up to Midna-
pore.
Its habits are quite those of the other species.
Tickell says it is an excellent mocker, and imitates the notes of almost every
small bird of the country.
The Common Green Bulbul breeds in July and August, but eggs have been
taken in different parts during April, May, and June also. The nest is a
shallow cup composed entirely of vegetable fibre worked over fine roots or
stems. The eggs are rather elongated ovals, white or creamy white in colour,
and sparingly marked, chiefly at the large end, with specks, spots and minute
blotches, lines, &c., of blackish and reddish or purplish brown ; in size they
vary from 0*8 to 0-92 x 0-56 to 0-63.
424. Chloropsis Chlorocephala (Wald.), Sharpy Cat. B. Br. Hits.
vi. p. 28 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, p. 208. Phyllornis chlorocephala, Wald., Ann.
Nat. Hist. Ser. 4, vii. p. 241 ; Blyth, B. Burnt, p. 137 ; Hume, Sir. F. iii.
p. 127 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 323 ; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 99. The
BURMESE GREEN BULBUL.
Adult Male. (Type of species: Tounghoo). Above grass green, the fore-
head rather lighter and more emerald green, shaded with golden on
the crown, nape, sides of the neck and hinder neck ; base of forehead, eye-
brow and eyelid yellow; lores, anterior edge of eyelid, feathers below the eye,
cheeks, chin and throat black; sides of crown emerald green, also the
ear coverts, which are shaded with golden and separated from the black
throat by a broad band of yellow, which crosses the ear coverts and hinder
cheeks and descends on to the foreneck, where it forms a gorget, which is
faintly shaded with emerald green; forepart of cheeks with a small violet
cobalt moustachial streak ; wing coverts darker green than the back ; lesser
wing coverts bright cobalt blue, forming a shoulder patch ; bastard wing and
primary coverts deep blue, rather lighter blue on their margins ; quills
blackish, the primaries externally bright blue, the secondaries bluish green
' PYCNONOTIN^E. 17
edged with brighter green, the inner secondaries entirely grass green ; tail
dull blue, the centre feathers grass green; under surface of body emerald
green, slightly yellowish green on the breast ; axillaries and under wing
coverts emerald green with greyish bases. (Sharpe.) Bill black ; legs slate
colour ; iris umber brown. (Wardlaw- Ramsay.)
Lenglh. frb to 7*1 inches ; wing 3*3 to 3*4; tail 2*7 to 2'8 ; tarsus O'6c; to
0*8; culmen O'8 to 0^85.
The female wants the black on the throat and the yellow on the sides of the
head ; the yellow band encircling the black is absent ; the forehead and lores
as well as the feathers round the eye are emerald green, with a slight tinge
of blue in front of the eye. It is also smaller than the male.
Le.ngth.b inches; wing 3-05.
Hab. Hill country of the Indo-Chinese sub-region from Pegu and Tenas*
serim through Burmah (Tounghoo and Karenne), and Cachar to Cochin-
China. (Sharpe.) According to Gates, it is stated to have been found in
Arrakan ; also abundantly in all the higher hills of Pegu where the forest is
evergreen, but is not, he thinks> found in the plains. Davison found it very
common throughout Tenasserim, and Captain Bingham in the Thoungyeen
Valley. To the south it has been found in the Malay Peninsula, extending east
to Cochin-China. It has also occurred in the Garo Hills in Eastern Bengal.
425. ClllorOpSiS Cyanopogon (Tern.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 32 ; OateS) B. Br. Burm. i. p. 209. Phyllornis cyanopogon, Tern. PL
Col. 512, f. i.; Salvad. Ucc. Born.^. 194; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p.
325 ; Hume, Str. F. p. 99. The BLUE-WHISKERED GREEN BULBUL.
Adult Male. Above bright grass green ; wing coverts and sides of the neck
like the back ; lesser coverts rather brighter green, but not forming a bright
or distinct shoulder patch ; forehead tinged with yellow ; lores, anterior edge
of eyelid, feathers below the eye,, cheeks, chin and throat black ; moustachial
streak cobalt ; a line bordering the black throat green, tinged with yellow;
quills dusky blackish, externally green like the back, the primaries yellowish
towards the tips of the outer webs ; tail dark green, dusky blackish on the inner
webs ; under surface of body bright green, more yellow on the foreneck,
breast, abdomen, thighs and under tail coverts ; axillaries green with greyish
bases ; under wing coverts ashy, washed with yellowish green ; legs and feet
dark plumbeous ; bill black ; irides dark-brown.
Length. 6'2 to 7 inches; wing 3-05 to 3*3; tail 2'6 to 2*65; tarsus 0*65
to 0*7 ; culmen 0-75.
Hab. Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, ranging into the extreme
south of the Tenasserim Province,. where, at Bankasoon, Mr. Davison obtained
the bird. Nothing is known of its nidification.
3
18 TIMELIID/E.
C. icierocephala is another species which is close to chlorocephala, but this,
till now, is only known from the Malay Peninsula. The crown of the head
is rich golden fulvous, and the forehead and band encircling the throat pure
yellow.
Sub-family. PYCNONOTIKME.
Head generally crested or sub-crested. Plumage usually full, and with
hairs or bristles arising in many instances from either the head or nape. Sexes
usually alike and plain in colour. Inhabitants of forests, jungles, orchards
and groves. Food fruit and insects.
Gen. Hypsipetes. Vigors.
Bill moderately long, nearly straight ; culmen very slightly arched ; nostrils
long, with a few scanty hairs at base ; wings longer than in Chloropsis ; 4th
and 5th quills generally the longest, 3rd sub-equal ; tail long, square, emar-
ginate ; legs and feet short ; tarsi not scutellate in front.
426. Hypsipotes psaroides, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 43 ; Gould,
Cent. Him. B. PI. 10; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 77, No. 444 ; Hend. and Hume,
Lahore to Yarhand, p. 198 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 132 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F.
vi. p. 296 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98 ; Scully, t. c. p. 293 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vi. p. 36; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 173. The HIMALAYAN BLACK
BULBUL.
Adult Male. Head and nape glossy greenish black, the feathers lanceolate
in shape and forming a conspicuous crest ; ear coverts and a spot at the base
of the nostrils hoary grey ; lores, a spot at the base of the lower mandible,
another at the angle of the chin, forepart of eyelid, and a streak under the ear
coverts black ; chin, throat, breast and flanks grey ; abdomen and vent whitish,
the feathers being pale grey with white margins ; under tail coverts grey with
broad white edges ; under wing coverts and axillaries light ashy brown with
indistinct white tips . back and least wing coverts light slaty grey ; the median
and greater coverts, also primary coverts, more ashy grey, but externally edged
with light slaty like the back ; quills dusky brown, externally light grey ; tail
blackish brown, edged with light slaty grey towards their base ; bill and
feet bright coral red ; irides dark brown ; claws horny brown.
Length. 9-5 to 10 inches; wing 4-6 to 5 ; tail 3-85 to 4-4; tarsus 07
to O'/5 ; culmen i.
Hab. The Himalayan Black Bulbul inhabits the whole range of the Hima-
layas from Cashmere to Assam and Arrakan. It has been found at Simla, in
Kumaon, Nepaul, Darjeeling, Bhootan and Assam, also Punjab, N.-W. Pro-
vinces, Oudh and Bengal, and probably occurs in the hill tracts of the Indo-
Burmese countries. It is, according to Dr. Scully, a sociable bird, but in the
breeding season it is said to be fearless and noisy, and to imitate the songs of
other birds. Usually this species is found in large flocks during spring and
HYPSIPETES. 19
winter, frequenting the tops of trees, searching for fruit and insects from flower-
laden trees. The nest is a large cup-shaped structure of grass and leaves,
and is generally placed in the fork of a branch of a tree. Eggs usually four,
pinkish white or purplish white, or rosy sprinkled with claret red, or purple
specks and spots. April to July is the breeding season.
427. HypsipeteS COnCOlor, Blyth. J. A. S. B. xviii. p. 816 ; Blylh
and Wald., B. Burm. p. 132 ; Hume and Dav. y vi. p. 295 ; Hume, Str. F. viir.
p. 98 ; Bingham, Sir. F. ix. p. 181 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 38 ;
Oates, B. Br. Burm., i. p. 174. Hypsipetes yunnanensis, Anders. P. Z. S.,
1871, p. 213. Hypsipetes subniger, Hume, Str. F. v. p. 109. The BURMESE
BLACK BULBUL.
Like H. psaroides, but darker, the whole back between the scapulars, the
lesser coverts, the cheeks and sides of the neck being black. Legs,, bill, and
feet from bright to deep coral red ; irides dull crimson.
Length. 10 inches ; tail 4*5 ; wing 5 ; tarsus 0*7.
Hal. According to Davison, the Burmese Black Bulbul is found in
Tenasserim, from the extreme north down to Meetan at the foot of the
Mooleyit Mountain, but it does not ascend to the summit of the highest hills.
Captain Ramsay found it atTounghoo, and also in the Karin Hills, and Captain
Bingham in the Thoungyeen Valley. Out of British Burmah, Oates says, it
has only been found in the east of Bhamo and in the Khasia Hills. Like
other species of the genus it goes about in small flocks.
Sharpe says "it is not easy to draw the line between H. psaroides and this
species, and although Assam specimens are referable to H. psaroides rather
than this species, there can be no doubt that they are slightly intermediate
between the two. Mr. Hume at one time considered this species as distinct,
and named it H. subniger, but he has now retracted his decision. To me
it appears that H. concolor and H. ganeesa are only provincial or local races
or varieties of H. psaroides, and can scarcely be distinct species. H. psaroidts
may be said to be the Himalayan form, H. concolor the Burman form, and H.
ganeesa the more southern form extending into Ceylon, and all three should
be placed under one specific name ; shades of colouring and slightly variable
dimensions can hardly be allowed as characters for making specific differences,
though there is more than these to speak for ganeesa than for concolor.
428. Hypsipetes ganeesa, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 86; yard, and
Selb., III. Orn. 2nd Ser. iv. pi. 2 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 574 ; Jerd. B.
2nd. ii. p. 78; Fairbank, Str. F. 1876, p. 258; Hume, t. c. p. 400; id., Str.
F. 1879, 59^ Hypsipetes nilgherriensis, Jerd. Madr. Journ. 1839, p. 245 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 78, No. 446; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 280;
id., Str. F. 1873, p. 438; Fairbank, Str. F. 1877, p. 405. SYKES' BLACK
BULBUL.
20 TIMELID/E.
Above dark slaty grey or grey brown, paler beneath, wings and tail brown ;
head subcrested metallic black ; sides of face slate grey, no black stripe on
cheek ; bill coral red or orange vermilion in skin ; feet orange yellow.
Length. 8-5 to 9 inches; wing 4-5; tail 4 to 4-15; tarsus 07 to 075;
culmen I to ri.
Hab. Hill ranges of Southern India, extending on the western side
along the Western Ghauts to the Mahableshwar Hills and to Matheran and
Ceylon. Sykes' Bulbul breeds from March and April to June. The nest is
placed in some dense clump of leaves or parasitic plant (in Southern India),
which covers nearly every acacia and other tree. It builds a cup-shaped nest,
neatly and firmly made of green moss, grass, stalks and fibres. Eggs similar
to those of psaroides-, 1*0 to 17 X 07 to 0*8. Hypsipetes virescens, a species
with a dull olive greenish upper surface, white throat and pale yellow under
surface, streaked with brighter yellow, and with a horny brown bill, is an
inhabitant of the Nicobar Islands.
Gen. HemiXUS- Hodgs.
Bill moderately slender ; rictal bristles strongly developed, reaching much
beyond the nostrils ; culmen very slightly arched, longer than or equalling the
tarsus ; nostrils oval, with a distinct superior membrane ; tarsus strong,
smooth, without scutes, or a subtenninal one only ; tail moderately long,
even, almost emarginate, square ; wings with the 5th and 6th quills longest ;
toes short, unequal ; claws much curved.
Head of Hemixus flavala to show pointed form of crest plumes.
429. HemiXUS flavala, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br.Mus., Passerespls.
190, 191, fig. 2 ; id., J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 572; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 80,
No. 448 ; Godw.- Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 106. Blyth, B. Burm.
p. 133 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. iii. ; id., 1879, p. 98; Scully, t. c. p. 295
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 49; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 175, The
BROWN-EARED BULBUL.
Adult. Upper plumage with the lesser and median wing coverts dark
ashy, the upper tail coverts tinged with olive green ; bastard wing and
primary coverts and quills dark brown, the outer greater ones and the secon-
HEMIXUS. 21
daries externally olive yellow, forming a longitudinal band down the wing;
the primaries only slightly edged with dull yellow on the outer web ; tail dark
brown, edged with olive yellow near the base of the outer web ; head crested
with pointed hair-like feathers ; lores dusky ; ear coverts bronze brown ; below
the eye and cheeks black ; chin, throat, centre of abdomen and vent white ;
breast, sides of neck and flanks light grey ; under wing coverts and axillaries
white, the latter washed with yellow ; bill black ; feet dusky ; irides dark
reddish brown.
Length. 7-2 to 8 inches; wing 3*85; tail 3*55; tarsus 07 to 07$;
culmen 075.
Hal. The Himalayas from between Simla and Mussoorie eastward to
Bhootan and apparently to the head of the Assam Valley. Found also in the
Khasia Hills and British Burmah. It has been recorded from Arrakan by
Blyth, and Gates procured specimens from the hills in that Division. Dr.
Anderson got it in Ponsee on the Kakhyen Hills. It extends through the
Indo-Burmese countries into Assam. Jerdon records it from Darjeeling, and
Sharpe from Nepaul. Jerdon says it associates in small parties, feeds on
berries and insects, and has a loud warbling note.
430. Hemixus hildebrandti, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p, 508;
Wald. in Blyth, B. Burm. p. 133 ; Hume, Str. F. v. p. iii ; Hume and Dav.,
Sfr. F. vi, p. 299; id., viii. p. 98; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 50;
Oates, B. Burm. i. p. 176. HILDEBRANDT'S BROWN-EARED BULBUL.
" Adult Female (type of H brunneiceps, Wald ; Karin Hills, 2,ooO feet,
January loth, 1875, R- G. Wardlaw-Ramsay). General colour above dark
ashy grey, washed with brown on the back ; upper tail coverts and tail brown,
the feathers edged with dull olive yellow ; the tail feathers white along the
inner web ; wing coverts blackish brown, the median series slightly, and the
greater coverts and quills broadly margined with yellow, imparting a yellow
aspect to the wing ; primaries hoary grey towards the ends of the outer webs ;
crown of head and nape blackish brown ; lores, feathers below the eye and
the fore part of the cheeks black, the hinder part of the cheeks grey like the
sides of the neck ; ear coverts light earthy brown, with an ashy brown lustre
contrasting with the adjacent parts ; throat white, as also are the abdomen,
thighs and under tail coverts ; foreneck, breast and sides of the body ashy
grey ; under wing coverts and axillaries white, faintly washed with yellow ; bill
black ; legs light brown or pinkish brown; irides lake or lake brown. "(R. G.
Wardlaw-Ramsay; MS.)
Length. 7-5 inches; wing 3-9; tail 3*65; tarsus o'6; culmen 075.
(Sharpe.)
The adult male is like the female in colour, and larger.
Length. 8'5 inches, with a wing of 4*0 and tail 37.
22 TIMELIID/E.
Hab. Hildebrandt's Brown- eared Bulbul occurs throughout the hills of
Northern Tenasserim from the Karin Hills north of Tounghoo to close to
Pahpoon. Gates says it was procured by Davison in the pine forests of the
Salween districts in Tenasserim at an elevation of 300 feet. Captain Ramsay's
specimens are from further north. Nothing has been noted about its habits.
431. HemixilS daviSOni, Hume, Str. F, 1877, p. in; Hume,
andDav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 299 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 98 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vi. p. 51; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 176. DAVISON'S BROWN-
EARED BULBUL.
Head (entire cap), back, wings and tail rich full brown or warm brown,
deepest on the head and mantle, slightly paler on the nape, and with a decided
grey tinge on the rump, where it forms a well-defined band ; lores, base of
lower mandible, under the eye and under the ear coverts deep brown, almost
black, but not so black as in flavala and hildebrandti \ winglet, first six
primaries and their greater coverts, also the tail feathers, without a trace of any
yellow margin ; the later primaries, secondaries and tertiaries, and their greater
coverts, very narrowly margined with bright olive yellow about one third the
width of those in flavala and one half the width of those in hildebrandti ;
chin and throat pure white, conspicuously limited by the dark streak on either
side ; sides of the neck, behind the ear coverts, upper breast, sides and flanks
a delicate ash-grey ; middle of lower breast, abdomen, vent and lower tail
coverts with a more or less faint ashy shade ; under wing coverts with a faint
yellow tinge near the carpal joint ; bill and claws black ; legs and feet reddish
brown ; irides crimson lake. (Hume.)
Length. 8-5 inches ; wing 4-04; tail 3-6 ; bill from gape 0.95. (Hume,)
Hab. The Central Tenasserim hill regions. The type, the only specimen
apparently procured by Mr. Davison, was shot at Thoungya Sakan in Tenas-
serim.
432. HemixilS malaCCensis (Blyth}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 53 ; Oates. B. Br. Burm. i. p. 177. Hypsipetes malaccensis, Blyth, J . A.
S. B. xiv. p. 574 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 202 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi.
p. 298 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98; Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, P- 2 5^- Trichophorus
striolatus, Bp. Comp. i. p. 262 (ex. Mull. MS. in Mus. Lugd.). The
STREAKED BULBUL.
Whole upper plumage olive or brownish green ; wings and tail dark brown,
edged with the olive or brownish green of the back ; sides of the head and
neck like the back ; lores and feathers under the eye ashy grey ; ear coverts
brownish green, streaked with dusky whitish ; cheeks, chin, throat, breast and
sides of the body ashy with broad greyish white shaft streaks, less distinct on
the latter; abdomen, vent and under tail coverts white, the latter slightly
tinged with yellowish ; thighs washed with olive brown ; under wing coverts
IDLE. 23
and axillaries pale yellow ; legs and feet pinkish brown to reddish brown ; bill
horny brown ; irides mahogany brown or litharge red. (Hume and Davison.)
Length. 9 inches; wing 4*4 ; tail 3-7; tarsus 07; oilmen 0-95.
The female is smaller, and alike in colour.
Hab. Hills south of Mergui in Tenasserim ; southwards to the Malayan
Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo, and, according to Dr. Tiraud, Cochin-China.
Davison states that the habits of this bird is not unlike those of lole tickelli.
Gen. lole. Blyth.
General characters same as those of Hemixus. Bill long and rather broad,
broader than high at the nostrils; wings as in Hemixus; tail- rounded;
feathers of the head pointed, and forming a more or less distinct crest. There
is no banded tuft of feathers on the lower back as in Pinarocichla. (Sharpe.)
Head of lole viridescens,
433. lole viridescens, Blyth., Ibis, 1867, p. 7; id., Blyth and
Wald., B. Burm. p. 133; Hume andJlav., Str. F. 1878, pp. 315, 516; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 98 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi.p. 56 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
I. p. 177, lole virescens, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 573. The SMALL
OLIVE BULBUL.
Above dull olive or olive brown, the head darker and with the feathers
pointed ; wings dark brown, edged on the outer iveb with the colour of the back or
a little brighter ; upper tail coverts and tail the same but with a rufescent tinge ;
lores and an indistinct eyebrow, also the chin, throat, breast and flanks, olive -
yellow ; ear coverts a little darker; abdomen brighter yellow ; under tail coverts
and thighs fawn-brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale yellow ; iris
brown ; eyelids grey ; legs and claws pinkish brown ; bill bluish horn colour.
Length. 6'8 to 7-25 inches; wing 3 to 3*25; tail 2-82 to 3*25; tarsus
0-62 to 0'68 ; culmen 0-7 to O'8.
The female is alike in size and colour.
Hab. Arrakan and the Khasia and Tipperah Hills to the Tenasserim Pro-
vinces. (Sharpe.) Oates says the Olive Bulbul is plentiful in Pegu on the
spurs of the Pegu Hills and in the forests of the adjacent plains, except in the
dry portion near Thayetmyo and Prome, where it appears to be absent. It
extends up the Sittang Valley to Tounghoo, and further east in the Tsankoo
24 TIMELHD^E.
Hills, where Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay found it. Davison found it in every
portion of Tenasserim, but not ascending the higher hills. It extends, 'ac-
cording to Gates, down the Malay Peninsula as far as Tonka, and to the
north he says it appears to have a considerable range, having been procured
in the Khasia Hills and in Cachar.
The habits of this Bulbul are not unlike those of the Pycnonotina, group.
Several are said to be found together in forests and their outskirts, and the
edges of clearings and orchards. Food berries only (Gates,) but there can
be no doubt that insects also form part of their food. Nothing is yet known
of its nidification.
434. lole macelellandi (ffon/.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mm. vi.
p. 59; Oates, B. Br. Burin. I p. 178. Hypsipetes macelellandi, Horsf.
P, Z. S. 1839, p. 159; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 79, No. 447 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 281 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 133 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi.
p. 298 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98 ; Scully, Str. F. viii. p. 294. The RUFOUS-
BELLIED BULBUL.
Forehead to nape, including crest of pointed feathers, rich brown, the shafts
of the feathers buffy white ; whole upper plumage, wing coverts, tertiaries,
and tail olive green, in some with faint indications of light shaft stripes ;
shafts of the tail feathers blackish above, yellow below ; lores, feathers around
and below the eye, cheeks, chin and throat white, the feathers lanceolate and
with greyish bases ; ear coverts and sides of the neck chestnut ; breast the same,
with pale shaft stripes ; abdomen and flanks pale chestnut ; under tail coverts
thighs and vent ochraceous yellow; under wing coverts olive yellow, the
auxiliaries tinged with saffron colour ; primaries and secondaries dark brown,
edged with olive green ; bill blackish brown above, livid grey or horny below ;
irides brownish red or dark red ; feet fleshy brown ; claws horny brown.
Length. 9 to 9-5 inches; wing 4-3 to 4-4; tail 4-3; tarsus 07; cul-
men I.
The young male is duller in colour than'the adult, and washed with 'rufous
on the scapulars, wing coverts, and upper tail-coverts ; under surface of body
light chestnut ; the abdomen whitish, washed with dingy olive yellow ; lores,
chin and a moustachial line on each side of the throat dull white, mottled with
grey bases. (Sharpe.)
Hab. Himalayan hill ranges to Nepaul, ranging eastward into Assam, the
Khasia, Arrakan, and Tipperah Hills. In Sikkim it occurs from 2,000 feet
or so. It frequents high trees, lives chiefly on fruit, and has a loud cheerful
note. It is said to frequent forests and to be seen commonly in pairs.
The Rufous-bellied Bulbul, according to Hodgson's notes, breeds in the
central region of Nepaul from April to June. The nest is a shallow saucer,
made of roots and leaves, bound together with fine fibres and lined with
moss roots. It is said to lay 4 eggs, but these have neither been figured nor
described.
PINAROCICHLA. 25
435- IOl3 tickelli (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 60;
Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 179. Hypsipetes tickelli, BJyth, J. A. S. B.
xxiv. p. 275 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 133; Hume and Dav., Sir. F.
vi. p. 296; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p 98. TICKELL'S BULBUL.
Not unlike lole macclellandi, but differing from it in having the ear
coverts a light rufescent brown, with whitish shaft lines ; the breast very pale
earthy or ashy brown, streaked with whitish shaft lines, and the abdomen and
vent white ; the under tail coverts are also pure yellow, and the sides of the
body washed with olive ; legs and feet fleshy pink, dark fleshy pink, light
purplish brown or pale reddish brown ; bill black, horny black, or dark horny
brown ; irides wood brown, light red or crimson.
Length. 8-5 to 9*5 inches; wing 3-95 to 4; tail 4 ; tarsus 0*7; culmen,
0-95.
Hab. Tenasserim, Occurs in the pine forests of the Sal ween districts
down to Mooleyit. Usually found on the outskirts of the forests along forest
paths. Gates adds that it lives chiefly on berries, \vith an occasional insect ;
also that it sucks the nectar of flowers.
Gen. PinarOCichla. Sharpe.
General characters the same as lole. No wattle round the eye. A large
tuft of conspicuous feathers on each side of the lower back banded with
black and white.
436. PinarOCichla euptilosa (Jard. and Selb.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vi. p. 62; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 180. Brachypus euptilosus,
Jard, and Sclby, III. Orn. iv. pi. iii. Brachypodius tristis, Blyth, J. A. S.
B. xiv. p. 576. Criniger tristis, Blyth, Ibis, 1865, p. 47 ; Hume and Dav., Str.
F. vi. p. 303 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98. Criniger susannii {Mull), Salvad,
Ucc. Born. p. 207. Euptilosus euptilosus, Hume, Str. F. viii. pp. 62, 162.
The CRESTED BROWN BULBUL.
Above brown, washed with olive on the mantle and scapulars, which are also
tinged with rufous ; wing coverts reddish brown, the lesser series washed with
olive ; upper tail coverts rufous brown ; on each side of the rump a large
tuft of long feathers springing from the sides of the back black, with pale
yellow ends ; tail darker rufous brown, the three outer pairs of feathers tipped
with white ; forehead and crown dark greyish brown, deeper on the occiput ;
occipital crest the same ; lores and feathers round the eye dusky ash colour ;
ear coverts light ashy brown ; cheeks ashy white ; throat dull white ; fore-
neck, chest and sides of body very pale ashy grey, the flanks rather browner ;
centre of body, abdomen, vent, thighs and under tail coverts yellowish white,
the latter slightly tinged with brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries
yellowish white, the edge of the wing all yellow ; legs and feet variable in
colour, dark grey brown to dark plumbeous brown or black ; bill black ; irides
crimson or litharge red.
4
26
Length. 77 to 8-8 inches; wing 3*6 to 3-7; tail 3-2 to 3-3; tarsus 07 to
0*75 ; culmen 075.
Hab. Malacca, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the extreme southern portion
of Tenasserim, at Pakchan and Bankasoon.
According to Mr. Davison, this Bulbul avoids forests and affects clumps of
trees, bushes or scrubby jungle, and is only seen in pairs or singly.
Gen. "SLicropMB.Swainson.
Bill as in lole and Pinarocichla, but stouter, shorter, and higher than broad
at the nostrils. Head not crested.
Head of Micropus melanocephalus.
4:31 MicrOpUS melanocephalus (Gmel.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vi. p. 56; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 181. Lanius melanocephalus,
Gmel., Syst. Nat. i. p. 309. Turdus atriceps, Tern. PI. Col. 147. Ixos
metallicus, Eyton, Ann. N. Hist. Ser. I, xvi. p. 228. Brachypodius
melanocephalus, Sahad. Ucc. Born. p. 201; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 136;
Armstrong, Str. F. iv. p. 324 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 318 ; Hume,
Str. F. viii. p. 98. Brachypodius immaculatus, Sharpe, Ibis, 1876 p. 39.
The BLACK- HEADED BULBUL.
Entire head, chin and throat metallic black with a purplish lustre ; breast,
flanks, upper abdomen, and lower surface olive yellow, brighter yellow in the
centre of the body and under tail coverts ; back olive yellow ; rump the same,
the feathers with black bases ; upper tail coverts bright yellow; tail feathers
yellow, with a subterminal black band and bright yellow tips ; lesser wing
coverts like the back, the greater and median series brighter yellow ; winglet,
primaries and their coverts black, edged paler on the outer web ; secondaries
black, broadly edged on the outer web with olive green ; tertiaries olive green
on the outer webs and black on the inner ; under wing coverts and axillaries
bright yellow; bill black; mouth pale blue; iris blue; legs plumbeous.
The female is darker in colour, and the young bird has the whole plumage,
including the head, of a dull olive green colour.
Length. 6"] to 7-2 inches ; wing 3-3 ; tail 275 to 3*2 ; tarsus o'5 to 0-55 ;
culmen O'6.
Hob. Malacca, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippine Islands of
MICROPUS. 27
Palawan. Ranges to these parts from Dacca and Tipperah through Tenasserim
and the Malay Peninsula. Ic is stated by Blyth to occur in Arrakan.
Gates says it is generally distributed over the southern portions of Pegu, and
that it is very abundant near Rangoon, and all the way up to Pegu, also on the
spurs of hills north of that town. It was met with at Bassein by Mr.Blanford,
and at Syriam by Dr. Armstrong. According to Davison it is found abun-
dantly over the whole of Tenasserim. It is more abundant during the rains
than at any other time, and is common everywhere, in small or large com-
panies, frequenting thin jungle and the neighbourhood of gardens, feeding
entirely on fruit. Davison says it has two notes, very distinct and unlike those
of other Bulbuls one a lively sharp chirp, and the other a melancholy double
whistle.
438. MicropUS fusciflavescens (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vi. p. 66. Micropus fuscoflavescens, Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 297 ;
Wald^ Ibis, 1873, p. 306 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 224 ; id., Sir. F. 1879,
p. 98. Brachypodius melanocephalus (nee. Gm.}, Ball, J . A. S. B. xli.
pi. 2, 1872, p. 284 ; /</., Str. F. 1873, p. TI. The ANDAMAN BLACK-HEADED
BULBUL.
Adult Male. General colour above olive yellow, the wing coverts like the
back, the edges of the greater series rather brighter yellow; quills dusky
brown, externally olive yellow, brighter on the secondaries, the innermost of
which are entirely of this latter colour; lower back, rump and upper tail
coverts brighter yellow, with an appearance of black bands across the rump,
the feathers of which are black, with broad golden yellow ends ; tail feathers
dull olive yellow, with bright yellow tips, before which is a subterminal black
shade ; head dull olive, with an oily greenish gloss not distinct enough to
form a regular cap ; lores, a narrow eyebrow, and the sides of the head and
neck, as well as the lower throat and foreneck, dull olive green ; throat
dull glossy purple ; remainder of under surface of body, including the wing
coverts and axillaries, bright yellow ; bill greenish slate colour ; iris bluish
white. (Sharpe.)
Length. 6-3 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 27 ; tarsus O-6 ; culmen 0*65 .
The female is larger and similar in colour.
Hab. Confined to the Andaman Island, where it is resident. (Sharpe.)
439. Micropus cinereiventris (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vi. p. 67; Oates B. Br. Burm. i. p. 182. Brachypodius cinereiventris,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 576 ; Wald. in Blyth, B. Burm. p. 136 ; Hume and
Dav., vi. p. 319 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 198 ; Oates, Str. F. x. p. 2IO. The
GREY-BELLIED BULBUL.
Similar to Micropus melanocephalus, excepting that the breast, upper
abdomen and mantle are ashy or light bluish grey instead of olive yellow ;
iris blue; eyelids grey; bill black; legs and claws brownish black.
28 TIMELIID^E.
Length. 67 to 6*9 inches ; wing 3*15 to 3*4 ; tail 2*8 to 2-9 ; culmen 0'6.
Had. British Burmah and Tipperah. Gates (B. Er. Burm.) says it occurs
sparingly in Pegu, and has been found near Rangoon and at Tounghoo. Mr.
Hume records it from Tonka in the Malay Peninsula, and it has also been
found in Dacca.
440- MicrOpUS phaeOCephalUS (Jerdori), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 68. Brachypus poiocephalus, Jerd., Madr. Journ. x. p. 246. Brachy-
podiuspoiocephalus, Elyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 576 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 89;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 98. The SOUTH INDIAN or GREY-HEADED BULBUL.
Lores and forehead olive yellow or siskin green ; crown of head and nape
bluish grey ; round the eye and ear coverts olive greenish, the latter washed
with grey ; fore part of cheeks olive yellow, the hinder part grey like the
throat, which has a black chin spot ; under surface of body yellowish green ;
under tail coverts grey ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale yellow; upper
surface of body yellowish green ; wing coverts like the back ; greater coverts
and quills blackish, externally edged with yellowish ; primaries and their
coverts narrowly edged with yellowish ; rump barred black, the feathers black
with paler olive yellow tips ; upper tail coverts bluish grey, washed with
yellow ; centre tail feathers bluish grey with olive yellow margins, the remainder
blackish, tipped with ashy grey and slightly edged with olive yellow.
Bill greenish horn ; legs reddish yellow ; irides bluish white.
Length. 6-4 to 7 inches ; wing 2-8 ; tail 2-6 ; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen O'6.
Hab. South India. Confined, according to Jerdon, to the forests of the
Malabar Coast, extending from Travancore to Honore. It is found from near
the sea level to 2,000 feet or so of elevation, living in small families and
feeding chiefly on small stony fruit.
Gen. Criniger. Tern.
Head more or less crested. Bill moderately long, strong and deep ;
culmen curved ; rictal bristles long ; nostrils exposed, not hidden by bristles,
oval. Membrane of nostril large posteriorly; several long hairs springing
from the nape, but not from the centre of the back, tarsus longer than mid
toe and claw.
Head of Criniger barbatus.
CRINIGER. 29
441. Criniger phaeocephalus (Hartlaub.), Wald. Ibis, 1871,
p. 169, f. 2 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 207 ; Hume and Dav. Str. F. vi. p. 302 ;
Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 74; Gates,
B. Br. Burmah i. p. 183. Ixos phaeocephalus, Hartl. Re-). Zool. 1844,
p. 401. The GREY-HEADED BULBUL.
Entire head from the forehead to the nape dark slaty grey ; lores, ear-coverts
and sides of the head pale grey ; cheeks, chin and throat white ; remainder
of lower plumage deep yellow, suffused with olive-green on the flanks and
sides of the breast ; upper plumage with the wing coverts olive green ; tail
rufous brown, brighter on the edges of the outer webs ; wings brown, the
outer webs edged with ruddy olive and the tertiaries wholly of this colour. Legs
and feet fleshy white to fleshy pinkish yellow. Bill pale plumbeous ; irides
snuff brown.
Length. 7-6 to 87 inches ; wing 3-35 to 3-37 ; tail 3-25 to 3-62 ; tarsus
075 to 0-8.
Hab. Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, ranging into the forests
in the neighbourhood of Tenasserim. (Sharpe.) Gates says the Grey-headed
Bulbul occurs in the extreme south of Tenasserim about Malewoon and
Bankasoon, where it appears to be common. They are characterized by a
loud harsh note, which is incessantly uttered when the birds are disturbed.
They are generally met with in small parties.
442. Criniger flaveolus (Gould}, Biyth J. A. S. B. xvi. p 571 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 83 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 283 ; id. Str. F.
1879, p. 98 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 77. Trichophorus flaveolus,
Gould, P. Z. S., 1836, p. 6. The WHITE-THROATED BULBUL.
Above dark olive yellow, the upper tail coverts with a slightly ruddy tinge ;
least and median wing coverts like the back ; the greater and primary coverts
as well as the quills externally edged with olive yellow ; tail ruddy brown,
the bases of the feathers edged with olive ; head olive brown, the feathers long
and forming a crest, a^ll margined with yellowish ; lores greyish white ; ear-
coverts white shafted ; cheeks and throat white ; under surface of body bright
yellow, slightly tinged with olive on the flanks ; under wing coverts and axil-
laries yellow. Bill light or greyish plumbeous ; legs pale fleshy yellow ; iris
brown- red.
Length. 8 to 8-5 inches; wing 3-95 to 4; tail 3*65 to 3*7; tarsus 075
to O*8 ; culmen o'8.
Hab. The Himalayas, extending to the hills of Assam, Sylhet, Arrakan
and Khasia. Jerdon says it is chiefly found at from 2,000 to 5,OOO feet.
He got several specimens from the vicinity of Darjeeling, but did not himself
observe it. Hume received a nest from Darjeeling, found in July. It was
placed on the branches of a medium sized tree at about 5 feet from the
ground. It was compact, rather shallow, saucer-shaped, and about 5*5 inches
30 TIMELIID^E.
in diameter ; the greater portion of the nest was composed of dead leaves
bound together firmly by fine brown roots, and again an inner lining of fine
horse hair like roots and stems of the maidenhair fern. Eggs 3 in number,
a beautiful salmon pink, thinly spotted, blotched and marked with irregular
lines of deep maroon red ; size 0/9 to I o x 07 to 0*72.
443. Criniger griseiceps, Hume, Str. F. 1873, P- 47 8 ; id - l8 74>
p. 476; Wald. B. Burm. p. 134; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 124; Hume and
Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 300; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 98; Sharpe, Cat* B.
Br. Mus. vi. p. 77 ; Oates t Str. F. x. p. 209. Criniger flaveolus (nee.
Hodgs.) Blyth, B. Burm. p. 134. The BURMESE WHITE-THROATED BULBUL.
Head much crested, pale ashy brown, lighter on the forehead ; lores, cheeks
and ear coverts pale grey; chin and throat white; upper plumage with the
lesser and median wing coverts dull olive yellow or yellowish green ; upper
tail coverts and tail ruddy or rufous brown ; quills dull brown, externally
washed with olive ; the secondaries with a ruddy tint. Under surface of body
bright yellow, deeper on the abdomen and under tail coverts ; sides of the
breast and flanks washed with olive ; under wing coverts and axillaries yellow.
Bill bluish, rather dark towards the tip; eyelids plumbeous; iris reddish
brown ; legs pinkish brown ; claws pale horn.
Length. 8-7 to 8-8 inches ; wing 3-9; tail 3-5 to 3-8; tarsus 075.
Hab. Northern and Central Tenasserim, Pegu, and Burmah. According
to Gates, the White-throated Bulbul is found generally diffused over the hills
of Pegu, where the vegetation is thick and evergreen, and specially abundant
on the Eastern slopes. It has been procured at Tounghoo and also at
Karennee. In Tenasserim, according to Davison, it is found only as far
south as Meetan. They are remarkably noisy birds, and may generally be
found in parties of six or more. They fly from tree to tree, backwards and
forwards, continually uttering their harsh notes. Gates says that they never
descend to the ground, and appear to feed entirely on fruit. Nothing is
known of the nidification of this Bulbul.
444. Criniger gutturalis (Bonap.), Sdater, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 216 ;
Salvad. Ucc* Born. p. 206 ; Wald. in Bl. B. Burm. p. 134 ; Hume, Str. F. viii.
p. 98; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 80 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 61 ;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. 185. Trichophorus gutturalis, Bonap. Consp. Av. i.
p. 262. Criniger ochraceus, Moore, in Horsf., and Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E.
I. Co. i. p. 252; Bl. B. Burm. p. 134; Hume and Dav., vi. pp. 301, 515.
The MALAYAN WHITE-THROATED BULBUL.
Head rufous brown ; hind neck tinged with ashy ; lores, feathers round the
eye and an indistinct supercilium ashy, the ear coverts rather darker and
with fulvous shaft streaks; chin and throat white. Upper plumage olive
brown with an ochraceous tinge, purer on the upper tail coverts ; tail rufous
brown ; the outer feathers paler at the tip of the inner webs ; lesser wing
TRICHOLESTES. 31
coverts more rufescent than the back ; median and greater coverts brown
edged narrowly with a tinge of olivaceous on their outer webs ; quills dull
brown, inclining to rufescent brown and washed with olivaceous on their outer
margins. Under surface of body olive yellowish, purer yellow on the abdo-
men and deepening to fawn colour on the under tail coverts ; under wing
coverts fawn color washed with yellowish. Bill blackish, pale at base ; legs
and feet pale pinkish brown ; irides wood-brown.
Length. 8-5 inches,- wing 4-0; tail 3-8; tarsus 075; '.culmen 0-9; bill
from gape ro.
Hab. The forests of Sumatra, Borneo, and Malay Peninsula ranging into
the evergreen forests of the extreme southern division of Tenasserim.
'Sharpe.) Mr. Davison says : " This is eminently a forest Bulbul, never, that
I am aware of, coming into gardens or clearings. In its voice and habits it
resembles C. griseiceps, and is quite as noisy as that bird, if not more so ; and,
like it, goes about in small parties, though I have occasionally seen it in pairs
or singly. This bird also never, I believe, descends to the ground."
Gen. Tricholestes. Salvad.
General characters same as those of Criniger. A lunch of long hairs
springing from the centre of the back ; rictal bristles long and strong.
445. Tricholestes Criniger (Blytfi), Hume and Dav. Str. F. vi.
p. 304; Tweed. Ibis, 1877, p. 306; Plume, Str. F. viii. p 98; Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 89 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 186. Brachypodius
criniger, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 577 ; War dlaiv- Ramsay , Tweed. Mem.
App. p. 67. Trichophorus minutus, Hartl. Journ. F. Orn. 1853, p. 156.
Tricholestes minutus, Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 205, pi. v. f. I The BRISTLE-
BACKED BULBUL.
Forehead and crown olive brown washed with yellow; hind-neck, back
and rump dull olive green ; the lores and sides of the head yellow ; chin and
throat whitish ; hind neck and mantle with long black bristly hairs springing
from them ; wing coverts brown, washed with dull olive green ; quills brown,
externally olive brown ; upper tail coverts and tail feathers fawn or rufous
brown ; the outer edges tinged with greenish ; under surface of body yellow,
tinged with ashy on the sides of the body and on the breast; under tail
coverts yellow.
Bill pale leaden ; legs and feet light yellow brown ; iris pale sepia brown ;
ridge of culmen black.
Length. 6-5 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2-8 ; tarsus O'6; bill from gape 075.
Hab. Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, ranging into the
extreme southern portion of Tenasserim. (Sharpe.) According to Davison,
the bristle-backed Bulbul keeps together in small parties. Habits much nearer
the Timelimaj birds, hunting as they do, the foliage of trees and brushwood
for insects, which almost exclusively form their food.
32
TIMELIID/E.
Gen. Alcurus. Hodgs.
Bill slightly longer than in the preceding genus and somewhat wider at
base; rictal bristles well developed though weak; nostrils oval, apert; no long
hairs on the centre of the back. Head crested. Tarsus scutellate, nearly as
long as the culmen.
Head of Alcurus striatus.
446. AlCUrilS striatUS (Blyth), Jerd B. Ind. ii. p. 8 1, No. 449 ;
Wald. in Bl. B. Burm. p. 134; Hume and Dav. Sir, F. vi. p. 299; Hume,
Sir. F. viii. p. 98 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mm. vi. p. 91 ; Oates, B. Burmah
i. p. 187. Trichophorus striatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 184. Alcurus
nipalensis, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 83. The STRIATED GREEN
BULBUL.
Whole head, crest, back and scapulars olive green, the feathers with a
mesial yellowish white shaft stripe ; rump and upper tail coverts brighter and
more olive yellow, the mesial shaft streaks not very distinct, and in some skins
nearly obsolete ; tail brown, edged externally with olive green and internally
with yellowish, the three outer pairs on each side tipped with yellow ; lesser
and median wing coverts like the back and similarly streaked ; greater and
primary coverts dull olive greenish ; quills dark brown, olive yellow externally.
A spot of yellow at the base of the lower mandible ; chin and throat yellow,
the latter with triangular black spots; cheeks and ear-coverts dark brown,
streaked with yellowish white ; sides of the neck, breast, abdomen and flanks
yellow, each feather broadly margined with dark brown ; under wing and tail
coverts, also axillaries, bright yellow ; legs and feet deep plumbeous ; bill
black ; irides deep red-brown.
Length. %' to 8*5 inches ; wing 4 to 4*3 ; tail 3-8 to 4 ; tarsus 0*7 to O 8 ;
culmen O-8; bill from gape I.
Hab. The forests of the Himalayas, extending to the hills of Burmah and
Tenasserim. Jerdon says it is extremely abundant about Darjeeling, and most
common from 7,000 feet and upwards. It has been observed on the Tonghoo
hills in Pegu by Capt. Ward law- Ram say, who found it common also in the
Karen hills. Davison got it in Tenasserim, where he says it is confined to
XENOCICHLA. 33
the highest portions of the mountains. It occurs also in the Dafla and Khasia
hills in Eastern Bengal, also in Sikkim and Nepaul. It is said by Jerdon to
keep to the tops of high trees, going in small parties, and to have a loud
mellow warble, uttered both when feeding and on the wing. It feeds chiefly
on fruit and sometimes on insects.
Gen. Trachycomus.* Cab.
Bill moderate ; tarsus longer than culmen ; rictal bristles feeble ; no dis-
tinct rictal hairs.
447. Trachycomus ochrocephalus, Gmel., Cab. Mus. Hein.
Tfi. I. p. 109; Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 279; Hume, Str. F., 1873, p. 455 ;
Blyth* Wald. B. Burm. p. 133; Salvad UcC. Born. p. 196; Sharpe, Ibis,
p. 38 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F., 1878, p. 300 ; Hume, Str. F., 1879, pp. 61,
98; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 93. Turdus ochrocephalus, Gmel., Syst.
Nat. I. p. 821. Alcurus ochrocephalus, Wald., Ibis, 1872, p. 379. The
YELLOW-CROWNED BULBUL.
Forehead, crown, a patch under the eye, branching out into two streaks
extending over and under the ear coverts straw yellow ; upper plumage
and lesser wing coverts ashy brown, dashed with green ; all the feathers
except those of the rump with conspicuous white shafts, and the upper tail
coverts margined with olive green ; greater coverts, wing and tail dark
brown margined with olive green ; ear-coverts brown with white shafts ; lores
and cheeks black ; chin and throat white ; breast and sides of the neck ashy
brown, with white shaft streaks ; abdomen and vent brownish white ; thighs
and under tail coverts ochraceous ; under wing coverts and axillaries
ochraceous brown (Gates) ; legs and feet dark horny brown or black ; bill
black ; irides litharge red (Dav.)
Length. 9^5 to II inches; wing 4*6; tail 4/8 ; tarsus i'O; bill from
gape 1/2.
Hab. Java, Sumatra and Borneo, ranging through the Malay peninsula to
the southernmost districts of Tenasserim, inhabiting scrub and jungle.
Its habits appear to be those of the preceding, except that it descends and
feeds on the ground, an unusual thing for forest Bulbuls to do.
Gen. Xenocichla. Hartl.
General characters like those of Criniger, but with conspicuous hairs
springing from the nape. Nostrils oval, bare, and with a posterior membrane.
448. Xenocichla icterica (Stn'dd.}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.,
vi. p. 96. Criniger ictericus, Strickl., Ann. Nat. Hist. 1844, xiii. p. 411;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 82; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B p. 282; Bourd.
Str. F., 1876, p. 800 ; Fairbank, Str. F., 1877, p. 405 ; Hume, Str. F., 1879,
5
34 TIMELIID^E.
p. 61. Pycnonotus ictericus, Elyth, J. A. S. B. 1844, xiv. p. 570. The
YELLOW-BROWED BULBUL.
Above bright olive yellow or olive green ; wing coverts the same ; quills
dark brown, their outer webs edged with olive yellow ; tail dull olive yellow,
dusky along the inner webs and towards the tips ; lores, a narrow eyebrow
and feathers round the eye bright yellow; ear coverts yellow, shaded with
olive; cheeks and under surface of body bright yellow; the sides and breast
washed with olive ; under wing coverts and axillaries bright yellow ; bill
black ; legs and feet dusky slatish ; iris red or blood red.
Length. 7*4 to 8 inches; wing 3-4 to 37; tail 3 ; tarsus cr8; culmen 075.
Hab. Ceylon and Southern India, not ranging higher than Bombay. (Sh.)
Recorded from Malabar, Coorg, Travancore and Ceylon. Jerdon says it
prefers mountainous regions, and that it is abundant on the slopes of the
Neilgherries, living in small flocks and keeping up a continual mellow warble
when flying from tree to tree. Breeds from March to May. Nest a small
shallow cup hung between two twigs, and composed of excessively fine twigs.
It is lined with hair-like grasses, and attached by cobwebs. Eggs two to three
in number of a pinkish salmon colour, with a dark ring at the thick end,
and speckled more or less thickly over the whole surface of the egg with
pale brownish red or pink. Size 0*9 to 1*03 x 0^64 to 07.
Gen. Pycnonotus. Bole.
Bill rather long, thin and slightly curved ; rictal bristles strong ; legs and
feet stoutish ; tarsi with a single scute at insertion of feet ; toes scutellate ;
head more or less crested, but not conspicuously so.
449. Pycnonotus haemorrhous, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 566;
id. xv. p. 50; Gray, Gen. B. i p. 237; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 94, No. 462 ;
Sir. F., 1875, p. 292; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. vi. ; Murray, Handbk.,
ZooL, &c., Sind. Haematornis haemorrhous, Swains, Faun. Bor. Amer. B.
p. 485. Pycnonotus pusillus, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 237; Sir. F. 1878,
p. 258; Hume, t. c.p. 456; Str. F., 1877, p. 246. Molpastes hoemorrhous,
Hume, Str. F., 1879, p. 98. The COMMON MADRAS BULBUL.
Head crested, black ; chin and throat black ; neck, back and wing coverts
brown, more or less pale edged ; upper tail coverts white ; tail brownish
black, tipped with white ; breast brown, all the feathers edged with white or
ashy; lower abdomen and vent white; flanks and thigh coverts light brown ;
under tail coverts crimson ; under wing coverts whitish. Bill black ; legs
greenish or slaty green ; hides deep brown.
Length. 775 to 8 inches ; wing 3-4 ; tail 3-4 ; tarsus O'S ; bill at front 0-9.
Hab. Ceylon, Southern and Central India (Mhow), Travancore, Deccan,
Concan, Malabar, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and North Guzerat ; also the
PYCNONOTUS. 35
Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Bengal and Oudh. In Sind it appears to be a
permanent resident, breeding from June to August. Eggs 2 4, white,
speckled with lake red or deep claret.
This, with P. leucoti , is the common Bulbul of all India. It is found in
gardens, orchards, Babool groves, and wherever there are any clumps of
trees, but never in forests, either associating in small families or in pairs, rest-
lessly flying about from tree to tre2 in search of fruit and insects. It does
much damage in gardens, where it picks off blossoms of cherries and flower
buds. It is commonly caged throughout India, or kept tied by a cord round
the waist. Being pugnacious they are made to fight for small prizes, and
when being trained for this purpose are fed on minced meat and a compound
made of wheat flour, sugar and milk boiled together, otherwise dates and
other seasonal fruit. Breeds chiefly in June and July many often as early
as April and as late as the middle of August. Nest generally a compa:t
structure composed of delicate stems, dry leaves and grass, with a little lining
of any soft material. Eggs 34 in number. In shape the eggs are rather
long ovals, slightly compressed or pointed towards the small end. The
markings are very var'ous, and as, Mr. Hume says, take almost every conceiv-
able form defined and undefined specks, spots, blotches, streaks, smudges
and clouds ; their combinations are as varied as their colours, wHch^embrace
every shade of red, brownish and purplish red. In length the eggs vary from
O'7 to 0*89 and in breadth from o'6 to 0*72.
450. Pycnonotus burmair ell" 1 *, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus vi.
p. 125; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 2 1 1 ; jtf,, />'. Lr. Burm. I, p. 189. Pycnonotus
hcemorrhous, apud. Bl. and Wald. B. Burm. p. 135. Molpastes pygaeus,
(ffodgs.), Hume, Str. F. iii. p. I2 f >. Molpastes intermedius {Hay}, Armstrong,
Str. F. iv. p 326; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98. Pycnonotus pygaeus (Hodgs.) t
Gates, Str. F. v. p. 157. Pycnonotus intermedius (//tfy), Oates, Str. F. v.
p. 157. Pycnonotus nigripileus (.#/.), Anders. Yunnan Exped. p. 658. The
BURMESE RED-VENTED BULBUL.
Forehead, crown, lores, cheeks, feathers round the eye, chin and throat
black ; back, scapulars, rump ai d w ng coverts dark brown, each feath?r
edged with whity brown ; lower back and rump uniform ashy ; upper tail
coverts lighter ash-colour; wing coverts like ihe back, the feathers with
broad ashy margins ; quills brown with narrow ashy margins, the shafts
reddish brown ; tail brown, tipped with white on all but the two centre
feathers ; breast blackish, the feathers edged with whitish ; abdomen more or
less white ; flanks whitish, streaked with brown ; under tail coverts crimson j
bill and legs black ; iris dark brown.
Length. % inches; wing 37 ; tail 3-9 ; tarsus 09 to i ; oilmen 0-9.
Hab. Through the Indo-Burmese countries to Cachar. According to Gates,
the Burmese Red-vented Bulbul occurs in every portion of Pegu, and is a
36 TIMELIID;E.
very common bird. Blyth says it occurs in Arrakan. Its habits are quite those
of P. hamorrhous. Breeds at about the same time of year, building a nest of
the same construction, and laying eggs of a similar type.
451. Pycnonotus nigripileus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 472;
id., Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 209 ; Walden, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 549 ; Blyth and
Wald., B. Br. Burnt, p. 135 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 126; Gates,
B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 191. Ixos nigripileus, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 265. Mol-
pastes nigropileus, Hume, Sir. F. iii. p. 126; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi.
p. 321 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98. The TENASSERIM RED-VENTED BULBUL.
Crown of the head black, forming a cap ; lores, feathers round the eye,
base of cheeks and chin black ; ear coverts, cheeks and throat pale earthy
brown ; foreneck and breast light brown, the feathers margined with ashy
whitish ; back light earthy brown, the feathers with ashy margins; lower back
and rump the same but with less whitish margins ; upper tail coverts dull white
with a slight shade of pink ; wing coverts like the back ; greater and primary
coverts also the quills dark brown, the primaries margined narrowly with
ashy ; tail dark brown, the base rather lighter and the tips white ; abdomen
dull white ; under tail coverts crimson ;. under wing coverts and axillaries
light ashy brown ; bill, legs and feet black ; irides deep brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches ; wing 3-55 ; tail 3-5 to 3*7 ; tarsus 0*85 ; culmen
075.
Hal. The Burmese countries. Common throughout the more open and
better cultivated portions of Tenasserim, north of Amherst. Recorded from
Tonghoo and the Karen hills and Kaukaryit.
452. PycnonotUS atricapillus (Vieill), Wald in Bl. B. Burm.
p. 136; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 127; Oates, B. Br. Burm. \. p. 127.
Muscicapa atricapillus, Vieill, Nouv. Diet. d'Nat. Hist. xxi. p. 489.
Haematornis chrysorrhoides, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1845, p. 367. Haematornis
atricapillus, Hay, Madr. Journ. xiii. 1844, p. 160. Molpastes chrysorrhoides,
Hume, Str. F. ii. p. 477. Molpastes atricapillus, Hume and Dav., Str. F.
vi. p. 322 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 99. The CHINESE RED-VENTED BULBUL.
Above light ashy brown, the edges of the feathers lighter ; head crested ;
forehead, crown of head, lores, chin and cheeks black ; throat, ear coverts,
sides of neck and whole lower plumage whity brown ; under tail coverts
crimson ; tail brown, paler at the base, all the feathers tipped with white ; rump
whity brown ; upper tail coverts whity brown, the longer ones tipped with
darker brown ; wings and their coverts brown, edged exteriorly with paler ;
under wing coverts and axillaries pale fulvescent brown j legs, feet and
claws black ; iris brown to dark brown.
Length. *]$ to 8 inches; wing 37 to 375; tail 37; tarsus 0-8 to 0-9;
culmen 07.
PYCNONOTUS. 37
Hab. Southern China to Ningpo, also the Burmese hills and the more
hilly and richly wooded parts of Tenasserim, north of 13 N. lat. (Sharpe).
According to Gates, Capt. Bingham found it abundant in the Thoungyeen
Valley, and Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it in Karennee at from 1,000 to
2,000 feet elevation.
453. PyCHOnotUS pygSBUS (Hodgs.}, Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B.
Mus. E. I. Co. i. p. 239; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 93, No. 461; Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 128. Molpastes pygaeus, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 378;
id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 290; id , Sir. F. 1875, p. 126; id., Sir. F.
1879, p. 98 ; Scully, t. c. p. 297. The COMMON RED-VENTED BULBUL.
Crown of the head, which is crested, and the nape black ; sides of the face
also black ; ear coverts glossy chocolate brown ; throat and foreneck black,
shading off into brown on the breast, the lower feathers of which are edged
with whity brown ; hind nape and upper back deep chocolate brown, the
feathers margined paler ; lower back and rump more ashy with subterminal
marks of brown to each feather ; upper tail coverts white ; tail dark sepia
brown tipped with white ; wings brown, all the coverts and quills edged with
paler brown, rather ashy on the greater coverts and primaries ; under surface
of body dull ashy white, with mottlings of dark brown about the middle of
each feather ; under tail coverts crimson ; under wing coverts ashy white with
dark brown centres to the feathers ; bill black ; feet dusky; iris dark brown.
Length. 7-8 to 8 inches; wing 3-85 ; tail 3-8 to 3-9 ; tarsus 0*9 ; culmen O'8.
Hab. Throughout Lower Bengal as far south as Midnapore and the jungles
stretching thence to Central India north of the Nerbudda, also the Himalayas
to 7,000 feet from Kumaon eastward to Assam. (Sharpe.) Under " Obs."
Mr. Sharpe remarks that the Common Red-vented Bulbul is easily dis-
tinguished from the other races or species by its long crest and chocolate brown
ear coverts ; the hind neck is black like the head, which colour also occupies the
sides of the neck and the throat extending well on to the foreneck. Specimens
in the British Museum from Darjeeling are the same, also those from Nepaul,
Kumaon, Calcutta, Cachar and Upper Assam, but in the Kumaon birds he
notices a slight tendency toward P. inter?nedius, which (from the Punjab)
he says is a good distinguishable race or species. It resembles the Nepaul
bird in having brown ear coverts, but the shade of black is not so strongly
pronounced on the hind neck and chest ; the abdomen is uniform greyish
ash color, the brown shading of the chest not extending beyond that part, the
breast being mottled with a few brown centres to the feathers." In any
case the characters given above are not sufficient to define intermedius ; some-
thing more than shades of color is wanted by which it should be distinguished
with certainty from the typical forms. I there f >re exclude P. intermedium,
and extend the range of pyg&us to Cashmere and Afghanistan.
38 TIMELIID/E.
The common red-vented Bulbul is found in the Punjab, N.-W. Himalayas,
(N.-W. Provinces), Oudh, Bengal. Assam, and Nepaul. Its habits are pre-
cisely those of H&morrhous, and like that species is caged and trained.
454. Pycnouotus leucotis (Gould.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv.
p. 567; Blanf. East Pers. ii. p. 218; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 135.
Ixos leucotis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 6; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 265; DC
Fillipi, Viagg. in Pers. p. 347. Otocompsa leucotis, Jerd., B. Jnd. ii. p. 91,
No. 459 ; Hume, Sir. F., 1873, p. 1881 ; id., Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 286 ;
Adam t. c. p. 378 ; Ball, Sir. F. 1875, P- 2o6 J Butler t. c., p. 473 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 98. The WHITE-EARED BULBUL.
Head, hind neck, round the eye, forecheek, chin, throat and upper breast
black ; back, wing coverts, scapulars, and upper tail coverts earthy brown ;
quills dusky brown ; the outer webs like the back ; ear coverts and hinder
part of cheeks white ; tail dark brown, lighter at the base, all the feathers
tipped with white ; lower breast and abdomen ashy brown ; thigh coverts
dusky brown ; under tail coverts rich golden or saffron yellow ; bill horny
brown ; irides dark brown ; legs and feet dark brown.
Length. 7 inches; wing 3^5 ; tail 3*25 ; tarsus, 0*9.
Hab. Western and Northern India, Beloochistan (Khelat, Bolan, Mekran
Coast, and Quetta), S. Afghanistan (Chaman), Persia. Common in the
Punjab and N.-W. Provinces. Resident in Sind. Breeds from April to July.
The nests are built generally in dense thorny acacia or other trees not very
high from the ground, and are composed of fine dry twigs mixed with tow-like
fibre, and lined with any soft material procurable. Eggs 2 4, ovato-pyriform,
in color similar to those of pygccus and varying in size from 0^75 to 0*9 x 0*52
to O-6.
455. Pycnonotus analis (Horsf\ Sclater, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 216;
Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 197; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 38; id. 1879, p. 168 ; id.
P. Z. S. 1879, p. 339 ; id. Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 140; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
i. p. 191. Turdus analis, Horsf. Trans. Lin. Sec. xiii. p. 147. Otocompsa
personata, Hume, Sir. F. i. p. 457 ; ii. p. 333. Pycnonotus gourdini (G. J?.
Gray), Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 198. Otocompsa analis, Hume and Dav. Sir.
F. vi. p. 308 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98. The YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL.
Above earthy brown, slightly tinged with olive, the head rather darker
brown ; a broad supercilium white ; lores and a ring round the eye black ;
forecheeks, chin, and throat white ; ear coverts and hind cheeks pale brown ;
breast brown, the feathers edged paler ; vent and under tail coverts yellow ;
abdomen whitish ; thighs brown washed with yellow ; under wing coverts
whitish, washed with olive yellow ; edge of the wing the same ; wing coverts
and quills dark brown, edged with earthy brown ; upper tail coverts tinged
with reddish brown; tail dark brown, edged and tipped with olive brown.
Bill, legs, feet, and claws black ; irides wood brown or chocolate.
PYCNON 7 OTUS. 39
Length. 7-8 to 8 inches; wing 3-3 to 3'6 ; tail 3-2 to 3-5; tarsus 0-9;
culmen 0*75 to 0*8.
Hab. The southern part of Tenasserim, through the Malay Peninsula
to the Islands of Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. According to Dr. Tirand, it is
one of the commonest birds in Cochin-China. Mr. Davison, who collected
specimens, is quoted by Gates (B. Br. Burm) to the effect that it is abundant
in the Island of Mergui in the secondary scrub and in gardens. It feeds
largely on insects and also on berries and fruit. It is usually found singly or in
pairs, though often half-a-dozen or more may be seen seated about the bushes,
near each other, looking as if they all belonged to one flock or party.
456. Pycnonotus flavescens, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 568;
Anders. Yunnan, Exp. p. 659 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 192; Oates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 192. Ixus flavescens, Bl. and Wald., B. Burm. p. 134 ;
Hume and Dav. Sir. F. vi. p. 306; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 98. BLYTH'S
BULBUL.
Forehead and crown brown, the feathers edged with olive yellow ; upper
surface of body and wing coverts olive brown, tinged with olive yellow ; lores
dark brown with a whitish line above them ; sides of the head greenish brown;
under surface of body washed with yellow, the feathers of the breast with
darker streaks ; vent and under tail coverts deep yellow ; legs, feet, and claws
variable, deep reddish to plumbeous or black ; bill black.
Length. 8-5 to S'8 inches; wing 3-5; tail 4'2 ; tarsus 0*85; bill from
gape 0'8.
//<23. The hill portions of Tenasserim, as far south, according to
Mr. Davison, as a point between Mooleyit and Paraduba. Capt. Wardlaw-
Ramsay procured it in the Tonghoo hills and in Karennee, and he states, that
it is common in the Karen hills. It is recorded by Blyth from Arrakan ; by
Col. Godwin-Austen from the Khasia hills, and Dr. Anderson procured it
near Bhamo. (Gates.) Its habits are not unlike other species of the genus,
but it avoids dense forests and keeps generally to the outskirts.
457- PycnonotUS luteolUS (Less), Gray, Gen. B. I. p. 237.
Haematornis luteolus, Less, Rev. Zool. p. 354. Pycnonotus flavirictes,
Strickl. Ann. Nat. Hist. xiii. p. 413. Ixus luteolus, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 84,
No. 452 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 283 ; Ball, Sir. F., 1874, p. 410 ;
1876, p. 235 ; Fairbanlt, t. c. p. 258 ; Hume, t. c. p. 415 ; Fairbank Str. F.
1877, p. 405 ; Ball, t. c. p. 417 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 98. The WHITE
EYE-BROWED BUSH BULBUL.
Above olive brown, more olivaceous on the lower back and rump, where
there is a perceptible tinge of greenish yellow ; lores, eyelids, supercilium, also
a streak under the eye dull white ; ear coverts light brown, washed with olive
and with narrow whitish shaft streaks ; forepart of cheeks yellow, forming a
short moustachial streak ; forcncck, forepart of cheeks, breast, and flanks pale
40 TIMELllD^E.
ashy brown, washed with olive ; chin yellow ; throat dingy white ; wing coverts
and quills brown, externally olive yellow ; tail light brown, the feathers margined
with olive ; under tail coverts yellow, under surface of body pale yellowish
white, rather deeper yellow on the axillaries and under wing coverts; bill
blackish; legs dark plumbeous; iris blood red.
Length. 6 $ to 7 inches ; wing 3*35 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen 07.
Hab. Central and South India, also Ceylon. It is recorded from Madras,
Malabar and Trevandrum. Jerdon says it is a tolerably common bird in many
parts of the south -of India ; rare in others. Common in the low jungles of
Malabar and in the bushy jungle and gardens in the Carnatic, also throughout
the Northern Circars to Goomsoor. Common in Midnapore. (Hume.) It
is usually seen alone and avoids observation. It flies from bush to bush
with a fine, loud, clear, thrush-like warble, and feeds entirely on fruit.
It breeds about Bombay. According to Mr. Hume it builds in a bush a
rather loose structure of twigs lined with fine grass roots, &c,, cobwebs
and wool being used to tie it firmly to its support. Eggs 2 4 in number,
reddish white, with darker lake red spots. They are elongated ovals and
measure 0^92 x o - 62.
458. PycnonotUS finlaySOni, Strickl, Ann. Nat. Hist. xiii. p. 4 1 1 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 568; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 144;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 193. Ixus finlaysoni, Bp. Consp. i. p. 266 ; Blyth
end Wald., B. Burm. v. p. 134 ; Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 301 ; Hume and JDav.
vi. p. 307; Hume, Sir. F. viii., p. 98. FINLAYSON'S BULBUL.
Crown of the head and nape deep grey with pale centres ; forehead and
head as far back as the eyes bright yellow ; lores black ; above the lores a
small streak of orange ; cheeks, ear coverts, throat, chin, and upper neck grey
with bright golden mesial streaks ; upper surface of body and wing coverts
olive green, the back washed with ashy; quills brown, externally yellowish
olive ; tail olive green, brighter on the outer webs ; breast, flanks, and upper
abdomen dark ashy with pale shafts ; centre of abdomen yellowish grey ;
vent and under tail coverts bright yellow; edge of wing, under, wing coverts,
and axillaries also yellow ; bill bluish black ; irides pale brown ; legs dark
plumbeous.
Length. 7'6 inches; wing 3*2 ; tail 3-3 ; tarsus o'8; culmen 07.
Hab. The whole of Tenasseiim, also Arrakan. It ranges down the
Malaya Peninsula as far as Malacca, and extends to Si am and Cochin-China.
459. PycnonotUS daviSOni (Hume], Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 145 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 194. Ixus davisoni, Hume, Str. F.
l %7$> P- 301;' Armstrong, Str. F. iv. p. 324; Oates, Str. F. vii. p. 47 ;
Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 98; Oates, Str. F. x. p. 209. Ixus annectens, Wald.
Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. 4, xv. p. 401 ; Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 404 ; Wald. in BL B.
Burm. p. 134; Wardlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 466. DAVISON'S BULBUL.
PYCNONOTUS. 41
Whole head dull olive yellow, the crown rather bright yellow ; a loral spot
of orange ; ear coverts olive yellow ; throat olive yellow, the feathers with
ashy bases ; breast and sides of the body ashy brown, slightly washed with
olive ; lower abdomen, vent, under wing coverts, axillaries, edge of wings, and
tinder tail coverts bright yellow ; thighs olive, yellow behind ; back and
rump ashy brown washed with olive ; upper tail coverts olive yellow ; wing
coverts olive green ; quills brown, edged on the outer webs with olive green ;
the primaries edged externally with olive yellow ; tail olive brown, the feathers
margined externally with olive yellow ; bill dark horny or dusky black ; legs
and feet dusky black ; iris brownish white or pale yellow.
Length. 77 inches; wing 3-3; tail 3 % l ; tarsus 075; oilmen 07.
Hab. The Western Burmese countries from Arrakan to Rangoon, Gates
says it is confined to the southern portion of Pegu and that it is abundant at
Rangoon, also at Kyakpadien and near the Sittang River. Mr. Blanford met
with it at Bassein.
This Bulbul, Gates adds, is a bird of the cultivated parts of the country.
It is usually found in gardens, clearings, and the neighbouring scrub jungle.
It has a pleasant cheerful note, and where one bird is seen others are generally
found. Two nests were taken by Gates near Kyakpadien in the beginning
of June. They were placed, one in a bush and the other in a creeper about 4
feet from the ground. They were flimsy, shallow cups made of dry weeds
and Hned with grass, and contained two eggs each. Eggs pinkish white,
marked with red and purple.
460. PycnonOtUS XatltllOla&mUS, Jerd. Madr. Journ. xiii. p.
122 ; id. III. Ind. Orn., pi. 35 ; Blyth J . A. S. B. xiv. p. 568 ; Sharpe, Cat.
B.Br. Mus. vi., p. 146. Brachypus xantholaemus, Bp Consp. Av. i., p. 264.
Ixus xantholaemus, Jerd, B. Ind. ii. p. 85, No. 453; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 98. JERDON'S YELLOW-THROATED BULBUL.
Head and sides of the face yellowish olive ; fore part of cheeks and throat
bright yellow ; general color above ashy grey ; wing coverts and quills light
brown margined externally with olive ; upper tail coverts dull olive ; tail
feathers light brown edged with olive, all but the centre ones tipped with
yellowish white, increasing in extent towards the outermost feathers ; under
surface of body light ashy grey from the fore-neck downwards, the centre of
the abdomen white ; thighs and under tail coverts yellow ; under wing coverts
and axillaries light yellow ; bill and legs black ; irides red (Sharpe).
Length.- 7-6 inches ; wing 3-2 ; tail 3-2 ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 07.
Hab. Southern India, confined to the Eastern Ghauts west of Nellore.
461. PycnonOtUS blanfordi, Jerd. Ibis. 1862, p. 20; Anderson,
Yunnan Exp., p. 659; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus t vi. p. 151 ; Oates, B. Br.
Burnt, i. p. 195. Pycnonotus familiaris, Bl. J. A. S. B. xxxi. p. 343.
6
42 TIMELIID^E.
Microtarsus blanfordi, Hume, Sir. F. iii. p. 125 ; Ixus blanfordi, Bl. and
Wald. B. Burm. p. 134; Oates, Sir. F. v. p. 156; Hume, Sir. F. viii.
p. 98 ; Oates, Str. F- x. p. 210 BLANFORD'S BULBUL.
Cheeks and throat dull white ; ear coverts brown with distinct silvery white
shaft lines ; lores greyish tinged with fulvous ; whole upper plumage and tail
olive brown ; the forehead and crown paler with dark centres to the feathers ;
wings like the back, the outer webs of the quills edged externally with fulvous
yellow ; neck and breast brownish grey, mingled with a good deal of fulvous ;
abdomen, sides of the body, under wing and tail coverts pure fulvous ; thighs
fulvous brown j axillaries the same ; bill light brown, paler at the base of the
lower mandible and gape ; legs clear plumbeous ; irides pale yellowish brown ;
eyelids greenish plumbeous.
Length. ?$ to 77 inches ; wing 3*2 to 3^3 ; tail 3'2 to 3-45 ; tarsus 0*8 ;
culmen 07.
Hab. Indo-Chinese sub-region. Found in Burmah and Upper Pegu, rang-
ing into the hills of Cochin-China, Its habits are similar to those of the last,
also its nidification.
462. Pycnonotus plumosus, Blytk, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 567;
Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 198 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 152 ; Oates,
B. Br.Burm.i.p. 196. Brachypus plumosus Tweedd. IbiSj 1877, P- 37*
Ixus plumosus, Hume and Damson, Str. F. vi. p. 309 ; Hume, Str. F. viii.
p. 98. The LARGE OLIVE BULBUL.
Upper plumage olive brown, rather darker on the head, the feathers edged
with olive green ; lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts slightly clearer
olive brown ; the wing coverts darker than the back and more strongly shaded
with olive yellow ; quills brown, edged on their outer web with olive yellow ;
tail the same, the feathers margined with olive yellow ; cheeks and ear coverts
brown with dull white shaft streaks ; under surface of body earthy brown,
darker on the sides of the breast and flanks ; chin, throat, and centre of
abdomen dull whitish ; under tail coverts buffish or olivaceous ochrey ; under
wing coverts, axillaries, and edge of wing buff or saffron-yellow ; bill blackish
brown ; legs and feet reddish brown ; irides deep red or burnt sienna.
Length. 7-5 to 7'8 inches ; wing 3-3 to 3*5 ; tail 2-8 to 3^2 ; tarsus 0*85 ;
culmen 07.
Hab. Sumatra and Borneo, ranging through the Malayan Peninsula to the
southern part of the Tenasserim province. (Sharpe.) The British Museum
possesses specimens from Sarawak, Labuan, Sumatra, and Malacca. Gates
says it inhabits Tenasserim as far north as Pabyin, which is a village close to
Mergui, and quotes Dr. Tirand to the effect that it is common in Cochin-
China, and Mr. Davison that it keeps chiefly to the forests and does not
appear ever to descend to the ground.
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.
Pycnonotus salvadorti
"Mnvtem Bros . litK .
OTOCOMPSA. 43
463. PycnonotUS Simplex, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 167 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 153, pi. ix ; Oates, B. Br. Burmah i. p. 196.
Pycnonotus brunneus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 568 ; id. Cat. B. Mus. As.
Soc,p.2io. Ixus brunneus, Bp. Consp. \. p. 266. Microtarsus olivaceus,
Moore, in Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E. /. Coy. i. p. 249. Ixus
brunneus, Hunie and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 312; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
pp. 62, 98. MOORE'S OLIVE BULBUL.
Whole upper plumage, including the entire head dull brown washed with
olive ; tail rufescent olive brown ; quills and wing coverts brown with olive
margins to the feathers; throat dusky yellowish white, also the chin; fore-
neck, breast and sides of body earthy brown washed with olive; centre of
body, abdomen, and under tail coverts yellowish white, also the under wing
coverts and axillaries ; bill dark horny brown, the lower mandible paler ;
iricles variable orange red, pale red or whity pink, or crimson and Indian red.
Length. 6'8 to 7-5 inches ; wing 2'8 to 3-4 ; tail 278 to 3-27 ; tarsus 0*65
to 075.
Hab. Java, Sumatra, and Borneo, extending up the Malayan Peninsula as
high as Tenasserim, where it is sparingly distributed throughout the province
south of Tavoy.
Mr. Sharpe remarks that great variation exists in the shade of colour in this
species, some specimens being much lighter and others darker. He attributes
this "to the fading of the plumage after death, somewhat in the same way as
the skins of the different Hypsipetes, which lose their colour when preserved.
See Sir. F. 1878, pp. 309-312 for remarks on the differences between this
species and P. plumosus.
464. PycnonotUS salvadorii, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi.
p. 401 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 197. Pycnonotus pusillus, Salvad. Ucc.
Born.> p. 220 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 401, pi. X. Ixus pusillus,
Hume, Sir. F. vi. p. 312 ; viii. p. 98. The SMALL OLIVE BULBUL.
PLATE.
Above olive brown, slightly rufescent on lower back, rump, upper tail
coverts, and tail ; the wing coverts olive brown ; quills dark brown with olive
margins ; lores, ear coverts, and sides of the face ashy brown ; throat and chin
ashy white ; breast and sides of the body ashy brown washed with yellow ; abdo-
men, vent, and under tail coverts dusky yellow ; under wing coverts olive
brown, rather more yellowish on the edge of the wing ; axillaries dull yellow.
Bill black ; legs and feet pale reddish horny ; irides crimson.
Length. 6-5 inches; wing 2-85 to 2-9; tail 2-9 ; culmen 0-55 ; tarsus 0*6.
Hab. The same as the last, but sparingly distributed.
Gen. OtoCOmpSa, Cab.
Bill moderately long and thin, the gonys upcurved ; head conspicuously
crested ; crest erectile, longer than the tarsus.
44 TIMELIID^E.
465. OtOCOmpsa JOCOSa (Linn), Jerd. B. Ind, ii. p. 92 ;
Aust., J. A. S- B. 1870, p. 1 06; Sharpe, Cat. JB. Br. Mus.v'i. p. 159; Oates,
B. Br. Burnt., i. p. 198. Lanius jocosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 138. Ixos
Jocosus, Pears. J . A. S. B . x. p. 640. Pycnonotus jocosus, Blyth, J. A.
S. B. xiv., p. 566. Otocompsa monticola, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 8; Hume,
Sir. F. 1873, p. 309; BL B. Burm. p. 135; Hum*, Sir. F. 1879, p. 98.
Otocompsa emeria, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 309; 1874, pp. 225, 447 ; id. Nesls
and Eggs, Ind. .p. 287; Ball, Sir. F. 1874, p. 410; Hume, Sir. F. 1875,
p. 126 ; Armstrong, Str. F. 1876, p. 325: Hume, Sir, F. 1-877 P- 35 > Oates,
t. c. p. 157;. Hume and Davis&n, Six. F. 1879, PP- 63., 98. j Scully t. c,
p. 296. The RED-WHISKERED BULBUL.
Head crested, black ; cheeks and ear coverts white, with a tuft of glossy
hair-like crimson feathers springing from under the eye and reaching to the
ends of the ear coverts crimson ; a narrow black line separates the cheeks anti
ear coverts ; sides of the neck and a patch on either side of the breast brown-
ish black ; chin and under surface of body white; under tail coverts crimson- j
edge of wing pinkish ; under wing coverts dull white ; plumage above light
hair brown^ the quills darker and edged with light hair brown ;. tail the same,
except the four central feathers tipped with white. Bill and legs black ; irides
brown. The, young have no crimson under the eye; the head ia dark brown
and the plumage fulvous.
Length. 6-5 ta 7-8 inches; wing 3. to 3-15 ; ; tail 3-2 to- 3-3,,*- culmen 07 ?
tarsus 0*75.
Hab.rThQ Central Himalayas to Assam an<I throughout the Burmese-
countries and Southern China down the Malayan Peninsula and also
to the Andamans. Common in the Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh,
Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, and Nepaul, affecting well-wooded districts. Ac-
cording to Jerdon, it is rare in the Carnatic, It periodically visits Madras ;
is generally spread on the Western- Coast ; and abundant on the Neil-
gherries. It is rare in the Central tableland, common in the Northern
Circars and Lower Bengal. Gates says it is one of the best known
birds of Burmah. Abounds in the whole of Pegu except in the portion
lying between Prome and Thayetmyo, where it is either rare or absent.
Common throughout Tenasserim, and diffused over Cochin-China, the
Indo-Burmese countries, and almost the whole peninsula of India. It is
a pretty bird, and is generally seen in gardens. It lives on fruit and seeds,
and is like P. hcEmorrhou-s, caged or trained by hand. It breeds from March
to the end of May. The nest is placed in a bush or on creepers. The
nest is saucer-s-haped, and like that of other species of Pycnono-tus. Eggs 3 to
4, three being the normal number ; colour pinkish white, thickly mottled and
blotched with purplish red.
486. OtOCOmpsa emeria (Linn.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi.
p. 159. Muscicapa emeria, Linn. Syst. Nat. Hist. i. p. 326 (ex.
OTOCOMPSA. 45
Lanius emeria, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vii. p. 332. Hasmatornis jocosus, Jerd.,
Madr. Journ. x. p. 250. Otocompsa fuscicaudata, Gould, B. Z. S. 1865,
p. 664 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 309 ; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 288 ;
Butler, Sir. F. 1875, p. 473 ; Fairbank, Sir. F. 1876, p. 258 ; Hume, t. c.
p. 458; Fairbank, Sir. F. 1877, P- 4S ; *# Slr - & l8 79> P- 9 s - The
MADRAS RED-WHISKERED BULBUL.
Above earthy brown, the wings and tail brown like the back, the outer
coverts and the quills and tail feathers rather darker, all the shafts of the
feathers reddish brown ; head and nape blackish brown with a very long crest,
the forehead, lores, and feathers under the forepart of the eye also blackish ;
under the hinder part of the eye a tuft of bright crimson feathers ; ear coverts
pure white ; cheeks the same, and separated from the ear coverts by a
narrow line of black running from below the forepart of the eye to the sides
of the neck ; throat and foreneck pure white, also the centre of the body ;
sides of body and thighs brown, sides of the upper breast deep brown,
extending in a half crescent on each side of the breast ; tail feathers
uniform, not tipped with white ; under tail coverts scarlet ; under wing coverts
isabelline brown. (Sharpe.) Bill black ; feet greyish plumbeous ; irides brown.
Length % to 8-2 inches ; wing 3-2 to 3-5 ; tail 3-5 ; culmen 07 ; tarsus o'8.
Hab. Southern India, Guzerat and Khandeish, also the Deccan. It has
been recorded from Mount Aboo, the Eastern Ghauts above Nellore, the
Satpooras, Madras, Neilgherries, Coorg, Deccan, Malabar, Trevandrum (Tra-
vancore), and Khandeish.
In its habits the Southern Red-whiskered Bulbul is not unlike others of the
Pycnonotine group. It is, like Jocosa, caught, caged, and trained to do
various feats.
It breeds from February to May. The nests are usually placed at no great
height from the ground in some thick bush, and are usually composed of
grass, roots, and twigs, or fine grass with roots and dry fern or other dead
leaves intermixed. Eggs, 3 to 4 in number, pale pink, with thickly freckled,
mottled, and streaked spots of purple and brick red, more dense at the larger
end. Size 0-82 to 0-97 x O'62 to 071. Hume gives the average of*36 eggs
as 0-9 x o'66.
467- OtOCOmpsa leUCOgenyS (Gray and Hardwick), Jerd. B.
Ind. ii. p. 91, No. 458 ; Hume, Nests and JEggs, Ind. B . p. 285 ; id. Str. F.
1879, p. 98; Scully, /. c. p. 296. Brachypus leucogenys, Gr. and Hardw.,
111. Ind. Zool., i. p. 35, fig. 3. Pycnonotus leucogenys, Blyth, J . A. S. B.
xiv, p 567. Ixos leucogenys, Bp. Consp. i. p. 265. The WHITE-CHEEKED
CRESTED BULBUL.
Top of head and nape hair brown ; the feathers long and forming an
erectile crest, the feathers of which are slightly recurved and margined with
dull whity brown ; lores and feathers round the eye black ; a streak of white
46 TIMELIID^E.
from the nostrils to above the fore part of the eye ; ear coverts and cheeks
silky white ; a small spot of blackish brown behind them ; rest of cheeks and
throat blackish brown. Above pale earthy brown or ashy brown washed slightly
with olive ; upper tail coverts darker ; wing coverts and quills brown, edged
with dull olive ; tail dark brown, paler at the base, edged with olive and
tipped with white; under surface of the body ashy or pale whitey brown,
mottled with dusky mesially; under tail coverts bright yellow; under wing
coverts and auxiliaries ashy brown. Bill black ; feet plumbeous ; irides light
brown.
Length. 7*5 inches; wing 3-55 to 37; tail 3-4 to 3*6; oilmen 07;
tarsus o - S5.
Hab. The Himalayan range from Cashmere to Bhootan to 5,000 feet
elevation. Abundant in Sikkim. Feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects. Nest
of the same construction as that of O. emeria. Eggs 3 to 4 ; colour and size
same as those of emeria, pinkish or rosy white, speckled, blotched, and streaked
with purplish or claret.
468. OtOCOmpsa flaviventriS (TicMl), Sharpe, Cat. B.Br. Mus.,
Gates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 199. Vanga flaviventris, Tickell, J. A. S. B.
ii. p. 573. Rubigula flaviventris, Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 88, No. 456; Bl. B.
Sunn. p. 136; Hume, Sir. F, 1878, p. 317; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 98;
Scully, Sir. F. 1879, p. 295. The BLACK-CRESTED YELLOW BULBUL.
Whole head, which is crested, chin, and throat black ; sides of the neck and
lower plumage yellow ; upper plumage olive yellow, also the wing coverts ;
quills dusky brown, externally olive yellow ; tail brown, margined with yellow ;
under wing coverts yellowish white. Bill black ; legs and feet dark plumbeous
or greenish black ; irides pale yellow.
Length. 7-4 to 7-6 inches ; wing 3*3 to 3-65 ; tail 3-5 to 3-6 ; oilmen o'6 ;
tarsus 0*7.
Hab. The Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan, extending into Assam,
Arrakan, and Burmah, also in the forests of Central India, where it was, accord-
ing to Jerdon, procured by 'tickell. Jerdon found it in the warm valleys of
Sikkim from 1,200 to 3,000 feet, and most abundant in the lower elevation as
on the'banks of the Runjeet. He adds that it associates in small flocks, is lively
and active, and has the usually twittering notes of the family. Gates says it is
common throughout Pegu, both in the hills and in the plains, and that Capt.
Wardlaw-Ramsay observed it in Karennee. He also remarks that it is spread
throughout the whole of Tenasserim. It ranges into Cochin-China and
necessarily into Siam. It is found in the Indo-Burmese countries, also in
the Eastern Bengal Hills. It nests in bushes about three feet from theground.
Structure cup-shaped, made of twigs and roots, and lined with grass. Eggs
three in number, white, marked with pink and claret.
RUBIGULA. 47
Gen. Rubigula. Blyth.
Bill as in Otocompsa, but broader than it is high ; rictal bristles moderate ;
tail slightly rounded or nearly even. Head more or less crested ; feathers of
the back lax and decomposed.
489. Rubigula gularis (Gould}, Biyth,J. A.S.B. xiv. p. 576 ; xv.
p. 287; Jerd., B. Ltd. ii. p. 87; Hartl., Str. F. 1877, p. 405; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 98. Brachypus gularis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, P- l86 J Bp-
Consp.i. p. 264; Walden, Ibis, 1866, p. 423. Pycnonotus gularis, Gray,
Gen. B. i. p. 237. The INDIAN RUBY-THROATED BULBUL.
Crown and nape and entire sides of head glossy black ; upper surface,
including the wing coverts, yellowish olive green, the latter edged with brighter
yellow ; quills dusky brown, the outer webs yellowish olive, which again is
narrowly edged with brighter yellow ; tail olive brown, edged with olive yellow.
A small black chin spot present ; throat shining ruby red, the feathers rather
bristly ; under surface of the body from the lower throat bright yellow, the
sides of the breast and flanks washed with olive; under wing coverts and
axillaries yellowish white. Bill black; legs greenish dusky; irides light yellow.
Length. 6 inches; wing 2'8 ; tail 2*5; culmen o'6 ; tarsus O'6.
Hal). Southern India, in the forests of Malabar, extending from Travancore
to North Canara. Jerdon observes that it frequents open spots and glades in
thick jungle, and that it is usually found in the neighbourhood of water. It
lives in small families, is sprightly and active, hopping about the smaller
branches of trees, and uttering now and then its pleasant twitter.
470. Rubigula cyaniventris (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 109; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 200. Pycnonotus cyaniventris, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xi. p. 792; Stricki., P. Z. S. 1846, p. 101. Ixidia cyaniventris,
Bp. Consp. i. p. 260; Stol., J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 316; Plume and T)av.,
Str. F. 1874, p. 477; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 320; 1879, pp. 63, 98. The
GREY-BELLIED BULBUL.
Head, neck, sides of the neck, ear coverts, sides of the face, and lower
plumage deep slaty blue; lores black; a streak over the eye and forehead
paler slaty ; upper plumage, including the wing coverts bright greenish yellow ;
quills dark brown, all but the first two primaries broadly edged with greenish
yellow, brighter than the colour of the back ; tail light brown, the feathers
washed with olive yellow on their outer webs ; under tail coverts and edge of
the wing bright yellow ; under wing coverts very pale sulphur yellow ; thighs
dusky grey washed with olive yellow. Bill black ; legs and feet very dark
plumbeous ; irides dark brown, dark plumbeous slate colour and grey brown.
Length. 5-5 to 6*5 inches; wing 2-95 to 3'i2; tail 2-55 to 27; tarsus 0-55
to 0-65 ; culmen 0*5 ; from gape 075.
Females smaller and darker in colour.
48 TIMELIID^E.
Hab. South Tenasserim down the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra. Gates
says it is a rare straggler into the extreme southern portion of Tenasserim,
where Mr- Davison got only one specimen, and who is quoted by Gates as to
its being a bird of rather shy habits and on being disturbed retreats to dense
cover in the forest.
Gen. SpiziXUS. Blyth.
'Bill short and thick, nearly as high as long-, nostrils hidden by dense
plumes ; rictal bristles well developed ; laid forward it nearly reaches the first
fourth of the bill, which is distinctly notched. Head crested.
471- Spizixus canifrons, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 571; xx.
p. 520; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. 1870, vol. xxxix. p. 106; Blyth, Ibis,
1872, p. 90; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 172. The FINCH-BILLED
BULBUL.
Head strongly crested, the crown black, the nape slightly washed with
grey ; forehead ashy grey ; ear coverts light brown ; cheeks blackish, streaked
with hoary grey ; throat chocolate brown varied with hoary grey tips to the
chin feathers ; rest of under surface of body light olive greenish ; brighter
down the centre of the body and on the under tail coverts ; under wing coverts
and axillaries very pale yellowish, brighter olive yellow on the edge of the
wing ; upper surface of body dark olive yellow, yellower on the lower back,
rump, and upper tail coverts ; tail feathers dull olive yellow, browner on the
inner web and having a broad terminal band of blackish brown ; wing coverts
like the back ; quills dark brown, externally olive yellow, thighs like the flanks.
(Sharpe.)
Length. 8 inches ; wing 3-65 ; tail 37; tarsus 6'8 ; culmen 0*65.
Hal. The Khasia Hills and Sylhet. The British Museum has a specimen
from Chera Punji also.
Sub-family II. TROGLODYTIN.E.
In this large sub-family of Timeline birds, we have only three genera
inhabiting India, viz., Anorthura, Pnoepyga, and Cinclus, and these comprise
in all six species, all inhabitants of the Himalayan range of hills. In their
habits and in their form Sharpe states that they (the wrens) are essentially
Timeliinse. The group consists of birds which do not migrate, or if they do,
do not go far. They have strong legs, concave and round wings, and a short
or rudimentary tail. They live in moist places, and build domed nests.
Gen. UrOCichla. Sharpe.
Bill short, straight, somewhat depressed at the base ; rictals smooth ; wings
short, rounded, and as long as or a very little longer than the tail ; tarsus
longer than the culmen, stout and strong. Nostrils linear and closed by an
overhanging membrane; tail more than one-third the length of the bird.
ANORTHURA. 49
472- UrOCichla longicaudata (Moore), Sharpe, Cat, 2*. r. Mus.
vi. p 263. Pnoepyga longicaudata, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 74; Jerd., B.
Ind. i. p. 490; Godw.-Aust., y. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 101 ; Hume, Str. F.
1879, p. 93. Pnoepyga chocolatina, Godw.-Aust, and Wald., Ibis, 1875,
p. 252 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1876, p. 218 ; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 93. The LONG'
TAILED WREN.
Above deep olive brown, the feathers slightly margined with blackish ;
lower back, rump and upper tail coverts uniform olive brown ; lesser and
median wing coverts like the back ; the greater wing coverts and quills some-
what rufescent; tail dull reddish brown ; lores dusky ; cheeks and ear coverts
uniform dark olive brown ; under surface of body light ochraceous buff, the
flanks brown ; breast and sides of the abdomen tipped with dusky and the
feathers with whitish shaft streaks ; chin and throat whiter than the breast ;
vent and under tail coverts dark ferruginous. Bill dark horny; legs paler;
irides brownish.
Length. 4-5 inches; wing 1-95 to 2; tail 1*95 to 2*2; tarsus O'8S ;
culmen 0*5.
Hab, Khasia and Munipur Hills.
Gen, Anorthura. Rennie.
Bill moderately long, slender, compressed, and without notch ; wings short
and rounded ; tail narrow, rounded and short, about one-third the entire
length of the bird ; nostrils, a longitudinal slit covered by membrane.
473 Anorthura nipalensis (Biyth\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 277. Troglodytes nipalensis, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xiv. p. 589 ; Bp.
Consp. i. p, 222 ; Gould., B. Asia, pt. iv. ; Jtrd., B. Ind. i. p. 491, No. 333 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B., p. 218; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 93. Trog-
lodytes subhemalachanus, Hodgs. Icon. ined. Brit. Mus. Passeres i., pi. 49.
The NKPALESE WREN.
Above dark chocolate brown or umber brown ; the mantle, wing coverts and
back barred with blackish, and the rump with a few white subterminal spots,
and more reddish in colour ; upper tail coverts rufous, barred transversely
with blackish ; quills brown, notched with reddish brown ; primaries speckled
with rufous or white on the outer web ; tail rufous, also barred transversely
with blackish ; lores dull white ; supercilium pale fulvous brown, with which
colour the sides of the face and ear coverts are spotted ; cheeks, throat and
under surface of the body light rufous brown, barred transversely with dusky
blackish, the abdomen less rufescent ; under tail coverts rufous, barred with
dusky blackish and tipped with white ; under wing coverts whitish and barred
with blackish. Bill brown ; legs horny ; iris hazel brown.
Length. 3-5 to 3-8 inches; wing l'8 ; tail 1-2 ; tarsus 075 ; culmen 0-55.
7
50
Hab. Himalayas to Nepaul and Sikkim, also Cashmere. Recorded from
Mussoorie and Simla. Jerdon says Adams observed it commonly among stony
places in glens and around the margins of the avalanches on the Cashmere
ranges. The Nepaulese wren breeds in May and June throughout the Hima-
layas and far into Thibet at elevations from 6,OOO to iO,OOO feet. Mr. Brooks
took two nests in Cashmere, one with three and the other two with four eggs.
The eggs are white, minutely freckled with pale red specks, which are
chiefly confined to the larger end. Anorthura neghcta also occurs on the
hills of Cashmere.
474. Anorthura formosa (Wald\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.vi.
p. 279. Troglodytes formosus, Wald., Ibis, 1874, p. 91. Troglodytes puncta-
tus (nee Boie), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 589; Bp. Consp. I. p. 222; Jerd.,
B.Ind. I. p. 492; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 525; 1877, p. 238; and 1879,
p. 93. The SPOTTED WREN.
Above fuscous or smoky brown, each feather tipped with a whitish or
fulvous spot ; crown of the head unspotted, uniform smoky brown ; wing
coverts dusky brown, the spots being larger and more fulvous ; greater coverts
rufous, also tipped with fulvous, their outer webs mottled with fulvous ; quills
blackish, crossed with five broad bands of black, their outer webs margined
with rufous ; tail rufous, also barred with black ; lores and sides of the face
like the crown, but mottled with fulvous spots; throat light sandy buff,
deepening in colour on the breast and abdomen ; under parts mottled with
triangular pale spots ; under wing coverts and axillaries reddish brown,
slightly mottled with dusky bars. Bill horny brown ; legs pale brown.
Length. 4-6 inches ; wing 175 ; tail 1-25 ; tarsus 07.
Hab. Darjeeling, where it is said to be rare.
Gen. SpheilOCichla. Godw.-Aust.
Tail quite long, longer than the length of the wing ; bill conical and pointed ;
the culmen and gonys straight ; nostrils a narrow slit, covered by a horny
membrane which overhangs the anterior edge of it.
475. SphenOCichla humii (Mandelli), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.Mus.Mi.
p. 283. Heterorhynchus humii, Mandclli, Str. F. 1873^.415. Sphenocichla
roberti, Godw.-Aust. and Wald., Ibis, 1875, P- 2 5J Hume, Str. F. 1876,
p. 217; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 95. Stachyrirhynchus roberti, Hume, Str. F.
1876, p. 217, note; id., Str. F. 1879, P-95- HUME'S WEDGE-BILLED WREN.
Adult. (Native Sikkim, April, 1875 ; Mandelli.) General colour above
scaly, the feathers being brown in the centre, edged with black ; the feathers
of the head and mantle with buffy-white shaft lines, less distinct on the
lower back and rump ; the dorsal feathers indistinctly waved with narrow
blackish cross bars ; upper tail coverts reddish brown, narrowly barred with
SPHENOCICHLA.
51
indistinct blackish cross lines ; wing coverts like the back, edged and obscurely
barred in the same manner ; some of the greater coverts more ochraceous
brown towards the tips ; quills blackish brown, obsoletely barred with lighter
brown and black externally, the bars a little more distinct towards the end of
the secondaries ; upper tail coverts and tail rather more reddish brown
numerously barred with blackish brown, the bars about 2 1 in number
forehead blacker than the head, with very distinct white shaft streaks ; the
lores and sides of the crown similarly coloured ; an eyebrow of light ashy
feathers tipped with white, drawn from above the eye to the sides of the neck,
which is also mottled with ashy spots; ear coverts and cheeks blackish,
narrowly streaked with white shaft lines, as also the fore part of the cheeks ;
under surface of body blackish brown, the feathers of the throat and breast
obsoletely margined with dull ashy, producing a scaly appearance ; chin
with distinct white shaft lines ; centre of breast ashy, the lateral feathers
blackish, tipped with ashy ; flank feathers and vent blackish, tipped with fulvous
brown ; under tail coverts entirely fulvous brown ; under wing coverts light
fulvous brown edged with blackish, the outer ones more ashy ; quills brown
below, ashy fulvous along the edge of the inner web.
Total length. 6-3 inches; culmen I; wing 27; tail 2'6 ; tarsus 1-05
(Mus. CoL Godwin- Austen.)
Adult Female (Konchungbum, Munipur Hills ; H. Robert : type of Sphe-
nocichla roberti.) Differs from the male in being reddish brown above,
the feathers edged with black and subterminally spotted with ashy, producing
a scaly appearance ; the ashy spots absent on the head, and more rufescenton
the lower back and rump ; the upper tail coverts numerously barred with
dusky ; wing coverts like the back and spotted with ashy in the same manner ;
greater coverts with numerous dusky cross bars ; quills dark brown, the
secondaries rufous brown externally, the innermost lighter brown and barred
across with dusky ; primaries externally barred with fulvous brown and
more narrowly with blackish ; tail feathers dull brown, with numerous bars
of dusky blackish, about 22 bars being perceptible on the central feathers ;
forehead a little clearer than the crown, the lores dusky ; upper edge
of eyelid white ; ear coverts blackish with nearly obsolete whitish shaft
lines, cheeks ashy whitish, the feathers with dark brown centres and blackish
margins, producing a scaly appearance ; throat and chest scaly, the feathers
being olive brown in the centre, blackish on the margin, with a subterminal
line of white ; the feathers in the centre of the breast ashy, with less
pronounced blackish edges, sides of body reddish brown, slightly washed with
olive, and mottled by the presence of a few feathers which are edged
with blackish, and subterminally marked with a line of dull white ; under
tail coverts rufous brown, subterminally marked with a line of dull white ;
under wing coverts brown, those near the edge of the wing ashy ; quills dusky
brown below, pale ashy rufous along the edge of the inner web.
52 TIMELlIDdE.
Total length. 6-5 inches; culmen 1-15; wing 2-95; tail 27; tarsus PI
{Mus. H. H. Godwin- Austen?) (Sharpe.)
Hume's Wedge-billed Wren was originally discovered in Native Sikkim by
Mr. Mandelli, and has since been found in the North Cachar and Munipur
hills by Colonel Godwin-Austen. (Sharpe.)
Gen. Pnoepyga- Hodgson.
General characters the same as in Sphenocichla tail rudimentary or in-
visible, being completely hidden by the upper tail coverts and feathers o|
the rump ; tarsi plain in front, scutellate at the base of toes j hind claw long
and curved.
476. Pnoepyga albiventris (Hodgs.}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
vi. p. 302 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 152. Tesia albiventer, Hodgs. t
J. A. S. B. vi. p. 1 02. Microura squamata, Gould., Icones. Avium. pi. v.
Pnoepyga albiventer, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Mus. Br. Pass. pi. xlvii. ; id.*
P. Z. S. 1845, p. 25. Pnoepyga squamata, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 179; Jerd. B. 2nd. i. p. 488, No. 329 ; Wald. in Bl. B. Burm. p. 99;
Godw.-Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix. pi. ii. p. 101 ; Hume and Dav., Str.F.
vi. p. 234; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 93. The SCALY-BREASTED HILL WREN.
Upper plumage and wing coverts dark earthy or chocolate brown, darker
at the tip of each feather, and with a subterminal fulvous spot ; ear coverts
dark brown, the feathers with fulvous shaft stripes ; cheeks, chin and throat
dull white, the edges of the feathers mottled with dusky ; lower plumage
whitish or fulvous, the feathers with dark centres ; wings brown, the outer
webs of the quills chocolate or earthy brown ; under wing coverts ochraceous
buff, edged with brown. Bill dusky brown ; legs fleshy brown ; irides brown,
Length. 3*5 to 4^5 inches ; tail 0*6 ; wing 2-35 ; tarsus 0*1.
Hal. Throughout the Himalayas ranging into the Karen Hills in Burmaru
Jerdon says this is the largest of the hill-wrens, and that it is not uncommon
about Darjeeling, and up to at least 8,000 feet elevation. He has seen it hunting
under and on a fallen moss-clad tree, and now and then on a forest path by
the trunk of some large tree to which it would cling for a few moments. In
Lurmah it has been procured by Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay in Karennee.
Mussoorie and Simla are given as localities in the N.-W. Provinces of India,
They feed chiefly on insects, and sometimes eat seeds, and build on the
ground under the trunk of a tree, making an oval nest with an entrance on one
side.
477. Pnoepyga pusilla, Hodgs P. Z. S. 1845, P. 25; Jerd. B.
Jnd. i. p. 489, No. 330 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 234 ; Hume,
Sir. F. viii. p. 93 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 304 ; Oates, B. Br.
. \. p. iS3- The BROWN HILL- WREN.
CINCLUS. 53
Above, including the lesser and median wing coverts, dark brown, the latter
and the greater series, also the scapulars, tipped with a spot of ochraceous buff ;
quills margined externally with reddish brown ; tail rufous brown ; lores dull
whitish ; ear-coverts with narrow whitish shaft streaks ; cheeks and throat dull
white, with dusky edgings to the feathers ; lower plumage white, with black
centres ; flanks dull brown or rufous brown, with fulvous edges ; under wing
coverts ochraceous buff. Bill blackish above, pale brown below ; legs and
feet pale brown ; irides deep brown.
Length. 27 to 3-5 inches; wing 1-9 to 2; tail 0*5 ; tarsus o'8 ; culmen
0-55-
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending into Tenasserim. Occurs in the hill
tracts of Eastern Bengal and in Nepaul. Mr. Davison, who got two species on
the highest part of Mooleyit, says he always met it in dense fern growths
edging the mountain streams in heavy forest. As a rule they do not fly when
disturbed, but get away out of sight in the undergrowth.
478. Pnoepyga caudata, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 588 ; Godw.-
Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 101 ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 490, No. 331 ; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, p. 93; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 305. The TAILED
HILL-WREN.
Above dark olive brown, the feathers faintly edged with black ; no white or
fulvous spots on the wing coverts ; tail reddish brown ; lores, eyebrow, cheeks
and ear coverts dusky or ashy grey ; throat ferruginous, paling on the breast ;
under surface of body mottled with ochraceous, the feathers centred with
dark brown; the lower breast and flanks barred and centred with linear
streaks. Bill blackish ; legs brown ; irides brown.
Length. 3-3 to 37 inches ; wing i'g to 2; tail T2; tarsus 075 ; culmen O'5.
Hal. Eastern Himalayas, and, according to Jerdon, Nepaul and Sikkim.
He procured specimens at Darjeeling.
Gen. CinclUS. Bechst.
Bill of moderate length, straight, cultrate and slightly ascending ; no rictal
bristles; nostrils longitudinal; wings concave ; 1st quill very short ; 3rd and
4th sub-equal and longest ; tarsus longer than mid-toe.
The Dippers, as the members of this genus are called, form one of the most
interesting group of birds among the whole class of Perchers, owing to their
peculiar habit of procuring their food under water, though they are noted
as birds of rapid flight. As far as I know, nothing has been investigated
anatomically in regard to any special organs they possess for the purpose.
That the feathers are like those of the Duck tribe impervious to water there
can be no doubt, else they could not fly immediately on leaving the water.
Their nests are made of moss and grass and placed on the banks of a stream,
54 TIMELIID^.
under or among" the roots of a tree or a crevice in a rock. , They lay 4 6
pinkish white eggs.
479. Cinclus cashmeriensis, Gould, P. z. S. 1859, p. 474 ; id.
B. Asia pt. xii. (1860); Salvin, Ibis, 1867, p. 117; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xii.
p. 48 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 945 Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 438. Hydrobata
cashmeriensis, Jerd. B. I?id. i. p. 57J Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 374; Hume and
Henderson, Lahore to Yarkand,\>. 189. Cinclus aquaticus, var. Cashmeriensis,
Blf. E. Pers. ii. p. 212. The BROWN-BACKED WHITE-THROATED DIPPER.
Crown of the head, ear coverts, lores and sides of face chocolate brown ;
wing coverts and upper back darker ; lower back, rump and upper tail
coverts slaty brown ; an indistinct spot of white over and under the eye :
cheeks, throat, foreneck and chest white ; breast chocolate brown ; the
abdomen, flanks, thighs and under tail coverts deeper brown, the latter shaded
with slaty grey; under wing coverts and axillaries dark brown ; tail blackish
brown, shaded and edged with slate color ; quills the same. Bill black ; legs
pale brown.
Length. 6'8 to 7 inches; wing 3-7 to 3*9; tail 2'2 to 2*25 ; culmen 0*9 ;
tarsus i 'i.
Hab. The mountainous district of Asia Minor, Persia, the mountain
ranges of Cashmere and Ladak, the hill regions of Sikkim north of Darjeel-
ing and thence into China,
480. CinclUS asiatiCUS, Swains., Faun. Bor. Amer. Bird. p. 174;
Gould, B. Asia, pt. xii. ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. xii. p. 48 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 94; Scully, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 281, 365, 367. Hydrobata asiatica, Gray,
Gen. B. i. p. 215; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 506; Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 375;
Stolickza, Ibis, 1868, p. 33 ; Godw.-Aust.J . A. S. B. xxxix. p. 102 ; Biddulph,
Ibist 1 88 1, p. 52 ; Scully, t. c. p. 437. The HIMALAYAN DIPPER.
Above and below uniform pale brown ; median and greater coverts, also
the quills, edged externally with paler margins ; axillaries and under wing
coverts dark chocolate brown. Bill black ; legs pale brown. Soles of the
feet yellow ; iris dark brown. The young is mottled with dusky and whitish ;
the quills are edged with white, and the tail tipped with white.
Length. 7*5 inches; wing 3-8; tail 2-25 ; culmen 0*85 ; tarsus 1*15.
Hab. Afghanistan, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh and Nepaul, and from
Cashmere to Bhootan and the Khasia Hills.
Gen. MiOhoneilS. Temm.
Bill large, strong, compressed, of moderate length, hooked at tip, and
much higher than broad at nostrils ; rictal bristles few or almost wanting ;
nares round with some frontal plumes and hairs at their base ; wings long,
rather pointed ; 4th and 5th quills nearly equal, the 5th generally the longest ;
tail moderate ; tarsus large, stout, entire, or with a subterminal scute.
CINCLUS. 55
These birds are generally known as Whistling Thrushes. They are birds of
fairly large size, black plumage, glossed or enamelled with blue, and their
bills are either yellow or black. They have a range from Turkestan to
Afghanistan and the whole of India and Ceylon, throughout the Burmese
countries and China. According to Sharpe apparently absent in the Malayan
Peninsula, but re-occurs in Java and Sumatra.
481. Myiophoneus Temmincki, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 171 ;
Gould, Cent. Him. B. PI. 21 ; Tern. PL Col. ii. livr. 29; Blyth, J. A. S.
B. xvi. p. 154; Bp. Consp. i. p. 258; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 500; Hume and
Hend., Lahore to Yarkand, p. 187 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 221 ;
Hume and Oates, Str. F. 1874, p. 105; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 331 ; Bl.
and Wald. B. Burm. p. 98 ; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xlv. p. 72 ; Hume, Str.
F. 1877, p. 30 ; id. andDav., Str. F. 1878, p. 236 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879^. 93 ;
Scully, t. c. p. 281 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 52 ; C. Swinhoe, t. c. p. 105 ; Oates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 18. The HIMALAYAN WHISTLING THRUSH.
PLATE, figs. 1,2, 3.
Above blue black, each feather tipped with glistening bright or glossy blue ;
lower back and rump rather ashy black, the feathers with concealed white
shaft streaks ; lesser wing coverts brilliant purplish blue, forming a shoulder
spot ; remainder of wing coverts black, washed with blue on the outer webs,
the median coverts tipped with ivhite ; quills blackish, margined on their outer
web with purplish blue ; tail feathers the same ; base of forehead and lores
black ; forepart of crown with a band of bright purplish blue ; sides of face
and ear coverts black, very narrowly streaked with silvery grey ; under surface
of body purplish black, the feathers mesially tipped with a spot of silvery
grey ; abdomen, thighs, vent and under tail coverts purplish black ; under
wing coverts and axillaries dingy black, slightly washed with purplish blue.
Bill dull yellow ; the culmen and the base of the upper mandible- blackish ;
feet black ; irides rich brown.
Length. 12 to 13-5 inches; wing 6-8 to 7; tail 5-5 to 6-4; culmen 1-4;
from gape 1*5 5 ; tarsus 1*9.
The young are uniform dull blue black above and below, and want the
glistening spots, and the white spots on the wing coverts.
Hab. Turkestan, Afghanistan, throughout the whole of the Himalayas from
Cashmere to Bhootan, extending to Siam and the Arrakan and Karen hills, in
Burmah as far south as Thayetmyo. It is recorded by Sharpe (Br. Mus.
Cat.*) from Kandahar, Afghanistan, Peshawur, Cashmere, N.-W. Himalayas,
Kumaon, Nepaul, Darjeeling, Upper Assam, Bhootan, and the Arrakan hills ;
and, according to Oates, the spurs of the latter nearly down to the Irrawaddy.
Capt. Wardlaw- Ramsay procured it in the Karen hills. It is said to be resident
wherever it occurs. Hume says it breeds throughout the Himalayas from Assam
to Afghanistan in shady ravines and wooded glens from an elevation of 2,000 to
56
5,000 feet, but at times, especially far into the interior of the hills, up to even
10,000 feet. They lay during the last week of April and during May and
June. Eggs 35. The nest, according to the same writer, is almost invariably
placed in the closest proximity to some mountain stream, on the rocks and
boulders of which, the male so loves to warble, and sometimes on a mossy
bank ; sometimes in some rocky crevice hidden amongst drooping maiden
hair. Safety is always the aim of the parent bird in choosing the site for the
nest. Hume records Darjeeling as a place where nests were taken, also
Kumaon, Mussoorie and Dhurrumsala. Eggs, French grey, greyish white or
pale greenish, speckled or freckled with minute pink, pale purplish pink or
pinkish brown specks. In length they vary from 1*24 to 1*55 inch and in
breadth from 0*95 to ri inch. (Hume.)
482. MyiOphoneUS Eugenii, Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 475 ; id. and
Oales, Sir. F. 1874, p. 106; id. and JDav., Str. F. 1878, vol. i. p. 236 ; id., Sir.
F. 1879, p. 93; Oales, B. Brit. JBurm. p. 17. The BURMESE WHISTLING-
THRUSH.
Like M. Temminckii, but without the white spots at the tips of the wing
coverts, which are glistening dull blue like the rest of the upper surface. Bill
orange yellow ; region of the nostrils and portion of the culmen dark brown ;
iris umber brown ; eyelids straw yellow ; legs black.
Length. 13 to 13-5 inches; culmen 1*4; wings 67 ; tail 4-9 ; tarsus, 2*1.
Hob. Hills of Tenasserim and Pegu to the eastward of the Irrawaddy rivers
extending to the Karen hills, where M. Temminckii is also found. Gates says it
is found in the whole of Pegu, east of the Irrawaddy, wherever there are rocky
nullahs. Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay observed it in the Karen hills. Accord-
ing to Davison, he adds, it is confined in Tenasserim to the hills and isolated
limestone rocks of the northern and central portions only. Captain Bingham
records it from the Thoungyeen Valley, and it is said to occur also in Siam.
It is said by Gates to be abundant in rocky hill streams, going about singly
or in couples, and to feed largely on land-shells, which it breaks to pieces
against rocks in the nullah. He quotes Captain Bingham's account of the
nesting of this beautiful thrush, which is to the effect that " on a frail and tot-
tering foundation, as collected pieces of wood, leaves and other floating
matter jammed in by force of water between a dam formed by a small tree
which had drifted down a stream, and rising some six inches above the water, was
placed a round, solid nest about nine inches in diameter, made of green moss
and lined with fine black roots and fibres, in which lay four fresh eggs of a
pale stone colour, sparsely spotted, especially at the larger end, with minute
specks of reddish brown." Captain Bingham saw a pair of the birds and one of
the parents sit on the eggs in the nest. In shape the eggs are said to be
some what like those of a Pitta, and measure 2-45 x 1*02, 1*50 x 1*02, 1-46 x
roi, and 1-50 x roi.
CALLENE. 57
483. Myiophoneus horsfieldi, Vig. P. Z. S. 1831, p. 35; Tem
PI. Col. livr. 29 ; Gould, Cent. Him. B. pi. 20 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 499 ; Ball,
Sir. F. 1874, p. 406 ; id., 1875, p. 292 ; Butler, t. c. p. 469; Fairbank, Sir. F.
1876, p. 257; JSourd., t. c. p. 398; Ftiirbank, Sir. F. 1877, p. 403; Dav.
and Wenden, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 81 ; Hume, t. c. p. 150; J5all t t. c. p. 467;
Butler, t. c. p. 467 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 10. Arrenga horsfieldi,
Bp. Consp. i. p. 258. HORSFIELD'S or the SOUTHERN INDIAN WHISTLING
THRUSH.
Base of forehead with a bright blue band, rest of the head, neck and mantle
jet black, without any blue shade ; lower back, rump and upper tail coverts
ultramarine blue ; wing coverts the same, the least series brighter and more
cobalt, forming a shoulder spot ; under surface of the body jet black ; the feathers
of the breast and abdomen broadly margined with bright ultramarine, and the
flanks as well as the thighs, under tail coverts, under wing coverts and
axillaries washed with the same ; quills black^ externally margined with ultra-
marine blue ; tail dark blue. Bill black ; legs brown black ; irides dark brown.
Length. io'6 to 12 inches ; wing 5-5 to 6'l6 ; tail 4-6; culmen 1-25.
Hab. Central and Southern India. According to Jerdon it is found through-
out all the forests of Southern and Western India from near the top of the
Neilgherries to almost the level of the sea. It is not found on the plateau of
the Neilgherries, but is abundant at Coonoor and Kotagherry. In Coorg and
the Wynaad it is common at moderate elevations. It has been obtained in
Malabar, also in the Pulney Hills and Travancore. Its song, Jerdon says,
consists of four or five beautifully clear whistling notes, so like the whistle of a
man or a boy as to be constantly mistaken for it- Its habits are quite those of its
congeners. Its nesting, too, is not peculiar. Hume describes the eggs he
received from Kotagherry and other places as broad, nearly regular ovals,
slightly compressed towards the lesser end ; considerably elongated and more
or less spherical and pyriform varieties occur. Ground colour salmon pink
or pinkish white, the whole finely speckled, splashed and spotted with pinkish
brown or brownish pink, more dense at the large end, where they form an ill-
defined cap. Length ri to 1-35 inches ; breadth O'88to T02 inches. A closely
allied species, M. cyaneus, is found in Java, and another, M. blighi, is known
from Ceylon.
Gen. Callene. Biyth.
Bill more slender than in Myiophoneus, shorter than the head, and straight ;
the lower gonys slightly ascending; wings and tail rounded; 4th, 5th, and 6th
quills equal and longest, the wing falling short of the tail by as much or more
than the length of the tarsus ; legs and feet slender ; first primary more than
half the length of the second.
58 TIMELIID^E.
484. Callene frontalis, Biyth, J. A. S. JB. xvi. p. 136; Moore,
P. Z. S. 1854, p. 75 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 49 6 5 Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 373;
Plan/., P. Z. S. 1867, p. 833 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 220; id.,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 93; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br, Mus. vii. p. 15. The BLUE-
FRONTED SHORT- WING.
Above dull fusco-cyaneus ; the rump dusky ; crown of the head like the back;
forehead black, with a distinct band of cobalt blue extending on each side over
the eye ; ear coverts, sides of the face, throat and breast dull fusco-cyaneus ;
the abdomen, sides of the body, flanks and thighs the same, but washed
with ashy ; lesser and median wing coverts brighter than the back, and more
cobalt blue, forming a wing patch ; quills and their coverts, bastard wing
feathers and greater coverts blackish, edged externally with fusco-cyaneus ;
tail the ame; under tail coverts dull ashy blue with whitish tips and margins;
under wing coverts and axillaries like the breast, with a large patch of white
near the outer edge formed by the outer greater coverts. Bill black ; legs
brown.
Length. 7 to 7-4 inches ; wing 3-35 to 3-5 ; tail 3-4 to 3-5 ; tarsus 1-4;
culmen 0-65.
Eab. The Eastern Himalayas from Nepaul to Sikkim. Recorded from
Darjeeling. It is said to be very rare, and the British Museum has three
specimens only.
485. Calleno albiventris, Bianford, P. z. S. 1867, p. 833, pi. 39
(ex Fairbank MSS.) ; Gould, B. Ana, pi. xx., 1868 ; Hume, Nests and &ggs>
Indian Birds, p. 220 ; Fairbank, Sir. F. 1877, p. 402 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1878,
p. 35; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 93; JBut'er, Cat. B. Bombay Pres. p. 101 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 15. The WHITE-BELLIED SHORT-WING.
Crown of the head slaty blue ; the base of the forehead black, followed
by a narrow frontal band of bluish white continued on each side over the
eye- lores an 1 feathers round the eye black; ear covert*, sides of the face,
throat, breast, back and rump slaty blue, the sides of the rump with long siiky
white plumes ; lesser and median wing coverts slaty blue ; greater and
primary coverts and quills, also the tail feathers, blackish, margined externally
with slaty blue; abdomen ashy white; sides of the body, flanks and thigha
slaty blue ; under tail coverts white; under wing coverts and axillaries slaty
blue e:lgeJ with whits. Bi 1 and feet d.irk brown ; irides brown.
The female is like the male in colour, but has the lower flanks, thighs and
under tail coverts tinged with rufous brown.
Length. 6 to 6'5 inches; wing 3-1 ; tail 2-4 to 2-6; tarsus ri ; culmen
0-65.
.7703. Southern India ; Palani Hills extending to Travancore.
There is no account of the habits of this species in any of the books available
to me. Mr. Hume, however, quotas the Rev. S. Fairbanks account of its
NOTODELA. 59
nidiftcation in the Pulney Hills, from which it may be inferred that the White-
bellied or Pulney Short-wing breeds during April in a hole in the side of the
trunk of a tree, and that two is the normal number of eggs. Colour grey, with
a tinge of green or olive brown, thickly covered with small spots of bistre.
Size 0*9 x O'68 inch.
483. C illeU3 rulivontriS, Jerd., J?. Ind. i. p. 496 ; id , Ibis, 1872,
p 13?; Hume, Ncs/s and Eggs, Ind. 23. p. 219; id., Sir. F. 1879, P- 93;
Sharp?, Cat. B. Br.Mus, vii. p. 16. Phcenicura major, Jerd., Madr. Journ.
xiii. p. 170; Blythy Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 178. The RUFOUS-FLANKED
SHORT-WING.
Above slaty grey, the forehead paler, showing an indistinct band of paler
blue; the lores and nasal plumes blackish, the former washed with slaty blue;
sides of face and throat slaty blue, lesser and median wing coverts slaty grey ;
the greater series and quills blackish, externally washed with slaty grey;
tail dusky, the feathers externally washed with slaty grey ; abdomen white ;
sides of body and flanks reddish buff; under tail coverts brighter fulvous ;
Uftder wing coverts the same, the axillaries also, but with grey bases- Bill
black ; legs dirty reddish ; irides brown.
Length, 6-5 to 7 inches; wing 3^3 ; tail 2'6 ; tarsus ri5; culmen 0*65*
Hab. Southern India ; confined to the Neilgherries. Reid in his " Cat, B.
Prov. Mus., Lucknow," records it also from the Brahmagerries, Coorg. It
breeds in holes or depressions of banks in the Neilgherries in April and May.
The nests, Mr. Hume says, resemble those of Niltava Macgrigoritz from
Darjeeling. They are soft masses of green moss, some 4 or 5 inches in
diameter externally, lined with very fine dark moss roots. Eggs two in
number, pale olive-brown mottled with reddish brown at the large end, and
forming an ill-defined cap. Size 0^97 to 1*02 inch x 0-65 to 0*69 inch.
Gen. NotOdela Less.
Bill short, slender, compressed, notched and slightly curved at the tip ;
rictus very feebly bristled ; wings long, falling short of tail by less than the
length of tarsus; 5th quill longest; tail moderately long, broad, slightly
rounded ; tarsi long and smooth.
497- NotOdela lOUCUra, Blyth, J. A. S. B xvi. p. 138; Hume, Str.
F. 1874, p. 477 ; id., Nesfs and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 306 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 23. Muscisylvia leucura, ffodgs., P. Z. S. 1845, p. 27. Myiomela
leucura, Hodgs., P. Z. S. 1845, P- 2 7- Myiomela leucura, Jerd., B. Ind.
ii. p. Il8, No. 477; Bl. and Wald. B. Burm. p. loo; Hume, Sir. F. vi.
p. 103 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 334 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 23.
The WHITE-TAILED BLUE-CHAT.
Male. Forehead, over the eye and the lesser wing coverts, bright smalt
blue ; the whole plumage indigo blue or blue black, the edges of the feathers
only being of a blue colour ; throat, breast and abdomen almost plain black.
60 TIMELIID^E.
the bases of some of the feathers of the side of the neck white, forming a
half concealed white patch ; wings black, edged with blue ; tail feathers black,
the basal portion of the outer web white ; middle feathers entirely black.
The female is dull rufous brown, the wings edged brighter and the throat,
cheeks and foreneck mottled with grey ; the tail has similar white patches as in
the male.
Bill, legs and feet black ; irides deep brown.
Length. 6-5 to 7 inches ; wing 3-45 to 3*8 ; tail 3 to 3*45 ; tarsus 1-05 to
I -I ; culmen 0*7.
]j a b. The Himalayas, ranging into the Khasia and Burmese hills as far south
as Tenasserim, at elevations of 3,500 feet and upwards. It has been procured
on the Mooleyit and Karenne hills ; and has occurred in the Khasia hills,
whence it extends along the Himalayas as far as Sikkim to Mussoorie.
Jerdon says it frequents dense underwood or very thick forest, perches low
and seeks its food chiefly on the ground, which, according to Jerdon and
Gates, is insects. Hodgson says that it feeds equally on pulpy berries.
Wherever found this species appears to be resident. According to Hodgson
it breeds in the central regions of Nepaul during the months of April and
May, making its nest on some ledge of rock, more or less sheltered by grasses
or bushes. The nest is a deep massive cup composed of mosses or of
moss roots. Four eggs are said to be laid, and these are figured as moderately
broad ovals, much pointed towards one end, measuring 0-9 x 0*65 inch,
and of an uniform mottled or curdled pinkish clay colour. (Hume.) Mr.
Hume also records a nest with two eggs taken by Mr. Gammie near
Darjeeling at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. These eggs, Mr. Hume
describes as uniform, very pale salmon pink, entirely devoid of all regular
markings, though, if examined in a very bright light, they appear to be
excessively faintly freckled all over with the palest possible grey, which is
absolutely invisible unless looked very closely into. The eggs measure
O'9S x 0-69 and 0-91 x 0-69.
Gen. Brachypteryx. Horsf.
Bill of moderate length, straight, slightly curved at the tip ; a tuft of bristles
at the base of the nostrils ; wings short, rounded ; 4th, 5th, and 6th quills
longest ; tail short ; tarsus long.
488. BrachypteryX Crural is, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. App.
pi. 73 ; Blytk, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 136; Jerd. and Bly., P. Z. S. 1861, p. 201 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 495, No. 338 ; Hume, Nesis and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 2 19 ; Wald
in Bly., B. Burm. p. 99; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 93 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm* i.
p. 19 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 26. Calliope cruralis, Bly., J. A. S.
B. xii. p. 933. Larvivora cruralis, Bp. Consp. i. p. 301. Brachypteryx
hyperythra, Godw-Aust. (nee. Jerd. and Bly.) t J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 192
(1870 tette G. A in lift.). The WHITE-BROWED SHORT- WING.
BRACHYPTERYX. 5}
The whole plumage indigo blue ; the quills dusky blackish, margined
externally with indigo blue ; rump with a half concealed spot of greyish white ;
lores black, bordered above by white, which is produced back over the eye ;
throat blue black ; centre of breast ashy grey, whiter on the abdomen ; under
tail coverts ashy blue with whitish margins ; under wing coverts ashy brown
tinged with blue.
The female has the upper plumage, sides of the head and neck olivaceous
brown ; wings and tail rufous brown ; also the lores extending over the eye,
feathers round the eye, cheek and throat ; remainder of under surface light
ashy ; sides of body fulvous brown ; the under tail coverts brighter fulvous.
Bill black ; legs pale brownish.
Length. 5 to 5*25 inches ; wing 2*4 to 27 ; tail 175 to 195 ; tarsus 1-15
to 1-2 ; bill from gape I.
Hab. The Eastern Himalayas, extending into the Burmese and Tenasserim
hills. Gates says it has been observed in the Munipoor and Khasia hills, and,
according to Jerdon, has been found in Sikkim and Nepaul. Darjeeling
and Nepaul are quoted localities whence specimens have been procured.
Hodgson describes the nest as made of moss, globular in shape and rather
bulky ; it is placed about one foot from the ground amongst grass and creep-
ing plants at the base of trunks of tree-s. Eggs white.
489. Brachypteryx hyperythra, Jerd. and Biyth, P. z. S.
1 86 1, p. 201 (descr. $ ) ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 495, No. 337 ; Hume, Sir. F.
1877, p. 499 (descr. ) ; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 93 ; Sharps, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 28. The RUSTY-BELLIED SHORT-WING.
Upper surface of the body, including the face, sides of the head and of the
neck, also of the body, blackish cyaneous ; a supercilium above the lores white ;
the base of the lower mandible, feathers above and below the eye, and a portion
of the ear coverts black ; chin, throat, breast, abdomen and tinder tail coverts
orange ferruginous, a little paler on the chin, throat and middle of the abdo-
men. Bill carneous ; legs fleshy ; irides brown.
The female is described by Jerdon as dusky olive brown above ; lores
tinged with ferruginous, middle of the belly white. Length nearly 5 inches ;
wing 2-5 ; tail 175 ; bill at front 0*43. (Jerdon.)
Length. $ inches; wing 2'5 ; tarsus 1-3; culmen 0-43. (Hume.)
Hab. Eastern Himalayas. Jerdon procured a single specimen at Darjeeling.
490. Brachypteryx nipalensis,^^^,/*. z. S. 1854^.74; Jerd.
and Blyth, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 201 ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 494, No. 336; Blanf.,
J. A. S. B. xli. p. 160 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 236; Hume, Str. F.
viii. p. 93 ; Oates* B. Br. Burmah, i. p. 19 ; Skarpe. Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 29. The NEPAUL SHORT-WING.
62 TIMELIID^.
Upper plumage and sides of the head and neck dull cyaneous ; lores
black, bordered above by white, which is continued back over the eye ; wings
dusky brown, margined externally with cyaneous ; tail feathers dusky, washed
on the outer webs with cyaneous ; throat white, also the breast and abdomen ;
foreneck, sides of the body, flanks and thighs ashy grey ; under tail coverts
white ; under wing coverts ashy grey, edged with white ; rump with a half
concealed greyish white band.
The female has the upper plumage, including the wings and tail, rusty brown,
the inner webs of quills plain brown, the outer margined with rusty brown ;
lores whitish or fulvous brown ; a white patch over the lores and eye; breast
and abdomen white ; sides of body and flanks fulvous brown ; throat dull
white washed with fulvous brown ; under wing and under tail coverts and
axillaries light fulvous brown, also the foreneck and chest. Bill darky horny ;
legs pale horn ; irides light brown.
Length. 4-5 to 5 inches ; wing 2-5 ; tail 1*4 ; bill at front 0*5.
ff a &. Th? Himalayas, extending to the Khasia, Burmese and the Tenasse-
rim hills. Davison found it near the summit of the Mooleyit mountain in Tenas-
serim. It has also been found in the Khasia hills and in Sikkim and Nepaul.
Davison says they keep entirely to the ground, hopping about amongst dead
leaves and moss or on fallen trunks, picking up insects. Affects only dense
forests, and by preference the banks of streams.
491. Brachypteryx stellata, Gould., P. Z. S. 1868, p. 218 ; Gray*
Hdlist. Birds, i. p. 312; Hume, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 377; id., Sir. F. 1879,
p. 93 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 30. The BARRED SHORT-WING.
Adult (type). Above dull chestnut or rufous ; the rump feathers loose and
ashy brown, barred with black near the ends and tipped with white ; wing
coverts like the back ; quills light sepia brown, externally rufous brown ;
upper tail coverts and tail feathers rufous or dull chestnut; outer feathers
brown on the inner web ; forehead slaty grey, vermiculated with blackish bars ;
lores and feathers in front of and below the eye, also the base of the cheeks,
black ; ear coverts grey, washed with brown and finely vermiculated with black
lines ; cheeks, sides of neck, throat and breast slaty grey, with finely vermiculated
cross bars of black ; the breast with arrowhead spots of white ; abdomen and
sides of body slaty grey, less strongly vermiculated with black and with large
spots of white ; lower abdomen and flanks tinged with brown, also the thighs
and under tail covert?, which are also vermiculated with black lines and spotted
with white ; under wing coverts and axillaries slaty grey, with narrow cross
bars of black and spotted with white. (Sharpe.)
Length. 4-7 inches; wing 2-85; tail 1-9; tarsus i'i; culmen 0*55.
(Sharpe.)
ffab. Sikkim.
THAMNOBIA. 63
Gen. Chimarrhornis. Hodgson.
Bill moderately long, straight, slender, slightly notched ; rictus nearly
smooth ; wings moderately long, the primaries rounded at the end ; tarsus of
moderate length, the outstretched feet not reaching the tip of the tail ; feet
moderate.
492. Chimarrhornis leucocephalus (Vigors), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 47 ; Anderson, Rep. Zool. Exp. Yunnan, Aves, p. 614 ; Godwin-
Austen, J. A. S. B. xlv. p. 79; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. IO ; Scully, t. c.
p. 303 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 64; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 34. Phoeni-
cura leucocephala, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1830, p. 35. Chsemorornis leucocephala,
Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82; Jerd., B. 2nd. ii. p. 143, No, 506;
y. A. S. B. xxxvii. 64 ; Hume and Henders., Lahore to Yarkand, p. 214;
Blyth, B. Burm. p. loi ; Reid Cat. B. Prov. Mus. Luck. p. lol. The
WHITE-CAPPED RED-START.
Crown of the head and nape white ; forehead, lores, sides of the face, cheeks y
throat, neck all round, upper breast, upper back, wing coverts and a broad
black band at the tip of the tail black ; base of the tail, lower back, rump,
upper tail coverts, lower breast, abdomen, sides of the body and flanks bright
chestnut ; thighs dusky brown ; quills black, margined externally with blue
black ; under wing coverts black, also the axillaries, the latter edged with
chestnut. Bill black ; tarsus vinaceous brown ; irides dark brown.
Length. 7 inches ; wings 3-8 to 3-85 ; tail 3-1 to 3-5; tarsus T2 ; culmen
0-65.
Hab. Entire Himalayan range from Gilgit, occurring throughout Western
China to Kansu, and as far as the Ichang gorge on the Yangtze river. It also
occurs on the Dafla hills and in Arrakan, and extends as far south as the
second defile of the Irrawaddy river. (Sharpe.) According to Jerdon this
handsome Red-start is found from the extreme N.-W. Afghanistan to the
Khasia hills. In Sikkim it occurs from a level of 1,000 to 5,000 feet, but it
is there only a winter visitant. Dr. Anderson procured it near Bhamo, and it
also occurs in the hill ranges of Eastern Bengal. It is recorded by Sharpe from
Cashmere, Kangra, Nepaul, Irrawaddy defile (2nd), and Reid in his Catalogue,
from Ranibagh, Almora, Pethoragurh, and Kumaon, in the Himalayas.
It affects the banks of rivers and streams, where it picks up insects near the
water, but not the rapids of torrents. In its continual flittings, and spreading
of the tail when feeding or picking, it resembles the Redstarts.
Gen. Thamnobia. Swains.
Bill slender, as wide a> high at the nostrils, slightly arched throughout ;
wings short and rounded, the 4th and 5th quills longest, the primaries hardly
exceeding in length the secondaries and tertiaries ; tail moderate, broad and
rounded, the outer feather on each side shorter than the longest by the
length of the tarsus.
64 TIMELIID.-E.
493. Thamnobia fulicata (Lin.}, J*rd. Mad. Joum. x. p. 264 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 139; Layard, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 266;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. I2J, No. 419 ; Hume, Nests and -Eggs, Ind. B. p. 307 ;
Fairbank, Str. F. 1876, p. 459; Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 406; id. Str.F. 1878,
ii. p. 55; Ball t. c. p. 216; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 440. The BROWN-BACKED
INDIAN ROBIN.
Above glossy blue black ; wings with a large white spot formed by the lesser
wing coverts; median and greater coverts white, tipped with glossy blue
black ; primary coverts and quills brown, margined externally with blue black ;
lores, sides of the face and under surface of body glossy blue black ; lower
abdomen and under tail coverts bright chestnut. Bill, legs and feet black ;
irides brown.
Length. 6 to 6-8 inches ; wings 2-5 to 27; tail 275 ; tarsus i'O; culmen
055-
The female is larger and dusky brown, more sooty on the back and rump,
the white shoulder patch is wanting, and the upper tail coverts are blue black ;
under tail coverts chestnut ; feathers round the eye fulvous ; cheeks and under
surface of the body ashy brown, darker on the abdomen, sides of the body and
flanks.
The young are entirely sooty brown with paler margins to the feathers ; under
tail coverts ferruginous.
Hab. Central, Southern and Western India ; also Ceylon.
The Indian Robin affects villages, and their neighborhood, chiefly ruins of
old houses and mud-walls ; also rocky and stony situations. It is usually seen in
pairs, briskly hopping about on the ground or flitting from a branch to the
ground, or vice versd, or from one large boulder to another, continually jerking
its tail upwards on to the back of its head. It breeds from February to May,
building its nest among rocks, in mud walls, in roofs of houses, or under
tussocks of grass.
The nest is a neat structure of grass, roots and hair. The eggs are round
ovals, moderately glossed, and of a greyish white or pale bluish white ground,
thinly sprinkled here and there, and in some all over with spots and specks of
pale yellowish brown. Size 0-68 to 076 inch x o'55 to O 56.
494. Thamnobia cambaiensis (Lath.}, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xvi.
p. 139 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 122; Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 444 ; Blanf. J. A.
S. B. xl. p. 273 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 309 ; Ball, Str. F. 1874,
p. 412; 1875, p. 206; Butler, Str.F. 1875^.474; Hume, t. c. p. 474 ; Ball,
Str. F. 1878, p. 216; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 99; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 66;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 55 ; Murray, Hdbk. Zool. &c., Sind,p. US ;
id. Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 138. The BROWN-BACKED INDIAN ROBIN.
COPSYCHUS.
65
Above earthy brown, darker on the lower back and rump ; a white wing
spot, the outer edges of the feathers blue black ; quills brown, edged with
paler brown ; upper tail coverts blue black ; lores, feathers above the eye, sides of
the face, ear coverts and under surface of the body glossy blue black ; lower
abdomen and under tail coverts bright chestnut ; thighs brown ; under wing
coverts like the breast. Bill and legs black ; irides brown.
The female is paler earthy brown, and has no shoulder patch ; the upper
tail coverts are of the same color as the back ; under surface brown.
Length. 5*6 to6'8 inches ; wing 27 to 275 ; tail 2-5 to 2'6; tarsus I.
Hab. Central and Northern India to the Himalayas. Found commonly
in the Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Sind, Kutch, Kattiawar, N. Guzerat, Jodh-
pore, the Concan and Deccan, also in Khandeish, and, as in Sind, is probably
a resident of these places. In Sind it breeds from March to July. Eggs
white or pale greenish white, speckled with pale red.
Gen. CopSychUS. Wagl.
Bill moderately long and strong ; culmen slightly curving and bent at the
tip ; nostrils basal, large ; rictal bristles very scanty ; wings with the 4th and 5th
quills longest, the 3rd sub-equal ; tail graduated ; tarsus scutellated, moder-
ately long and stout; mid toe long ; claws curved.
Head and leg of Copsychns saularis.
495- CopSychllS saularis (Lin), Wagler, Syst. Av. 1827 ; Blyth, J.
A. S. B. xi. p. 889; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 114, No. 475 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 303 ; Hume and Henderson, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 202 ; Hume* Sir
F. ii. p. 230 ; iii. p. 133 ; Bl. B. Burnt, p. 100 ; Oates, Str. F.v.p. 157 ; Hume
and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 332 fLegge, B. Ceylon, p. 433 ; Hume, Str. F. viii.
p. 99 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 62 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm.
i. p. 21. Gracula saularis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 165. Copsychus minda-
nensis (non. Gm.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 139; Hume, Sir. F. 1873,
9
66 TIMELHD/E,
p. 459 5 Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 254, Copsychtrs ceylorrensis, Sclater, P. Z. S.
1861, p. 186, Copsychus musicus, Wald. Ibis, 1872, p. 203; Tweed. Ibis,
l8 77 P- 302 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. i878, i. p. 33 ; Hume, Sir* F. 1879,
p. 99. Copsychus andamanensis, Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p.- 231. Kittacincla
melanoleuca, Less. Rep. Zool. i8>4O, p. 354. The INDIAN MAGPIE. ROBIN or
the INDIAN DHAYAL BIRD,
Head, neck all round, back, wings, chin, throat, breast, central tail feathers,
upper abdomen, and edge of the wing black ; lower abdomen, vent and under
tail coverts, also the shoulder of the wing, some of the outer webs of the
secondaries arid also the outer tail feathers white ; u'nder wing coverts white.
The female is dark grey where the male is black, with a slight gloss on- the
upper surface ; under surface white ; wings as in the male \ central tail feathers
dark brown; outer feathers white; throat grey; under wing coverts and
axillaries white. Bill and legs black ; irides brown.-
Length. 8 to 85 inches; wing 3-8 to 4-2; tail 3'6 ; tarstis f'0$ ;
culmen o f 8.
Hab. All over India and Ceylon, eastward to Assafn and as far soutfi as
Pegu. It is recorded from Central and South India, also from NepauJ,
Darjeeling, Kumaon, Pegu and the Andamans, and as a race (rtutsicus)
Malacca, Penang, Siam and Java.
The geographical distribution of the Dhayal bird, Sharpe says, is of great
interest ; so gradual is the transition of one supposed species to the other,
and so uncertain are the characters for their specific separation, that he has
deemed it best to recognize but a single actual species, and in this I agree,
especially when hybrids have 1 to be given consideration to. Jerdon says it is
generally seen alone or in pairs, usually seeks its prey from a Ittw perch or
hops a few steps to pick up insects, which are its chief food.
It breeds, according to Hume, but sparingly throughout the plains of Upper
India. The majority resort to the Dhoons and Terais that skirt the Hima-
layas. They lay from the end of March to the end of July, building their nests
in holes in trees, banks or walls, or under the eaves of huts. The nest is
composed of coarse grass or flower-stalks intermixed with fine roots and dry
tendrils of climbing plants. Eggs, 5 6 in number, of a pale bluish green, thickly
spotted and blotched with purplish brown, and showing an imperfect ring of
nearly confluent blotches at the larger end.
Gen. Lioptila- Blyth.
Bill somewhat lengthened, slender, slightly curved and bent at the tip, where
it is rather broader than high; wings rather short and rounded, the 4th and
5th quills longest; tail moderately long, the outer ones graduating.
HODGSONIUS. 67
496. Lioptila annectens, Biyth, J. A. . B. xvi. p. 450 ; Jerd., B.
Jnd.\\. p. 248 ; Godw-Aust. J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 109; Walden, in Bl. B.
Burnt. ?. 109; Hume, Str. F. 1877, P- IJO ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 80 ; Leioptila saturata, Wald. Ibis, 1875, p. 352. Leioptila Davisoni,
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p, uo. The BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE-TIT.
Head, nape, lores, sides of the head and of the neck and upper back,
black ; the mantle, head, and nape streaked with white ; lower back, rump,
scapulars and upper tail coverts deep maroon ; lesser, median and greater
coverts black, the latter tipped with maroon ; quills black ; all but the first two
primaries edged with grey, and the tertiaries tipped with greyish white ; chin,
throat, breast, and abdomen white ; flanks, vent, and under tail coverts pale
ferruginous ; tail black, all but the two centra} pairs of feathers tipped with
white. Bill black, the base of the lower mandible yellow ; legs p.ale fleshy
brown ; irides brown.
Length. 6*5 to 7 inches; wing 3- 1 to 3'2;tail 3- 1 ; tarsus 0-95 ; culmenO'65.
Hab, Eastern Himalayas, extending to the hills of Assam, Burmah, and
Tenasserirn. According to Jerdon, who obtained it near Darjeejing, it
frequents very high trees in small flocks. It hunts about the leaves and smaller
branches of the tree tops. Its food is insects.
Gen. Hodgsonius, Bp,
Bill slender and not much curved, and with a distinct notch ; rictal bristles
scanty ; wings short, moderately rounded, and not as long as the tail, which" % is
graduated ; tarsus long, entire ; 2 3 small scutes at the base of the toes ; feet
large, toes slender, claws curved.
497- Hpdgsonius phcenicuroides (Hodgs^, Bp. Consp. \. p. 300 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 497, No. 341 ; Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 529; Jerd. Ibis,
1872, p, 132 ; Hume and Henderson, Lah. to Fark., p. 187; Hume, Str. F.
1879, p f 93 ; firoofts, t. c. p. 476, Callene Hodgsoni, Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p.
132 ; Hume, Sir, F, 1875, p. 41 I J id. 1879, p. 83 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.Mus.
vii. p. 8 1. Bradybates phoenicuroides, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc, p. 83,
(1844). HODGSON'S WHITE-PELLIED SHORT-WING.
Crown of the head and upper surface slaty blue ; the ear coverts, sides of
face an4 cheeks darker ; a faint light blue supercilium from across the fore-
head, the base of which latter and lores are blackish ; primary coverts blackish,
edged externally with slaty blue ; the bastard wing the same, and with broad
white tips ; quills dusky, edged externally with slaty blue ; upper tail coverts slaty
blue, also the throat, sides, under surface of the body, thighs and flanks ;
abdomen white, under tail coverts slaty blue, tipped with white ; tail, with the
two central feathers, blackish brown, edged with slaty blue ; the remainder
orange rufous for their basal half or two-thirds, blackish at the end, and edged
with blue ; under wing coverts and axillaries slaty blue, the edge of the wing
brighter. Bill dusky, reddish at the gape; legs pale red brown; iris dark
brown.
68 TIMELHD^E.
Length. 7 inches ; wing 2*9 ; tail 3 ; culmen 0^55 ; tarsus ri.
The female is wholly brown throughout; tail reddish brown ; lores buff,
also the ear coverts and cheeks ; under surface of the body ochreous brown.
Hab. The Himalayas from Cashmere to Bhootan ; also Western China. It
is recorded by Sharpe from Nepaul and Bhootan, and by Jerdon from Sikkim,
where he says it is a rare bird.
Gen. CittOCinda. Sclater.
Bill more slender than in Copsychus tail very long, graduated; wings
rounded ; tarsus slender.
49 8. CittOCinda tricolor ( Vieill.), Sharpe, A nn $nd Mag. Nat. Hist.
(5) x. p. 49 ; id. Cat. B. Br. JUus, vii. p. 85, Turd us tricolor, Vieill, N. Diet.
d'Hist. Nat, pt. xx, p, 291. .Copsychus macrurus, Wagl. Syst. Av. Art.
Copsychus, Sp. Cercotrichas macrurus, Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 542 ; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, Ind. B, p. 306; Ball, Sir. F. 1874, p. 412 ; Hume /. c. p. 477;
Hume and Oates, Sir. F. 1875, p. 13 ; Ball, t. c. p. 293 ; Fairbk. Str. F.
1876, p. 259; Inglis, Sir. F. 1877, p. 36; Oates, /. c. p. 157; Hume and
Davison, Sir. F. 1878, i. p. 333; Ball, Str. F. 1878, p. 216; Hume, Str. F.
1879, pp. 64, 99; Butler, Cat. B. Bom. Pres. p. 47; Vidal, Str. F. 1880,
p. 66. Kittacincla macrura, Gould, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 7 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B,
xvi. p. 139; Jerd. B. Jnd. ii, p. 116, No. 476; Walden, P. Z. S. 1866,
p. 550; Godwin- Aust. J. A- S, B. xii. p. 142. Cittocirjcla macrura, Sclater ',
Ibis, 1886, p. 109; Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 445 , Legge, Ibis, 1875, p. 396 j
id. B, Ceylon, p. 437 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 22. The SHAMA.
Head, neck, upper breast, back, scapulars, wing coverts and tertjaries,
glossy black ; rump and upper tail coverts white j lower breast, abdomen,
sides, flanks, and undertail coverts, also the under wjng coverts, chestnut ;
thighs white ; edge of the wing blapk ; also the primaries, their coverts, and
secondaries ; central pair of tail feathers black, the others black with broad
white tips.
The female is olive brown, where the male is black j the wing coverts and
quills are edged with ferruginous, and the lower surface is dull chestnut,
whitish on the abdomen ; tail much shorter. Bill black j legs arid feet fleshy
white ; irides dark brown.
JLengih Male n to j r8 inches; wing 3*45 to 3*65 ; tail 7 to 7^4 ; tarsus
T05 ; culmen 07. Length Female 7 to 7-2 inches; tail 4*4 to 4-6.
Hob. Southern and Central India ; sub- flimalayan region, westward from
the Ganges to Assam, through the Burmese countries to Siam, Cochin China,
and Hainan, down the Malayan Peninsula to Java. According to Jerdon, it
is common in the dense and lofty jungles of Malabar, especially in the upland
districts, also in the Wynaad ; more rare in the Eastern Ghauts. It extends to
the hill tracts of Assam, Sylhet, Burmah and Malacca, and also to Ceylon. In
HENICURUS. 69
British Burmah it is spread abundantly wherever there is thick jungle. It is
said to be almost always solitary, to perch low on branches, and to secure prey
from off the ground. It is a charming songster, and its song, according to
Jerdon, is chiefly heard in the evening, just before and after sunset. He says
it is a most gushing melody of great power, surpassed by no Indian bird. It
is caught and caged, and in confinement imitates the song of other birds.
The Shama breeds in April and May. Mr. Hume gives an account of Mr.
Davison's finds of two nests in April and May at Shymootee, and on the road
to Meeta Myo in Tenasserim. The nests were found in holes of old stumps
of trees. The eggs, four in number, are said to be moderately broad ovals, a
good deal compressed towards the small end, and exhibiting a slight pyriform
tendency ; the shell is fine and compact, and has a slight gloss, The ground
colour is a dull greenish stone colour, everywhere densely freckled with a rich
raw sienna brown and dull purplish markings, Bize 0*87 to 0-89 x O-6
to 0-62.
499. Cittocincla albiventris (Biytk), Sharps, Cat. B. Br. Mus f
vii. p. 90. Kittacincla albiventris, J9 lyth, J. A. S. B. xxvii. p. 269; Ball,
Sir. F. 1873, p. 73; Hume, op. cit. 1874, p. 232; Walden, Ibis, 1873,
p. 307. Cercotrichas albiventris, Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 99. The WHITE^
BELLIED SHAMA.
Above, including the wings, throat and upper breast, glossy purplish black ;
four central tail feathers black, the rest black at the base, and white terminally ;
under surface of body white ; the undertail coverts and flanks pale chestnut ;
underwing coverts white. Bill black ; legs pale fleshy.
Length. 8*75 inches; wing 3*6; tail 4/5 ; tarsus 1*05 ; culmen O'6.
Hal. South Andamans
GroUp.HENICURI,
The Birds comprising this group are essentially Timeliinse, and have habits
in common with the Wagtails, which they resemble also in plumage. They live
almost entirely on the ground, run along it like the Wagtails by sudden jerking,
short movements, and feed like them on insects. They breed on the
ground or on ledges of rocks, and always in close proximity to water. They
are, however, distinguished from the Wagtails by their rounded wings and
smaller tertials, more Cinclinae bill, and more slender body, as well as by their
long and forked tail.
Gen. HeniCUrug. Tern.
Bill moderate or long, straight, stout; the culmen strongly keeled, the
gonys inclining upwards ; nostrils apert ; gape with 2 3 stiff bristles ; wings
rounded, the 1st quill small, the 4th and $th subequal and longest ; tail long
and forked; tarsus long and entire; feet moderate.
70 TIMELIID^E.
500. Henicurus Leschenaulti (Vieiil.), Bp. Consp. i. p. 251.
Turdus Leschenaulti, Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 258; StoL, J. A. S. B. xxxix.
p. 304; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, i. p. 360; Hume, Str. F. 1879
pp. 65, 103 ; Oafes, B. Br. Burm. p. 27 Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 313. Turdus Leschenaulti, Vieill., N. Diet. d'Eist. Nat. xx. p. 269.
Enicurus sinensis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 665. The LARGER BLACK-BACKED
FORK-TAIL.
Upper back uniform black, also the lesser and median coverts, as well as
the primary coverts and primaries, occiput, nape, sides of the crown, lores,
eyebrows, ear coverts, cheeks, sides of the neck, throat and breast ; greater
coverts tipped with white, the innermost white for their terminal half ; lower
back, rump and upper tail coverts, also the crown of the head, tapering to a
point on the vertex, abdomen, sides of the body, flanks, thighs, under tail and
under wing coverts white ; tail black, with a broad white spot at the tip, the two
outermost feathers entirely white ; axillaries black. Bill black ; irises dark
brown ; legs and feet pale fleshy white.
Length 10 to 1 1 inches ; wing 4*2 to 4*3 ; tail 57 ; tarsus 1-3 ; culmen 0-95.
ffab. Java, and according to Gates, extends to Tenasserim. He quotes
Davison to the effect that he met with it in various places in Tenasserim from
Kollidoo down to Meeta Myo, and that it seems to be confined to the rivulets
of the denser evergreen forests below 2,500 feet elevation; also that it has been
observed in the Lushai and Daffla hills and in Assam, but Mr. Sharpe says a fur-
ther comparison of specimens from Tenasserim will probably prove the species
to be H. sineniis. The specimens by me prove the identity of both species.
I cannot admit the distinctness of Henicurus Sineiisis, Gould,
P. Z. S., 1865, p. 665 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br Mus. vii. p. 313, characterized
as it is only by the white of the crown ending in a rounded form, and the
spot on the tip of the tail feathers being oblique. The distribution of
Leschenaulti must therefore be extended to China and Malacca, and H.
sinensis, Gould, become a synonym of Leschenaulti, VieilL
501. Henicurus immacUlatUS, Hodgs., Av'at. Research, xix.
p. 190 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 157 Bp. Consp. i. p. 25 1 ; Jerd., B. Jnd. ii,
p. 213, No. 585 ; Hume and Oates, Str. F. 1875, pp. 9, 141 ; Hume, Str. F.
iii. p. 141 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 314 ; Blanf. Ibis, 1870, p. 466;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- IO 3 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 25. The WHITE-
BREASTED FORK-TAIL.
Base of the bill black ; forehead and a narrow line over and above the eye
white ; lores, face, sides of the neck, chin, throat, top of head and neck and
the back deep black ; rump, upper tail coverts and the whole lower plumage
white, except the feathers on the sides of the upper breast, which are tipped
with black ; axillaries and under wing coverts white ; primaries black, the
later ones white basally on their outer web ; the secondaries and tertiaries
HENICURUS. 71
black, tipped with white, and their basal third also white ; wing coverts black,
the larger ones broadly tipped with white ; tail feathers black, broadly tipped
with white, the base of each feather and the whole of the outer pairs also
white. The young are sooty black where the adult is deep black, and there
is no white on the forehead and over the eyes. Bill black ; irides brown ; feet
and claws pale yellowish white.
Length. g-% to 10 inches; wing 3-95 to 4; tail 5-1 to 5*3; tarsus i;
culmen O'8.
Hab. The Himalayas, ranging through the Indo-Burmese countries to the
hill tracts of Eastern Bengal, Sikkim and Nepaul. It is found over the whole
of the Pegu hills, and is very common in Arracan in all the mountain streams.
Blyth records it from Tenasserim. It frequents rocky hill streams, where there
is water in pools, along the edges of which it searches for insects, incessantly
wagging its tail in the same way as the wagtails. Its short jerky, wavy flights
too are not unlike those of the Motacillina. Mr. Hume has no account of its
nidification, but Gates says it breeds in April, placing its nest, which is
cup-shaped and constructed entirely of moss bound together with earth, on a
bank of a stream, either under a rock or among tree roots or even on a log of
wood which may have been caught in the stream during the past rains. The
eggs are usually three in number, and are pale greenish blotched with reddish
brown.
502. HeniCUfUS SChistaceUS, Hodgs.> Asiat. Research, xix.
p. 189; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 157; Bp. Consp. i. p. 251; Jerd.,
B. hid. ii. p. 214, No. 586 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 3765 Bl.
and Wald.) B. Btirm. p. 97 ; Godwin-Aust., J. A. S. B. xlv. p. 80 ; Hume
and Dav,, Sir. F. vL pp. 361, 517; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 103; Scully,
Str. F. viii, p. 31 1 ; Bingham, Sir. F. 1880, p. 189 ; Oates, B. Br. Bunn. i.
p 28; Sharpe^ Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 315. The SLATEY FORK-TAIL.
Base of bill black ; forehead and a line extending over the eye and behind
it white ; lores, cheeks, throat and under ear coverts black ; ear coverts, head,
sides of the neck and back with the lesser wing coverts and flanlts slaty ; fore-
neck, breast, thighs, under tail coverts, rump, upper tail coverts and lower
plumage white ; tail feathers black, the basal portion and the tip of each feather
white ; primaries, secondaries, and primary coverts black ; the greater coverts
broadly tipped with white, also the quills, the basal portions of which from the
third to seventh primaries are white, and form a large and conspicuous alar
speculum. Bill black ; legs and feet pale fleshy white, tinged with blue ; irides
dark brown.
Length. 9-5 to 10-5 inches ; wing 3-8 ; tail 4*8 to 5 ; tarsus ri ; culmen cr8.
Hab. Himalayas extending to Burmah. Occurs in every part of Ten-
nasserim. It has been obtained in the Karin hills, and Blyth records it from
Arracan. It is also found in Bhootan, the Khasia and Eastern Bengal hills.
72 TIMELllD^E.
also Sikkim (Darjeeling) and Nepaul. Its habits are the same as the other
species of the genus. Hume says it breeds in the valleys of the Surjoo and
Ramgunga in Kumaon, and thence eastwards in all the warmer mountain
valleys at elevations of from 1,500 to 3,500 feet through the Himalayas
and the various chains and hill systems running down from Assam to Burmah.
Mr. Gammie's account of a nest, found by him in Sikkim, is quoted by
Mr. Hume, and is to the effect, that the nest was close to the ground on a
natural ledge in the root of an uprooted tree at the edge of a shady stream.
The nest was cup -shaped and composed of moss, lined with a few skeleton
leaves and fibres. The eggs were 4 in number, regular ovals, a little com-
pressed at one end, white, marked at the large end with a small cap of
densely crowded specks and spots of brownish red and sienna of various
shades ; size, 0-84 to 0*87 x 0*63 to 0-67.
503. Henicurus guttatus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 664; id.,
B. Asia, part xviii ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 376 ; id., and Oates,
Str. F. 1875, p. 342 ; BL and Wald, B. Burnt, p, 97 ; Hume, S/r. F.
1878, p. 399; id., Sir. F. 1879, P- IO 3 5 Scully, t. c. p. 311 ; Oates, B. Br.
Burm. i. p. 26; Sharpe, Cat. B- Br. Mus. vii. 316. Enicurus maculatus,
pt. (non Vig.), Gray, Cat. Mamm., &c., Nepaul, pres* Hodgs. p. 76 ; Jerd. B.
Jnd. ii. p. 212. GOULD'S SPOTTED FORK-TAIL.
Forehead as far back as the eyes white ; chin, throat, breast, upper abdomen,
lores, cheeks and ear coverts, black ; crown of the head brown, the feathers tipped
with white ; feathers in the centre of the breast tipped with white ; back of the neck
thickly mottled, the feathers white with a narrow line of black ; back sparsely
spotted with white, the spots smaller and oval ; on the sides of the neck larger
and drop-like ; wing coverts black, the greater series tipped with white ;
primary coverts and quills black ; the inner primaries and inner secondaries
with white bases ; rump and upper tail coverts white ; tail feathers black,
obliquely tipped with white, the two outer feathers entirely white ; abdomen,
flanks, thighs and under tail coverts white ; under wing coverts black, the
lower greater series white. Bill black ; legs pale fleshy white ; irides dark
brown.
Length. 9109*5 inches; wing 3*9 to 4; tail 5*1 to 5*2; culmen O'9$ ;
tarsus 1*15.
Hab Eastern Himalayas, extending throughout Burmah and Tenasserim
and Southern China. It has been procured in Arracan and in the Khasia
hills, also in Assam and Nepaul to an elevation of about 7,000 feet. In the
North-West it is found as far as Simla. It breeds in May and June, making
a nest similar to that of H. schistaceus. The eggs, too, are not unlike those
of that species. In size they vary from 0*9 to 1*03 x O'68 to o - 75.
HYDROCICHLA. 73
504. Henicurus maculatus, Vigors, P. z. s. 1830-31, p. 9;
Gould. Cent. B. Him. Mis. pi. xxvii. ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 212, No. 584;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 374. Enicurus fuliginosus, Hodgs.,
Asiat. Res. xix. p. 190. Henicurus maculatus, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 29 ;
Beavan, Ibis, 1868^.75; Brooks, Ibis, 1869, p. 57- Hu?ne, Str. F. 1879,
p. 103 ; Scully, t. c. p. 1 10. The WESTERN SPOTTED FORK-TAIL.
Above black, with distinct white tips to all the feathers, producing a barred
appearance on the back and scapulars ; median and greater wing coverts
black, the latter very broadly tipped with white, forming a broad wing bar ;
primary coverts and quills black, the primaries with white bases to the shafts
and the secondaries white at base and tipped white on the outer web ; lower
back, rump and upper tail coverts pure white ; tail feathers black, bordered
with white along the tips and extending further along the inner web ; two outer
feathers white, the next black with white tips ; crown of the head black, the
centre browner with black tips to the feathers ; forehead entirely white ; nape
and hind neck black with very large ovate spots of white, those on the sides
of the neck white, fringed with black; lores, eyebrow, sides of face, ear
coverts, foreneck and chest black ; breast, abdomen, sides of the body, flanks,
thighs and under tail coverts white ; lower chest feathers and sides of breast
black fringed with white ; under wing coverts black with a white patch
formed of the outer greater coverts ; axillaries black. Bill black ; feet and
claws fleshy white ; irides dark brown. (Sharpe.)
The young is earthy brown, the feathers with whitish shaft lines.
Length. ii inches; wing 4- 15; tail 5'S ; culmen o'9 ; tarsus ri.
Hab. The Western Himalayan mountains, not extending eastwards
beyond NepauL Recorded from Cashmere and Murree ; also from the
Dhoon, Almorah, Dhurmsala and Kumaon. It breeds west of Nepaul, south
of the first snowy range, along the banks of almost every streamlet. The
season extends from April to June. Nest and eggs similar to those of
H. schistaceus.
Gen. HydrOCichla. Sharpe.
General characters of Henicurus ; tail and wing equal, or the latter slightly
exceeding the tail in length ; tail forked.
505. Hydrocichla ruficapilla (Tern.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 319; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 28. Enicurus ruficapillus, Tern.,
PI. Col. iii. pi. 534; Blyth., J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 155 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 251.
Henicurus ruficapillus, Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 257; Stol., J, A. S. B. xxxix.
p. 304; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, pp. 361, 518; Hume, Str.F. 1879,
p. 65. The CHESTNUT-BACKED FORK-TAIL.
Base of forehead, lores, eyelids, ear coverts, cheeks, chin and throat black ;
forehead white, followed by a narrow black line separating the white frontal
band from the rufous crown and hind neck ; foreneck with a triangular patch
10
74 TIMELI1D/E.
of pure white ; sides of neck and breast white, tipped with blackish ; rest of
under surface white ; back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts black ; greater
coverts black, tipped with white ; primaries wholly black ; secondaries and
tertiaries black, each feather white at base, and also tipped with white ; rump
and upper tail coverts white ; tail black, tipped and basally white, the two
outermost white.
In the female the red colour extends over the whole upper back in undimi-
nished purity of colour, and thence over the scapulars and nearly all that portion
of the back which is black in the male, leaving only a black band from o'l to
0'2 inch wide, dividing the red from the white of the rump ; but on all these
parts, the red is duller, browner and less pure. Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878,
p. 362. Bill black ; irides dark brown ; legs and feet pale pinky or fleshy
white ; irides dark brown.
Length. 7-2 to 8 inches; wing 3-25 to 37 ; tail 2-9 to 3'5 ; tarsus 1*05 ;
culmen 0*9.
Hab. The Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo ; also in Tenasserim,
in the extreme south about Malewoon.
506. HydrOCichla frontaliS (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 321 ; Dates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 29. Enicurus frontalis, BL, J . A. S. B.
xvi. p. 156. Henicurus frontalis, Elwes, Ibis, 1872, p. 259, pi, ix, ; Oates t
Sir. F. 1877, P- 2 48 5 Hume, Sir. F. 1879, PP- 6 5> 103 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1879,
p. 255. The LESSER BLACK-BACKED FORK-TAIL.
Forehead and front of crown white ; rest of head, also the neck, breast,
back and lesser wing coverts black ; rump, upper and under tail coverts and
lower plumage white; primaries black, also the secondaries and tertiaries, their
bases white, two outermost tail feathers white, the others black, with white
bases and tips.
The young have no white on the head, and the general colour is sooty black.
Bill black.
Length. 8 inches; wing 3-45 to 3-5 ; tail 3*5 ; tarsus ri ; culmen 0-8.
Hab. From South Tenasserim down the Malayan Peninsula. It has
only been found in South Tennasserim at Bankasom, where Mr. Davison, and
Mr. Gates' collectors secured specimens.
Gen. MicrOCichla. Sharpe.
Characters the same as those of Hydrocichla^ but the wing much longer
than the tail, which is nearly square.
507- MicrOCichla SCOUleri (Vigors}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 322. Enicurus scouleri, Vigors. P. Z. S. 1830-31, p. 174; Gould,
Cent. Him. B . pi. xxvii. 1832 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 214 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 377. Enicurus nigrifrons, Gray, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 102 ;
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 215 ; Godwin- Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix, p. 107. Heni-
CRATEROPODES. 75
curtis scouleri, Beavan, Ibis, 1868, p. 75 ; StoL J. A. S. B. xxxvii. p. 473 ;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 457 ; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 103 ; Scully, /. c. p. 31 1 ;
Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 67 ; Seebohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 423. The SHORT-TAILED
FORK-TAIL.
Forehead white ; hind crown, occiput, nape, lores and feathers above the
eye, sides of face and breast, ear coverts, cheeks, sides of neck, foreneck, throat,
back, lesser and median wing coverts, bastard wing, primary coverts and quills
purplish black ; the greater coverts black, tipped with white, forming a wing
bar ; the primaries conspicuously white-shafted and the secondaries with white
bases and edged with white near the ends ; innermost secondaries pure white ;
lower back and rump white, with a black band across the rump ; tail black, the
feathers with white bases, the outer feathers white and the next two with an
oblique black mark at the tip ; under surface white ; under wing coverts black,
the outer lower series white. Bill black ; feet and claws fleshy white ; irides
dark brown.
Young, with the forehead black, throat white.
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3-1 ; tail 2'2 ; oilmen 0*55 ; tarsus 0-95.
Hab. From Samarcand throughout the Himalayas to the hills of Assam
and extending into Western China. (Sharpe.) Jerdon says this little bird,
aberrant as regards the shortness of its tail, appears to be found throughout
the whole extent of the Himalayas, though more common in the eastern
portion. It is rare in the N.-W. It has been observed in Cashmere,
from where Scully also notices it. In Sikkim, about Darjeeling, it is not un-
common, but does not ascend as high as H. maculatus. It affects the larger
rapid streams, and as Jerdon adds, may often be seen seated on a rock in the
midst of a boiling torrent. Feeds exclusively on rocks that are washed over.
Food water insects and larvae. Jerdon mentions having a nest brought to
him found on a ledge of rock near a stream with three eggs very similar to
those of H. maculatus, but smaller. Mr. Hume has no notice of the eggs.
Group. CRATEROPODES.
The Crateropodes are characterized by their strong and stout legs and feet,
and a short and rounded wing as well as a compressed bill, which is various
in form and length. Including non-Indian species, and all those at present
known from various parts, it presents a large assemblage of birds of diverse
and varied aspect of plain, sombre and in some varied and generally lax
plumage. In it are comprised the laughing thrushes, shrike thrushes, the
thick-billed finch thrushes, the jay thrush, the tit thrushes, as well as the
scimitar, spiny and other true babbling thrushes. They are social and
gregarious in their habits, feed on the ground either on insects, grain, seeds,
fruit, &c. Some affect open spots or groves, others delight in climbing
through interlaced hedges and thickets, in which also they build. The
majority lay eggs of a blue colour. Two-thirds of the recognized genera are
76 TIMELIID/E.
Indian, and the rest are either African or peculiar to Australia, New Guinea,
China, and the Malayan Peninsula. The majority of the Indian representatives
belong to the great Himalayan mountains ranging east, west and north-west,
a few only are residents of the plains, and a smaller number are found in the
hill ranges of Bengal extending to Tenasserim, from north to south, alike in
the hills and plains.
Gen. Trochalopterum. Biyth.
Bill moderate or short, nearly straight, slightly hooked at the tip and dis-
tinctly notched ; nostrils nearly covered with bristles ; nasal opening longitu-
dinal with a large operculum ; rictal bristles soft and long ; wings short,
much rounded, the tertiaries being as long as the primaries ; tail moderately
long, broad ; tarsus and feet strong.
508. Trochalopterum afflne (Btyth), Sharpe, Cat, B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 357. Garrulax affinis, Blyth, J ' . A. S. B. xii. p. 950 (ex Hodgs. MS.).
Trochalopteron affine, Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 45, No. 419 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt.
xxviii. ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 97. The BLACK-FACED LAUGHING THRUSH.
Crown of the head dark reddish brown ; sides of the head, lores, sides of
face and ear coverts black, the feathers of the hinder part of the ear coverts
tipped with white ; cheeks with a broad, fulvous or white band ; on the sides of
the neck a dull white patch, the feathers centred with rufescent ; chin and
throat black ; lower throat chestnut brown ; foreneck, breast and upper
abdomen rufous, the feathers with ashy margins ; lower abdomen pale fulvous
brown ; flanks, thighs and undertail coverts olivaceous brown ; upper surface
of body reddish brown, the feathers of the upper back with ashy olive tips ;
lower back olive brown ; rump olive brown ; upper tail coverts rufous ; wing
coverts reddish brown ; the greater series rufous on their outer web ; bastard
wing coverts blue grey ; primary coverts blacky forming a patch on
the wing ; quills dusky, slaty grey at the ends, rest of outer webs golden
olive ; tail dull slaty grey, the feathers golden olive on their outer web ; under
wing coverts and axillaries light reddish brown. Bill black ; legs reddish
brown ; irides brown.
Length. 8-8 to 975 inches; wing 3-9 to 4-2 ; tail 4-5 to 5; tarsus 1-5;
culmen 0*95.
Hab. The Eastern Himalaya. Recorded from Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepaul
and Bhootan. It affects elevations of from 8,000 to 9,000 feet, chiefly heavy
bamboo jungle. It does not appear to be common, and like others of the
genus, frequents roads in search of insects and grain found in cattle dung.
509. Trochalopterum variegatum ( Vigors), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 359. Cinclosoma variegatum, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 56;
Gould, Cent. Him. B. pl.i6. Trochalopteron variegatum, Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 45 ; id., Ibis, 1872, p. 305, No. 418 ; Cock and Marshall, Sir. F. 1873,
p. 354; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 260; id., Sir. F. 1878, p. 457;
TROCHALOPTERUM. 77
1879, p. 97. Trochalopteron simile, Hume> Ibis, 1871, p. 408; id. and
Henderson, Lahore to Fark.,p. 193, pi. vii. ; Hume, Str. F. 1875^.407;
1879, p. 97 ; Biddulph Ibis, 1881, p. 53. The VARIEGATED LAUGHING
THRUSH.
Forehead fulvous, crown of the head, ear coverts and hind neck ashy
brown ; a small stripe from the nape through the eyes black, surmounted by a
narrow white line behind the eye ; cheeks and sides of the throat fulvous,
separated from the ear coverts by an indistinct streak of whitish, on the
hinder part of which is a black spot ; throat black ; foreneck, chest, sides of
the breast and flanks ashy olive brown, slightly washed with fulvous ; the
breast, abdomen, thighs, vent and under tail coverts tawny buff, deepening on
the latter ; upper surface of body olive brown, or brownish grey ; wing coverts
the same ; the greater series orange rufous at the tips and on the outer webs of
the external ones, forming a wing patch ; primary coverts black ; quills dusky,
olive golden on the outer webs ; the primaries ashy grey on the outer webs,
the secondaries the same towards their ends, with a black band across the
centre of the feather on the outer web ; inner secondaries tipped with white
on their outer webs ; central tail feathers black, with a broad subterminal
ashy grey band and tipped narrowly with white ; the rest black, externally
golden olive, the inner webs ashy brown near the tips ; under wing coverts
and axillaries tawny buff; the edge of the wing rufous. Bill black; legs
reddish ; irides brown.
Length. 10 to I0'8 inches; wing 4*1 ; tail 47 to 5-1 ; tarsus 1-45 ; oil-
men 0*9
Hab. Himalayas from Cashmere to Nepaul. Recorded from Gilgit,
Murree, Simla and Kumaon. Does not appear to extend to Sikkim. Breeds
from the central portion of Nepaul to Murree during April, May and June.
Nest a compact shallow cup, composed of coarse grass exteriorly, fine roots
and fibres on the inside, intermixed both on the outer and inner side with
pieces of dead leaves. There is little or no lining in the nest, which is from
5 to 8 inches in diameter, with an egg-cavity of about 3 inches. The
nest is usually placed a few feet from the ground (8 to 18 feet), in a densely-
foliaged tree or high thicket. Eggs light greenish blue, sparingly spotted,
blotched and speckled at the large end with reddish brown. Size 1*07 to 1*15
inches by 076 to o - 82.
510. Trochalopterum erythrocephalum (Vigors}, Skarpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 360, Cinclosoma erythropterum, Vigors, P. Z. S.
1831, p. 171; Gould, Cent. Him. B. pi. 17. Crateropus erythrocephalus
(Hodgs.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 179. Garrulax erythrocephalus, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xii. p. 951. Trochalopteron erythrocephalum, Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 43, No. 415 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 258 ; id., Str. F. 1879,
p. 97 ; Scully, t. c, p. 296. The RED-HEADED LAUGHING THRUSH.
78 IIMELIID/E.
Head and nape rich chestnut ; hind neck mottled, the feathers black, edged
with olive or ashy grey on the sides of the neck ; lores black, sides of crown
streaked with black, also some of the feathers of the sinciput ; ear coverts black,
with silvery white margins to the feathers* the bases of the feathers rufous ;
cheeks and throat black ; mantle and upper back olive brown ; lower back, rump
and upper tail coverts ashy olive ; wing coverts the same but washed with rufous,
the greater series chestnut ; bastard wing and primary coverts olive yellow ;
quills dusky brown, externally golden olive, ashy grey at their ends ; tail
feathers dull ashy, externally golden olive, brighter at the bases ; under surface
of the body fulvous or ochraceous buff, washed with ashy on the foreneck,
breast and flanks, as well as the thighs and under tail coverts ; foreneck and
breast mottled with crescentic spots and subterminal bars of black ; under
wing coverts and axillaries fulvous brown. Bill horny black ; feet brownish
fleshy ; irides greyish brown. (Scully.)
Length. 9*8 to IO'5 inches ; wing 4*15 ; tail 4*8; tarsus 1*5 ; culmen 0*9.
The young are lighter in colour, without any crescentic markings on the hind
neck ; lower back earthy brown ; breast unbarred rufescent brown.
Hab. The N.-W. Himalayas to Nepaul. Common from Kumaon westwards
as far as the valley of the Beas, frequenting shady ravines, building in hollows and
their preciptous sides during May and June. Nest composed of dead leaves
bound round into a deep cup with delicate fronds of ferns and coarse and fine
grass and moss-roots. Eggs, long ovals, of a delicate pale greenish blue
ground colour with a few spots, streaks and streaky blotches of brownish red at
the large end. Size 1*15 to T22 x 0-8 to o'86.
51L Trochalopterum chrysopterum (Gould}, Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 362. lanthocincla chrysoptera, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 48.
Crateropus chrysopterus, Blyth, J. A. S. Jleng.xi. p. 179. Garrulax chrysop-
terus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 95- Trochalopteron
chrysopterum, Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 43 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 259; id. Str. F. 1879, P- 97- The YELLOW-WINGED LAUGHING
THRUSH.
Upper surface particolored. Forehead dark rufous with black streaks ; lores
ashy black, over which is a black line forming an indistinct eye-brow ; sinci-
put and sides of the crown dark ashy grey, the former with black centres ;
occiput and nape dark chestnut ; hind neck, mantle and sides of the neck
reddish brown, each feather with a black subterminal bar ; upper back
reddish brown ; lower back, rump and upper tail covert ashy olive brown ;
lesser and median wing coverts reddish brown, the greater coverts chestnut ;
primary coverts and quills blackish, externally golden olive ; all the feathers
ashy towards the tips ; tail golden olive, dusky on the inner webs ; ear coverts
black, edged with silvery white ; cheeks and throat black, the former with
indistinct ashy margins ; lower throat and sides of the upper neck chestnut
brown ; breast and under surface reddish brown, the former mottled with black ;
TROCHALOPTERUM. 79
sides of the body olivaceous ; the thighs and under tail coverts darker ; under
wing coverts and axillaries reddish brown. Bill dusky brown ; legs horny
yellow brown ; irides red.
Length. 10 8 to n inches; wing 4 to 5 ; tail 4*5 to 4*7; tarsus i'55 ;
culmen i.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas from Nepaul to Bhootan. About Darjeeling,
Jerdon says, this is about the most common and abundant species. It is often
seen on the road feeding on insects and grain from the dung of cattle, hopping
away like the Babblers to the nearest thicket on approach of danger. Breeds
only in Nepaul, Sikkim and Bhootan. The eggs, according to Jerdon, are
greenish blue.
512. Trochalopterum ruficapillum (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 363. Garrulax ruficapillus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xx. p. 521.
Trochalopteron ruficapillum, Jerd. B.Ind.m.^>. 44; Hume, Sir. F. 1878,
p. 385 ; 1879, P- 97- The CHESTNUT-NAPED LAUGHING THRUSH.
Above ashy olive, upper back lunulated with ashy tips and subterminal bars
of reddish brown ; lesser wing coverts olivaceous, washed with reddish ; median
and greater coverts deep chestnut brown ; primary coverts golden olive, the
bastard wing brighter ; quills blackish golden olive on the outer webs ; the
secondaries ashy for their terminal third ; tail olive, golden on the outer webs
of the feathers ; forehead and crown grey, slightly washed with rufous ; a
bright chestnut patch on the nape ; lores grey ; supercilium hoary grey. Ear
coverts deep vinous chestnut red, also the cheeks, throat and foreneck,
the latter paler, and with lunate margins of rufescent ; abdomen rufous ;
flanks, thighs and under tail coverts ashy olive; axillaries buffish ; under wing
coverts washed with chestnut with a hoary grey spot on the edge of the wing.
Bill dusky brown ; legs horny brown ; irides reddish.
Length. 8'6 inches; wing 3-95 ; tail 4-35 ; tarsus 1-6; culmen 0-95.
Hab. Khasia and the Naga Hills. Very little is known of this species, and
specimens are scarce. The description is taken from Sharpe's Catalogue, and
is of a male bird. The British Museum possesses but a single skin of an
adult female presented by Captain R. G. Ward law- Ram say.
513. Trochalopterum erythrolaema (Hume], Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 363. Trochalopteron erythrolaema, Hume, Str. F. 1881,
p. 154. The RED-THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH.
Lores and extreme tip of chin dusky ; rest of the entire head and upper
neck all round chestnut red, a little brighter on top and a little duller on the
throat ; upper breast the same, paling on the upper abdomen and becoming
yellower and rustier ; most of the feathers on these parts with subterminal
blackish spots and fringed paler; middle of lower abdomen unspotted pale
ferruginous ; rest of lower surface, a dull olivaceous earth-brown ; intersca-
pulary region a pale greenish olive grey, all the feathers with large subterminal
80 TIMELIID>E.
blackish spots succeeded by a paler fringe; lower back, rump, upper tail
coverts, tertiaries and tail, where not tinged with golden, pale greenish olive
grey ; tail feathers tinged and margined on their outer webs with a somewhat
olivaceous golden ; outer webs of primaries and secondaries the same but
brighter ; secondary and tertiary coverts rich maroon chestnut ; the median
and lesser coverts paler and mingled with yellow. Legs and feet fleshy
brown; bill blackish brown ; irides grey. (Hume.)
Length. 10*3 inches; bill from gape 1*07; wing 3-7; tail 4-5; tarsus 1*5
(ex.. Sharpe).
Hab. Eastern Munipur Hills.
514. Trochalopterum melanostigma (Biyth\ Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 364 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 39. Trochalopteron melano-
stigma, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 268 ; id. B. Burm. p. 108 ; Wardlaw-
Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 464 ; Hume and Davison, Sir. F. vi. p. 291 ; Hume,
Sir. F. viii. p. 96. The CHESTNUT-HEADED LAUGHING THRUSH.
Base of the forehead, lores, cheeks and chin black ; a short supercilium, ear
coverts and sides of the nape silvery grey^ the feathers black shafted; the whole
top of the head contracting to a point on the nape bright chestnut ; back,
rump, lesser wing coverts and the tail coverts olive brown, tinged with ochra-
ceous on the back ; greater wing coverts olive brown tipped with ferruginous;
primary coverts black ; wings olive yellow on the outer webs, dark brown on
the inner ; tail dusky, the outer webs olive yellow ; throat chestnut, the
remainder of under surface reddish brown or ochraceous red, shading off
into paler on the sides of the neck, breast and middle of abdomen ; sides of
the abdomen, flanks and under tail coverts olive grey ; under wing coverts
light reddish, except the lower series, which are dusky. Bill black ; legs, feet
and claws pinkish brown ; irides brown.
Length. 9 to i0'5 inches; wing 4*2 ; tail 4*2; tarsus i'5 ; culmen I.
The female is a little larger.
Hab. Karen Hills in Burmah, extending into Tennasserim. (Sharpe.)
The Chestnut-headed Laughing Thrush was discovered by Col. Tickell on
Mooleyit at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Mr. Davison met with it on the
same mountain, and also procured specimens in the pine forests of the Salween
River. Capt. W. Ramsay also observed it both in the Karen Hills and in
Karennee. Davison says the bird keeps in parties of 6 or 8, feeds chiefly
on the ground, and keeps much in the brushwood.
515. Trochalopterum rufigulare (Gould), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. viii. p. 365. lanthocincla rufogularis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 48 ;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 371. Cinclosoma rufimenta, Hodgs. Asiat. Res. xix. p. 148.
Garrulax rufogularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 951. Trochalopteron rufi-
gulare, Gray, Cat. Mamm., fyc., Nepaul y Coll. Hodgs. p. 84 ; Jerd. B. Ind. \\.
p. 47; Hume. Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 261; id. Sir. F. 1878, p. 156;
TROCHALOPTERUM. gj
1879, p. 97; Reid, Cat. . Prov. Mus. Lucknow, p. 80. The RUFOUS-
CHINNED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Croivn of the head black, the feathers with ashy grey bases; lores white,
forming a conspicuous spot ; eyebrow pale brown, a broad longitudinal patch
behind the gape which extends under and behind the ear coverts, which are
rufescent, and tipped with black; cheeks ashy, the feathers with a spot of
black at the tip ; chin bright rufous ; lower throat white ; above olive brown ;
the rump and upper tail coverts slightly rufous ; all the feathers broadly
iunated with black ; wing coverts the same ; bastard wing ashy grey, lunated
with black ; primary coverts black ; quills dusky ; primaries externally ashy
grey, with a black band across the middle ; secondaries like the back, but
tipped with white, and with a broad sub-terminal black bar ; tail dark rufescent
olivaceous, with a rufous tip and broad bar of black ; foreneck and chest
ashy, spotted with black ; centre of breast and abdomen white ; sides of body
and flanks pale olive brown, here and there spotted with black ; vent and
under tail coverts bright rufous ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale olive
brown* Bill horny yellow ; legs fleshy brown ; orbitar skin blue.
Length. 9 to lo inches; wing 3*6; tail 3*9; tarsus 1*4; culmen 0*95.
Hab.- Himalayas from the N.-West eastwards to Bhootan, extending to the
Khasia Hills. It is also found in Cashmere. In Darjeeling it is fairly
common ; also at Mussoorie, where it is known to breed. According to Hutton
it is said to breed in May. Eggs 3 ; pure white, a colour unknown in this
group of birds. Jerdon says, it is generally seen in flocks, and its call is loud
and harsh. The Lucknow Museum has specimens from Almora and Kumaon.
516. Trochalopterum cineraceum, Godwin- Austen, P. z. S.
1874, p. 46, pi. xi. ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. xxvii. ; Sharp e, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 366. The CINEREOUS LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Adult Male. (Thobal Valley, Munipur : type of species.) General colour
above uniform ashy olive, more fulvescent on the lower back and rump ; the
upper tail coverts more decidedly olive ; hind neck and mantle slightly
marked with black tips to a few of the feathers ; wing coverts like the back ;
bastard wing feathers lavender grey, with broad black centres ; primary coverts
black, forming a wing patch ; quills blackish, the primaries externally lavender
grey ; the secondaries externally ashy olive, like the back, for two-thirds of
Iheir length ; the remaining third blackish like the inner web, with a terminal
border of white ; tail feathers ashy olive, tipped with white, before which is a
broad sub-terminal band of black ; crown of head black, forming a cap ;
feathers at the base of nostrils also black ; lores, feathers round the eye and
a broad eyebrow ashy whitish, separated from the ear coverts by a narrow
line of black ; ear coverts ashy whitish, fringed behind with isabelline feathers
having dusky bases ; cheeks and sides of the neck isabelline brown, spotted
with longitudinal black centres ', a black patch below the eye ; under
11
82 TIMELllD^E.
surface of the body isabelline buff, whiter on the throat, which has a few
narrow lines of black ; centre of abdomen paler, thighs and under tail coverts
ochraceous buff like the lower flanks, axillaries, and under wing coverts,
(Sharpe.)
Length. 8-5 inches; wing 325 ; tail 39; tarsus 1-3; culmen O'8. (Mus.
JET. H. Godw.-Aust.)
Hab. Munipur.
517. Trochalopterum squamatum (Gould), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 367. lanthocincla squamata, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 48.
Trochalopteron squamatum, Gray, Cat. Mamm., &V., Nepaul,^. 83; Jerd.
B. Ind. ii. p. 46; JJume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 260; id., Str. F. 1879,
p. 97. The BLUE-WINGED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Head, neck and body above olive brown, each feather edged with black
lunules ; rump and upper tail coverts dark chestnut ; eyebrows black ; lores
fulvescent ; wing coverts olive brown, the feathers edged with black ; greater
coverts and secondaries externally ferruginous ; bastard wing blue grey on the
outer webs ; primary coverts black ; quills black, also blue grey on the outer
webs ; tail black, tipped with ferruginous, and dull chestnut near the base ;
chin, cheeks, throat, and under surface of body rufescent brown, fulvous in the
centre of the body, all the feathers margined with black ; under tail coverts
chestnut. Bill black ; legs shining fleshy brown ; irides red brown.
Length. 8'8 to 9 inches; wing 3*9 to 4; tail 4-0 ; tarsus 1-5.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas ; Nepaul to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhootan, and the
Khasia Hills. Jerdon says it is common in the neighbourhood of Darjeeling.
According to Hodgson, it breeds in the central region of Nepaul during May
and June in forests. The nest is placed in a fork of a branch on a small tree,
and is a large mass of dry leaves and coarse grass made firm and compact.
Eggs 4 5, unspotted, verditer blue, cylindrical oval, obtuse at both ends.
Size 1-25 x 0-82. Mr. Gammie also took nests in Sikkim.
518. Trochalopterum subunicolor (Biyth\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 368. Trochalopteron subunicolor, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xii. p.
952 (descr nulld} ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 44, No. 417 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 259 ; id. Str. F. 1879, p. 97. Garrulax subunicolor, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 599 (descr prima) ; id. Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 96. The
PLAIN-COLOURED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above, including the rump and upper tail coverts, olive brown ; the feathers
with a sub-terminal bar of paler olive, and margined with black mottlings ; the
dark margins less conspicuous on the rump and upper tail coverts ; crown of
the head slightly darker olive, with black edges to the feathers ; lores blackish ;
ear coverts and cheeks dusky brown with silvery ash shaft lines ; wing coverts
olive brown, lighter on the bastard wing ; primary coverts blackish ; outer
webs olive brown ; quills dusky ^ their outer ivebs gulden olive ; the primaries ashy
TROCHALOPTERUM. 83
grey, near the tips ; the secondaries olive greenwh on their outer webs, the
innermost tipped with ashy; central tail feathers golden olive green; lateral
feathers blackish washed with golden olive on their outer webs, and narrowly
lipped with white ; under surface of body pale ochraceous buff ; the feathers
mottled with dusky bases and olive margins ; throat dark ashy, shaded with
olive ; foreneck and chest dark olive brown, with a sub-terminal bar of pale
ochraceous, and edged with dusky brown"-; under tail coverts olive brown, as
are also the axillaries and under wing coverts. Bill dusky ; legs reddish
brown ; irides reddish brown.
Length. $ to 9-5 inches ; wing 3-65 to 3'8 ; tail 3-8 to 3-9; tarsus 1-45 ;
culmen O'8.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas ; Nepaul, Darjeeling, Sikkim. Breeds from
April to June in the central region of Nepaul in open forests and groves, build-
ing its nest on a low branch, 2 3 feet from the ground. Eggs 3 4, greenish
blue.
519. Trochalopterum austeni, Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 304 ;
B. Asia, pt. xxv. (1^73) ', Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 105 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1875, p. 414 ; 1879, p. 97 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 369.
AUSTEN'S LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above reddish brown, more or less olivaceous on the lower back and rump ;
wing coverts like the back, the greater series rufous, tipped with yellowish
white, with a sub-terminal bar of black ; bastard wing feathers externally ashy
olive ; primary coverts rufous, tipped with dusky blackish ; quills dusky, the
primaries externally grey ; the secondaries externally rufous brown, like the
greater wing coverts, and tipped with white ; central tail feathers reddish
brown, the others blackish, their outer webs reddish brown, and tipped with
white. Crown of the head, hind neck and sides of the neck more rufous
than the back, and with yellowish shaft streaks ; lores ashy grey ; ear coverts
dark chestnut brown, with pale shaft streaks ; cheeks, throat, and foreneck
reddish brown, mottled with dusky bars, each feather having an obscure sub-
terminal paler bar ; under parts reddish Urown, barred with white ; abdomen
white, tipped with a bar of dusky ; under tail coverts olive brown, with pale
fulvescent tips ; under wing coverts and axillaries olive brown ; the lower
series dusky. (Sharpe.)
Length. 10 inches ; wing 3-85 ; tail 4-5 ; tarsus 1-5 ; culmen 0*9. (Mus.
R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay) (Sharpe.)
Hab. Hill ranges of North-Eastern Bengal.
520. Trochalopterum phoenicenm (Gould), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 371. lanthocincla phcenicea, Gould, Icones A vium. pi. 3.
Garrulax phceniceus, Blyth, J. A. S B. xii. p. 951.- Trochalopteron
phceniceum, Gra-v, Cat. Mamm., &c., Nepaul^ p. 83 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 372 ;
84 TIMELIID/E.
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 48, No. 422 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 262 ; id.
Str. F. 1879, p. 97. The CRIMSON-WINGED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above dark fulvous brown, inclining to r.ufous brown on the upper tail and
wing coverts, the outer webs of the latter tinged with crimson ; primary coverts
black ; quills black, their outer webs, also the tips of the secondaries and the
longer tertiaries crimson ; tail feathers black, tipped with orange, increasing in
extent on the lateral feathers. Head more olive brown than the back ; fore-
head washed with crimson at the base ; lores, cheeks, ear coverts and sides of
the face crimson, also a narrow supercilium, which is separated from the
crown by a streak of black ; under surface of the body dark earthy brown, the
chin washed with crimson ; under tail coverts crimson ; breast ashy ; wing
coverts and auxiliaries like the breast. Bill black ; legs livid brown; irides red
brown.
Length. 8*5 to 9'5 inches ; wing 3-5 ; tail 4* to 4-25 ; tarsus 1*5.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas : Nepaul, Darjeeling, Sikkim and the Khasia
Hills. Abundant in Sikkim at 4,000 to 5,OOO feet elevation. It breeds,
according to Hume, at 5> oo ^ eet elevation in moist forests amongst dense
under-growths. The nest is placed in shrubs at from 6 to 10 feet high,
suspended between several upright stems and attached by fibres. The eggs,
three in number, are, in shape, elongated ovals, generally very obtuse at both
ends ; ground color, a beautiful clear pale sea-green or greenish blue with
deep maroon spots, dashes, cloudy spots, and lines of hieroglyphics. Size
0^98 to 1*15 inches by 0*7 to 0*79.
521. Trochalopterum cachinnans (Jerd.), Sharpc, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 373. Crateropus cachinnans, Jerd. Madr. Journ. x. p. 255,
pi. 7. Garrulax cachinnans, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 952. Trochalopteron
cachinnans, Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 48 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 263 ; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 97 ; Reid, Cat. JB. Luckn. Mus. p. 80. The
NEILGHERRY LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above olive brown, the head and nape ashy ; lores and the base of the
forehead bkck ; a white eyebrow bordered above and below by a streak of
black ; eyelids white ; ear coverts rufous ; base of cheeks, chin and upper
throat black ; under sicrface of body bright rufous, lighter on the abdomen ;
foreneck, chest and breast deep orange ; the flanks and under . tail coverts
olivaceous ; under wing coverts rufous ; quills brown, olivaceous externally,
axillaries olive brown. Bill black; legs dusky greenish ; irides fine red.
Length. -8 to 8-8 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 3-9; tarsus 1-35 ; culmen 0-8.
Hab. South India : the Neilgherry Hills, Ootacamund,Kotergherry, Madras
and Coonoor are 'localities whence the specimens have been obtained, and
are fairly common. According to Jerdon, it is a noisy bird, and is abundant
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.
Trochalopterum j
Mintem. Bros.litK.
TROCHALOPTERUM. 5
in all the woods on the summit of the Neilgherries, and its loud laughing call
is often heard when the bird itself is unseen. Like others of the genus it lives in
small scattered flocks foraging about the thick brushwood. Their chief food
appears to be fruit, and especially that of the Phy sails peruviana ; insects too
they are very partial to. Breeds from February to June. The nest is, according
to Hume, a coarse clumsy structure composed of coarse grass, roots, &c. -,
the external diameter is from 6 to 9 inches, and the egg-cavity about 3 inches.
Eggs a delicate pale blue, speckled, spotted and blotched with brownish red
and dusky. Size 0*92 to ro8 inches by 074 to O'8.
522. Trochalopterum jerdoni (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat, B. Br. Mus.
vi. p. 373. Garrulax Jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. S. J3. xx. p. 522. Trochalop-
teron Terdoni ^Blyth\ Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 49, No. 424; Hume, Str. F.
1879, p. 97. JERDON'S or the BANASORE LAUGHING-THRUSH,
PLATE.
Above olive brown, a little darker on the rump and upper tail coverts ;
head slaty, gradually shading off into ashy grey on the nape and hind-neck ;
wing coverts olive brown like the back ; primary coverts dusky brown ; quills
dark brown, edged on the outer web with olive brown ; tail feathers olive
brown with a slight ruddy tinge ; lores and behind the eye black ; supercilium
extending to the ear coverts white, tinged with ashy grey near its termina-
tion ; eyelids white ; forepart of the cheeks ashy grey ; ear coverts hoary
whitish ; chin and upper throat black ; lower throat hoary whitish ; foreneck
and breast pale ashy, forming a broad band ; under surface of body orange
rufous ; the sides of the body, flanks, thighs and under tail coverts, also the
axillaries, olive brown ; under wing coverts light orange buff. Bill black; legs
horny ; irides red.
Length, 8 to 8*5 inches ; wing 3-3 ; tail 3*75 ; tarsus 1*3 ; culmen 0*8.
Hab. Wynaad and Coorg in Southern India : Jerdon says he procured it
near the top of the Banasore peak, a high hill at the edge of the Ghats,
separating Malabar from the Wynaad, at an elevation of 5,OOO to 6,OOO feet. Its
voice, he adds, is very like its Neilgherry congener (to which it is very closely
allied) but more subdued.
Nothing is known of its nidification, but it is no doubt the same as those of
T. cachinnans.
523. Trochalopterum fairbanki (Elan/.), Sharpe, Cat, B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 374. Trochalopteron fairbanki, Blanf.^ J. A. S. B, xxxviii.
PP- 175, 177, pi. I?; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 413; Fairbk. Str. F. 1877,
p. 404; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97. FAIRBANK'S LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above, including the wing coverts, olive brown ; primary coverts and quills
dusky brown, narrewly edged on the outer web with olive brown ; the secon-
daries olive brown. Crown of the head brown j lores dusky brown ; eyelids
86 TIMELIID/E.
white ; ear coverts and sides of the face dull ashy ; cheeks also ashy ; a broad
super cilium white ; hind neck ashy gray ; sides of the neck bluish grey ;
foreneck and chest ashy grey, paler in the centre with dusky longitudinal
stripes ; under surface of the body, including the under wing coverts and
axillaries, orange rufous ; thighs fulvous brown.
Length. 87 to 9 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 37 ; tarsus 1-35 ; culmen 0-85.
The young is similar to the adult but duller in colour and have the head
of the same colour as the back ; the upper tail coverts rufous brown ; the ear
coverts light rufescent brown ; breast entirely ashy with no appearance of
dusky streaks. (Sharpe.)
Hab.Tte Palani Hills.
524. Trochalopterum meridionale (Bianft, J. A. s. B. xiix.
p. 142; Hume, Str. F. 1880, p. 500; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.Mus. vii. p. 375.
Trochalopteron fairbanki (non. Blanf.), Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 36. The
TRAVANCORE LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Adult male (type of spesies). Above, including the wing coverts, slaty grey,
washed with olive, the lower back and rump being perceptibly more olive ;
quills dusky brown, externally ashy grey with a tinge of olive ; tail feathers
dark brown, washed with olive on the outer webs and barred with dusky under
certain lights ; crown of head slaty brown, darker than the back ; lores sooty
blackish, relieved by a spot of white just in front of the eye ; no eyebroiv ;
ear coverts and sides of face light slaty brown, the sides of the neck more
ashy; under surface of the body dull white; the foreneck washed with ashy ;
the throat and breast streaked with ashy brown centres to the feathers ; sides
of breast and flanks bright chestnut ; thighs olive brown ; under tail coverts
darker chestnut ; under wing coverts and axiHaries light rufous. (Sharpe.)
Length. 8*5 inches; wing 3-5; tail 3-6; tarsus 1-4; culmen 0-9.
The female is like the male but smaller.
Length. 7-5 inches; wing 3-25 ; tail 3*4; tarsus 1-25.
Hab. Travancore (South India). The highlands at an elevation of 4,000
feet.
525. Trochalopterum lineatum ( Vigors), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 377. Cinclosoma lineatum, Vigors, P. Z,. S. 1831, p. 56.
Garrulax lineatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 951. Trochalopteron lineatum,
(Vigors), Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 50, No. 425 ; Cock, and Harsh., Str. F. 1873,
p, 352 ; Hume and Hend., Lahore to Yarkand, p. 195 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 264; Brooks, Str. F. 1875, P- 2 3 8 5 Hume, Sfr. F. 1879,
p. 97; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 34; Scully, t. c. p. 440. The STREAKED
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Head and back olivaceous ashy, the feathers centred with reddish brown
and dusky ; middle of back reddish brown, the feathers edged with ashy grey
TROCHALOPTERUM. 87
at the tip, with a white shaft streak ; lower back, rump and Upper tail coverts
dull ashy grey, washed slightly with olive ; centre ta?l feathers ashy, washed with
olive and barred with dusky under certain lights ; the tips light ashy grey, others
fulvous or tawny brown, broadly tipped with ashy grey ; outer feathers blackish
brown on their outer webs ; wing coverts like the back ; quills light brown,
edged on the outer web with bright tawny brown j the primaries ashy towards
their tips ; lores and feathers in front of the eye ashy with white streaks ; over
the line a very narrow line of bright rufous, the superciliary plumes tipped with
this colour ; ear coverts uniform rufescent ; sides of the head and neck streaked
with reddish brown ; cheeks, throat and breast ashy grey with bright rufous
centres to the feathers ; rest of under surface dull ashy, slightly washed with
olive ; the centre of the abdomen and thighs fulvous brown ; under wing coverts
dull fulvous brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches; wing 3-1 ; tail 3-8 ; tarsus I ; culmen 07.
Hab. Himalayas, from Gilgit to Nepaul. Recorded from both localities,
also Beluchistan, Cashmere, Ramgurh, Simla, and Kumaon. Adams found it
living in flocks, and very tame, and says it has a low chattering note. Hutton
says it is seen in pairs of four or five together ; while Hume says (Nests and
Eggs) that next to the common house-sparrow, the Streaked Laughing-Thrush
is perhaps the most familiar bird about our houses at all the hill-stations of
the Himalayas westward of Nepaul, and throughout the lower ranges on which
these stations are situated, and breeds at elevations of from S,OOO to 8,ooO
feet. It lays from the end of April to the beginning of September and possibly
earlier. Nests have been taken at Mussoorie, also at Almorah, Murree and
Simla. Mr, Hume's experience is that the nests are always placed in very thick
bushes, or in low thick branches of some tree about 4 feet from the ground.
As a rule, the nest is concealed. It is nearly circular with a deep cup-like
cavity in the centre, and constructed of dry grass and the fine stems of herba-
ceous plants, intermixed with fibres and dead leaves. Eggs, 3 in number,
spotless, delicate pale greenish blue. Size o'S to 1-13 x '63 to o - 8 inches.
526. Trochalopterum imbricatum (BiytJi), Sharps, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 379. Garrulax imbricatus, Elyth, J. A. S. . xii. p. 951.
Trochalopteron setifer (Hodgs.), Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 51. Trochalopteron
imbricatum (Blyth\ Hume, Nests and Eggs y Ind. B. p. 266; id. Sir. F.
1879, p. 97. The BRISTLY LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above dark rufescent brown, darker on the head and more rufous on the
wings and tail ; the crown of the head with dusky shaft streaks, and the back
with mesial whitish shaft lines ; lower back, rump and upper tail coverts dark
ashy olive brown with nearly obsolete tiny tips of fulvous at the ends of the
shafts ; quills dark brown margined on their outer webs with dark fulvous
brown ; the inner secondaries deep rufous brown, the primaries ashy grey on
the outer webs towards the tip. Tail feathers rufous brown, dusky towards
88 TIMEL1ID/E.
the ends and tipped with buffy white, the dusky black Increasing in extent
towards the outer tail feathers and extending along the outer web of the
external ones ; lores and feathers round the eye dull white ; above the eye the
feathers are lighter brown with small whitish tips ; ear coverts light brown
with pale shaft streaks ; cheeks and under surface of the body dark rufous
brown with pale fulvous shaft lines ; under tail coverts dark olivaceous brown ;
under wing coverts rufous brown. Bill and feet brown*
Length* 8-75 to 9 inches ; wing 3; tail 4; tarsus 1*15 ; culmen 0*75.
IIab* Nepaul and Bhootan, and probably also Sikkim.
527. Trochalopterum virgatum, Godwin- Austen, P. Z. S. 1874,
p. 43 ; Gould. B. Asia, part xxvii. ; Sharpe> Cat, B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 379.
AUSTEN'S LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Adult Male. (Naga Hills; H. H. Godwin-Austen; type of species.)
Above striated, the back olive with dusky margins to the feathers, all of
which have very distinct white shaft streaks ; the upper tail coverts a little
more reddish olive; scapulars olive, with distinct white shaft lines; lesser
wing coverts dark olive, streaked with white, a few of them slightly tinged
with rufous at the base ; primary coverts very conspicuous ashy olive, with a
broad central streak of white ; median and greater coverts rich chestnut,
tipped with fulvous and with distinct shaft lines of reddish buff ; quills sepia
brown ; primaries externally ashy grey, the secondaries deep chestnut, the
innermost edged with olive brown, and having distinct shaft lines of whitish
like the back ; quills dark olive brown near the base, inclining to dull ashy
brown towards their ends, all crossed with dusky cross bars ; head and hind-
neck dark chestnut with distinct white shaft streaks, the feathers on the neck
tipped with dusky margins ; lores orange chestnut, extending below the eye ;
from the base of the bill a broad white eyebrow of lanceolate feathers ; eyelids
white ; ear coverts chestnut with fulvous centres ; cheeks and feathers below
the eye fulvous white, mottled with dusky or chestnut margins to the feathers ;
throat deep chestnut, separated from the cheeks by a black moustachial line ;
lower throat and foreneck chestnut with distinct shaft streaks of yellowish
white ; under surface of body and thighs yellowish buff with white shaft
lines ; sides of the body and flanks olive with whitish shaft lines ; under tail
coverts deep orange buff ; axillaries pale orange buff. Legs and feet dull
grey ; irides dull reddish brown.
Length. 9 inches; wing 375>; tail 475; tarsus 1-3; culmen 075.
Hab. Naga Hills and Munipur.
Gen. Acanthoptila. Biyth.
Bill moderately long, compressed, gently curved, pointed and feebly
notched; rictal bristles scarce ; feathers of the head with stiffened shafts;
wings rounded ; tail long and broad ; tarsus moderately long.
IANTHOCINCLA.
89
528. Acanthoptila nipalensis (AW^.), Biyth, J. A. s. . xxiv.
p. 478 ; Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 57, No. 43; Hume, Str. F. vii. p. 459; id.
Sir. F. 1879, p. 97; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 380. Timalia
nipalensis, Hodgs. As. Res. xix. p. 182. Timalia pellotis, Hodgs. As. Res. xix.
p. 182. Malacocercus nipalensis, Blyfh, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 370. Mala-
cocercus pellotis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 370 ; Hume, Sir. F. vii. p. 461 ;
id. S'fr. F. 1879, p. 97. The SPINY BABBLER.
Above olive brown, the feathers of the head and mantle with stiffened black
shafts ; lores, eyebrow, sides of face and throat white ; ear coverts white,
with longitudinal brown streaks ; upper wing coverts like the back ; quills
brown, margined on the outer web with olivaceous brown ; tail also brown,
margined at the base with olivaceous and with indistinct dusky cross bars
under certain lights ; chin, throat, neck and upper breast rufescent ; lower
breast, belly and vent albescent, the feathers on the lower surface with dark
shaft streaks ; flanks, thighs and under tail coverts brown, margined with
ochraceous ; under wing coverts dark brown, the lower series tinged with
rufous. Bill and legs plumbeous or horny brown ; irides pale yellow. (Jerd.)
Hoary blue. (Hodgs.)
Length. 9 to IO inches; wing 3-3; tail 4-2 to 4*4; tarsus 1*25; cul-
men roj.
Hab. Nepaul and Eastern Kumaon. Rare, according to Jerdon.
Bill of lanthoclncla ocellata.
Gen. lanthocinela. Gould.
Bill moderately long and stout, and exceeding the hind-toe and claw in
length; the tip, slightly hooked and notched; nostrils nearly hidden by
nareal tufts, rounded, and exposed in front ; bristles long, the longest above
f rds the length of the bill ; wings moderate, rather shorter than in Garrulax ;
tail long.
12
90 TIMELIID^E.
529. lanthocincla ocellata (Vigors), Bp. Consp. \. p. 371 ;
Sharpe t Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 382. Cinclosoma ocellatum, Vig. P. Z. S.
I S3i,p. 55; Gould. Cent. Him. B. pi. 15. Crateropus ocellatus, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xi. p. 179. Garrulax ocellatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 951 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 41, No. 414 ; Hume, Nests a?id Eggs, Ind. B. p. 257.
The WHITE-SPOTTED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
PLATE.
Head, nape, cheeks and throat black, the hinder part of the cheeks tawny
with narrow black bars ; the base of the chin also tawny ; lower throat,
foreneck and chest ashy fulvous with subterminal black bars ; upper surface
of body chestnut brown, the feathers of the mantle with a subterminal black
bar and a yellowish buff tip ; lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts with
a large triangular spot of white at the tip of each feather and a subterminal
black bar ; wing coverts like the back, also spotted with white ; bastard wing
and primary coverts black, tipped with a spot of white ; quills blackish, all
tipped with white ; the primaries greyish and the secondaries chestnut on
their outer webs ; innermost secondaries tipped white and with a black
subterminal bar ; central feathers chestnut brown, tipped with white and with
a broad subterminal band of black, which increases in size towards the outer
feathers ; under surface of the body ochraceous buff, tawny on the flanks,
thighs and under tail-coverts ; under wing-coverts and axillaries dusky black-
ish, tipped with fulvous. Bill yellowish, dusky on the ridge and tip ; legs dull-
yellow ; irides yellow-brown.
Length. 12'5 to 13*5 inches; wing 5-25 to 5-5; tail 6-26; tarsus 1-85 ;
culmen 1-25.
ffafr. Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepaul. Abundant about
Darjeeling between 8,000 and 10,000 feet elevation. Breeds, according to
Hume, in the low warm valleys leading to the Great Runjeet. Eggs long,
cylindrical ovals, very obtuse even at the smaller end ; delicate pale blue, spot-
less or with a few chocolate brown specks. Size, 1-18 to 1-25 x 0-85 to 0*86.
Gen. Gampsorhynchus. Blyth.
Bill shorter than in lanthocincla, about the length of the head, wide and
deep at the base, curving to the tip, which is much hooked and notched ;
nostrils with a posterior operculum, rounded and exposed ; rictal bristles
strong, stiff, and long ; wings moderate, much rounded, the 5th, 6th, and 7th
quills nearly equal and longest ; tail long, graduated.
AVIFAUNA . OF BRITISH INDIA
Heads, leg, b'dl asul wuig o/ lcuitttociricla>
GAMPSORHYNCHUS. 91
530. Gampsorhynchus rufulus, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xvii. p. 371 ;
Jerd.B. Ind. ii. p. 14; Wald. Ibis, 1875, p. 450; ffume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 95 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 40 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. JBr. Mus. vii.
p. 386. The WHITE-HEADED SHRIKE-THRUSH.
Above, including'the scapulars, golden brown ; head, neck, throat and breast,
also the under surface, pure white ; the vent, flanks and under tail-coverts
tinged with buff ; rump and upper tail-coverts fulvous or golden brown ; tail
the same, and tipped paler ; lesser and median wing-coverts white, forming a
shoulder patch ; bastard wing and primary coverts dusky on their inner webs,
and golden brown on the outer ; quills the same ; axillaries and under wing-
coverts yellowish buff, with white bases.
Young birds have the top of the head, nape, ear-coverts, and sides of the
head chestnut; under surface of the body yellowish buff. Bill dusky horny
above, paler beneath ; legs reddish horny ; irides orange yellow in some, in
others straw yellow.
Length. 8*3 to 9 inches ; wing 3-85 to 3*9 ; tail 4-5 to 47 ; culmen 0-85 ;
tarsus 1*15.
Hab Eastern Himalayas to Arrakan. It has been found in Nepaul and in
Sikkim ; also the hill tracts of Bengal. In, Sikkim Jerdon says it frequents the
warmer valleys to 3,000 feet elevation. Those which he had examined had
eaten grasshoppers and other insects.
531. Gampsorhynchus torquatus, Hume, P. A. S. Beng. 1874,
p. 107; id. Sir. F. ii. p. 446 ; Hume, and Dav. Sir. F. vi. p. 258; Hume,
Sir. F. viii. pp. 95, 168; Bingham, Sir. F. ix. p. 178; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
i. p. 41; Sharps, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 41. The TENASSERIM SHRIKE-
THRUSH.
Resembles rufulus, but is smaller and has a slightly smaller bill ; the white
of the head does not extend backwards beyond the crown, nor that of the throat
on to the breast ; a deep rufous band bounds the white of the head everywhere,
being deepest and most conspicuous across the base of the throat, where it
forms a regular and most marked collar.
Bill greyish horny or fleshy white, with, in some cases, a dusky line on the
culmen ; the legs and feet greyish white ; irides pale to bright golden ; tail
feathers tipped with white, not golden buff.
Length. 9-4 to 10-2 inches; wing 37 to 4'i J tail 4*5 to 5; tarsus ro$
tO I'2.
Hab. -Tenasserim, ranging into the Karen Hills in Burmah.
92 TIMELIID/E.
Gen. Argya. Lesson.
Bill shorter than the tarsus, much compressed, slightly curving from the
base, and barely hooked at the tip; commissure slighty curved; nostrils
apert ; its operculum stout and swollen ; a few pale short rictal setae ; wings
short, not so much rounded as in Gampsorhynchus ; 4th, 5th, and 6th quills
nearly equal and longest ; tail moderately long and broad ; tarsus stout and
scutellate ; claws curved.
532. Argya SUbrufa ( Jerd), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 390.
Timalia subrufa, Jerd. Madr. Journ. x. p. 239. Malacocercus subrufus,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 369. Layardia subrufa, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv.
p. 478; JerdoHy B. Ind. ii. p. 66; Fairbznk, Str. F. 1876, p. 258 ; Rume>
Str. F. 1879, p. 97. The RUFOUS BABBLER.
Above, including the wing coverts, olive brown ; forehead hoary grey ; lores
and feathers round the eye duslcy grey; ear-cover ts olive brown; cheeks dull
rufous ; throat and remainder of under surface of the body bright rufous '>
the lower throat and breast with blackish hair-like shaft streaks ; primaries and
their coverts brown, paler on the outer web; the secondaries olive brown
externally ; tail feathers olive brown, barred with numerous dusky lines, more
strongly so -on the centre feathers. Bill dusky above, yellow beneath ; legs
dull yellow ; irides light yellow.
Length. 9 inches; wing 3-5 1037; tail 4-4 to 4-5; oilmen 0-9; tarsus
1-35-
Hab. Southern India, along the crests of the Western Ghauts from the
Southern Mahratta Country to Coorg, the Wynaad and Malabar. According
to Jerdon it frequents thick jungle, and feeds on the ground in parties of
eight or ten.
533. Argya hyperythra, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 390.
Malacocercus subrufus, Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B. E. I. Co. Mus. i. App.
p. 420, No. 31$ (nee. Jerd). The RUFOUS-BACKED BABBLER.
Similar to A. subrufa, except that the upper parts are reddish brown instead
of olive brown, darker and more decided chestnut on the upper tail coverts and
tail; cheeks and under surface of the body bright chestnut; forehead ashy,
the feathers with black shaft streaks; ear-coverts like the head. Bill and legs
as in subrufa.
Length. 9-8 to 10 inches ; wing 3*4 to 3-5 ; tail 4-3 ; culmen O'85 ; tarsus
1-35-
Hab. Madras.
534. Argya Earlii (Blyth\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 392.
Malacocercus Earlii, Blyih, J. A. S. ^.xiii. p. 369; Jm/. III. Ind. Orn. (text
to pi. 19). Chatorhaea Earlii, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 478 ; Blanf. Ibis,
ARGYA. 93
1870, p. 466; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 180; id. Nests and Eggs, hid. B.
p. 275, No. 439; James, Sir. F. 1873, P- 4 2 J Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 124 ;
Murray, Vertebrate Zoology of Sind, p. 134 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 30.
Craleropus Earlii, Blyth and Wald. B. Burm. p. 118. The STRIATED REED*
BABBLER.
Above pale greyish brown ; head and back with dark brown streaks ; tail
like the back, with faint traces of transverse striae ; chin, throat and breast
fulvescent or reddish brown, with faint mesial streaks ; abdomen, vent and
under tail-coverts fulvescent white ; bill dusky yellow ; legs dusky brown ;
irides bright yellow.
Length. 9'5 to 10; wing 3-5 ; tail 5*5 ; bill at front 0*75.
Hab. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Bengal, Central Provinces,
Kutch, Kattiawar and Rajpootana, also extending along the valley of Assam,
and southwards to Burmah. All the Babblers (bush or reed) associate in
small or large parties of from 10 to 20 or more. They affect high grass,
hedges, clumps of thick scrub or reed jungle. They feed exclusively on the
ground, and when disturbed fly back into the thicket whence they issued,
chattering the whole time. They are not very shy, as they build fearlessly in
the vicinity of houses as in the open plains, covered with scattered bushes.
Reed-margined lakes, canals, and perennial streams are their favourite
haunts. The Striated Reed-Babbler lays twice during the year, in March
and in September. The nest is a neat and compact structure of grass, roots,
leaves, &c., and is generally lined with fine grass stems. The egg-cavity
averages 3 to 3*5 inches in diameter. It breeds wherever it is found. The
eggs, 4 in number, are of a clear blue colour, varying in size from 0-87 to roi
in length, and in breadth from 0*7 to 0*78.
535. Argya caudata (Drap^, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 393.
Cos'syphus caudatus, Drapiez, Diet. Class, d'Hist. Nat. x. p. 219. Timalia
chatorhaea, Frankl. P. Z. S. 1831, p. 118. Malacoceicus caudatus, Blyth,
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 141. Chatorhaea caudata, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv.
p. 478; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 67, No 438; Butler, Str. F. 1872, p. 472;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 274 ; id. Str. F. 1873, p. 180; Adam, t. c.
p. 378; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 409; Fairbank, Str. F. 1876, p. 258;
Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 132. Crateropus caudatus, Blanf. Ibis, 1874,
p. 76; Blyth and Walden, B. Burm., p. 118 ; Fairbank Str. F. 1876, p. 258 ;
Oates, B. Br. Mus. p. 32. The STRIATED BUSH-BABBLER.
Above pale greyish brown ; crown of head and hind neck dark brown, with
pale edgings ; back pale greyish brown, the feathers with dark mesial
streaks ; rump and upper tail-coverts like the back, the rump unstriped ; the
upper tail coverts mesially streaked with dark brown ; outer webs of primaries
concolourous with the back ; inner webs dusky ; tail feathers pale greyish brown,
94
with dark shafts and obsolete transverse barring ; ear- coverts silky, fulvous
brown; under surface pale isabelline orrufescent white ; chin and throat white;
sides of the breast and flanks with narrow mesial streaks ; irides reddish ; bill
horny brown, yellowish near the base ; legs pale or yellowish brown.
Length. 9 to 10 inches ; wing 3 to 3 '5 ; tail 4*5 to 5 ; bill O'8S to I.
Hob. Sind, Beloochistan, S.-E. Persia ; also Punjab, N.-W. Provinces,
Bengal, Kutch, Rajputana, Guzerat and Central India, British Burmah and
South India. It is spread over the whole of the Indian Peninsula from Cape
Comorin to Cashmere and Bengal.
Its habits are quite those of Earlii, but it is less shy. It lays from March
to September, and has two or more broods a year. As a rule they build in
low thorny acacias, or milk bush hedges. Eggs, 4 in number, glossy, deli-
cate, pure, spotless, somewhat pale blue, and smaller than those of Ear Hi.
536. Argya edipes (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mm. vii. p. 394.
Chatorhaea caudata, Hume and Henderson, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 197, pi.
ix. Chatorhaea eclipes, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 337 ; id., Sir. F. 1879,
p. 97. The PUNJAB BUSH-BABBLER.
Like Argya caudata, but much larger ; upper surface darker and more
strongly striated ; tail more narrowly banded ; feathers of breast and sides
dark shafted. (Hume.)
Hal. Punjab, Trans-Indus, and the lower valleys of the surrounding
hills. Habits the same as others of the genus. C. Huttoni occurs in
Afghanistan and Beloochistan, ranging to Persia.
537. Argya gulariS (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mies. vii. p. 396.
Chatorhaea gularis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 478 ; Jerd. Ibis, 1862, p. 19 ;
Blanf. Ibis, 1870, p. 460; Hume, Sir. F. iii. p. 124; Anderson, Yunnan
Exped., p. 639, pi. xlviii ; Hu?ne, Sir. F. viii. p. 97. Crateropus gularis, Bl.
B. Burm. p. 117. The WHITE-THROATED BUSH-BABBLER.
Forehead and a line on each side continued back to the eye grey ; each
feather with a blackish shaft stripe ; top of the head, neck, back, and scapulars
ruddy brown, the feathers with a dark brown shaft stripe ; rump and upper
tail coverts olive brown, the shaft stripes indistinct ; wings and wing coverts
olive brown, some of the greater series dark shafted ; ear coverts and sides of
the neck ruddy brown ; lores black ; chin, throat, cheeks and upper breast
white ; remainder of lower surface ruddy brown ; tail olive brown, with numer-
ous transverse bars of darker brown, the outermost feathers washed and tipped
externally with sandy buff ; under wing coverts sandy.
Length. \Q inches; wing 3-2; tail 5-4; tarsus i'4; bill from gape I;
culmen o - 8o.
SIBIA. 95
Hab* Upper Burmah. Gates says it is confined to the northern portions
of the Pegu division in the Irrawady Valley. Common at Thayetmyo. It has
been procured both at Prome and near Bhamo. Nothing is known of its
modification.
538- Argya malCOlmi (Sykes), Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 97 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 399. Timalia malcolmi, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 88.
Malacocercus malcolmi, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 369; Jerd. B. Ind. ii,
p. 64, No. 436; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 133. The LARGE GREY
BABBLER.
Forehead pale bluish, the feathers white shafted ; a dusky streak from the
nostrils to the eye ; ear-coverts brownish grey, the feathers white shafted and
lax ; crown of head, hind neck and back brownish grey, with dark mesial
streaks to the feathers ; rump lighter ; primaries edged pale grey on the outer
web ; the inner webs dusky brown ; secondaries dusky brown ; tertiaries and
wing coverts concolorous with the back, or greyer in some specimens; tail,
with the central feathers, dusky brown, and with numerous faint cross bars, the
next two on each side lighter, and the rest fulvescent white ; under surface of
body fulvescent white, darker or rufescent on the chin, throat and breast ;
under wing coverts silky buff. Bill horny brown ; legs yellowish ; irides
light yellow.
Length. II inches ; wing 4/5 to 4*75 ; bill at front 0*75 to nearly one.
Hab. The Western and Southern Presidencies of India, does not extend
beyond Sind. Usually found associated with Crateropus canorus at Larkhana
and Sehwan. Rare in Lower Sind. Rather numerous in the Concan and
Deccan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and North Guzerat.
In its habits the Large Grey Babbler does not differ from its congeners. It
breeds nearly throughout India. Its eggs are not unlike those of its con-
geners, unspotted, delicate pale blue.
Gen. Sibia. Hodgs.
Bill rather long, slender, almost entire, barely hooked at tip ; culmen gently
curving to tip ; nares lateral, lengthened ; wings moderately rounded ; tarsi
stout, moderately long ; tail one and a half or more the length of the
wing.
539. Sibia picOldeS, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres, pis.
^95) J 96 ; id. J. A. S. B. viii. p. 38 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 55 ; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 268 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 108 ; Hume and
Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 294 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
p. 43. Heterophasia cuculopsis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 187. The LONG-
TAILED SIBIA.
96 TIMELIID/E.
Above, including the wing coverts, slaty grey, slightly darker on the fore-
head and the greater series of the wing coverts ; primaries black, edged
narrowly on the outer web with greyish; secondaries the same ; four of them
white about the middle and forming a wing patch ; tail dusky, the feathers
with broad white or greyish white tips ; lores blackish ; beneath dark ashy,
paler on the abdomen ; under wing coverts and axil-lanes slaty grey. Bill
and legs slaty black ; irides reddish brown.
Length. 13*510 14 inches; wing 475 to 4*9; tail 8*75; tarsus ri;
culmen I.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending to Bhootan, Burmah and Tenasserim.
It has been found in Nepaul, Bhootan and Sikkim. At Darjeeling it is said
to be very common at about 4,000 feet elevation, associating in flocks of six
or seven, and flying from tree to tree, feeding both on fruit and insects. At
Karenne, Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it at an elevation of 5,000 feet.
It has also been observed in the Dafla Hills in Assam. Mr. Gammie found
a nest in Sikkim, in the neighbourhood of Rungbee, near Darjeeling. It
contained 5 eggs. The nest, Mr. Hume says, is as perplexing as the eggs,
the first being like that of a bulbul, and the eggs not unlike those of a shrike or
minivet ; broad ovals, pointed towards one end, with a slight gloss, the ground
colour a slightly greyish white with a good many small spots and specks of
pale yellowish brown and dingy purple, chiefly confined to a large irregular
zone towards the larger end. Size o'86 to 0-93 x 0*7 to 073.
Gen. Malacias. Cab.
General characters as in Sibia, tail a trifle longer than the wimg ; head
crested.
540. Malacias capistrata (Vigors), Hume, Sir. F. 1879, P- 97;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 403. Cinclosoma capistrata, Vigors, P. Z. S.
1831, p. 56. Sibia nigriceps, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passer es, pis.
197, 198. Actinodura nigriceps, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 98. Sibia
capistrata, Gray, Cat. Mamm., &V., Nepaul ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 55, No. 429 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 267. The BLACK-HEADED SIBIA.
Head much crested ; crest black, falling back on the nape ; cheeks, ear
coverts, and sides of the face black ; base of chin white ; neck behind and on the
sides rufous ; upper back and scapulars ashy brown ; lower back, rump and
upper tail-coverts chestnut red; tail black, broadly tipped with bluish grey ;
the centre feathers rufous, with a broad sub-terminal band of black ; lesser and
median wing coverts dusky black, washed with ashy brown ; the greater series
bluish grey, tipped with black and white at the base, forming a transverse wing
bar ; primary coverts blue black ; quills blackish, externally bluish grey ; the
outer edges of the primaries paler ; inner secondaries chestnut rufous ; their
MALACIAS. 97
outer webs margined with bluish grey ; under surface of body, including
the under tail coverts, rufous ; under wing coverts like the breast. Bill black ;
legs yellowish brown ; irides brown.
Length ]'% to 8'8 inches ; wing 3-45 to 4 ; tail 3-5 to 4-55 ; tarsus ri ;
culmen 0*95.
Hab. Himalayas from Cashmere to Bhootan ; abundant in Sikkim.
Recorded localities are Murree, Kumaon, Nepaul, Darjeeling, Bhootan, Mus-
soorie and Simla. Jerdon says it frequents the highest trees, climbing up the
larger 'branches, and clinging round and below the smaller branches, like a
wood-pecker or nut-hatch. Hume says it breeds throughout the Himalayas
during May, June, and part of July. The nest is made chiefly of moss, lined
with 'stalks of the maiden-hair fern and fine roots. Eggs, pale bluish green,
spotted and blotched with dark brownish red. In size they vary from 0*95 to
ro in length, and 0-69 to 072 in breadth.
541. Malacias melanoleuca (Tickeify ffume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 405. Sibia melanoleuca, Tickell, MSS. ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xviii. p. 413; Hume and Davison, Sir. F. 1878^
p. 293 ; Gould. B. Asia, part xxxiii. Sibia picata, Tick., J . A. S. B. xxviii.
p. 45 i ; Walden, Ibis, 1866, p. 355 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 43. TICKELL'S
SHORT-TAILED SIBIA.
Forehead, crown, nape, chin, lores, and cheeks, also the sides of the face, jet
black ; ear coverts, neck and upper plumage rich brown ; tail brown, broadly
tipped with white; wing coverts jet black; quills blackish, externally washed
with glossy greenish black ; the primaries with a concealed patch of white at
the base, on the inner webs. Except a small black chin spot, the whole
under surface, including the under wing coverts and axillaries, white. Legs,
feet, and claws dark horny brown ; bill black ; irides lake.
Length. -8 to 8-5 inches; wing 3-35 to 3-5; tail 3-95 to 4; tarsus rrs ;
culmen 0-75.
Hab. Hills of Tenasserirn, confined, as far as is at present known, to the
higher slopes of the Mooleyit mountains. Gates, quoting Davison, says the
note of this bird is a single, long-drawn, clear-sounding whistle. Its food
consists of small berries and insects, which latter are captured amongst the
foliage on the tree-tops, in which small parties are always moving. They
never descend to the ground or even to brushwood.
542. Malacias gracilis (McCleU.), Hume, Str, F. 1879, P . 97;
Sharpe, Cat. B, Br. Mus. vii. p. 406. Hypsipetes gracilis, McClell. P. Z S.
^39, p. 159. Sibia gracilis, Blyih, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 449 ; Jerd. B. Ind.
ii. p, 56; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xxxix., p. 105. The ASSAM SIBIA.
13
98 TIMELIID/E.
Crown of the head black, inclining to blackish brown on the nape; lores
and sides of the face black, as also the fore part of the ear coverts, which shade
off into brown on the hinder part, and resemble the sides of the neck, which
are slightly washed with slate colour ; cheeks, throat, and centre of belly
whitish ; the lower throat and breast washed with yellowish buff ; the sides of
the breast and flanks lilac grey, with a vinous tinge ; upper back slaty
brown ; the rump and upper tail coverts ashy grey ; lesser and median wing
coverts black ; the greater series slaty grey, edged with black at the tip, and
with broad white bases forming a conspicuous band across the wing ; quills
black, the primaries margined with horny grey ; the innermost secondaries ashy
grey, margined with black on both webs ; tail black, broadly tipped with ashy
grey, the two centre feathers ashy grey with a broad sub terminal band of
black ; thighs, vent and under tail coverts sandy buff ; under wing coverts and
axillaries white. (Sharpe.)
Length. 9 inches; wing 3*65; tail 4*25; tarsus 1*15 ; culmen 0*95.
Hab. Hills of Assam. Sharpe records specimens from Assam, Shillong
and the Khasia Hills.
543. Malacias pulchella (Godw.-Aust.), Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 97; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus, vii. p. 407. Sibia pulchellus, Godw.-Aust-
Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xiii. p. 160 ; id. J. A. S. B. xliii. pt. 2, p. 164.
The FASCIATED SIBIA.
A narrow frontal band and lores, extending both over and below the
eye to the base of the ear-coverts, black ; upper parts ashy grey, tinged with
bluish on the head ; shoulder of wing blue grey ; a band of pale chocolate
coming in at the base of the black primary and secondary coverts. Quills
greyish black ; the primaries edged with pale hoary blue, the secondaries with
blue grey, the last three umber brown ; the hindmost two edged narrowly on
the outer web with black. Tail with the two centre feathers umber brown,
terminating in rich black, followed by dark grey ; outer feathers the same, the
black increasing on each feather to the outermost. Under surface of body
ashy blue, with a vinous brown tinge on the lower breast and abdomen. Bill
black; legs horny brown.
Length. 9'$ inches; wing 4*1; tail 4*85; tarsus 1-3; bill at front 075.
(Godwin-Austen, ex. Sharpe.)
Hab. Naga Hills, 8,000 feet.
Pomatorhinus.- Horsf.
Bill long, the culmen longer than the tarsus, compressed, pointed, and much
curved throughout ; nostrils barely apert ; rictal bristles minute and a few
only; wing equal to or longer than the tail, rounded; 5th and 6th quills
longest; tail long or moderate ; tarsi stout, shorter than the culmen.
POMATORHINUS, 99
544. Pomatorhinus schisticeps, Hodgs. Asiat. Res. xix. p. 181 ;
"Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 175 ; xiv. p. 598 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 220; Jerd. B.
Ind. ii. p. 29 ; Keavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 433 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 121 ; Ward-
law-Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 133, pi. iii., figs.. I and 2; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 96 ; Scully t. c. p. 288 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 72. Pomatorhinus
leucogaster, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, P- *37 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 146. Pomatorhinus nuchalis, Tweed, Ann. and Mag. Nat Hist. (4) xx.
P' 535 ; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p- 134 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878,
p. 282 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 9 6 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 71 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B, Br. Mus. vii. p. 413. Pomatorhinus leucogaster, Wald. in Ely. B.
Burm. p. 113. Pomatorhinus olivaceus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 451 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 137; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 133; Hume
and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 283; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96; Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus xii. p. 414. The SLATY-HEADED SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above, including the wing coverts, dark olive brown ; crown of head and nape
dark slate colour, duller in some ; the hind neck a little brighter olive brown
than the back, sometimes separated (Tenasserim specimens) from the latter
by a rufescent collar ; a broad white eyebrow from the base of the bill ; lores
and feathers below the eye and ear coverts black ; neck rich ferruginous or
chestnut; cheeks, throat, and breast white ; sides of the chest white, with rufous
margins to the tips ; sides of the breast ferruginous, streaked with white ; quills
dusky brown, externally dark olive, shaded with grey near the base of the pri-
maries ; tail feathers dusky brown, washed with olive brown on the outer webs,
and barred across under certain lights ; centre tail feathers washed with olive
for nearly their whole length ; flanks fulvescent olive brown, tinged with
rufous ; thighs ashy olive ; under tail coverts olive brown ; axillaries olive
brown, slightly tinged with rufous ; under wing coverts light rufous. Bill
horny or deep yellow ; feet plumbeous ; irides reddish cream colour.
Length. 8 to 10 inches ; wing 3-2 to 4; tail 3-9 to 4-5 ; tarsus r2 to i'4;
culmen 1*15 to 2.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas from Nepaul, extending through Sikkim to
Bhootan, Assam, the Tipperah Hills, Sylhet, Arrakan, Burmah, Upper Pegu
and the lower hills of Central and Southern Tenasserim. Jerdon says it is not
rare near Darjeeling at above 500 feet elevation, and goes generally in pairs,
the male uttering a loud hooting call. A nest made of moss and some fibres,
and with four pure white eggs, was brought to him at Darjeeling. It occurs in
Thayetmyo and, according to Oates (under P. olivaceus and P. nuchalis,
which I do not separate from schisticeps) from Thoungya Sakan down to
Malewoon in Tenasserim, and (Capt. Bingham) throughout the Thoungwyeen
Valley. Capt Wardlaw-Ramsay got it at Tounghoo on the Karin Hills and in
Karennee at 3,000 feet elevation. Capt. Bingham found the nest in March
(P. olivaceus) in the Meplay forest reserve. It was cup-shaped, loosely
100
made of bamboo leaves, and lined with strips of the same. It contained three
white eggs. Davison also found a nest in January, said to be a globular
structure. The habits, according to Oates, of all the Scimitar Babblers, are much
alike. They live on the ground, or in shrubs very close to the ground, only very
occasionally mounting on trees. They conceal themselves so well that they
are seldom seen, but when seen they generally perform fantastic motions,
spreading out the tail and drooping the wings. They have different calls
which resolve themselves into " hoot-hoot-hoot" constantly repeated. They
frequent the thickest piece of jungle, where the low undergrowth is entangled
and intricate. They nest on the ground on sloping banks, making a nest which
in most cases is domed, otherwise only cup-shaped. Eggs invariably white.
545. PomatorhimiS pinwilli, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus, vii.;
p. 413. PINWILL'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER,
Adult. Similar to P. schisticeps, but very small, and having a very distinct
ferruginous collar separating the head from the mantle ; sides of neck and sides
of chest ferruginous, distinctly streaked with white.
Length. 8 inches; wing 3-25 ; tail 37; tarsus J'2; culmen ro.
Sharpe says this is a rufous-necked race of P. schisticeps, representing that
species in the N.-W. Himalayas. It is described from two skins in the British
Museum, and is given sub-specific rank.
546. Pomatorhinus horsfieldii, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 89 ,
id. J. A. S. B. iii. p. 537 ; Jerd., Madr. Journ. x. p. 256; Bp. Comp. i.
p. 220; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 31, No. 404; Ball. Sir. F. 1874, p. 409;
Eourd., Str. F. 1876, p. 399; Wardlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 137 ; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, p. 96; Fairbk, Str. F. 1876, p. 265; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 415. Pomatorhinus obscurus, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 7; Butler,
Str. F. 1875, p. 471; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96, Sharpe, Cat, B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 416. The SOUTHERN SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above, including the wing coverts, dark olive brown, more ashy in some ;
head more or less darker than the back, the feathers being tipped with dark
brown ; sides of the crown with a line of black, followed by a distinct white
eyebrow extending from the base of the bill to the sides othe hind neck ;
lores and ear coverts black ; sides of the neck black, with narrow strealts of
white-, cheeks white ; primary coverts paler than the back ; quills dark brown,
olivaceous on their outer webs ; tail the same ; under surface of the body
white ; lower abdomen, flanks, thighs and under tail coverts olive brown ; fore-
neck and breast white ; the sides of these more or less strongly marked with
black. Bill yellow ; base of maxilla dark brown ; legs dusky ; irides dark red.
Length. %'2 to 9-5 inches; wing 375 to 3-9; tail 4-0; culmen 1-2 ;
tarsus 1*3.
POMATORHINUS. 101
Hab. Southern India, extending into Central and S.-W. India and Guzerat,
as far as Mount Aboo. Recorded from the Concan, Deccan, Neilgherries
Mynall in Travancore, Matheran near Bombay, and Khandalla, Common in
Ootacamund and Coonoor; also in all the forests and hill ranges of the more
elevated districts of S. India, as the Wynaad, Coorg, and the Neilgherries;
also in the Eastern Ghauts, Goomsoor, &c., and in the heavy jungles of
Central India. It breeds in the Neilgherries, more abundantly at Ootacamnnd,
building a large globular nest of grass, moss, and roots, placed on or near to
the ground in some bush or clump of fern or grass. Eggs 4 5 in number,
nearly perfect ovals, usually much elongated, but sometimes moderately broad
and slightly compressed towards one end. In colour they are spotless white,
and are also said to be very fragile. Size 0-98 to ri2 x 075 to 079.
547. PomatorhinuS OChraceicepS, Walden, Ann. and Mag.
Nat. Hist. (4) xii, p. 487; id. in Blyth, B. Burm. p. 113; Hume, Str. F.
1875, p. 282; 'Wardlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 465, pi. xiii.; Plume and
Dav. t Str. F. 1878, p. 281 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 9 6 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
p. 73. LLOYD'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Whole upper plumage bright ochraceous ; the inner webs of the quills pale
brown ; tail paler ochraceous, the terminal halves of the feathers suffused with
brown, and obsoletely cross-barred with blackish ; base of the forehead, lores,
and feathers above and round the eye black ; supercilium extending to the
nape white ; ear coverts chestnut brown ; chin, throat, breast and centre of
abdomen pure white; sides of the breast and flanks, as well as the thighs,
light ochraceous brown ; under tail coverts olive brown, axillaries and under
wing coverts pale reddish. Bill bright vermilion or coral red ; legs, feet, and
claws dingy green or greenish brown ; irides pale straw yellow.
Length. g'^ inches; wing 3-6; tail 4-4 ; tarsus 1-3 ; culmen 1-45.
Hab. Hills of Burmah and Tenasserim. Has been procured in the
Karin Hills; also in Karennee. Mr. Davison is said to have observed it on the
higher slopes of Mooleyit Mountain in Tenasserim : it has not been observed
elsewhere.
548. Pomatorhinus Austeni, Hume, Str. F. 1881, p. 152;
Sharpe, Cat. B '. Br. Mus. vii. p. 418. AUSTEN'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Entire upper surface, also the flanks, sides, vent and lower tail coverts dull
earthy olive brown ; the head with a faint ochraceous tinge ; lores, cheeks, and
ear coverts black ; supercilium white ; chin, throat, and abdomen also white ;
sides of the breast dull earthy olive brown, tinged with buffy ; legs and feet
pale grey brown, tinged greenish ; soles yellowish ; bill coral red to orange
vermilion ; irides pale buff or pale orange.
Length. 10 to IO'2 inches; wing 3-5 to 3'66 ; tail 4-5 to 475 ; tarsus
rs to 2.
Hab. Munipur Hills.
102 TlMELllDM.
549. Pomatorhinus ferruginosus, Hodgs., icon. ined. in Br.
Mus. Passeres, pi. 92 ; lllyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 597 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii.
p. 29, No. 401 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 249 ; Scully, /. c. p. 288 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 422. The
FERRUGINOUS SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above, including the wing coverts, dark olive brown ; crown of the head,
nape, lores, and feathers below the eye black ; a tuft of chestnut feathers above
the lores ; supercilium, extending to the nape, white ; quills brown, the outer
webs margined with reddish brown ; tail light brown ; the feathers washed
with olivaceous on their edges, and obsoletely cross-barred with dusky ;
cheeks, chin, and upper throat white ; lower throat, foreneck, and chest bright
orange chestnut, becoming duller and paler on the centre of the breast ; sides
of body, abdomen, and under tail coverts olive brown, slightly tinged with
rufous. Bill coral red; legs greenish brown ; irides red brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8*25 inches; wing 3-4 to 3-5; tail 3-25 to 37; tarsus l'35;
culmen 1*2.
Hob. Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul, and Sikkim at from 3,000 to 6,00o feet
elevation. Jerdon says he procured it near Darjeeling, but knew nothing
peculiar in its habits. According to Hodgson's notes, however, it breeds in
Sikkim, making a more or less egg-shaped nest, with the longer diameter
horizontal, some 7x5 inches, with an opening of 3 inches diameter at one
end. Eggs 4 5, elongated ovals, pure white, and measuring ro8 x 0*7.
550. Pomatorhinus Phayrii, Biyth,J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 452;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 220; Godw.-Aust. J . A. S. B. xxxix. p. 103; Wardlaw-
Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 135, pi. iv. fig 2 ; Hume and J)av., Str. F. 1879,
p. 96 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 73 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p.
422. PHAYRE'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above, including the head and wing coverts and outer webs of the quills,
olivaceous brown ; the secondaries slightly washed with rufous ; tail light
brown, washed with olive brown on the margins of the feathers ; base of the
forehead, a line along the sides of the crown, eyelid, and a line from the
lores extending to and beyond the ear coverts black; supercilium white;
cheeks, chin, and upper throat white ; rest of under surface of the body chest-
nut, or light tawny rufous ; the flanks, vent, and under tail coverts olive brown ;
under wing coverts and axillaries pale olive brown.
Length. 9 inches; wing 3*7; tail 4*1; tarsus 1*3 ; culmen i'2; from
gape 1-3.
Hob. Arrakan, extending to the Khasia Hills. It occurs in Munipur and
in the hill tracts of Bengal.
POMATORHINUS. J 03
551. Pomatorhinus albigularis, Biyth, J. A. s. E. xxiv.
p. 274; Bl. and Wald. JB. Burm. p. 113; Hume, Sir. F. 1877, P- 136;
War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 135, pi. v. fig. I ; Hume and Dav., Str. F.
1879, P- Q^; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 74 ; Sharpe, Cat B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 423. Pomatorhinus mariae, Wald. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xv.
p. 403 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, i. p. 280. The WHITE-THROATED or
BLYTH'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above, including the head and wing coverts, rufescent brown or fulvescent
olive brown ; markings on the head the same as in P. Phayrii ; cheeks, chin
and throat white; quills reddish brown externally; tail umber brown, the
feathers shaded with reddish brown on their edges and with obsolete dusky
cross bars ; under surface of the body light ochraceous buff, or pale buffy ;
sides of the breast, flanks and under tail coverts olivaceous brown ; thighs,
axillaries, and under wing coverts pale tawny huff. Bill vermilion red; legs
and feet pale greenish brown, sometimes a dingy brownish green ; irides
creamy white.
Length. 9*6 to 10 inches; tail 4-2 ; wing 3-8 to 3*9; tarsus 1-35 to 1-4;
bill from gape ri2; culmen 1-15.
Hab. Tenasserim, where it was first observed on the Mooleyit Mountain
at 5,000 to 6,000 feet elevation. It has also been found on the Tounghoo Hills
by Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay.
552. Pomatorhinus stenorhynchus, Godwin- Austen,J. A.S.B.
xlvi. p. 43 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 342; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p.
135, pi. v. fig 2 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 424. The ASSAM SCIMITAR- BABBLER.
General colour above light ochraceous olive brown ; the head like the back,
but rather richer ochraceous ; wing coverts like the back ; those near the edge
of the wing somewhat washed with ashy ; quills dusky, externally like the
back ; tail feathers dark olive brown, obscurely barred with dusky under certain
lights, and washed on their margins with the same colour as the back a broad
white eyebrow from the base of the forehead reaching nearly to the occiput, but not
fringed above by a line of black on the sides of the crown ; lores, feathers below
the eye, and ear-coverts black, not extending on to the sides of the neck;
cheeks and throat white, fading on the latter into the light fulvous of the under
parts ; the abdomen whiter ; the sides of the body a little deeper than the
breast and inclining to tawny ; flanks, thighs, and under tail coverts olive
brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries very light reddish, the edge of the
wing ashy. Legs and feet horny grey ; bill bright orange red. (Godwin-
Austen ex. Sharpe.)
Length. 8-5 inches ; wing 37 ; tail 4-1 ; tarsus T2. (Mus. R. G. Wardlaw-
Ramsay.) Sharpe.
Hab. Upper Assam.
104 TIMELIID/E.
553- Pomatorhinus ruficollis, Hodgs. As. Res. xix. p. 182 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 175 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 29, No. 400; Wardlaw-
Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 138 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96; Scully t. c, p. 287.
The RUFOUS-NECKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Above fulvous brown with an olivaceous tinge on the back. Head dusky
brown ; supercilium white ; lores, sides of the face and ear coverts black ;
cheeks and throat white, the feathers on the former tipped with yellowish
brown; neck chestnut rufous; breast whitish, the feathers streaked with
yellowish brown and with a distinct white shaft-streak ; sides of the body,
thighs, under wing and under tail coverts fulvous brown ; wing coverts and
quills like the back, the primaries washed with olive on their outer webs ; tail
brown, the feathers with obsolete, wavy dusky bars, their outer webs washed
with olive. Bill horny yellow, paler at tip ; base of maxilla and basal three-
fourths of culmen brownish black ; feet greenish plumbeous ; irides pale red
to crimson.
Length. 8-5 inches; wing 3-15 to 3-2 ; tail 3-7 ; culmen 0*95 ; tarsus 1*2,
The young is more rufescent, especially on the head, forehead, throat and
breast ; cheeks and chin white.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending to Bhootan and the Khasia Hills, also
the hills of Southern China. Sharpe records specimens from Nepaul, Darjeel-
ing and Sikkim.
554. Pomatorhinus hypoleucus, Blyth, J, A. S. B. xiii,
p. 371 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 31 ; id. 1879, p. 96; 1880, p. 253 ; Jerd. B.
Ind. ii. p. 32; Oates, B. Br. Burm., i. p. 75; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 428. Pomatorhinus Inglisi, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 31 ; 1879, p. 96;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 429 ; sub-sp. a. The ARRAKAN SCIMITAR-
BABBLER.
Upper surface reddish brown, duller on the head ; lores dull ashy ; sides of
the face and ear coverts brown ; no eyebrow ; generally no streak of dull rufous
from above the eye, passing over the ear coverts to the sides of the neck ; cheeks,
throat, chin, breast and centre of abdomen white ; sides of the breast ashy,
each feather with a triangular patch of white; sides of the abdomen rufous
ashy ; under tail coverts ferruginous ; axillaries and under wing coverts ashy ;
culmen and base of upper mandible horny blackish.
Length. 10*5 to 12 inches; wing 4-3; tail 4-3; tarsus 1*7; culmen
Hal % The Khasia Hills, Arrakan and Cachar, extending to Assam and
Sikkim to the Garo Hills.
POMATORH1NUS. 105
555. Pomatorhinus Tickelli (BlytK), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 429; Blyth MSS.\ Tickell, Ibis, 1863. p. 113; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis,
1878, p. 142; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, p. 76. Orthorhinus Tickelli, Hume,
Sir. F. 1877, p. 32; id, and Dav,, Sir. F. 1878, p. 185 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 96; Bingham, Sir. F. 1880, p. i8i; Hume, t. c. p. 253. TICKELL'S
SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Upper surface of the body including the lesser wing coverts olive brown
with a ferruginous tinge ; the greater wing coverts rufous on their outer webs ;
primary coverts and quills blackish, also rufous on their outer webs ; inner
secondaries reddish brown ; rump paler than the back ; upper tail coverts
reddish brown ; tail feathers deep chestnut brown ; head and nape olive
brown ; lores, cheeks and ear coverts rufous grey ; a patch behind and below
the ear coverts deep ferruginous-, superciliary streak from over the eye
passing over the ear coverts, and joining the patch on the neck ferruginous,
each feather of the supercilium mesially streaked with creamy white ;
cheeks, throat and under surface of the body white ; the flanks and thighs
olive brown, narrowly streaked with buff ; sides of the breast ashy grey, the
feathers streaked with white and margined with black; under tail coverts
chestnut. Bill horny, darker at the base of the upper mandible ; iris dark
red-brown ; legs and feet fleshy white. (Bingham, MSS.)
Length. 12 inches; wing 4-4; tail 4-5; tarsus 1*7; culmen 1-85; from
gape 1-98.
Hab. Tenasserim, Houndraw Valley. According to Davison, quoted by
Gates, this Babbler is found in thick forest, usually in pairs, but occasionally
in small parties. It keeps much more to the ground than any Pomatorhinus,
hopping about in a very ungainly manner. Their food consists of insects of
all kinds.
556. Pomatorhinus erythrogenys, Vigors, P. z. S. 1831,
p. 173 ; Gould. Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 55 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 175 ;
Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 31, No. 405 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 251;
Wald. in Bl. B. Burm. p. 113; Wardlaw- Ramsay , Ibis, 1878, p. 142 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96; Scully, t. c. p. 288; Oates, B. Br. Burmah i.
p. 75. The RUSTY-CHEEKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Whole upper plumage, including the top of the head, olive brown ; the tail
obsoletely barred with dusky in certain lights ; forehead, cheeks, ear coverts,
sides of the neck and breast, sides of the body, the thighs, flanks, vent
and under tail coverts chestnut ; moustacial streak dusky blackish ; chin and
throat whitish ashy, or smoky brown ; centre of breast and abdomen white,
under wing coverts orange rufous. Bill dusky grey or horny ; base of the
maxilla blackish and of the mandible greenish; irides yellowish white or
hoary ; feet brownish fleshy.
14
106 TIMELIID^E.
Length. 8*8 to IO inches ; wing 3-55 to 6; tail 3'8 to 4*1 ; tarsus !"$$
culmen 1*3.
Hab.- Himalayas, also the hills of Eastern Bengal and Tenasserim. Com-
mon from Simla down to Bhootan. In Tenasserim it has been found in the
pine forests of Salween; also at Thatone. Darjeeling, Kumaon, Murree and
Khotegurh are other quoted localities. It is always found in pairs, turning
up dead leaves on copsewood covered banks, uttering a loud whistle, answer-
ing and calling each other. It breeds on the Himalayas from April to June,
making a nest on the ground in some thick clump of dry fern or coarse
grass, amongst dead leaves ; sometimes the nest is placed in a bush 2 to 3
feet from the ground. The nest is domed in shape, but loosely constructed
of coarse grass, &c. Eggs white ; in shape long and at times narrow ovals ;
in length they vary from 1*05 to ri3 x 0^73 to 0^83, usually 3 in number.
557. Pomatorhinus Macclellandi, Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 32 (descr.
nulld)\ Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 104; Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 302;
War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1878, p. 143; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 412; 1879,
p. 96; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 431. Pomatorhinus gravivox,
David. Ann. Set. Nat. xviii. art. v. p. 2. MACCLELLAND'S SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Upper plumage olive brown ; quills tinged with fulvous on their outer web ;
tail light brown, washed with olive brown near the base ; base of forehead
rufous , lores white ; ear coverts and cheeks rufous, the latter with white bases
to the feathers ; moustachial streak dusky blackish ; throat and under surface
of the body white, the sides olive brown ; thighs and under tail coverts rufous ;
foreneck and chest white with triangular dusky spots.
Length. 8 inches; wing 3; tail 3; tarsus 1-35; culmen 1-15.
Hab. Assam (Debrughur), Khasia Hills.
Gen. Xiphoramphus. ^M.
General characters as in Pomatorhinus, but the bill very slender and much
more curved and compressed; tail slightly longer than the wing; tarsu s
shorter than the bill.
558. Xiphoramphus superciliaris, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xii.
p. 9475 Jerd. III. Ind. Orn. pi. 49; id. B. Ind. ii. p. 33, No. 406; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, P- 96; Sharpe, Cat.B.Br.Mus.vii.^.^. Xiphorynchus
superciliaris, Biyth, J.A.S. B. ii. p. 175. Pomatorhinus superciliaris, Gray,
Gen. B. i. p. 229. The SLENDER-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Head and sides of the face dark slaty grey, darker on the forehead and
sides of the face ; over the eye a superciliary streak composed of white-tipped
feathers ; wing coverts ashy brown, the feathers edged narrowly with rufous
GARRULAX.
brown ; primaries externally ashy brown ; the secondaries rufous brown on
the outer web ; tail dark brown, slightly washed with rufous brown near the
base ; throat dark ashy grey streaked with white ; under surface dull rusty
rufous ; under tail coverts dark ochraceous brown ; thighs dark slaty grey.
Bill dusky black, plumbeous at the tip ; legs leaden brown ; irides red brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8-5 inches; wing 2*9 to 3 ; tail 3-3 to 4-5 ; tarsus n to 1-25 ;
culmen 2*1.
Hab Sikkim, at elevations of 3,OOO to 6,000 feet, where, according to
Hodgson's notes, it breeds during the months of May and June. Nest a
large globular structure composed of dry bamboo leaves and green grass inter-
mingled and lined with fine roots and fibres placed in tufts of high grass or in
thick bushes. Eggs 4 in number, pure white.
Gen. Garrulax. Less.
Bill nearly straight, rather long, moderately stout, the culmen shorter than the
tarsus, gently curved towards the tip, which is slightly hooked and notched ; nos-
trils rounded, pierced in the anterior part of the nasal depression, more or less
impended by nareal tufts ; rictal bristles long and strong, not reaching much
beyond the nostrils ; the feet outstretched does not reach the end of the tail ;
wings moderate, 5th and 6th quills generally the longest; tail long, much
rounded ; legs and feet strong ; claws long.
Birds of moderately large size, the largest averaging 12 inches; plumage
lax and disunited; coloration plain ; head crested or not.
559. Garrulax leucolophus (Hardw.), Blyth, y. A. S. B. xii.
p. 948; xiv. p. 598; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 35, No. 407; Hume, Nests and
Egg s > I >l d> < P. 253;. Blyth, B. Burm. p. 107; Brooks, Str. F. 1875,
p. 238; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96; Scully, t. c. p.. 289; Oatcs, B. Br.
Bunn.Tp. 34; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 435. Corvus leucolophus,
JJard. Trans. Linn. Soc. xi. p. 208, pi. 15. Crateropus leucolophus, Blyth,
J . A. Sr B. xi. p. 179. Garrulax Belangeri, Blanf., Ibis, 1870, p. 467 (nee.
Less}. The WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Head and crest, chin, cheeks, throat, breast and foreneck white ; the occiput
greyish and the breast shaded with chestnut ; a narrow black streak from the
nostrils through the eye to the ear coverts ; a band of rufous round the hind
neck ; chest chestnut ; back, wing coverts, abdomen, flanks, sides of the breast,
thighs and under tail coverts rufescent olive brown ; under wing coverts and
axillaries dark olive brown ; quills dark brown, the outer webs olive brown ;
tail blackish 'brown, washed with olive brown near the base.
The young is more rufous brown on the back and lower surface. Bill
black ; legs plumbeous ; irides red brown or brownish yellow.
108 TIMELlIOffi.
Length. n to 12 inches ; wing 5 to 5-13; tail 5 to 5-3; culmen \"2 ;
tarsus i '8.
.ThQ N.-W. Himalayas to Bhootan and through the Khasia hills to
Arracan and Pegu. Kumaon Nepaul, Sikkim, Arrakan, Pegu, Bhootan and
the Khasia hills, as also the hills of Eastern Bengal, are recorded localities.
Occurs in large flocks of twenty or more, and are well known birds to every
forester on account of their peculiar discordant laughter-like or chattering
notes which are uttered now and again, and especially at a given signal of
danger, when it is said to be a deafening, demonaical chorus, which is kept
up till there is no further cause for anxiety. They are also said to execute
wonderful capers at times, erecting their crests, drooping their wings and
spreading out their tails. They feed on the ground, turning over dead leaves
in search of insects ; berries also form their food. They breed at various
elevations in Sikkim and Nepaul during April, May and June, laying from 4
to 6 eggs, which are white in colour, regular broad ovals, varying in size from
1-05 to ri3 x 0-89 to O'95. The nests are built in small trees and are made
of dry bamboo leaves and creepers, together with moss, roots and grass, &c.,
intermixed.
560. Garrulax Belangeri, Less, Traite d' o. p, 648 ; id. in
Belang. Voy. Inde, p. 258, pi. iv. ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 948; Bp. Consp.
i. p. 37o ; Blyth, Wald. B. Burnt, p. 107 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 122 ;
Oates, Sir. F. 1877, p. 156; Hume and Damson, Str. F. 1878, p. 286;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96; 1880, p. 292; Gates, B. Brit, fiurm.p. 33;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 436. The BURMESE WHITE-CRESTED
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Base of upper mandible, lores, a ring round the eye, and the ear coverts
black ; head and crest pearly grey, tipped with white ; nape, hind neck, and
sides of the neck pearly grey, the feathers tipped with chestnut ; forehead and
feathers over the eye white, also the cheeks, throat, breast and upper abdomen,
but shaded with pearly grey ; on the sides of the breast, the feathers are
tipped with chestnut ; flanks bright chestnut ; upper wing coverts, back,
scapulars, rump, and upper tail coverts, the sides of the body, vent, under tail
coverts, and thighs rich ferruginous or deep chestnut ; quills dark sepia brown,
their outer webs rufescent olive brown ; tail feathers blackish brown, washed
with olive near the base ; under wing coverts and axillaries rufous brown.
Bill black ; gape yellow ; legs and feet dark plumbeous ; iris deep wood brown
or pinkish hazel ; eyelids purplish grey.
Length. 10*5 to li'S inches ; wing 5 ; tail 4-6; tarsus r65 ; culmen 1*15,
Hab. Pegu and Tenasserim, where it is found abundantly in all the
wooded parts. Tounghoo is also given as a locality.
'2.
GARRULAX. ] Q9
The young are like the adult, with the plumage more fluffy, and sides of
the body and flanks brick red.
561. Garrulax Diardi (Less.), Gray, Handl., B. i. p. 28 1 , No. 4 1 5 1 ;
Oaies B. Br. Burm. i. p. 34 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 437. Turdus
Diardi, Less. Traite d' Orn. p. 408. Garrulax leucogaster, Wald. P. Z. S.
1866, p. 549; id. Ibis, 1867, p. 387; Hume, Str. F. 1880, p. 292. The
SIAMESE WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Base of upper mandible, lores, feathers round the eye, and ear coverts
black ; forehead and crown white, the feathers of the crest tipped with grey ;
nape and hind neck greyish ; cheeks, throat, and under parts white, the sides
of the breast washed with ashy; flanks rufous brown; thighs olivaceous
brown ; back, scapulars, rump, and lesser wing coverts bright chestnut ;
the outer webs of the median and greater coverts rufous brown ; outer
webs of quills the same ; the inner secondaries entirely rufous brown ; upper
tail coverts olivaceous brown ; tail feathers blackish brown, washed with olive
near the base ; under wing coverts and axillaries dull reddish brown ; bill
as in G. Belangeri.
Length. u - 2 to 1 1*5 inches ; wing 5 '2 ; tail 4' 6 ; tarsus I 9 ; culmen
Hab. Siam and the hills separating Tenasserim and Siam, extending into
Cochin-China (Sharpe). Gates says it appears to have occurred on the hills
between Tavoy and Siam.
562. Garrulax albigularis (Gould}, Lesson, Rev. Zool. 1840,
p. 163 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 949; Bp. Consp. i. p. 225 ; Jerd. B. Ind.
ii. p 39, No. 411 ; id. Ibis, 1872, p. 303 ; Cock, and Marsh, Str. F. 1873,
p. 354 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 255 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96 ;
Scully, t. c. p. 289. lanthocincla albigularis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 187.
Cinclosoma albigula, Hodgs. As. Res. xix. p. 146. The WHITE-THROATED
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Base of upper mandible, lores, and feathers below the eye black, followed
by a rufous band extending above the lores to the eye; crown dull olive brown ;
ear coverts olive brown ; a black spot at the base of the chin ; cheeks and
throat white ; foreneck and chest olive brown ; under surface of the body, in-
cluding the under wing coverts and axillaries, orange rufous, paler on the two
latter ; back, scapulars, lesser, median and primary coverts, outer webs of
primaries and entire inner secondaries olive brown, rather greyish at base of
outer webs of primaries ; rump with an indistinct bar of orange buff across ;
tail ashy olive, all except the four centre ones broadly tipped with white ; bill
horny black, brownish at tip ; iris pale bluish white.
Length. 1 0*5 to 12 inches; wing 5-2 to 5*4; tail S'S ; tarsus I '8 ; cul-
men 1*25.
110 TIMEL1ID/E.
Hal. The Himalayas from Cashmere to Bhoolan and Simla, at elevations
of from 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet. Cashmere, Murree, Ramgurh, Kumaon,
Nepaul, Bhootan, Mussoorie and Darjeeling are recorded localities ; butjerdon
says the White-throated Laughing-Thrush is not very common in these
localities. It prefers higher elevations. It lives in large flocks, feeds mostly
on the ground, and like its congeners is every now and then screaming and
chattering. Hume says it breeds throughout the lower southern 1 range of the
Himalayas from Assam to Afghanistan, from April to the end of June. The
nest is a structure composed of coarse grass, flags, creepers, dead leaves,
moss and moss roots, lined with finer roots. It is placed on a small bush,
3 to 10 feet from the ground. The eggs are 2 4 in number, of a deep
and beautiful shining green colour, or greenish blue. In size they vary from
ri6 to 1*25 inches x O'8 to O'86. They are long ovals and pointed at one
end.
563. Garrulax pectoralis (Gould), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii,
p. 949; Bp. Consp. i. p. 371 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 39, No. 412 ; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 256 ; id. Str. F. 1875, p. 122 ; Blyth and Wald.
B. Burnt, p. 108 ; Oates, Str. F. 1877, p. 156; Hume and Day., Str. F. 1878,
p. 29; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 96, 169; Bingham, Str. F. 1880, p. 181 ;
Gates, Str. F. 1881, p. 208; id. B. Br. Burm. i. p. 36; Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br> Mus. vii. p. 441. lanthocincla pectoralis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. i86
Garrulax melanotis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 949. Garrulax uropygialis*
Cab. in Ersch and Grub. Allg. Encyc. Band. 55, p. 62. The BLACK-GORGETTED
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Crown of the head ashy olivaceous brown, separated from the lack by a broad
orange rufous band; lores and a distinct eyebrow ashy white, edged above
and below with a narrow black line, the latter extending from the base of the
bill, unites into a broad band, and descends on the sides of the neck to form a
gorget on the top of the breast', moustache and throat white; ear coverts
various, white brown or black ; rest of under surface creamy white, washed
with fulvous on the under tail coverts ; back and rump rufescent olivaceous
brown ; wing coverts the same ; primary coverts dusky blackish, washed with
ashy* grey ; quills dark brown ; the primaries hoary grey externally ; upper
tail coverts and tail olivaceous brown, all but the two centre feathers tipped
with white and with a subterminal black band ; sides of the body orange buff ;
axillaries the same ; under wing coverts dusky brown. Upper mandible dark
horn colour : lower one bluish horn at the base and tip, darker in the middle ;
iris orange brown. Eyelids and orbital skin dusky blue ; edges of the eyelids
orange yellow ; legs light plumbeous.
Length. 10*5 to n inches; wing 5-6; tail 5*2; tarsus 1*85; culmen 1-4.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending through Assam and Arrakan to Pegu
and Tenasserim. Recorded from Nepaul, Darjeeling, Garo Hills, Arrakan,
GARRULAX. ] 1 j
the slopes of the Pegu Hills and Thayetmyo. According to Gates it is common
throughout the northern half of Pegu, or perhaps only down to the latitude of
Prome. Mr. Hume has, however, seen specimens from Rangoon. Capt. Wardlaw-
Ramsay found it in Karenne. Mr. Davison met with it at Meetan, at the foot of
Mooleyit ; Mr. Darling at Kaukarit ; and Capt. Bingham in the Thougyeen
Valley. Mr. Gates found the nest in the Pegu Hills, containing three fresh
eggs. It was in a bamboo clump, seven feet from the ground, made outwardly
of dead leaves and coarse roots, lined with finer roots and a few feathers ;
another nest taken at Sikkim, Mr. Hume says, was also found in a bamboo
clump, and contained two eggs ; broad ovals, somewhat pointed towards one
end, of a uniform pale greenish blue and fairly glossy. Size 1*33 xo'QS inch.
564. GarriUax moniliger (Hodgs), Blyth, J. A. s. B. xii. p. 949 ;
lip. Consp. i, p. 371; Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 40, No. 413; Godw.-Ausl.
y. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 104; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 257; id.
Sir. F. 1874, p. 476; 1875, p. 123 ; Blyth and Wald. B. Burm. p. 108 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 34 ; Dates, t. c. p. 156; id. and Dav. Str. F. 1878,
pp. 20i, 515 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 96, 169 ; Bingham, Str. F. 1880,
p. 181 ; Oates, Sir. F. 1881, p. 208 ; id. B. Br. Burm. p. 35. Cinclosoma
moniliger, Hodgs. Asia/. Res. xix. p. 147. lanthocincla pectoralis (non
Gould), McClell. P. Z. S. 1839, p. 160. Garrulax macclellandi, Blyth,
J". A. S. B. xii. p. 949. The NECK-LACED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Forehead and crown olive brown, the shafts rather darker; a collar of
bright rusty on the back of the neck ; back, scapulars, rump, upper wing and
upper tail coverts olive brown, tinged with ferruginous ; superciliary streak
white ; lores black, also the feathers round the eye ; a line from the eye passing
over the ear coverts and widening to form a broad collar across the breast ;
ear coverts white grey and sometimes black ; chin, throat, cheeks and
breast above the black collar white, tinged with rusty near the collar ; under
surface fulvous, turning to whitish on the abdomen ; primaries and secon-
daries brown, their outer margin cinereous ; tertiaries cinereous ; tail feathers
cinereous, all except the centre pair with a subterminal black band and a
broad white tip. Bill dark horn, the tip paler ; iris bright yellow ; eyelids
dull purple ; legs light plumbeous.
Length. 11*3 to 12 inches; tail 4-9; wing 5; tarsus 17; bill from
gape 1-3.
Hab. Throughout the Indo-Burmese countries, and in the Himalayas
from Assam to Sikkim. Found in the Khasia hills, Sylhet, Cachar, Lower Pegu,
Nepaul, Darjeeling, Bhootan, Tonghoo and Thayetmyo. Blyth records it from
Arrakan. In Tenasserim it has been found as far south as Tavoy and also
in the Thoungyeen valley. It breeds during June and July. Eggs, greenish
blue, T2 x 0-9.
112 TIMELIID/E.
565. Garrulax galbanus, Godw.-Aust., P. z. S. 1874, p. T0 ; id.,
J. A. S. B. xliii. p. 162 ; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 394; id., Sir. F. 1879,
p. 96; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 445. The MUNIPUR LAUGHING-
THRUSH.
Above olive brown, with a tinge of ochraceous on the mantle, rump and wing
coverts ; quills brown, their outer edge olive brown washed with ochraceous
the inner secondaries entirely ochraceous brown ; the primaries edged
externally with ashy olive ; four centre feathers ashy, washed with olive, with a
broad subterminal black band and a narrow ashy white tip ; the others broadly
tipped with white and also with a subterminal black band ; head light ashy
brown, also the nape and hind neck ; the sides of the neck washed with
ochraceous ; forehead and feathers over the eye black, separated from the crown
by a narrow line of hoary grey ; lores, feathers below the eye, ear coverts,
feathers at base of lower mandible and chin Hack ; remainder of cheeks, chin,
foreneck and throat ochraceous yellow or buff \ under surface of the body
yellowish buff, paler on the thighs and under tail coverts, which are nearly
white ; sides of the body and flanks ashy brown ; under wing coverts and
.axillaries the same. Bill black ; legs ash grey ; iris red brown. (Godwin-
Austen.)
Length. 775 inches; wing 3-6; tail 3*8; culmen 0-9; tarsus 1-3.
(Sharpe.)
Hab. Sunting, Munipur.
566. Garrulax gularis (Me dell ^, Biyth, J.A.S. B. xi. p. 179 ;
Jerd.,Ibis, 1872, p. 413; Hume, Str, F. 1875, p. 412; id., 1879, P- 9^.
lanthocincla gularis, McClell. P. Z. S, 1839, p. 159; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 445. The YELLOW-THROATED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
General colour above, including the wing coverts, reddish brown ; outer
webs of the quills and entire inner secondaries the same ; tail feathers reddish
brown at base of the central feathers and dark brown terminally ; outer
feathers rufous with black shafts and shaded with blackish brown on the
inner web as they approach the centre ; head, nape, hind neck and sides of the
neck dark slaty grey ; lores, nasal plumes, feathers in front of the eye, ear
coverts, a spot at base of lower mandible and another at the chin black ;
cheeks, throat and chest yelloiv, paler and whiter on the lower breast and
abdomen ; sides of breast dark slaty grey ; thighs and under tail coverts
deep chestnut ; under wing coverts and axillaries chestnut.
Length. 9' 3 inches ; wing 3*85 ; tail 3*7 ; tarsus 1*5 ; culmen 1*2.
Hab. Assam and hills of N. E. Bengal (Khasia).
587- Garrulax delesserti, Jerd., B. ind. \\. p. 37 ; Gould, B.
Asia, part xix. ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 446. Crateropus delesserti, Jerd., Madr. Journal, x. p. 256; id., ill. Ind.
Orn- pi. xii. The WYNAAD LAUGHING-THRUSH.
GRAMMATOPTILA. j'j.J
Head, nape and neck dull slaty brown ; lores, feathers round the eye and
ear-coverts black ; cheeks, chin and throat white, the foreneck ashy ; breast
ashy grey ; under surface of the body light reddish brown ; upper back dark
brownish rufous paler on the rump and upper tail coverts ; the wing coverts
like the back ; primary coverts and quills externally edged with dark brownish
rufous, the inner secondaries entirely so ; tail black, washed with reddish
brown at base ; auxiliaries and under wing-coverts like the back. Bill dusky,
yellow at base beneath; legs fleshy ; irides dull red.
Length. 9-5 to n inches; wing 4 to 4-3; tail 4-1 104-4; tarsus 1-5 ;
culmen i'2.
Hab. The Wynaad, Brahmagherry Hills and the Neilgherries in Southern
India. Jerdon says it associates in large flocks, and that he saw them and
procured specimens on the slopes of the Neilgherries, where Mr. Delessert
procured his specimen.
Gen. StactOCichla. Sharpe.
General characters as in Garrulax ; nostrils hidden by plumes ; rictal
bristles very strong and reaching beyond the nostrils ; the feet laid behind
reaches the tip of the tail. (Sharpe.)
568. StactOCichla merulina (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B- Br. Mus.
vii. p. 449. Garrulax merulinus, Blyih, J. A. S. B. xx. p. 521 ; Jerd., Ibis,
1872, p. 303; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 394; 1879, p. 96. The NAGA
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Above rufescent brown, the wing coverts a little duller, the quills rufescent
on their outer webs ; tail brown, the feathers margined with rufescent ; lores
dull ashy ; feathers in front of and below the eye, also on the forepart of the
cheeks, dusky blackish; ear coverts rufescent brown, separated from the
crown by an ill-defined streak of white ; throat, foreneck and chest yellowish-
buff, the feathers with broad triangular spots of black breast rufous buff,
paler on the abdomen ; sides of body rufous brown ; thighs and under tail
coverts rufescent ; under wing coverts like the breast.
Length. 8'2 inches; wing 3*55 ; tail 3^5 ; tarsus 1*5 ; culmen I. (Sharpe.)
Mr. Sharpe adds that the amount of spotting on the throat varies greatly
in this species, also the extent of the orange buff tinge on the foreneck.
Hab. Khasia and Naga Hills, extending into Munipur.
Gen. Grammatoptila. Reich.
Head with a large crest. Bill moderately long, stout, and notched ; it is
deeper at the nostrils than it is broad ; nostrils exposed, with a large
superior operculum ; rictal bristles few; wings short and rounded, the 5th
and 6th quills longest ; tarsus strong, longer than the bill ; feet stout.
114 TIMELIID^.
569. Grammatoptila striata ( Vigors), Retchenb, Syst. Av Nat.
pi. Ixxxv. fig. 8; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. II. ; id., Ibis, 1872, p. 298; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind B. p. 237 ; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B., xlvii. p. 15 ; Ball,
Str. F. 1878, p. 234; Scully, Sir. F. 1879, p. 287; Hume. Sir. F. 1879,
p. 95 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 449. Garrulus striatus, Vigors,
P. Z. S. 1830, p. 7; Gould, Cent. Him. B. pi. 37. The STRIATED JAY
THRUSH.
Above rufous brown, with a slight olive wash on the rump and upper tail
coverts, each feather with a mesial white streak ; wing coverts rufescent, with
fulvous shaft-streaks ; the primary coverts reddish brown tipped with
dusky ; quills the same but rufous brown externally ; innermost secondaries
washed with olivaceous and white shafted ; tail reddish brown, margined with
rufous brown on their outer webs, except the outermost on each side which
are margined with pale ashy. Head with a large crest ; crown and nape
brighter rufous than the back, the feathers with white shaft-streaks ; ear
coverts, cheeks and throat dark rufous brown, also with white shaft-streaks ;
lores rufous buff ; under surface of body light ashy brown, all the feathers
streaked with white, the streaks margined with dusky ; abdomen more
uniform pale ashy, the streaks being obscure. Under tail coverts light ashy
brown, streaked with dull white ; under wing coverts deep fawn colour with
paler shaft-streaks. Bill black ; legs dusky plumbeous ; irides red brown.
Length. \ 1-5 to 12 inches; wing 5*25 to 5 8 ; tail 5*4 ; tarsus r8.
Hab. -The Himalayas from Simla to Bhootan extending into the hill-ranges
of Eastern Bengal. The British Museum specimens are from near Simla,
Kumaon, Nepaul, Darjeeling and Bhootan. About Darjeeling, Jerdon says
it is a very common bird from about6,ooo, to 9,000 feet, but is more often
heard than seen. It frequents the densest thickets and are always in pairs or
in small and scattered parties. One of its calls, he says, is not unlike the
clucking of a hen which has just laid an egg. It feeds both on fruit and
insects.
Gen. DryonasteS Sharpe.
General characters as in Garrulax. Nostrils hidden by plumes; bill
moderately long ; rictal bristles strong ; tail moderate, very slightly exceeding
the wing in length.
570. DryonasteS ruficollis (Jard. and Selby), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 454. lanthocincla ruficollis, J. and S. III. Orn. 2nd Ser.
pi. 2. Garrulax ruficollis, Blyth, J- A. S. B. xii. p. 950; Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 38, No. 410; Hume, Nests and Eggs. Ind. B. p. 254; id., Str.F. 1879,
p. 96; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 96. The RUFOUS-NECKED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Head and nape dark slaty grey ; a broad frontal band, nasal plumes, lores,
orbital region, cheeks, ear coverts, throat and foreneck deep black ; sides of
DRYONASTES. ]J5
the neck, lower abdomen and under tail coverts bright rufous ; rest of under
surface ashy olive brown ; back and quills and their coverts olive brown, the
primaries margined on their outer web with ashy ; tail black, obsoletely
banded across with dusky under certain lights ; thighs ashy olive brown,
washed with ferruginous ; under wing coverts and axillaries the same. Bill
black ; legs livid brown ; irides dull red.
Length. q to 9-5 inches; wing 375 to 4; tail 4*3 to 5-5; tarsus 1-4;
culmen 0*9.
Hab. Nepaul to Assam, and the hills of Upper Burmah. Jerdon says it is
found at the foot of the Himalayas, extending up to the slopes of the hills to
perhaps 2,000 feet, and is also common in the forests of Assam, Sylhet, Cachar
and the Eastern frontier of Bengal. He observed it in the Sikkim Terai, whence
specimens have since been found. It is generally in large troops of from twenty
to thirty. Their presence is soon known by an extraordinary burst of harsh
cackling, chattering, &c. They affect bamboo jungle and feed chiefly on the
ground, insects and seeds being their food. Nests have been found in
Darjeeling and Sikkim. Eggs, clear pale blue.
571. Dryonastes chinensis (Scop.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 455. Lanius chinensis, Scop. Del. Flor. el. Fauna Insubr. ii. p. 86.
Garrulax chinensis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 598; Bp. Consp. i. p. 370;
Wald., P. Z. S. 1866, p. 549; Blyth and Wald. B. Burm. p. 107; Hume
and Dw. t Str. F. 1878, p. 289 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96; Oates, B. Br
Burm. i. p. 38. The BLACK-THROATED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Head and nape slaty blue; nasal plumes and base of forehead black;
round the eye and a line over the ear coverts white ; a patch below the lores,
chin and throat also black ; hinder cheeks and ear coverts white ; foreneck
black washed with reddish brown on the lower part ; back olive brown ; wing
coverts the same; the bastard wing washed with ashy; quills externally olive
brown ; tail the same but with the tips and the outer webs black, washed with
olive brown near the base ; breast and sides of foreneck ashy grey ; abdomen,
sides of the body, and thighs olive brown, darker on the tinder tail coverts;
axillaries and under wing coverts olive brown. Bill black ; legs dusky brown ;
iris lake.
Length.--^'*) to II inches ; wing 4*5 to 4-9; tail 47 to 5 ; tarsus 1-65 ;
culmen 1*1.
. Burmah and Tenasserim. Occurs in Pegu, but rarely. Oates pro-
cured it once or twice near Kyakpadien, and again in the forests between
Nyounglay-bin and Shwaygheen on the west of the Sittang river. In Tenas-
serim Davison found it from Pahpoon down to Meetan at the foot of the
Mooleyit. It has also been got in the Thoungyeen Valley.
116 TIMELIID^E.
572- Dryonastes nUChaliS (Godw.-Aust.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
JWus. vii. p. 456. Garrulax nuchalis, Godwin- Aust., Ann. and Mag. Nat.
Hist, xviii. p. 411 ; id., J. A. S. B. xlvii. p. 17, pl.x.; Hume, Str. F. v.
p. 58 ; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 96. The BROWN-XAPED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Crown of head and nape slaty grey ; lores, nasal plumes, feathers in front of
and round the eye black ; base of forehead black ; separated from the crown
by a narrow line of white ; cheeks, ear coverts, sides of throat also of the
neck white ; base of cheeks, chin and middle of throat black ; chest light
ashy ; abdomen, flanks, thighs and under tail coverts olive brown, also the
under wing coverts and axillaries ; hind neck, mantle and wing coverts rufescent
olive brown; bastard wing feathers ashy; primary coverts washed with
rufescent, also the outer webs of the quills, the primaries rather ashy ; tail
dusky brown, blackish towards the tips and washed with olive brown on both
webs. Bill black ; legs dusky.
Length. 10 to 10*5 inches; wing 4-2 to 4-5; tail 4-3 to 4-6; tarsus
i'55 ; culmen 1-05.
Hal. Lhota Naga Hills in North Eastern Bengal. (Sharpe.)
573. Dryonastes strepitans (Tickeii), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 457. Garrulax strepitans, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xxiv. p. 268.; id. B. Br ,
Burm.^. 107; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 288; Hume, Str. F.
1879 ; p. 96 ; Oates B. Br. ~Bur?n. p. 37. TICKELL'S LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Forehead and nasal plumes, also the lores black, paling into chocolate brown
on the forepart of the crown, and reddish brown on the crown of the head
and nape ; feathers over and round the eye, cheeks and fore part of the
ear-coverts black ; hinder ear coverts chestnut ; chin and edge of the throat
black ; centre of the latter and foreneck blackish chocolate, the feathers
tipped with reddish brown. Upper parts olive brown ; wing coverts the
same ; mantle slaty grey ; a hoary grey collar on the neck, on the sides of
which is a white spot ; primary coverts and quills blackish brown; their outer
webs edged with olive brown, rather broader on the secondaries ; rump and upper
tail coverts olive brown ; tail blackish, washed with olive brown on the edge,
find obscurely barred with dusky under certain lights ; breast and middle of
abdomen slaty grey, inclining to hoary white ; sides of body, flanks, thighs,
under wing and under tail coverts olive brown. Bill black ; legs and feet dark
brown ; iris lake red to crimson.
Length. 11-5 to I r8 inches ; wing 5-3 to 5-5 ; tail $' 3 to 5-5 ; tarsus r8 ;
culmen i'i5.
Hab. The Mooleyit Mountain in Tenasserim, at elevations of from 3,000 to
5,000 feet. Davison says it is by no means uncommon, occurring in small
flocks of twenty or more, and keeping entirely to the forest, especially to the
ravines, .where this is densest. He adds that it is very shy and beats a rapid
retreat at the approach of anybody.
DRYONASTES. ]J7
574. DryOIiastes SanniO (Swinhoe), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.
p. 459. Garrulax sannio Swin., Ibis, 1867, p. 403 ; Andcr. Zool. Exp.
West. Yunnan, p. 627 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96. Garrulax albosuper-
ciliaris, Godw.-Aust., P.Z. S. 1874, p. 45 ; id. J. A. S. B. xliii. pt. 2, p. 161,
pi. vii. ; Hume, Sir. 'F. 1875, P- 393 \ Godw.-Aust. Ann. and Mag. Nat.
Hist. xvii. p. 34 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1876, p. 502. The WHITE-BROWED LAUGHING-
THRUSH.
Crown of the head chestnut brown ; hind neck slightly rufescent, the
feathers with dusky streaks ; nasal plumes blackish ; lores, a broad band
below the eye, along the sides of the face, yellowish white ; eyebrow pure white .
ear coverts dark chestnut brown ; cheeks and throat lighter chestnut brown !
centre of body pale ochraceous buff ; sides of breast and flanks olive brown ;
a tuft of buffish fawn feathers on each side of the lower back ; under tail
coverts deep fawn ; under wing covert yellowish buff ; upper back olivaceous
brown ; wing coverts the same ; primary coverts dusky brown ; quills light
brown, olivaceous on their outer webs ; tail feathers rufous brown, dusky
towards the tips and on their outer webs ; the centre feathers rufous brown ; all
transversely barred with dusky under certain lights. Bill horny brown ; iris
chestnut red.
Length. 8*2 to 8*5 inches ; wing 4*05 ; tail 4*05 ; tarsus I'S ; culmen I.
Hab. Hills of North-Eastern Bengal to South China.
575- Dryonastes CSBrulatus (Hodgs.\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 461. Cinclosoma caerulatum, Hodgs., Asiat. Res. xix. p. 147; id.
Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passer es, pi. 167; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 461. Crateropus caerulatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 179. Garrulax
cserulatus, Slylh, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 951 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 36, No. 408 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 254 ; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S- B. xliii.
p. 160; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96. lanthocincla caerulatum Bp. Consp.
i. p. 377. The GREY-SIDED LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Base of the forehead, nasal plumes, lores, feathers round the eye, edge of
the throat, base of lower mandible and a streak below the eye black ; ear
coverts grey, tinged with rufescent and forming a conspicuous patch ; cheeks
reddish brown or rufescent, the feathers narrowly (in some only) edged with
black ; the general colour above including the lesser and median wing coverts,
mantle, and crown of the head rufous or olivaceous brown, the head in some
varied with black margins to the feathers; the greater coverts brighter rufous, as
are also the whole of the innermost secondaries ; outer web of primaries fulvous
brown ; throat and under surface of the body white ; sides of the upper
breast reddish brown ; the sides of the body ashy grey, slightly washed with
brown ; under tail coverts white ; tail chestnut, the inner webs paler ; upper
tail coverts reddish brown, also the axillaries and under wing coverts ; bill
black- legs fleshy white; orbital skin livid; irides red-brown.
118 TIMELIID^E.
Length. 10 inches ; wing 4*1 ; tail 4' 6 ; tarsus 1-65 ; culmen ri.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending to Assam and the Naga Hills. Record-
ed from Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim. In the latter country Jerdon says it is
not rare from about 2,000 to 4,000 feet, and records a nest having been
brought to him at Darjeeling, containing two pale blue eggs. According to
Mr. Gammie, quoted by Hume in " Nests and Eggs," it breeds in Sikkim
during May and June, always in forests with a more or less dense under-
growth. The nest is cup-shaped, usually rather shallow, composed of dry
bamboo leaves and twigs and lined with root fibres. The eggs average
in size 1*16 X 0*8.
576. Dryonastes subcserulatus, Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 140;
id, Str. F. 1879, p. 96; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 463. -HUME'S
LAUGHING-THRUSH.
Mr. Hume's description is comparative, and runs thus : " Like G.
carula/us, but more olivaceous and less rufescent above, and with the ear
coverts, feathers behind the eye and posterior portion of cheeks silvery white,
more or less tipped with black, and with the three exterior tail feathers on
either side broadly tipped with white.
Length. loto II inches ; wing 4*2 to 4-6 ; tail 5 to 5 -8; tarsus 1-4810 r6 ;
culmen 0-96 to 1-03.
Hab. Khasia Hills near Shillong.
Gen. Actinodura. GW</.
Head crested ; bill moderately long, compressed and slightly curved ;
nostrils linear, with a distinct superior membrane; rictal bristles, four on
each side, fairly strong and stiff ; wings short and rounded ; 5th, 6th and 7th
quills subequal ; tail long ; tarsus moderate ; feet stout ; plumage dense and
silky : wings barred ; tail banded.
577. Actinodura Egertoni, Gould, P. z. S. 1836, p. 18 ; Hodgs.
Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres. App. pi. 82 ; Jerd, B. Ind. ii. p. 52, No. 427 ;
Hume, Nests and E%gs, Ind. B. p 266; id. Sir. F. 1879, px>7 ; id. Str. F. vii.
p. 153 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br Mus. vii. p. 463 The RUFOUS BAR- WING.
Head strongly crested, ashy brown, with rufous edges to the feathers ; fore-
head, nasal plumes, lores, feathers, round the eye and forepart of cheeks chestnut
rufous ; ear-coverts and sides of neck ashy brown ; mantle fulvous ; wing
coverts bay, the inner ones and bastard wing feathers fulvous brown ;
primary coverts brown, rather dusky at the ends, sepia brown on the outer
webs of the primaries, which are barred with dusky black near the tips, bright
bay at the base; upper tail coverts and tail rufescent brown, with dusky cross-
bars ; the tail feathers tipped with white ; thighs earthy brown ; sides of body
fulvous brown ; abdomen white ; bill horny ; legs pale brown ; irides brown.
ACTINODURA. ] 19
Length. % to S'S inches ; wing 3-35 to 3-4 ; tail 4-5 to 4*8.
Hah. The Himalayas extending into North-Eastern Bengal. Common rom
Nepaul to the hill ranges of Assam and Sylhet. In Sikkim it is found at from
5,000 to 6,000 feet elevation, associating in small flocks, and feeding on
insects and fruit.
578. Actinodura Ramsayi ( Walden}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mas.
vii. p. 465. Actinura Ramsayi, Walden, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xv.
p. 402; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 404; Wald. in Blyth's B. Burnt, p. 108 ;
Godivin-Austen, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xvi. p. 340; Ramsay, Ibis, 1877,
p. 464, pi. xii. RAMSAY'S BAR-WING.
Whole upper plumage ashy brown tinged with ferruginous on the forehead ;
most of the feathers, especially the scapulars and upper tail coverts, barred with
black ; feathers round the eye white ; lores dusky ; ear coverts ashy brown ;
sides of the back and of the head, also the lateral feathers of the crest, ashy ;
under surface of body ochraceous buff ; tail olive brown, with numerous
cross-bars of black and tipped with white ; outer webs of primaries and
secondaries ferruginous, barred throughout with black ; inner webs brown ;
tertiaries olive brown barred with black ; axillaries and under wing coverts
fawn colour. Bill horny brown ; legs slaty brown ; irides light hair brown.
Length. 9-5 to 9-8 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 5 ; tarsus 1-15 ; culmen 07.
Hab. Karenne (British Burmah), at an elevation of about 3,000 feet.
Affects jungle-covered mountain-streams.
579. Actinodura Waldeni, Godwin- Austen, P.Z. S. 1874; Gould,
B. Asia, part xxvii. ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 465. WALDEN'S BAR-WING.
Above rufous brown, a little clearer rufous on the rump and upper tail
coverts ; wing coverts like the back, the greater series edged with lavender
grey near the tips of the outer webs ; bastard wing feathers dull ashy with a
tinge of rufous and barred across with black ; primary coverts black, forming a
conspicuous wing spot; quills black, externally rufous, brighter towards the
base of the primaries, the outer web all barred with black ; secondaries dull
brown, barred across with black ; outer primaries edged towards their tip
with lavender grey ; tail feathers black, all except the centre ones tipped with
white, bright rufous towards the base and barred with black ; hind neck dull
ashy brown overspreading the mantle ; head crested, dusky brown, the feathers
edged with ashy whitish ; lores and cheeks dusky ash brown, the latter washed
with rufous ; ear coverts hoary grey ; entire under surface of the body rufous,
paler on the throat and chest, which are slightly mottled with dark rufous
brown centres to the feathers ; flanks, thighs and under tail coverts darker and
more of a mahogany brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries rufous brown
like the breast.
120 TIMELUD^E.
Length. 7-5 inches; culmen o - 8 ; wing 3-65 ; tail 3-4 ; tarsus i'3> (Mus.
H. H. Godwin-Austen; ex. Sharped)
Hab. Munipur, N.-E. Bengal.
580 Actinodura Nipalensis (Hodgs.), Gray, Gen. B.\. p. 226;
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 53, No. 428 ; Gould, Birds Asia, pt. xviii. ; Godw.-Aust. t
Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., xvi. p. 340; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97.
Cinclosoma nipalensis, Hodgs., Asiat. Research, xix. p. 145. The HOARY BAR-
WING.
PLATE. jFY. 21 and 2.
Plumage above rufescent brown with an olivaceous tinge ; head and nape,
also the crest, which is full and soft, pure brown, the centre of each feather
hoary; lores streaked with hoary ; cheeks black ; under surface of body pale
ashy brown, fulvescent on the throat, more so on the lower flanks and thighs,
and tawny on the under tail coverts ; rump and upper tail coverts more rufous
than the back, the latter with indistinct dusky cross bars ; bastard wing
feathers grey, barred and tipped black ; primary coverts black ; quills blackish
brown, externally bright rufous and chequered with narrow cross bars of
black ; inner secondaries fulvous brown, inclining to ashy at the ends and
barred across with black : tail black, barred with rufous and black near the
base and tipped with white ; axillaries ashy fulvous ; under wing coverts light
rufous. Bill dusky horny ; legs fleshy brown ; irides brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches ; wing 3-6 to 3-8; tail 3-1 to 3-5 ; culmen o'8 ;
tarsus 1-25.
The young are paler brown and more rufescent on the head, where the
white streaks are broader and more plainly marked ; cheek stripe brown.
Hab. The Himalayas, extending into the hills of N.-E. Bengal. Accord-
ing to Jerdon it replaces A. Egertoni at higher elevations, being found from
about 7,000 to 10.000 feet and upwards. It is recorded from Nepaul,
Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhootan. In its habits it is like its congeners, quite
arboreal, never descending to the ground. Feeds on insects and berries.
581. Actinodura DaflaensiS, Godwin- Austen, Ann. and Mag. Nat.
Hist. xvi. p. 339; id. J. A. S. B. xlvi. part 2, p. 77, pi. iv.j Hume, Str. F.
1876, p. 219; 1879, p. 97 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 467. The
DAFLA BAR-WING.
Adult female. (Dafla hills, February). General colour above dark rufous
chocolate, becoming lighter rufous on the rump and upper tail coverts ; wing
coverts rufous brown ; the greater series edged with lavender grey near the
tips of the outer webs ; bastard wing feathers ashy grey barred with black ;
primary coverts black, forming a wing patch ; quills black, externally sandy
brown, inclining to bright rufous near the base of the primaries, the outermost
of the latter being margined with grey; all the quills chequered with black
AVIFAUNA. OF BRITISH INDIA
. 1 . *, 2 *3 ; Hco^, % ^t^ 6i^ of Mylffphorveus
Fig. 2. 1 & 2 , Head an^ leg of A ctirunktra,
ArTlNOD-URA.
bars on the outer web, these bars more distinct o>n the secondaries and
continued right across to the innermost of the latter, which are also browner ;
tail feathers black, bright rufous towards the base, with a few black bars, the
rufous colour extending for half the distance of the centre feathers and diminish-
ing towards the outer ones, all but the centre feathers tipped with white; head
strongly crested, dusky brown, the frontal feathers narrowly fringed with
greyish white ; hind neck and mantle dull earthy brown ; lores and feathers
below the eye dusky ; over the latter a shade of ashy not sufficient to form
an eyebrow ; ear coverts dull ashy grey slightly blacker towards the eye ;
cheeks, throat, and entire breast ashy greyish, a little whiter on the throat, all
the feathers obscurely centred with dusky brown; flanks and thighs dull
rufous, the latter washed with grey like the abdomen; under tail coverts
rufous ; under wing coverts and axillaries ashy, the latter browner.
Length. 7*4 inches ; culmen 075 ; wing 3-15 ; tail 3*1 : tarsus 1*25. (Mus.
H, H. Godwin- Aus ten*}
Hub. Dafla Hills.
582. Actinodlira Ogleil, Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. Seng. xlvi.
part 2, p. 42, pi. xi. (1877); Ifume, Str. F. 1877, p. 341 ; Sharpe, Cat.B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 466. Actinodura Oglei, Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 97. OGLE'S
BAR-WING.
Adult male. (Type of species). General colour above fulvescent brown,
with fine dusky cross markings on most of the feathers ; wing coverts like
the back ; the greater series a trifle more rufescent ; quills dusky brown,
externally fulvous brown and barred with blackish, these bars being continued
across the inner secondaries ; upper tail coverts a little more fulvous than the
back and with the same dusky cross markings ; tail feathers brown externally,
washed with dull fulvous brown and regularly barred across with dusky cross
lines ; head and hind neck golden brown, slightly overspreading the mantle,
many of the feathers edged and tipped with black, which appears to form a
bar separating the head from the white-spotted plumes on the eyebrow and
sides of neck ; base of forehead and lores with blackish shaft lines ; a
broad white eyebrow continued on to the sides of the neck and behind the
ear coverts in the form of ovate white drops bordered with black ; ear coverts
black ; cheeks and throat pure white ; sides of neck and breast ashy grey ;
sides of body and abdomen rufescent brown, clearer on the under tail coverts
and thighs ; under wing coverts and axillaries fulvous brown, more or less
washed with ashy. Bill black above, grey below ; legs and feet umber brown ;
iris crimson lake. (Ogle.)
Length. 6 inches; culmen 0-85; wing 27; (SJiarpe) ; tail 2-5; tarsus
10-5. (Mus. H. H. Godwin-Austen.) (Sharpe.)
Hal>. Sadiya, Assam.
18
122 TIMELIID/E.
This species is rather aberrant in form, having a thicker bill and shorter
tail than the other Actinodnnz.
Gen. CrateropUS. Swainson.
Bill short or moderate, much compressed, rather deep, and curving from the
base ; nostrils apert ; a few short rictal bristles ; wing short, rounded, 4th, 5th
and 6th quills nearly equal and longest ; tail moderately long and broad ;
tarsus stout ; frontal plumes rigid ; general colour sombre grey, mixed more
or less with rufescent, and the feathers mesially striated with dusky.
583. CrateropUS Canorus (Lin.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 479. Turdus canorus, Lin., Syst. Nat. i. p. 293. Malacocircus terricolor,
Hodgs., y. A. S. B. 1836, 771 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 59, No. 432 ; Murray,
Hdbk., Zool., fyc., Sind, p. 142. Malacocircus bengalensis, Blyth, Cat. of B.
p. 140; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind. p. 133. The BENGAL BABBLER.
Head and hind neck pale ashy ; upper back ashy or grey brown, the
feathers pale shafted ; feathers of the lower back and rump greyish brown,
and very lax ; outer webs of primaries pale grey ; inner webs dusky ; tertiaries
dusky, the feathers with indistinct darker cross bars ; tail reddish ash or
brown, the lateral feathers dusky brown, with faint bars, and the external
ones tipped with whitish ; chin and throat ashy, the feathers edged and shafted
lighter; breast fulvous brown, also with lighter edges and shafts ; abdomen,
vent and under tail coverts buffy white, paler and almost white on the under
tail .coverts. Bill yellowish brown ; irides pale yellow ; legs pale yellow.
Length. 9 to IO inches ; wing 4*25 ; tail 4-5 ; bill at front 075.
Hab. India generally, extending to Nepaul. Common in the Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces, Oudh, Central India, Bengal, Sind, on the Western Coast and in
Kutch and Kattiawar. Recorded from Aboo, North Guzerat and Jodhpore,
also Rajpootana, Concan, Deccan, Madras and Travancore. Breeds from
April to July, wherever it occurs, building in thick bushes or gardens
laying 3 eggs, variable both in size and colour. In colour they are from a
pale blue to a deep dull blue and glossy.
584- CrateropUS griseUS (GmeL), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 481. Turdus griseus, Gm., Syst. Nat. i. p. 824. Malococercus griseus,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 368 ; Jerd., III. Ind. Orn. pi. 19; Bp. Consp. i.
P- 373 J Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 60, No. 433 ; Hume, Sir. F. iv. p. 456.
Timalea grisea, Jerd., Madras, Journ. x. p. 258. The WHITE-HEADED
BABBLER.
PLATE (Figs, i i and 2).
Above earthy brown, streaked on the mantle and scapulars with dull white ;
rump and upper tail coverts light ashy brown, paler than the back and with
\rhitish shaft lines ; lesser and median wing coverts like the upper surface of
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA
Fig. 1. Head; and leg of Crateropujs gri
Fig 2 . Beads cutdb lag of Cdia njupalen<si.*.
CONOSTOMA.
the body ; quills dark brown, ashy on the outer webs ; innermost secondaries
light brown ; tail dark brown, ashy at base, and with pale ends ; head creamy
buff ; cheeks and ear coverts dark brown, washed with fulvous ; throat blackish
brown, the feathers margined with fulvous brown ; hinder surface ashy brown ;
the middle of the abdomen pale fulvous ; feathers of the chest and sides of the
body streaked with white, also the under tail coverts, which are ashy fulvous.
Bill yellowish ; legs fleshy yellow ; iris yellowish white.
Length. 8-5 to 9 inches ; wing 3'8 to 4 ; tail 4 ; tarsus 1*3.
Hab. The Deccan and Southern India. Common and abundant in the
Carnatic ; also Travancore and the Northern Circars. Affects hedges, gardens,
&c. Breeds from January to May and June. Eggs the same colour as the
last and other species of the genus.
585. CraterOpUS Somervillei (Sykes), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 482. Timalia Somervillei, SyUes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 88 ; id., J.A.S. B.
iii. p. 536; Jtrd., Madr. Journ. x. p. 257. Malacocercus Somervillei,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 368 ; Jerd., III. Lid. Orn. text to pi. 19 (1847) ;
Jerd'., B. Ind. ii. p. 63, No. 435; Fairbank, Sir. F. 1876, p. 258 ; Hume,
t. c. p. 456; id., Str> F. 1879, p. 97 ; Vidal, Sir. F. 1879, p. 64. Malaco-
cercus Sykesii, Jerd., B Ind. ii. p. 63. The RUFOUS-TAILED BABBLER.
Above light brown, the head a little more dusky than the back, the feathers
of which latter are white-shafted ; rump and upper tail coverts sandy buff, the
feathers white-shafted ; quills dark brown, their outer margin ashy ; tail rufous
brown, the outermost feathers tipped paler, and all with obsolete dusky trans-
verse bars under certain lights ; lores dull whitish ; sides of face pale ashy ;
throat dusky brown, the feathers margined with ashy ; foreneck and chest ashy ;
the feathers with fulvous shaft streaks ; under surface of the body light tawny
buff; the under wing coverts deeper and more fawn-coloured. Bill horny
yellow ; legs dirty yellow ; irides pale yellow.
Length. 9*5 to 9*8 inches; wing4'i to 4*4; tail 4 to 4*3 ; tarsus 1*45.
7/tf. The Concan and Deccan. Found on the Khandalla Ghauts and
along the Western Coast. Breeds during May and June. Eggs greenish blue.
Gen. ConostOEQa. Hodgs.
Bill short, stout, compressed and arched with the culmen broad and rounded;
nostrils round, hidden by plumes ; rictal bristles scanty and feeble ; wing short,
rounded, 6th, 7th and 8th quills about equal and longest ; tail long ; feet large
and strong and with four toes ; outer toe longer than the inner ; hind toe very
large ; claws long, and slender.
586. Conostoma semodium, Hodgs., J. A. S. B. x. p. 857; id.,
Icon. ined. m Br. Mus. Passer es, pi. 263; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
P- 4^5; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. I o, No. 381 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B>
p. 237 ; id., Str. F. 1879, P- 95* The RED-BILLED JAY-THRUSH.
124 MMELIID/E.
Above dull olive or pale earthy brown, paler on the upper tail coverts; wing
coverts and outer margin of primary coverts like the back ; outer edge of the
first three primaries and also of the secondaries rtifescent brown ; tail ashy,
the feathers washed with rufous along the sides of the shafts ; forehead creamy
white ; crown pale earthy or dull olive brown ; lores and feathers below the
eye the same but blackish brown at their bases ; sides of face and ear coverts
pale earthy brown ; under surface of body light ashy, the flanks washed with
olive brown ; axillaries and under wing coverts like the breast, the lower series
creamy buff. Bill dull orange ; legs slaty grey ; irides brown.
Length. 10*5 to 1 1*5 inches ; wing 4*9 to 5 ; tail 4/9 ; tarsus 1*5.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikkim. Jerdon, quoting Hodgson,
says it is a shy forester, adhering to the wilds and tenanting the skirts of forests,
where brushwood as well as trees abound. Food chiefly insects. Breeds in
Native Sikkim at an elevation of 10,000 feet. A nest sent to Mr. Hume
contained three eggs. It was a regular and perfect hemisphere both externally
and internally, compactly made of coarse grass and bamboo leaves, and lined
on the inside with stiff and fine grass stems. According to Mr. Hume the egg
is a regular moderately elongated oval, slightly compressed towards the smaller
end. Ground colour dull white, sparsely blotched, streaked, and smudged
with pale yellowish brown. Sizei'ii x o'8.
Gen. Sllthora Hodgson.
Bill shorter than in Conostoma, stout and nearly as high as wide ; culmen
turned and much rounded ; nostrils concealed by plumes ; wing short, round-
ed, 6th quill the longest ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus long and smooth; outer
toe longer than the inner.
587. Suthora Humil Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 487. Tem-
norhis v. pictifrons, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 65. Suthora
nipalensis(//0/j Bodgs.), Gould, B. Asia part iv. Suthora poliotis (non Blyth),
Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B. E. L Co. Mus. i. p. 370; Jerd., B. Lid. ii. p. 9;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95. The ORANGE-EARED TIT-THRUSH.
Above yellowish brown, paler on the head, but brighter and inclining to
orange brown on the rump and upper tail coverts ; tail feathers brown,
margined with chestnut, deeper and more conspicuous near the base ; wing
coverts like the back, the outer greater coverts externally shaded with grey, the
primary coverts black ; quills blackish, externally golden chestnut, the outer
primaries edged with white ; over the eye a broad black band drawn from the
biH to the sides of the occiput; feathers at base of bill and cheeks white,
extending above and below the eye ; ear coverts bright orange, surrounded by
a w.ash of light ashy grey on the sides of the neck ; throat blackish, the
feathers edged with white ; rest of under surface buffy white, the sides of
the body tawny buff as well as the thighs and under tail coverts. Bill blackish ;
legs fleshy. (Sharpe.)
SUTHORA.
. 3*8 inches; wing 1-7$ ; tail 2; tarsus 075 j culmen 0-35.
. Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikkim.
588. Suthora poliotiS, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xx. p. 522. Suthora
munipurensis, Godw.-Aust. and Wald., Ibis, 1875, p. 250; Hutne, Str. F.
1876, p. 216 ; id., S/r. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 487.
Suthora daflaensis, Godw.-Atist., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xvii. p. 32 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1876, p. 489; id., 1877, p. 138; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xlvii.
p. 15. The GREY-EARED TIT-THRUSH.
Adult male. Similar to S. Humii, but distinguished at a glance by its
grey ear coverts and by the very distinct white eyebrow which extends above
the ear coverts.
Length. 375 inches; wing 175; tail 2; tarsus 07 ; culmen 0*3.
The adult female is similar, but has a wing of 1-85. (Sharpe.)
Hab. Naga, Dafla and Munipur Hills.
589. Suthora nipalensia, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. ii. p. 32 ; Blyth, J.
A. S. B. xiv. p. 579 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. S, No. 378 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 95 ; Sharpe, Cat B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 489. The BLACK-FRONTED TIT-
THRUSH.
General colour above yellowish brown, brighter on the lower back ; head
greyish, washed with yellowish brown on the nape ; forehead and a broad
streak over the eye to the nape black ; lores, sides of the face and feathers at
base of lower mandible white ; throat black ; ear coverts and a spot behind
the eye below the black streak bright fulvous ; sides of the neck pure ashy ;
rest of under surface of the body bright golden buff ; thighs fulvous ; centre
of abdomen white ; upper and lower tail coverts orange chestnut ; tail cinna-
mon brown, edged externally with rufous or orange chestnut, deeper near the
tip ; wing coverts like the back ; primary coverts black, also the quills ;
primaries edged with white, golden chestnut at the base ; secondaries broadly
edged with golden chestnut, whitish near the tips ; under wing coverts and
edge of wing silky white. Bill black, bluish at base ; legs fleshy white ; irides
brown.
Length. 4-2 to 4*5 inches; wing r8 to 2; tail 2*2 to 2-25 ; tarsus 07 ;
culmen 0-3.
Hab. Himalayas from Nepaul to Sikkim. Jerdon obtained a specimen at
Darjeeling. It associates, according to Hodgson, in small flocks, frequenting
brushwood and tall grass. Has the manners of a Parus.
590. Suthora ruficeps (.Blyth}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 491. Paradoxornis ruficeps, Blyth, J.A. S. B. xx.p. 177 ; Gould, B.Asia,
pt. vi. ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 5, No. 375 ; Blyth and Walden, B. Burm.
p. 117; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 257 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ;
126 TIMELIID^E.
Oates, B. Br. Burnt, p. 139. Heteromorpha ruficeps, Blyth, J . A. S. B.
xiv. p. 578. The RED-HEADED PINCH-THRUSH.
Head, cheeks, ear coverts, nape and sides of the neck bright rufous, rest of
the upper plumage olivaceous brown, the bastard wing and primary coverts
washed with rufous ; quills reddish brown or sandy buff, the primaries paler
towards their ends ; upper tail coverts tinged with rufous; tail like the back r
the feathers with reddish shafts ; entire under surface white, the breast and
flanks washed with pale" fulvous ; under wing coverts and axillaries light
yellowish buff. Bill with the upper mandible horny brown, the lower one pale
yellowish ; irides red brown ; orbitar skin pale blue.
Length.'] to 7-5 inches; wing 3-45 to 3-5; tail 3-5; tarsus 1-15-
culmen O'6.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending into Bunnah and Tennaserim.
Recorded from Nepaul, Bhootan, Karennee and Darjeeling. Jerdon says it is
found in the hilly regions of Nepaul and Sikkim, also on the Khasia hills r
extending into Arrakan. He found it in dense bamboo jungle feeding on
seeds, maize, rice, &c. Mr. Davison obtained it in Tennaserim.
591. Suthora gulariS (Gray), Sharpe, Cat B. Br. Mus. vii,
p. 492. Paradoxornis gularis, Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 389, pi. 94 ; Gould,
B. Asia, part vi.; Jerd. B Ind. ii. p. 5, No. 374 ; Wald. in Bl. B. Burm.
p. 117 ; Hume and Davison, Str. F, vi. p. 257 ; Hume. Str. F. viii. p. 95 ;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 131. The GREY-HEADED FINCH-THRUSH.
Forehead, chin and a streak running from above the eye to the nape black - r
lores, feathers round the eye and cheeks whitish ; whole top of head and ear
coverts grey ; whole upper plumage ruddy brown ; wings and tail brown,
edged on the outer webs with ruddy brown ; lower plumage white. Bill
yellow ; legs and feet plumbeous ; claws pale ; irides light brown.
Length. -6 inches ; wing 3-4; tail 3*2 ; tarsus 0^95 ; culmen 0*5.
Nab. Eastern Himalayas from Sikkim eastward into the hill ranges of
N.-E. Bengal, and Burmah to Western Fokien in China. Not uncommon at
Darjeeling and Sikkim.
It was obtained by Capt. Wardlaw- Ramsay in Karenne at an elevation of
5,600 feet. It has also been found in the hill tracts of Eastern Bengal,
Bhootan and Sikkim.
592. Suthora Unicolor (Hodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 493. Heteromorpha unicolor, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passer es,
pi. 264; id. % J. A. S. B. xii. p. 448; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 6, No. 376;
Hume Str. F. 1879, p. 95. Paradoxornis unicolor, Gray, Cat. Mam., etc.,
Nepaul. pres.; Hodgs. p. iii. ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 500; (Gould), B. Asia,
part vi. The BROWN FINCH-THRUSH.
CHLEUASICUS. ]27
Above ashy olive brown, the head crested, dull, vinous brown ; the quills-
brown; secondaries, and wing coverts like the back; the primaries tinged
reddish brown ; tail light fulvous brown, the feathers edged at the tips with
whitish ; sides of the crown with a black streak extending to the sides of the
nape ; ear coverts and sides of face vinous brown with paler tips to some of
the feathers ; throat and foreneck ashy brown, washed with vinous on the chin ;
rest of under surface of the body light fulvous brown ; axillaries like the
breast ; under wing coverts pale tawny buff. Bill orange yellow ; legs slaty
grey ; irides brown.
Length TZ to 775 inches; wing 3*65 to 3-8; tail 4-3; tarsus 1-2; culmen
0-6.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul to Darjeeling and Sikkim. Jerdon says
it is peculiar to the more elevated regions of Nepaul, living in thick brush-
wood in small flocks, frequently alighting on the ground and feeding on bugs
and other insects.
Gen. Chleuasicus. ^/y//&.
Characters the same as in Suthora, but the bill is shorter, wider and more
tumid on the sides.
593. Chleuasicus ruficeps, Biytk, 7. A. S. B. xiv. p. 578 ; Jtrd.,
B. Ind. ii. p. 7, No. 377 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Var. atrosuperciliaris,
Godwin-Aust., J. A. S. B. 1877, p. 147; Hume, Str. F. 1877, P- 499-~
The RED-HEADED TIT-THRUSH.
Head, which is much crested, and the hind neck, bright ferruginous or bright
sandy rufous ; a ring of buffy white feathers round the eye ; wings brighter
rufous than the back ; tail brown with obsolete dusky barrings ; entire under
parts white with a very slight tinge of buffy. Bill whitish horny ; legs greenish
plumbeous ; irides red brown.
Length. 5-5 to 6' 5 inches ; wing 2-95 ; tail 3-1 ; tarsus 0-95 ; culmen 0-6.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending into Assam and N. Cachar. As yet
only obtained at Darjeeling and Sikkim.
594. ChleuasicUS fulvifrons, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus.
Passeres, pi. 109; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. p. 495. Suthora fulvifrons,
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 579; Jerd. t B. Ind. ii. p. 9, No. 380. The
FULVOUS-FRONTED TIT-THRUSH.
Crown of the head, cheeks, throat and breast tawny buff, the forehead and
chin slightly deeper ; wing coverts like the back, the greater series edged
like the quills with golden buff ; tail ashy brown margined with the same
golden buff ; sides of body light grey ; abdomen whitish ; under tail coverts
buffy white.
Length. 5 inches ; wing 2-25 ; tail 2*7; tarsus 0*8.
Hab. Nepaul and Darjeeling.
128
Gen. Paradoxornis. Gould.
Bill short, as high at the base as long ; culmen curved, compressed on the
sides, blunt and sinuated on the margin ; nostrils small, concealed by hair-like
feathers ; rictal bristles scanty ; wings rounded, the 6th quill longest ; tail
long and graduated ; legs stout ; tarsus entire ; hind toe and claw large ;
plumage soft and lax.
595- Paradoxornis flavirostris, Gould, P. z. S. 1836, p. 17;
id., Icones Avium. pi. 6; McClelL, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 164; Gray, Gen. B. ii.
p. 389; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 578 ; Jerd., B. bid. ii. p. 4, No. 373;
Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 457 ; id., Str. F. 1879, P- 95- The YELLOW-BILLED
FINCH-THRUSH.
Adult (type of species). Above fulvescent olive brown, a little lighter on
the rump ; wing coverts brown, margined with fulvous brown, the outer lesser
coverts entirely fulvous or slightly rufescent ; quills brown, externally rufous
brown, lighter on the outer webs of the primaries ; tail feathers brown, slightly
edged with fulvous brown ; entire head and neck rufous ; lores, as well as a spot
above the eye, forepart of ear coverts, feathers below the eye and cheeks white,
barred with dusky blackish at the tips of the feathers ; hinder part of ear
coverts jet black, forming a large patch ; chin black ; remainder of throat
white, broadly barred at the tip with black ; foreneck entirely blackish ; re-
mainder of under surface pale yellowish buff, including the thighs and under
tail coverts ; legs plumbeous ; irides red brown. Bill bright yellow.
Length. 7'5 inches; wing 3-4 ; tail 3*9; tarsus 1*2 ; culmen 0-75.
Hab. Hills of N.-E. Bengal and Assam, ranging into the Sikkim and
Nepaul Terai. Jerdon procured it on the Khasia hills at an elevation of about
5,000 feet. He adds that there were three young birds in company with
the parents, and that the one young bird he shot resembled the birds in
plumage. McClelland's specimen was obtained in Assam, and Hodgson got
his specimens in the Sikkim Terai and Nepaul.
596. Paradoxornis guttaticollis, A. David, N. Arch. Mus. \\\. ,
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 497. Paradoxornis Austeni, Gould, B.Asia,
partxxvi.; Godw.-Aust., J '. A. S. B. xliii. p. 159 ; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 392 ;
1879, p. 95. The SPOTTED-NECKED FINCH-THRUSH.
Head and hind neck light rufous ; lores and feathers below the eye white,
the feathers with dusky bases ; ear coverts black ; throat with some large
blackish spots ; upper surface of body sandy brown ; the wings like the back
but more rufous ; quills dark brown, their outer webs sandy rufous ; under
surface of body whitish, washed with pale sandy buff on the throat, sides of
the body and breast, as well as the under tail coverts ; thighs dusky fulvous.
Bill yellow ; feet greenish ; irides chestnut rufous.
Length. 6 inches; wing 3-05 ; tail 3*2 ; tarsus ros ; culmen 0-6.
Had. Naga Hills. Nothing is known of its habits. There is only a single
skin in the British Museum Collection.
TIMELI/E. 129
GROUP. TIMELLE.
This group contains chiefly the Wren, grass, tree, ground and thrush Babblers,
which are considered to be the most typical of the Timeliina, and closely
affined by their general appearance to the Murcicapince. They vary much in
the form of their bill, some having it long, slender, and much bent downwards
at the tip, others more arched and notched ; others again broader and with the
tip but slightly bent downwards. The plumage of the group is generally of a
sombre tint; the head is either crested, or subcrested, and in some not crested.
The wing is either equal to, or longer than, the tail, and very seldom shorter
than it, which again is in most of the families graduated. Their habits, too,
are various.
Gen. Timelia- Horsf.
Bill strong, deep, much compressed and curved throughout, its length
being nearly that of the tarsus ; nostrils oval, apert ; rictal bristles well deve-
loped ; tail strongly graduated ; wing short and rounded ; 5th and 6th quills
generally the longest ; tarsi stout ; hind toe and claw large, both together
exceeding the length of the bill.
597- Timelia pileata, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 151 ; id.,
Zool. Res. Java, pi. 43, fg. I ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 24; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 246; id., Sir. F. iii. p. 118; Oates, Str. F. v. p. 152; Anders.,
Yunnan Exp. p. 634 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 267 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. viii. p. 507 ; Oates, Br. Burm. i. p. 45. Timelia Jerdoni, Wald.,
Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 4) x. p. 61 ; Bl. and Wald., B. Burm.
p. 114; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 119. Timalia bengalensis, Godw.-Aust. t
J. A. S. B. xli. pi. ii. p. 143 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 95. The RED-CAPPED
GRASS-BABBLER.
Forehead and supercilium white; lores, a narrow line separating
the chestnut of the crown, and feathers between the nostrils and
eye, black ; crown of the head chestnut ; upper plumage, including
the wing coverts, from olive to fulvous brown ; quills light brown,
externally fulvous brown ; tail the same, but faintly cross-barred under certain
lights ; chin, cheeks, throat and ear coverts pure white ; sides of the neck ashy
grey, also the sides of breast and nape ; all the feathers of these parts, also the
throat, with mesial black shaft streaks ; neck and upper breast white, the
feathers black shafted ; lower breast, abdomen, sides and under tail and wing
coverts fulvous brown, nearly ferruginous ; the sides a little darker ; axillaries
light fulvous brown ; under wing coverts pale tawny buff. Bill black ; irides
dark red ; eyelids dark bluish grey ; legs purplish brown.
Length.-^ to 6-8 inches; wing 2-5 ; tail 2*85 to 3-2; culmen 07;
tarsus 0-95.
VOL. II. 17
]30 TIMELIID/E.
Hab. The lower hills of Nepaul and Sikkim, throughout the plains of
Eastern Bengal, Burmah and the Malay Peninsula (rare), and Java. It has
been procured in Cachar and the Sundurbuns, also in Cochin-China. Gates
says it is a common species all over Burmah and Pegu, and that it
frequents secondary jungle and gardens, especially in the southern parts. In
the plains it is common to a remarkable degree. It is a bright and cheerful
bird, and is always on the move. It is most abundant in the grass jungles of
Purneah, Sylhet and Cachar. Horsfield (in Jerd.) says it is common in Java,
in groves and woods, constructs its nests in hedges, and is one of the social
birds, which delight to dwell in the neighbourhood of cultivation. It has, he
says, a pleasant note, which consists of a slow repetition of the five notes of the
diatonic scale (C, D, E, F, G), with perfect regularity and at small intervals
of time.
Its nest has been found during May and June, and is a domed structure
made of grass. Gates says it is either placed on the ground or in the fork of
a bush close to it. Eggs, three in number, white, speckled with brown.
598. Timelia longirOStriS (Moore), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 509. Pyctorhis longirostris, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 104; Jerd.,
B. Ind. ii. p. 16, No. 386. Malacocercus rubiginosus, Godw.-Aust., P. Z. S.
1874, p. 47 ; id., J. A. S. B. xliii. pt. ii. p. 164, pi. v. ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 397. Pyctorhis longirostris, Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 95. The LARGER
YELLOW-EYED BABBLER.
Head dull rufous brown ; rest of upper parts deep rufous brown, the lower
back and rump slightly paler ; wing coverts like the back ; quills dusky, the
primaries light rufous on their outer webs ; tail feathers dull rufous brown ;
lores, eyebrow and ear coverts pale tawny buff ; feathers round the eye, fore-
cheeks, below the eye and throat white ; under surface buffish white ; the
flanks, thighs and under tail coverts, also the under wing coverts, tawny buff.
Bill black ; legs pale fleshy; irides nearly white.
Length. 7-9 to 8 inches ; wing 275 to 2'8; tail 4-4; tarsus ri ; culmen
0-85.
Hab. Oude to Bhootan, the hills of Munipur and Khasia, also Cachar.
It is common about Nepaul and the country below the Himalayas.
Gen. Pyctorhis. Hodgs.
Bill rather short, strong and deep ; rictus bristled : orbits nude ; 4th and
5th quills longest.
599. Pyctorhis sinensis, (Gm.), Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 15, No. 385 ;
Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 431 ; StoL, J . A. S. B. xxxvii. pt. 2, p. 36; Blanf.
/. c. xl. p. 273; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xliii. pt. 2, p. 160; Hume*
PYCTORHIS.
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 237 ; id., Sir. F. 1873, p. 179; Ball, Sir. F.
1874, p. 408; Hume, t. c. p. 475; id., Str. F. 1875, p. 115; 1876, p. 34;
Fairb. t. c. pp. 258, 265; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 117; Murray,
Vert. Zool. Sind, p 132; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 46 ; Sharps, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 510. Timelia hypoleuca, FrankL, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 1 18.
Chrysomma sinense, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 454. The YELLOW-EYED
BABBLER.
Above reddish brown, darker on the head, and rufous on the wings ; inner
webs of primaries and secondaries dusky; tail dull brown, with very indistinct
or nearly obsolete dusky cross bands ; a stripe from the nostrils through the
eye ; chin, throat, and entire under surface white ; bill black, the base at the
nostrils yellow; legs yellow ; irides yellow brown; orbits orange.
Length. 6*25 to 6-5 inches; wing 2-75 ; tail 3*5 ; bill at front 0*5.
Hab. India generally, extending to Nepaul and Burmah. Common in
Bengal, N.-W. Provinces, Punjab and Sind ; also in Kutch, Kattiawar, N.
Guzerat, Jodhpore and the Deccan. Occurs also in Upper Pegu, Ceylon and
Southern India. In Sind it is as in other parts of India a resident, and breeds
in July and August. The nest is typically cone-shaped (apex downwards),
from 5 to 6 inches in depth and 3 or 4 in diameter at the base, the cone
sometimes or rather often truncated according to the situation of the nest.
The base of the cone is uppermost, and in it. is the egg cavity. The whole
structure is compactly woven with blades of grass and strips of fibrous bark,
and more or less coated exteriorly with cobwebs. The number of eggs
is from 2 to 3. They vary a good deal in shape and size, as well as in
colouring. Eggs usually two, and sometimes three in number, prettily marked
on a dusky or pinkish ground with streaks, spots and blotches of a brick red and
brown colour. Affects chiefly the low tamarisk jungle, in which it also
builds its nest. Oates says that in Burmah it affects grass jungle of all
description, and is much more common in such situations. Though it creeps
through grass without very perceptibly moving it, its pleasant and oft-repeated
notes are sufficient to show its whereabouts.
600. Pyctorhis altirostris (Jerd.\ Godw.-Aust., y. A. S. B.
xlv. pt. 2, p. 197, pi. ix. ; Blanf., Str. F. 1877, p. 225 ; Oates, Str. F. 1877,
p. 249; Hume, t. c. p. 329; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xlvii. pt. 2, p. 24;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Oates, Str. F. 1880, p. 200 ; id. B. Br. Burm.
p. 47 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 512. Chrysomma altirostris, Jerd.,
Ibis, 1862, p. 22; Godw.-Aust. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xvii. p. 34;
Hume, Str. F. 1876, p. 505. Pyctorhis griseigularis, Hume, Str. F. 18^7,
p. 1 16; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 95. JERDON'S GRASS-BABBLER.
Upper plumage, including the cheeks and ear coverts, also the wing coverts,
uniform reddish or fulvescent brown ; forehead and crown bright rufous brown,
the feathers of the forehead centred slightly darker ; chin, throat and upper
132 TIMELIID/E.
breast greyish white ; lores and a streak over the eye dirty white, the centre of
each feather black ; quills brown, their outer webs broadly edged with reddish
brown, the inner secondaries almost entirely reddish brown ; tail brown,
broadly edged with rufous on their outer webs and narrowly on their inner, all
the feathers indistinctly cross-rayed ; under surface of body from the breast
to the vent a warm buff; the feathers of the chin with mesial black shaft
streaks ; under wing coverts tawny buff washed with rufous. Upper mandible
pale horn colour ; lower pinkish flesh colour ; iris hazel brown ; eyelids and
orbital skin greenish yellow; legs and feet pinkish brown; claws pinkish
horn colour.
Length. -6- 2 to 6-5 inches ; wing 2-4 to 2-5 ; tarsus o - 9 ; bill from gape 0^55.
Hab. Burmah and Pegu, ranging through the low Assam country to the
Bhootan Dooars, and westwards into Sind.
Jerdon's Grass Babbler was first discovered at Thayetmyo. It has since
been found abundantly in the Rangoon and Shwaygheen districts from the
village of Wan, along the Pegu canal and northwards nearly up to Tonghoo.
Colonel Godwin-Austen got it in the Eastern Bengal hill tracts, and Mr.
Mandelli in the Bhootan Doars. It is common in Sind in grassy situations
along the river bank about Sehwan and Sukkur. Its habits are not unlike
those of P. sinensis, but it does not seem to affect tamarisk or other jungle
bush. Gates says he has not seen it in tree or bush jungle.
Gen. Dumetia. Biyth.
Bill moderate, rather compressed, pointed, and with a subterminal notch ;
culmen slightly curving from the base ; rictal bristles small and few ; wings
short and rounded; 4th, 5th and 6th quills nearly equal; tail moderate;
tarsus stout. Frontal feathers stiff, with rigid shafts.
601. Dumetia albigularis, Biyth, J. A. s. B. xvi. p. 453; id.,
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 140 ; Layard. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xii.
p. 272 ; Gould, B. Asia, part 12 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 26, No. 398 ; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. ii. p. 247; Butler, Sir. F. 1875, p. 471 ; Fairb.,
Str. F. 1876, pp. 258, 265 ; Bourdillon, t. c. p. 399 ; Butler, Sir. F. 1878,
p. 94; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 505 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96 ; Vidal, Str.
F. 1880, p. 63; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 514. The WHITE-
THROATED WREN-BABBLER.
Above ashy olive brown, slightly more fulvescent on the rump, the feathers
of the back, also of the lesser and median wing coverts, with pale shaft lines ;
greater coverts and quills light brown, edged with ashy olive brown, a little
darker on the outer webs of the primaries ; tail light brown, the feathers in-
distinctly cross-rayed under certain lights, shaded with ashy, and tipped with a
DUMETIA. 133
narrow edging of whity brown ; feathers of the crown stiffened ; forehead
rufescent, with blackish shafts ; lores and eyelids whitish ; ear coverts oliva-
ceous ashy ; cheeks and under surface of body bright sienna buff ; throat,
centre of breast and abdomen white ; thighs more fulvous ; axillaries
sienna buff with white bases ; under wing coverts bright sienna buff ; irides
greenish white or white ; upper mandible dusky or pinkish brown with fleshy
margins ; lower mandible fleshy, the tip dusky ; legs and feet reddish dusky.
Length. 57 to 5-9 inches ; wing 2*15 ; tail 2-45 ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen o'6.
fjab. The peninsula of India, ranging from Travancore along the West
Coast as high as Khandeish, and occurring again on Mount Abu.
In Ceylon it is said to be found all over the low country in all parts of the
island. It affects bushy jungle, ravines, thick hedge-rows, &c., and is
usually found in small parties skulking along one after the other, under and
through from bush to bush, not unlike species of Malacocercus. It feeds on
small insects. Breeds during June. Hume in his Nests and Eggs has an
account of its nesting from Miss Cockburn of Kotagherry. The nest was
constructed on a coffee-tree and contained three eggs, which were white and
profusely covered with reddish spots of all sizes. The nest was small and
nearly globular, and constructed of broad flaggy grass, without any lining or
admixture of other material. In shape, Mr. Hume says, the eggs are mode-
rately elongated ovals. The shell is very fine and smooth, and has, in some,
a rather bright gloss. In length the eggs vary from 07 to 075 inches and in
breadth from 0-5 to 0-53.
602. Dumetia hyperythra (Franldin*), Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 140 ; Jcrd., B. Ind. ii. p. 26, No. 397 ; Gould. B. Asia. pt. 12 ; Blanf.*
J. A. S. B. xi. p. 273 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 246 ; Ball, Str. F.
1874, p. 409; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 96; Butler, Str. F. 1880, p. 399;
id., Cat. B. S. B. Pres. p. 42; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 515.
Timelia hyperythra, Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 118. Pellorneum hypery-
thrum, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxi. p. 357. The RUFOUS-BELLIED BABBLER.
Crown of the head and upper back ashy olive brown, the forepart of crown
ferruginous, the feathers with stiff shafts and blackish shaft streaks ; the
lower back and rump rather fulvescent, the mantle with dusky brown shaft
streaks ; wing coverts like the back ; the greater series and quills margined
on their outer webs with fulvescent brown ; upper tail coverts and tail ashy
brown, faintly cross-barred under certain lights ; lores and feathers round
the eye whitish ; sides of face, ear coverts and under surface of the body
sienna buff ; the cheeks and throat somewhat rufescent and with paler shaft
lines ; under wing coverts and axillaries like the breast. Bill horny ; legs
fleshy yellow ; irides pale yellowish-brown.
Length. S'4 to 5'8 inches j wing 2-2 j tail 2-4 ; tarsus 0*8 ; culmen 0^55.
.
134 TIMELIID^E.
Hab. The Central Provinces of the Indian peninsula, from the Midnapoor
jungles westwards to Nagpore, and south to the Godavery Valley. Hume
adds Chota Nagpore, Upper Bengal, eastern portions of the N.-W. Provinces,
parts of Oudh, and even in the low valleys of Kumaon.
Its occurrence in the Konkan is doubtful, where, I think with Sharpe,
albigularis only occurs. The bird is very common on the Shevaroy Hills, and
may always be met with where there are clumps of grass, which is used for
thatching houses in those parts. Mr. W. Mahon Daly writes to say that he
had taken its nest very frequently, and always found four eggs, white and
very thickly spotted with reddish brown ; they are about the size of those of
the White-eyed Tit. It breeds there in April and May, and makes its nest
of thick blades of grass, covered in, with an entrance hole in the side.
The nest is generally placed in a date bush or in a clump of grass, and never
more than a foot or two feet from the ground. It is not a shy bird. It
returned to its nest after two eggs had been taken out of the four. He tried
to rear the young, but always failed, as they seem to feed entirely on small
insects.
Eggs taken 23rd May 1885 and I2th April 1886.
It breeds from June to August, building a globular nest of broad grass
blades or bamboo leaves, and placing it among dead leaves on the ground or
not very high from the ground in a small shrub. Eggs 2 4 in number, and,
according to Hume, short, broad ovals, very slightly compressed towards one
end. Ground colour white or pinkish white, streaked, spotted and speckled
most thickly at the large end and thinly towards the small end, with shades
of red, brownish-red and reddish purple, varying much in different examples.
Some are said to be miniatures of some types of Pyctorhis sinensis. In length
they vary from 0-63 to 07, and in breadth from 0-5 to 0-56.
Gen. Pellorneura- Sws.
Bill moderately long, straight, compressed, very slightly hooked at the tip
and notched, the distance between the front of the nostril and tip of the bill
more than the length of the hind toe without claw ; rictal bristles feeble ; wing
rounded, the 5th, 6th and 7th quills nearly equal ; tail moderate, rounded,
less graduated than in Dumetia ; the distance between the tip of the outer
feather and tip of the middle feather less than the length of the tarsus ; tarsus
moderate, with four distinct scutes ; feet large ; mid-toe lengthened.
603. Pellorneum nipalense (Hodgs.), Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 96 ;
id. Str. F. 1880, p. 250; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 519. Hemipteron
nipalense, Hodgs., Icon. ined. Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 170, fig. i. Pellorneum
ruficeps (non Swains.}, Gray, Cat. Mam., etc., Nepaul ; Hume, Str> F. 1873,
p. 403. Pellorneum mandellii, Pr. As. Soc. Beng. p. 215 ; Hume, Str. F.
1873, p. 298, note. Pellorneum pectoralis, Godw.-Aust., J, A. S. B. xlvi.
pt. 2, p. 41. The NEPAULESE SPOTTED WREN -BABBLER.
PELLORNEUM. ] 35
Above dark olive brown ; wing coverts like the back with pale shaft lines to
the lesser and median series; the greater coverts with narrow fulvescent
margins ; quills sepia brown, olive brown on their external margins, and rather
ashy on the outer webs of the primaries ; tail dark olive brown, the tips of the
feathers narrowly fringed with whitish ; head and nape dull rufous brown with
dull fulvous shaft stripes ; centre of the feathers of the forehead, hind neck and
mantle blaclt ; of the sides of the neck streaked with brown and whitish ; lores
and eyebrow ashy white, the feathers tipped with minute spots of dark brown ;
ear coverts rufescent brown ; under surface of the body ochraceous buff ; the
feathers mesially streaked with dark brown; throat and centre of abdomen
creamy white ; under tail coverts brown, edged with whitish.
Length. 6'6 to 67 inches; wing 275; tail 275; tarsus 1*05; culmen
075-
Hab. Nepaul and Sikkim on the lower hills, extending to the Bhootan
Dooars and the Khasia Hills. According to Hodgson it begins to lay in
April. The nest is more or less oval or globular, and is laid lengthwise on the
ground in some bush or clump of rush or reed. It is composed of moss, dry
leaves and vegetable fibres and lined with moss roots. A nest measured by
Mr. Hodgson was 675 inches in length and 3 inches in height. The aperture
was at one end, and about 2 inches in diameter ; the cavity was about 2- 5 inches
in diameter and nearly 4 inches deep. The eggs are three or four in number,
and are figured as broad ovals, pointed towards the small end, measuring about
O'86 x 0*65, and having a greyish white ground thickly speckled and spotted
with more or less bright red or brownish red, and most thickly so at the large
end where the markings are nearly confluent. According to Hume, a nest
said to be of this species was found near Darjeeling in July, at an elevation of
4,000 feet. The eggs in this nest were three in number, very regular, mode,
rately broad ovals; the shell fine and compact with a slight gloss. The
colour white, everywhere very finely speckled with chocolate or purplish
brown, the markings being more confluent and dense at the large end. They
measured O'86 x o'66.
604. Pellorneum intermedium, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vif.
p. 519, plate xii., fig. I ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 67. SHARPENS STRIATED
GROUND-BABBLER.
Adult female. Similar to P. nipalense, but smaller and having the eyebrow
light tawny or creamy buff and unspoiled ; lores streaked with blackish shaft
lines ; breast streaked with brownish, but not extending beyond the middle of it.
Length. 6*1 inches ; culmen 07 ; wing 2*55 ; tail 2-5 ; tarsus i.
Sharpe describes the young as rufescent brown, rather more olive on the
wings and tail ; head slightly more rufous than the body., with narrow fulvous
shaft streaks ; sides of face tawny ; under surface of body white, washed with
tawny buff on the breast, sides of body, flanks and thighs.
136 TIMELIID^E.
Hal. From Cachar to the neighbourhood of Thayetmyo. The specimens
in the British Museum are from Dilkoosha, Cachar.
605. Pellorneum ruflcepS, Swains, Faun. Bor. Amer. Birds,
p. 487; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 883; Bp. Consp.i.^. 219; Horsf. and
Moore, Cat. B. Br. Mus. i. p. 224 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 27, No. 399 ;
Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 409; Fairbk. Str. F. 1876, p. 258; Bourd. t t. c.
p. 399; Fairbk. Str. F. 1877, p. 404; Hume, Str. F. 1878, i. p. 277;
Ball, Str. F. 1878, p. 214; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 9 6 ; Vidal, Str. F.
1880, p. 63; Butler, t. c. p. 400; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 520.
The SPOTTED WREN -BABBLER.
Head and nape dull rufous with fulvescent mesial shaft streaks, more
distinct on the forehead ; lores, supercilium extending to the sides of the
nape and feathers round the eye ochraceous or vinous buff ; the feathers of
the superciliary streak tipped with black only just above the eye, a dusky
spot in front of the eye ; ear coverts dusky white, with fulvous shaft
streaks ; entire throat and cheeks buffy white, the latter with dusky hair-like
streaks ; the foreneck and breast ochraceous buff, streaked with dark brown ;
rest of under surface of body plain ochraceous buff, except the centre of the
abdomen, which is whitish, and the sides of the body olive brown margined
with ochraceous buff ; under tail coverts whitish with dusky brown centres ;
axillaries, under wing coverts and thighs rufescent ochre ; upper parts dull
olive brown; the lower back and rump more uniform and without olive
margins as on the mantle and upper back ; upper tail coverts the same ;
wing coverts like the back with paler shaft lines ; quills dusky brown, the outer
margins olive brown; tail uniform ashy brown, slightly olive on the edges.
Bill horny above, yellowish fleshy beneath; legs fleshy yellow; irides
brick-red.
Length. 6-9 to 7'O inches ; wing 2-8 to 3 ; tail 2-65 to 3 ; tarsus ri.
jj a l, The hills of Southern India (Nilghiris), Matheran, and Mahablesh-
war in the Concan and Deccan, also on the west coast and Madras on the
east, occurring also in the Rajmehal Hills and in Maunbhoom. Jerdon says it
occurs also in Central India, the S.-E. Himalayas, the Khasia Hills, and
through Burmah to Tenasserim, but of this extensive range there is some
doubt. He adds that it associates in small flocks, frequenting underwood and
thickets in forest jungle, often descending to the ground, where it hops about
in search of insects. It keeps up a continual chattering, and occasionally one
of them, perched on a bough, elevating the head and neck, gives utterance to
a sort of crowing laugh, not unlike that of Trochalopterum cacchinans.
Mr. W. Mahon Daly says the bird is rather rare on the Shevaroys, and is very
shy. It generally frequents streams and thick scrub jungle. He only once saw it
on a path from the coffee plantation to his bungalow it was building a nest on
an orange tree. He removed one of the two eggs, but the bird never returned.
PELLORNEUM.
The eggs, two in number, are pinkish white, handsomely spotted and streaked
with reddish brown. Nest is made exactly like that of Otocompsa emeria, and
generally placed about four feet from the ground. He has taken its nest in
March as well as in November, and has never seen it in the low country
around Salem.
Hume, in his Nests and Eggs of Indian .Birds, quotes Miss Cockburn, who
writes from Kotagherry to the effect that the species is exceedingly shy, and
that three nests were found in the months of March and April. The description
and situation of the nests are the same nearly as those of other species of the
genus. The number of eggs was three; one which Mr. Hume received, he
says, was a moderately broad oval ; the ground colour a slightly greenish white,
and the whole surface of the egg excessively finely freckled, and speckled
with black or pale purplish grey, and a more or less rufous brown. It
measured O-88 X 0-65 .
606. Pellorneum subochracenm, Swinh., Ann. and Mag.
Nat. Hist. (4) vii. p. 257; Blanf. Sir. F. 1872, p. 87; Jerd., Ibis, 1872,
p. 300 ; Tweed., Ibis, 1877, pp. 380.452, pi. x. ; Hume and Davidson, Sir. F.
1878, pp. 278, 514; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 61-96; Bingham, Sir. F. 1880,
p. 180; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 521. Pellorneum Tickelli, Blanf.,
Ibis, 1872, p. 87 (nee Blyth); Wald. in Blyths B. Burm. p. 115. Pellorneum
minor, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 298 ; Oates, Str. F. 1875, p. 120; Hume, i.e.
p. 121 ; Blyth, and Wald., B. Burm. p. 114; Oates, Str. F. 1877, p. 154.
Pellorneum ruficeps (non Sykes), Blyth, B. Burm. p. 114. The BURMESE
STRIATED GROUND-BABBLER.
Entire head above to the nape bright chestnut, the feathers of the forehead
with mesial black shaft streaks ; lores fulvous white, the feathers also dark
shafted ; superciliary stripe reaching to the nape creamy buff, a few feathers
just over the eye tipped with black ; feathers under the eye, also the ear coverts,
fulvous, the latter washed with dusky olive on their hind margin ; cheeks
the same ; chin and throat pure white ; sides of the neck slightly streaked
with ashy olive margins to the feathers; under surface of the body light
fulvous or ochraceous buff, the feathers of the breast and sides of the
body with a central narrow streak of brown, narrower on the breast than
on the sides ; middle of abdomen spotless ; under tail coverts fulvous, with
large central streaks of brown ; axillaries and under wing coverts light tawny
buff ; upper plumage, including the wings and tail, olive brown ; the outer
webs of the primaries lighter and tinged with ochraceous ; upper tail coverts
tinged with rufous ; tail barred across under certain lights and narrowly
fringed with fulvous at the tip ; upper mandible dark brown, the lower yellow
at base, changing to light brown at the tip ; eyelids greenish ; legs light
brownish yellow.
Le?igth.6'z > inches; wing 2-55 to 2-6; tail 2-45 to 27; tarsus 0'95 to
ro ; culmen 07.
VOL. II. 18
138 JlMELIiD^E.
Hab. The whole of the Burmese province, extending over the whole of
Pegu and ranging through Tenasserim to the Malay peninsula as far as
Tonka. Dr. Tiraud records it from Cochin-China. According to Gates, it is
found in every description of jungle, in gardens, orchards and compounds.
It keeps entirely to the ground and feeds on various insects. It nests during
May and June, making a domed structure of dry bamboo leaves, lined with grass
and fine roots. It is always placed on the ground, and half the nest is often
embedded in dead leaves accumulated on the ground. Eggs three in number,
white, and speckled with reddish brown and purple.
607- Pellorneum palllStre, Gould, B. Asia, part xxiv. (1872, e
Jerd. MSS.); Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 4 ; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 96 ; Jerd., Ibis,
1872, p. 300; Blanf., Ibis, 1873, p. 215; Sharpe, Cat. B. B>\ Mus. vii.
p. 522 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 68. The ASSAM GROUND-BABBLER.
Uniform dark olive brown above, including the wing coverts ; quills dusky
brown, edged with dark olive brown ; upper tail coverts and tail a little
darker brown ; a streak across the forehead and a streak above the lores to
above the eye light rufous ; lores white, also the cheek, which is washed with
fulvous and tipped with blackish brown, the hinder portion being deep
ochraceous buff ; throat and centre of abdomen white ; foreneck and breast
white, washed with ochraceous, and broadly streaked with brown ; sides of the
body rich ochraceous buff, also streaked with brown ; thighs and under tail
coverts rich fawn brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries the same.
(Sharpe.)
Length. S'7 inches; wing 2*35; tail 2^65; tarsus O'95 ; culmen O'6.
(Mus. R. G. Ward law- Ramsay.) (Sharpe.)
Hab. Assam and the foot of the Khasia Hills. Nothing is known of its
nidification.
Gen. Stachyris. Ilodgs.
Bill somewhat long, much curved, higher than broad at nostrils ; cutting
edge of mandible decurved or faintly notched at the tip ; rictal bristles small,
not very evident ; nostrils nearly concealed ; wing short, rounded ; the 5th, 6th
and 7th quills equal and longest; tail shorter than the wing, slightly graduated ;
tarsus moderately long ; lateral toes nearly equal ; claws moderately curved ;
head with a semi-crest, divergent feathers, or crested.
608. Stachyris nigricepS, Ilodgs., Icon, inedin Br. Mus. Passeres,
App. PI. 87; id., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 378 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 150; Bp. Consp. i p. 332; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 21, No. 391; Godwin-
Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix p. 103 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 242 j
Blvth and WaJd., B. Burm. p. I 16 ; Hume and Oates, Sir. F. 1876, p. 117;
Oates, Sir F, 1877. p. 152 ; Audit's., Zool. Yunnan, p. 636; Hume and
STACHYRIS. 139
Str. F. 1878, pp. 264, 265 ; Hume. Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm.
i. p. 48 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mas. vii. p. 532. The BLACK-THROATED
TREE-WARBLER.
Top of the head from the bill to the nape blackish, each feather edged
with hoary white ; a small circle round the eye, also the chin and throat, white,
the latter of a smoky colour ; cheeks pure white ; ear coverts reddish brown,
separated from the white cheek by a line of black ; centre of throat blackish ;
sides of the neck and the whole of the lower plumage fulvous or light orange
rufous, paler on the centre of the abdomen; sides of the body, thighs and under
tail coverts brown; the breast with or without faint indications of whitish
streaks ; under wing coverts and axillaries fulvous ; upper surface of the
body, including the wing coverts, outer webs of the quills and tail rufescent
olive brown, the latter obsoletely barred with dusky under certain lights ; inner
webs of quills plain brown. Bill bluish black above, paler on the lower
mandible \ iris orange-brown ; legs pale dusky green.
Length. 5 to 5*5 inches; wing 2'2 to 2*3; tail 2'O; tarsus 0*85 ; culmen
07,
Hab. Eastern Himalayas from Nepaul to Bhootan, and thence through the
Khasia hills and Burmese ranges to Tenasserim. According to Jerdon it is
very common about Darjeeling from 5,000 feet to nearly 10,000 in summer.
It is quite arboreal, hunting among the upper foliage and flowers of trees either
singly or in small parties. It is common at Sikkim, also in the evergreen forests
of the Pegu Hills on the eastern spurs. Blyth gives it from Arrakan, and it
is said to occur on the hills east of Bhamo, in Cachar and the hill tracts of
Eastern Bengal. It nests at the beginning of April and during May, making
a large deep cup-shaped structure either upon the ground or near the ground
in the midst of grass. Eggs, 3 4 in number, broad ovals, somewhat
compressed at one end, pure white and spotless. They vary from 0-73 to 0*84
in length, and from 0*56 to 0*6 1 in breadth.
609. Stachyris guttata (Blyth), Gates, sir. F. 1877, p. 251 ; id.,
B- Br. Burm. i. p. 49; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 535. Turdinus
guttatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 414 ; Tick. 1. c. p. 4.50; Blyth, B. Burm.
p. 116; Wald, Ibis, 1876, p. 353; Plume, and Dav. Sir. F. 1878, p. 264;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Bingham, Str. F. 1880, p. 179. The SPOTTED
TREE-WARBLER,
Lores and forehead varied with mottlings of black and white, the shafts and
a portion of the web being black; a line beginning at the anterior corner of the
eye, passing over the ear coverts, thence widening so as to occupy the whole
of the sides and back of the neck black, each feather marked with an elongate
oval white spot in the middle; cheeks black, the hinder portion orange-chest-
nut ; throat white, upper plumage rufescent brown, with small triangular spots
140 TIMELIID^E.
at the ends of the feathers ; lower back, rump and upper tail coverts rufous;
lesser and median wing coverts rufescent brown ; greater coverts and quills
more rufescent brown; quills dusky brown on their inner webs; tail reddish
brown, externally brighter rufous ; head and nape umber brown, tinged with
golden ; ear coverts brown, bordered below by a line of white mottled with
black centres ; a patch under the ear coverts, breast and rest of lower plumage
orange-chestnut, paler on the centre of the abdomen ; under tail and under
wing coverts a little paler. Legs and feet pale dingy green ; lower mandible
and edge of the upper one plumbeous ; rest of bill black ; irides crimson
lake.
Length. 6*1 to 6-5 inches; wing 27; tail 2-15 to 2'2 ; tarsus I ; culmeno'8.
Hab. The Mooleyit mountain in Tenasserim, where it was first discovered
by Colonel Tickell. Davison met with it on the lower hills north of Meetan.
Gates' men procured specimens at Malewoon south of that division, and Capt.
Bingham, according to Gates, states that it occurs sparingly on the Dawna
range and other parts of the western water -shed of the Thotmgyeen river. It
affects forests and even open spots or bamboo jungle. It goes about in small
parties, keeping much to the undergrowth.
Gen. TurdinuS. Blyth.
Bill more slender than in Stachyris, about equal to the head, straight, stout,
high, much compressed, the cutting edge straight, tip slightly hooked nostrils
large, aperture closed by a membrane ; tail somewhat short, wing with the
4th quill generally the longest ; tarsus moderate, feet large, middle and hind
claw long ; plumage lax ; coronal feathers divergent and slightly elongated.
610- TurdinuS Abbott! (Blyth), Oates, B. Br. Burmah, I. p. 58 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mies, vii. p. 541. Malacocincla abbotti, Blyth, J. A.
S. B. xvi., p. 601. Trichastoma abbotti, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 462;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 259; Jerd., B. 2nd. ii. p. 17 ; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 535 ;
Blyth and Wald., B.Eurm.^. 115; Oates, Str. F. 1877, p. 151; Tweed.,
Ibis, 1877, p. 452, pi. xi. fig. 2 ; Hume and Dav.> Str. F. 1878, p. 259 ;
Cripps, Str. F. 1878, p. 277 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, PP- 6o 95. Trichastoma
olivaceum, Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. 108. ABBOTT'S THRUSH-BABBLER.
Whole upper surface olivaceous brown, the shafts of the feathers very
slightly paler especially on the head and mantle ; the rump a little brighter
and tinged with ferruginous ; lores, eye streak extending to the ear coverts, and
feathers round the eyelids grey or ashy whitish ; sides of face and
ear coverts fulvous with whitish shaft-lines ; cheeks, throat and upper
breast dull white ; foreneck and chest fulvescent brown ; rather ochreous
buff on the flanks and thighs ; vent and under tail coverts deep rufous ochre ;
under wing coverts and axillaries light fulvescent brown ; tail brown with
TURDINUS.
dusky cross bars under certain lights ; wing coverts like the back, greater
series and quills sepia brown, externally fulvescent olive brown; irides
reddish brown; eyelids plumbeous ; upper mandible dark brown, except the tip
and terminal third of the margins, which, together with the lower mandible,
are pale bluish ; legs and feet pinkish fleshy.
Length. 5 '6 to 6-5 inches ; wing 2-9 to 2-95 ; tail 2 ; tarsus I ; culmen 0-85.
Hab. N.-E. Bengal and Eastern Himalayas through Burmah and Tenas-
serim to the Malay peninsula and Borneo. It has been recorded from Nepaul,
Dacca, Pegu, Tenasserim, Malacca and Bankasoon, also from Arrakan on the
island of Ramree. Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay obtained it in Tonghoo and at
the foot of the Karin Hills, Gates says it is only found in the thickest
vegetation, evergreen forests by preference, and also in pine-apple gardens
and secondary jungle. It keeps to the ground generally, but at times may be
seen tolerably high up in trees, searching for insects. He adds, that though
not gregarious, numerous birds are generally met with in one patch of jungle.
The species constructs its nest in May and June and part of July, a cup-
shaped structure of dead leaves lined with fern roots, which is placed near the
ground in some thick bush. The eggs, three in number, are of a beautiful
salmon pink colour scrawled and marked with deep purple.
611. TurdinUS magnirOStris (Moore), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 547. Alcippe magnirostris, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 277. Malacop-
teron magnirostris, Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. "$\j;Hume and Dav. Sir. F. 1878,
p. 274; Hut?ie, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 61, 96. Malacopterum rnagnirostre, Oates,
B. Br. Burm, i. p. 56. The BROWN-HEADED TREE-BABBLER.
Adult (type of species). Head, neck, mantle and upper back dull oliva-
ceous brown, the lower back and rump more rufescent brown, with some long
plumes of yellowish white on the latter, forming a narrow band concealed by
the feathers of the rump ; lesser and median wing coverts like the back, the
greater series and the quills dusky brown, externally olivaceous brown, with a
slight rufous tinge ; upper tail coverts and tail uniform rufous, the feathers of
the latter a little browner towards the ends ; lores and feathers round the eye
ashy white ; over the eye a shade of grey ; ear coverts ashy brown with
dull whitish shaft lines; cheeks dull ashy, forming a broad and distinct
moustachial streak ; throat and abdomen white, also the under tail coverts ;
breast and sides of the body washed with ashy brown with a few
few streaks of ashy on the lower throat and foreneck ; axillaries and under
wing coverts buffy white, or white edged with pale fulvous; quills dusky brown
below, fulvescent along the edge of the inner web (Sharps) ; legs, feet and claws
pale bluish, sometimes a little darker and more plumbeous ; upper mandible
dark horny brown, the lower bluish white, pale blue or plumbeous ; gape dull
yellow ; irides red, varying from cinnabar to lake, and from lake to crimson.
( W. Davison, Ex. Cat. B. Br. Mus.)
142 TIMELI1D/E.
Length. 6 to 7 inches; wing 3 to 3-35 ; tail 2'6 to 3 ; tarsus o 9; culmen
075. Females are smaller, the wing being 2-9 against 3*35 of ihe male.
II ab. Malayan peninsula, extending into Southern Tenasserim and
Cochin-China. It is recorded from Malacca and Sumatra. Davison found it in
the extreme south of Tenasserim, where he says it is usually found in small
parties hunting about the brushwood and tops of the smaller trees for insects.
He adds that it does not descend to the ground.
Gen. ErythrOCichla- Sharpe.
General characters as in Turdinus, the, first primary very large, more than
half the length of the longest quills; rictal bristles large and very strong,
reaching to two-thirds of the length of the bill. Culmen shorter than the
tarsus.
612. ErythrOCichla biCOlor (Less.), Sharpe Cat. B. Br. Mas. vii.
p. 551. Brachypteryx bicolor, Less., Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 138. Malacopteron
ferruginosum, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xiii. p. 383 ; Salvad, Ucc. Born. p. 228 ;
Hume and Dav.. Sir. F. 1878, p. 58 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, P- 9 6 - Trichas-
toma bicolor, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 147; Bp. Consp. i. p. 259;
Hume, S/r. F. 1874, p. 536. Napothera rubicauda, Bp. Consp. i. p. 359.
Trichastoma ferruginosum, Blyth, Ibis, 1865, p. 47; Gates* B. Br. Burm.
p. 58. The FERRUGINOUS THRUSH-BABBLER.
Whole upper plumage ferruginous, the inner webs of the wing quills brown ;
the forehead and crown with light shaft lines, the upper tail coverts and tail
bright ferruginous or chestnut ; a narrow band of silky white plumes
nearly concealed by the long feathers of the rump ; lores and feathers
round the eye buffy white ; ear coverts pale brown ; cheeks, throat and under
surface of body white, the foreneck and breast with a fulvous tint ; thighs
tawny ; under tail coverts very pale buff ; wing coverts and axillarics the
same ; upper mandible dirty white ; lower mandible dark brown ; legs and
feet fleshy white ; iris pale wood brown.
Length. 6-3 to 6'5 inches ; wing 2-95 to 3 ; tail 2-35 to 2-65 ; tarsus o'l ;
culmen o'8.
Hab. From South Tenasserim down the Malayan peninsula to Sumatra
and Borneo. It has occurred only in the extreme south of Tenasserim at
Malewoon and on the Pakchan, where it is said to be rare. According to
Davison, it keeps habitually on the ground, only flying up into the bushes and
trees when disturbed. It inhabits dense forests.
Gen. Drymocataphus.
General characters as in Erylhrocichla ; bill moderately stout, but some-
what shorter ; nostrils nearly concealed ; rictal bristles very small, not reaching
beyond the nostrils ; wing rounded, longer than the tail in length, the inner
secondaries about equal in length to the primaries ; culmen much shorter than
the tarsus.
DRYMOCATAt-'HUS, 143
613. Drymocataphus nigricapitatus (Eyton\ Biyth, j. A.
8. B. xviii. p. 815; Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 273; Salvad, Ucc. Born.
p. 219; Tweed* Ibis, 1877, p. 308; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 275 ;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 6l, 96 ; Kelham, Ibis, 1881, p. 511.; Gates, B. Br.
Bunn. i. p. 64 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 554. Brachypteryx
nigrocapitata, Eyton, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 103; Biyth, J. A. S. B. xiii.
P- 3^5- The BLACK-HEADED GROUND-BABBLER.
Upper plumage including the wings and tail rufous brown ; inner webs
of quills plain brown, the tail with chestnut margins, the mantle with indistinct
pale shafts ; crown of the head and nape, also a moustacial stripe black ;
lores, feathers round the eye, eyebrow, sides of the face, and ear coverts ashy
grey, streaked with white shaft lines ; ear coverts washed with rufous ; sides
of the neck, hinder cheeks and under surface of the body orange rufous or
ferruginous; forepart of cheeks, chin and throat white; thighs, flanks and
under tail coverts with a shade of olive brown ; under wing coverts light
orange ; legs and feet fleshy white ; irides rhubarb red.
Length. 6-5 to 7 inches; tail 2-25 to 27; wing 2-4 to 2-65; tarsus i'2;
culm en 0-7.
Hab. The Malayan peninsula, straggling into Sumatra and the southern
portions of Tenasserim, at Bankasoon and Malewoon It occurs either singly
or in pairs. Davison says they are shy birds, frequenting only the densest
portions of the forest, and especially cane-brakes. They feed on insects. Nothing
whatever is known of their nidification.
614. DrymOCataphUS ignotUS (Hume), Sharpe, Cat.B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 556. Pellorneurn ignotum, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 334 ; id., Sir. F.
1878, p. 143; id., Sir. F. 1879, P- 96- Turdinus nagaensis, Godwin-Austen,
Ann. and Mag. Nat Hist. (4) xx. p. 5 19 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1878, p. 143, note.
HUME'S GROUND-BABBLER.
Adult male. (Naga Hills; type of T. nagaensis). Above uniform dark
brown of rather a reddish tint ; the lesser and median wing coverts like the
back; greater coverts and quills dusky brown, externally like the back; tail
feathers brown; over the eye apparently a paler shade of ashy whitish ; ear coverts
and sides of the face brown ; throat conspicuously white, with scarcely per-
ceptible dusky tips to some of the feathers ; foreneck and breast olive fulvous
brown, with slight fulvescent shaft streaks ; centre of breast and of abdomen
white ; sides of the body more fulvescent brown, inclining to tawny on the
lower flanks and thighs, and deepening perceptibly on the under tail coverts ;
under wing coverts and axillaries fulvous brown ; quills dusky brown below,
pale ashy rufous along the inner web. (Sharpe.)
Length. 4-4 inches; wing 2 - 2 ; tail 2; tarsus O'9 ; culmen O'6. (Mus.
H. H. Godwin- Austen, ex. Sharpe, Cat B. Br, Mus.)
Hal>. Hills of North-Eastern Bengal.
]44
615 Drymocataphus Assamensis, Sharpe, CatB. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 557. Pellorneum Tickellii (iwn Blytfi), Hume and Dav., S/r. F. 1878,
pp. 277, 514; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 143, note; id. Ibis, 1878, p. 114; id.,
Str. F. 1879, p. 96. Turdinus garoensis, ad., <*> Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B.
xlv. p. 75 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 65. SHARPE'S ASSAM GROUND-BABBLER.
Adult male. (Dikrang Valley.) Above dark brown with pale shaft streaks to
the feathers of the head and mantle ; forepart of crown rather lighter with
distinct yellowish buff shaft streaks ; rump with scarcely perceptible shaft
lines ; wing coverts like the back, the greater series externally more fulvous
brown ; primary coverts blackish, externally washed with fulvous, forming a
small wing patch ; quills blackish, their outer webs deep fulvous brown with
pale shafts ; tail feathers dusky brown, externally washed with dark fulvous
brown ; lores ashy fulvous mottled with dusky tips to the feathers ; plumes
round the eye ashy fulvous, ashy grey on the hinder margin ; a slight shade of
ashy grey above the ear coverts, not pronounced enough to form an eye-brow ;
ear coverts dark brown with paler fulvous shaft lines ; cheeks pale fulvous
brown, slightly mottled with dusky tips to the feathers ; under surface pale
fulvous brown with dusky brown streaks on the throat and cheeks; centre of
breast and abdomen creamy white; flanks and sides of body dark olive brown,
the thighs a little more fulvescent ; under tail coverts pale fulvous ; under
wing coverts and axillaries light fulvous brown ; bill dark brown above, pale
grey below; legs and feet very pale flesh colour ; iris brown. {Sharpe)
Length. 5-5 inches; wing 2*5 ; tail 2- 1 ; tarsus 1-15 ; culmen ^'6. (Mus.
H. H. Godwin-Austin ex. Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.)
Ilab. Hills of Assam and North-Easter n Bengal.
There appears to be only a single adult & skin of this species in the British
Museum, collected by Mr. Cockburn at Dhollah in Assam, and presented to
it by Mr. E. W. Gates.
616. Drymocataphus Tickelli (Blyth), Tweed, Ibis, 1877, p. 451,
pi. xi. fig. a; Oafes, B. Br. Burm, i. p. 64; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mns.
vii. p. 558. Pellorneum Tickellii, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 414; Tickell,
Ibis, 1863, p. 113; Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 299 (note) ; Gates, Str. F. 1875,
p. 119; id. 1876, p. 406 ; Godwin- Austen, Ibis, 1878, p. 115. Trichastoma
minor, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 535; Wald. in Blyth's B. Burm. p. 115;
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 59; id. and Damson, Str. F. 1878, p. 259; id., Ibis
1878, p. 114; Godw.-Aust., t. c. p. 115. Turdinus garoensis, Godw.-Ausf.
J. A. S. ^.xliii. p. 160, pi. viii. (1874) ; Hume, Str. F- 1875, p. 396 ; id., 1878,
p. 514. Drymocataphus fulvous, Wald. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xv. p. 401 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 403, Alcippe Tickelli, Godw.-Aust., Pr. A. S.Seng.
xlvi. p. 146. Trichastoma minus, Tweed., Ibis, 1877, p. 385 ; Godw.-Aust.,
Ibis, 1878, p. 115 ; Hume, Str. F 1879, p 95. TICKELL'S GROUND-BABBLER.
GYPSOPHII..A, 145
Whole upper plumage olive brown> with a tinge of rufous, the forehead
fulvescent, and the feathers of the head pale shafted ; ear coverts, cheeks and
under surface (except the centre of the abdomen, which is white,) clear
fulvous ; wings dark brown, the outer edges pale fulvous ; tail fulvous brown,
the outer edges pale fulvous; thighs and under tail coverts, also the under
wing coverts and axillaries, fulvous. Bill dusky above, pale fleshy beneath j
irides reddish brown ; eyelids greenish flesh colour.
Length. 4-5 to 6 inches; wing 2*25 to 2*4; tail 2 to 2*2; tarsus O'i ;
culmen O-6.
Hab. British Burmah. (The hills of Karennee, Pegu and Tenasserim.)
Gates says it occurs plentifully on the eastern spurs of the Pegu hills, in those
portions which are covered with evergreen forest. Davison, he says, met with
it in the central and southern portions of Tenasserim, and procured specimens
from Thoungya Sakan down to the Thoungyeen river. Captain Wardlaw-
Ramsay's specimens were got in Karennee, at an elevation of 2,500 feet, and
were described as D.fidvus. Bamboo and cane-brakes appear to be the sort
of forests it affects.
Its notes, according to Davison, are not unlike those of Turdinus Abbotti.
Captain Bingham found the nest in the Thoungyeen Valley on the 1 5th March,
a domed structure placed in a cane bush about one foot from the ground. It
was made of dry bamboo leaves and lined with fine roots, and contained three
eggs, which were white, dotted with pink.
617. Drymocataphus rubiginosus ( Waiden), Sharpe, Cat. B.
JBr. Mus. vii. p. 560. Trichostoma rubiginosa, Waiden, Ann, and Mag.
Nat. Hist. (4) xv. p. 402 (1875); id., in BlytVs B. Burm. p. 115 ; Hume
and Davison, Sir. F. 1878, p. 260; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, P- 95 > Oales B. Br.
Burm. i p. 65, The RUFOUS GROUND- BABBLER.
Adult female. Upper plumage olive brown, the head a little duller than
the back, and the forehead washed with tawny ; the wings rufescent brown
externally ; chin and centre of throat and centre of the breast and abdomen
white ; a narrow supercilium, sides of face and cheeks, also the sides of the
throat and under surface of the body, ferruginous ; under wing coverts and
axillaries like the breast. Bill blackish brown above, paler below and yellowish
at gape; legs dull pinkish white; iris light brown. (Sharped)
Length. 6-3 inches; wing 0*3 ; tail 2*55 ; tarsus 1^35 ; culmen 075. (Mus.
R. G. Wardlaw- Ramsay.)
Hab. British Burmah. The Karennee Hills.
Gen. GypSOphila,* E. W. Oales. B. Br. Burm.
General characters not unlike those of Drymocataphus } the first primary
shorter than in Erythrocichla, and less than half the longest quills ; nctal
bristles weak, not reaching to the nostrils.
* Without genetic
VOL II. 19
146
618. Gypsophila crispifrons (Biytk), Oates, B. Br. Burm. K
p. 6 1 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 561. Turdinus crispifrons, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xxiv, p. 269 ; id., B. Burm. p. 114; Hume, Sir. F. 1877,
p. 87; id., and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 262; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95 ;
Bingham, Sir. F. 1880, p. 179. Turdinus Darwini, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p.
90. The LIMESTONE THRUSH-BABBLER.
Top of the head, upper side of the neck, the back and scapulars olive brown,
each feather edged with blackish ; wing coverts, wings, rump, upper tail
coverts and tail olive brown, the inner webs of the quills darker, and each of
the tertiaries tipped with a minute spot of white ; tail obsoletely barred darker ;
lores ashy with whitish shaft lines ; supercilium ashy grey ; ear coverts olive
brown with whitish shaft lines ; chin, throat and breast dull white, with broad
dusky brown centres to the feathers, less conspicuous on the chin; under
surface of the body ochraceous brown ; the centre of the abdomen whitish or
bufTy white. In Winter, the forehead, lores, supercilium, chin, throat, sides of
the head and neck, a portion of the breast and a collar at the back of the
neck are pure white (Gates) ; irides variable in colour, from light to deep red ;
upper mandible dark brown or black ; lower one pale plumbeous ; legs dark
brown. (Davison.)
Length. 7*0 to 7'5 inches; wing 2-95 103-2 ; tail 27 to 3*0; tarsus r
to 1*15; oilmen O-8.
Hab. Tenasserim, in the central portions, affecting limestone rocks near
Moulmein and at Wimpong. Mr. Davison found it entirely confined to the
limestone rocks, moving about either singly or in pairs, but more often in
small parties. He says they are excessively lively, sprightly birds, keeping
up continually a twittering, chattering note. They feed on insects and land
shells, also seeds. They are easily procured, but unless killed outright they
scramble into some of the numerous holes in the crevices of the honey-
combed rock.
Gen. TrichOStoma- Blyth.
General characters as in Timelia ; the bill long and slender, and the rictal
setce at gape very strong, reaching beyond the nostrils', plumage lax and puffy.
One species only is known in India.
619. Trichostoma rostratum, Biyth. J. A. S. B. xi. p. 795 ; id.,
xiii. p. 383; xvi. p. 462 ; id., Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 147; Bp. Consp.
i. p. 259; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, PP- 6o l6 J l88o PP-JO9* I2 7; Oates, B.
Br.Burm.\.\). 56; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 562. Turdirostris
umbratilis, Bp. Consp. i. p. 218. Brachypteryx macroptera, Salvad., Atti. R.
Ac. Torin. iii. p. 528. Brachypteryx Buxtoni, Walden, P. Z. S. 1877, p, 367;
id., Ibis, 1877, P- 38> pi. 6, fig. 2. BLYTH'S THRUSH-BABBLER.
MALACOPTERUM. 147
Whole upper plumage olive brown with a rufescent tinge, a little paler on
the forehead and brighter on the rump, where the feathers, are very long and
more or less conceal a large tuft of silky white plumes ; upper tail coverts
rufous ; tail dark brown with a reddish tint ; quills dusky brown, of a ruddy
tint on the outer web, innermost secondaries entirely so ; lores dull white
obscured with ashy brown tips to the feathers; sides of the head, feathers
over and round the eye pale fulvescent brown ; ear coverts brown with whitish
shaft-lines ; entire under surface, pure white, a little sullied on the breast and
under tail coverts ; under wing coverts and axillaries ashy brown washed
with fulvous ; the sides of the breast the same ; upper mandible of bill horny
black, the lower yellowish white, except the extreme tip ; legs and feet leaden
blue ; iris Indian red.
Length. 4-9 to 5-5 inches ; wing 2*65 to 275 ; tail 2'i to 2'2 ; tarsus ro;
cuimen 0-7.
Hab. From the extreme south of Tenasserim down the Malayan peninsula
to Sumatra and Borneo. It has been procured at Malewoon by Mr. Gates'
men. Of its habits there is nothing on record.
Gen. Malacopterum. Eyton.
General characters of Trichostoma> the back without spine-like plumes, the
rictal bristles long, and exceeding the length of hind toe ; tarsal envelope
strongly scutellate.
620. Malacopterum magnum, Eyton, P. z. S. 1839, p. 103;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 259; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 270; Hume, Str. F.
1879, pp. 6 1, 95 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1882, p. 6 1 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 55 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 564. Malacopteron majus, Blyth, J. A.
S. B. xvi. p. 461; Salvad. t Ucc. Born. p. 225 ; Tw-eed, Ibis, 1877, p.
309. The RED-HEADED TREE-BABBLER.
Forehead and crown bright ferruginous, the anterior feathers black -shafted,
and the posterior ones faintly edged with black ; lores and a broad super-
cilium ashy grey with small ashy streaks on the latter ; a black patch on the
nape ; ear coverts fulvous brown with pale shafts ; upper plumage olive brown,
tinged with ferruginous on the rump ; the inner webs of the quills plain
brown ; upper tail coverts, central pair of feathers and the outer webs of all
the other feathers ferruginous ; the lateral tail feathers and the inner webs of the
others, except the central pair, plain brown ; chin, throat and upper breast
white streaked with grey ; rest of under surface of body greyish white, the
flanks washed with ashy brown ; the under tail coverts white ; under wing
coverts and axillaries ashy ; legs white ; feet and claws blue to pale
plumbeous ; upper mandible dark horny brown, the lower phumbeous or tinged
with blue, bluish white at tip j irides carmine to orange red.
348 TIMELIID/E.
Length 6*5 to 7 inches ; tail 30; wing 3-5 ; tarsus 0-9; culmen 07$. The
males are larger than the females, the wing of the latter being only 3-2 to 3-25
jjab. Southern Tenasserim to Sumatra and Borneo. Davison says it does
not descend to the ground as far as his observations go. The species goes
about in pairs or small parties ; food insects.
Gen. MlXOrniS. Hodgs.
Bill moderately long and compressed, broader than high at nostrils, which
are ovoid ; wings moderate, rounded, generally the first four quills graduated,
the 5th and 6th subequal and longest ; tail moderate ; tarsus short.
621. Mixornis gularis (Raffl.\ Biyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
Beng. p. 149; W aid., Ibis, 1872, p. 376; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878,
p. 266; Hume, Sir. F, 1879, pp. 60, 95; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 51;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 576. Motacilla gularis, Raffi., Trans.
Lin. Socy. xiii. p. 312; Walden, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 547. Mixornis Sumatrana,
Bp. Consp. i. p. 266. Mixornis similis, Blyth, Ibis, 1865, p. 47. The
SUMATRAN YELLOW-BREASTED TREE-BABBLER.
Above reddish brown ; the head and sides of the neck deep chestnut, also
the upper tail coverts ; lores and frontal plumes dusky lead colour, the ear
coverts also dusky, with a distinct wash of reddish brown ; a pale yellow line
from the nostrils over the eye ; wing coverts chestnut ; quills sepia brown, the
margins chestnut, and the inner secondaries entirely chestnut like the back ;
tail chestnut ; under surface of body bright yellow, cheeks also yellow ; the
throat and f oreneck yellow, broadly streaked with black ; sides of the body
and under tail coverts greenish ; under wing coverts yellow, with a few dusky
markings. Bill bluish slate colour ; legs greenish ; iris brown.
Length. 5'3 inches ; wing 2*35 to 2*4; tail 2*4; tarsus O'7 ; culmen 0*55.
Hab, Tenasserim, in the southern division to the Malayan peninsula and
Sumatra. It frequents tree and bush jungle, and is generally seen in
pairs,
622. Mixornis rubricapilla (Tickell), Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B.
Mus. E. 1. Co. i. p. 229; Jerd. t B. Ind. ii. p. 23; Wald., P. Z. S. 1866,
p. 547; Blyth, Ibis, 1870, p. 170; Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 3; Wald., Ibis, 1872,
p. 376; Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 1 18 ; Ball, Sir. F. 1874, p. 409; Hume, t.c.
p. 476 ; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 245 ; Anders. Zool. Eocp. Yunnan, p. 635 ;
Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, i. p. 266; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Oates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p 50; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 578. Motacilla
rubricapilla, Tick., J. A. S. B. 1833, p. 576. The YELLOW-BREASTED TREE-
BABBLER.
MIXORNIS. 149
Top of the head ferruginous or light chestnut red ; a yellow line from the
nostrils produced back over the eyes; nape, back, rump, scapulars, wing
coverts and tail coverts dull olive green ; lores dusky ; sides of the neck olive
green ; ear coverts pale yellow ; quills brown, the outer webs rufescent
brown ; chin, throat, cheeks and upper breast yellow with black shaft stripes ;
rest of under surface of the body paler yellow tinged with ashy on the flanks
and vent ; tail dull reddish brown, the shafts of the feathers darker red ;
under wing coverts yellowish white, inclining to bright yellow near the edge of
the wing. Bill horny brown ; iris dull white (? hazel) ; eyelids plumbeous ;
legs fleshy horn.
Length. 4*3 to 5 inches; wing 2* 1 5 to 2-3; tail rpS to 2 f i ; tarsus 07 ;
culmen 0*55.
Hal. The Himalayas, extending into the Burmese countries. It is recorded
from Nepaul, Bhootan, Cachar, Pegu and Cochin China. It also occurs in
Assam, and the hill tracts generally of Eastern Bengal and in Sikkim.
Colonel Tickell procured it in Central India. Gates says it is found
commonly over the whole of Pegu, except perhaps in the drier portions. It
affects bush jungle, and is generally like the last species found in pairs or
small parties. It has a metallic note, which it utters for hours at a time
sitting on a bough concealed by leaves. It breeds during May, making its
nest in some low shrub and near to the ground. The nest is made of bamboo
leaves and lined with grass, or built entirely of grass. In form it is globular,
and has an opening at the side. The eggs, three in number, are regular
ovals, moderately elongated, only very slightly compressed at one end. The
ground colour is white with a slight pinkish tinge marked with tiny specks of
brown and purplish, more thickly at the larger end. Size 0*6510071 in
length and o'5 to 0*51 in breadth.
623. Mixornis erythroptera (Biytk), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 580; Oates, B. Br. Burm.i. p. 51. Timalia erythroptera, Blyth t
y. A. S. B. xi. p. 794. Cyanoderma erythropterum, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1875,
p. 105 ; Tweed, Ibis, 1877, p. 308 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 60,95. Cyanop-
tera erythroptera, Hume and Dav. 9 Sir. F. 1878, p. 269. The RED-WINGED
TREE-BABBLER.
Forehead, supercilium, ear coverts, sides of the head and neck, the chin,
throat and breast and upper abdomen slaty grey or plumbeous ; flanks, vent,
thighs and under tail coverts fulvous brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries
pale fulvous ; tail brown, with rufous margins. Bill dark plumbeous blue ; legs,
feet and claws pale, almost white tinged with greenish ; iris madder-red to deep
brown. (W. Dav.)
Length. 5-2 to -5*5 inches; wing 2'2 to 2^3; tail 1*9 to 2; tarsus O'8
culmen 0-65.
150 TIMELIID/E.
Hab. From Southern Tenasserim down the Malayan peninsula to Sumatra.
Its habits are not unlike those of its allied congeners, and like them affects
tree and bush jungle, and is seldom seen on the ground. Mr. Davison found
a nest in April, which is said to be a ball about 6 inches in diameter, composed
of dry reed leaves with an aperture on one side. The nest was placed about
3 feet from the ground.
Gen. CorythOCichla. Sharps.
This genus is characterized by Sharpe (Cat B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 507) as
differing from the preceding in having the tail very short, far exceeded by
the outstretched feet, and not hidden by the plumes of the rump, the culmen
shorter than the tarsus, the bill broader than deep at the nostrils, and the rictal
bristles well developed.
624. Corythocichla brevicaudata (Biyth), Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 592. Turdinus brevicaudatus, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xxiv.
p. 272; Walden, Ibis, 1876, p. 345 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 262 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 462 ; 1879, p. 95 ; Bingham, Str. F. 1880, p. 179;
Gales, B. Br. Burn. i. p. 60. Macronus brevicaudatus, Gray, Hand-l. B.
i. p. 319. The SHORT-TAILED THRUSH-BABBLER.
Head, upper back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts olive grey with
the shafts lighter, and each feather margined with dark brown ; lores, superci-
lium, sides of the face, ear coverts and cheeks ashy grey, with indistinct whitish
shaft streaks ; lesser and median wing coverts with narrow pale shaft lines,
the greater series darker brown with tiny white spots at the tip ; primary
coverts and quills dark brown, externally washed with olivaceous ; the inner
secondaries tipped with a white spot ; tail dark brown, the outer webs oliva-
ceous brown ; chin and throat streaked with white and dusky ; foreneck, breast
and under surface of the body light tawny or ferruginous buff: the centre of
the breast and abdomen creamy buff, and the sides and flanks browner ; sides of
the foreneck pale ashy, streaked mesially with whitish ; thighs dusky brown,
washed with tawny ; under tail coverts tawny with buffish tips ; under wing
coverts and axillaries dull tawny with whitish shaft lines on a dusky centre ;
eggs, feet and claws pale brown to pale fleshy brown ; upper mandible very
dark brown ; the lower one plumbeous ; irides variable, deep brown, red brown
or cinnamon red.
Length. 4*5 to 5*5 inches; wing 2-4 ; tail 1-5 to rg"; tarsus 0-9; culmen
0-6.
Hab. Tenasserim on the higher slopes of the Mooleyit. Mr. Davison says
he only met with it here at elevations from and above 5,000 feet among the
boulders hopping about on and amongst the rocks, and turning over leaves
in search of insects. He found them in small parties, also in pairs and
occasionally singly.
TURDINULUS.
625. CorythOClchla Striata ( Walden), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 593. Turdinus striatus, Walden, Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) vii.
p. 241 (1871); Godw.-Austen, J. A. S. B. xlvi.pt. 2, p. 44. Turdinus William-
soni, Godw.-Austen, J. A. S. B. xlvi. pt. 2, p. 44 ; id., op. cit. xlvi. pt. 2,
p. 1 6 (1878). The STRIATED THRUSH-BABBLER.
Above ashy olive brown, mottled with blackish margins to the feathers and
whitish shaft lines ; rump and upper tail coverts uniform : wing coverts like
the back, but the dusky margins not so pronounced ; the greater coverts with
small triangular spots of rufous buff; quills sepia brown, externally olive
brown with distinct spots of rufous buff at the tips, larger on the inner
secondaries ; tail sepia brown, the outer webs olive brown, and minutely tipped
with rufous buff ; base of forehead, lores and feathers over the eye ashy grey,
slightly margined with dark brown margins to the feathers ; ear coverts dull
ashy washed with brown ; cheeks and throat whitish, mottled with obscure
central markings of dusky brown ; foreneck and chest, as well as the sides
of the body, pale fulvous brown, becoming bright tawny on the lower flanks,
vent and under tail coverts ; centre of breast whity brown, the feathers with
white shaft streaks ; under wing coverts and axillaries light tawny. (Sharpe.)
Length. 5*5 inches; wing 24; tail 1*4; tarsus I; culmen O'6. (Sharpe.)
Hab.Wt* of-N.-E. Bengal (Khasia Hills).
Nothing appears to be on record in regard to the habits, &c., of this species,
which not unlikely are the same as those of the preceding species.
Gen. Turdinulus- Hume.
Turdinulus, Gen. Nov.
Like " Turdinus" but with the bill proportionately longer, and much more
compressed at the base, and with the tail extremely short.
Plumage soft and full, very full and lax on rump and flanks.
Bill large, straight, much compressed throughout its entire length ; culmen
almost perfectly straight, curved downwards just at the tip; upper mandible
projecting appreciably beyond lower mandible ; a notch in the upper man.
dible ; nostrils large, in a triangular basal fossa, nearly covered in by a mem-
braneous shelf.
Wings short, about three times the length of the bill from forehead to point,
very much rounded, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th sub-equal and longest, sometimes
5th a shade shorter, sometimes 8th a shade shorter or longer ; first four quills
graduated ; 1st quill longer than tail from forehead.
Legs and feet very strong ; mid toe without claw equal to bill at front ; tarsus
rather longer ; hind toe and claw rather shorter ; outer toe longer than inner
toe; outer toe and claw a little larger than inner toe and claw; the tail so short
as to be hidden by the plumes of the rump.
152
TIMELllD/E.
626. Turdinulus murinus (Biyth), Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. 115 ;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 62 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 593.
Myiothera murina, Blyth, Ibis, 1865, p. 47 (ex. Mull. MS. in Mus. Lugd.
Pnoepyga Roberti, Godw.-Aust. and Wald., Ibis, 1875^.253; Hume, Sir. F.
1876, p. 218. Turdinulus Roberti, Hume and Davison, Sir. F. 1878, p. 235 ;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 93; Gould, B. Asia, part xxxiii. ROBERT'S GROUND-
BABBLER.
Adult (type of species). General colour above brown, mottled with blackish
edges to the feathers ; the mantle and upper back varied with whitish shaft
streaks ; rump and lower back uniform brown, rather more fulvescent ; wing
coverts rather more reddish brown than the back, with a small triangular spot
of white at the tips ; tail feathers reddish brown ; lores and base of forehead
whitish, the feathers tipped with dusky, producing a somewhat scaly
appearance ; a pale fulvous superciliary streak, the feathers slightly mottled
with dusky edges ; ear coverts dull brown ; cheeks rufous buff, mottled with
blackish tips to the feathers; throat white, thickly mottled with triangular
blackish spots in the centre of the feathers ; breast whitish or creamy buff,
rather mottled with dusky edges to the feathers ; centre of abdomen whitish ;
sides of the body fulvescent brown, the plumes on the sides of the breast with
whitish shaft lines ; thighs and under tail coverts more fawn-coloured; axillaries
and under wing coverts fulvescent. Bill sepia brown ; legs burnt-umber ;
iris vandyke brown. (Sharpe, Cat. B. M.)
Length. 4 inches; wing 2*05 ; tail I ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0*65.
Hab. Munipur Hills, extending to Mooleyit in Tenasserim, and probably
found throughout the mountains of the Malayan peninsula, as it re-appears
in Sumatra. (Sharped)
The above description is by Sharpe, and is from a skin in Colonel Godwin-
Austen's collection. Gates describes a specimen from the collection of
Captain Wardlaw -Ramsay, but the sex is not mentioned ; Sharpe, however, says
that a female in Captain Wardlaw- Ramsay's collection is rather paler in colour,
and has the spots on the throat dusky brown instead of black. The species
has been procured in the Malayan peninsula and in Sumatra. Colonel Godwin-
Austen got specimens in Munipur. According to Mr. Davison, this species
is generally seen in pairs, occasionally three or four together hopping about
on the ground or about the stems of the undergrowth only in the densest
portions of the forest. They are not shy, and do not fly unless very closely
pressed.
Gen. Rimator Blyth.
Bill longer than the head, slightly compressed, curved, and without
notch ; nostrils basal, ovate ; gape to the eye with only a few inconspicu-
ous hairs ; legs moderately strong ; tarsus scutellate ; toes long, the outer
longer than the inner ; wings rounded, $th, 6th and 7th quills equal and
STACHYRIDOPStS. 153
longest ; tail short and weak, the feathers slender with soft slightly pointed
tips ; plumage lax, very much so on the rump* (Jerd.)
Fig. on Plate, p. 152.
627. Rimator malacoptilus, Biytk, J. A. s. B. xvi. pp. 155,
864, 878 ; id., Cat. B. Ms, As. Set. p. 38 ; Jerd., B. hid, i. p. 493 ; Gould,
JB. Asia^ pt. 22; H&ine, Sfr* F. 1879, p. 93. Caulodroma gracei, Gray and
Mitch* Gen. B. \. p. 144 ; id. Ann. and M&g* Nat. Hist. xix. p. 362.
Merva Jerdoni, Hvdgs.) Calc. yourn* Nat* Hist. 1847, P- 9& The LONG-
BILLED WREN.
Head and upper parts deep bro\vn> with pale fulvous shaft streaks ; lesser
and median wing coverts with narrow pale shaft lines ; the greater coverts
washed with rufous externally 5 bastard wing and primary coverts dusky brown,
externally edged with lighter brown ; quills the same, the inner secondaries
entirely brown 5 tail dusky brown, the outer Webs washed with rufescent ; lores
reddish buff, with dusky tips to the feathers ; cheeks light -fulvous, separated
from the ear coverts by a distinct line of black ; chin whitish ; throat pale
fulvous brown, mottled with light centres, and a black streak on each side, with
a few dusky spots ; under surface of the body streaked with ashy fulvous
whitish and brown, the feathers of the breast margined with olive j under tail
coverts deep tawny buff with paler shaft streaks ; under wing coverts and
axillaries pale tawny buff, with a small dark patch on the lower wing coverts.
Bill dark horny, fleshy at the base ; legs brownish red ; iris light brown.
Length. ^ inches; wing 2*2 ; tail 1-05 to 1-25; tarsus 0-9 ; culmen 1-05.
Hab. -The Eastern Himalayas. Has only yet been found at Darjeeling
and in Nepaul. It is said to feed on the ground on insects. One other
species known of this genus (R. albostriata) occurs in Sumatra.
GROUP. LIOTRICHES.
In this group is comprised the Hill-Tits or Leiotrithea and the Flower-peckers
or Ixulea>> inhabitants chiefly of the Himalayas, some extending their range to
the south-east, and through Burmaru Their plumage is very varied ; the
majority are of small size. Several are crested or have the feathers of the head
more or less elongated ; the rictal bristles are absent or very small, but in no
case exceeding beyond the nostrils ; the tail is small, very few only reaching
half an inch beyond the tips of the wings. They feed chiefly on seeds, fruits,
flower buds and insects, and nidificate on trees.
Gen. StachyridOpsiS. Sharpe.
Bill rather higher than wide at base, straight, slightly tapering, bent down-
wards and faintly notched ; nostrils nearly concealed ; rictals almost smooth ;
wings rounded, $th, 6th and 7th quills generally equal ; tarsus moderately long ;
bill not as long as tarsus.
628. Stachyridopsis ruficeps (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 598. Stachyris ruficeps, Blyth, J. A. S, B. xvi. p. 452; Bp. Consp,
VOL, 1120
154 TlMEUin/E.
4. p. 232 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 265 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 9$.
Stachyris prsecognitus, Swinh., Ibis, 1866, p. 310. The RUFOUS-HEADED
TREE-BABBLER.
Above including the wing coverts olive brown to brown, the greater series,
quills and tail feathers brown, washed on their outer webs with olive ; crown of
the head bright rufous ; the nape also tinged with a rufescent shade ; lores
and an indistinct eyebrow, sides of the face and under surface of the body
light yellow ; ear coverts, sides of the body, thighs and under tail coverts olive
brown ; frontal plumes, throat and foreneck with faint dark shaft streaks ; under
wing coverts and axillaries white, slightly tinged with yellow. Bill plumbeous
brewn, reddish beneath ; legs pale yellow brown ; iris light brown.
Length. 4-9 to 5- inches; wing 2*1 ; tail 2-1 ; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen 0-65,
flab. The Eastern Himalayas and the Khasia Hills, Sikkim, Nepaul and
Formosa are recorded localities of its occurrence. According to Hodgson
it breeds from April to June, building a large massive cup-shaped nest amongst
bamboos, as a rule, at heights of from 7 to 10 feet from the ground. Eggs
4 in number, brownish white, speckled and spotted with brown or reddish
brown. Size 07 x 0-52.
629. StachyridOpSiS rufifrons (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 599. Stachyris rufifrons, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 479 ; id. and Gates,
Str. F. 1875, p. 117 ; id., Str.F. \^6, pp. 274, 501 ; id. and Dav., Str.F.
1878, vol. i. p. 265 ; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 54.
Stachyris ruficeps (non Blyth), Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 476 ; Wald in Blyth's
B. Br. Burm. p. 1 16. HUME'S TREE-BABBLER.
Forehead and anterior half of crown chestnut or pale rufous brown ; the
feathers with very faint indications of dark shaft streaks ; lores and a streak
over the eye pale fulvous brown ; rest of upper plumage, including the wings
and tail, olive brown, in some tinged with rufescent ; inner webs of quills hair
brown ; chin and throat whitish with black shafts ; cheeks, ear coverts, sides
of the face and neck and whole under surface of the body fulvous brown ;
under wing coverts and axillaries pale greyish white. Bill blue ; iris deep red ;
eyelids plumbeous ; legs fleshy brown.
Length. 4*5 inches; wing 1*2 to 2' I; tail 1*95 ; tarsus 0*67 to 0*7 ; bill
from gape 0*55. The female is smaller, with a paler rufous head.
Hab. The Pegu Hills. Distributed throughout Tenasserim. It has also
been recorded from the Thounghyeen Valley and in Karennee. Cachar and
the Bhootan Dooars are also recorded localities.
630. StachyridOpSiS pyrrhops (Eodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 600. Stachyris pyrrhops, Hodgs, Icon. ined. Br. Mus. Passeres,
pi. 78, fig. 4; id., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 379 (1844); Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 21 ;
Reid. Cat. B, Prov. Mus., Lueknow, p. 74; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95.
STACHYRIDOPSIS. 155
Stachyris pyrops, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 23 ;-/.. Consp. i. p. 332. The
RED-BILLED TREE-BABBLER.
Above olivaceous to mfeseent brown with a tinge of rufous on the head ;
back olivaceous, as also on the wing coverts and outer webs of the quills;
crown of the head ochraceons brown, with mesial dark streaks ; sides of the
face ochraceous brown, also the ear-coverts, but with an ashy tinge ; chin
and a spot in front of the eye black ; under surface of the body, including
the under tail coverts, light ochraceous brown ; under wing coverts and axil-
laries white, ochrey near the edge ; tail light brown, edged narrowly with
olivaceous. Bill sordid sanguine ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides blood-red.
Length. 4-5 to 4'8 inches ; wing 2'i ; tail 2; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0-65.
Hab. The Himalayas. The Lucknow Museum possesses specimens from
Pethoragurh and Kumaon, and the British Museum from Dehra and Nepaul.
Jerdon mentions it from Mussoorie and Kussowlie. Breeds during May and
June. Nest a deep cup coarsely made of grass stems, and placed in a small
shrub about 2 3 feet from the ground. Eggs oval, pale green speckled with
purplish red.
631 Stachyridopsis chryssea (Hodgs.), Sharps, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p, 6oi -, Oates, B . Br. Burm. i. p. 52. Stachyris chrysaea, Hodgs. ,.
Icon. ined. Br. Mm* App. pi. 88, No. 869 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p>. 22; Hume*
Nests and J?ggs, p. 245 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. ri6 : Anders., Yun-
nan Exp. p\ 637; Hume, Str. F. viii. p; 95. The GOLDEN-HEADED TREE-
BABBLER.
Above, the edges of the quills and the ear coverts yellowish olive ; wing coverts
dusky brown edged with greenish ; tail the same, edged with yellowish olive ;.
crown golden yellow with mesial dark streaks; forehead, supercilium, cheeks,,
chin, throat and under surface of body golden yellow, paler on the breasU
centre of the abdomen and under tail coverts \ under wing coverts yellow - t
lores and feathers above and below the eye black.. Bill plumbeous ; legs pale
brownish yellow ; irides light brown.
Length. 4*3 to 4*5 inches; wing 1-95 to 2; tail 17 to 2 ; tarsus 075;:
culmen 0-5.
ffaoTte Himalayas, extending into the hills of Arrakart and Khasia.
It has been met with by Dr. Anderson near Bhamo, and occurs also in Sik-
kim, Eastern Bengal and Nepaul to 5,000 feet. Dr. Jerdon says it frequents
high trees, and feeds on insects which infest flower buds. The eggs of
this species is said to be pinkish white, and the nest domed and placed on the
summit of a sedge.
632. Stachyridop&is assimilis: (WaU), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 602 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 53. Stachyris assimilis, Wald.
in Blyth's B. Burm. p. 116 - r Hume, Sir. F. 1877, pp. 57, 115 ; Hume and
Dav,, Sir. F. 1878, p. 265 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 95 ; Ramsay- in Tweed,
156 TIMELIID^E.
Orn. Works p. 661 (1881). Stachyris vocagii, Salvad., Ann. Mus. Civic.
Genov. xiv. p. 223 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. 1 17. The ALLIED TREE-BABBLER.
Adult female (type of species ; Karennee, R. G. Ward law-Ramsay). Above
ashy greenish olive, a little yellower on the rump ; wing coverts ashy brown,
narrowly margined with the same colour as the back ; quills dusky olive,
externally margined with olive yellow, brighter on the primaries ; tail feathers
light ashy brown, edged with olive greenish ; head pale golden yellow, brighter
on the forehead and lores ; the crown and nape streaked with dusky down the
centre of the feathers ; sides of face dusky yellowish, ashy on the ear coverts,
.which have indistinct streaks ; cheeks, throat and under surface of the body
light golden yellow ; a little greener on the sides of the breast and flanks ;
under wing coverts white or yellowish white, brighter on the edge of the
wing. (Sharped) Iris brown ; bill dark plumbeous, pinkish at base of lower
mandible; legs light greenish brown. (R. G. W.-R.)
Length. 4'! inches; wing 1*9; tail 1*65; tarsus 0*7 ; culmeno'5. (Mus.
. G. W.- Rams ay).
Hab. Karennee, B. Burmah. Gates says it was first discovered by Captain
Wardlaw-Ramsay in Karennee at 2,800 feet elevation, also that he has
examined the specimens and find them identical with others sent by Hodgson
from Nepaul and Sikkim. Davison found it on the slopes of the Mooleyit
in Tenasserim.
Gen. Oligura- Hodgs.
Bill of moderate length, slightly depressed, straight, and barely bent at the
tip ; rictal bristles few, not very evident ; wings feeble, round ; tail very short,
hidden by the upper tail coverts and not reaching beyond the tip of the closed
wing ; tarsus high, slender and without scutes ; toes slender and compressed ;
hind toe large ; claws long, slightly curved. Inhabitants of the Himalayas,
affecting moist woods. Two species are only known in India, and one, O.
superciliaris, in Java.
633. Oligura castaneocoronata (Burton), Sharpc, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 603. Sylvia castaneocoronata, Burton, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 152.
Tesia flavi venter, Hodgs. J. A. S. B. vi. p. 102. Tesia castaneocoronata,
Blytht y. A. S. B. xiv. p. 586; Bp. Consp. i. p. 257; Jerd., B. Ind. i.
p. 487 ; Godw.-Aust., y. A. S.B. xxxix. p. loi ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 93 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. i. p. 217. The CHESTNUT-HEADED WREN.
Above bright olive green ; wing coverts the same ; quills dusky, edged
externally with olive green ; tail dull olive green ; sides of the body, under
wing coverts and thighs darkish green, the latter with a yellow spot above the
tarsal joint ; under tail coverts greenish yellow ; crown of the head, sides of
the face and ear-coverts chestnut ; cheeks and under surface of the body pure
yellow. Bill dusky, yellowish beneath ; legs pale brownish yellow ; iris dark
brown. The young bird is paler in colour.
OL1GURA, 157
Length. 3*5 to 375 inches; wing 1-9 ; tail 0*95 ; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen 0-55.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikkim, at about from 3,000 to
6,000 feet of elevation. Jerdon says he saw it on the banks of the Rungbee
solitary, flying near the ground among some low brushwood. He found
remains of insects in its stomach. A nest was brought to him said to be of
this species. It was composed chiefly of moss, and contained four small
white eggs. Mr. Hume, however, is inclined to the belief that the nests and
eggs belonged to Anura pusillus. Hodgson's note* and figures of the Chest-
nut-headed Wren is to the effect that it builds a large globular nest, more or less
egg-shaped, some 6 inches high and 4 in breadth, and that the nest was com-
posed of moss roots and fibres, and lined with feathers, with a circular aper-
ture in the middle of one side. The nest is said to be placed in some clumps
of shoots or thick bush, at a height of I or 2 feet from the ground. It nidifi-
cates in April and May, laying 3 or 4 eggs, which are figured as moderately
broad ovals, somewhat pointed at one end, reddish, and measuring O'66
X 0^48 inch. Mr. Hume (in Nests and Eggs), says the three eggs in his
museum, supposed to belong to this species, are excessively tiny, and a
somewhat long oval of a pure dull glossless, unspotted white.
634. Oligura cyaniventris (ffodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 604. Tesia cyaniventer, Hodgson, J. A. S. B. vi. p. 101 (1837);
Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 487 ; Godw.-Ausf., J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. IOI ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 93. The SLATY-BELLIED WREN.
Above dark olive greenish, the outer webs of the wing coverts and quills
edged with the same ; under wing coverts and tail dull green ; head golden
greenish yellow ; lores, sides of the face and sides of the neck dark slaty
blue, darker above the eye and ear coverts ; tinder surface of the body slaty blue,
paler along the centre of the abdomen ; thighs olive greenish. Bill dusky
above, reddish beneath ; legs pale reddish brown ; irides brown.
Immature birds have the heads greenish without any golden colouring.
Length. 3-5 to 37 inches ; wing 2'05 ; tail 0*65 to 0*9; wing 2 to 2*05 ;
tarsus o'9 ; culmen 0*55.
Hab. The Eastern Himalayas and hills of N.-E. Bengal. It is recorded
also from the Khasia Hills, Sikkim and Assam. According to Hodgson the
Slaty-bellied Wren breeds during April and May. The nest is of the same
shape as that of the preceding. Eggs are 3 4 in number. They are figured
as rather broad ovals, somewhat pointed towards one end with a whitish
ground profusely speckled and spotted with bright red, especially towards the
large end, where the markings are nearly confluent. The legs measure
072 x 0*54 inch.
Gen. Minla- Hodgs.
Bill more lengthened than Oligura, very slightly curved, depressed at the
base, the tip strongly notched ; rictus nearly smooth ; tail short, rounded ;
158
tarsus moderate ; toes moderate, slender, basally much connected, hind toe
very large ; head subcrested. All the known species except one belong to
India and Burmah, chiefly the Himalayas and the hills of North-Eastern
Bengal.
635. Minla igneotincta, ffodgs., Ind. Rev. 1838, p. 36 ; Jerd.>
It.Ind.ii.p. 254, No. 618; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104. Sharpe, Cat.
B. Mas. vii, p. 607. Proparus ignotinctus, Hodgs., J . A. S. B. x. p. 29.
Certhiparus (Minla) ignitincta, Hodgs. Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres,
pi. 86, fig. 2. The RED-TAILED HiLL-Trr.
Above dark chocolate brown, with a fulvous shade on the rump ; wing
coverts black, the lesser series washed with the brown of the back, and the
median and greater series edged with white ; primary coverts black ; quills
black, margined and tipped with crimson ; the secondaries edged and tipped
with white ; upper tail coverts and tail black, the feathers of the latter edged
on the outer web with crimson and tipped with white, the inner webs white,
the centre ones conspicuously so ; head, hind neck, lores, feathers below the
eye and ear coverts black, the head bordered by a broad white super ciliuin
extending along the sides of the nape and hind neck ; eyelids, cheeks, under
wing and under tail coverts, as also the under surface of the body, white ;
the flanks and sides of the breast with an ashy tinge ,- centre of breast and
abdomen whitish ; under tail coverts yellow. Bill blackish ; legs horny
yellow ; iris brown. The female is white beneath or much paler in colour
throughout.
Length. 4*5 to 5*25 inches; wing 2*4 to 2'6 ; tail rS to 1-9,- oilmen
07$.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending into the hills of North-Eastern Bengal..
According to Jerdon it is tolerably common about Darjeeling, ranging froms
5,000 to 8,000 feet. Found in small parties of five or six, hunting about for
insects on the extreme end of the branches. It occurs also from Nepaul to-
Bhootan, and extends into the hill ranges of Assam and Sikkim. At Cherra
Poonjee Dr. Jerdon found it far from rare. According to Hodgson it breeds in
the central region of Nepaul and near Darjeeling during May and June. The
nest is cup-shaped and made of moss, moss roots and cow's hair, and also lined
with the two latter. It is usually placed in the fork of three or four slender
branches of some bushy tree. The species lays from two to four eggs, a
pale verditer blue ground, speckled and spotted with brownish red,
636. Minla CastaneicepS, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. 1838, p. 33 ; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 608 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 393. Proparus
castaneiceps, Hodgs., J . A. S. B. x. p. 29(1841). Leiothrix castaniceps,
Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 269; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 100; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 255, No. 619 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104. The CHESTNUT-
HEADED HlLL-TlT.
MINLA,
Above olive brown, also the lesser and median wing coverts, margins of the
greater series of coverts, all the innermost secondaries, and outer edges of the
quills ; primary coverts black ; quills dusky brown on their inner webs ;
primaries margined with orange or deep rusty, the first two outermost with
grey at the base ; outermost secondaries orange or deep rusty at their base ;
upper tail coverts and tail dull slaty grey, the inner webs of the latter dusky ;
forehead and crown to nape deep chestnut, the fore part centred with white
and the crown with reddish buff; hind-neck washed with chestnut and streaked
with fulvous ; ear coverts white streaked with dusky or dark brown ; lores,
feathers round and below the eye, throat, foreneck and centre of body yellowish
white, purer white on the abdomen and under tail coverts ; eyelid, a broad
supercilium extending to the nape ; the axillaries and under wing coverts white,
the latter tinged with yellowish ; a broad stripe above the ear coverts and a
spot in front of the eye black ; cheeks yellowish buff, streaked with black and
washed with olive brown ; sides of neck olive brown mottled with white ; sides
of body and flanks also the thighs olive brown, the feathers of the latter with
pale tips. Bill dusky brown ; legs fleshy ; iris brown.
Length. 4/15 to 5 inches ; wing 2-2 to 2*25 ; tail 1*7 to r8 ; tarsus O'8 ;
culmen 0*45.
Hab. South-East Himalayas from Nepaul to Sikkim, extending also to
the Khasia Hills. Jerdon says it is common about Darjeeling. It breeds in
the neighbourhood during May and June, laying four eggs. According to
Hodgson's figures (Hume), the eggs are somewhat elongated ovals, having a
very pale greenish yellow or dingy yellowish white ground, finely speckled,
chiefly at the large end, where there is a tendency to form a zone with red or
brownish red, and measuring 075 -f 0-52. The nest is said to be placed in
a thick bush at a height of about 3 feet from the ground. It is composed
chiefly of twigs, grasses and moss roots, lined with leaves.
637- Minla brunneicauda, Skarpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. \\\.
p. 609. Minla castaneiceps, (non Hodgs.), Wald. in Blyths Burm. p. HO;
Hume and Dav. y Sir. F. 1878, i. p. 372; Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. 104;
Oates, B. Brit. Burm. i. p. 146. The BROWN-TAILED HILL-TIT.
Similar to M. castaneiceps, but distinguished by its olive brown tail. The
wing is much duller in colour, being externally orange brown like the wing
coverts, without the brilliant orange aspect of the above named species
(Sharpe) ; " legs, feet and claws pale greenish brown. Bill dark brown ; base
of lower mandible plumbeous ; irides deep brown." (Davison.)
Length. 4^5 inches; wing 2'2; tail 1*7 ; tarsus 0-9; culmen 0*5.
Hab. Replaces the foregoing species in the Khasia Hills, probably extend-
ing into Tenasserim. (Sharpe.)
160
638. Minla cinerea, B/y/&> y. A. s. B. xvi. p. 449; y e rd.>
B. Lid. ii. p. 255 ; Hume, Str. F, 1879, p. 104; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus,
vii. p. 609. Leiothrix cinerea, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As, Soc. p, 100;
Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 142. The DUSKY-GREEN HILL-TIT,
Above dark ashy grey, the mantle and upper back streaked with black;
feathers of the head, ashy brown streaked with black; a yellowish white super-
cilium present, succeeded by a black streak above the ear coverts, which are
ashy brown streaked with white ; feathers round the eye white ; in front of
the eye a dusky spot ; cheeks white, with small mottlings of dusky at the tips
of the feathers; chin, throat, and under surface of the body yellowish white;
sides of the body ashy brown, with a large tuft of white on the flanks ;
under tail coverts dull white ; under wing coverts and axillaries white ; wing
coverts and quills brown, the primaries with paler margins ; tail brown. Bill
dusky ; legs fleshy yellow ; iris brown.
Length. 3*7 inches ; wing 2 ; tail 1*45 ; tarsus O'85 ; culmen - 45.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending into the hills of N -E. Bengal. Not
common in Sikkim, fairly abundant in Nepaul. Jerdon says he got specimens
in Darjeeling and also on the Khasia hills.
639. Minla rufigUlariS, Mandelli, Str. F. 1873, i. p. 416; Hume,
Str. F. 1874, p. 447 ; Godw.-Aust. Ann. and Mag, Nat. Hist. (4) xvii.
p. 33; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 113; 1879, p. 104; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 6lO. Alcippe collaris, Wald., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xiv.,
p. 156. Schoeniparus rufogularis, Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 113, note. The
RUFOUS-THROATED HILL-TIT.
Adult male (Sibsagar, Assam). General color above brown ; wing coverts
like the back ; primary coverts and quills dusky brown, externally a little
more reddish brown than the back ; upper tail coverts like the back ; tail
feathers reddish brown ; crown of head and hind neck dull tawny rufous with
pale shaft streaks to the feathers of the crown, which have also faint indica-
tions of dusky mottlings ; sides of crown bordered by a broad band of black,
which meets on the forehead and extends down the sides of the hind neck ;
lores and a broad eyebrow white, the latter extending to beyond the ear
coverts ; eyelids white ; ear coverts dusky brown ; cheeks, throat, and under
parts white with a broad band of ferruginous across the lower throat ; sides
of neck ochraceous buff ; breast washed with ashy : sides of body and flanks
olive brown ; thighs and under tail coverts tawny, the latter with paler
tips ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale tawny buff washed with olive
brown.
Length 47 inches; wing 2-35; tail 2-85; tarsus 0-9; culmen 0-55.
(Mus. H. H. Godwin- Austen^)
MINLA.
ffab. From the Bhoolan Dooars to throughout the hill ranges of N.-E
Bengal. The above is Mr. Sharpe's description of the species in the collection
of H, H, Godwin-Austen. There does not appear to have been a specimen
in the British Museum at the time he was writing, nor of the next.
640. Minla Mandelli, Godwin. -Austen, Ann. and Mag, Nat.
Hist. (4) xvii. p. 33 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1870, p. 490; Gudiv in- Austen, Ibis,
1878, p. 116; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 610. Proparus Mandelli,
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104. MANDELLI'S HILL-TIT.
Adult male (Naga Hills). General color above brown ; wing coverts like
the back ; primary coverts and quills dark brown, externally a little more
rufescent than the back ; upper tail coverts and tail feathers rufous brown,
indistinctly barred with dusky under certain lights ; crown of head and nape
of an ochraceous rufescent brown, the feathers faintly mottled with dusky mar-
gins ; forehead and crown with pale shaft lines ; the forehead brighter rufous
than the rest of the head ; sides of crown bordered by a broad line of black,
which starts from above the eye and extends down the sides of the hind neck ;
a distinct eyebrow of pointed white feathers ; lores and feathers round the
eye black ; ear coverts dusky brown ; cheeks fulvous, more rufous near the
base of the lower mandible ; sides of neck varied with lanceolate feathers
of ochraceous buff margined with black ; throat and under surface of the
body light ochraceous buff, a little whiter on the throat ; sides of body and
flanks olive brown ; thighs rufescent ; under tail coverts olive brown ; under
wing coverts and axillaries light tawny buff. (Sharped)
Length. 5*6 inches ; wing 2*25 ; tail 2*3; tarsus O'9 ; culmen o'5S ; the
adult female is similar, but smaller.
Length. 5 inches; wing 2*25 ; tail 2*6; tarsus 09. (Mus.H. H. Godwin-
A usten) . {Sharpe.)
Hab.H.\\\ ranges of N.-E. Bengal. (Naga Hills.)
641. Minla dubia (Hume), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 611.
Proparus dubius, Hume, Proc. A. S. Beng. xliii., pt. 2, p. 107 ; id. Str. F %
1874, p. 447 ; Wald. in RlytVs, B. Br. Bunn., p. 1 10 ; Davison, Str. F. 1877,
p. 459; Godwin- Austen, Ibis, 1878, p. 116; Hume and Davison, Str. F+
l8 78, p. 373 ; Hume, t. c. p. 519; id. Str. F. 1879, P- IO 4; Gates, B. Br.
Burm. i. 148. Schoeniparus dubius, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 44 ; id. Str. F.
1877, p. 113. Minla dubius, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 1 13. HUME'S HILL-
TIT.
Forehead clear pale rufous ; crown, occiput and nape rich rufous olive
brown, each feather very narrowly fringed with dark brown ; anterior portion
of lores pale rufescent, paler and duller than the forehead ; posterior portion of
lores, ear coverts, and an indistinct ring round the eye brown ; eyelids white ; a
white superciliary streak from over the eye to beyond the ear coverts with a
VOL. II. 21
162 TIMEUID/E.
black stripe above it extending on each side to the nape and meeting behind ;
upper surface of the body, including the wing covert and quills, rufescent olive
brown, more rufescent on the wings and tail ; chin, throat, sides of the neck,
breast, middle of abdomen, and wing lining uniform pale rufescent ; tibial
plumes darker ; sides, flanks, and lower tail coverts somewhat rufescent olive
brown ; legs, feet, and claws fleshy pink ; bill black, tip albescent horny ;
irides pale yellowish red. (Hu?ne, ex Sharped)
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 2-05 ; tail 2-35 ; tarsus 0-9 ; culmen 0-4.
H a fr Tenasserim. According to Gates this species was discovered by Mr.
Davison in the pine forests of the Salween River north of Pahpoon, and was
again met with by him on Moleyit Mountain. Davison found the bird gene-
rally in small parties, occasionally in pairs or singly. They feed on the ground
among the low brushwood, chiefly on insects. The nest is a globular struc-
ture made of reed-leaves and lined with fibres, and is generally placed on or
close to the ground. Eggs, three in number ; white, marked with dark brown
or black, and also with a little dull purplish. The nests were found in
Mooleyit in February.
Gen. IxuluS. Hodgs.
Bill as long as in Minla, straight ; very slightly curved at the tip and notched ;
rictal setae scanty and minute ; wings moderate, the first three quills graduated,
the next three sub-equal ; tail moderate, sometimes slightly furcate ; tarsus
moderate, stout, longer than the culmen ; head with a large blunt crest ;
plumage plain and of sombre tint. Habits arboreal ; food insects, flowerbuds,
small fruits, &c.
642. IxulUS flaviCOllis (Hodgs), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 612 ; Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82 ; id. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 24 ; id. J.A.S. Be?ig.
xiv. p. 562 ; J erd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 258 ; Godwin- Aust., J. A. S. JBeng. xxxix,
p. 109; jBroolcs, Sir. F. 1875, p. 252; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, P- IO 45 *'<?
Nests and Eggs, ii. p. 395. The YELLOW-NAPED FLOWER-PECKER.
Above, including the wing coverts, dusky brown ; quills dark brown ; the outer
webs dusky brown ; primaries edged with white near the tips ; upper tail coverts
and tail dusky brown, the feathers of the latter with olivaceous margins ; head
crested, the crown brown ; occipital plumes greyish ; sides of the neck with an
orange brown or rusty yellow demi-collar; cheeks, lores, and ear coverts
brown ; a ring of white feathers round the eye ; spot in front of the eye and
moustachial streak black ; chin and throat white ; rest of the under surface
pale yellow ; the throat and foreneck with a few dusky streaks ; sides of the
body shaded with brownish and with yellowish streaks ; under tail coverts
ochraceous ; wing lining white. The female is nearly white beneath, or the
yellow is very pale, Bill fleshy brown ; legs fleshy yellow ; irides brown.
IXULUS.
Ltngth. 5-25 to 5-4 inches ; wing 2-5 ; tail 2*05 j tarsus O 8 ; cul-
men 0*55.
Hab. The Himalayas from Simla to Bhootan, extending also to the Khasia
hills, from where, also from the Nepaul Valley, Simla, Mussoorie, Darjeeling,
and Sikkhn it is recorded. According to Jerdon it is a common species
about Darjeeling. It associates in large flocks, is very active and incessantly
on the move among the foliage of bamboo trees hunting for insects, larvae,
&c. It breeds in the central region of Nepaul and about Darjeeling. Dr.
Gammie found a nest which, he says, was most artfully concealed in forest in
the cinchona reserves. It was a rather deep cup composed of moss and fine
root fibres, and thickly lined with the latter. It was suspended at a height of
about 6 feet from the ground amongst the natural moss, hanging from a
horizontal branch of a small tree, in which it was entirely enveloped. Mr.
Hodgson, however, says it builds on the ground in tufts of grass. The number
of eggs is said to be 3 4. Those in Mr. Hume's possession (Nests and
Eggs, p. 396,) are all of one type, rather elongated ovals, with scarcely any
gloss, and strongly recalling in shape and size, also in appearance, densely
marked varieties of the eggs of Hirundo rustica, but with the markings
rather browner and slightly more smudgy. The ground colour is white with
perhaps a slight yellowish tinge, or more or less pale salmon colour when
unblown ; they are profusely blotched, streaked, freckled and spotted with two
shades of dull but not dark brown, the one reddish, the other yellowish : the
markings are of a streaky and ill-defined character. Size 0*78 to O'8 in length
and 0-54 to 0-56 in breadth.
643. Ixulns occipitalis, Blyth, J. A, S. B. xiv. p. 552 ; Jerd. B.
Ind. ii. p. 259, No. 624 ; Godw -Austen, J. A. S. Beng. xxxix. p. 109 ; Hume,
Str.F. 1879, p. 104; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind.B. p. 395; Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. vi. p. 613. Siva occipitalis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xiii. p. 937.
Yuhina occipitalis, Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 276. The CHESTNUT-HEADED
FLOWER-PECKER.
Crown and nape orange or/erntginous brown, with a half concealed white
occipital patch ; head crested, the long feathers with dusky centres ; lores and
feathers above and below the eye dusky blackish ; ear coverts the same, but
streaked mesially with white ; cheeks mottled orange, dusky and white ;
throat dull white ; foreneck and breast pale vinous, streaked mesially with
dusky ; centre of abdomen very pale with dusky streaks, the sides brown ;
vent and under tail coverts ochraceous buff ; wing lining white ; upper sur-
face of the body dusky olive brown ; the back with narrow white streaks, the
rump slightly washed with fulvous ; lesser and median wing coverts like the
back in colour and in character of streaks ; primaries edged externally with
yellowish olive; upper tail coverts margined with yellowish olive; tail dusky
brown. Bill black ; legs pale yellowish brown ; iris brown.
164 TIMELIID/E.
Length. 5*25 inches; wing 2*75; tail 2*15; tarsus 0*8; culmen 0*5.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, extending to the Khasia and Sikkim hills in
N.-E. Bengal. A nest of the species was taken by Mr. Gammie below Rungbee
at an elevation of about 3,000 feet. It was similar in structure to that of the
last. Only three eggs were found in the nest.
644. IxillllS humiliS, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 106; id. and Davi-
son, Sir. F. 1878, p. 374 ; Oatcs, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 149 ; Sharpe, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. vii. p. 614. Staphidia humilis, Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 104.
DAVISON'S FLOWER-PECKER.
Forehead, crown, occiput, the full broad occipital crest, back, entire visible
portion of the closed wings and tail, checks and ear coverts, a nearly uniform
brown ; upper tail coverts the same, but with a slightly more olivaceous tinge ;
lores and an obscure stripe on either side from the gape under the cheeks
and ear coverts a richer and darker brown ; chin, throat, sides of
neck, and entire lower surface of the body silky white, everywhere
except on the middle of the abdomen with longitudinal brown streaks very
narrow (as in I. flavicollis)^ on chin, throat and breast, broader on the sides,
flanks and lower abdomen, and occupying nearly the whole feather on the
lower tail coverts ; tibial plumes brown ; wing lining white (Hume) ; upper
mandible black ; the lower one pale brown ; legs and feet fleshy brown ;
irides red brown. (Davison.)
Length, 5*2 inches ; tail r8 ; wing 2*5 ; tarsus 0*8 ; bill from gape O*6.
Hab. Tenasserim, on the highest parts of Mooleyit mountain, where
Davison says he saw it hunting among the foliage near the top of a good-sized
tree for insects, which its stomach contained.
Gen. Staphidia- Swinhoe.
General characters as in Ixulus ; crest blunt, but very conspicuous ; rictal
bristles feeble and not reaching beyond the nostrils ; tail strongly graduated.
645. Staphidia CastaneicepS (Moore), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 616 ; Swinh., P. Z. S. 1871, p. 374 ; Godw.-Austen, J. A. S. B.
xlvii. pt. 2, p. 20; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 403 ; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 104.
The CHESTNUT-HEADED FLOWER-PECKER.
Adult (type of species). General colour above dusky brown, relieved by
white shaft streaks on the mantle and upper back ; wing coverts exactly like
the back and streaked in the same way ; bastard wing and primary coverts
blackish brown ; quills dark brown edged lighter brown, the inner secondaries
with white shafts ; tail feathers blackish brown, shafted with lighter brown
near the base, all but the four centre feathers tipped with white, which in-
creases in extent towards the outermost, where the white also extends some
distance up the outer web ; forehead and top of head rufous brown, mottled
with ashy brown margins to the feathers ; hinder part of crown chestnut
STAPHIDIA, 165
brown becoming brighter chestnut on the occiput and nape ; lores and
feathers round the eye whitish ; ear coverts chestnut streaked with pale shaft
lines ; an indistinct superciliary streak of ashy whitish above the ear coverts ;
cheeks and under surface of body dirty white washed with brown on the
flanks ; under tail coverts dull white, with dusky brown bases to the feathers ;
under wing coverts and auxiliaries buffy white. (Sharpe.)
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 2-3 ; tail 2-15 ; tarsus O'6$ ; culmen 0-45.
Hab. Hills of N.-E. Bengal. The type is from the Khasia hills.
648. Staphidia rufigenis (Humi), Godw.-Aust. y. A. S. B.
xlvii. pt. 2, p. 20; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 145 ; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 104.
Ixulus rufigenis, Hume, Str, F. 1877, p. 106. Ixulus striatus, Jerd., B. Ind.
ii. p. 260. Staphidea plumbiceps, Godw.-Aust. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.
(4), xx. p. 519, (1877); id., J. A. S. B. xlvii. pt. ii. p. 20; Hume, Str. F.
1878, p. 143 ; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 104. The CHESTNUT-EARED FLOWER-
PECKER.
Above, including the wing coverts brown, with distinct whitish shaft streaks ;
primary coverts blackish brown ; quills dark brown, edged externally with
the same brown as on the back, the tips of the primaries margined with
white and the inner secondaries with white shafts ; uppper tail coverts rufe-
scent brown ; tail blackish brown, washed with lighter brown near the base ; all
but the centre feathers tipped with white ; head crested, dusky brown, edged
with grey ; lores whitish ; sides of crown behind the eye rufous with whitish
shaft streaks ; ear coverts chestnut with paler shaft streaks ; cheeks mottled
with white and rufous ; under surface of body pale fulvous white; under tail
coverts white ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale fulvous white. Bill
dusky brown, fleshy yellow at the base ; legs pale brown ; iris light brown.
Length. 5 inches ; wing 2*35 ; tail 2* I ; tarsus 0*65 ; culmen 0*45.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim).
647. Staphidia Striata (Blyth), Blyth and Wald., B. Burm.
p. 1 10 ; Godiv.-Aust., J. A. S. B. xlvii. pt ii. p. 20 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 104; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 150; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.p. 617.
Ixulus striatus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 413. Pycnonotus nanus, Tickell,
J. A. S. B. xxviii. p. 452. The STRIATED FLOWER-PECKER.
Above greyish brown, each feather with a white mesial streak ; below
albescent, outermost feather of tail f inch shorter than the middle pair and
broadly tipped with white, as is also the ante-penultimate and next ; the outer
four feathers successively graduating (Blyth) ; iris blood- red. Bill dark horn ;
legs reddish horn.
Length. $ inches ; wing 275 ; tail 275 ; tarsus O'6 ; bill from gape 0-5.
166 TIMELIID^E.
Hab Tenasserim, on the Mooleyit mountain (Tretoungplee), where Col,
Tickell first discovered it.
Gen. Alcippe. Blyth.
Bill short, moderately stout and compressed ; culmen curved, hooked
and notched ; a few rictal setae ; wings moderate, rounded, 4th and 5th
quills generally equal ; tail moderate or rather short, very slightly rounded ;
tarsus stout ; head sub-crested. Birds of small size and plain sombre plumage
ranging through the hills of Southern and Western India and Ceylon, also
the Himalayas and the hills of N.-E. Bengal.
648. Alcippe vinipectUS (Hodgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 619. Siva vinipectus, Eodgs. 2nd. Rev. 1838, p. 89. Leiothrix
vinipectus, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 262 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. S&c. p. loo.
Proparus vinipectus, Hodgs., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 938 ; Jerd>. B. Ind. ii.
p. 257; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 104. The PLAIN-BROWN HILL-TIT or
QUAKER-THRUSH.
Head crested ; upper surface of the body brown, tinged with rusty on the
rump and on the wing coverts; quills dark brown, the secondaries tinged
with rusty, the primaries lavender grey for one-half the length of their outer
webs; tail brown, the feathers rusty on their outer web; crown of the head,
hind neck, ear coverts, mantle and sides of the neck vinous brown, duller on
the sides of the neck and darker on the crown and hind neck ; a broad
supercilium extending from above the eye to the sides of the hind neck white ;
a second black streak above the supercilium extending down the sides of the
neck ; cheeks and throat white, streaked with vinous brown ; breast vinous
brown with paler centres ; under surface of the body, including the under tail
coverts, dull fulvous brown; under wing coverts paler, the axillaries white with
a vinous tinge. Bill and legs fleshy brown.
Length.^ to 4-9 inches; wing 2-15; tail 2-15; tarsus 0-85; culmen
0-45-
Sharpe says that there is considerable variation in the strength of the brown
striping on the breast, and that in some birds it is scarcely visible.
, Himalayas, extending into the hill ranges of N.-E. Bengal. Has
been obtained between Simla and Mussoorie, also Nepaul and Darjeeling.
Breeds about Simla, making a rather compact massive cup-like nest composed
of blades of grass. The egg, Hume says, is a moderately elongated oval,
slightly compressed towards one end ; it has a pale green ground, and near the
large end a strongly marked but very irregular sepia brown zone and pale
stains of the same colour here and there.
ALCIPPE.
649- Alcippe nipalensis (Hodgs.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi.
pp. 448, 462; Up. Consp. i. p. 260; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 18, No. 388;
Godw.- Austen, J. A. S, B. xxxix. p. 103; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 476;
id., Sir. F. 1875, p. 117; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, pp. 260, 513;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Scully, t. c. p. 287 ; Brooks, t. c. p. 471 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1881, p. 206 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 68 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 620. Siva nipalensis, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. p. 89. The NEPAUL
QUAKER-THRUSH.
Above fulvous brown ; the top of the head, nape and upper back ashy
brown ; a streak of dusky blackish along the sides of the crown ; ear coverts and
sides of the ne ck paler ; lores, feathers in front of and round the eye whitish
ashy ; chin and cheeks slightly darker than the lores ; back, scapulars, wing
coverts, rump, upper tail coverts and tail fulvous brown ; primary coverts and
quills dusky brown, edged on the outer web with fulvous brown, the innermost
secondaries entirely fulvous brown ; under surface of the body ochraceous
or pale buff, deeper on the sides and flanks ; and more whitish on the centre
of the abdomen ; under tail coverts ochraceous buff ; under wing coverts and
axillaries buffy white. Bill grey or livid horny ; the base of the upper mandible
and a line along the culmen black ; feet livid fleshy ; iris hazel brown.
Length. 5*0 inches ; wing 2*35 ; tail 2-4 ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0*55.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, hills of N.-E. Bengal, ranging into Tenasserim.
It has been procured in Nepaul, Sikkim, the Khasia and Dafla hills, Bhootan,
Cachar and Darjeeling. In the latter, Jerdon says, it is very common, frequent-
ing trees, either singly or in pairs, feeding chiefly on insects. Gates says
it is rather local, and rare in Burmah. Hume has had specimens from the
northern part of the Pegu hills ; while Davison procured it in the pine forests
of the Salween and on Mooleyit mountain in Tenasserim. Blyth has recorded
it from Arrakan. They breed from March to May in the Himalayas. The
nest is said to be deep, massive and cup-shaped. The number of eggs are
three or four, moderately elongated ovals, very regular and pointed towards
one end, the ground colour is white or pinkish white, and very minutely
speckled all over with purplish red. Size 0-71-72 x 0*52-54.
650. Alcippe phaeocephala (Jerd.}, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
vii. p. 622. Timaliapoiocephala, Jerd., Madr. Journ. xiii. p. 169. Alcippe
poiocephala, Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As. Soc. p. 148; Bp. Consp. i.
p 260 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 18 ; id., Ibis, 1872, p. 298 ; Davison and Wenden,
Sir. F. 1878, p. 82; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 95 ; Blanf. t. c. p. 181 ; Vidal,
Str. F. 1880, p. 83 ; Butler, t. c. p. 399. The NEILGHERRY QUAKER-THRUSH.
Above, including the mantle, wing coverts, outer edge of quills and all the
inner secondaries fulvous brown ; upper tail coverts deep fulvous brown ; tail
reddish brown washed externally with rufous ; head and nape light ashy
grey ; no blackish band down the sides of the crown ; lores dull whitish ;
sides of face and ear coverts light brown with svhitish shaft lines to the latter
168 TIMELIIDjE.
under surface of body light tawny buff, ashy whitish on the chin and white
down the centre of the breast and abdomen ; under wing coverts and axillaries
tawny buff. Bill horny yellow at the gape and edges ; legs pale fleshy ; irides
greenish white.
Length** 6 to 6'2 inches; wing 27 ; tail 2-5 ; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen cr6.
Hab. Hills of Southern India, extending as high as Kattyawar. It is
recorded from Mahableshwar and Rajkote. Jerdon says it is found in all
the forests of Malabar as high as North Canara, also in Coorg, Wynaad, and
on the slopes of the Neilgherries. It goes singly or in small flocks, flying from
branch to branch of low trees. Lives on insects. It breeds from January
to June throughout the hilly regions of Southern India. The nest is
usually placed about five or six feet above the ground between the forks
of three twigs of some large bush, and is a deep cup, loosely put together,
composed of green moss, dead leaves, moss roots and a little grass
or grass stems; there is also a little wool incorporated on the outer surface.
The eggs are extremely handsome, and differ much in colour and markings.
Hume says those he had sent to him from Kotagherry by Miss Cockburn
were moderately broad ovals, very obtuse at the larger end, and somewhat
compressed towards the smaller. The ground colour, he says, is a delicate
pinkish or pinkish white ; thickly mottled, and speckled with spots and hair
lines of deep brownish red, dark brown, and pinkish brown, and often smeared
with patches and clouds of faint inky purple. Size 0*83 to o f 86 in length
and 0'6 to 0*65 in breadth.
651. Alcippe Phayrii, Biytk t y.A. S. B. xiv. p. 60 1 ; Hume, Sir.
F. 1874, p. 476; id. and Oates, Sir. F. 1875, p. 116; Blyth, B. Burnt.
p. 115 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 60 ; Anderson, Zool. Exp. Yunnan, p. 635,
pi. xlvii. ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, vol. i. p. 260; id., Sir. F. 1879,
p. 95; JBingham, Sir. F. 1880, p. 179; Oates,B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 69.
Alcippe magnirostris, Wald. in Blytlis B. Burm. i.p. 1 15 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877,
p. 96. Alcippe fusca, Godw.-Aust., J . A. S. B. xlv. p. 197 ; Hume, Sir.
F. 1877, p. 55 ; 1879, p. 95. The BURMESE QUAKER-THRUSH.
Above, including the wing coverts, external edges of the quills and tail
feathers fulvous brown ; the back the same, but with a shade of ashy ; upper
tail coverts rich fulvous brown ; inner webs of quills and tail feathers dusky
brown ; head and nape ashy brown ; a dark line from above the eye, extend-
ing to the sides of the hind neck ; lores and base of cheeks dull white, the feathers
tipped with dusky ; ear coverts and cheeks unstriped fulvous brown or with
very faint indications of stripes ; inner webs of tail feathers brown with a slight
ochraceous tinge ; under surface of the body, the axillaries and under wing
coverts deep fulvous; the centre of the breast and abdomen buffy whitish;
upper mandible dusky brown, the lower one somewhat paler and turning to
yellow at the base ; iris whity brown to pale blue ; eyelids plumbeous.
ALCIPPE. 1G9
Length. 6*2 inches; wing 27; tail 2'8 ; tarsus 0-85; ciilmen o'6. The
female is smaller.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 2-5 ; tail 2-45.
Hab. The evergreen forests on the eastern spurs of the Pegu hills and the
low hills throughout Tenassefim, where Davison collected specimens. Cap-
tain Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it in Karennee, and Captain Bingham in the
Thoungyeen Valley. It also occurs in Arrakan, Bhamo, and the Naga hills.
Gates says he found the species affecting brushwood on the sides of the nullahs
deep down in the valleys of the Pegu hills.
652. Alcippe atriceps (Jerd^, Biyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 148, No. 390; Bp. Consp. i. p. 260; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 19; Hume, Sir. F.
^79, p. 95; Butler, Sir. F. 1880, p. 399; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 625. Brachypteryx atriceps, Jord., Madr. Joufn. x. p. 250. The BLACK-
HEADED QUAKER-THRUSH,
Above, including the back and median wing coverts, dark sandy or olive
brown ; the greater coverts sepia brown edged externally with fulvous brown ;
tail brownish olive> very indistinctly rayed across under certain lights ; head,
nape, and feathers round the eye and ear coverts black ; lores, cheeks and
entire under surface of the body white ; the breast streaked with ashy and the
flanks washed with fulvous ; under tail coverts and thighs fulvous brown ;
axillaries and under wing coverts pale tawny buff ; bill horny brown ; legs
plumbeous ; iris pale orange or buff.
Length.-^ 47 to 5*5 inches; wing 2-15 to 2 25 ; tail 1*9 to 2; tarsus 0*9;
culmen 0*6.
Hab. Southern India. It is found nearly throughout Coorg and Malabar,
also in North Canara, the Wynaad and the slopes of the Neilgherries, but
does not ascend as high as A. phaocephala. It is most abundant in the lower
forests, where it frequents, in small flocks, the thickest underwood. Jerdon
adds that it is continually hopping about the thick bushes with an incessant
loud twittering note. It lives on insects, as mantidse, gryllidae, &c. It breeds
on the Neilgherries during June and July, making its nest in weeds and grasSj
beside the bank of old walls or on the edge of a stream about 2 3 feet above
the water. The eggs, 2 3 in number, are moderately broad ovals, slightly
compressed towards the smaller end. The shell is satiny ; the ground colour
white, marked with brownish or purplish red in the shape of very tiny speckles.
Size c'75 x 0*55.
653. Alcippe Bourdilloni flume, Str* F. 1876, p. 185 ; id. y
Sir. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 36; id., Str. F. 1879, P- 95 5 Bourdillon, Sir. F.
1880, p. 300; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br, Mus. vii. p. 625. BOURDILLON'S QUAKER-
THRUSH.
VOL II. 22
170 TIMELUD/E.
General colour above dark fulvous brown ; the head like the back, tut dusky
on the forehead, which is washed with fulvous brown ; wing coverts like th^
back ; median and greater series dusky, edged with light fulvous brown ; quills
dark brown, externally margined with reddish brown ; tail feathers dusky
brown, washed with deep fulvous brown on their margins ; sides of crown and
ear coverts, as well as the lores and the feathers under the eye, black ; cheeks,
throat and chest ashy white ; rest of under surface of the body fulvous
brown, paler in the centre of the body and a little deeper on the under tail
coverts ; thighs slightly washed with ashy ; axillaries and under wing coverts
fulvous brown. (Sharpe) Bill above black, below pale slaty ; legs and feet dull
brown ; iris white. (Bovrditten.)
Length. 5*2 inches ; wing 2-3 ; tail 2' i ; tarsus 0-9 ; culmen cr6.
Hab. Travancore.
654. Alcippe Chrysaea (Hadgs.), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus*
vii, p. 627. Siva (chrysotis) chryseus, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. App,
pi. 122. Proparus chrysotis, Hodgs., J . A. S. B. xiii. p. 938 (1844) ; Blyth 7
op. cit. xvi. p. 448. Proparus chrysaeus, Jerd., B. 2nd. ii. p. 256 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 104. The YELLOW-BREASTED QUAKER-THRUSH or HILL-
TIT.
Above, including the lesser and median wing coverts, ashy grey ; the lower
back and rump washed with olive green ; a longitudinal band of rieh orange
yellow on the wings formed by the yellow margins to the secondaries,
which are also tipped with white; primaries, coverts and greater series black,
the former with narrow yellow margins on some of the feathers ; quills black,
the outer primaries margined with yellow, becoming paler towards the tips;
tail feathers dark ash margined with golden yellow ; head darker than the
back, blackish on the forehead and lores ; ear coverts silvery grey ; throat
silvery ash grey ; under surface of the body bright yellow ; axiJlaries and
under wing coverts dusky, margined with yellowish white. Bill plumbeous ;
legs pale fleshy ; iris brown.
Length. 4 to 475 inches ; wing 2 to 2-2 ; tail 2 j tarsus 0*85 ; culmen
0*4.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas. Recorded from Nepatrl and Darjeeling.
Jerdon says it is not very common in Sikkim. According to Hodgson it breeds
near Darjeeling and in the central region of Nepaul, laying three to four eggs,
which are figured as somewhat broad ovals, measuring 0*7 x 0*5, with a
pinky white ground, speckled and spotted thinly, except to\vards the large
end, where there is a tendency to- form a cap or zone with brownish red. The
nest is entirely composed of dry bamboo kaves and broad blades of grass
loosely interwoven, and with a little grass and moss roots as lining.
YUHINA. 171
Gen. Yuhina.
Bill rather long and slender, much compressed beyond the nares ; tip of
upper mandible slightly inclined with three serratures, forming minate teeth on
each side not always distinguishable ; a few weak rictal bristles, wing as in
Ixidus\ tail moderate nearly even (jferd?)\ head crested, its feathers
lengthened and longer than the culmen, Jerdon says they are usually
found in small flocks in the wild uplands of the Himalayas, preferring the
lower and more umbrageous trees. They feed on viscid stony berries and
seeds, also tiny insects from the inside of flowers.
Yuhina gularis.
655. Yuhina gularis, Ho-dgs,, Asiaf. &s. xix. 166 ; id., J. A. S*. B.
vi. p. 231 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 397 ; Jerd,, B. Ind. ii. p. 261, No. 626 ; Hume,
Nesls and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 396 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burnt, p. 1 10 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 104 ; Scully L c p. 32?. The STRIPE-THROATED YUHINA.
Above, including the least wing coverts, brown \ the lower back and rump
with a strong, fulvous wash ; median and greater coverts, with their outer edges
rufescent ; primaries and their coverts blackish ; the primaries margined with
ashy near the tips; secondaries edged exteriorly with orange; tail dull
brown, their inner webs dusky, also at the tips ; head fully crested, the feathers
long and recurved; the whole crown brown, washed with ashy, especially
on the nape and tips of the long crest feathers ; lores mottled with fulvous ;
ear coverts ashy brown ; cheeks, throat and breast pale vinous or obscure
wood brown, the throat streaked with black ; under surface of the body
orange brown, or bright orange rusty ; under tail coverts the same, sides of
the body duller orange brown ; axillaries and under wing coverts white, the
outermost of the latter ashy. Bill fleshy brown, the culmen dark brown ;
legs deep orange ; iris brown or dark brown.
Length. 5'6 to 6*6 inches; wing 3; tail 2-3 to 2-5 ; tarsus 0*9; cu-lmen 07.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan. It is recorded from
Sikkim and Arrafcan, also from Darjeeling and Nepaul. According to
Jerdon it is common and abundant near Darjeeling, ascending as high as from
4,000 to 10,000 feet. It associates in large flocks of 15 20 or more. Parties
like these fly from tree to tree, alight on the middle of the trunk and ascend
or climb over the mossy trunk looking for insects till they gain the summit.
Hume has it from Hodgson's notes, that the species breeds from April to
172 TIMELIID/E.
July, building a large massive nest of moss, lined with moss roots, and
wedged either into a fork of a branch or between ledges of rocks. The
eggs are figured as rather elongated ovals, O*8 x 0*56, with a pale buffy or
cafe au lait ground colour, thickly spotted with red or brownish red, the
markings forming a confluent zone about the large end.
656. Yuhina occipitalis, ffodgs., Asiat. Res. xix. p. 167 ; id.,
J. A. S. B. vi, p. 231 (1837); Bp. Consp. i, p. 397; Jerd., B. Ind. \\,
p. 261, No. 627; Gould, B. Asia. pt. xv. ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104;
Scully, t. c. p. 321 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 633. Polyodon
occipitalis, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. Passer es, pi. 68, The SLATY
HEADED or ORANGE^XAPED YUHINA.
.Above, including the wing coverts, brown, tinged fulvescent on the rump ;
back, scapulars, tertiaries, outer webs of the quills and of the tail feathers
olive brown ; the primaries black, edged on the outer web with olive brown
and near the tip ashy ; crest dark ashy brown, tinged with rusty in some
specimens, the long feathers and nape tipped with ashy ; a narrow band of
orange rufous behind the nape, extending from eye to eye ; the lores dull
orange rufous ; the ear coverts dull ashy brown with whitish shaft streaks ; chin,
throat and breast, also the lower neck, vinous buff; an indistinct black
moustachial streak ; abdomen and under tail coverts orange buff ; the lower
breast and sides pale ashy brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries white.
Bill fleshy red ; legs orange buff ; iris brown.
Length. 5 to 5-25 inches ; wing 2-5 ; tail 2 ; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen 0-65.
Hob. Eastern Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan ; recorded from
Nepaul, Darjeeling and Sikkim 10,000 feet.
657. Yuhina nigrimentum, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus.
Passer es, pi. 66, figs 13 (No. 697); id,, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 562 ; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 262, No. 628; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 104 ; Sharp*, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 634. The BLACK-CHINNED YUHINA.
Above, including the lesser and median wing coverts, dull olive brown ;
the mantle shaded with ashy ; greater series of coverts, also the primary coverts
and quills, dusky brown, edged externally with dull olive brown; tail dusky brown,
also edged on the outer web with olive brown ; head and nape slaty grey, the
feathers of crest blackish, edged with slaty grey; lores, base of mandible and
chin black ; ear coverts ashy grey ; cheeks and throat white; remainder of
the under surface, including the under tail coverts, fulvous or rufescent brown ;
the sides of the breast shaded with ashy ; under wing coverts fulvous. Bill
dusky above; the lower mandible red ; feet reddish yellow; iris brown.
Length. 4*1 to 4-25 inches; wing 2-1 to 2'2; tail I'SS; tarsus <r6;
culmen o'.
MYZORNIS. 173
The young, Mr. Sharpe describes as browner in colour, upper tail coverts
being somewhat rufescent ; quills and tail feathers margined externally with
rufescent brown instead of dull olive brown ; head ashy brown, the crest
being dingy black ; lores and chin spot black as in the adult ; the under
surface whitish, washed with fulvous.
Hab. The Himalayas, extending eastwards into the Naga hills and to
the borders of Moupin and Szetchuen. It is recorded by Sharpe from
N.-W. Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikkim. Reid, in his Catalogue of Birds in the
Provincial Museum at Lucknow, notes it from Ranibagh, Himalayas and
Kumaon. According to Jerdon, it is a rare bird. It is said to breed near
Moupin, but Hume notes a nest taken by Mr. Gammie on the 1 7th June
below Rungbee, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet, which was placed in a
large tree at a height of about 10 feet from the ground and contained four
hard set eggs. The nest is said to be a mere pad of moss below, mingled
with a little wool and moss roots, and above with excessively fine grass roots.
The eggs are tiny, little elongated ovals, pure white and absolutely glossless,
measuring 0*58 by 0*43 0*5.
Gen. MyzomiS- Hodgs.
Bill rather long, slightly curved, slender, entire ; nostrils almost closed by
an impending scale ; gape with a few fine vibrissae ; wings much graduated ;
4th, 5th, 6th, and yth quills subequal and longest ; tail short, even ; tarsus
moderate ; outer toe much syndactyle ; claws moderately curved, hind claw
large (Jerd.}\ crest only moderately developed. Plumage soft, dense, and
copious, very puffy over the rump ; feathers of the head scale-like ; tongue
brushed. Only one species confined to the North-Eastern Himalayas.
658. Myzornis pyrrhura, Hodgs., J.A. S. Beng. xii p. 984;
id., in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82; ztf., J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 561 ; Blyth, Cat.
B. As. Soc. p. 101 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. viii.; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p, 263.
Yuhina pyrrhoura, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres^ pi, 67, figs, i, 2
(No. 694) ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 397. Myzornis pyrrhurus, Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
p. 104. The FIRE-TAILED FLOWER-PECKER.
Above grass green ; wing coverts the same ; the head bright emerald
green ; the feathers with black centres and scale-like in appearance ; lores and
eyelids black ; primary coverts green, tipped with bluish, forming an alar
speculum ; quills black, tipped with white, the secondaries edged with chestnut,
the innermost grass green ; tail feathers dark ashy, tipped with black, reddish
on their outer webs, the two centre feathers only greenish on their inner webs ;
a faint indication of a yellowish green supercilium ; sides of the face and
under surface of body grass green, with a rufous shade on the throat and
breast, also on the abdomen ; under tail coverts saffron yellow ; axillaries and
under wing coverts greenish, washed with yellow, their bases yellow. Bill
dusky brown ; legs fleshy ; iris brown.
174 T1MELI1DA.
Length. 4-6 inches ; wing 2-4; tail 0-9; tarsus 0*95 ; culmen 07.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas. Recorded from Nepaul and Sikkim ; has been
found at Darjeeling. Hume says he received a single egg said to belong
to this species from Native Sikkim, where it was found in May, at about
I O,OOO feet elevation. Hume, however, says he discredits its authenticity, more
need not be said.
Gen. Herpornis. Hodgs.
Bill rather long ; culmen 0-5, conic, compressed, strong, straight and
pointed ; upper mandible longer than the lower and notched ; nostrils with a
round aperture, shut in by a membrane ; wings moderate, round, 5th and 6th
quills longest, the first small ; tail bifurcate ; legs and feet moderately strong.
A single species in India ; two others belong to the Malayan peninsula and
the Burmese countries.
659. Herpornis xantholeuca (Hodgs.), Blyth and Wald. t B.
Burnt, p. Iio; BlytJi, Cal. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. lOi ; Jerd., B. fnd. ii.
p. 264; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 479; 1875, p. 142. lora xantholeuca, Hodgs.,
Icon. ined. Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 177, figs. I, 2 (No. 760). Herpornis
xantholeuca, Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. i lo ; Godiv.-Aust., J. A. S. B.
xlv. p. 83 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1876, p. 41 ; Anderson, Zool. Exp. Yunnan, Aves,
p. 631 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, i. p. 374; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
pp. 104, 157; Bingham, Sir. F. 1880, p. 190; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
p. 151. The WHITE-BELLIED FLOWER-PECKER.
Head which is much crested, and the whole upper plumage, including the
tail, upper wing coverts and tertiaries greenish yellow ; the primaries and
secondaries brown, externally edged with brighter greenish yellow than the
back ; under tail coverts bright yellow ; under wing coverts pale yellow ; lores
ashy white ; cheeks and under surface of the body also ashy white ; the
flanks and vent yellow ; axillaries ashy white, washed with yellow ; upper
mandible fleshy horn colour, the edges and the whole lower mandible light
flesh colour ; gape yellow ; mouth yellow ; eyelids plumbeous ; iris brown ;
legs and claws pinkish flesh colour.
Length. 4-8 inches; wing 2-65 ; tail r8 ; tarsus 07; culmen 0-55.
Hab. The Indo-Burmese countries, the hill tracts of Eastern Bengal,
Sikkim and Nepaul, also down the Malayan peninsula. Gates says it is
found in all the forests of Pegu, alike in the hills and plains. It is recorded
by Blyth from Arrakan. In Tenasserim Mr. Davison found it distributed
throughout the evergreen forests, and, according to Captain Bingham, it is very
common in the Thoungyeen Valley. It affects forests only. Gates adds that
he generally found it in large companies, each flock scattered over several
contiguous trees, under the leaves of which the birds were searching for minute
insects on which they feed. They keep up a continuous twitter. He has
never been able to find the nest, and there is nothing known of the nidification
of the species.
SIVA. i7r>
(3eri. Siva. Hodgs*
Bill short, somewhat conic, compressed, gently curved, arid the tip entire ;
I'ictal setae few and weak ; tail with the four central feathers square and
equal to the wing ; feet short ; hind -toe long ; claws well curved. Inhabitants
of the Himalayas, rangirig to Assam, Burmah and Teriasserim.
660. Siva Strigula, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. 1838 ; id., Icon. ined. in Br<
Mus. Passeres, pi. 68, fig. 5 (No. 314) ; Gould, B. Asia, part xiv. ; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 252, No* 6i6 ; Brooks, Str. F* 187$, p. 252; Hume, Sir, F.
1879, p. 104; Scully, t. c. p. 319. Leiothrix strigtila, Gray, Gen. B. i.
p. 269; Blyih, Cat. B, Mus. As. Soc< p. 99; Bp. Consp. i. p. 333. Hemi-
parus strigilla, Hodgs., J< A. S. B. x. p. 29. The STRIPE-THROATED SIVA.
Head fully crested, dull orange ; lores dull white, mottled with black bases ;
cheeks black, the feathers tipped with whitish ; a whitish ring round the eye.
Above slaty, shaded with greenish ; wing coverts the same ; the greater series
olivaceous yellow, and the primary coverts black, forming a wing patch ; quills
black, edged with yellow, scarlet or deep orange ; secondaries tipped with olive ;
the innermost black, the outer webs lavender grey tipped with black ; tertiaries
lavender grey tipped with white ; a patch of black on the inner web, and a'
subterminal spot of the same colour ; tail feathers black, tipped with yellowish
white, the middle ones chestnut at base of the inner web, the remainder edged
with yellow on both webs, the black at the base of the feathers increasing
in extent towards the centre feathers ; chin yellow ; throat white, varied
with transverse dark markings; under surface of the body and under tail
coverts yellow, the sides washed with olive ; under wirig coverts and axillaries
white, washed with yellow ; lower mandible horny ; feet dull grey ; iris
brownish red.
Length. b'i to 6*25 ; wings 2*7; tail 2-75 ; tarsus 0*95 ; culmen O'6.
Hab. r Y\\Q whole range of the Himalayas to Assam and Sikkim. It is
recorded from Nepaul, the hills near Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Assam and
Sikkim. In Sikkim, according to Jerdon, it is tolerably common, frequenting
forests from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. It goes in large flocks, keeping at a
moderate height on trees, where, under the leaves, it searches for insects
which are its chief food. Sharpe says, from the specimens in the British
Museum Collection, that N.-W. Himalayan forms are decidedly paler than
Nepaulese birds, but my collection of the species from Pethoragurh and
Kumaon does not show this.
661. Siva castaneicauda, Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 100; id. and
Dav., Str. F. 1878, i. p. 376; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104; Oates, B. Br.
Burm. p, 145. Leiothrix Strigula (nee Hodgs), Wald. in BlytVs B. Burm.
p. 1 10 ; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 464. The CHESTNUT-TAILED or
ORANGE-HEADED SIVA.
170 TIMELIID/E.
Head and crest orange brown ; upper plumage with wing coverts and
winglet slaty green ; lores and feathers round the eye grey, mottled with
black ; ear coverts grey with white shafts ; a broad but indistinct supercilium
whitish ; a long black moustachial streak ; chin pale orange ; throat pale
yellow ; primaries and secondaries dark brown, edged with yellow on the
outer web ; the margin tinged with orange red at the base of the second
primary, and progressively more so inwards, until the last secondaries have the
margins wholly orange red ; the orange margins absent on the greater portion
of the last three primaries ; all the secondaries tipped white ; tertiaries black on
the inner web and at the tip of the outer web, the remainder of the feather being
grey ; tail black, the four outer pairs of feathers broadly edged and tipped
with yellow ; the central two pairs merely tipped with yellow, and the inner
webs maroon for about five-sixths of their length from the base ; the outer
webs partially maroon near the webs ; legs and feet dingy glaucous green ;
upper mandible dark brown ; the lower fleshy ; iris deep brown.
Length. 6 inches ; tail 3; wing 2-8 ; tarsus 1*05 ; bill from gape 075.
Differs from 6". strigula in having the chestnut colour on the tail much
more extended, and the greater portion of both webs of the central tail feathers
and inner webs of next feathers pure rich chestnut.
Hab. Tenasserim. Replaces S. strigula of the Himalayas in Bhootan and
the Burmese hills, ranging into Tenasserim. Captain Wardlaw- Ramsay got his
specimens on a high mountain in Karennee about forty miles north-east of
Shwaygheen at an elevation of 7ooo feet. Mr. Davison obtained it on Moole-
yit mountain, where, he says, he usually met with it singly, on the outskirts of the
forests among the trees dotted about the grass-land hunting about like a true
Tit amongst the leaves and branches. According to Hodgson's notes the
nests and eggs of this species is very similar to those of S. cyanuroptera.
662. Siva cyanuroptera, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. ii. p. 88 ; Gould,
B. Asia, part xiv. ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii p. 253 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Indian
Birds, p. 393 ; Scully, Str- F. 1879, p. 319. Leiothrix cyanuroptera, Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 105. The BLUE-WINGED SIVA.
Above yellowish brown, slightly rufescent on the lower back and
rump, and ashy brown on the hind neck ; forehead washed with cyaneous,
the feathers streaked with dark brown ; wing coverts yellowish brown ;
with primaries and their coverts black, the latter forming a wing patch ;
primaries edged externally with blue ; secondaries and tertiaries tipped
white, their external edges greyish ; tail blackish, tipped with white, the external
web of the feathers blue, the centre ones greyish, washed with blue ; outermost
feathers white on the inner and black on the outer web, the next edged on
the inner web and broadly tipped with white ; lores, feathers round the eye,
superciliary streak, centre of breast, abdomen, under wing and under tail
SIVA. 177
coverts also the axillaries white, the latter tinged with vinous ; ear coverts
ashy brown and paler shafted ; cheeks and under surface of the body pale
vinoiis. Bill dusky yellow ; legs fleshy ; irides brown.
Length. 5*5 to 6*2 inches; wing 2-45; tail 2-45; tarsus 0-9; culmen
0*65.
Young and immature birds have not the cyaneous blue tinge on the
forehead.
Hab. The Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan, and also in the hills of
Assam and Sikkim. Common near Darjeeling, from 3,000 to 6,000 feet.
Found in considerable flocks. Breeds in the central region of Nepaul and in
the neighbourhood of Darjeeling during May and June. The nest (Hume
quoting Hodgson) is placed in trees at no great elevation above the ground,
and is wedged in where three Or four slender twigs make a convenient
fork. The nest is large but compact, composed of fine stems of grass,
dry leaves, moss and moss roots bound together with pieces of creepers,
roots, and vegetable fibres, and lined with fine grass roots. Eggs, from
3 to 4, moderately broad ovals, considerably pointed towards the small
end, 0*85 in length by 0*6 in width, having a pale greenish ground, pretty
thickly spotted and speckled, especially on the broader half of the egg, with a
brownish brick-red.
663. Siva SOrdida, Hume, $tr. F. 1877, p. 104; id. and Dav. Str.
F. 1878, p. 37 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 104 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 144;
Sharpe^ Cat. B . Br. Mus. vii. p. 641. The BURMESE BLUE-WINGED SIVA.
Forehead, crown and nape, also the back, scapulars, wing coverts and the
outer webs of the tertiaries earthy brown, Very slightly paler on the latter ;
Upper tail coverts brown, a little rufescent On the rump ; lores and cheeks
greyish white ; ear coverts brown with pale mesial streaks ; primaries brown>
the outer webs purplish ; secondaries the same, edged and tipped with white ;
primary coverts black, edged with purplish ; tail with the two centre feathers
brown, washed with purple and narrowly tipped with white ; the exterior
feathers and the whole of the inner webs white ; the outer feathers brown,
more broadly tipped with white, their outer webs purplish. Entire under
surface white; the sides of the throat and breast, the sides and flanks much
sullied ; lower mandible, legs and feet whity brown ; irides creamy yellow.
Length. 6 to 6'2 inches; wing 2*5 to 2 6; tail 27 ; tarsus 0-89; bill from
gape 075.
Hab. The Karennee hills and those of Tenasserim, where it represents
Siva cyanuroptera, of which it is what is usually in the present day called
a race, differing only from it in wanting the white tip to the winglet, and the
upper plumage being more brown. The female, according to Sharpe, is
" much duller brown and only slightly brighter on the rilmp, showing none of
the bright fulvous-brown of the Himalayan bird. The streaks on the head
are scarcely perceptible, and there is no pronounced tinge of blue/'
VOL. II. 23
TIMELIID^E.
Gen. Mesia.
Bill short, strong, wide at the base, compressed at the tip, which is bent over
and slightly notched ; culmen moderately curved ; a few long rictal bristles ;
tail slightly forked ; wing longer than the tail ; the 4th quill generally shorter
than the 5th and 6th.
664. Mesia argentauriS, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. p.88; id., Icon, ined
in Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 68, fig. 4 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 392 ;
id., Str. F. 1879, p. 104 ; Oa/es, B. Br. Bunn. i. p. 143 ; Sharpe, Cat. Br.
Mus. vii. p. 642. Leiothrix argentauris, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 269; Bp. Consp.
i- P 33 2 5 Jerd. t B. Ind. ii. p. 251, No. 615. The SILVER-EARED MESIA or
HlLL-TlT.
Forehead golden yellow ; top of head, lores, cheeks, feathers round the eye
and a line below the ear coverts black ; ear coverts silvery white ; chin, throat
and breast bright orange ; round the hind neck an orange collar ; sides of the
neck and upper back fulvous yellow ; lower back, scapulars, tertiaries and
wing coverts slaty ; the greater and primary coverts narrowly fringed with
yellow ; quills slaty brown, the first two edged with yellow, the rest inclining
to paler yellow towards the ends of the primaries ; the bases of the feathers
washed on the exterior web with crimson and forming a wing patch ; upper
tail coverts crimson ; tail blackish brown, the three outer pairs of feathers
edged with yellowish ; the centre feathers edged with dusky at the base ; under
surface of the body olive green, yellower on the centre of the abdomen;
under tail coverts crimson ; under wing coverts and axillaries light olive ; a
daik olivaceous patch on the edge of the wing, which is bright yellow.
The young have the upper and under tail coverts more fulvous yellow. Bill
ochre yellow, slightly greenish at the base ; irides dark or reddish brown ;
feet fleshy yellow.
Length. 6 to 7 inches; wing 2-9 to 3*1 ; tail 2-65 to 3; tarsus i ; cul-
men 07.
Hob. Eastern Himalayas, throughout the hills of N.-E. Bengal and
Burmah to Tenasserim. Recorded from Nepaul, Sikkim, Khasia and the
Kakhyen hills, also Darjeeling and Bhootan. It was got by Captain Ward law-
Ramsay in the Tonghoo hills and also in the Karennee hills at altitudes
of from 1,500 to 4,000 feet. Davison met with it on the Mooleyit mountain in
Tenasserim ; near Bhamo it has been procured by Dr. Anderson, and in the
hill tracts of Eastern Bengal by Colonel Godwin-Austen. Hume, quoting
Hodgson, says it breeds in the lowlands of Nepaul, laying in May and June.
The nest is placed on a bushy tree between two or three thin twigs to which it
is attached. The structure is composed of dry bamboo and other leaves, thin
grass roots and moss, and is lined inside with fine roots. Eggs, 3 4, pale green,
with a few brownish red spots and specks, more closely speckled at the larger
end and forming an annular zone.
LIOTHRIX. 179
Gen. LiothriX- Swainson.
General character of the genus Mesia ; upper tail coverts very long, reach-
ing nearly to the end of the tail ; tarsus long and slender j wings shorter than
the tail.
665. Liothrix lutea, Scop. (Biyth), J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 552; id.,
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 99; Gould., B.Asia pl.iii.; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 250,
No. 614. Sylvia lutea, Scop., Del., Flor. et. Faun. Insubr. ii. p. 96. Liothrix
lutea, Swinh. % P. Z. S. 1863, p. 298; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 109; Hume, Sir.
F. 1879, P- IO 4; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 644. Liothrix luteus,
Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 142. Leiothrix callypyga, Hodgs., Ind. Rev.
ii. p. 88 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 390. The RED-BILLED
HILL-TIT.
Above, including the wing coverts, dull olive greenish ; the primary coverts
and bastard wing tinged with yellow ; primaries dark brown, the first seven
fiery orange tinged with yellow basally, and golden yellow on the outer
margins ; secondaries glossy black externally, and orange at the base of their
outer webs, some of the others orange yellow towards the tip of their outer
webs and some margined throughout with vermilion ; upper tail coverts
browner than the back, with a subterminal bar of grey and tipped white ; tail
ashy brown, the feathers glossy black along the outer margin and at tip ; head
brighter yellowish green than the back ; lores pale yellow ; ear coverts dull
grey ; feathers round the eye pale yellow j a slaty moustachial streak from the
bill to below the ear coverts ; chin and throat deep yellow, tinged with orange
and terminating in a bright orange gorget on the lower throat ; breast and
centre of abdomen greyish yellow, deeper on the tinder tail coverts ; sides
of the body, flanks and thighs light ashy brown washed with greenish olive ;
under wing coverts and axillaries light ashy. The female has the orange
gorget paler and the flaming red of the wing replaced by orange yellow.
Sharpe says, considerable allowance must be made for the fading of colours
in this species,, for the way in which the green and yellow colours vanish is
most remarkable, the former changing to grey and the latter becoming very
pale. Bill, coral red ; legs fleshy brown ; irides brown.
Hab- Throughout the Himalayas, to the hills of N.-E. Bengal, and through-
out Southern China. Common about Dehra Doon and Darjeeling, also on the
Khasia hills, in Sikkim, Bhootan and the Kakhyen hills. Blyth records it from
Arrakan, and Dr. Anderson obtained it near Bhamo. Jerdon says it is one of
the most common birds about Darjeeling. It usually associates in small
parties of five or six, frequenting the dense thickets and underwood which
spring up wherever the forest is partially cleared. Its food consists of berries,
fruit, seeds and insects. Its usual note is a chattering call, but in the spring
it has a pleasing song. It breeds from April to August at elevations of from,
180 TIMELIID^v
3,000 to 6,000 feet, throughout the Himalayas, south, as a rule, of the first .
snowy range and eastward of the Sutlej. It also breeds on the hill range,
running from Assam to Burmah. The nest is cup-shaped and made of dry
leaves an,d moss, bound together with grass an.d roots. It is generally placed
in a leafy bush at no great height from the ground. The number of
eggs is usually three, and, according to Hume, they vary a good deal in
shape and size, but all are more or less long ovals, slightly pointed towards
the lesser end. The ground colour is a very- pale delicate greenish blue (some
very pure white), pretty boldly blotched or spotted and speckled most thickly
towards the large end forming a zone or cap, of various shades of reddish
purple and brown, or brownish red. The eggs vary in size from 0*8 1 to 0*95
in length and in breadth from o'6 to Q'66. The average of twenty eggs is
given as 0-85 x 0*62,
Gen. Cutia. Sodgs,
Bill moderately long, strong at the base, higher than broad ; culmen keeled,
and curving, once and a half as long as the distance between the front of the
eye and nostrils ; nares broad, lunate ; rictus nearly smooth ; wings moderate,
falling short of the tail by only a trifle ; first three quills graduated ; 4th and
5th longest; tail short, nearly square; tarsus clumsy and strong, almost
smooth, not exceeding in length the midtoe and claw ; upper tail coverts long.
666. Cutia nipalensis, Hodgs., J. A S. B. \. p. 774; id., op tit.
vi. p. 112; Blytk, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 183 ; Gould; B. Asia, pt. 8 ; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 247, No. 612 ; Wald. in BlytJis B. Burm. p. 109; Bulger^ Ibis,
1869, p. 167; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1875, p. 352; Walden, t. c. p. 459;
Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, i. p. 370; Hume, Str. F. 1879, ? IO 4 J Gates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 140. The CHESTNUT-BACKED SHRIKE-TIT.
PLATE at p. 122.
A broad band enveloping the lores, sides of the [forehead, feathers above
and below the eye and the ear coverts, extending round and meeting on
the hinder neck black ; crown of the head a,nd nape slaty blue ; a black
spot at the base of the lower mandible ; hind neck, back, rump and upper
tail coverts bright chestnut ; scapulars ochraceous brown, washed wkh
orange ; wing coverts black, the edges glossy black ; quills black, edged
externally with slaty grey, broader on the inner secondaries, which are tipped
with black ; tips of the primaries with usually a small white spot ; tail black,
the outer feathers narrowly edged with white at the tip, and the centre ones
orange at the base for more than one-half their length, but this colour is con-
cealed by the very long upper tail coverts ; chin, throat, cheeks and under
surface of the body white, shaded with yellowish buff on the flanks, lower
abdomen and long under tail coverts; sidea of the breast and the flanks boldly
barred with black ; under wing and tail coverts white. Bill blackish above,
plumbeous below ; legs orange yellow ; iris brown.
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.
Accentor Nipatensis. j j
Parus
Liottvr'wc,
PARUS.
Length. 6'$ inches; wing 3-5$; tail 2-3; tarsus 1-05 ;; culmen 0-85.
The adult female has the back ochraceous brown, the slaty head of the male
is much paler ; the band round the head chocolate brown ; the back and
scapulars reddish brown with large ovate spots of black ; ear coverts brown.
Length 7 inches ; wing 3*4; tail 2*4; tarsus 1*05.
IIab. Himalayas to Bhootan and the Dafla hills in Assam, extending into
Karennee, Jerdon found it common near Darjeeling and at Sikkim, frequent-
ing large trees in small flocks.
Family.
Tarsus generally short or moderate ; feet fitted for perching ; wings and
tail moderate ; bill various, strong, somewhat conic; plumage variegated. All
are arboreal in their habits.
Sub-Family. PARING.
Bill typically rather short, less than the head in length, somewhat conic,
stout, and without a notch ; nostrils lateral or basal, the nares tufted ; wings
moderate, rounded, 3rd to 5th primaries longest, the first very short ; tail
varying in length and shape, long in a few only; tarsi and feet short and
stout ; hind toe long ; claws curved ; plumage soft, woolly and lax. In colour
they are mostly sober compared with the LiotrichincB ; the principal colours
however are white, black, yellow and blue ; crown of the head generally
crested. All the species are non-migratory, and are chiefly confined to the
Himalayas ; a few only extend to the hill regions of Central and Southern
India. In their habits they are strictly arboreal, actively climbing about and
clinging to the twigs and flowering branches of trees and continually flitting from
spray to spray, and suspending themselves in all kinds of attitudes. They are
noted for the peculiarly elegant construction of their nests, which are composed
of the softest materials ; and many of them are fastened to the extreme end
of a small branch that projects over water ; they also nidificate in holes of
trees or even in walls, and occasionally on the ground. A few build pendulous
nests. Their principal food consists of insects, which they find in the opening
buds or in flower cups, but they also feed on seeds and fruits. They are
indefatigably industrious.
Gen. ParUS. Lin.
Bill short, subulate, more or less conical, blunt at tip and without a notch ;
nostrils round, hidden by recumbent frontal feathers ; tail rounded or square ;
tarsus scutate ; head often crested. The well-known genera, Lophophanes,
Cyanistes, Melanochlora, and Machlolophus, have all, at the hands of Dr.
Gadow, become synonyms of Parus.
PLATE at p. 152.
182 PARID^E.
667. Par us sultaneus, Hodgs., ind. Rev. p. 31 (1831); Blyth,
J . A. S. B. xiii. p. 943; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus.v'm. p. 6. Parus flavocris-
tatus, Lafr.Mag. Zool. 1837, P 1 - 8o 5 Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 102; Gould, Birds Asia. pt. xx., pi. 150. Melanochlora sultanea, Jerd.,
B. Ind. ii. p, 282, No. 650; Walden, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 551 ; Hume and
Dav., Str. F. 1878, i. p. 378; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp.64, 105. Mela-
nochlora flavocristata, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 92 ; Blyth and Walden, B. Burnt.
p. in.; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 129. The SULTAN YKLLOW-TIT.
Forehead and crown with a long pointed crest brilliant yellow ; also the breast,
abdomen, under tail coverts and axillaries; under wing coverts blackish, tipped
with yellow; whole upper plumage, lores, sides of the head and neck, chin,
throat and breast deep glossy black. Bill black ; feet slaty ; iris dark brown.
The female has the yellow parts duller than in the male ; sides of the head
and upper plumage dark greenish brown ; chin and throat yellowish ; wings
and tail dull black.
Length. 7 to 8 inches; wing 4 to 4-2 ; tail 3-4 to 3-6; tarsus 0*95 to i,
The female is smaller ; wing only 37 ; tail 3*3.
Hab. The warmer valleys of the Himalayas through Assam and Burmah,
and Malacca to Sumatra. Common, according to Jerdon, near Darjeeling, in
the great valley of the Runjeet. Oates says it is abundant over the whole of
the Pegu hills ; Blyth got it from Arrakan, and Mr. Davison found it through-
out the whole division of Tenasserim, except on the higher hills. It has been
procured by Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay in Karennee. In the hill ranges of
Eastern Bengal and in Assam and Sikkim, it is fairly abundant. Nothing is
known of its nidification in India.
668. ParuS CinereUS, Bonn. et. Vieill. Tall. Cont. Meth. p. 506,
(1823), ex Levaill', Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 460; Bp. Consp.Av. p. 229;
Kelaart, Prod. Cat. p. 121 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. x., pi.; Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 278 ; Walden, Ibis, 1869, p. 315 ; Holdsw., P. Z. S. 1872, p. 460 ; Hume and
Benders, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 167;' Cock and Marsh, Str. F. 1873, p. 384;
Ball. Str. F. 1874, p. 417; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 62; Gadow,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 16. Parus atriceps,. Horsf., Trans. Lin. Soc. xiii.
p. 160; Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 92; McLell, P. Z. S. 1839; Temm. PL
Col. 207, fig. 2 ; Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 92; Jerd., Madr. Journ. 1840,
p. 7; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 557 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 125. Parus nipa-
lensis, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. p. 31 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 459; Blyth and Wald.,
B. Burm. p. 112; Scully, Str. F. 1879, PP- 329-367; Blanf., J. A. S. B.
1869, ii. p. 181. Parus caesius, Tick., J. A. S. B. (fide auctt.); Swinhoe,
P. Z. S. 1871, p. 361 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. ii. p. 405; Brooks,
Str. F. 1875, p. 253 ; Butler, ibid, 1875, p. 491 ; Hume, ibid, 1876, p. 402 ;
Hume and 'Dav., ibid, 1878, p. 376; Dav. and Wenden, ibid, 1879, P- 95-
Parus commixtus, Swinh., Ibis, 1868, 'p. 63 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm.
p. ui ; Hume, Str. F. 1878, i. p. 376. The GREY INDIAN TITMOUSE.
PARUS. 183
Forehead and crown to the nape, also the chin, throat, and a large patch
on the breast, continued as a mesial abdominal line to the vent black ; sides
of the neck black, connecting the black of the nape and breast ; under
surface of the body pale rufescent ashy ; upper tail coverts, and lesser and
median wing coverts ashy blue ; greater coverts black, tipped with whitish ;
primary coverts and quills blackish, edged externally with ashy blue ; outer tail
feathers white, brown at the base : the next pair bluish on the outer web
and white terminally, the inner webs blackish with a white stripe, the third
outer pair with a small white tip ; the remainder blackish on the inner
and bluish on the outer webs. Bill black j iris brown ; legs and feet
plumbeous.
Length. -5-5 inches; wing 2'6; tail 2 -6 to 2-8; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen 0-46.
Hab. Nearly all over India from the Himalayas to Ceylon, also in Affghan-
istan. Extends to the southern half of China as well as to Java and Lombock.
It is found in Nepaul, Bhootan, Assam and through Central India to
the Neilgherries. It extends all along the range of western ghauts north to
Khandeish. Occurs also in the hilly regions of Nagpore and at Saugor. Gilgit,
Cashmere, Peshawur, Mussoorie, Simla, Kumaon, Nepaul, Behar, Khandeish,
Madras, Travancore, Bhootan, Upper Assam and Bhamo, are "given as
localities. Gates says it is irregularly distributed over Pegu. He found
it at Thayetmyo, and again met with it west of the Irrawaddy, towards
the foot of the Arrakan hills. In Tenasserim it is rare. It is a familiar
bird wherever found. It is known to breed in the Himalayas and on
the Neilgherry hills. Hume says, throughout the more wooded mountains of
the Empire, wherever these attain an altitude of S,OOO feet to even 9,000 feet.
In the Neilgherries the breeding season is from February * to May, and
in the Himalayas from March to June. The nests are placed in holes
in banks, in walls of buildings or of terraced fields, in outhouses of dwellings
or deserted huts and houses, and in holes in trees, and, very frequently,
in deserted nests of Woodpeckers and Barbels. The eggs are a broad oval,
but somewhat elongated and pointed towards the smaller end. Colour pinkish
white, sprinkled with pale purplish, thickly so towards the large end, where
they form a heavy zone of red blotches, spots and streaks. Size 0*65 to o"j
in length, and in breadth from 0*5 to 0*58.
The North-Western race (Affghanistan and Turkestan) is named P. boccha-
riensis. It is said to be a larger and paler race, being pale or french grey
above.
689. Pams montiCOlUS, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1830, p. 22 ; Gould,
Cent. Him. B. pi. 29, fig. 2; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 277, No. 644; Brooks, Sir.
F. 1875, p. 253; id., 1879, P- 487; Scully, op. cit. 1879, p. 323, Gadow,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 21. The GREEN -BACKED TIT.
184 PARID^E.
Crown of the head, sides of neck, chin, throat, breast and middle of the
abdomen glossy blue black ; ear coverts and patch on the occiput white ; hind
neck yellow ; quills black, edged externally with blue at the base and white
terminally ; secondaries and tertiaries broadly tipped with white ; median and
greater coverts black, edged with blue on their outer margin and tipped with
white, forming two wing bars ; lesser coverts grey ; back and rump olive
green ; upper tail coverts and tail blackish, strongly tinged with blue, the
latter with white tips, the outer pair with the outer web white for some distance ;
under tail coverts, thighs, and some of the feathers of the lower abdomen
black, with white tips ; rest of the under surface of the body sulphur yellow,
the flanks tinged with greenish. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; iris brown.
Length. 4*5 inches to 5-2 ; wing 2-5 to 2 '62 ; tail 2*2 to 2-5 ; tarsus 075 ;
culmen 0-5.
Hab. Himalayas and the mountain regions of Assam and Southern China.
According to Jerdon it is very common in the Himalayas, descending lower
than about 5,OOO feet. It is also common on the top of the Khasia hills, and
about Darjeeling, Dhurmsala, Simla, Murree, Nepaul, Sikkim and Bhootan.
It breeds throughout the Himalayas at elevations of from 4,000 to 8,000 feet
from Maj-ch to June. Eggs, 4^-5 in number, not unlike those of the
preceding species, but smaller.
670. Pattis xanthogetiys, Vigors^ P. 2. S. 1831, p. 23; Gould,
Cent. Him. B. pi. 22, fig. I ; Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 7 ; Blyth, Cat. B.
Mus. As. Soc p. 103; Hutton, J. A. S. B. xvii. pt. ii., p. 960; Gould, B.
Asia pt. ix., pi. 14; GadoWi Cat., B. Br. Mus. viii. p s 25. Machlolophus
xanthogenys, Cab. Mus. Hein. p. c)t ; Jerd., B. Irid. ii. p. 279; Brooks, Ibis,
1875, p. 253. The YELLOW-CHEEKED Tit.
Crown of the head, which is fully crested, black ; occiput, lores, cheeks,
sides of the neck, superciliary stripe and breast bright yellow, also the posterior
part of crest ; Chin, throat, a line down the middle of the breast and the centre
of the abdomen black; flanks and axillaries dull greenish yellow; under .tail
coverts pale yellow ; mantle, back and rump olive green; scapulars black, edged
with olive green ; wing coverts black, broadly tipped with pale yellowish white ;
quills black, the innermost secondaries largely tipped and edged with white ;
the outer ones with narrow tips and greyish edges; outer primaries edged
externally With white, and with white bases forming a white bar or alar band ;
Upper tail coverts edged with bluish grey ; tail black, tipped with white, the
outer webs of some of the feathers bluish grey and the outer pair with the whole
outer web white ; thighs pale yellowish white. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ;
iris light brown.
The flanks, sides of breast and abdomen of the immature birds are dull
yellow, and the black on the abdominal region is not developed,
PARUS.
Length. 5*25 inches; wing 2-5 to 2-95 ; tail 2-05 to 2-25 ; tarsus 07 to 075 ;
culmen 0*46 to O'52.
Hab The N.-W. Himalayas to Nepaul. Noted from Simla, Murree,
Mussoorie, Behar and Nepaul. It is one of the commonest birds in the
neighbourhood of Simla, where and at Dhurmsala, also at Mussoorie, it breeds
at elevations from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The eggs, according to Hume, are
regular, somewhat elongated ovals, in some cases slightly compressed towards
one end. The ground is white or reddish white, thickly spotted, speckled and
even blotched with brick-dust red. 81260778 x 0*5255.
671. Parus haplonotUS, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 44; Gadow,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 25, sub-sp. a. Parus xanthogenys, Jerd. (nee.
Vigors), Madr. Journ. xi. p. 7. Parus jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxv.
p. 445 J Gould, B. Asia, pt. i. Machlolophus Jerdoni (Blyth), Jerd., B. Ind.
ii. p. 280, No. 648 ; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 417 ; Butler, Sir. F. 1875, p. 492 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1876, p. 260; Fairbank, Str. F. 1877, p. 407. Machlolophus
aplonotus, Hume, Str. F. 1878, ii, p. 405; 1879, P- IO 5- The SOUTHERN
YELLOW TIT.
Similar to the last, but conspicuously larger, the back is olive grey and the
tips of the greater and median wing coverts are pure white ; head, sides of
neck and breast pale yellow ; flanks and part of the abdomen greenish grey ;
crest feathers plain black. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; iris light brown.
Length. 575 to 6 inches ; wing 2-9 to 3-15 ; tail 2'2 to 2'5 ; tarsus 078 to
8; culmen 0'5 to 0-55.
Hab. Southern and Central India. Recorded from Ootacamund, Tra-
vancore, Madras, the Western Ghats and Saugor ; also in Coorg, Wynaad
and all along the range of ghauts ; in the Vindhyan range of mountains near
Mhow, and the jungles south-east of Nagpore. It is the southern represen-
tative of P. xanthogenys. I have no information as to its nidification.
672. Parus spilonotus, Biyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 103 ;
id., in Jard. Contr. Orn. p. 49, fig. 2 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 26.
Machlolophus spilonotus, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 91 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. ix.
pi. 15 ; Blyth and Walden, B. Burm. p. 1 12 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878,
p. 377; Oates y B. Br. Burm. i. p. 128. Parus subviridis, Tickell, J.
A. S. B. xxiv. p. 267. Machlolophus spilinotus, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 281,
No. 649. Machlolophus subviridis, Blyth and Walden, B. Burm. p. 1 12.
The BLACK-SPOTTED YELLOW-TIT.
Intermediate in size between P. xanthogenys and P. haplonolus, but
much brighter coloured ; upper back yellowish green, with broad black longi-
tudinal spots ; lower back olive brown ; crest long, the posterior feathers
broadly tipped with bright yellow ; occiput, nape, lores, feathers round the
VOL. II. 24
186 PARID^E.
eye, a broad supercilium, cheeks, ear coverts and sides of the neck bright
yellow ; tertiaries tipped, but less conspicuously margined with white ; throat
and front of the neck not so broad as in xanthogenys ; lesser wing coverts
black, tipped with slaty ; median coverts black, tipped with white ; quills black,
the first two plain and the next three edged with white ; bases of 2nd to 8th
primaries with a patch of white ; tail black edged with slaty ; outer feathers
entirely white on outer web, the rest, except the central ones, tipped with
white. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; iris light brown.
Length. 5-5 inches; wing 2-8 ; tail 2-15 ; tarsus 072 ; culmen 0-55.
Bab. Eastern Nepaul, Sikkim, Khasia, hills of Assam, also Bhootan,
extending into Tenasserim. Jerdon says it is common about Darjeeling, and
is chiefly found from 4,000 to 5,500 feet. According to Davison, not unlike
other species of the genus, it keeps about the tops of large trees, especially
those about the open camping grounds.
673. Partis melanolophus, Vigors, P. z. S. 1830, p. 22 ; Gould,
Cent. Him. B. pi. 30, fig. 2 ; Jerd., Ma.d. Journ. xi. p. 8 ; Gould, B. Asia,
pt. xi. ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 12; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 28.
Machlolophus melanolophus, Cab. Mus. Rein., i. p. 91. Lophophanes melano-
lophus, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 273, No. 635 ; Brooks, Str. F. 1875^.253;
War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 61. The CRESTED BLACK-TIT.
Crown of the head and hind neck glossy black ; the long recurved crest
also black ; lores, space below the eyes, ear coverts, cheeks, and a patch on
the nape white ; chin, entire throat and upper breast deep black ; mantle,
back, upper tail coverts and lesser wing coverts dark iron grey ; quills ashy
grey, margined on their outer webs with dark iron grey of a slightly bluish
tinge, the secondaries narrowly tipped with white ; greater and median wing
coverts ashy grey with buffish white spots terminally ; tail ashy grey, margined
externally with dark iron grey ; lower breast, abdomen and flanks iron grey,
tinged with rufous; sides of the breast, axillaries, under wing and under tail
coverts rufous. Bill blackish ; legs plumbeous ; iris pale brown.
Length. 4*25 to 4*5 inches; wing 2-3 to 2-5; tail 175; tarsus O'6S ;
culmen 0*4.
Immature birds have the general colour above dull ashy grey; the crown of
the head black with a short crest and the white on the nape little developed ;
the cheeks and ear coverts are dingy white. (Gadow?)
ffab.N.-W. Himalayas, ranging into Eastern Afghanistan. Common at
Simla, Mussoorie, Murree and Sikkim.
674. Parus rilfonuchalis, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xviii. p. 810;
Gould, B. Asia, pt. xi. ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1 88 1, p. 72 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 568 ;
Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 29 Lophophanes rufonuchalis,
PARUS,
B> Ind. ii. p. 273, No. 640 ; Hume and Henderson, Lahore to Farkand,
p. 167; Brooks, Sir. F. 1875, p. 253; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 62.
Lopophanes Beavani, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 275, No. 641. Parus Beavani, Brooks,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 487. Parus Atkinsoni, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 273,^.643;
Blanford, J. A. S. B. xii.pt. ii., p. 57 ; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 183 ; Hume, /. c .
p. 189. The RUFOUS-NAPED or SIMLA BLACK-TIT.
Crown of the head, including the crest, also the hind neck, chin, throat and
breast glossy black ; nape pale ferruginous ; cheeks, ear coverts and sides of
the neck white ; lower breast, abdomen and flanks dark grey with a rufescent
tinge ; axillaries and under tail coverts ferruginous ; under wing coverts dark
brown, edged with ashy white; mantle and back dark grey washed with
' olivaceous ; wing coverts and quills margined externally with iron grey ; tail
ashy grey, margined with iron grey on the outer webs of the feathers. Bill
black; legs and feet plumbeous ; iris brown.
Length. 5 to 5-5 inches; wing 27 to 3; tail 2' I to 2*25 ; tarsus O'8 ;
culmen 0*52.
Hab. The Himalayas, and from Samarkand to Afghanistan to the mountains
of Southern China. Dr. Gadow's record of the British Museum specimens
shows the following localities. Gilgit and Cashmere, China, Nepaul, Sikkim,
Darjeeling and Khasia hills, to which has to be added Simla up to the
snowy line.
675. Parus rubidiventer, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 445 (1847);
id., Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. Beng. p. 104; Gould, B. Asia, pi. xij Gadow, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. viii p. 30. Machlolophus rubidiventris, Cab. Mus. Hein.i.p.Ql.
Lophophanes rubidiventris (Biyth), Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 274, No. 639 ; Dav.
and Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 284. The RUFOUS-BELLIED CRESTED-TIT.
Head and crest black ; a large white spot on the cheeks from the base of the
lower mandible ; ear coverts and sides of the neck white ; throat dull black ;
upper surface of the body pale rufescent grey, strongly tinged on the rump
with ferruginous ; wings, tail and wing coverts uniform ashy grey without any
spots of white ; breast, abdomen, flanks, under wing and under tail coverts
buff, tinged with greyish. Bill blackish ; legs plumbeous ; irides brown.
Length. $ inches; wing 2-45 to 2-55 ; tail r8; tarsus 0-75 ; culmen 0-43.
Hab. The N.-W. Himalayas, Nepaul.
Very little seems to be known of the Rufous-bellied Crested-Tit. There are
only five skins in the British Museum collection, and from an examination of
these, Dr. Gadow says : " one might suppose that this bird is the female of
P. rufonuchalis, but in the British Museum are specimens which were distinct-
ly marked as males, and show the colours above described." It does not
appear to have been met with by any of Mr. Hume's numerous correspondents,
nor is there any reference to the species in the pages of " Stray Feathers."
188 PARID/E.
678. PaTOS dichrOUS, ffodgs. m Gra-y's Zoo I. Misc. (1844), p. 85 ;
id., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 943 ; id. Ann. Nat. Hist. xv. p. 236 ; Ely Ms Cat.
B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 104; Gould, B. Asia, pt. xi. ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus t
viii. p. 33. Lophophanes dichrous (ffodgs.), Jerd.^ B. Ind. ii. p. 273,
No. 637. The BROWN-CRESTED TIT.
Forehead and sides of the head, also sides of the neck, forming a demi-
collar dirty or creamy white ; crown of the head, including the long recurved
crest, brownish grey ; under surface of the body, including the under wing
coverts, pale ochraceous, washed with greyish on the flanks and on the throat.
Bill dusky bluish ; feet plumbeous ; iris brick red.
Length. 4-5 to 5 inches ; wing 2 f 8 ; tail 2 \ tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0*45.
Hob. Throughout the Himalayas, from Cashmere eastwards and in the
hills of Moupin. It is found about Simla and Mussoorie, also in Nepaul and
Darjeeling. Jerdon mentions a specimen obtained by Adams on the oak
covered slopes of one of the lesser ranges near the valley of Cashmere.
677. ParilS mOdestUS (Burton), Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.
p. 33. Sylviparus modestus, Burton, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 154; Blyth, Cat. B.
Mus. As. Soc. p. 104; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 267, No. 632. Parus sericophrys,
Hodgs., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 942. The YELLOW-BROWED TIT.
Above light olive green, a little yellower on the rump ; head not crested ;
crown and hind neck olive green ; the forehead more greyish and less olive ;
supercilium yellow ; sides of the head, throat and foreneck, also entire under
parts dingy yellowish ; the flanks and lower abdomen tinned with greenish ;
wing coverts, quills and tail dusky brown, edged with the colour of the back.
Bill and legs plumbeous ; iris light brown.
Length. 3-5 inches; wing 2'i$ to 2-3; tail 1-3 ; tarsus O'6 ; culmen 0*35.
Ha<b. Himalayas, throughout which Jerdon says it is found. He adds
that he procured one specimen near Ajunteh, at the edge of the northern
ghauts, and again at Darjeeling. It hunts about in small flocks among the
foliage and flowers of high trees, feeding chiefly on minute insects.
678. Parus nuchaliS, Jerd., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 131 (1844); M.,
Illustr. Ind. Orn. pi. 46 ; id., Birds of India, vol. ii. p. 279 ; Adams, Str. F.
l8 73> P- 385 ; Butler, Str. F. 1875, p. 292 ; id., 1877, p. 221 ; Gadow, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 38. The WHITE-NAPED BLACK-TIT.
Head above, hind neck, mantle and back glossy black ; a white spot on
the nape, sides of the breast and neck ; cheeks, ear coverts, flanks, thighs,
sides of the abdomen, under tail-coverts, also most of under wing coverts
white ; chin, throat and a broad line extending down the middle of the breast
and abdomen black ; wing coverts dark brown, nearly black ; quills the same,
the primaries with a basal white patch on the outer webs forming a band
PARUS. 189
across the wing ; inner secondaries, broadly margined and tipped with white ;
tail black, the outermost feathers almost entirely white, the next pair white on
the outer web only and the third with the outer web white at the base and tip
only. Bill black ; legs and feet plumbeous ; iris red brown.
Length. 4-5 to 5 inches; wing 2' 3 to 2-5; tail 2; tarsus 07; cul-
men 0*42.
Hab. Table land of the Indian peninsula. Recorded from Koochamun
from the eastern ghauts west of Nellore, and from Bangalore in Mysore
territory.
679. Parus semodiUS, Hodgs.,J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 943 (1844);
Jerd., B. Ind. ii, p. 276, No. 642 ; Swinh., Ibis, 1870, p. 155 ; Blanf., J . A.
S. B. 1872, ii. p. 57 ; Brooks, Sir. F. 1879, p. 487 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
viii. p. 41. The HIMALAYAN COLE-TIT.
Crown of head and hind neck glossy black ; a large patch of white on the
occiput and nape ; cheeks, ear coverts and sides of neck white ; chin and
throat dull black, descending on to the upper breast and laterally towards the
sides ; centre of breast dull white ; mantle, back and rump slaty blue ; wing
coverts the same, but spotted with white ; quills greyish black, margined with
silvery grey ; the secondaries narrowly tipped with white ; under surface of
the body pale buff or fawn colour ; under tail coverts fawn-coloured ; tail
greyish black. Bill dark brown ; feet plumbeous ; iris brown.
Length. 4*2 inches j wing 2- 2 to 2-4; tail 17 to r8j tarsus 0^65 cul-
men 0-4.
Hab. The Himalayas (Nepaul and Sikkim). .1 have preferred to give this
Himalayan representative of the British Cole-Tit, the name under which it was
described by Hodgson, the slender bill and other characters given of it,
I consider sufficient to give it specific rank ; though otherwise P. ater and
P. Brittanicus do not differ much from it.
GROUP. ACCENTORES.
Bill straight, somewhat conic, high at the base, entire or slightly notched at
the tip ; nostrils exposed ; wings moderate, more or less rounded ; tail mode-
rate or short ; legs and feet stout.
The Accentores are chiefly terrestrial, but their feet are also adapted for
climbing on rocks. They nidificate in bushes, and on the ground. In habits
they may be said to be sedentary, and are seldom met with, except either in
pairs, solitary, or in small parties of 4 5, and may be said to have their life-
habits between those of a Tit and a Finch, less however like the latter. The
group has been a puzzle to the systematist for ever so long. Its place in
the Order Passeriformes has not been so easy to define, and even at the present
190
day, the differences of opinion leave the matter unsettled. Though excluded
from his Catalogue of the Turdida, Mr. Seebohm has placed the group with
ParidcB in his " History of British Birds," and it appears to me the only
natural position for it.
Gen. Accentor. Hodgs.
Bill straight, conic, sharp, of moderate length, high, rather wide at the base,
slightly notched at the tip, which is also very slightly bent down ; wings
moderate, the 3rd quill longest ; tail moderate, even ; legs and feet stout.
680. Accentor immaCUlatUS, Hodgs., Icon, ined in Br. Mus.
Passeres, pi. 101 ; Gould, B. Asia, pi. 7 (1855) ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 286, No.
651; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 656. Accentor mollis, Blyth,
J: A. S. B. xiv. p. 581 ; id., Cat. Mus. As. Soc. p. 131 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i.
p. 306. The MAROON-BACKED ACCENTOR.
Head and neck dark ashy ; lores and feathers round the eye dusky blackish ;
ear coverts dusky grey, shaded with olive brown ; cheeks dull ashy grey ;
upper back and scapulars maroon, passing into reddish brown on the lower
back and upper tail coverts, the latter washed with olive brown ; wing coverts
slaty grey with dusky bases ; primary coverts black ; primaries blackish, their
outer margin edged with pale grey forming a wing patch ; secondaries chest-
nut brown externally; tail dusky brown, the feathers edged paler exter-
nally ; throat and breast dull ashy grey ; abdomen and flanks chestnut brown ;
the middle of the abdomen creamy or ashy white ; under wing coverts and
axillaries ashy grey ; under tail coverts chestnut brown. Bill blackish ;
feet pale.
Length. 5-2 to 5'6 inches ; wing 2-95 ; tail 2'i ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0*55.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas (Nepaul and Darjeeling).
681. Accentor atrigulariS, Brandt, Bull. Acad. St. Petersb.
ii. p. 40; Hutton, J. A. S. B. xviii. p. 811 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 131; Gould, B. Asia, p. 10 (1858); Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 105;
Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 75; Scully, t. c. p. 569; Seebohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 423;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 656. Accentor Huttoni, Moore, P. Z. S.
1854, p. 119; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 288, No. 655; Sever tz., Str. F.iSjS,
p. 428; Scully, Str. F. 1876, p. 155. The BLACK-THROATED ACCENTOR.
Above brown, the feathers dusky and rufescent on the back, showing a
striped appearance ; rump and upper tail coverts dull ashy, the bases of the
feathers dusky ; crown of head and nape ashy brown ; of lores, sides of face,
ear coverts, forecheeks and throat black ; a narrow frontal line of black,
extending above the eye along the sides of the crown ; a white streak from
behind the eye to the nape ; hindcheek and lower throat pale ochraceous
buff; wing coverts dusky, edged externally with reddish brown and tipped
with bullish white ; primary coverts dusky brown, narrowly margined with
ACCENTOR. 191
paler brown; quills dusky, margined with pale reddish brown, ashy on
the primaries, and much broader on the secondaries, which are tipped with
bumsh white ; tail dusky brown, margined on the outer web with ashy ;
foreneck and breast pale ochraceous buff ; rest of the under surface of the
body white ; the flanks streaked with dusky ; under tail coverts white, streaked
with dusky ; under wing coverts and axillaries ashy with longitudinal dusky
centres. Bill black ; nape yellow; legs and feet" fleshy ; iris brown.
Length. 5*4 to 6 inches ; wing 2'8 to 2-9; tail 2-45 to 2-5; tarsus 07;
culmen 0*4.
Mr. Sharpe observes that in the winter dress the black throat is much
obscured by whitish margins to the feathers, and that the crown is altogether
browner and not so grey as in summer ; the ochraceous colour of the foreneck,
too, seems to vary considerably.
Hal. The Altai mountains, Samarkand and Turkestan, ranging into
Afghanistan and the North-Western Himalayas in winter. According to
Jerdon it has been found near Simla, and also in the Punjab salt range.
682. Accentor rubeculoides,^^, P. z.S. 1854, p. u8 ; Gould,
B.Asia, pt.7 (1855) ; Jerd., B. hid. ii.p. 288, No. 656; Hume and Henderson,
Lahore to Yarkand,^. 234; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 105. The ROBIN
ACCENTOR.
Crown of the head, nape, ear coverts, entire sides of the face and foreneck
uniform ashy brown, the infra-orbital feathers tipped with whitish ; lores, cheeks
and throat paler ashy brown than the crown ; mantle, back, scapulars and
rump ferruginous, all the feathers with mesial dusky centres ; lesser and
median wing coverts ashy grey, the latter tipped with hoary white ; greater
coverts blackish brown, edged externally with ferruginous ; primary coverts
dusky, edged externally with greyish ; primaries dusky brown, edged with
greyish, the secondaries edged with pale ferruginous and tipped with white ;
tail dusky, margined externally with pale ferruginous, the outermost feathers
very narrowly edged and tipped with fulvous white; foreneck and breast bright
chestnut, forming a broad band; rest of under surface creamy white, the flanks
broadly streaked with dusky ; under wing coverts white ; under tail coverts
creamy buff. Bill blackish ; feet pale reddish.
Length. 4-9 to 5-5 inches ; wing 2-45 ; tail 1-85 ; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0-5.
Hab. Throughout the Himalayas, extending to Ladakh, Cashmere and
Native Sikkim. Kumaon is recorded as a locality.
683. Accentor Strophiatlis, Hodgs., Icon ined. in Br. Mus.
Passeres, pi. IOI ; id., J. A. S. B. xii. p. 959; Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 131 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 305 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. 7 (1855); Jerd , B.
Ind. ii. p. 287, No. 654; Hume, Nest and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 408; Brooks, Sir.
F. 1876, p. 278 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 105 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 658. The RUFOUS-BREASTED ACCENTOR.
192 PARID^E.
Above, including the crown of the head, reddish brown, streaked with dark
brown ; a broad creamy buff eye streak surmounting a ferruginous one, which
is continued backward to the occiput; above these a black streak on the
sides of the crown ; lores dull whity brown ; ear coverts black ; sides of neck
ashy grey, streaked with black ; cheeks and throat white, mottled with trian-
gular black spots; foreneck and breast deep ferruginous, forming a broad
pectoral band; centre of breast creamy white, the sides pale ferruginous
streaked with dusky ; under wing coverts creamy buff, washed with pale ferru-
ginous ; axillaries ashy ; wings dusky, margined with dark ferruginous, the
coverts tipped with albescent ; quills blackish, edged with rufescent externally ;
tail brown, margined with rufous. Bill black ; legs reddish brown ; irides dark
brown.
Length. 4-9 to 5 inches; wing 2-45 ; tail 1*85 ; tarsus 0*8 ; culmen 0*5.
Hob. The Himalayas, extending, to Nepaul and Sikkim, also into the
hills of Western Schzuen, Moupin and Kokonoor, and occurring more rarely
on the mountains of Tsenling. Jerdon says he obtained a specimen at Darjeel-
ing. It is recorded also from Kumaon and Nepaul. Breeds from May to
August in Sikkim and the naked ranges of the Himalayas. Nest placed on the
ground. Eggs, 3 4, spotless, sky blue.
684, Accentor Jerdoni, Brocks, J. A. S. B. 1872, part 2, p. 327;
Hume, Sir. F. 1876, p. 491 ; id., ibid, 1879, p. 105; Biddulpli, Ibis, 1881,
p. 75 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus., vii. p. 660. Accentor strophiatus, Hume
and Henderson, Lahore to Yarkand, p. 234 (1878, nee Hodgs.) JERDON'S
ACCENTOR.
Adult male. General aspect of upper surface streaked, the back ashy brown
with slight reddish edgings to some of the dorsal feathers, all of which are
broadly centred with black ; rump and upper tail coverts more uniform ashy
brown; wing coverts like the back, the median and greater series dark brown,
externally edged with paler brown and tipped with fulvous ; bastard wing,
primary coverts and quills blackish brown, externally margined with paler
brown, broader on the secondaries ; tail feathers brown, edged with ashy ;
crown of head dingy brown, darker than the back and washed with ashy ;
sides of the crown black, forming a distinct lateral streak ; lores black, sur-
mounted by a broad white streak which passes into pale cinnamon above the
ear coverts, which are uniform black ; sides of neck ashy grey ; cheeks and
throat white with a few black spots chiefly on the malar line ; foreneck and
breast pale cinnamon, forming a broad pectoral band ; abdomen white ; sides
of the body washed with pale cinnamon, browner on the lower flanks ; the sides
of the body streaked with blackish brown ; thighs ashy ; under tail coverts
white, mottled with dusky bases ; under wing coverts and axillaries ashy, those
near the edge of the wing mottled with dusky bases.
ACCENTOR. 193
5-3 inches; wing 2-6; tail 2-15; tarsus 07; culmen 0-45.
(Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 660.)
Hab. N.-W. Himalayas and Cashmere. Recorded from Desoai plain, and
also from near Simla.
685 Accentor altaiCUS, Brandt., Bull Acad. St. Petersb. i.
P 365 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 305 ; Gould, B. Asia. pt. x. (1858) ; Jerd., B. Ind.
ii. p. 287, No. 653 (1863) ; Servertz, Turkest. Jevotn, pp. 66, 133 ; id. t Str.
F- l8 7S P- 428; Dresser, Ibis, 1876, p. 91 ; Hiune^ Str. F. 1879, p. 105
Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 74; Scully, t. c.p. 569; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii.
p. 660. Accentor Himalayensis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 187. Accentor
variegatus, Blyth,J. A. S. B. xii. p. 960. The HIMALAYAN ACCENTOR.
Forehead, crown, occiput, neck, shoulders and rump uniform dusky ashy
brown ; in winter streaked with a faint eyebrow of greyish white ; lores,
feathers below the eye and ear coverts dusky, tipped very narrowly with
fulvous ; cheeks and throat white, spotted with black ; sides of the neck dull
ashy grey ; foreneck and breast ashy white, the feathers with light rufous
centres ; mantle and back rufous brown, with fulvescent margins and broad
centres to the feathers; scapulars and tertiaries rufous brown, mottled with
large black spots; upper tail coverts ashy with dark centres to the feathers;
under tail coverts the same ; lesser wing coverts ashy brown ; median series
black, tipped with white, forming a bar across the wing ; greater coverts
blackish brown, edged with fulvous externally and tipped with white ; bastard
wing, primary coverts and quills blackish brown, edged with ashy fulvous, the
secondaries margined and tipped with pale buff, the innermost edged with
rufous on both webs ; tail dark brown edged with ashy and tipped on the inner
web with white; breast and sides of the body white, broadly streaked with
rufous; lower abdomen unstreaked white; breast, axillaries and under wing
coverts very pale rufescent, edged with ashy whitish. Bill black ; legs reddish
brown.
Length. 57 to 6 inches; wing 3-25 to 3-55; tail 2-3; tarsus 0-9; cul-
men o'55.
Hab. Altai mountains, and throughout the Himalayas. Has been found
in the middle range of hills north of Mussoorie, also near Chumba, and at
Simla and Nepaul. It has also been found in Sikkim and at Kussowlie.
Accentor rufilaius occurs from Turkestan to the neighbourhood of Gilgit and
Northern Cashmere, and not unlikely will be found in the Himalayas.
686. Accentor nipalensis, Hodgs., J. A. S. B. xii. p. 958;
op. cit. xv. p. 42 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. 7 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 286, No. 652 ;
Hume and Henderson* Lahore to Yarkand, p. 234 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 105 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 664. Accentor cacharensis,
Hodgs. t P. Z. S. 1845, p. 34; id , Icon- ined. in Br.Mus. Passeres, pi. IOIA.,
fig. i The LARGE HIMALAYAN ACCENTOR.
VOL, II 2
194
Head, neck, and ear coverts uniform dark grey, with faint indications of
dusky centres to the feathers ; back, rump and upper tail coverts greyish
brown, the feathers centred with dusky ; lores blackish, mottled with pale
fulvous tips ; a faint fulvous eyebrow, not always present; feathers round the
eye mottled with pale fulvous tips ; cheeks dark grey ; sides of the neck sooty
brown ; throat white, mottled with dark spots, forming transverse streaks ;
scapulars externally chestnut brown ; lesser wing coverts dusky brown ;
median and greater coverts darker brown nearly black, tipped with white on
the outer web ; quills blackish brown, their outer webs chestnut, secondaries
the same, the innermost with white tips ; foreneck and upper breast ashy,
washed with chestnut on the sides ; the lower breast and abdomen paler ashy,
with whitish transverse bars, and a subterminal dusky one before each feather ;
sides of the body chestnut, the flanks edged with white and with broad mesial
dusky streaks ; under tail coverts rufescent broadly tipped with white ;
tail brownish black, edged with pale rufous and tipped with the same colour on
the inner web, the outermost feathers with a large white spot. Bill dusky ;
yellow on the lower mandible ; legs reddish brown.
Length. 6 to 7 inches ; wing 3-65 ; tail 2'6 ; tarsus i ; culmen O 6'
Hab. The Himalaya mountains. No specified locality is given of this
representative of the European A.alpinus. There is only a single adult $
skin in the British Museum presented to it by Captain Pinwill, and the
locality against it is " N.-W. Himalayas/'
Gen Acredula. Koch.
Bill extremely short and stout ; culmen strongly curved ; nostrils com-
pletely hidden by short recumbent feathers ; first primary well developed, but
shorter than half the length of the next ; tip of wing formed by the 4th, 5th
and 6th primaries ; tail generally much longer than the wing and much
graduated ; the scales covering the tarsus inclined to fuse into one long
scutum. No crest. Plumage very soft and of light colours. (Gadoiv.)
687. Acredula ery throe epliala (Vigors), Gadow, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. viii. p. 56. Parus erythrocephalus, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 23,-
Gould, Cent. B. Him. Mts., pi. xxx. fig. I ; id., B. Asia, pt. 7, p. 1 1 ; JB rooks,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 487. Orites erythrocephalus, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 104. ^Egithaliscus erythrocephalus, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 90 (1850);
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 270, No. 634 ; Blyth and Walden, B. Burm. p. 1 12 ;
Brooks, Sir. F. 1875, P* 2 5 2 5 Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 127. The RED-
HEADEH TlT^VIoUSE.
Forehead, crown and nape chestnut, a short but broad supercilium white ;
lores, ear coverts, feathers round the eye and throat black ; chin and a line
separating the black of the throat from that of the sides of the head white ; upper
surface of the body, including the wing coverts, ashy blue, tinged with russet
ACREDULA.
on the rump ; quills and tail ashy brown, edged on the outer web very slightly
with ashy; outer tail feathers brown, the terminal two-thirds of the outer web
and the tip of the inner white ; the next two pairs brown with large triangular
white tips, and the three central pairs ashy brown, lighter on the outer webs ;
sides of the throat and neck pure white ; under surface of the body ochra-
ceous, deepest on the abdomen and flanks. Bill black ; legs fleshy yellow ; iris
brown (Jerri.); iris pale yellow or yellowish creamy; feet buffy yellow; claws
livid. (Scully,)
Length. 4 to 4*2 inches ; wing 2*05 ; feail 2 ; tarsus O*6; culmen o'3.
Hob, Throughout the Himalayas from the far north-west to Bhootan.
It is recorded from Murree, Simla, Mussoorie, Nynee Tal, Nepaul, Bhootan
and Assam ;. also from? Darjeeling, where Jerdon says it is very common
at 7,000 feet of elevation-, and is found up to 1 0,000 feet. It associates in
small flocks, frequenting shrubs, hedges and high trees, and lives chiefly
on insects. In Burmah Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay obtained it in Karennee
at 3,000 feet elevation, and Colonel God win -Austen got it in the Naga hills.
It breeds from March to May. The nest is usually placed between several
twigs, in low bushes, tufts of grass, banks r or other convenient situation. The
nest is in shape a round ball with a small lateral entrance,, and is composed
of green mosses, lichen and moss roots, lined with feathers. The eggs are five
in number, and, according to Hume, tiny, about 0-53 X 0-45 inch, broad ovals,
sometimes almost globular, but generally somewhat compressed towards one
end, so as to assume something of a pyriform shape. They are almost
entirely glossless, have a pinkish or at times a creamy white ground, and exhibit
a conspicuous reddish or purple zone towards the large end, composed o&
multitudes of minute spots almost confident and interspaced with a purplish:
cloud.
688. Acredula jOUSCllistOS (Ilodgs^ Gadow; Cat. B. Br. Mus.
viii. p. 58. Parus jouschistos, Hodgs in' Grays Zool. Misc. p; 83- (1844)^
id., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 943 ; Btyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As. Soc. p. 104.
^Egithaliscus jouschistos, Cab. Mus. Hein r \. p, 90; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 271,
No. 635. The RUFOUS. FRONTED* TIT-MOUSE.
Forehead and crown* black, except a broad band of fawn colour which
extends from the base of the bill to the nape in the centre of the crown ;
sides of the head and neck, ear coverts and the imder wing coverts slightly
paler fawn colour. The upper surface of the body ashy, slightly tinged with
olive ; the rump a little fulvous ; wing coverts ashy, with a slight tinge o
olive ; quills and tail dark brown edged with greyish, the feathers of the latter
more or less tipped with, whitish ; under surface of the body deep reddish,
fawi* or rufescent. Bill black ; legs yellow brown ; iris brown.
Length. 4 to 4*25 inches ; wing 2'2 ; tail 2 ; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen 0-34.
Hab. The Himalayas. Has been found in Nepaul, Darjeeling. and
Bhootan.
196 PARID^E.
689. Acredula niveogularis (Moore), Gadow, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. viii. p. 58. Orites (?) niveogularis, Moore, P. Z. S 1854, p. 140. Acanthi-
parus niveogularis, Gould, B. Asia, pt. 7, 1855. ^Egithaliscus niveogularis
(Moore), Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 272, No. 636. The WHITE-THROATED
TIT-MOUSE.
Forehead white, passing to buff brown on the occiput and nape ; lores, over
the eyes and ear coverts black, passing as a band to the sides of the nape ;
upper surface of the body ashy grey, a little fulvous on the rump ; tail, quills
and wing coverts brownish grey, narrowly edged with grey ; most of the tail
feathers broadly tipped with white ; cheeks, chin, throat, foreneck and sides
of the neck white ; a broad band of a brownish tinge across the breast, the
lower part of which with the abdomen is pale pinky-isabelline or reddish
fawn, passing to white on the middle of the abdomen. Bill black ; feet
yellowish ; iris brown.
Length. 4*5 inches; wing 2-4 to 2*5; tail 2*3 to 2-5 ; tarsus 0*6 5; cul-
men 0*37 to 0*4.
Hal. Northern and North-Western India. Acredula leucogenys occurs in
Afghanistan and Cashmere.
Gen. .aSithalUS. - Boie.
Bill short and straight, much pointed, slightly longer than that of Acredula ;
nostrils apert; wing longer in length than the tail ; third, fourth and fifth
primaries longest and forming the tip ; tarsus short and stout, covered in front
with transverse scutes ; feet small ; lateral toes unequal.
690. JEgithalus flammiceps, Burton, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 153;
Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 104; Bp. Consp. i. p. 231. Cephalopyrus
flammiceps, jferd*, B. Ind. ii. p. 267, No 633. The FLAME-FRONTED TIT.
Forehead, crown and chin rich orange red ; sides of neck, throat, breast
and under surface of the body bright golden yellow, paler on the lower abdo-
men and under tail coverts ; upper surface of the body yellowish green,
brighter on the rump and upper tail coverts ; wing coverts, quills and tail
brown, the feathers edged with yellowish green ; under wing coverts white ;
axillaries yellow. Bill plumbeous ; legs leaden brown.
Length. 4 inches ; wing 2-3 to 2-4 ; tail 1-4 ; tarsus 0*47; culmen 0*35
0-38.
The female differs from the male in the colour of the crown and throat
being yellowish green, and duller everywhere.
N.-W. Himalayas, extending from Cashmere into Afghanistan,
REGULUS. 197
Gen. RegulUB. Koch.
Bill short, straight, somewhat conic and keeled ; nostrils basal, with an
opening in front of a coriaceous groove, protected by one or two rigid
plumes ; first primary equal to half the second in length ; 4th, 5th, and 6th
primaries the longest ; tail square, the feathers with pointed tips ; tarsus
covered with one long scute ; plumage soft and lax.
691. ReguluS CristatUS, Koch, Syst. d. baier. Zool. p. 199 (The
European race). Regulus himalayensis, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 206, No. 580 ;
Gould, B. Asia, pt. 7 ; Stol., Sir. F. 1875, p. 246. The HIMALAYAN FIRE-
CRESTED WREN.
Head with a central patch of bright orange yellow or flame colour, edged
with pale yellow and bordered with a dark streak from the base of the upper
mandible ; lores, supercilium and ear coverts ashy grey, tinged in some
with greenish ; upper surface of the body olive green, passing into yellowish
on the rump, and upper tail coverts ; wing coverts dingy, edged and tipped
with spots of paler dingy greenish ; primaries brown, yellowish externally ; the
secondaries white at the base, blackish in the middle ; the inner ones
margined externally with yellowish and tipped with white ; tail brown, exter-
nally margined with yellowish green ; under wing coverts and axillaries white ;
under surface of the body dingy greenish yellow. Bill blackish brown ; legs
and claws pale horny brown.
Length. 375 to 4 inches; wing 2'i to 2*5; tail 1*5 ; tarsus 0*7; oil-
men 0*4-
Hab. Throughout the Palsearctic region. The N.-W. Himalayan race
is a slightly larger bird than the European one. It is recorded from Nepaul,
Cashmere and Native Sikkim, but everywhere rather scarce.
Family. LANIID^:.
Bill strong, short, or of moderate length, notched or toothed at the tip ;
gape wide, with rather rigid rictal bristles ; tarsus short and strong, and covered
with large scutes on both sides ; nostrils basal and of various forms ; wing
with ten primaries, the first small j tail of twelve feathers ; toes four ; midtoe
largest.
This large family, including the genera found outside of India Proper,
has been divided by Dr. Gadow into 5 sub -families, viz., Gymnorhince,
comprising genera in the Australian region and Borneo ; MalaconotincB,
comprising genera found in Africa, Madras and India, one genera only
{Ptererythrius) being found in the hilly and mountainous districts of the
Indian region. The next is Laniince, in which are comprised four genera, the
genus Lanim only being Indian, but the species, however, extend their range
198 LANUD/E.
into the Patoarctic and African regions in the old world ; and following this
are Paehyccphalina and Vireonime, both unrepresented in India. Dr. Gadow,
however, places Tephrodortiis grisola in the Pocky ctphalina sub-family, but
this cannot stand there, nor can /*. cyanea, both of which are true Niltavas
without tarsal scutes.
Sub-Family-MALACONOTlN/K.
Bill longer, wider and less compressed than in Lanius, the tip well hooked
and strongly toothed, also slightly longer, and the tail shorter, tip bent down ;
nostrils uncovered by feathers ; 1st primary shorter than the 2nd, the 4lh,
$th, and 6th longest. Plumage lax and soft, forming a thick covering.
Gen. Ptererythrius. Stricki.
Bill short and straight ; culmen with a prominent ridge bent down at tip,
hooked and notched ; base of bill broad and more flattened than in Lanius;
other characters the same as those of the sub-familly.
692. Ptererythrius erythropterus (Vigors), Swains., Classif.
B. i. p. 249; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 113. Pteruthius erythrop-
terus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. pp. 106, 183 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. viii. ; Jerd.
B. Ind. ii. p. 245, No. 609; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 356 ; 1879, P- IO 4- Lanius
erythropterus, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p, 22; Gould, Cent. Him. B. pi. n.
The RED-WINGED SHRIKE-TIT.
Adult male. Head black ; rest of upper surface light plumbeous grey ;
cheeks and supercilium white ; tips of the upper tail coverts and tail black ;
wing coverts and quills black, tipped white on their inner webs ; lertiaries
edged with chestnut red on the outer webs, and fulvous on the inner ; under
surface of the body white, the flanks washed with a vinous colour ; under tail
and under wing coverts white, with a grey patch near the edge of the wing.
Bill black ; feet pale fleshy ; iris dark brown. The adult female is olive brown
above, including the scapulars and upper tail coverts ; lesser wings coverts
black edged with grey, the median and greater series olive brown ; primary
coverts and quills black, the latter, except the first three primaries, tipped white
on their inner webs, the secondaries conspicuously margined with olive green ;
outer webs of the outermost tail feathers olive greenish and tipped with yellowish
green, the inner webs black ; central feathers olive green tipped with black ;
head grey : supercilium darker than in the male ; under surface of the body
white ; the thighs, under tail coverts, middle of abdomen and flanks washed
with fulvous ; under wing coverts and axillaries white.
Length. 6-3 107 inches; wing 3*1 to 3*25; tail 2*2 to 2-5 ; tarsus 1*03
to ri ; culmen 0*6 to 0*7.
PTERERYTHRIUS. 199
JJab. Throughout the Himalayas from the N.-W. to Bhootan, extending
also into the hill ranges of Assam, Common about Kumaon, Mussoorie,
Simla, Cashmere, Murree, and Darjeeling, from 2,500 to nearly 6,000 feet.
Jerdon says it lives in small flocks flying from tree to tree with a lively mellow
call, feeding at times on fruit and insects.
693. Ptererythrius seralatus, TicMi J. A. S. Beng. 1855,
xxiv. p. 267 ; Blyth, Ibis, 1861, p. 32 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 109;
Gould, B. Asia, pt. xxviii. ; Anderson, Zool. Exp. Yunnan, Aves, p. 628, pi.
47; Hume, Sir. F. ii. p. 479; v. p. 114; vi. p. 368; 1879, p. 104; Oates,
B. Br. Burm. \. p. 137. TICKELL'S SHRIKE-TIT.
Male. The whole summit of head from the forehead to the nape, the
lores, ear coverts and feathers round the eye deep black ; a broad stripe from
above the eye to the nape white ; back, rump, scapulars and upper tail
coverts grey, the latter margined with black ; chin, throat, cheeks, sides of
neck, breast and flanks pale grey ; abdomen white, tinged with vinous, as are
also the feathers of the flanks covering the thighs ; vent and under tail coverts
white ; tail glossy black ; primaries black, all but the first three tipped with
white ; secondaries all black ; tertiaries chestnut on the inner webs, also the
tips of the outer ; tlie remainder of the outer webs golden yellow ; wing coverts
black, the lesser ones marked with grey.
Female. According to Mr. Hume, the stripe over and behind the eye is
less marked and greyish white ; the lores are very pale grey ; the forehead
and crown are pure clear grey, shaded on the occiput with olivaceous ; the entire
back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts pale greenish grey, faintly fulvous on
the rump, and generally pure grey on the longest upper tail coverts (Oates) ;
legs and feet fleshy white ; claws pale brown to black ; lower mandible and
basal edges of upper mandible along commissure pale blue ; rest of bill black ;
irides varied considerably, slaty grey, pale greenish blue and deep brown.
(Damson.)
Length. 67 inches ; tail 2*3; wing 3; tarsus 1*05 ; bill from gape -9. The
female is quite as large.
Hab. British Burmah. According to Gates it was first described from
specimens obtained on the Tenasserim mountains by Colonel Tickell at eleva-
tions from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it in
Karennee from 4,500 to 5,000 feet elevation, and Mr. Davison rediscovered it
on Mooleyit mountain. Out of Burmah it is known to occur in the Kakhyen
hills, east of Bhamo, on the borders of China, where Dr. Anderson observed it.
Mr. Davison says he only obtained it in the forests of Mooleyit, where he found
it usually in pairs, hunting amongst the foliage for insects. He adds that
it has a rather pleasant single note, which might be syllabized toweech, which
it utters at short intervals.
200 LANIID/E.
694. Ptererythrius ruflventer, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 183 ;
xii. p 954 ; id., Cat. B. Mus. As, Soc. p. 28 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. ix. ; Jcrd.
B. Ind. ii. p. 245, No. 610; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 104; Gates, B. Br.
Burm. i, p. 138. The RUFOUS-BELLIED SHRIKE-TIT.
Head, cheeks and hind neck black ; back, scapulars and upper tail coverts
dark chestnut; wing coverts, quills and tail shining black; the primaries
narrowly margined on their outer web with white, and the secondaries and tail
feathers tipped with ferruginous ; ear coverts, lores, and below the eyes black ;
chin, throat, and foreneck pale grey or pure ashy ; sides of the breast light
yellowish brown ; centre of breast, abdomen, and under tail coverts vinous
brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries white.
The female differs in having the upper parts, wings and middle of tail
feathers dark olive green, and the upper tail coverts and rump ferruginous.
Bill black ; feet flesh-coloured.
Length. 7*5 to 77 inches; wing 3*5 ; tail 3-6 ; tarsus \'2 ; oilmen O'8.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas (Darjeeling, Nepaul and Sikkim).
695. Ptererythrius intermedius (Hume), Gadoiv, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. viii. p. 117. Allotrius intermedius, Hume, Str. F. v. pp. 112 et
115; vi. p. 370; 1879, p. 104; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 140. HUME'S
SHRIKE-TIT.
Head olivaceous, the forehead with a chestnut band ; throat chestnut, also
the centre of the breast ; superciliary stripe grey, extending as a broad band
over the ear coverts ; no nuchal collar as in A. mdanotis. Lower mandible
and edge of upper one pale blue ; rest of upper mandible black; irides brown;
feet and claws fleshy.
Length. 4-7 inches ; wing 2-45 ; tail r ; tarsus 075.
Hab. Tenasserim, on the higher slopes of Mooleyit mountain.
696. Ptererythrius melanotis (Hodgs-), Gadow, Cat. B. Br.
Mus.vm. p. 117; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 139. Allotrius melanotis,
Uodgs.,J. A. S. Bang, xvi., p. 448 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. viii. ; Hume, Sir. F.
1879, P' IO 4 Blyth, B. Burm. p. 109; Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 390 ;
id., Str. F. vi. p. 369. Allotrius senobarbus, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 246,
No 611. HODGSON'S SHRIKE-TIT.
Male. Whole summit of head, back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts
greenish yellow ; a ring of feathers round the eye white; a very narrow line
from the nostrils over the eye and another broader one from the anterior
corner of the eye, passing under the eye and over the ear coverts and termina-
ting in a patch at the rear of the ear-coverts, black ; lores and a broad band
from eye to eye, round the nape, clear ashy ; ear coverts yellow ; chin and
throat dusky chestnut ; lower plumage bright yellow suffused with chestnut on
the breast ; central tail feathers green tipped with black ; the next four pairs
PTERERYTHRIUS. 201
black, tipped with white, the tips becoming broader from the centre to the
outside of the tail ; outermost tail feathers wholly white ; wings black, edged
exteriorly with grey, and each quill, except the first few primaries, tipped with
white ; lesser wing coverts black edged with grey ; median and greater coverts
black, broadly tipped with white, ' The female has the tips to the median and
greater wing coverts salmon-coloured instead of white, and the chestnut on the
throat is less intense, and does not extend down to the breast. The young
have the upper plumage olive brown ; the grey band round the head
and the black lines are wanting, and the whole lower plumage is pale
yellowish white. Bill plumbeous; legs fleshy white; irides light brown.
(Gales.}
Length. 47 inches ; wing 2-5 ; tail r8 ; tarsus O'S ; culmen 0*44.
Hab.~ The Eastern Himalayas from Bhootan to Nepaul. Occurs also in
Sikkim, Darjeeling, the Khasia hills, and in British Burmah, east of Tonghoo.
Hume, quoting Hodgson's notes and figures, says that it breeds in Sikkim
and Nepaul, up to an elvation of 6,000 or 7,000 feet. The nest is placed at a
height of 6 to i O feet from the ground, between some leafy, horizontal fork,
between which it is suspended. It is composed of moss and moss roots and
vegetable fibres, beautifully and compactly woven into a shallow cup, some
4 inches in diameter, with a cavity some 4 5 inches in depth. Interiorly
the nest is lined with hair-like fibres and moss roots and exteriorly adorned
with lichen. The eggs are two or three in number, very regular ovals,
about 077 in length x 0*49 in width ; ground colour a delicate pinky lilac,
speckled and spotted with violet or violet purple, the markings being more
numerous towards the large end, where they have a tendency to form a
mottled zone.
697. Ptererythrius xanthochloris, Hodgs., y. A. S. J?. xvi.
p. 448 (1847); Gould., B. Asia, pt. viii. ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.
p. 118. Allotrius xanthochloris, J3p. C. A. i. p. 362; Hume, Sir. F. vii.
p. 456; 1879, p. 104. Allotrius aenobarbus, Jerd^ B. Ind. ii. p. 246
(nee Temm.) The CHESTNUT-THROATED SHRIKE-TIT.
Above dusky olive green ; wings with their coverts, and also the tail feathers,
blackish, washed exteriorly with olive green ; the tips of the secondaries and
tail feathers paler ; crown of the head slaty grey ; ear coverts pale greyish
olive ; throat and upper breast dingy white, tinged with isabelline ; rest of
under parts dingy white, strongly washed with pale greenish yellow; inner edge
of quills, edge of wing and under wing coverts whitish yellow. Bill plum-
beous ; legs fleshy white; iris brown. (Gadow.)
Length. 4 to 4'2 inches ; wing 2-35 to 2-50 ; tail 1-95 to 2*05 ; tarsus 075
to O'8i ; culmen 0*45.
Young birds have the upper parts uniform pale olive grey ; wings and tail
brown ; under parts dingy yellowish white.
VOL, II. 26
202 LANIID/E.
Hal. Eastern Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan. It is also recorded
from Sikkim and the Khasia hills.
Sub-Family. LANIINvE. TRUE SHRIKES.
Bill stout, strong, deep, laterally slightly compressed ; culmen bent, and
fending in a hook with a well-developed notch ; nostrils partially covered with
feathers and bristles and non-operculated ; tail graduated or square; wings
moderate, the first primary variable in length ; the third, fourth (fifth)
primaries the longest ; tarsus short and stout. Birds of sombre and lax
plumage, which is either black, grey, rufous or white, never red, green or
blue ; found throughout the Palaearctic, Indian and African regions. They
feed on insects and small birds, pouncing on their prey from their perch, and
invariably returning with their victim to the same spot to feed. The young
are barred across.
Gen. LANIUS. Lin.
General characters the same as those of the sub-family.
698. LaniUS fallax, Finsch, Trans. Z. S. vii. 1872, p. 249, pi. xxv. ;
Gadow, Cat. B, Br. Mus. viii. p. 240. Lanius pallidirostris, Cass., Pr. As.
Soc. Phil. 1851, p. 244; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 51 ; Heugl., Orn.N. O.A/r.
p. 482. Lanius aucheri, Bp. Rev. et. Mag. Zool., 1853, p. 433 ; Sivinhoe, B.
Southern Afgh., Ibis, 1884, p. 163; Murray, Zool. Beloochistan and S. A/gh.
p. 52. The PALE GREY SHRIKE.
Head and upper parts pale grey ; a well-marked white superciliary stripe,
extending to behind the ear coverts and joining the white of the sides of the
neck; rictal bristles and a broad streak through the eye enveloping the
ear coverts black ; basal half of both the inner and outer webs of the
primaries white, forming abroad speculum, the terminal half black ; secondaries
black, margined at the tips and bordered on the terminal half of the outer as
well as the basal half of the inner webs with white ; tail black, the two central
pairs of feathers narrowly tipped with white ; the outermost feathers white on
their outer webs, black shafted and blackish at the base, the white decreasing
m extent towards the central feathers; under wing coverts dull white, tinged
with greyish ; a spot of greyish on the edge of the wing ; sides of the breast
and abdomen also tinged with greyish. Bill and feet horny.
The young bird Dr. Gadow describes as " much paler than the adult, and
tinged above with pale tawny colour ; under parts dull white ; loral and frontal
region dull white instead of blackish ; ear coverts, quills and tail feathers brown
instead of black; all the wing coverts are brown, and broadly edged with dull
white ; bill and feet pale horny yellow." (Gadoiv.)
Length. 9 to 9-4 inches; wing 4-1 to 4-25; tail 4-1 to 4-25; tarsus
1*15 to P2 ; culmen 0*75 to ergo.
LANIUS. 203
. From Abyssinia and Nubia to Beloochistan and Afghanistan. It is not
unlikely this species will also be found to inhabit the Sind frontier. Lanius
minor is also found in (Kandahar) S. Afghanistan.
699. LaniUS aSSimiliS, Brehm., J. F. 0. 1854, p. 146; Sogdanow,
Russian Shrikes t p. 160; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.p. 249. The ALLIEI>
SHRIKE.
Upper parts, including the rump, pale grey ; scapulars broadly edged with
white or white throughout their terminal half ; a broad black band extends
from the nostrils through the eye, including the ear coverts, sometimes
joining its fellow of the other side at the base of the culmen, producing thus
a very narrow black frontal band ; supercilium white ; outer web of secon-
daries black at the base ; inner web white throughout or broadly bordered with
white; basal half or two-thirds of most of the primaries pure white on the
outer and inner web, thus producing a large speculum ; secondaries broadly
edged with white round their tips j lesser wing coverts and ulnar bend grey
like the back ; all the other wing coverts black ; central pair of tail feathers
entirely black, and the next pair narrowly tipped with white, the two outer
pairs entirely white, the shafts only black. All the under parts are generally
pure white, frequently with a slight rosy tinge on the breast ; under wing
coverts near the base of the primaries not pure white but pale silky grey.
Length. 9-2 inches ; wing 4 to 4*2; tail 3*1 to 4*1,
Hab.Tht Punjab, Sind, Deccan, Ghiznee in S. Affghanistarr and East
Africa,
Lanius grimmi is said to occur in Beloochistan in Khelat territory. It will
probably be found in Northern Sind.
700. LaniUS lahtora (Sykes), Gray, Gen. S. i. p. 290; Blyth*
J. A. S. B. xv. p. 300, et xvi. p. 473 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 400, No. 256 ;
Murray, H'dbk. ZooL, fyc., Sind, p. 133 j id., Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 120 j id^
Zool. Bel. and Afgh, p. 29 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 252. Collyrio
lahtora, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 86. The INDIAN GREY SHRIKE,
A narrow frontal streak (not always distinct) continued through the eyes
including the ear coverts to the nape, black ; head, back and upper tail coverts
blue grey ; primaries dusky, the feathers with a broad band of white at their
bases on both webs ; secondaries dusky, their inner webs broadly margined,
and the tips edged with white ; tertiaries and wing coverts black ; the tertiaries
broadly tipped with white, some of the feathers also margined broadly on their
inner webs with the same colour ; scapulars white ; entire under surface white;
middle feathers of the tail black, tipped white, the external feathers wholly
white, black shafted, the two next following margined on their outer web and
also tipped white ; under wing coverts white. Bill black j legs brown black ;
irides hazel brown.
204
Length. 9*5 to'io inches ; wing 4-25 ; tail 4-5 to 5 ; bill at front O'62.
Hab. India generally, Sind, Beloochistan, Southern Persia, Affghanistan,
Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Bengal, Deccan, Concan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Joclhpore
(Rajputana generally), North Guzerat and Khandeish.
Breeds from February to July, but the majority lay during March and April.
The nest is generally a compact structure, heavy, deep and cup-shaped, and is
placed generally at a height of from 4 to 12 feet from the ground in some
thorny acacia or other thorny shrub. The nest is composed of very various
materials, as grass, grass roots, sheep's wool or vegetable fibres, and lined with
rags, feathers and other soft material. The number of eggs is from 3 to 6 ;
but 4 5 is the usual number. Typically, Hume says, the eggs are of a broad
oval shape, more or less pointed towards one end ; the ground colour is a deli-
cate greenish white, over which are thickly and prettily speckled blotches,
spots and lines of brown and purplish markings ; in some these form zones at
the larger end. Size 0*9 to 1-17 inch x o'75 100*83.
701. LaniUS tephronotUS (Vigors), Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 290;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv. p. 301 ; id., Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 151 ; Jcrd. B.
Jnd. i. p. 403, No. 258; Godw.- Austen, J. A. S. B. p. 99; and 1875,
p. 93; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 475 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 260;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 249. Collurio tephronotus, Vigors, P.Z.S. 1831,
p. 43 ; JBp. Rev. et Zool Mag. 1853, p. 435; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 171. Lanius nipalensis, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. i. p. 445. The
GREY-BACKED SHRIKE.
Head, nape, upper back and scapulars ashy, the latter washed with rufous ;
the lower back and upper tail coverts slightly rufescent ; a narrow band on
the forehead (not always present), and a broad streak passing through the
eye and ear coverts black ; cheeks white ; wing coverts black, the lesser series
washed with grey, the greater series and quills narrowly margined with buffy
white ; primaries with a white spot at the base, but completely hidden by the
wing coverts ; tail dull brown, the central pair darker and obscurely tipped
with fulvous, this colour increasing in extent on the outer feathers, which are
also tipped and edged with fulvous ; throat and centre of the body white ;
sides of the body and under tail coverts orange, inclining to buff ; thighs ashy
white; under wing coverts creamy white. Bill and feet black ; iris dark brown.
Young and immature birds have the cheeks, sides of the neck, breast and
flanks barred with brown.
Length. 9 to 9'8 inches; wing 4-05 to 4*27; tail 4-8 to 5; tarsus ri;
culmen 075.
Hab. Throughout Lower Bengal, thence extending to the Himalayas from
Nepaul to Bhootan, and eastwards to Assam ami Arrakan. It is also recorded
from Sikkim and Upper Burmah, and Cashmere in the valley of Astor.
LANIUS. 205
It has been procured in the Tenasserim province of Burmah, at Kyouknyat,
and is found over a great portion of Northern India. Hodgson says it is
common in Nepaul in the open country and in groves and gardens during
winter. It has a loud harsh voice, and, like all true Shrikes, is bold and daring
in its manners. It breeds wiihin our limits only in the Himalayas, and chiefly
in the interior at heights of from 5,000 to 8,000 feet above the sea level. In
the interior of Sikkim, in the Sutlej Valley near Chini in Lahoul, and well
up the valley of the Beas, they are pretty common during the summer. They
lay from May to July. Hume adds Darjeeling and Murree as localities
whence eggs have been obtained. The eggs, 3 4 in number, are not
unlike those of L. lahtora ; the ground is of a pale creamy colour, thickly
spotted and blotched all over with olive brown and pale purple. Size 0^97
to ro6 inch x 0*76100-81.
702. LaniUS erythronotuS (Vigors), Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 290;
' Blylh, J. A. S. Beng. xv. p. 302 ; Jerd. t B. 2nd. i. p. 402, No. 257 ; Murray,
ITdbk. ZooL, Sfc., Sind, p. 134 ; id., Vert. Zool. Sind,p. 121 ; id. t Zool. Beloo-
chistan and Southern Afghanistan, p. 52 ; Sivinhoe, Birds of South Afgh.,
Ibis, 1884, p. 104 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 263. Collurio erythro-
notus, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 42; Gould., Cent. Hun. B. pi. xii. fig. 2;
Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 174; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 167. Lanius
caniceps, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xv. p. 302; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. Sub-
sp. a. viii. p. 265. The RUFOUS-BACKED SHRIKE.
A black frontal band continued through the eyes to the back of the ear-
coverts ; head, neck and upper back pale ashy grey ; lower back, rump, upper
tail coverts, lower scapulars, flanks, lower abdomen and vent rufous, a little
lighter on the vent ; chin, throat and upper breast white, in some a buffy tinge ;
primaries dusky with a small white spot at the base, and the edge of the wing
white ; secondaries dusky, faintly margined whitish on the external webs in
some specimens, in others absent ; tertiaries and wing coverts dark brown or
blackish, edged and margined on the external web with whitish ; tail, with the
central feathers, black or dark brown, lateral feathers greyish brown, edged and
tipped whitish. Bill and legs dark brown ; irides dark brown.
Length. 975 to lO inches; wing 3-5 to 375 ; tail 4'5 to 5.
The young has the head, neck and mantle ashy brown ; the back, rump and
upper tail coverts pale orange rufous ; all the feathers of the upper surface
paler at tip, and barred with dusky brown ; the wing feathers edged with dull
rufous ; tail ashy brown, marked with indistinct wavy lines across.
Hab India generally and Ceylon, Beloochistan (Quetta), S. Afghanistan,
Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore, N. Guzerat.
It is found also in Afghanistan, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Cashmere
and the N.-W. Himalayas, extending throughout India nearly to Ceylon.
206 LANIID^E,
Common, in Sind and the Malabar Coast, also the Neilgherries, and the better
portion of the Carnatic and Central India, as well as Lower Bengal. It is
recorded from all parts of Sind, from Murree, Kotegurh, Cashmere, Rajkote,
Kamptee, and the Concan and Deccan. It breeds, at least the majority of
the birds, in N.-W. Himalayas, the Neilgherries, Pulneys, Arrakan hills and the
Rajmahal hills. March to July, and often very late in August, is the period.
4 to 6 eggs is the usual number, and the colouring is not unlike that of
Lanius tephronotus. In length the eggs vary from 093 to ro inch, and in
breadth 0.7 to 072.
It will be seen that I do not admit L. caniceps to specific rank. It is only
a paler species, and the amount of rufous varies so much in birds from the
Malabar Coast, the Deccan and the Neilgherries, that placed alongside in
a line of 40 or more specimens from different parts of India, no very distinct
character can be obtained. Caniceps is only in my estimation a climatic
race, and no more.
703. LaniUS nigriceps (Franld.), Jerd., B. Ind. \. p. 404, No. 259 ;
id., III. Ind. Orn. pi. 17 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 121 ; Dav., et. Oust. Ois.
Chine, p. 95 ; Anders., Yunnan, Exp., p. 644 ; Hume and Dav., vi. p. 202 ;
Cripps, Str. F. vii. p. 268; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 91 ; Scully, Str. F. viii.
p. 264 ; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 199. Collurio nigriceps, FrankL, P. Z. S. 1831,
p. 117. Lanius tricolor, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. 1837, P- 44^- Collyrio nigriceps,
Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 172. Lanius nasutus (Scop.), Oa'tes, B. Er.
Burm.'i. p. 248. The BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE.
The whole head from forehead to nape, also the lores and feathers behind
the eye, black ; feathers immediately below the nape ashy ; cheeks and sides of
the head black ; back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts chestnut ; central
pair of tail feathers black ; the rest brown, becoming successively more and
more rufous towards the outside, \rhere they are broadly edged and tipped
with pale rufous ; chin and throat white ; breast and abdomen tinged with
rufous ; flanks, vent and under tail coverts bright rufous ; wing coverts black ;
quills brown, edged with rufous, the primaries with a patch of light fulvous at
the base ; iris dull reddish brown ; eyelids pinkish plumbeous. Bill dark homy
black ; legs dark brown.
Length. 9-5 to 97 inches ; wing 3-8 ; tail 5 ; tarsus 1-2 ; culmen o - 8 ; from
gape i.
ffab. The Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan, and from the foot of the
hills through Purneah and Dinajpore to Calcutta and the Sunderbuns, extend-
ing eastwards into Assam, Arrakan, and even to China and the Phillipines.
Jerdon says he saw it at Goomsor and that from there it ranges into the
northern part of Central India. The Rajmahal hills and Darjeeling are also
recorded localities. According to Gates it is generally distributed over Pegu
LANIUS. 207
and Arrakan, is abundant in the grassy plains which lie between the Pegu and
Sittang rivers. He observed it at Prome, and Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay pro-
cured it at Tonghoo. Mr. Hume received it from the mouth of the Bassein
river, and Mr. Davison found it in the northern portion of Tenasserim. It
has the usual habits of Shrikes, perching on bare branches or high stalks of
grass, and pouncing on insects on the ground. Mr. Thompson (Hume) says it
breeds all along the south-western termination of the Kumaon and Garhwal
forests in swampy, high grass lands, also in the high jungly tracts in Southern
Mirzapore, and in the Nepaul Valley (Hodgs.}, as well as at Darjeeling. The
nest is similar in shape and structure to those of the other shrikes, and the
markings on the eggs are rather sparse in the cream-coloured ground though
larger and more dense at the large end, and of a dark purplish colour.
Size 0-92 to o'95 x 07 to 073.
704- LaniUS cristatUS, Linn., Sysl. Nat.\. p. 134; Jerd.,B. Ind.
i. p. 406, No. 261; Wald., Ibis, 1867, p. 212; Beavan, Ibis,, 1870, p. 312;
Holdsivorth, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 436 ; Ball, Sir. F. 1873, p. 65; Hume, t.c.
p. 65 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 175 ; Blyth, and Wald., B. Burm.
p. 12 1 ; Fairbank, Sir. F. 1876, p. 256; Armstrong, t. c. p. 316; Hume,
Str.F. 1877, p. 29; Butler, Sir. F. 1877, p. 228 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 377;
Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 91 ; Bingham, Sir. F. ix. p. 172; Gadow, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. viii. p. 271; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p- 252; Murray, H'dbk. ZooL,
&V., Sind, p. 134; id., Vert. ZooL, Sind, p. 122. Lanius phoenicurus,
Pall. Zoogr. Rosso-As. i. p. 405; Wald., Ibis, 1867, pi. 5, fig. 2, p. 216;
1871, p. 173. The BROWN SHRIKE.
A broad band from the lores through the eyes to the ear coverts dusky
brown ; head, tail and upper tail coverts rufous ; back rufous brown ; streak
over the eye white ; throat white ; rest of under surface fulvous ; wing dusky ;
the tertiaries margined rufous brown ; tail rufous brown. The young birds
and females have the feathers of the head, wings and lower parts edged with
brown and whitish. Bill horny above, below pinkish white ; irides brown.
Length. 8-9 inches; wing 3'SO; tail 3-92 ; bill at front 0-50.
From Lake Baikal to the Malay peninsula, and from Yarkand to the east
coast of China. Occurs during the winter months only, throughout India,
the Andamans and British Burmah. Found in Colombo, Kandy, Southern India
generally, the Deccan, Bengal, N.-W. Provinces, Sind, Punjab, Nepaul,
Mussoorie, Bhootan, Assam, Pegu and Tenasserim.
705. Lanius lucionensis, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 135; Wald.,
Ibis, 1867, p. 215 ; Hume, Sir. F. ii. p. 199; Wald., Trans.. ZooL Soc. ix.
p. 171, pi. xxix., fig. i ; David et. Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 99 ; Legge, B. Ceylon,
p. 378 ; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 91 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Burm. i. p. 251.
Lanius Schwaneri, Wald.,_Ibis, 1867, p. 223. The PHILLIPINE SHRIKE.
208 LANIID^E.
The forehead and a distinct supercilium greyish white; the feathers
immediately at the base of the upper mandible, the lores, and a broad streak
passing through the eye and covering the ear coverts, black ; the whole upper
plumage and scapulars liver brown, tinged with rufous on the rump and upper
tail coverts ; tail brown, tinged with rufous and tipped paler; chin, throat
and sides of neck white ; remainder of lower plumage pale buff; lesser coverts
white, the remaining coverts and all the wing dark brown, edged with rufescent,
more broadly so on the tertiaries than elsewhere. The young have the
upper plumage brown, closely barred with black, and the lower plumage
yellowish or buffy white ; all the feathers, except those on the chin, throat,
centre of breast and abdomen, barred with dark brown; legs and feet
dull leaden blue ; the upper mandible horny brown, edged whitish near the
gape, the terminal third of the lower mandible horny brown, the basal two-
third bluish or fleshy white ; irides brown. (Davisou.)
Length. 8 inches ; tail 3-8 ; wing 3-5 ; tarsus I ; bill from gape 0-9. (Oa/es.)
Hab. Tenasserim, in the extreme south, where Gates says it is only a rare
straggler. In winter it is said to be found in the Malay peninsula, the
Andaman Islands, and the Phillipine Islands. It passes through China on
migration, and is said to have occurred in Ceylon. In the Andamans it
appears to be a permanent resident.
The adult female differs from the male in having the ear coverts and lores
more brownish, and the under parts paler. The young are brownish rufous
above, brighter on the upper tail coverts ; no grey on the head ; loral region
and a supercilium dingy white or cream colour ; head, hind neck, mantle and
upper tail coverts showing faint dark vermiculations ; wing coverts and
secondaries brown, broadly edged with rufous, each feather with a dark brown
submarginal line ; ear coverts and a small spot in front of the eye dark
brown ; chin, throat, middle of abdomen and under wing coverts creamy
white ; rest of under surface strongly washed with creamy or even with
rufous, and marked with numerous dark brown cross vermiculations.
706. LaniUS isabellinus, Ehrenb., Symb. Phys. i. fol. e. note ;
Stricld., P. Z. S. 1850, p. 217; Walden, Ibis, 1867, pi. v. f. t., p. 224 ; HeugL,
y. F. 0. 1 86 1, p. 195 ; Blanf., GeoL and Zool. Abyss., p. 339 ; Dresser, B.
Eur. iii. pi. 152 ; Jerd., Ibis, 1872, p. 1 16 ; Severtz, J. F. 0. 1875, p. 145 ;
Dresser, Ibis, 1876, pi. 185; Seebhom, Ibis, 1877, p. 164; Henders. and
Hume, Lahore to Yark.,^. 183, pi. iii.; Plume, Str. F. i. p. 174; Scully,
Str. F. 1876, p. 137 ; Murray, H'dbk. Zool., fyc., Sind, p. 135 ; id., Vert. Zool.
Sind, p. 122; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 277. Lanius arenarius,
Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xv. p. 304 ; StrickL P. Z. S. 1850, p. 217 ; Jerd., B.
Ind. i. p. 407, No. 262 ; Wald., Ibis, 1867, p. 223; Henders and Hume,
Lahore to Yarkand, p. 183, pi. iii. ; Plume, S/r. F. i. p. 174 ; Scully, S/r.
F. 1876, p. 137; Murray, H'dblc. ZoiL, fyc., Sind, p. 136; id., Vert. Zool.
Sind, p. 122. The DESERT SHRIKE.
LANIUS, 209
Head and back of the neck bright rufous, seasonally duller ; eye streak
black or brownish ; a narrow white superciliary stripe ; lores whitish ; wings
pale brown, the primaries narrowly edged, and the coverts and secondaries
broadly with rufescent ; beneath white ; in some specimens, the young birds
especially are rufous white with crescentic marks ; upper tail coverts and tail
brown with a rufous tinge in some, the central tail feathers marked with
irregular dusky bands ; under tail coverts white. Bill dark brown ; legs dusky.
Length. 775 inches ; wing 375 ; tail 3-5.
Uab. Sind, N.-W. Provinces, Peshawar, Kutch, Kattiawar, and Behar,
also Punjab, Beloochistan, S. Persia, Arabia, Affghanistan, Khordafan,
Tuikestan, and Abyssinia. In Sind it is common as a winter visitant only.
707. Lanius phoenicuroides, Sever tz, J. F. o. 1873; Gadow,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 278. Lanius isabellinus (non. Ehrenb\ Wald. t
Ibis, 1867, p. 224, pi. v. f. I. (teste Schalow). Otomela phcenicuroides,
Schalozv, J. F. 0. 1875, p. 148.
The following are the distinguishing characters given of this species, which
Dr. Gadow has given specific rank to :
General colour above dingy reddish brown, always with a strong grey hue,
darker than L. isabellinus, but not nearly so rufous as Z. cristatus. Crown
of the head contrasting with the back, being always reddish brown, " almost
as rufous as the tail, which, with the rump, is dark reddish brown with a
chestnut tinge, in fresh plumage." (Severtzow.) Primary quills much darker
than in L. isabellinus ; in old specimens in breeding plumage blackish brown;
3rd to 8th primaries with the basal parts forming a white speculum which is
just hidden by the wing coverts. Old males have the under parts almost
white ; the flanks and sides of the breast washed with rusty colour, and
the under parts never show the strong creamy tinge of L. isabellinus ; white
superciliary stripe well developed ; ear coverts deep black ; the whole loral
region blackish instead of the small spot seen just in front of the eye in
L. isabellinus.
Adult females are paler, more isabelline grey, and have the under parts
dingy ; sides of neck, flanks and the whole breast tinged with isabelline ;
superciliary streak creamy and less distinct.
Length. About 7 inches ; wing 3'4 to 3-62 ; tail 3-3 to 3-4 ; tarsus 0-91 to
0*96; culmen O*6 to O'J.
Hab, Turkestan, where it breeds, migrating to Sind, Beloochistan Kattia-
war, Umballa (Punjab) and Hissar. L. speculigerus, Taczan, is yet only known
from Turkestan and Afghanistan (Kandahar), and from Central Africa. I am,
however, inclined to place it, as well as L. phcenicuroides, as climatic varieties
of L. isabellinus.
VOL. II. 27
210 LANIID^E.
708. LanitlS VittatUS, Valenc., Diet. Sc. Nat. xl. p. 227 ; Wald.,
Ibis, 1867, p. 220; Beavan, Ibis, 1870, p. 311 ; Blanf., J. A. S. B. 1871,
p. 272; Lloyd, Ibis, 1873, p. 408 ; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 398; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, i. p. 173 ; Murray, Hdbk., Zool., &c., Sind, p. 134; id., Vert.
Zool., Sind, p. 121 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 280. Lanius Hardwickii,
Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 290; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv. p. 304 ; id., Cat. B. Mus.
As. Soc. p. 152 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 495, No. 260. The BAY-BACKED SHRIKE.
A broad black frontal band continued through the eyes to the nape ; top of
head whitish ; back of head, hind neck, lower back and upper tail coverts
greyish white, paler on the rump and upper tail coverts ; middle of back and
scapulars chestnut bay ; primaries, secondaries, tertiaries, wing coverts and
four central tail feathers black, the primaries with a broad white patch on both
webs ; outermost tail feathers on each side, and the bases and tips of the three
next following white ; entire under surface white or buffy white, tinged with
ferruginous on the flanks, breast and abdomen. Bill and legs black ; irides
hazel.
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches; wing 3*25: tail 4; bill at front nearly 075 ;
tarsus 0*75.
Female. Head ashy grey, shading off into dull rufous on the back and
scapulars; forehead whitish ; ear coverts dull brown ; upper tail coverts ashy
grey ; tail dull brown, the feathers edged and tipped with rufous buff, the
outermost pair entirely pale rufous buff; no black frontal band.
Hab. India generally ; not on the Malabar Coast and Bengal. (Jerd^}
Occurs in Beloochistan, South Afghanistan, Mooltan, in the Punjab, through-
out the Concan and Deccan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and North Guzerat,
South India, Behar, Nepaul, Kamptee, and Rajkote. A permanent resident
where found. Breeds from April to August, and like those of the preceding
species of the genus, the eggs are white, speckled all over, or near the larger
end with rusty.
709. LaniUS COlly rioideS, Less, in B clangers Voy. Zool. p. 254 ;
Walden, Ibis, 1867, p. 220 ; Godw.-Aust., J. A. S. B. 1874, p. 157; Ander-
son, B. Yunnan, p. 646 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 250; Gadow, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. viii. p. 289. Lanius hypoleucus, Blyth, J.A. S. B. xvii. p. 249;
Hume, Str.F. 1874, p. 473, 1875. The BURMESE SHRIKE.
Forehead, lores, ear coverts and round the eyes blackish ; crown, nape, and
sides of the neck dark ashy ; back, rump, scapulars and upper tail coverts
chestnut; wing coverts brown, edged with ferruginous; tertiaries the same;
primaries and secondaries dark brown, narrowly edged on the outer webs
with whitish ; inner webs of all white at the base ; the fifth to tenth primaries
also with a white spot on the outer web near the base ; the outermost pair
of tail feathers white with black shafts, the next white with a large black
patch on the inner web ; the others black tipped with white ; under wing
CERTHIA. 211
coverts mixed black and white ; iris pale reddish brown ; eyelids plumbeous.
Bill black ; the gape and the greater portion of the lower mandible flesh
colour ; legs plumbeous; claws dark horn colour. (Gates.)
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches ; wing 3-5 ; tail 4 ; tarsus I ; culmen 07.
Hab. Burmah and Pegu. Gates says generally distributed over the Pegu
division ; abundant in the Thayetmyo and Prome districts. Procured also at
Rangoon and in Karenne. Found generally in gardens and secondary jungle,
and the outskirts of cultivation. Like the rest of the species of the genus,
makes the telegraph wire and posts serve as a perch from which to swoop on
insects.
Group. CERTHIOMQRPEUE.
Bill entire, and no I notched.
Family . GERTRUDE.
Bill either straight and subulate, or slender, long, acute, entire and much
curved ; culmen keeled ; tarsi comparatively short, covered anteriorly with
transverse scutae, except in Tichodroma, in which genus they are nearly fused
together ; sides of the tarsus with one long scutum ; feet large ; toes more
often syndactyle ; hind toe and claw large ; wing and tail variable in size
and structure, the wing with ten primaries.
This family of Tenuirostral or slender-billed Passerine birds are commonly
known as Creepers. They are for the most part adapted to live upon the trunks
and branches of trees, and to feed upon insects which infest the bark. The
form of the bill is either long or short, slender or stout, and capable of pene-
trating very hard substances. They cling with their feet to the perpendicular
surface of trees, resting upon the stiff quills of their tail, and creep from the
base to the summit of the stem, with short jerking movements, searching every
crevice as they ascend. They are divided into Certhiina, or true Creepers,
and Sittin<K- t or Nuthatches, the latter having affinities for the Woodpeckers.
Sub-Family- CERTHIIN.E.
Bill slender, longer than the head, curved downwards ; wings moderate or
long, ample, rounded ; primaries ten, the first always present, though
generally very short ; tarsus anteriorly covered with transverse scales in Sal-
pornis and Certhia fused together in Tichodroma ; tongue not cleft.
Non-migratory birds of small size.
Gen. Certhia. *.
Bill moderate, slender, slightly curved, entire ; nostrils basal, partially
covered by a vaulted membrane ; wings long, the tip formed by the 3rd to 6th
primaries j tail stiff, the feathers much pointed, generally longer than wing
212 CERTHIID^E.
710. Certhia himalayana, Vig., P. Z. S. 1831, P . 174; Gould,
B. Asia ii. pi. 17 ; Jerd.> B. Ind. i. p. 380, No. 243 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1877,
p. 78; Biddulph, Sir. F. ix. p. 31$; Reid, Cat. B. Prov. Mus. Luckn.
p. 46; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 327. The HIMALAYAN TREE-
CREEPER.
Above dark brown, each feather centred with pale earthy olive brown ; some
of the feathers of the rump and upper tail coverts ferruginous at the tip ;
greater coverts ferruginous at the base, then dusky black with a light spot ;
quills brown, faintly barred on the outer web for half the length, and a broad
fulvous bar on the inner web ; first four primaries generally unspotted ; tail
brown, with numerous darker brown bars. Bill blackish ; legs brown black;
irides brown.
Length $'$ inches; wing 2'6 to 27; tail 2-3 to 2-5; bill at front 0-5 ;
culmen 0-65.
Hab. The Himalayas, from Cashmere to Assam and from Turkestan to
Afghanistan. Recorded from Pushut, Cashmere, Gilgit, Jellalabad, Almorah,
Kumaon, Ranibagh, Peshawar, Simla, Dehra-Doon, Nepaul and Assam.
711- Certhia discolor, Biyth, J. A. S. B. 1845, p . 580; 1847,
p. 864; id., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 1847, p. 317; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 381,
No. 245; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 323. Certhia nipalensis, Hodgs.
(var. ?) apud, Gould, B. Asia, ii. pi. 16 (lower figure) ; teste Hume.
Certhia Stolickzae, Brooks, J. A. S. B. 1873, p. 256 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1877,
p. 78. The SIKKIM TREE-CREEPER.
Above rufous brown, with diffused pale central spots ; the rump, upper tail
coverts and tail rufous or ferruginous ; tail unbarred ; chin, throat and breast
dull buff ; rest of under parts suffused with yellowish ochraceous ; under
tail coverts rusty ochraceous ; the first four primaries unspotted.
Length. 575 to 6 inches ; wing 2*5 to 2-6; tail 3.
Hab. The Himalayas, from Bhootan to Nepaul, extending into Cashmere
and Ladakh. Occurs at Darjeeling, in Sikkim, Nepaul, Bhootan and Ladakh.
712. Certhia nipalensis, Hodgs., Icon. imd. in Br. Mus. p as .
seres, Nos. 289 and 598 ; Biyth, J. A. S. B. 1845, p. 581 ; 1847, p. 864 ;
id., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 1847, p. 317; Gould, B.Asia ii. pi. ID'
(upper figure) ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 381, No. 244; Hume, Sir. F. 1877'
pp. 74-78 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 329. Certhia Mandellii, Brooks^
Sir. F. 1873, p. 256. The NEPAUL TREE-CREEPER.
Above rufous brown, with well-defined pale central spots of pale fulvous-
white ; rump and upper tail coverts unspotted deep ferruginous ; quills brown,
edged lighter; a pale fulvous bar on the outer webs of most of them, except
the first four. On the inner web the bars become somewhat oblique ; tail
unbarred light ferruginous brown, the central pair of feathers much elongated,
AVIFAUNA OT BRITISH
Tichoch'orruv
SaLporn..l$
TICHODROMA. 213
and longer than the wing ; throat white ; breast pale ochraceous ; flanks and
under tail coverts ferruginous.
Length.^'*) inches ; wing 2-6 to 2-85 ; tail 2-9 to 3'i ; tarsus 0*65 to 0-85 ;
culmen 0-53 to O'6o.
Halt. Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan and Assam. Recorded from
Nepaul, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhootan.
Gen. SalpomiS. Gray.
Bill long, curved, broadish at base, curved downwards, and laterally com-
pressed beyond the nostrils ; culmen pointed ; tail short and soft, the wing
reaching to the end of it; 1st primary very short; 2nd nearly as long as
3rd and 4th, which, with the 5th, are longest, and form the tip of the wing ;
tarsus covered with transverse scutes.
713. SalpomiS SpilonOtUS (Frankl.\ Gray, P. Z. S. 1847, p. 7 ;
id., Gen. B. i. p. 144; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 382, No. 246; Ball, Str. F. 1874,
p. 397 ; 1876, p. 232; 1878, p. 209; Butter, Sir. F. 1875, P- 4^ 2 ; 1876,
p. 37; Swinhoe, B. Cent. India, Ibis, 1884 ; Gadow.> Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.
p. 330. Certhia spilonota, Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 121. The SPOTTED
GREY CREEPER.
Upper surface of the body dark brown with numerous white spots, the
crown with longitudinal white streaks ; wings with transverse barrings on the
inner webs of the quills; tail except the central pair with 5-6 distinct bars ;
throat and sides of the head pure white ; all the rest of the under parts pale,
buff or buffish white, with numerous dark brown bars ; culmen pale brown.
Length. 4-8 to 5 inches ; wing 3-5 ; tail 2; tarsus O'6.
Hab. Central India (Behar, Oude and Bundelkund). ^ . ,
Gen. TicllOdroma. Illiger.
Bill long and slender, slightly curved, trigonal at base, cylindric in front,
slightly depressed at the tip; nostrils basal, exposed, longitudinal, with a
distinct vaulted operculum ; wings long, ample, the 1st quill well-developed
but short, the 4th and 5th longest ; tail short, rounded, broad and soft ; tarsus
moderate, covered in front with one long scutse ; toes long and slender ;
outer toe syndactyle.
714. Ticliodroma muraria (Linn), Iiliger, Prod. p. 21 1 ; Gould,
B. Eur. iii. pi. 239; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 383, No. 247; Scully, Str. F. 1879,
p. 262 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 332 ; Murray, Zool. Bel. and
South Afghanistan, p. 53. Certhia muraria, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 184.
Tichodroma alpina, Koch., Syst. Baier. Zool. p. 80. Tichodroma subhima-
layana, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. p. 82. Tichodroma nipalensis, Hodgs.
J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 5 8 1. The RED-WINGED WALL-CREEPER.
214 CERTHIID^:.
Adult male (in winter plumage). Hind neck, mantle and back pale
ashy grey ; upper tail coverts darker ; entire crown of the head grey, strongly
washed with grey brown ; the whole shoulder, edge of wing and the basal half
of the outer web of most of the quills carmine red ; rest of the quills dark
brown with greyish white tips ; second to fifth primary with two large
conspicuous white patches on the inner web ; tail brownish black, the
outer pairs with large subt erminal white patches ; all the feathers with
greyish tips ; sides of the head and ear coverts brownish white ; chin,
throat, sides of the neck and upper part of breast white ; rest of under
surface dark ashy grey ; under wing coverts blackish, edged like the axillaries
with carmine colour; under tail coverts tipped with white. Bill, feet and
claws black; iris brown. (Gadow.) In summer plumage the throat and
foreneck is black instead of white.
Length. -6-5 to 7 inches; wing 4 ; tail 2-25 to 2-40; oilmen no to 1-38.
Hab. The Alpine regions of Central and South Europe, Asia and North
Africa, being found in the Alps, Carpathians, in Abyssinia and in the Himalayas.
In Afghanistan it has been procured at Kandahar, also at Sagee and in
Beloochistan in the Zhob Valley, where Captain F. Babington Peile collected
specimens. It is also recorded from Kangra, Kumaon, the banks of the
Ganges and Nepaul. Jerdon says it descends in winter to the Alpine parts of
the Punjab. He saw it frequently near Darjeeling in winter from a level of
2,500 to 5,000 feet. It hunts about for insects in small ravines, on rocks and
on the face^of perpendicular cliffs.
Sub-Family .-SITTING.
Bill slightly longer than the head, nearly straight, subulate and compressed
at the tip ; nostrils in a coriaceous groove, exposed or hidden by the frontal
plumes ; wings long and pointed ; first primary short ; tail short, rounded
or square ; tarsi short, anteriorly covered with transverse scutae.
Nuthatches, like woodpeckers, climb with great facility up, down and around
the trunks and branches of trees, but unlike them do not use their tail to assist
them ; usually they alight on trees with their head downwards, and it is said
they sleep in that position. They feed on insects and nuts of kinds, some
build in holes of trees, and others on the face of perpendicular cliffs. In the
case of S, syriaca, which is common both in Afghanistan and Beloochistan
in the Bolan Pass, the nests are made of mud plaster and cowdung in the
form of a projecting cone with the entrance inclined downwards. All about
the walls, within a radius of 2 or 3 feet, pieces of rag, feathers, &c., are
placed in small chinks, or plastered on to the wall. When breeding in holes
of trees, the holes are cemented till a small entrance is formed.
SITTA. 215
Gen. Sitta Lin.
General characters same as those of the sub-family ; nostrils covered by
setaceous tufts ; wing with the ist primary short, the 4th and 5th equal and
longest: tail short, even, soft.
715. Sitta nagaensiS, Godwin-Austen, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 44; Gadow,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 344. The MUNIPUR NUTHATCH.
Crown of the head, neck, mantle, back, scapulars and central tail feathers
pale slaty blue ; quills and wing coverts brownish, the outer webs of the secon-
daries and wing coverts washed with pale slaty blue, all the tail feathers except
the central pair, dark brown with greyish tips, the outer pairs with a subterminal
white patch ; a black stripe from the nostrils through the eye ; chin, cheeks,
coverts and under parts whitish ; the breast greyish white ; entire flanks rich
chestnut red ; under tail coverts with a large white subterminal spot, edged
and tipped with chestnut red ; under wing coverts black. Bill slaty blue ;
iris dark brown ; legs horny fleshy.
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 175 ; culmen 0*68.
Hab. Hills N.-E. of Bengal (Munipur).
716. Sitta magna, War dlaw- Ramsay, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 677, pi.
Ixiii. ; id., Ibis, 1877, p. 465 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 343 ; id. and Dai'., Sir.
F. 1878, p. 201 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 90; Gates, B. Br. Burm. p. 133;
Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 344. The GIANT NUTHATCH.
Above dark bluish slate colour; a broad (i inch) black stripe from the
base of the bill over the eye to the shoulder ; crown of the head and neck
smoky grey ; wing bluish slate colour, the primaries edged on their outer webs
with bluish slate, except the second, third and fourth, which are slightly
margined with whitish on their outer webs, and the fifth and sixth white at
the base ; under wing coverts greyish brown ; the edge -of the wing jet
black under the shoulder ; tail feathers dark brown, the two central pairs
bluish slate colour, the rest dark brown, the outer pair broadly tipped on the
outer web with white and margined with the same on the inner ; under
surface of the body smoky grey ; the throat and foreneck whitish ; under tail
coverts, vent and thighs brilliant chestnut, each feather of the former tipped
with white.
Length. 7-3 inches; wing 4-5; tail 27 ; culmen ro ; tarsus 0-95.
Hab. British Burmah, between Tounghoo and Karennee. Sitta syriaca,
a species without chestnut on the flanks, and with a white throat, is found in
Beloochistan (Bolan Pass), Persia and South Afghanistan, also Turkestan.
717. Sitta himalayensis, Jard. et. Selby, III. o. Hi. pi. 144 ;
Gould, B. Asia. pt. i., Bp. C. A. r. p. 227 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i.p. 385, No. 248 ;
216 CERTHIID/E.
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 262 ; Gadoiv, Cat. It. Br. Mus. viii. p. 349. Sitta
himalayana, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xix. p. 579; id., Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 190. Sitta nipalensis, HoJgs., J. A. S. B. v. p. 779. The HIMALAYAN
NUTHATCH.
Above deep slaty blue with a purplish tinge ; below pale rufescent whitish,
deepening and becoming rich rufous, rusty or chestnut red on the sides of
the breast, flanks, abdomen and the whole of the under tail coverts ; a black
band from the nostrils through .the eye to the shoulders ; quills and lateral tail
feathers blackish, the outer two pairs having a large white subterminal patch,
and the basal two-thirds of the central pairs pure white.
The female has the throat, foreneck and upper part of breast, a pale cream
colour. Bill dusky bluish ; changing to fleshy grey towards the base ; hides
dark brown ; legs fleshy grey.
Length. 4-5 to 4-75 inches; wing 2-7 to 2-9 ; tail 1-45 to r6; tarsus 07.
Hab. Nearly throughout the Himalayas. Abundant in Sikkim, also about
Darjeeling, frequenting large trees. It has been recorded from Nepaul,
Kumaon, Mussoorie and Bhootan.
718. Sitta neglecta, Wald., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. v. p. 218;
Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 473; 1875, p. 87; Elwes, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 661;
Blyth, B. Bunn. p. 112; Htime and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 201 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 90; Bingham, Sir. F. 1879, p. 90; id., Sir. F. 1880,
p. 171 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 131 ; Gadoiv, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii. p. 349.
The BURMESE NUTHATCH.
Whole upper plumage, wing coverts, outer webs of all the quills and the
central tail feathers slate colour; inner webs of the quills dark brown, the
primaries with a patch of white at their bases ; lores and a streak reaching to
the nape black ; chin, throat, cheeks and ear coverts fulvous white ; lower
plumage chestnut, paler on the upper breast ; three outer pairs of tail feathers
black at the base, ashy towards the tip, with a subterminal spat of white on the
inner web; the next two pairs slaty on the outer web and black on the inner ;
the tips of the latter also slaty ; under tail coverts slate colour, broadly tipped
with white ; iris brown ; upper mandible bluish black, lower plumbeous ; legs
and feet dark plumbeous. (Oates.)
Length. 5-5 inches; wing 3-2 ; tail 17 ; tarsus 075; culmen 073.
Hab. Burmah, from the Karen hills to Tenasserim. According to Gates,
it is common in the plains of Pegu, and in the Karen hills of the Tonghoo
district. Mr. Davison found it in the northern and central portions of
Tenasserim as far south as the base of Mooleyit mountain. Captain Bingham
states that it is very common in the Thoungyeen Valley, and Captain
Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it in Karenne. Found only in the dry forests ;
usually seen in pairs climbing the trunks and branches of trees, the bark of
which it searches for insects.
SITTA. 217
719. Sitta castaneoventris, Frank!., P. z. s. 1831, p. 121 ;
, and Selby, III. Orn. iii. pi. 145 ; Gould, B. Asia, pi. 9; Jerd.,B.Ind.\.
p. 386, No. 250; Beavan, Ibis, 1869, p. 424 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. viii.
p. 351. Sitta castaneiventris, Bp. C. A. i. p. 227; Hume, Sir. F. 1878,
p. 209. The FERRUGINOUS-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
Above slaty blue, lighter on the head and neck ; a black stripe from the
nostrils through the eye along the sides of the neck ; lores, cheeks, chin and
upper throat white ; ear coverts and part of the sides of the neck black ; quills
blackish, edged exteriorly with slaty blue and margined on the inner web with
white ; central pair of tail feathers and outer web of the rest slaty blue, the
outermost with a subterminal white patch on the inner web ; under wing
coverts black, a patch of white at the base of the primaries ; under surface of
the body (except the throat which is white) deep cinnamon chestnut ; under
tail coveris bluish grey. Bill horny black, paler at base ; legs plumbeous ; iris
brown.
Length. 5 to 575 inches; wing 2-85 to 3 ; tail 1-5 ; tarsus 0*7; culmen
075.
Hal The N.-W. Himalayas, extending into the jungles of Central India.
Jerdon gives Central and Southern India, from the extreme south, to
Rajmahal and Mirzapore. Rare in the damp forests of Malabar ; not so,
however, in the Wynaad, and on the Neilgherry slopes and Mysore.
720. Sitta cinnamomeiventris, Blyih, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 459.
Sitta castaneoventris, Hodgs. in Gray's ZooL Misc. p. 82. Sitta cinnamomei-
ventris, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 93 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 387, No. 251 ; Hume
Sir. F- 1879, p. 263. The CINNAMON-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
Above ashy plumbeous, lighter on the head and neck ; chin and lores white,
also the cheeks ; neck, breast, abdomen, and lower tail coverts deep bright
cinnamon chestnut in the male, dull rusty in the female ; eye streak from
the nostrils black ; under tail coverts grey at base, broadly edged with cinnamon
brown, each feather with a conspicuous white terminal spot; tail feathers
deep black, tipped with grey, and a subterminal white patch ; central feathers
like the back ; throat cinnamon brown.
Length. 575 inches; wing 3 to 3*1 ; tail 175; culmen 0'8 to 0*9. The
female has all the under parts vinous brown, or fawn colour.
Hab. Himalayas, and the Burmese countries. Recorded from Nepaul,
Darjeeling, Bhootan, Tonghoo and Bhamo. Jerdon says he found it in
Sikkim.
721. Sitta leUCOpSiS, Gould, P. Z. S. 1849, P !I 3; #., B. Asia i.
pi. 10; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 585; jfcrd., Ibis, 1872, p. 2O ; Scully ', Ibis,
1 88 1, p. 655. The WHITE-FACED NUTHATCH.
VOL. II. 28
218 CERTHIID^E.
Above dark slaty blue ; crown of the head and part of the sides of the
neck glossy black ; quills brown ; central pair of tail feathers like the back,
the others black with greyish tips and with white subterminal patches to the
inner web ; under wing coverts sooty black ; flanks, abdomen and under
tail coverts rich chestnut red ; sides of the head, orbital region and the whole
of the foreneck and breast white. Bill dark horny ; lighter at base of man-
dible ; legs dark lead colour.
Length* 5 inches; wing 3 ; tail 1*7; tarsus o 75 ; culmen O'8.
Hab. N.-W. Himalayas and Cashmere (Gilgit 10,000 feet, and Astor
io ; ooo feet).
722. Sitta forinosa, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 938; id., Cat. P.
Mus. As. Soc. p. 189; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 387, No. 252 ; Sclater, Ibis, 1865,
p. 308; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vii. p. 357. Callisitta formosa, Sundcv.,
Av. Meth. Tent. p. 47. The BEAUTIFUL NUTHATCH.
Above black, variegated with different shades of blue, streaked with
cobalt blue on the head and with azure blue on the back, and with whitish
mixed with lavender on the sides of the neck ; shoulders, lesser wing coverts,
scapulars, lower back, rump and upper tail coverts verdigris blue ; greater
wing coverts and tertiaries black ; quills black, the lower and secondary quills
margined and tipped with white or pale-bluish white ; primaries with narrow
blue edgings ; tail feathers black, edged on the outer web with blue, except
the central pair, which are edged with whitish ; under wing coverts and
edge of wing black, the edge with a white patch ; under surface of the body
light rusty fulvous, paler on the breast and throat. Bill dark horn ; legs
greenish horny ; soles yellow ; irides dark brown.
Length. 6 to 7 inches ; wing 3-95 ; tail 2-3 ; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen 0-83.
Hal. Sikkim, in the higher mountains only. Has been obtained at
Darjeeling.
723. Sitta frontaliS (Swains.), Horsf., Tr. Lin. Soc. xii. p 162 ;
Vt'g.y Mem. -Raffl., p. 670; Tick. J. A. S. Beng. ii. p. 579; McLelL, P. Z. S.
1839, P- l6 5 J Oates, B. Br. Burm, i. p. 134; Gadow, Cat. B. Br., Mus. viii.
p. 358. Orthorhynchus frontalis, Swains,, Zool.Ill. ist Ser., pi. 2. Dendro-
phila frontalis, Swains,, Classif. B. ii. p. 318; Jerd., Mad.Journ. xi. p. 218;
Blyth y J. A.S.Beng.xvi. p. 580; Mason, Burmah, p. 280; Jerd., B. Ind.'i.
p. 388, No. 253 ; id., Ibis, 1872, p. 21 ; Holdsworth, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 435 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. i. p. 161 ; Legge, Ibis, 1874, p. 16 ; Ball, Str.
F. 1874, p. 397 ; Kourdillon, Str. F. 1876, p. 393 ; Fairbank, Str. F. 1877,
p. 399; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 201 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 560;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 459- Dendrophila corallina (Rich.), Hume, S/r.
F. 1874, p. 473; 1875, p. 89; Sharpe, Str. F. 1876,^436; Anders., Zool.
Exped, Yunnan, p. 633. The VELVET-FRONTED BLUE-NUTHATCH.
SITTA. 219
A broad band on the forehead and a long supercilium black ; ear coverts
lilac; chin and throat whitish; rest of the upper plumage, including the wing
coverts, fine cerulean blue, with a slight purplish shade ; quills and primary
coverts deep black, edged with blue ; central pair of tail feathers blue, the rest
black, largely tipped and margined with blue ; under wing coverts deep
black ; under surface of the body pale vinous brown. Bill bright cobalt
blue ; legs sienna yellow ; orbital skin lemon yellow ; iris light straw yellow.
Length. 4*5 to 5 inches ; wing 2-9; tail 17 ; tarsus 07; oilmen 0*65.
Ifa. From the Himalayas to Ceylon, throughout the Burmese countries,
Java, Borneo and the Phillipines. According to Jerdon, it is found over the
greater part of India in suitable localities. He found it on the Malabar Coast,
on the summit of the Neilgherries, in Central India, in Goomsoor, and also on
the Himalayas. In Ceylon as well as in Assam, Burmah and Malayana, it is
not uncommon. Gates says it occurs over every portion of Pegu where
there is thick forest, but is commoner on the hills than elsewhere. Davison
found it throughout Tenasserim, and Captain Bingham in the Thoungyeen
valley. The species is generally found in small companies of 5 or 6, affecting
trees and brushwood. They nest during February and March, lay 3 4 eggs
of a whitish colour, spotted with red and purple.
Group. CINNYRIMORPH^E.
Bill long, always pointed and curved ; tongue extensile. No rictal
bristles. Colours metallic.
Family. NECTARINIID^E.
Bill of various lengths, generally long, always much pointed, and more or less
curved. Nostrils basal, rounded, covered by membrane. Rictal and nasal
bristles wanting ; wings moderate, first primary small ; third to fifth primaries
form the tip of the wing ; tongue long, protractile, and ending in a tube, which
is divided anteriorly ; tarsus anteriorly covered with transverse scales ; hallux
and claws stout
The Honeysuckers, or Sunbirds as they are called, are noted for the
brilliant and metallic splendour of their plumage, and may be said to take
the place in India of the humming birds of America. The principal
ground colours are yellow and green, with the addition of other ornamental
and metallic colours, which are generally, with the pectoral tufts, characteristic
of the male bird. The central tail feathers of many are elongated. The
sexes differ much in colour, the females being dressed in plain yellow, greenish
yellow, or pale fawn yellow. They live chiefly on minute insects, and on the
nectar of flowers. Nests pensile ; eggs generally two, white.
220 NECTARINIID^E.
Gen. Chalcostetha. Cab.
Bill of moderate length and cuvature ; tail graduated ; feathers of the back
and rump short and metallic coloured ; females plainly coloured.
724. Chalcostetha insignis (yard.), Wald., Ibis, 1870, p. 44;
Hume, Sir. F. iii. p. 319; Tweed, t. c. p. 302 ; id., P. Z. S. 1878, p. 621 ;
Hume and Damson, Sir. F. vi. p. 183 ; Shelley, Monog. Nect. p. 87, pi. 30 ;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 89 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 13. Nectarinia
insignis, Jard., Monog. Sun-birds, p. 274; Gould., P. Z. S. 1865, p. 663.
Cinnyris macklotti, Bonap. Consp. Av. i. p. 408. Nectarinia pectoralis,
Temm. PL Col. 138, fig. 3. Chalcostetha insperata, Hume, Sir. F. iii. p. 320
(footnote). Chalcostetha pectoralis (Temm), Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 319.
MACKLOT'S SUN-BIRD.
Forehead and crown metallic emerald green ; sides of the head and neck,
nape and upper back dull black; lesser and median wing coverts,
scapulars, lower back, rump and upper tail coverts metallic green, purplish
x>n the latter, according to the light ; tail blue, edged with metallic
green ; wing coverts and quills dark brown, edged narrowly with metallic
green or purple ; chin, throat and upper breast brilliant metallic golden
bronze, or according to light, brilliant purplish blue ; a narrow band bordering
this and the lower breast metallic violet purple ; axillary tufts bright yellow ;
nnder wing coverts and edge of wing black.
The female has the crown and nape ashy brown ; sides of the head, chin,
throat and feathers round the eye grey j upper surface of the body dull olive
green ; tail pale black, all but the central feathers broadly tipped with
white ; quills brown, edged on their outer webs with dull olive green ; under
surface of the body from the breast yellow, paler on the vent and under tail
coverts ; legs and feet black. Bill black ; irides dark brown.
Length. 5*5 inches ; wing 2 f i ? , 2-3 $ ; tail2'i; tarsus O*60; culmen
0-8.
Hob. Cochin-China and Siam to^ Southern Tenasserim; Malay Penin-
sula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Phillipine Islands. A rare straggler at Malewoon
and Patoe Islands in Tenasserim.
Gen. JEthopyga Cab.
Bill longer than the head and curved ; the culmen ridged ; nostrils bare,
longitudinal and operculated ; the first primary short, tip of wing formed by
the 3rd, 4th, and 5th primaries ; tail graduated, the centre feathers in the
males projecting far beyond the lateral ones ; in the male, the crown and tail
have metallic colours, and the sides of the head and neck plain.
^THOPYGA. 221
725. ^Ethopyga saturata (Hodgs), Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 103 ;
Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 367, No. 23 1 ; Walden, Ibis, 1870, p. 36 ; Jerd., Ibis, 1872,
p. 17 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 147 ; Shelley, Monog. Nect. p. 33,
pi. II ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus, ix. p. 15. Cinnyris saturata, Hodgs., Ind.
Rev. ii. p. 273; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 192. Cinnyris assamensis,
McClelland, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 157. Nectarinia saturata, Hodgs., J.A. S. B.
xii. p. 976; Blyth, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xx. p. 316; Gould, B. Asia,
p. !. The BLACK-BREASTED HONEYSUCKER.
Crown, occiput, nape, moustache, neck streak, sides of the throat, upper
tail coverts and the central feathers of the tail brilliant metallic violet or steel
blue ; throat, breast, belly in front, lores, ear coverts, sides of the neck, wing
coverts, rump and tail feathers, except the central ones, deep sooty black;
scapulars and inter-scapulars dark maroon ; rump and lower back with a
faint trace of yellow on the feathers, forming as it were a narrow band across
the rump ; flanks, lower abdomen and under tail coverts dull olive yellow ;
axillaries yellowish ; edge of wing black ; under wing coverts white ; the
fluffy pectoral tufts very pale, almost white. Bill black ; legs dark brown ; irides
dark brown.
Length. -6 inches ; wing 2*10 to 3*0; tail 2-8 to 3-3 ; tarsus O'6 ; culmen
0-85.
The female is dull green above and below, with an ashy tinge on the chin ;
throat and breast rather fulvescent on the vent and under tail coverts ; a pale
yellowish band across the rump.
Hab.S.-E. Himalayas to Sikkim, Assam and Bhootan. Has been found
in Nepaul, Darjeeling and Somgurh. In Sikkim it is common from 3,000
to 5,000 feet of elevation.
726. .ZEthOpyga Vigorsii (Sylces), Reichb. Handl. Scansorice,
p. 303, No. 707, pi. 586, figs. 39, 79-81 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i., p. 363, No. 226 ;
Walden, Ibis, 1870, p. 36; Fair dank, Sfr. F. 1876, p. 255 ; Shelley, Monog.
Nectarinia, pi. 71, p. 23 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br.Mus.ix, p. 18. Cinnyris
Vigorsii, Sykes,P. Z. S. 1832, p. 98; id., J. A. S.B.iii. p. 542 (1834);
J-erd. y Mad. Journ. ix. p. 227 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. iii. p. 543. Nectarinia
Vigorsii, Gould, B. Asia, part 2, pi. 26 (1850). The VIOLET-EARED RED-
HONEYSUCKER.
Anterior half of crown, upper tail coverts and outer web of inner tail feathers,
also the middle tail feathers, except the outermost pair, metallic green ; nape,
hindneck above shoulders and scapulars a deep sanguineous ; a patch on the
ear coverts and moustachial streak metallic blue, under certain lights ; back
and rump yellow ; foreneck and chest crimson red, mottled with yellow ; ear
coverts and wings blackish brown, also part of the nape ; edge of wing and
centre of breast dusky brown ; under wing coverts and under edge of
quills white ; rest of under parts ashy grey. Bill black ; irides dark brown.
222 NECTARINIID/E.
The female has the under and upper parts dull olive \vith a strong greyish
tinge ; wings and tail brown, the latter with very small light tips to the under
web of the outer pairs of feathers.
Length. ^ inches; wing 2-13 $ , 2-5 to 2-6 $ ; tail 2 15 to 3 ; tarsus
O'6i ; culmen o'8.
Hub. The Deccan and Southern India (Madras). Colonel Sykes (accord-
ing to Jerdon) found it inhabiting the lofty trees of the dense woods of the
ghauts, and found the larvse of flies, spiders and ants in its stomach, Jerdon
got a specimen in the Bustar country south-east of Nagpore in thick forest
at about 2,000 feet elevation,
727- -ZEthopyga seherise (Tickeii), Hume, Sir. F. 1877, p. 122;
Shelley, Monog. Ned. pi. 22 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 89; Jerd. B. Lid. i.
p. 364, No. 225. Nectarinia seheriae, Tick., J . A. S. B. ii. p. 577; Walden t
Ibis, 1876, p. 347-348. Cinnyris Miles, Hodgs., Ind. Rev. ii. p. 273; id.,
J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 575. Certhia goalpariensis, Royle, III. Him* Bot. ii.
p. 78, pi. 7, fig. 10. Nectarinia goalpariensis, yard., Monog. Sun-birds,
pp. 230, 267, pi. 26. ythopyga Milesi, Cab. Mus. Hein. \. p. 103 ; Jerd. B.
Ind. i, p. 362 ; Blyth and Wald., Cat. B. Burm. p. 141 ; Wald., Ibis, 1876,
p. 348; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 28; Anderson, Zool. Yunnan Expd. p. 66l.
The Eastern (par., yEthopyga cara.) ; Cynniris mystacalis (pt.), Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xi. p. 107 (1842). Nectarinia goalpariensis (pt.), Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xii. p. 969 (1843). ^thopyga Miles, Walden, P. Z. S. 1866,
p. 541; id., Ibis, 1876, p. 348; Beavan, Ibis, 1869, p. 419. yEthopyga
Lathami, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 473. ^Ethopyga cara, Hume id. v. p. 71 ;
no/evi. p. 179; Walden, Ibis, 1876, p. 348; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi.
p. 179(1878); Shelley, Monog. Nectarinidce^. 63, pi. 21; Oates, B. JBr.
Burm, i. p. 316. The TENASSERTM YELLOW-BACKED HONEYSUCKER.
PLATE.
Adult male. Anterior half of crown, upper tail coverts and central pair of
tail feathers metallic violet green ; the crown purplish green, the tail dark
green ; hinder part of crown and nape, also the tail and the long fluffy feathers
of the sides of the back olive brown ; quills and wing coverts brown, edged
with olive ; under wing coverts and axillaries and the under lining of quills
white ; lower breast, abdomen and flanks grey, more or less strongly washed
with olive.
Dr. Gadow's observations on the species from the specimens in the British
Museum collection are as follows :
The amount of olive colour on the under parts varies from olive greenish
or yellowish (^. goalpariensis, Royle, from Kumaon and N.-W. Himalayas) to
a clear pale ashy grey (typical & Miles, Hodgs., from Nepaul). In
^ETHOPYGA.
223
Assam we have again the olive-bellied form (sE. lalecula, McClelland), and
in Burmah the birds have the nape and hinder part of the crown red like the
mantle, instead of olive brown. (^E. Cara, Hume). Every intermediate form,
however, occurs in Burmah itself, as will be seen from the following table :
Locality.
Colour of
nape.
Colour of abdomen.
Culmen.Wing, Tail.
In. In. In.
$ Burmah
Olive brown ...
Olive yellowish
075 2-15 2-55
C Feathers 1
i edged with
| red, with a
($ Burmah
"{ subterminal r
Olive yellowish
o 7C 2' ic 2*c
narrow olive
line, rest
[ black.
i Assam
Red
Olive orev .
O* 8 2' 2 2' 6
($ Moulmein ..
Red
Pale vellowish orey ...
0*70 2 15 r 8
(*> S Tenasserim
Red
Grey and slightly olive.
0*70 2*00 i* c
$ Bhamo
Brown
0*70 2'OO 2* 4
<$ Rangoon
Red
Greyish olive
O'7O 2*30
$ (3) Kumaon
Brown
Pale orreyish olive ..
O'8C 2'^; 2* 2
j (6) Nepaul
Brown
Pale ashy grey
O'8o 2* 2 2'35
The two specimens from Bhamo and from Tenasserim have the central tail
feathers remarkably short and of the same length as the rest, and with a deep
blue gloss, the green colour being restricted to the upper tail coverts.
In the specimens from Rangoon the bases of the red feathers of the fore-
neck are whitish yellow ; in the other specimens blackish, or, as in some,
those of the upper throat white, whilst those of the chest and lower throat are
dusky. The above are observations transcribed from Dr. Gadow's Cat. B. M.,
vol. ix., pp. 19-20, and show how the plumage varies in birds from Nepaul,
Tenasserim, Assam, &c.
The female has the upper plumage olive green ; centres of the feathers of
the crown brown ; coverts and quills brown, edged with olive yellow ; tail
blackish, the edges olive and the tips whitish ; lower plumage and the sides of
the head dull olive green.
Legs and feet dark chocolate brown ; upper mandible black ; lores pale
reddish brown ; iris dark brown ; mouth pale salmon colour.
Length. $ inches j wing 2-15 to 2-35; tail 1*5 to 3'2; culmen 07 to o'S,
224 NECTARINIID^E.
Hal). From the N.-W. Himalayas, through Nepaul and Assam to Burmah
and Tenasserim. Occurs, according to Gates, commonly throughout Southern
Pegu (from Rangoon up to Pegu), and further North in the hills. In Tenasserim
Davison found it generally distributed, and Captain Bingham met with it in the
Thoungyeen Valley. Its occurrence is recorded from Nepaul, Dehra Doon,
Kumaon, Upper Assam, Bhamo, the Bhootan Dooars, Darjeeling Moulmein
and Rangoon. It frequents flowering trees and shrubs, subsists chiefly on
the nectar or honey found in flowers, but it also seems to consume a consider-
able number of minute insects.
A race of &. -siparaja (^E*. nicobarica, Hume,) is said to be found in the
Nicobars.
728. JEthopyga ignicauda (Hodgs.), Cab. Mus. Uein. i. p. 103,
note (1850); Reich. Handbk., Scansorice, p. 302, No. 705, pi. 585, figs. 3973-
75 ; Jerd.* B.Ind. i. p. 365, No. 228 (1862) ; Wald., Ibis, 1870, p. 36; Jerd.,
Ibis, 1872, p. 17; Shelley, Monog. Nect, p. 45, pi. 15. Cinnyris ignicaudus,
Hodgs* Ind. Rev. ii. p. 273 (1837). Cinnyris rubricauda, Blyth, J. A. S. B.
xi. p. 192. Nectarinia phoenicura, Jard.> Monogr. Sun-birds, pp. 242, 270,
pi. 29. Cinnyris epimacurus, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc. 1844, p. 82. The
FIRE-TAILED RED-HONEYSUCKER.
Crown of the head, throat and foreneck rich dark shining purple, shaded
laterally with brilliant violet ; lores, cheeks and ear-coverts glossless or sooty
black ; nape, back of neck, hind part of supercilium, centre of mantle and of
back, also the upper tail coverts, outer webs of tail feathers, and entire
lengthened central tail feathers bright scarlet-crimson ; .a yellow band across
the rump and lower back; wings and their coverts dusky, edged .on their
outer webs with greenish olive ; chest bright yellow, washed with scarlet in the
middle ; rest of under surface of the body bright yellow, tinged with greenish
in some. Bill black ; legs brown ; irides brown.
The male in winter plumage is olive green above ; rump and under surface
of body yellow ; chin, cheeks and part of neck blue grey with a greenish gloss ;
breast washed with fiery red ; tail and upper tail coverts intense igneous red.
The female is olive green above, rather brown on the crown and throat ;
rump yellow ; tail washed with rufous and tipped paler ; foreneck, sides of
neck and head dull olive grey ; rest of under parts olive yellow.
Length. 7 inches; wing 2'2 to 2-25; tail, the middle feathers, 3-9 to 4-2
inches; lateral feathers, 28 to 3 ; culmen 075 to 0-9 ; tarsus 0-63.
Hab. Nepaul and Assam, also Sikkim, at Darjeeling and Bhootan and
Sylhet. Jerdon says it appears in considerable numbers at Darjeeling during
the month of May, at which time they are then putting on their nuptial
plumage. It is not known where they go to breed, but it is probable they do
so somewhere at the foot of the hills.
Plate 1
'ig 1. sethojrasa iiipaLensiu.
/ETHOPYGA. 225
729. 2Ethopyga nipalensis (Hodg$.\ Cab. Mm. Hein. i. p. 103
; Jerd. B. Jnd. i. p. 366, No. 229; id. Ibis, 1873, p. 17; Walden, Ibis,
I 87o, p. 35 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B, p. 147; Gadow, Cat. B. Bf.
Mus. ix. p. 26. Cinnyris nipalensis, Hodgs., Ind.Rev. ii. p. 273. Nectarinia
nipalensis, Jard., Monogr. Sun-birds, pp. 236-238, pi. 27 ; Blyth, J.A. S. B.
xii. p. 974 ; Gould, B. Asia, pi. 27. Nectarinia Horsfieldi, Blyth, J. A. S. B.
xii. p. 975 ; xvi. p. 472. ^thopyga Horsfieldi, Reichb^ ffandbk. Scansdrice,
P- 304 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 37, No. 230 ; Wold., Ibis, 1870, p. 36 ; Shelley,
Monogr. B. Ind. p. 33, pi. 16, fig. 2. The MAROON-BACKED HONEYSUCKER.
PLATE.
Head, nape, and hindneck, also the upper half of throat, the upper tail
coverts, two lengthened central tail feathers, and the outer margins of the
others brilliantly glossy dark steel green ; outer pairs of feathers with pale
tips ; lores and ear coverts black, the latter glossed with purple ; sides of the
neck and mantle dark glossless maroon-red ; wing coverts, outer webs of the
quills and centre of back olive yellowish ; lower back and rump bright yellow ;
under wing coverts white ; rest of under surface of the body bright yellow ;
chest feathers washed with scarlet ; abdomen|and flanks tinged with olive. Bill
black ; iris and feet dark brown.
Adult female. Above dull olive green ; crown tinged with greyish ; edges of
tail feathers more yellow ; rump pale olive green ; chin and throat greyish,
passing into olive yellowish on the chest, and becoming still paler and more
yellowish on the flanks and abdomen ; under tail coverts deep yellow ; under
wing coverts and inner margins of quills white ; tail largely tipped with
whitish.
Length. 5'6 to 5*8 inches; wing 2 f i to 2-25 ; tail 2'5 to 2'8 ; tarsus O'6 to
0-62 ; culmen O'8 to 0*9.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas from Nepaul to Bhootan and the Khasia hills.
Extremely common at Darjeeling in gardens in and about the station.
According to Hodgson's notes, quoted by Hume (JVests and Eggs), it begins to
lay in April, and builds a comparatively large, oval, pensile nest, composed of
moss and wool and lined throughout with silky down. The nest is attached to
some leafy twig at an elevation of from 3 to 5 feet from the ground. It
breeds in Nepaul in the central hilly region. Eggs, 2 to 3, moderately broad
ovals, 0'68 x o'43, white, with reddish mottlings towards the large end.
Dr. Gadow's observation in regard to this species is that it is represented in
Western Nepaul and Gurhwal by <ffi. Horsfieldii, which differs only by the
absence of the deep maroon red colour of the mantle, which is olive, like the
rest of the back ; the deep red is, however, still visible on the sides of the lower
neck and between the metallic parts of the hind neck and the mantle.
730. JEthopyga sanguinipectus, Wald., Ann. and Mag. N. Hist.
1875 ; xv. p. 400 ; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 402; id. and Dav. t Str. F. 1878,
VOL. II. 29
226 NECTARINIID^:.
p. 182; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 89; Shelley, Monogr. Nectar., p. 37, pi. 21 ;
Oates, B. Br. Burm., i. p. 313 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 27. ^Etho-
pyga Waldeni, Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 51. The BURMESE YELLOW-B^CKEJ)
SUN-BlRD.
PLATE.
Forehead, crown, nape and hindneck purplish steel blue ; sides of the head
dull black ; sides of the neck, the back, and the shorter scapulars red ; lesser
wing coverts, longer scapulars and a band on the back below and next to the
red deep black ; next this black band another yellow one ; remainder of the rump,
upper tail coverts, and the basal three-quarters of the central tail feathers steel
blue ; remainder of the tail, median, and greater wing coverts and the quills
blackish brown; chin black; throat purplish steel blue ; tipper breast black,
the .lateral feathers tipped with red, remainder of the lower plumage pale
yellow ; the breast streaked with scarlet ; under wing coverts and' axillaries-
yellowish white. (Oates) , .
Capt. Shelley describes the female as having the upper half of the head and
back of the neck olive shaded ashy brown, with the centres of the feathers
rather darker ; back, scapulars, least and median series of wing coverts and the
upper tail coverts olive green ; remainder of the wings dark brown, with the ?
greater series of coverts and the quills broadly edged with" yellowish ;*
across the lowe"r back a band of very pale olive-tinted yellow ; tail brownish
black, the feathers edged with olive, and most of them with whitish tips,
broadest on the outer ones ; on the sides of the head a small black patch in
front of the eyes, beneath which is a nearly white loral band ; chin and throat
pale dusky olive ; chest more olive ; lower breast, abdomen and under ta.il
coverts very pale olive yellow ; thighs brown ; flanks nearly white ; und-er
surface of the wings dark brown. Legs and feet very dark reddish or purplish
brown; bill black ; irides very deep brown. (Davison.)
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 2' I ; tail 2-7 ; tarsus O'5 ; culmen 07.
Hab. Hills of Karenne in Burmah extending to Mooleyit in Tenasserim.
731. JEthOpyga gOUldise (Vigors), Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 103;
Jerd., B. Ind. i.p. 364, No. 227 ; Beavan, Ibis, 1869, p. 419 ; Stol. j f . A. S.
B. xxxvii. pt. ii. p. 23 ; Walden, Ibis, 1870, p. 35 ; Jerd., Ibis, 1872, p. 16 ;
Blyth B. Burm. p. 141 ; Shelley, Monog. p. 41, pi. 14; Oates, B. Br.
Burm. \ p. 315; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 28. Cinnyris Gouldia?,
Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 41 ; Gould, Cent. Him. B pi. 56 ; Ely fa, J. A. S.
B. xi. p. 192. Nectarinia Gouldiae, Jard., Monogr. Sun-birds, pp. 233, 269 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 974; Gould, B. Asia, pt. 21, pi. 6. MRS. GOULD'S
HONEYSUCKER.
Forehead, crown, chin, throat and posterior part of the ear coverts coppery
red or burnished purple according to the light ; lores blackish ; a line of feathers
over the lores crimson ; cheeks, sides of the head and neck, entire mantle,
^ETHOPYGA. 227
centre ot back, scapulars and least wing coverts crimson or blood red ; rump
yellpw; upper tail coverts rich purple or violet ; basal three-fourths of the central
. te.il feathers bright purple ; terminal fourth brown ; rest of tail feathers brown
*orblackish with large white tips, and tinged with purplish on their outer webs ;
v wings and greater coverts dark brown, externally edged with yellowish brown
or olive ; lower plumage bright yellow, the breast more or less streaked with
crimson ; sides of the breast crimson ; under wing coverts pale yellow, white
in some. The adult female is like that of JE. nipalensis but with the rump
yellow. Bill black ; legs brown ; irides brown.
flab. The whole range of the Himalayas as far as the Sutlej ; found in the
hill tracts of Eastern Bengal, Tipperah, Chittagong ; and, according to Blyth,.
Arrakan. Assam, Simla, Kumaon, Sikkim, and Khatee are also given as.
loealities"!\vhere it has been found.
732. JEthopyga dabryi (J. Verr.), Dav. and Oust., Ois. Chine,
p. 80, pi. ii. (1871); Anderson, Zool. Exp. Yunnan, Aves, p. 663; Hume
and Damson, Str. F. 1878, p. 180; Shelley, Monog. Nect. p. 39, pi. 13;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 89; Oates, B. Br. Mus. i. p. 314; Gadow, Cat. B.
Br. Mus. ix. p. 28.- Nectarinia Dabryi, J. Verr., Rev. et. Mag. Zool. 1867,
v p. 173, pi. ^5. jEthopyga debrii, Wald., Ibis, 1870, p. 35; if. in Blyitts
B\ Burmah, p. 141. DABRY'S SCARLET HONKYSUCKER.
Forehead, crown, chin, throat and ear coverts metallic purple or lilac,,
according to the light ; nape, sides of the crown,, feathers round the eye, sides
of the. neck, back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts deep crimson ; rump,
bright yellow ; upper tail coverts and basal two-thirds of the central tail
fe"athers metallic purple ; remainder of the tail black, the outer three pairs*
of feathers tipped with dull white ; greater coverts and quills brown, edged
with yellowish green or olive ; breast scarlet, with a patch of metallic purple
on either side ; abdomen, vent, sides of the body and under tail coverts yellow,,
slightly tinged with dusky ; under wing coverts and axillaries whitish.
The female has -the upper plumage olive green, the feathers of the crown
with dark brown centres ; rump pale yellow ; tail brown, edged narrowly with
olive green, the three outer pairs of feathers tipped with dull white \ quills
brown, edged with dull greenish yellow, the whole lower plumage dull pale
green. Legs dark horny brown ; bill dusky black ;. irides deep brown ; iris,
bill and legs brown.
Length. 57 inches; wing 2*2 to 2*3; tail 2'6; tarsus 0-55; bill from
gape -7.
Hab. British Burmah, Kachyin hills east of Bhamo on the borders of
China and Karenne at an elevation of 4,000 feet ; also the higher portions of
Mooleyit in Tenasserim. Its habits are quite the same as the other species of
Sun-birds ; frequents large flowering trees.
228 NECTARINIIDjE.
Gen. Cinnyris. Cm.
Bill longer than the head, strongly curved, and much pointed ; culmen
keeled ; no rictal bristles ; first primary short ; third, fourth and fifth longest ;
tail shorter than the wing ; tarsus covered with transverse scales.
733. Cinnyris asiatica (Lath.), Less., Man. d'Om. ii. p. 36;
Vieill, N. Diet. a" Hist. Nat. xxxi. p. 493 ; Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 1 8 1, pi. 57 ;
Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 566 ; Gadow, Cat. B.Br.Mus. ix. p. 57. Cinnyris
orientalis, Frankl., P. Z. S. 1831, p. 122. Cinnyris currucaria, Sykes, P. Z. S.
1832, p. 98. Nectarinia Mahrattensis, Jard., Monogr. Sun-Birds, pp. 222,
264, pi. 24(1843). Nectarinia asiatica, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. B. p. 224 ;
Gould, B. Asia, pt. 8, pi. 2. Arachnethra asiatica, Reichb., Handb. Scansorice,
p. 295, No. 691, pi. 579; Jerd., B.Ind.i. p. 370, No. 234; Beavan, Ibis,
1865, p. 414; Walden, Ibis, 1870, p. 20; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 151 ; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 396; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 87 ; Armstrong,
tom.cit.-p. 313; Blyth, and Wald., Cat. B. Br. Burmah ; Butler, Str. F.
iii. p. 462 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. ii. p, 190 ; Murray, Hdblt. Zool., &c.,
Stnd, p. 132 ; id., Vert. Zool., Sind, p. 119. Arachnethra intermedia, Hume,
Ibis, 1870, p 436; Jerd., Ibis, 1872, p. 18; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 154. THe PURPLE HONEYSUCKER.
Summer plumage, Head, neck, throat, breast, and back glossy greenish
purple ; abdomen purplish black ; tail dull black, faintly white-tipped ; wings
dull black ; a tuft of crimson and yellow feathers on the flanks behind the
axil. In the winter garb, or non-breeding plumage, the upper parts are dull
olive green, beneath yellow ; shoulder and stripe from chin to vent brilliant
glossy violet ; wings and tail dusky. The female is olive grey above and
olive yellow beneath; the breast and throat deep yellow; wings dusky; tail
black. Bill and legs black ; irides reddish brown.
Length. 4-5 inches; wings 2*25 ; tail 1*5 ; bill at front 075.
Hab. Throughout India to Ceylon and Burmah ; also Nepaul and Upper
Pegu. Occurs in Beloochistan, S. Persia, S. Afghanistan, South India,
Travancore, the Deccan, Kutch, Karttiawar, Jodhpore, and N. Guzerat- It is
everywhere extremely common, and breeds during June and July, laying two
eggs, which are greenish white, speckled and marked with a deep grey. The
nest is pendulous, usually suspended from the end of the branch of a tree,
and composed of wool, fibres, leaves, grasses, &c., with a hole at nearly the
bottom for an entrance.
734. Cinnyris brevirostris (Blan/.\ Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
ix.p. 59. Nectarinia (Arachnethra) brevirostris, Blanf., Ibis, 1873, p. 86; id.,
East. Persia, ii. p. 220, pi. 14. Cinnyris asiaticus, Shelley, Monog. Nect.
P. 182. Arachnethra asiaticus, Murray, Vert. Zool., Sind, p. 119. The
SHORT-BILLED PURPLE HONEYSUCKER.
AVIFAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.
Mintern. Bros . lith .
CINNYRIS. 229
PLATE.
Male in breeding plumage. Upper parts with the sides of the head and
neck very dark glossy metallic green, passing more or less into purple ; in
freshly moulted specimens almost as purple as in Cinnyris asiatica, but
usually much greener ; lores black ; ear coverts with less gloss than the
adjoining parts ; wings and the larger coverts hair brown ; tail feathers black,
with a faint purplish gloss and sometimes, but not generally, with narrow
pale tips ; chin, middle of throat and upper breast rich metallic purple, with
a shade of steel blue, the latter separated by a narrow pectoral band, not always
well marked, of copper red, from the still darker bluish purple of the lower
breast, abdomen and under tail coverts ; on each flank behind the axil is the
tuft of yellow and scarlet feathers characteristic of the group to which this
species belong ; iris brown. Bill and legs black.
The male in non-breeding plumage resembles the female, except that it has
the usual purple stripe from the throat to vent, the rest of the under parts being
pale grey, whilst the wings and tail are rather darker than in females, and
there is a tinge of purple gloss on the smaller wing coverts and rectrices ; the
female is greyish brown above ; quills and wing coverts hair brown, with pale
margins ; tail blackish brown, all the outer tail feathers tipped with whitish,
the amount of white being largest on the outermost feathers, on which it
extends some distance up the outer web ; lower parts greyish white with more
or less pale yellow on the throat and breast ; chin white, also the abdomen ;
cheeks yellowish. (Blanf.) The species is closely allied to C. asiatica ; but
differs in being a little smaller with a considerably shorter bill, 0-53 to o'68
against 0*7 to 0*88 in asiatica, and a green instead of purple gloss on the upper
parts approaching in this respect to C. osea, Bp.
Length. 4-25 to 4-5 ; wing 2*1 to 2*23 ; tail 1-15 to 1-48 ; tarsus o'6 ; culmen
0-53-
Hal. Sind, Beloochistan, S. Persia, and the Persian Gulf. Mr. Blanford's
experience is that its favourite resort is the thick tamarisk bushes along the
beds of streams.
735. Cinnyris lotenia (Z/.), Cuv. Regn. Anim. i. p. 412; Bp.
C. A. i. p. 408 ; Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 177, pi. 56; Gadow, Cat. JB. Br.
Mus. ix. p. 60. Cinnyris politus, VieilL, N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxxi.
p. 500; Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 225. Nectarinia lotenia, Jard., Monogr.
Sun-birds, pp. 220-263, pi. 23 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii, p. 978 ; Gould, B As.
pt. viii. pi. in. Arachnethra lotenia, Cab. Mus. Hem. i. p. 105 ; Reichenb,,
Handb. Scansorice, p. 294, pi. 579; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p, 372; Walden, Ibis,
1870, p. 23 ; Holds-worth, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 434 j Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 563.
The LARGE PURPLE HONEYSUCKER,
230 NECTARINIID/E.
Above brilliantly glossed with metallic green and purple ; throat and breast
rich purple ; a narrow bright maroon collar or band below this and the sooty
brown abdomen ; flanks and under wing coverts sooty brown ; pectoral tufts
pure yellow. Bill and legs black ; irides dark brown.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 2-15 to 2-3 ; tail 1*5 ; tarsus 0*65 ; culmen r I
to i '3. The female like that of C. asiatica is silky or greyish white on the
under surface.
Hab, Southern India and Ceylon. According to Jerdon common along
the Malabar Coast, and the more wooded parts of the Carnatic as about Madras
and other large towns.
736. Cinnyris minima, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p 99; fykes,
J. A. S. B. iii. p. 543 ; Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 226 ; Legge, B. Ceylon,
p. 572 ; Shelley, Monogr. Nee/, p. 143, pi. 46; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
ix. p. 62. Nectarinia minima, Tick., J. A. S. B. ii. p. 277. Nectarinia
minuta, Jard.* Monogr. Sun-birds, pp. 224-265. Leptocoma minima, Horsf.
and Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E. I. Co. ii. p. 742 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 369 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 42 ; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. i. p. 150; Fairbk.,
Str. F. iv. p. 392. The TINY HONEYSUCKER.
Entire crown metallic green ; throat metallic violet ; ear coverts and loral
region black; hind neck and sides of neck and a broad collar across
the foreneck and chest, also the back and wing coverts, rich bright sanguine or
blood-red ; rump and upper tail coverts metallic amethystine purple ; no distinct
pectoral tufts', undEr surface of the body pale lemon yellow. In winter
plumage the male resembles the female, but retains invariably the amethystine
rump, and usually a little red about the shoulder of the wing, (flume)
The female is olive brown above, has a red rump, and the under parts are
pale yellowish buff.
Length. 3*5 inches ; wing 1*9; tail i'2; tarsus 0*52; culmen 0*58.
Hal. South-Western India and Ceylon. Found on the west coast of India,
also on the Neilgherries to about 3,000 feet elevation, the Malabar Coast and
Travancore.
737. Cinnyris zeylonica (Linn.), Vieill, N. Diet. d:Hist. Nat.
xxxi. p. 507 ; Hahne, Vogt. pt. 7, pi. 4 ; Vieill, Enc. Meth. ii. p. 594 ; Hume,
Str. F. v. p. 270; Cripps, torn. cit. p. 267; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 569; Shelley,
Monogr. Ned. p. 137, pi. 45. Certhia zeylonica, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 188,
No. 23. Nectarinia zeylonica, Jard. t Monog. Sun-birds, pp. 213, 261, pi. 20;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 976; Gould, B. Asia, pt. 19, pi. 40. Lepto-
coma zeylonica, Cab. Mus. Hem, i. p. 104; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 368, No. 232 ;
Beavan, Ibis, 1865, p. 232; Ball, Str. F. vii. p. 232; id. Sir. F. vii.
p. 208 ; Godw.- Austen, J . A. S. B. 1870, p. 267 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 147. Nectarophila zeylonica, Rdchb., Handl. Scans, p. 282,
pi. 570, figs. 3885-87. The AMETHYST-RUMPED HONEYSUCKER.
Plate 2
Cinnyris Minimus
CINNYRIS. 231
Head above and lesser wing coverts bright metallic glossy purplish green ;
upper back, scapulars and median wing coverts maroon brown ; lower back
and upper tail coverts metallic lilac, shaded with blue ; tail brownish black,
the outer feathers paler at the tips, the rest very slightly edged with
metallic violet ; remainder of the wing dark brown ; the greater coverts and
quills edged with rufous brown ; cheeks and ear coverts deep coppery brown,
shading into dull brown behind the ear coverts ; under surface of the body
sulphur yellow ; chin and throat metallic lilac ; sides of the neck and a pec-
toral collar maroon brown like the back ; sides of the body and under wing
coverts white. Bill and legs black ; irides reddish brown.
Length. 4*1 to 4*5 inches ; wing 2*25 ; tail 1*4$ ; tarsus 075 ; culmen 0-65.
The adult female is ashy olive brown above ; tail black, broadly tipped with
white ; crown ashy grey ; foreneck silky white ; a white eyebrow and a dark
streak through the eye ; chest and centre of abdomen sulphur yellow ; under
tail coverts paler yellow.
Length. 3*6 to 3*9; wing 2' I.
Hab. Ceylon, the Indian Peninsula and Assam ; not found in Sind and
theN.-W. Provinces of India, otherwise it is generally spread throughout India,
from the extreme south to Bengal, extends through Dacca into Assam.
Abundant in Madras, Malabar, Mysore, Coorg, Pondicherry, the Carnatic,
Deccan, Singbhoom, Maunbhoon, Kamptee, Sumbulpoor and Khasia hills.
Seen in every garden flying from flower to flower. The species has not much
of a note. Blyth describes it as having a weak shrill chant followed by fre-
quent low chirps analogous to that of Certhiafamiliaris. In Calcutta, as well
as in Madras, many are taken daily with birdlime for sale. It is said to lay at
least twice a year, in February and August, and sometimes in December. The
breeding season, Hume says, is variable. The nests are generally attached
to the terminal twigs of branches, from 10 to 30 feet from the ground. In
shape they are purse-like, with the aperture near the top. According to Mr.
Morgan, the bird often selects a cobweb in which to build its nest, and this is
so ingeniously built, that it is impossible to detect the existence of the nest
unless the cobweb is examined. An average-sized nest is about 5-6 inches in
length and about 3 in. diameter. It is composed of very fine grass or vegetable
fibre, and the inner or egg chamber is lined with feathers or vegetable down,
while the exterior is ornamented with flower buds, lichen, &c. Eggs, two in
number ; in shape and size quite like those of C. asiatica. Hume describes them
as moderately broad ovals, a good deal elongated and usually pointed towards
one end ; the shell is delicate and close grained and almost devoid of gloss ;
the ground colour varies considerably ; in some it is nearly pure white, but
generally it is a dingy greenish or brownish white, much freckled, clouded and
streaked with minute greyish brown or brown markings, which commonly form
an irregular zone round the larger end, and sometimes a confluent cap. In
232 NECTARINIID/E.
others the whole surface is finely and closely speckled so as to entirely conceal
the ground colour,
738. Cinnyris haSSeltii (Temm.\ Less. Man. d'Orn. ii. p. 31;
Shelley, Monogr. Ned. p. 127, pi. 42 ; Sharpe, P. 2. S. 1879, p- 342; Oates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 318. Nectarinia hasseltii, Temm. PI. Col. 376, fig 3;
yard., Monog. Sun-birds, pp. 218, 262, pi. 22; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 226, No. 1370; Sclaler, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 220. Cinnyris ruber, Less.,
Traite fOrn. p. 296. Nectarinia Phayrei, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 1008.
Leptocoma hasseltii, Cab. Mus, Hein. i. p. 104 ; Moore, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 462 ;
Hume, Str.F. 1874, p. 473. Nectarophila hasseltii, Reich., Hdbk. Scansoricc,
p, 280, No. 650 ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 106. Certhia brasiliana, Gm. S.
N. i. p 474. Nectarophilia brasiliana, Walden, Jot's, 1870, p. 41 ; Stol. J. A.
S. B. xxxix. p. 300. Cynniris brasiliana, Hume, Sir. F. v. p. 27. Leptocoma
brasiliana, Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 184. VAN HASSELT'S HONEY-
SUCKER.
Forehead, crown and nape shining metallic golden green ; sides of the head
and neck and the upper half of the back and scapulars black ; lesser wing
coverts, scapulars, lower back, and upper tail coverts brilliant steel blue with
green and violet reflections ; remainder of the wings black ; tail blue black,
the feathers edged with steel blue ; chin and throat rich metallic lilac,
or amethystine purple ; breast and upper abdomen rich red ; lower abdo-
men, sides of the body, vent, under tail coverts, also the under surface of the
wings, black. Bill and legs black ; irides dark brown or hazel ; eyelids
-plumbeous.
Length. 4 inches; wing 1-9; tail I'2; tarsus 0*5 ; culmen 0'$.
The female has the forehead and crown grey, the feathers dark centred and
edged with green ; rest of the upper plumage with the lesser wing coverts and
scapulars pale greenish yellow ; the feathers of the rump, upper tail coverts,
lesser wing coverts and scapulars darker centred ; greater coverts dark brown,
edged with greenish ; quills dark brown, edged exteriorly with cinnamon ;
throat yellowish white ; feathers round the eye, the lores, ear coverts, sides
of the neck and upper breast dull greenish yellow ; lower breast, abdo-
men, vent and sides of the body pure yellow ; under wing coverts yellowish
white; under tail coverts paler; tail black, edged near the base with cinnamon
and tipped with white, the outermost pair entirely whitish. Bill and legs
black ; irides brown.
Length. 3*5 inches; wing 1*75 ; tail ri ; tarsus 0*5 ; culmen 0*5.
Hab. Hill Tipperah and Chittagong, Arracan, Southern Burmah, Tenas-
serim, the entire Malay Peninsula, and the Islands of Sumatra, Java and
Borneo. It is sparingly distributed over most parts of British Burmah. Blyth
received it from Arracan, and it has been frequently met with by Gates in Pegu
in the neighbourhood of that town, and also at Kyeikpadien. Davison got it in
Tenasserim, from Moulmein down to Malewoon. Gates says it is found
CINNYRIS. 233
chiefly in open jungle and gardens, wandering about from shrub to shrub.
The nest is suspended from the end of a twig by a cord of bark fibres 2-5
inches in length, at the end of which it swells gradually into the shape of a
pear with an oval aperture at one side near the top. Eggs, two in number,
072 x 0-50, a nearly uniform oval. Colour white, clouded with a greyish
zone towards the large or obtuse end, and thickly striped longitudinally with
irregular rufous brown bands.
739- Cinnyris flammaxillaris (Blyth), Bp. C. A. i. p. 408,
No. 45 ; Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 161, pi. 51 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p.
320. Nectarinia flammaxillaris, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 557 ; xv. p. 370
(1846). Arachnethra flammaxillaris, Wald., P. Z. S. 1866, p. 541 ; id., Ibis,
1870, p. 24; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 154; Blyth, B. Burnt, p. 141;
Armstrong, Str. F. iv. p. 313; Oa/es, Sir. F. v. p. 148; vii. p. 40; Hume
and Davison, S/r. F. vi. p. 192 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 83.
Cinnyris andamanicus (Hume), Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 157, pi. 50.
Arachnethra andamanica, Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 404 ; id., Str. F. 1874,
pp. 60, 105, 109, 198. Arachnethra frenata, Ball, J. A. S. B. xli. p. 280.
The BURMESE YELLOW-BREASTED HONEYSUCKER.
Forehead, crown, sides of the head, back, scapulars, rump and upper tail
coverts greenish brown ; tail black, the centre feathers narrowly tipped with
white, the others progressively with larger white tips ; chin, throat and breast
rich metallic purple, bordered by rich steel-blue below the breast ; a band of
orange red and another black and broader one below it ; axillaries flame
red ; abdomen, sides of the body, vent and under tail coverts yellow ;
wings and coverts brown, edged with greenish brown ; under wing coverts
yellowish white, edge of the wing bright yellow.
The female has the upper plumage, wings and tail like the male, but the
lower plumage is entirely yellow. Bill and legs bluish black j irides light
brown.
Length. 4-5 inches; wing 2- 1 ; tail i'4; tarsus 0*55 ; bill from gape O'8.
(Oa/es.)
Hab. The whole of British Burmah. Recorded from Arracan by Blyth
and Dr. Cantor. Lieut. Wardlaw-Ramsay collected it at Rangoon, Pegu and
in the Tonghoo hills. Gates also met with it in Pegu, and Capt. Beavan secured
it at Kyodan, and on the Salween river. It extends down the Malay Peninsula
and ranges into Siam and Cochin-China, in which latter country Dr. Tiraud
states that it is most abundant. Gates, in his Birds of Burmah^ says it is
perhaps the best known of all the Sun-birds in Burmah, for it is a most
familiar and fearless little bird. It is quite often seen hovering about
flowers growing close to the verandah of a house as well as in the forest, and
is generally found in pairs. It secures nectar from the flowers, either by
poising itself in the air, or by perching quite close to the flower and bending-
VOL. II. 30
234 NECTARINIID^E.
over its head. The male during the dry weather, Gates says, has a jubilant
song, and when singing it perches itself on the top-most branch of a bamboo
clump or tree. The nest is a beautiful pear-shaped structure, six or eight
inches in length, with a small circular hole about the centre for an entrance*
This hole is overhung by a portico, projecting an inch or more from the body
of the nest. The materials used are fine grasses; and the exterior of the
nest is covered with cobwebs, to which are attached pieces of bark, dead
leaves and cocoons in such a way that it is most difficult to discover the nest,
which is usually suspended from the tip of a low branch quite near the
ground. The eggs are two in number, and are greenish white, marked with
greyish ash,
I have followed Dr. Gadow in uniting with this species the Andaman race,
C. Andamanicus, which differs from it only in the slightly longer bill and in
the paler colouration of the breast and axillary tufts, and in the less extent of
the non-metallic breast band. Another closely allied species is Cinnyris
pectoralis, found in the Nicpbars and the Malayan Peninsula. It has the
foreneck and cheeks metallic blue, with a purple or greenish gloss, and
wants the superciliary streak. The pectoral tufts are gamboge yellow, and the
loral and preocular region black, all the other parts are as in flammaxillaris
and andamanica.
Gen. Arachnothera. Temm.
Bill very long, moderately curved, either rounded or keeled, the base broad
and somewhat three-sided ; tip entire ; nostrils basal, small, longitudinal,
covered by a membrane, operculated laterally in the form of a slit; nasal
bristles none ; wings long ; the first primary short ; tip of wing formed by the
third, fourth and fifth primaries, which are longest. Tail short, about half the
length of the wing, broad, and even ; tarsus covered with scales, which are
often fused into one ; legs large and strong ; plumage of back and rump
often long and fluffy. Males generally with pectoral tufts.
74O. Arachnothera longirostris (Lath), Temm. PL Col.
pi. 388, text; Lesson, Man. d'Orn. ii. p. 32 ; id., Traite d'Orn. i. p. 292 ;
Blyth, Cat. Mus. As. Soc. pp. 222, 347 ; Bp., C. A. i. p. 409; Hume and
Dav., Str. F. vi. pp. 174, 507 (1878) ; Hume, Sir. F. vii. p. 35 ; Shelley,
Monogr. Nect. p. 357, pi. 114; Hume and Dav. , Str. F. 1878, p. 330;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 330; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 330. Certhia
longirostra, Lath., Ind. Orn. i. p. 299. Cinnyris longirostris, Vieill, N. Diet.
d'Hist. Nat. xxxi. p. 504. Arachnothera affinis, Blyth, (nee. Hors/.), J. A,
S. B. xv. p. 43. Arachnothera pusilla, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. S. B.
App. p. 328; Jerd. y B. Ind. i. p. 361, No. 224; Beavan, Ibis, 1867,
PP. 322, 334 5 Ball, Str. F. 1873, p. 64 ; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 473 ; 1875,
p. 85 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 140 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 103. The
LITTLE SPIDER-HUNTER.
ARACHNOTHERA. 235
Upper surface of the body olive, more yellow on the back and scapulars ;
crown dark brown, with olive edges to the feathers ; wings dark brown, the
lesser and median coverts olive or broadly edged with that colour ; greater
series of coverts and the quills with broad olive yellow margins to their outer
webs ; tail brownish black, the feathers margined with oHve and with white
ends, broadest towards the outer feathers ; sides of the head ashy brown, with
a space in front and beneath the eye and a very light eyebrow white ; a dark
loral band, chin and throat white ; breast,, abdomen and under tail coverts
bright yellow ; pectoral tufts deep chrome yellow ; under surface of the wings
brown, with the inner margins of the quills and the coverts white ;, upper
mandible black ; lower mandible as well as the legs and feet leaden grey ;
irides dark brown.
Length. 575 to 6-5 inches; wing 2-8 ; tail 1-9 ; tarsus 07 ; oilmen 1-65.
The adult female is similar in plumage to the male, except that the pectoral
tufts are absent.
Hab. South India, Bengal, Tipperah, Chittagong and Arracan hills;
also Tenasserim and southern portion of the Malay Peninsula, the Andaman
Islands and the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Celebes. It has been
found also in the Wynaad and in parts of Mysore and Travancore, also on the
Neilgherries and the Malabar Coast. Shelley, quoting Hume and Davison,
says that in the southern portion of the Indian Peninsula, it has been obtained
from Kotagherry and other localities in the Neilgherries, but it is not so
abundant as in Tenasserim, where it is the most widely-spread Spider Hunter
and frequents the plantain gardens. It clings upside down to the purple bract-
leaves of the young plantain bunches, with its head turned up inside the bract
to suck the nectar from the flowers
741. Arachnothera magna (Sodgs.), Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1848-,
p. 981 . ; 1846, p. 43; id., Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 221 ; Cab. Mus. Hein. ii.
p. 106 ; Reichb., Handb. Scansorice, p. 3 i6> pi. 593, fig. 4023 ;. Jerd., B. Tnd.
i. 360; Godwin- Aust., J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 98; Hume, Str. F. 1874,
p. 473 ; 1 %7S> p- 85 ; Blyth and Wald., B, B'urm. p. 140 ; Wald., Ibis, 1846,
P- 3O7 5 Shelley, Monogr. Ned. p. 347, pi. 1 12, fig. i. ; Gammie, Sir. F. v*
p. 385 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, pp. 173, 507 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879-,.
p. 89; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 327; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Hits* ix. p. 105.
Arachnothera aurata, Blyth, y. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 478; Hume, Str. F. 1875,
PP- J 5> 85; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 410; Shelley, Monogr. Nect.
p. 351, pi. 1 1 2, fig. 2; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1879, P- ^95 Oates, B. Br.
Burm. i. p. 328. The LARGE SPIDER-HUNTER.
FIG. at p. 212..
Forehead and crown olive yellow, each feather with a large black patch in
the centre ; lesser and median wing coverts the same ; remainder of the upper
236 NECTARIN1ID/E.
plumage olive yellow with distinct broad black shaft -stripes ; greater wing
coverts and tertiaries olive yellow with black shafts ; primaries and secondaries
dark brown margined with olive yellow ; tail olive yellow, each feather with a
band near the end, followed on all but the centre pair by a lighter patch of
pale yellowish ; sides of the head like the back, but paler ; the entire under
plumage pale yellowish, each feather with a broad streak of black. Bill
black ; iris brown ; leg orange yellow ; claws yellow.
Length. 7 inches; tail 2; wing 37 ; tarsus O'8 ; bill from gape i'8. The
female is smaller.
Hab. Nepaul, Sikkim, Assam, Khasia hills, Chittagong, Arracan, south-
ward to Pahpoon, Tenasserim, Burmah and Pegu. Common in the Arracan
and Tenasserim divisions, also in the Thoungyeen Valley. Abundant over
many portions of Pegu (A. attrala), especially in the evergreen forests of
the Pegu hills in the northern portion of the division. In both Sikkim and
Nepaul, it is extremely common in the hills and valleys from an elevation of
about two to five thousand feet, descending in the winter, when it is found
as a straggler in the Dears and Terai. It breeds in Sikkim during May,
building an excessively massive, deep cup-shaped nest, composed of vegetable
fibre densely felted together, externally intermingled with portions of fine
skeleton leaves and internally lined with soft grass. The nest is said by Mr.
Gammie to be a neat structure usually suspended from about the middle of the
under surface of a large plantain leaf, by numerous threads of plantain stem fibre
attached to rather more than half the rim of the cup put through the blade of the
leaf and knotted on the upper side. Eggs, 3 in number, moderately elongated
ovals, considerably pointed and compressed towards the small end. The shell
is fine and compact and has a very fair amount of gloss. The ground is a
drab or sepia brown with occasionally a decided purplish tinge, and they are
minutely stippled and speckled all over, but most densely so about the large
end, with a deep purple which is almost black. In length they vary from
0-85 to 0-91 inch, and in breadth from 0-62 to 0-63. .
742. Arachnothera modesta (By ton), Biyth, J. A. S. B. xii.
p. 981 ; xv. p. 43 (1846) ; id., Cat. B. Mus t As. Soc. p. 222 ; Bp. C. A. i.
p. 410; Stol.,J.A. S. B. xxxix. p. 302; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 473;
1875, p. 85 ; Biyth, B. Burnt, p. 140 ; Hume and D civ., Sir. F. vi. pp. 176,
507; Shelley, M&nogr. Nect. p. 353, pi. 113, fig. I ; Oates, B. Br. Burrn.
p. 329 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 107. Anthreptes modesta, Eyton,
P. Z. S. 1839, p. 105. The GREY-BREASTED SPIDER-HUNTER.
Upper surface of the body yellowish olive ; the centres of the feathers of
the forehead and crown more dusky with black shaft stripes ; wings of the
same colour as the back, with the inner webs of the greater coverts and
quills brownish black ; tail yellowish olive with a broad terminal band, and the
inner webs of all but the two centre feathers black, and having a clear white
ARACHNOTHERA. 237
subterminal spot on the inner webs of the four outer feathers on each side ;
sides of the head yellowish olive, shaded with ashy grey in front of the eyes
and on the lower portion of the cheeks and ear coverts ; under parts pale
olive shaded with ashy ; the feathers on the lower half of the throat with rather
indistinct dusky brown shaft-stripes ; under tail coverts dusky-olive broadly
edged with pale buff ; under surface of the wings dark brown ; upper mandible
black, the lower one reddish horn colour ; iris brown.
Length. 6-5 to 7 inches ; wing 3-3; tail v\ ; tarsus 07 ; culmen 1-4.
The female is similar in colour but a little smaller.
Hab. Tenasserim from the extreme south up to the north-west spurs
of Mooleyit mountain, extending down the Malay Peninsula. Found also in
the islands of Sumatra and Java.
743. Arachnothera chrysogenys, Temm., PL Col 388, fig. i ;
Diet. Class xv. p. 512; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 981 xv. p. 43; Bp.
Consp. Av. i. p. 410; Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 106; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1875,
p. 107; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, pp. 85, 319; Sharpe* Ibis, 1877, p. 18; Tweed. ,
torn. cit. p. 301 ; Shelley, Monogr. Nee/, p. 365, pi. 117 ; Hume and Dav.,
Sir. F. vi. p. 177 ; Sharpe y Ibis, 1879, p. 261 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
p. 331; Gadow y Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 108. Cinnyris longirostra, Horsf. t
(nee. Lath)., Tr. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 169. Cinnyris chrysogenys, Less , Man*
d'Orn. ii. p. 31. The LESSER or YELLOW-EARED SPIDER-HUNTER.
Upper surface of the body uniform dark olive green, with a yellowish tinge
on the wings and the tail ; space in front of and below the eye without
feathers ; a broad supercilium and the front of and lower half of the ear
coverts bright yellow ; remainder of the ear coverts olive ; throat and front of
the chest olive yellow, broadly but indistinctly streaked with yellow and dusky
olive ; under surface of the body and the under tail coverts bright yellow
slightly shaded on the sides with olive ; under wing coverts buff mottled with
whitish. Legs and feet fleshy white ; the bill darker horny brown ; the edges
of both mandibles to near the tip dirty yellow.
Length. 6 to 7 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 1-7; tarsus 075 ; culmen 1-65.
Hab. Tenasserim from Mergui down to Malewoon, where Davison found it.
It ranges down the Malay Peninsula, and is found in the islands of Sumatra,
Java and Borneo. Common in Cochin China. According to Dr. Tiraud,
Mr. Davison, who got this species in Tenasserim, says of it that it affects gardens
more than any of the other species, less so about cocoanut groves and forest
trees.
Gen. AnthothreptOS. Swains.
Bill shorter than or equal to the rest of the head ; culmen and gonys rather
straight ; nostrils basal, operculated, exposed ; first primary short ; tip of wing
formed by 3rd, 4th and 5th primaries ; tail square or slightly rounded, shorter
238 NECTARINIID^E.
than the wing ; tarsus covered with scales, males with metallic colours, and
sometimes with pectoral tufts.
744. Anthothreptes hypogrammica (S. Mull.), Bp. Consp.
Av. i. p. 409, No. 2; Moore, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 461, No. 186; Hume and
Dav., S/r. F. vi. p. 178 (1878) ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 260; Shelley, Monogr.
Nect. p. 305, pi. 98; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 90; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
p. 323. Nectarinia hypogrammica, .S" Mull., Natural Gesch. Lands en Vol~
kenk, p. 173 ; Low, Sarawak, p. 410; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 125,
No. 1364; Gadow, Cat.B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 113. Anthreptes nuchalis, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xii. p. 980 (1843). Arachnethra hypogrammica, Walden, Ibis,
1870, p. 30. Arachnethra macularia, Walden, Ibis, 1872, p. 381. The
BANDED SUN-BIRD.
Forehead, crown, nape, sides of the head and neck, back, scapulars and
wing coverts yellowish olive ; a collar on the back of the neck, lower back,
rump and upper tail coverts steel blue ; quills dark brown, broadly edged
with olive yellow; tail -dark brown, the feathers narrowly edged with olive
yellow, and the two or three outer ones on each side tipped with white ;
under surface of the body pale yellow, rather whitish on the chin r and each
feather with a broad olive brown band down the centre, forming broad streaks
on the chin, throat, breast, abdomen and sides of the body ; vent, flanks and
under tail coverts uniform olive yellow; under surface of the wing dark
brown, the inner margins of the quills and the coverts white. Bill black ;
legs greenish brown ; irides brown.
Length. $$ to 5-6 inches; wing 2'6 ; tail 2*1 ; tarsus 065 ; culmen 0-75.
The female is a little smaller than the male, and has the same plumage,
except that the entire upper parts are yellowish olive with no metallic or steel
blue feathers.
Hab. Southern Tenasserim, ranging down the Malayan Peninsula,
to Sumatra and Borneo. Davison found it in the extreme south of Tenasserim,
where, Gates says, it appears to be only a straggler. Miiller found it in
Sumatra and Borneo ; it has also been got by Cantor at Penang. According
to Hume and Davison's notes it is found in Tenasserim only to the south-
ward of Mergui ; thence it occurs, though everywhere a rare bird, southward
to Johore and Singapore. The same indefatigable labourers in the cause of
this branch of Natural History observes that in all its habits, mode of flight and
voice it is closely allied to Anthothreptes malaccensis, being more of an insect-
eater, than a honey-feeder, but unlike it, it affects forests and not gardens
except occasionally.
745. Anthothreptes simplex (S. Hull.), Hume, Str. F. iii.
p. 319, No. 232 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1877, P- ! ^ ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi.
p. 188 (1878) ; Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 309, pi. loo ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
ANTHOTHREPTES. 239
p. 324 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 114. Nectarinia simplex, S. Mull.
Natuurl. Gesch. Land-en. Volkenk. p. 173. Nectarinia frontalis, Blyth,
J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 558 (1845). Arachnethra simplex, Walden, Ibis, 1870,
p. 31. Anthreptes xanthochlora, Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 320. Arachnophila
simplex, Salvad., Nect. Born. p. 172; Tweed., Ibis, 1877, p. 301. The
PLAIN-COLOURED SUN-BIRD.
Forehead metallic green or blue black ; rest of the upper plumage, includ-
ing the wing coverts, olive yellow ; tail deeper yellow ; quills brown, edged with
olive yellow ; feathers in front of the eye dusky ash colour ; cheeks and ear
coverts olive, tinted with ashy ; chin, throat and foreneck greenish ashy ; rest
of lower plumage dull oily yellow ; pectoral tufts sulphur yellow ; under
surface of the quills ashy brown ; under wing coverts white, washed with
yellow. Bill blackish brown ; base of mandible pale.
Length. 4-65 inches ; wing 2-45 ; tail 2 ; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen 0-55.
The adult female is similar in plumage, but without the metallic forehead or
pectoral tufts.
Hab. Malay Peninsula, from Mergui, Southern Tenasserim to Singapore ;
also Sumatra and Borneo. Nothing is known of its habits.
746. Anthothreptes phcenicotiS (Temm.), Gadoiv, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. ix. p. 121. Nectarinia phoenicotis, Tern., PI. Col. 108, fig. i, 388, fig. 2.
Cinnyris phoenicotis, Less.) Man. d' Orn. ii. p. 38 ; id., Traite d'Orn. i. p. 298.
Anthreptes phoenicotis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 979 ; Shelley, Monogr.
Nect. p. 326, pi. 105. Chalcoparia singalensis, Cab. Mus. Hein i. p. 103 ;
Reichb., Handbk. Scansorice, p. 304; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 86; Armstrong,
Str. F. 1876, p. 313. Chalcoparia phoenicotis, Bp. C. A. xxxix. p. 265 ;
Blyth and Walden, B. Burm. p. 142; Tweedd ale, Ibis, 1877, p. 303. An-
threptes singalensis, Wald., P. Z. S. 1866, p. 543 ; Hume, Str. F. 1877, p. 28 ;
Dates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 326. Chalcoparia singalensis, Wald., Ibis, 1870,
p. 48; Hume and Davison, Str. F. 1878, p. 189; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 90. The RUBY-CHEEKED SUN-BIRD.
The whole upper plumage rich metallic green, including the least and
median series of wing coverts and broad margins to the greater wing coverts
and tail feathers ; remainder of the wings and tail black ; the quills more or
less glossed with metallic violet on their outer webs; sides of the head includ-
ing the upper eyelid ruby-copper, margined beneath by a band of metallic
lilac shaded with steel blue ; lores blackish ; chin, throat and fore part of the
chest fawn-colour or ferruginous buff ; abdomen, sides of the body, vent and
under tail coverts yellow ; under wing coverts pale yellow. Bill black ; gape
orange yellow ; mouth yellow ; iris lake red ; legs yellowish green.
Length. 4*2 to 4-4 inches; wing 2-1 ; tail r6; tarsus 0*65 ; culmen 0-5.
240 NECTARINIID^:.
The female is slightly smaller; the upper plumage and the lesser wing
coverts are olive green ; ear coverts and cheeks slate colour ; greater coverts
and wings dark brown, edged with yellowish green ; tail brown, also edged
with yellowish green ; the lower surface of the body yellow.
Length. $6 inches ; wing 2 ; tail I 6; tarsus 6.
Hab. Bhootan, Assam, Sylhet, Tipperah, Arracan, Southern Pegu, Tenas-
serim, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. According to Hume
and Davison's notes, the most northern point from which this beautiful
Sun-bird has been obtained is the Bhootan Dooars ; thence it stretches
southward along the Brahmapootra, and eastward across into Assam,
the Khasia hills, Dacca, Chittagong and Pegu, avoiding, however, the
dry northern portion of the latter province, but being common enough
about Rangoon and the neighbourhood of Sittang in southern Pegu,
where Gates found it breeding from May to July or August. He says, " the
nest is hung from the tip of a branch, sometimes not far from the ground ;
at other times high up in a mango tree. It is always well protected by leaves,
and is a beautiful pear-shaped structure, constructed in most cases entirely
of black hair-like fibres, and ornamented exteriorly with cocoons, pieces of
bark and small twigs. The eggs, two in number, are pinkish white, marked
with brown and purplish brown. Except when breeding it is found generally
in small troops traversing the low bushes with a low twitter, and searching the
leaves for minute insects. At other times it frequents flowering trees and
shrubs, and parasitic plants, and is found in gardens as frequently as in
jungles.
747. Anthothreptes malaccensis (Scop.)> Cab. Mus. Hem, i.
p. 104 ; Blyth and Wald., B. JBurm. p. 142 ; Walden, Ibis, 1876, p. 348.
Anthreptes malaccensis, Reichb., Handbk. Scansorice, p. 305, pi. 588; Wald.,
Ibis, 1870, p. 47 (pt.)j Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 473; Shelley, Monogr. Nect.
p. 316, pi. 101, fig. 2; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 186; Hume, Str.
F. 1879, p. 90 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 324. Anthreptes celebensis,
Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 319, pi. 103, figs. 2 and 3. Certhia malaccensis,
Scop., Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr., ii. p. 91. Nectarophila malaccensis,
StoL, J. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 301. The MALACCAN BROWN-THROATKD
SUN-BlRD.
Forehead, crown, nape, back and sides of the neck metallic green or coppery
red according to the light; lower back, rump, upper tail coverts and the lesser
wing coverts rich metallic violet ; median series of wing coverts, edges of the
greater coverts and a portion of the scapulars maroon brown ; remainder of
the wing dark brown with olive edges to the feathers; tail bluish brown, the
feathers edged with metallic violet and green ; lores and sides of the head dull
greenish yellow ; a stripe from the gape down the sides of the throat coppery
ANTHOTHREPTES. 241
purple ; chin and throat cinnamon or maroon brown ; lower plumage rich
yellow tinged with greenish on the flanks and vent ; under wing coverts and
auxiliaries yellowish white. Bill dark brown; iridesred; legs yellowish green.
Length. $ inches; wing 2'6 to 27; tail r8 to 1*9; tarsus o f 6; bill from
gape o - 8 ; culmen O'65.
The female has the upper parts olive green ; wings and tail dark brown, the
feathers edged with olive yellow ; under surface of the body yellow, paler on
the chin, and washed with olive on the throat and sides of the body ; tail brown,
tipped very narrowly with whitish and edged on the outer webs with yellowish
green.
Hab. Arracan, Southern Burmah, Siam, Cambodia, the Malay Peninsula
and the Island of Penang ; Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Flores, Labuan, Palawan
and Celebes. Tenasserim is also given as a locality where Mr. Davison met
with it from Amherst downwards. South of Mergui along the western coast of
the Malay Peninsula to its extremity at Singapore it is said to be one of the
most common of all the Sun-birds, occurring in large numbers in every
garden. Both this and A. hypogramtmca, according to Hume and Davison,
differ in their habits from the more typical Sun-birds, feeding as they do more
largely on insects. According to Captain Shelley, the nest of this species is
oval in form, with a hole at one side near the top. It is loosely constructed of
cocoanut fibres, shreds of bark and a few dead leaves, which bind together the
white silk-like down of some plant seeds, giving consistency to the structure,
but not specially forming the lining.
Family MELIPHAGID^E.
Bill variable in length, but always with a prominent culmen, broadened
out at the base, curved, and almost always with a slight notch ; maxilla
serrated. Nostrils basal, situated in a large unossified groove which is quite
soft and membranous, either longitudinal and with a well-developed coriace-
ous operculum, or oval, and situated in front of a coriaceous groove ; never
entirely covered with feathers. Tongue protractile, bifid, each half broken up
into numerous stiff horny fibres, so as to form a brush ; wings, tail and tarsus
variable in shape and length, plumage greenish or greenish yellow ; in the
MyzomelincR red, generally nude wattles on the ears or cheeks or round the
eye. (Gadoiu.)
This family is divided by Dr. Gadow into three sub-families, viz., i, Myzo-
mdincB ; 2, Zosteropina ; and 3, Meliphagine ; three species of the second of
which only are known in India.
Sub-family ZOSTEROPIN^E.
Bill shorter or equal to the length of the head ; a ring of whitish feathers
round the eye ; ist primary absent or very short.
VOL. II. 31
242 MELIPHAGID^E.
Gen. Zosterops Vtg.
Bill of about the same length as the head, wide at base, somewhat conic,
acute at the tip and slightly but distinctly notched ; culmen slightly curved ;
rictus smooth ; eyes surrounded by close-set minute white feathers ; nostrils
longitudinal exposed ; wings moderate ; 1st primary extremely short; some-
times absent ; 3rd and 4th primaries longest and forming the tip of the wing ;
tail short, even ; tarsus moderate, covered in front with a few scales ; toes
strong ; outer syndactyle.
748. Zosterops palpebrOSa (Temm.), Blyth, J. A. S B. xiv.
p. 563; Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 398; Kelaart, Prod. Cat. p. 121 ; Jerd.,
B. Ind ii. p. 265, No. 631 ; Stol, J. A. S. B. xxxvii. p. 51 ; Beavan, Ibis,
1868, p. 82; Brooks, Ibis, 1869, p. 57; Holdsw., P. Z. S. 1872, p. 458;
Hume, Nests and JEggs, Ind. B. p. 397 ; Cock, and Mar-sli. Sir. F. 1873,
p. 356; Adams, t. c. p. 384; Hayes, Lloyd, Ibis, 1873, p. 412; Legge, Ibis,
1874, p. 22; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 417; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 143;
Brooks, t. c. p. 252; Butler, t. c. p. 491 ; Blyth and Wold, B.Burm.^. HO;
Fairbk., Str. F. 1876, p. 260; id., 1877, P- 47 J David and Walden, Sir. F.
1878, p. 84 ; Butler, Cat. B. Sind, p. 42, ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 582 ; Hume,
Str.F. 1879, p. 104 ; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 69 ; Butler, t. c. p. 413 ; Hume,
t. c. p. 413 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 165 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind,
p. 174. Sylvia palpebrosa, Temm., PL Col. 293, fig. 3 (1824). Zosterops
Madraspatensis, Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi, p. 7. Zosterops nicobarica, Blyili,
J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 563. Zosterops simplex, Sivinh., Ibis, 1861, p. 331;
Gould, B. Asia, part xxiii.; Hume, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 403; id., Str. F.
1879, p. 104. Zosterops nicobariensis, Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 242 ; 1879,
p. 104. Zosterops palpebrosa- nicobariensis, Hume, Str. F. 1876, p. 291.
The WHITE-EYED TIT.
Head, nape, back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts siskin green,
yellowish on the upper tail coverts ; chin, throat and upper breast canary
yellow ; eyes with a circle of whrte feathers ; lower breast, abdomen and flanks
white with a bluish tinge ; vent, under tail and thigh coverts yellow ; primaries,
secondaries and tertiaries brown, edged externally with the colour of the back,
all margined white on their inner webs, except the innermost tertiaries ; edge
of wing and under wing coverts yellowish ; tail brown, the feathers margined
on their outer webs with greenish, and on their inner webs with whitish. Bill
blackish brown ; legs horny brown.
Length. 4-5 inches ; wing 2-3 ; tail 1-7 ; bill at front 0*33 to 0-4; tarsus 0-75.
Hal. India generally to Assam, Arracan, Nepaul and Ceylon ; also Sind,
(probably Kulch), Rajputana, Deccan, Concan, Central and Southern India, also
the Burmese countries eastwards into South China ; Andaman Islands, and
Nicobars. Found wherever it occurs in small flocks moving from tree to tree with
ZOSTEROPS. 243
a low twitter, searching for insects among the leaves. It breeds throughout
India, sparingly in the hotter parts, and abundantly in the Neilgherries and
other ranges of the Peninsula to their very summit, and in the Himalayas to an
elevation of 5,000 or 6,000 feet. The breeding season lasts from January to
September ; sometimes they have two broods. The nest is a soft delicate little
cup, sometimes very shallow and at other times deep, and, as a rule, suspended
between two twigs.' The materials of which it is made are various, as fine
grasses, grass roots, fibres, thread, floss-silk and cobwebs. The eggs are
usually two in number, and pale blue in colour, and vary in length from
o -5 3 to 07 and in breadth from 0*42 to 0-58.
Mr. A. G. Cardew's experience in the Neilgherries is that out of a dozen
nests or more at least five-sixths were built in the common Berberis aristota.
The eggs, always two, are a delicate blue with a greenish tinge. Breeds
February April. It is known as Pa-Chit-Tam or Flower-Small-Bird.
749. Zosterops aurei venter, Hume, Str. F, 1878, p. 519;
Nicholson, Ibis, 1880, p. 152; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 163. Zosterops
lateralis (nee Lath.}, HartL, J. F. O. 1865, p. 15 (ex. Temm. MSS.);
Tweed., Ibis, 1877, p. 303; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, i. p. 452; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, pp. 65, 104, 497. Zosterops Buxtoni, Nicholson, Ibis, 1879,
p. i67 ; Oates, B Br. Burnt, i. p. 346. TEMMINCK'S WHITE-EYED TIT.
Similar to Z. palpebrosa, but differing in having the tail black but without
any greenish yellow margins, in being smaller and greener above and having a
very black wing ; sides of the breast grey ; breast and abdomen, also the chin
and throat, washed with bright yellow. Bill black ; legs and feet slaty blue ;
iris grey.
Length. 3-4 inches; wing 1-95; tail ri; tarsus 0*5 5 ; culmen 0*45.
Hab. Southern Tenasserim near Tavoy, w/here Mr. Davison obtained it.
It also occurs down the Malayan Peninsula to Sumatra, Java and Timor.
750. Zosterops Siamensis, Biyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 34; Wald.,
Ibis, 1876, p. 350, pi. 10, fig. I; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 375;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 104; Oates, B. Br. Sunn. i. p. 343 ; id., Str. F. x.
p. 228 ; Gadow, Cat. B. Br. Mus. ix. p. 180. Zosterops palpebrosa (nee. T.),
Tickell, MSS. teste Walden, Ibis, 1876, p. 350. Zosterops Austeni, Wald. in
Elyth, B. Burm. p. in; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 376; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, p. 104. The SIAMESE WHITE-EYED TIT.
Lores and a small patch under the eye black, a circle of feathers round the
eye white ; general colour olive yellow, brightest on the under surface of the
body, duller on the mantle, back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts ; median
and greater coverts margined with deep olive yellow ; bastard wing and
primary coverts dusky, the former tipped and the latter edged with yellow ; quills
dusky brown, externally edged with olive yellow ; rump and upper tail coverts
brighter yellow than the back ; tail dusky, margined externally with olive
244
yellow ; crown of the head, nape and hind neck olive yellow ; ear coverts olive
yellow ; cheeks, throat, foreneck and breast golden yellow ; under wing
coverts and axillaries pale yellow ; thighs and under tail coverts bright yellow.
Bill horny, plumbeous at the base of the lower mandible and at the angle of
the mouth; feet and claws light plumbeous ; iris light reddish brown.
Length. 4 to 4*2 inches; wing 1-95 to 2; tail r6; tarsus 0-55 ; culmen
0-45-
Hal. Siam, extending into Burmah. Gates says it is abundant in
Southern Pegu from Rangoon up to Kyeikpadien and Pegu. Mr. Davison
met with it in Tenasserim, and Capt. Wardlaw-Ramsay procured it in Karenne.
It is found only in forests and remote orchards in high trees, to the tops of
which it persistently keeps.
Section. FRINGILLIFORMES.
Wings with generally nine primaries ; the first well developed and long,
except in Prionochilus and Pardalotus.
Family . DIC^EID^ .
Bill moderate, broad at the base, the culmen curved ; tip entire ; wings with
nine primaries ; habits nearly similar to those of the Sun-birds.
Gen. Dicseum. Cuv.
Bill creeper-like, broad at the base ; tip entire ; culmen curved ; wings
with the first three primaries sub-equal, the second slightly the longest ; tail
short, exceeding the wing in length. Birds of small size.
751- DiCSOUm Cruentatum (Linn.), Strickl., Ann. and Mag. Nat.
Hist. xiii. p. 38 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 402 ; Cab. Mus. Hein.'i. p. 98 ; Tythr,
Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xiii. p. 373 ; Gould, B. Asia, pt. vi. (1854) ;
Wald., P. Z. S. 1866, p. 544 ; Hume, Nt sis and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 155 ; id., Str.
F. 1874, p. 473 5 l8 75> P- 8 7> Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 142 ; Hume, Sir.
F. 1875, p. 87; Armstrong, Str. F. 1876, p. 315 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F.
1878, p. 192 ; Anderson, Yunnan - Exped. p. 663 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. \.
p. 332; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Burnt.*. 15. Certhia cruentata, Linn., Syst.
Nat. i. p. 87; Lath., Ind. Orn. i. p. 296. Dicoeum erythronotum, Cuv., Regne.
Anim. i. p. 410; Blytli, J. A. S. B. xii. p. 983. Dictum coccimeum,
Gray, Gen. B. i. p. lOO; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 373; Beavan, Ibis, 1866,
p. 365; Godwin- Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix., p. 99; Jerd., Ibis, 1872,
p. 18. The SCARLET-BACKED FLOWER-PECKER.
Forehead, crown, nape, back, rump and upper tail coverts rich crimson ;
lores, sides of the head and neck, also the tail, wings and wing coverts black ;
chin, throat and the whole lower plumage buffy white ; flanks and sides of the
body ashy grey; axillaries and under wing coverts pure white. Bill and
mouth black ; legs and feet black ; iris dark brown ; eyelids plumbeous.
DIC/EUM. 245
The female has the head, nape and back olive green or yellowish olive, a
little deeper on the hind neck and mantle, the centres of the feathers of the
crown darker ; rump and upper tail coverts bright scarlet ; scapulars and wing
coverts dull steel-green, edged with olive ; quills dusky with narrow olive
margins ; tail blue black ; ear coverts pale brown ; lores and cheeks ashy
fulvous, the bases of the feathers dusky ; throat and under surface of the body
ashy buff, darker on the sides of the neck and body; axillaries and under wing
coverts white.
Length. 3-3 to 3*5 inches; wing 1-9; tail 0*95 to ro5 ; tarsus 0-5;
culmen 0-45.
Hab. S.-E. Himalayas, throughout the Burmese countries and Southern
China to Hainan and down the Malayan Peninsula to Java and Sumatra.
According to Gates it is found over every portion of British Burmah. It is
recorded from Arracan, also as being abundant in Southern Pegu, as well as at
Thayetmyo. Mr. Davison procured it in every portion of Tenasserim. It is
said to be more plentiful in Lower Bengal and Assam, also in Nepaul, occur-
ring in all descriptions of jungle, but, according to Gates, most partial to
mango trees, and other large trees covered with parasitic plants. Breeds
in March and April, building a nest suspended from the extremity of a branch
high up. It is egg-shaped and about 4 inches in height, and constructed
of the finest white vegetable down. Eggs, 2 3 in number, pure white.
752. Dicseum trigonostigrma (Scop.\ Gray, Gen. B. \. p. 100;
Bp. Cojisp. Av. i. p. 403 ; Cab. Mus. Hein. Hi. i. p. 98 ; Reichb., Hdbk. Scan-
soria, p. 241 ; taf. cllvii., fig. 3, 3788-89; Sdater, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 22O ;
Wald., P. Z. S. 1866, p. 545 ; Beavan, Ibis, 1869, p. 422 ; Godwin-Austen,
?. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 303 ; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 473 ; Salvad., Nee.
Born. p. 166 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 142; Wald, Ibis, 1876, p. 349, pi. x.,
fig. 2; Hume and Dai'., Str. F. vi. p. 194; Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 90:
Bingham, Str. F. viii. p. 195; Sharpe, P. Z. S. iSSi, p. 796; Gates, B.
Br. Burm. i. p. 336 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 38. Certhia trigono-
stigma, Scop., Del. F/or. et Faun. Insubr. ii. p. 91. Certhia cantillans,
Lath., Ind. Orn. i. p. 299. Dictum croceoventre, Vig., Mem. Raffl.
p. 673. The ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWER-PECKER.
Forehead, crown, nape, sides of the head and of the neck, scapulars and
wing coverts glossy leaden blue ; lores, sides of the face and ear coverts
leaden blue ; back bright yellow, inclining to flaming orange yellow on the
mantle and upper back ; upper tail coverts slaty or leaden blue ; tail black,
edged narrowly with slaty blue ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills
blackish, edged narrowly with slaty blue ; chin, throat, cheeks, foreneck and
breast pale slaty grey ; abdomen, sides of the body, vent and under tail
coverts rich or flaming orange ; under wing coverts and axillaries white,
mottled with greyish on the edge of the wing.
2-16
The female has the forehead, crown, nape, back, sides of the head and
scapulars olive green ; the rump and upper tail coverts yellow, deepening into
orange on the rump ; hind neck dull lead colour ; lores and sides of the face
dull lead colour washed with olive green ; tail blackish edged with narrow
olive margins ; wing coverts and quills dark brown narrowly edged with olive
green ; chin and throat sordid green ; sides of the body ashy green ; abdomen,
vent and under tail coverts bright yellow ; centre of the breast deepening into
orange ; axillaries and under wing coverts white. Bill, legs and feet horny
black in the male ; dark plumbeous in the female ; base of upper mandible
reddish brown ; hides grey to dark brown.
Length. $ to 3-6 inches ; wing r8 to 1-9; tail O'g to I ; tarsus 0*5; bill
from gape 0-55.
ffab. The hills N.-E. of Bengal, through Burmah and Tenasserim, down
the Malayan Peninsula to Java, Sumatra and Borneo. It has occurred in
Arracan. In Burmah it is said to be a rare species. It has been met with
in Pegu, Tavoy and Tenasserim, also in the Karen hills by Captain Wardlaw-
Ramsay.
753. DiCSeum ignipectUS (Hodgs.), Gray, Gen. B. i. p. loo ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. 41. Micrura ignipectus, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in
Br. Mus. Passer es, pi. 36, fig. 393. Myzanthe ignipectus, Hodgs., J.A.S. B.
xii. p 983; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 377, No. 241 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 402;
Gould, B. Asia, ii., pi. 46; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. xxxix. p 98; Stol.,
J. A. S. B. xxxvii., pt. ii., p. 24 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 159 ;
Wald. in Blyth, B. Burm. p 143 ; David, et. Oust., Ois. Chine, p. 84 ; Hume,
and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 200; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 90 ; Scully, Str. F. viii.
p. 261 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. \. p. 337. The FIRE-BREASTED FLOWER-PECKER.
The whole upper plumage glossy steel-green, somewhat metallic ; median
and greater coverts, also the bastard wing, primary coverts and quills, black,
edged externally with steel-green ; tail blue black, also edged externally with a
steel-green gloss ; head, sides of the face, ear coverts and cheeks glossy
steel-green, the lores a little darker ; throat and under surface of the body
deep ochraceous buff, the lower throat and foreneck with a patch of crimson
or deep scarlet, and a longitudinal patch of glossy black down the centre of the
breast and on the sides of the upper breast, which are glossed with greenish ;
thighs and under tail coverts ochraceous buff ; under wing coverts and axilla-
ries pure white, slightly washed with yellowish buff.
The female is olive green above, tinged with ashy on the head, yellower and
more olive on the rump and upper tail coverts ; lesser and median wing
coverts like the back ; other coverts and quills dusky glossed with steel-green
and externally edged with olive ; tail dark brown, tipped with ashy brown on
the outer feathers ; cheeks and under surface of the body pale ochraceous buff.
No scarlet spot on foreneck. Bill black, base of lower mandible plumbeous or
blackish brown.
DICTUM. 247
Length. yn to 3-6 inches ; wing 175 to 1-9; tail I; tarsus 0-5 to O'6 j
culmen 0*4.
Hob. The Himalayas to the hills of N.-E. Bengal, and externally to the Ka-
renne hills in Burmah at an elevation of 4,000 feet, and Mooleyit in Tenasserim,
also occurring in the province of Fokien in China. Recorded from near Simla,
Darjeeling, Nepaul and Bhootan. Jerdon says it is common in Sikkim from
2,000 to 6,000 feet, and feeds on small insects and flower buds. Nests
pendulous; eggs white, 2 3 in number. According to Mr. R, Thompson
(Hume), it breeds regularly at Nynee Tal during June and July. It constructs a
pendant nest which it attaches to a bare bough of some large tree In shape
the nest is like a purse opening at the side towards its upper extremity, and the
materials it is made of is said to be the pubescent covering of the stems of
various species of Loranthus or mistletoes.
754. Dicaeum chrysorrhaeum, Temm. t Pi. Col. 478, fig. i ;
Strickl., P. Z. S. 1846, p. 100 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 403 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i.
p. 374, No. 237; Salvad., Ucc. Born. p. 168 ; Wald., Ibis, 1872, p. 380;
Blythand Wald., B. Burnt, p. 142; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 195;
Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 90 ; Ringham, Sir. F. ix. p. 1 70 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i.
p. 335 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 44, The YELLOW-VENTED FLOWER-
PECKER.
The whole upper plumage and lesser wing coverts yellowish olive, brighter
on the rump and upper tail coverts ; bastard wing and primary coverts, also
the quills and tail feathers, blackish brown, edged with yellowish olive ; crown
of the head, sides of the face, and ear coverts yellowish olive ; cheeks white ;
chin and throat white with a greenish brown mandibular streak between them
and the cheeks ; under surface of the body creamy white, streaked with
greenish brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries white ; edge of the wing
dusky ; under tail coverts golden yellow. Upper mandible and tip of the
lower black ; remainder of the lower mandible pale plumbeous ; legs dark
plumbeous ; iris crimson.
Length. 3-9 to 4 inches ; wing 2'3 to 2-35 ; tail 1*2 ; tarsus o'6; culmen
0-45-
Hal). Eastern Himalayas, thence through Burmah and the Malay Peninsula
to Java, Sumatra and Borneo. According to Dr. Jerdon it is found in Nepaul
and the hill tracts of Eastern Bengal. In Burmah, Gates says, it is sparingly
distributed over the whole province. It is more common in Arracan and
Tenasserim.
755. DiCaeum COnCOlor, Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 227 ; id., Ill
Ind. Orn. pi. 39 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 403 ; Reichb., Handblt. Scamorice,
p. 241 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 375, No. 239; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 156; Morgan, Ibis, 1875, p. 316; Fairbk., Sir. F. 1876, pp. 256, 265;
l8 77> P- 399; Hume, Str. F. 1879^.90; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x.
p. 45. The NEILGHERRY FLOWER-PECKER.
248 DIC^ID^.
The whole upper plumage dingy olive brown, rather olivaceous on the
upper back ; bastard wing and primary coverts uniform dark brown ; quills
and tail dark brown, narrowly edged with dull olive yellowish. Head dingy
olive brown, the feathers centred with dusky ; base of forehead, lores and
eyelids whitish ; ear coverts streaked with narrow shaft lines; centre of breast
and abdomen pale olive yellowish, also the under tail coverts ; under wing
coverts and axillaries white with a faint yellowish tinge. Bill dusky brown ;
legs slate colour ; iris brown.
Length. 3*5 to 37 inches; wing 1*95 to 2 ; tail 1-05 to r 15 ; culmen 0-45.
Hal. Southern India (Coonoor). Jerdon says it is very abundant on the
top of the Neilgherries, also in most of the forests of Malabar and in the
woods of the eastern ghauts. It frequents the highest branches of lofty trees,
hopping actively about the small twigs and flowering branches and feeding on
various minute insects ; also occasionally on the nectar of flowers and on
flower buds. It breeds in the Neilgherries during March, making a beautiful
little purse-like nest which is hung from the branch of some shrub. It is
loosely woven, exteriorly with fine grass and lined with the silky pappus of
some Asteraceous plant. The length of the nest is about 3 inches, and the
exterior diameter about 2 inches. Eggs, 2 in number, elongated ovals, pure
white and glossless, varying in length from O'6 to O-68 inch and in breadth
from 0*4 to 0-46 inch.
756. Dicseum inornatum (Hodgs.}, Sharpe, p. z. s. 1883,
p. 580 ; id., Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 45. Myzanthe inornata, Hodgs., Icon, imd in
Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 37. Dicaeum olivaceum, Wald., Ann, and Mag. Nat.
Hist (4) xv. p. 401 ; id., in Ely Ms B. Burm. p. 143; Tweed., Ibis, 1877,
p. 302; Hume and Vav., Str. F. 1878, p. 195 ; Hume, Str. F> 1879, p. 90;
Bingham, Str. F. 1880, p. 171 ; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 333. The PLAIN-
COLOURED FLOWER-PECKER.
The whole upper plumage dull olive, brighter on the lower back and rump,
and the feathers of the head centred darker ; tail dark brown, the feathers
faintly edged with olive ; wing coverts blackish brown, the feathers edged with
dull olive ; wings dark brown edged with olive green; lores, sides of the face
and cheeks pale ashy olive, also a line of feathers over the eye ; upper parts of
the ear coverts darker olive brown ; under surface of the body greenish yellow,
tinged somewhat with ashy olive on the sides and flanks ; under tail coverts
yellowish white ; under wing coverts and axillaries white, slightly washed with
yellow. Upper mandible and tip of lower dark brown ; rest of lower mandible
very dark brown or black ; legs dark plumbeous ; iris deep brown.
Length. y I lo 3-3 inches ; wing r8 ; tail I ; tarsus 0-45 ; culmen 0-4.
Hab. From Nepaul and the Eastern Himalayas throughout the Burmese
countries down the Malay Peninsula, Recorded from Bhootan, the Tonghoo
PRIONOCHILUS. 249
and Karin hills and Pahpoon in Tenasserim. Captain Bingham got it at
Moulmein, and Captain Wardkw-Ramsay in Pegu.
A closely-allied race> D. virestens, occurs in the Andaman Islands. It
differs in having the chin and throat albescent, and the abdomen more yellow,
contrastin with the throat,
757. Dicseum erythrorhynchum (Lath), Efyth and
B. Rurm. p, 143 ; Fairbk., Str. F. 1877, p. 399 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F.
1878, 196; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 90 ; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 57 ; Sutler,
/. c. p, 390; Oales, ]>. Br. Burm. i. p, 334* Cefthia erythrorhynchos, Lath*,
bid. Orn. i, p. 299. Dictum minimum, Blyth, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Sisf.
*x. p. 316; Tytler, op. til. xiii. p. 373 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 374; Jerd., B.
Ind. i. p. 374, No. 238; Jleavan, Ibis, 1865, p. 416; Hume, Nests and Eggs,
Ind. B, p. 155 ; Ball, Str, F. 1878, p. 208 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p, 574 ; Butler,
Cat. B. B. Pres. p-. 30. The SMALL FLOWER-PECKER.
The whole upper plumage ashy olive, the feathers of the crown darker
centred ; tail dark brown ; wings and coverts brown, edged with ashy olive ;
lores, sides of the head and face pale ashy brown ; the ear coverts streaked with
narrow whitish shaft lines ; under surface of the body pale ashy with a buffish
tinge ; under tail coverts buffy white ; under wing coverts and axillaries white*
Bill pale fleshy with a dusky tip ; legs plumbeous ; iris brown.
Length. $2 inches; wing I '8 ; tail i ; tarsus 0*5 ; culmen O'4.
Hal. Ceylon, Lower Bengal and Central and Southern India as far as the
Eastern Himalayas and Assam, extending through Arracan to Moulmein in
Tenasserim. Recorded from Nepaul, Madras, Belgaum, Dacca, Rhandalla
in the Deccan, Poona and Bombay. Breeds in the Deccan and the Neil-
gherries ; nesting habits same as those of the other species of the genus,
Eggs, 23, pure white.
Gen, PrionocMlUS, StrickL
Bill stout and finch-like, occasionally with tomical serrations, broader than
high at nostrils; gape without wattles; tail short, not exceeding the tip of the
wing by as much as the length of the tarsus ; wing with a distinct bastard
primary ; nostrils only a narrow slit ; tarsus large ; inner toe shorter than the
outer.
758. Prionochilus ignicapillus (Eyton), Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1883,
p. 580; id,, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 65. Dicseum ignicapillum, Eyton,
P. Z. S. 1839, P- IO 5' Prionochilus percussus (non. Temm.), Strickl., P. Z. S.
1841, p. 29 ; Blyth, J. A, S. B. xiv. pp. 558, 559 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 335 ;
Cab. Mus. Hem. Th. i. p. H2; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 56, 90; Gates, B.
Br. Burm. i. p, 339. The CRIMSON-BREASTED FLOWER-PECKER.
Adult male. Above slaty blue, the rump and upper tail coverts a little
clearer blue ; wing coverts like the back ; bastard wing, primary coverts and
VOL II. 32
250
quills dusky blackish, edged externally with slaty blue, lighter on the outer
webs of the secondaries ; tail feathers blackish, washed on the outer web with
slaty blue ; head like the back, more dusky on the forehead and lores ; a longi-
tudinal patch of scarlet in the centre of the crown ; ear coverts and sides
of the face slaty blue like the crown ; cheeks white, tinged with yellow
posteriorly and separated from the "throat by a moustachial line of
slaty grey skirting the rami of the lower jaw ; throat and under surface of the
body bright yellow, paler towards the abdomen ; a central patch of scarlet
vermilion in the centre of the foreneck and chest ; sides of upper breast slaty
blue ; under tail coverts white, also the axillaries and under wing coverts.
(Sharpe.) " Bill black, slaty beneath ; legs dark leaden ; iris reddish
brown." ( Wardlaw-Ramsay.)
The female is described by Mr. Sharpe as dull olive greenish above, clearer
olive on the lower back, rump and upper tail coverts ; greater coverts, quills
and tail dusky brown, washed externally with a little brighter olive green than
the back ; centre of crown with a patch of dull orange ; lores and eyelids
ashy whitish; a small cheek stripe of greyish white, followed by a distinct
malar stripe of dull ashy ; throat pale yellow, whiter towards the chin ; centre
of breast and abdomen yellow, with a tinge of orange on the chest.
Length. -$ to 3-5 inches; wing 2 to 2*1 ; tail 0-95 to T2 ; tarsus 0*5$;
culmen 0-4 to 0*45.
Hab. Southern Tenasserim, down the Malay Peninsula to Malacca, Sumatra
and Borneo. P. tkoractca, a species found in the Malay Peninsula, is likely to
be found in Tenasserim.
759. Prionochilus maculatus (Tem.\ SincM., P. z. S. 1841,
p. 29; Wald, Ibis, 1872, p. 379 ; Salvad., Ucc. Born. p. 104; Sharpe, Ibis,
1876, p. 43 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 199; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, PP-
59, 90 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 340 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. vol. x.
p. 69. Pardalotus maculatus, Tern., pi. col. iii. pi. 600, fig. 3. Prionochilus
thoracicus, $ , Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc, p. 227 ; Bp., Consp. Av. i.
p. 335. The WHITE-THROATED FLOWER-PECKER.
Adult. (Type of species.) General colour above uniform olivaceous, the
lesser and median wing coverts like the back ; greater coverts and quills dusky
brown, edged externally with olive ; tail dusky brown, the feathers edged with
Olive ; head like the back, with an orange patch on the centre of the crown, the
feathers tipped with tiny olive spots ; lores obscure whitish ashy; sides of the
face olive like the crown ; cheeks dull white, washed with olive behind ; a
broad moustachial streak of dusky olive continuous with the striping of the rest
of the under parts ; centre of the throat, breast, abdomen and under tail coverts
yellow, paler towards the chin ; flanks washed with olive, and having broad
longitudinal streaks of dusky olive very distinct on the sides of the foreneck
and breast; under wing coverts and axillaries white with a faint wash of
PRfONOCHILUS. 251
yellow and with a dusky patch near the edge of the wing. (Sharpe) Legs and
feet dusky or dark plumbeous in males ; dirty smalt blue in females ; upper
mandible and lower mandible to angle of gonys black ; rest plumbeous in males,
smalt blue in females ; iris dull red (Davison), dragon's blood red (Everett}.
Length, 3*5 inches; wing 2*05 ; tail PI ; tarsus 0*55 ; culmeno*45.
The female has the patch on the crown paler and more orange; iris
crimson. {Everett,)
Hab. Southern Tenasserim, down the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and
Borneo. According to Davison, it is found in Tenasserim from its southern-
most point to about Mergui, or a little further north ; and he states it is rare.
760. Prionochilus melanoxanthus (ffodgs.), Sdatcr, Ibis,
5^74, p. 3, pi, i, fig. 3; Sharpe^ Cat. B. Br. Mus, x~-p. 71. Micrura melano-
xantha, Hodgs,, Icon, ined in Br, Mus. Passeres, pi. 38. Pachyglossa melano-
xantha, Hodgs., J. A. S. B. xii. p, 1009 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 378, No. 242 ;
Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 455; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S. B. xliii., pt. 2, p. 156;
Hume, Str, F. 1879, P 90. The YELLOW-BELLIED FLOWER-PECKER.
General color above dark slaty blackish with a slight gloss; least wing
coverts like the back ; median and greater coverts and quills blackish brown,
slightly edged with slate color externally ; tail feathers black, the two outermost
with a large spot of white near the end of the inner web ; lores, sides of the
face, ear coverts, cheeks, sides of the neck and of the throat black with a slaty
grey gloss which extends down the sides of the breast ; throat and foreneck
white, forming a longitudinal patch ; chest and remainder of under surface of
the body, including the flanks and under tail coverts, yellow ; axillaries and
under wing coverts white. (Sharpe.) Bill black ; legs dark plumbeous.
The adult female is described by Mr. Sharpe as having a very dusky olive
green upper surface ; the lores dusky, a broad irregular fulvous stripe covering
the chin, middle of the throat and breast ; abdomen, vent and lower tail coverts
dull pale yellow ; outer tail feathers tipped white.
Length. 3*5 inches ; wing 2*55 ; tail 1*5 ; tarsus 0'5 ; bill from forehead 0*4 3.
Hab. Nepaul and Sikkim. Feeds on small insects and viscid berries.
Prionochilus vincent, a species at present known only from Ceylon, will pro-
bably be found in Southern India ; it differs from this species in being smaller
(2'i to 2'3 wing), and the sides of the breast being yellow like the flanks.
761. Prionochilus SqualidUS (Bur ion), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. x. p, 73. Pipra squalida, Burton, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 113. Fringilla
agilis, Tick., J. A. S. B. ii. p. 578. Piprisoma agile, Blyth, J. -A. S. B. xiii.
P- 395 5 Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 376, No. 240 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 158; Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 430, pi. x. ; Hume, Str. F. \. p. 434 ; id.,
viii. p. 90; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 579; Scully, Str. F. viii. p. 260; Gates,
Str. F. x. p. 198; id., B.Br. Burnt, i. p. 338, The THICK-BELLIED FLOWER-
PECKER.
252 DIC/EID/E.
Whole upper plumage and lesser wing coverts ashy brown with a slight
olive tinge on the rump and upper tail coverts ; quills brown, externally edged
with olive ; median and greater series of coverts the same ; tail blackish,
edged with green on the outer webs of the feathers and a bar of white on the
two outermost ; sides of face and ear coverts ashy brown ; cheeks and under
surface of the body greyish white with a faint tinge of yellowish; foreneck
and breast with indistinct dusky stripes ; chin and throat yellowish white ; an
indistinct or obscure line runs down either side of the throat from the base of
the lower mandible to the breast ; sides of the body, flanks and thighs washed
with ashy brown ; under tail coverts white ; under wing coverts and
axillaries white. Bill plumbeous, blackish at tip j iris orange yellow ; legs
dark plumbeous.
Length. $6 to 4 inches; wing 2*3 to 2'4; tail 1-25 to 1*3; tarsus O'6;
culmen 0-35.
Hal. Ceylon, and the whole of India, except the drier parts up to the
Himalayas, occurring in the N.-W. portion of the range, and in Nepaul
extending to Tenasserim. Jerdon found it on the Malabar Coast and Ceylon,
most commonly in jungly districts. He procured it at Goomsoor, on the
Eastern Ghauts and in the Deccan. Blyth got it in the Midnapoor jungles,
while in Pegu and Tenasserim and the hill tracts of Bengal it is said to be
common. It has been recorded from Darjeeling, the N.-W. Himalayas, Maun-
bhoom, Madras, Jhansi (Bundelkund), Bangalore, Mirzapore and Ram-
nuggur.
It breeds from the middle of February to the end of May, according
to the locality, making a nest of various materials, but small in shape
and size ; a full-bottomed purse-like bag, which is hung from a small twig,
and has the aperture near to the top. The number of eggs is 2 3, varying
in size and shape, elongated ovals, white in colour, and marked with reddish
brown.
762. Prionochilus modestus, Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 298;
id. and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 200; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 56, 90;
JBingham, Str. F. ix. p. 171 ; Hume, Str. F. x. p. 198, note ; Oates, B. Br.
Burm. i. p. 340 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 74. HUME'S FLOWER-
PECKER.
Whole upper plumage dark olive green, in some lighter or brighter,
clearer on the lower back, rump and upper tail coverts ; head like the back ;
sides of face and ear coverts pale greenish olive ; the lores more ashy, also
the sides of the neck ; cheeks ashy white ; a narrow ill-defined stripe of
olivaceous grey runs down either side of the throat from the base of the lower
mandible ; throat and under surface of the body white, washed with ashy on
the foreneck and breast, which are streaked with ashy brown ; sides of the
body and flanks pale ashy brown, washed with olive ; wing coverts like the
CHELIDON. 253
back ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills dusky brown, edged with
olive ; tail blackish brown, edged with olive ; the four outer tail feathers white
at the tip of the inner web ; under tail coverts white, washed with yellow, and
with dusky centres to the feathers. Bill plumbeous, blackish at tip ; iris orange
yellow ; legs dark plumbeous.
Length. 3-9 to 4 inches; wing 2-3 to 2-35; tail 1*25; tarsus 0*45. The
female is similar in colour, but slightly smaller.
Hab. Pegu and Tenasserim ; found also in the Thoungyeen Valley.
According to Gates, it extends down the Malay Peninsula as far as Copah.
Family HIRUNDINID^E.
Broad-billed Passeres, with nine primaries. Bill short, depressed, com-
pressed at the tip, more or less curved ; gape very wide ; wings long and
pointed ; tarsi short j feet feeble.
. Sub-Family. HIRUNDINIISLE OR SWALLOWS.
Bill short, flat, nearly triangular, compressed at the tips with a slight emar-
gination ; gape large ; rictal bristles wanting ; two first quills generally equal ;
tail various, even, slightly emarginate or deeply forked ; tarsus and toes
feathered in some, plumage dense and soft, and always glossy. Nests usually
made of mud, or intermixed with hair, feathers, grass, &c., and against rocks,
walls, or under roofs of buildings, culverts, bridges, &c.
Gen. Chelidon. Boie.
Bill shorter than in Hirundo \ ist quill longest, tarsi and toes feathered ;
tail slighly forked.
763. Chelidon Urbica (Linn.}, Boie, 7m, 1822, p. 550; p.,
Consp. Av. i. p. 343 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 166, No. 92 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1873,
p. 323 ; Blanf., East. Pers. ii. p. 216; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 84; Butler,
Cat. B. Bombay Pres. p. 15. Hirundo urbica, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 344 ;
Tern. Man. d* Orn. i. p. 428 ; Me Gill, Br. B. iii. p. 573 ; Seebohm, Br. B,
iii. p. 178. The ENGLISH HOUSE MARTIN.
Above glossy blue black ; wing coverts blackish brown or dull black, the
lesser series slightly glossed with purple, and the median and greater series
with a steely gloss ; lower back and rump white with narrow dusky shaft lines ;
upper tail coverts steel blue ; tail blackish brown, with a slight steel gloss to
the centre feathers ; head blue black ; lores, feathers round the eye and ear
coverts black ; cheeks and entire under surface of the body pure white, also
the thighs ; sides of the body, flanks, under wing coverts and axillaries smoky
brown ; under tail coverts white, washed with dingy. Bill and feet black ; iris
dark brown.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 4*25 ; tail 2-5 ; tarsus 0*45 ; culm en 0*35.
Hal. Europe, S.-E. and Central Africa, Turkestan, Persia and N.-W. India,
also in the Neilgherries. Breeds in Europe, building a globular nest of mud.
254 HIRUNDINID/E.
764. Chelidon Cashmiriensis, Gould, P. Z. s. 1858, p. 356;
Adams, t.c. p. 494; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 167; Sivinh., Ibis, 1863, p. 90;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.^. 152 ; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 498 ; Brooks,
Sir. F. 1875, p. 231 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 84. Hirundo Cashmiriensis,
Seebohm, Hist. Br. B. iii. p. 179. The CASHMERE HOUSE MARTIN.
Above deep black with steel blue reflections ; crown of the head the same ;
rump white, tinged with smoky brown and with faint dusky shaft lines, inner-
most secondaries narrowly tipped with white ; upper tail coverts smoky white
with dusky shaft lines, the long ones dull blue black ; tail blackish, also the
lores ; ear coverts and cheeks white, the upper edge of the former dusky
blackish ; under surface of the body dull whitish ; throat, foreneck and chest
white, washed with smoky brown ; under tail coverts white, with smoky bases
and dusky shaft streaks ; under wing coverts and axillaries darker smoky
brown ; legs fleshy white ; iris brown.
Length. 5 inches; wing 4 ; tail 2' 2; tarsus 0*5 ; culmen o'3.
Sab. Probably (Sharpe) confined to the Himalayas during summer, de-
scending to the valleys and plains of India in winter. Jerdon records it from
Darjeeling. Hume says it breeds only in the interior of the Himalayas, and
lays in April and May, but it is said to have a second brood during the rains.
The nest is made of mud, and is shallow and cup-shaped with a largish
aperture, very close one above the other. They build against the roof of
houses.
785. Chelidon lagOpUS (Pallas), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x.
p. 93. Chelidon lagopoda, Swinh., Ibis, 1863, p. 91 ; David and Oust., Ots.
Chine, p. 130; Seebohm, Ibis, 1879, p. 17; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 311.
Hirundo lagopoda, Pall., Zoogr. Ross-Asiat. i. p. 532 ; Seebohm, Hist. Br. B.
iii. p. 179. Chelidon urbica (non Z.), Tickell, J. A. S. Bengal, xxiv. p. 227 ;
Blyth, B. Burm. p. 127 ; Hume and Dai'., Str. F. 1878, p. 45 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 84 (pt.). The SIBERIAN HOUSE MARTIN.
Forehead, crown, nape, back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts glossy steel
black ; rump and upper tail coverts white, washed with smoky brown and
dark shafted ; tail, wings and greater coverts brown ; lores, feathers under the
eye and above the ear coverts dull black ; cheeks, lower ear coverts and all
the under surface white, the throat tinged with reddish buff ; the sides and
flanks pale smoky brown ; under wing coverts and axillaries dark smoky
brown; the outermost small coverts tipped with white.
Length. 4-6 to 4 '8 inches ; wing 4*5 ; tail 2-05 to 2-3 ; tarsus 0-45 ;
culmen 0*3.
Hob. Siberia, from the valley of the Yen-e-say eastwards, breeding through-
out S.-E. Siberia and Northern China, occurring also in Turkestan. It pro-
bably winters in the Burmese countries and Southern China.
COTILE. 255
766. Chelidon nipalensis (Hodgs.\ Jtrd., B. ind. i. p. 168,
No. 94 ; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 499. Delichon nipalensis, Hodgs., Icon. ined.
Br. Mus. App. pi. xiv.; Moore, P.Z.S. 1854, p. 104, pt. Ixiii. ; Gould, B.
Asia, i. pi. 31; Hume, Sir. F. 1879^ p. 84. Hirundo nipalensis, Seebohm,
Hist. Br. B. iii. p. 179. The LITTLE HIMALAYAN MARTIN.
Above, including the wing coverts, glossy blue black ; some of the white
bases of the feathers as of the preceding species showing through on the hind
neck ; primary coverts and quills black, edged with glossy blue black ; rump
white, the lower feathers barred with black tips ; upper tail coverts glossy blue
black, the basal ones white, and barred at the tip with glossy blue black ; tail
black with steel blue reflections ; lores, feathers round the eye and chin glossy
black ; cheeks, ear coverts, sides of upper breast, under tail coverts and throat
glossy blue black ; rest of under surface of the body from the lower throat
downwards white, slightly mottled with dark bases on the former ; thighs and
tarsal plumes white ; flanks washed with smoky brown j under wing coverts
and axillaries black, glossed with blue black.
Length.- ^'i to 4-3 inches ; wing 3-7 to 375 ; tail 175; tarsus 0-35 to 0-4.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas ; recorded from Nepaul, Sikkim and Nynee Tal.
Jerdon says he procured it at Darjeeling at about 4,500 feet of elevation in
the valley of the Rungnoo near the mineral springs, where, he adds he found it
flying over the jungles in large flocks towards the close of the rains and during
the cold weather.
Gen. Cotile. Boie.
Bill smaller than in Hirundo, weak, depressed, broad at the base, and barely
hooked at the tip ; nostrils with an overhanging superior membrane, the nasal
aperture being longitudinal ; wing long, 1st primary generally the longest and
longer than the tail, which is even and without any indentation or fork on the
inner web of the outer tail feathers ; tarsus slightly longer than in Chelidon ;
toes smaller and weaker ; some species with a small tuft of feathers above the
hind toe.
767. Cotile riparia (Linn.), Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 550; Selby, Br.
B. p. 125 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. 246; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 184$ Dresser,
B, Eur. iii. p. 505 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 310. Hirundo riparia, Linn.,
Syst. Nat. i. p. 344 ; Pall., Zoogr. Rosso-Asiat. \. p. 535 ; Wilson, Amer. Orn.
v. p. 46; Gould, B. Eur. ii. pi. 58; Seebohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 372; id., Hist.
Brit. B. iii. p. 184. Cotyle riparia, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971 ; Bp., Consp. Av.
i. p. 342 ; jferd., B. Ind. i. p. 163, No. 87 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 164 ;
Butler, Sir, F. 1875, p. 452 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 452 ; Blanf., East.
Pers. iii. p. 216; Butler, Sir. F. 1877, pp. 217, 227 ; Hume and Damson,
Sir. F. 1878, pp. 44, 497 '> Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 84 ; Bingham, t. c. p. 192 ;
Butler, Cat. B. Sind, &c. t p. 13; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 103. -The
EUROPEAN SAND MARTIN.
256 HIRUNDINID^E,
The whole upper plumage, tail, sides of the head and neck and a broad
pectoral band greyish brown, the feathers of the rump and tail narrowly
margined paler ; wings and coverts dark brown ; chin, throat, abdomen and
vent, also the under tail coverts, white ; tarsus feathered above the hind toe,
Bill black ; iris brown ; legs dark brown.
Length. 5 inches; wing 4; tail 2' 3, forked to the extent of 0' 4 ; tarsus
0*45 ; culmen 0*3.
Hab. The whole of the northern parts of the Old World in summer, extend-
ing in winter to S.-E. Africa, greater part of India and the Burmese countries ;
also N. America, ranging as far, south as Brazil in winter. (Sharpe.) The
recorded localities in India are Sind, Kutch and the Punjab ; outside of India,
Beloochistan (Quetta) and Afghanistan. Sharpe records Madras (S. India),
Pegu, British Burmah ; and Gates says it is a some what rare visitor there as well
as in Tenasserim, and that it probably occurs in Arracan. Davison found it on
the Sittang and Salween rivers in January and February. It has a very wide
range. The birds which are found in Southern Asia appear to migrate into
South China and Siberia. Pere David states that it breeds in this latter
country, and Mr. Swinhoe observes that it is found near Pekin in summer.
According to Seebohm (Oates), it arrived on the Arctic Circle in June, but he
did not see it further north than lat. 67. Both on the banks of the Yen-e-say
and the Ob, large colonies of these birds were frequent. It nests in the banks
of the rivers.
The young are distinguished by being lighter brown than the adult, and by
the wings and feathers of the back having a rufescent edge ; the breast band,
too, is more strongly pronounced.
768. Cotlle sinensiS (J. E. Gray}, Jerd., Madr. Joiirn. xi.
p. 238 ; Blyth, J. A- S. B. xvi. p. 119. Hirundo chinensis, J. E. Gray in
Hardw. Illustr. Ind. Zool. i. pi. 35, fig. 3. Cotyle sinensis, Gray, Cat. Fissir.
Brit. Hits. p. 30 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 342 ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 164, No 89 ;
Adam, Str. F. 1873, p. 370; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 469: 1875, p. 452;
Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 127; Fairb., Str. F. 1876, p. 254; Butler,
Sir. F. 1877, p. 227 ; Hume, and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 45 ; Davids and
Wend., Str. F. 1878, ii. p 76 ; Ball, t. c. p. 402 ; Cripps, I. c. p. 257 ; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, p. 84; Scully, t. c. p. 234; Doig, t. c. p. 370; Butler, Cat.
B. Sind, &c., p. 13 ; Murray, Vert. Zool., Sind, p. 103 ; Sharpe, Cat.B. Br.
Jlfus. x. p. 105. Cotyle subsoccata (Hodgs), Adams, P. Z S. 1858, p. 495 ;
Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 163, No. 88. Cotile sinensis, Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 173 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 82; id., Sir. F. 1873, p. 164; Gales, B.
Br. Burm. i. p. 309. Cotile subsoccata, Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 82. The INDIAN BANK MARTIN.
Adult. Above dusky greyish brown, darker on the crown ; throat and breast
pale grey ; wings and tail dusky brown ; belly and lower tail coverts white ;
upper tail coverts albescent ; tarsus with a small tuft.
COTILE 257
Length. 4-25 inches; wing 3-5; tail 17.
Hab. India generally; rare in the south, numerous in Sind, Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces, Bengal and Nepaul ; also in Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore, North
Guzerat, the Deccan and Concan. It is recorded from N. Pegu and the
Indo-Burmese countries to China. In Sind it is a resident, and breeds at
Buggatora and upwards towards and beyond Sehwan, in holes in the river
banks, about January.
769. Cotile 'COncolor (Sykes), Gray, Hand-l. B. i. 73; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 83 ; Aitken, Str. F. 1875, p. 214; Butler, t. c.
P- 453; Hume, t. c. p. 453; id., Str. F. 1876, p. 35. Hirundo concolor,
SyJees, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 83 ; Jerd* Madr. Journ. xi. p. 238 ; Gray, Gen. B.
i. p. 58 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 119. Cotyle concolor, Boie, his, 1844,
p. 170, Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 342 ; Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 165, No. 90 ; Blanf.,
Ibis, 1867, p. 403 ; Sutler^ Str. F. 1877, p. 277. Ptyonoprogne concolor,
Adams, Sir. F. 1873, p. 370; Fairbk., Str. F. 1876, p. 254; Davids and
Wenden, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii., p. 77 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 84; Butler,
Cat. B. Sind, &V., p. 13. The DUSKY CRAG MARTIN.
Above uniform dark sooty brown ; wing coverts like the back ; bastard
wing, primary coverts and quills dark brown, externally washed with the same
brown as the back ; tail feathers dark brown with a white spot on the inner
web of all but the two centre feathers and the outer web on each side ; head
like the back ; lores, sides of the face, ear coverts and cheeks uniform dark
brown with a few fulvous streaks only on the cheeks; throat and cheeks dull
rufescent, streaked with dusky brown mesially ; breast, abdomen, flanks and
under tail coverts uniform dark sooty brown, with a few of the feathers of the
abdomen paler edged ; axillaries and under wing coverts dark brown with
rufous edges. (Sharpe.)
Length. 4*8 inches ; wing 4*05 ; tail 1*85 ; tarsus 0-35 ; culmen 0-35.
Mr. Sharpens observations in regard to this species are that the specimens in
the British Museum Collection from the N.-W. Himalayas appear to him to
belong to a lighter form than typical C. concolor from Southern India, and to
have the rufescent shade extended more over the breast. There are also
specimens which show a faint trace of a spot on the outer tail feather as well
as on the centre ones.
Hab. Southern India, and the greater part of the Indian Peninsula, except
Lower Bengal, extending into Kutch and Kattiawar, and occurring on Mount
Abu. According to Jerdon it is rare on the Malabar Coast. He procured
it at Vellore and Seringapatam, where it breeds on the large fort walls, also
on rocky hills throughout the Carnatic and in Central India. It also extends
to the N.-W. Provinces, where it has been obtained at Delhi, and also at
Allahabad. In the Deccan it builds in the eaves of lofty houses, and on
rocks in the Neilgherries, from February to April and May, The nests
VOL. II. 33
258 HIRUNDINID^:.
are made of clay and of a cup-shape, and are lined with feathers and
soft flowering grasses. The number of eggs are 3 4, white, with minute dark
spots all over them, but particularly at the larger end. In length they vary
from 0'68 to 075 inch, and in breadth from o'S to O 56 inch.
770- Cotile rupestris (S<-op\ Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 73; Butler,
Sir. F. 1875, p. 453; Ward law -Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 48; Biddulph, Ibis,
1881, p. 47; Dixon, Sir. F. 1882, p. 561; Seebohm, Ibis, 1883, p. 22.
Hirundo rupestris, Scop., Ann. i. p. 167. Cotyle rupestris, Boie, his, 1826,
p. 971 ; JBp, Consp. Av. i. p. 341 ; Cab., Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 50; Tristram,
Ibis, 1859, p. 434; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 166, No. 91 ; Blanf., Geol. Zool
Abyssinia, -p. 350; Brooke, Ibis, 1873, p. 237; Hume and Hend., Lahore to
Yarlt. p. 84 ; "Dresser, B.Eur. iii. p. 513, pi. 164 ; Dresser, Ibis, 1876, p. 162 ;
Builer, Sir. F. 1877, p. 227; Scully, Sir. F. 1879, p. 234 ; Blanf., E. Pers.
ii. p. 216. Ptyonoprogne rupestris, Reichenb., Syst. Av. pi. Ixxxvii., fig. 6 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 84 ; id., Str. F. 1876, p. 131 ; Fairb., t. c.
p. 254 ; Butler, Cat. B. Sind, tyc., p. 13. The MOUNTAIN CRAG MARTIN.
Above light ashy brown, a little darker on the head ; rump and upper
tail coverts decidedly lighter ; wing coverts and quills dark brown, also the
tail feathers, all of which, except the two centre ones and the outermost on
each side have a large oval white spot on their inner web ; lores, cheeks
and ear coverts dull brown ; abdomen rufous ashy ; under tail coverts, flanks
and vent smoky brown like the under wing coverts and axillaries, which have
faint rufous margins. Bill black j legs and feet fleshy ; iris dark brown.
Length. 4-8 to 5'2 inches ; wing 4-9 to 575, exceeding the tail by 3 inch ;
tail 2 -2 to 2-4 ; tarsus 0-4 ; culmen 0-4.
Hab. Southern Europe, and countries bordering the Mediterranean. Moun-
tains of N.-E. Africa and Palestine, ranging to the Caucasus and Central Asia,
the Himalayas and Neilgherries ; occurring also on the mountains of Mongolia
and North China. Indian recorded localities are N.-W. India, Madras,
Neilgherries and Darjeeling. Nepaul and Bhootan are also given as places
where it occurs. Jerdon says he saw it occasionally in large flocks, and at
other times in small parties at Darjeeling and on the Neilgherries, and adds
that the number he saw in October at Darjeeling seemed to be birds of passage.
In Nepaul, according to Hodgson, they are found throughout the year.
771. Cotile ObSOleta, Cab., Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 50; Heugl., B.
N. O. Afr. i. p. 163 ; Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 301 ; Blanf., Ibis, 1875,
p. 214; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 104; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x.
p. in. Ptyonoprogne pallida, Hume, Str.F. 1873, pp. I, 417; Blanf., Ibis,
1873, p. 214. Cotyle obsoleta, Blanf., East Pcrs. ii. p. 217. Ptyonoprogne
obsoleta, Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 84; Butler, Cat. B. Sind. p. 13. The
PALE CRAG MARTIN.
HIRUNDO. 259
The whole upper surface a very pale greyish earthy brown, very much paler
than the same parts in either P. rupestris or Cotyle sinensis, the quills only
slightly darker, yet sufficiently so to contrast pretty markedly with the scapu-
lars, back, rump and upper tail coverts ; the lateral tail feathers and all but the
external feather on each side with a large oval white spot on the inner web,
as in rupestris, and with dark shafts, and a darker tint on the web, near the
shaft, as in that latter species. Lower surface as in rupestris, but much paler,
the whole of the chin, throat, breast and abdomen being white, with only a
faint fulvous or rufous tinge ; wing lining and lower tail coverts the same
pale earthy grey brown as the upper surface. Bill black ; legs and feet horny
brown ; irides dark brown. {Hume, S. F. vol. I, p. 417.)
Male, length 5*35 to 6 inches ; expanse 12-25 to *3 '> wing 4-4 to 4*7.
Female, length 5-25 to 5-5 ; expanse I2'3 ; wing 4*510475; tail from
vent r8 to 2; tarsus 0-4.
Hab, N.-E. Africa ; found also in Beloochistan, Kutch and N. Guzerat.
In Sind it is less common than the preceding species, and generally affects
hilly situations ; arrives during winter.
Gen. Hirundo, Linn* TRUE SWALLOWS.
Bill broad at the base, triangular and compressed at the tip ; wings long ;
tail long, furcate or subfurcate, the outer feathers on each side emarginate on
the inner web, and generally elongated to a great extent ; nostrils lateral, with
a distinct superior membrane ; tarsus moderate, nude ; feet moderate.
772. Hirundo rustica Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 343; Gould, B.
Eur. ii. pi. 54 ; Yarrell, Br. B. ii. p. 213; Hodgs., Icon, ined Br. Mus.
Passers, pi. 8; Bp., Comp. Av. i. p. 338 ; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 157, No. 82;
Godwin- Austen, J '. A. S. B. xxxix. p. 94; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 72;
id., Sir. F. 1874, p. 155 ; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 477 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1875,
p. 451 (pt.); Blanf., East. Pers. ii. p. 215; Leggf, B. Ceylon, p. 587;
Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 84; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 43 ; Reid, Sir. F. iSSi,
p. 16; Davidson, Str. F. 1882, p. 292; id., Str. F. 1883, p. 346; Seebohm,
Hist, Br. B. ii. 171 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 102. The COMMON
SWALLOW.
Before giving a description of this species it is due to Ornithologists who
have not access to the works issued by the British Museum, to transcribe here
Mr. Sharpe's observations in regard to " Hirundo rustica and its allies," and
every working Ornithologist will agree with him, that " the races of Chimney
Swallows are by no means easy to decipher," notwithstanding that they have
been the subject of much discussion." He recognizes only five species.
" Mr. Dresser," he says in his " Birds of Europe," does not distinguish the
Eastern Chimney Swallow (ff. gutturalis) from H. rustica, and says that the
latter merges gradually into H. erythrogastra, as it proceeds eastward^.
This certainly was my belief, but Mr. Sharpe thinks otherwise, and has given
260 HIRUNDINID^E.
the latter sub-specific rank. He goes on, " I say nothing about the probabi-
lity of hybridization* taking place between the various forms of H. rustica^
for at present we have no positive evidence of such being the case, but I
would draw attention to the fact that although, in my opinion, H. Savignii
does not occur in Palestine, the examples of H. rustica from that country are
permanently more rufous than those from any part of Europe." How is this
to be accounted for? According to Mr. Sharpe and it is possible too
" it may be due to a strain of H. Savignii from adjoining localities. They
are, however, always to be distinguished even from young H. Savignii, and
are to be matched by specimens from different parts of Europe/' The same
difficulties attend the determination of the swallows which winter in Burmah,
where many specimens occur which are puzzling to the Naturalist. They
may be hybrids between the various races of H. rustica ; and nothing but
continued study by field naturalists can solve these points in question. It
seems to me that a case of hybridization between H. rustica and H. tylleri
would result in offspring very difficult to distinguish from H. erythrogastra.
More recently Mr. Seebohm has reviewed the question. He recognizes five
races. H. rtistica, according to this author, has a wide summer range in
Europe, extending to the valley of the Yen-e-say, but it is said to winter in
" Sind and West India/' Mr. Sharpe continues, and adds his experience
"that it shares to a great extent the winter quarters of the Eastern Chimney
Swallow, called by Mr. Seebohm H. rustica var. gutturalis^ and that
it is quite possible it accompanies the latter occasionally back to its summer
home. There are many places where both races occur together in winter ;
and the Burmese countries appear to be the winter residence of at least four
of the Chimney Swallows//, rustica, PL gutturalis, H. erythrogastra and
H. tytleri. Speaking of H. rustica var. horreorum, Mr. Seebohm says that
it winters in Burmah, " where it has been re-named H. tytleri." This is not
strictly correct, for although specimens from Lake Baical are identical with
the North-American bird, and undoubted examples are in the British Museum
from Burmah ; yet, they cannot be said to be identical with H. tytleri, which
is a distinct race leading on to H. Savignii, which it resembles in its deep
chestnut under surface, while it retains the broken breast band of the //.
gutturalis and ff. horreorum type."
Male. Forehead light chestnut ; body and wings glossy steel blue ; pri-
maries and secondaries black; tail feathers black, with a large white spot on
the inner webs of all except the mesial ones ; throat chestnut ; a dark blue
band across the upper part of the chest j rest of under parts white or rufescent
white. Bill, legs, and feet black.
Length. To end of outer tail feathers 7-5 inches, of which the tail is 4-5 ;
middle tail feathers 2 inches; wing 4-8. The female is distinguished by the
* The italics are mine.
HIRUNDO. 261
smaller chestnut patch on the forehead, less intense tints, whiter under parts,
and the narrowness of the band across the chest.
Hab. Europe, Palestine, Africa, Natal, Malacca, Penang, Tenasserim,
Burmah, Sumatra, Borneo, China and Celebes; also Persia, Beloochistan,
Afghanistan, Eastern Turkestan, Nepaul and the whole Continent of India
and Ceylon. Other recorded localities are Behar, Darjeeling, Quilon in
Travancore, Nicobar Islands, Assam and Pegu. In Sind, as in other parts
of India, it is a winter visitant. Said to breed in Persia at heights from about
4,000 to 8,000 feet in the months of April and May. Hume says they also
breed along the whole line of the Himalayas from Cabul to Assam. The
nests are made of pellets of clay mingled with fur, straw, &c. The eggs
are 34 in number, thickly spotted with brownish red and inky purple.
In size the eggs vary from 0*7 to 0*84 inch in length and from 0*5 to 0*55 in
breadth.
773. HimndO gllttliraliS, Scop., Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr. ii.
p. 96; Temm. Man. cTOrn. i. p. 427; Blyth, J . A. S. B. xvi. p. 117;
Cab.,Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 46; Jerd., B. Ind. i. p. 157 (pt); Hume, Ibis,
1876, p. 286; and 1877, p. 17; Tweed., P. Z. S. 1877, PP- 545> 694; Hume
and Davison, Sir. F. 1878, p. 41 ; Cripps, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 256 ; Bingham,
Sir. F. 1880, p. 48 ; Hume, t. c. p. 245; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x.
p. 135. Hirundo panayana, Gm., Syst. Nat. i. p. 1018. Hirundo jewan,
Sykest P. Z. S. 1832, p. 83. Hirundo rustica (non. Linn.), Meyen., Nova.
Ada. Acad. Cas. Scop. Car. Nat. Cur. Suppl. taf. 10, fig. i. Hirundo
javanica, (iion. Sparrm.), Bp. Consp. i. p. 338; Hayes Lloyd, Ibis, 1873,
p. 405. Hirundo Andamanensis, Tytler and Beav. t Ibis, 1867, p. 316;
Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 155. Hirundo rustica, var. gutturalis, Seebohm,
Hist. Br. B. ii. p. 1 7 1 . The PANAYAN SWALLOW.
Above glossy purplish blue, the white bases of the feathers of the mantle
showing through ; forehead, chin and throat deep ferruginous ; lores blackish ;
ear coverts purplish blue ; sides of the foreneck purplish blue, the collar not
complete but slightly broken with a few blue spots on the feathers ; wing
coverts like the back ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills blackish,
washed externally with glossy blue ; tail washed with blue ; all but the centre
feathers with a large oval white spot on the inner web, becoming an oblique
patch on the outermost feathers ; under surface from the chest downwards
white, including the thighs and under tail coverts ; the flanks with a very faint
tinge of smoky brown ; axillaries and under wing coverts pale smoky brown.
(Sharpe.) Bill black ; feet brown ; iris black. (David.) The adult female is
similar in colour.
Length. 6'2 to 6'8 inches ; wing 47 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 0-45.
Hab. N.-E. Asia, S. China, the Burmese countries and the Malayan
Peninsula, straying into India more rarely. It is recorded from N.-W. India,
262 HIRUNDINID^E.
Rajkote (Kattiawar), Central India (Mhow and Kamptee), the Deccan,
South India, Assam, Bhootan, Bhamo, Pegu and Tenasserim.
774. Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd., Tall. Pi Enl p. 45 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 137. Hirundo rufa, Gm. y Syst. Nat. i.
p. 1018; Bp ., Consp- Av.i. p. 339; Cab., Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 46. Hirundo
horreorum, Barlr., Fragm.Nat. Hist. p. 17 ; Wald. in Bl, B. Hurm.p. 127 ;
Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 42 ; id., viii. p. 84 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm \.
p. 303. Hirundo erythrogastra, Gray, Gen. B. i. p. 57. Hirundo rustica,
var. horreorum, Seebchm, Hist. Br. B. ii. p. 171. The AMERICAN BARN
SWALLOW.
General colour above glossy purplish blue, varied with white on the mantle
and back, where the white bases to the feathers show through ; lesser and
median wing coverts like the back ; greater coverts, bastard wing, primary
coverts and quills blackish with a purplish gloss on the outer web, inclining
more to steel-green on the outer webs of the bastard wing and primary
coverts ; the innermost greater coverts ashy on their inner webs with a
strong rufous tinge ; tail feathers blackish with a steel-green gloss, all but
the centre ones with a large rounded spot, increasing in size towards the
outermost, where it is a large oblique mark ; forehead deep bay or chestnut,
extending slightly blackwards over the eye ; lores black ; ear coverts purplish
blue like the head ; cheeks and entire throat deep bay, of a different
colour from the rest of the under surface, but not separated from the chest by
a complete band ; sides of the neck glossy purplish blue like the back, this
colour impinging on to the sides of the foreneck in a half crescent shape
but not forming a band across ; under surface from the chest downwards,
including the under wing coverts and axillaries, clear rufous deepening into
chestnut in the region of the vent ; under tail coverts with blackish shaft lines.
(Sharpe.) The adult female is similar to the male in colour.
Length. 67 to 6-8 inches ; wing 4-5 to 4-55 ; tail 3-25 to 3-45 ; tarsus O'4 ;
culmen 0*35.
Hab. The whole of North America, reaching to Alaska and Greenland,
extending across to Lake Baikal and wintering in Burmah ; also ranging
through the whole of Central America and the Antilles, reaching in winter as
far as Southern Brazil. (Sharpe.) Pegu and Tonghoo are given as localities
of the occurrence of this species.
775. Hirundo Tytleri, Jerd., B. ind. iii. App. p. 870 (1864);
Blyth,Ibis, 1866, p. 336; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 4^.; Wald. in BlytJis
B. Burm. p. 127; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 466; Hume and Dav.,
Sir. F. 1878, p. 41 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 84 ; Simson, Ibis, 1882, p. 84 ;
Godwin- Austen, t. c.p. 345 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 304; Seebohm, Hist.
Br. B. ii. p. 171. TYTLER'S SWALLOW.
HIRUNDO. 263
Adult male described by Mr. Sharpe is from Irkutsh. The general colour
above is glossy purplish blue, the mantle and scapulars streaked with reddish
white, where the bases of the feathers show through ; remainder of the plumage
as in H. rustica, but with the under parts very dark ferruginous, nearly as dark
as the throat ; the collar across the throat is very narrow and indistinct.
Length 6-9 to 7-3 inches ; wing 5-05 ; tail O'4 ; tarsus 0-5.
Hal. E. Siberia and Kamtschatka, wintering in Burmah, where Oates says
it occurs in considerable numbers, but it is much more common in some years
than in others. Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay remarks that it is common in
Karenne. Dr. Tirand that it is not rare in Cochin-China, and Mr. Simson, who
first drew Dr. Jerdon's attention to the species, writes that it visits Dacca
in an erratic manner, sometimes abundantly, sometimes in small numbers.
Colonel God win -Austen met with it in the Khasia hills, and it has been pro-
cured also at Darjeeling. In the British Museum Catalogue is a record
from Tenasserim, Heifer being quoted.
776. HirundO Javaniea, Sparrm., Mus. Carls, ii. pi. IOO;
Vieill., N. Diet. a" Hist. Nat. xiv. p. 523; Temm., PL Col. iv. pi. 83; Gray,
Gen. B. i. p. 57 ; Temm. and Schleg., Faun. Jap. Aves, p. 32 ; Cab., Mus.
JJein. Th. i. p. 46; Wall, Ibis, 1860, p. 147 ; Salvad., Ucc. Born. p. 126;
Bourd., Sir. F. 1876, p. 374; Fairb., Str. F. 1877, p. 392 ; Sharpe, Journ.
Lin. Soc. ZooL xiii. p. 498 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 43 ; Ramsay,
Proc. Lin. Soc. N. S. Wales iii. p. 275 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 47, 84 ;
Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 597 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1880, p. I2O; Davison, Str t F.
1883, p. 345 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 142. Hirundo frontalis, Quoy et
Gaim., Voy. del Astrol. ZooL i. p. 204, pi- 12, fig. I. Hirundo domicola,
.Jerd., Madr. Journ. xiii. p. 173; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 198;
Kelaart, Prod. Cat. p. 118; Layard, Ann. and Mag. N. Hist. xii. p. 170;
Jerd., B. Ind. i p. 158 ; Eoldsw., P. Z. S. 1872, p. 418 ; Jerd., Ibis, 1871,
p. 351. Hypurolepis domicola, Gould, B. Asia i. pi. 32 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B.\>. 73; id., Str. F. 1874, p. 155. Hypurolepis Javanica, Oates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 308. The NEILGHERRY or TROPICAL HOUSE SWALLOW.
Above glossy black or dull steel-blue, the white bases of the feathers of the
hind neck showing through ; a broad band on the forehead ; the chin, throat,
upper breast, cheeks, and ear coverts deep ferruginous ; lores dusky ; wings and
tail dark brown, slightly glossed with steel-blue ; the tail with an oval white
spot on all the tail feathers, except those of the central pair ; under surface
of the body pale ashy, albescent on the abdomen; breast with dusky shaft
streaks ; sides of the upper breast with a bluish patch ; sides of the body and
flanks dull smoky brown; under tail coverts ashy, the feathers with white
tips and subterminal patches of black.
Length. 5 inches; wing 4'2; tail 2*1 ; depth of fork O'3 ; tarsus 0*4;
bill from gape o'65.
2G4 HIRUNDINID.E.
Hab. Southern India and Ceylon, also British Burmah, Malay Penin-
sula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the Phillipine Islands, Celebes and some of the
further islands. It is recorded from Mynall in Travancore, from Coonoor,
Ootacamund (Neilgherries) and Bangalore. In British Burmah it was
procured by Mr. Davison at Mergui in Tenasserim. Theobald found them
breeding in Tenasserim during April. They not only build under the roofs
of bungalows and in verandahs of houses, but also in caves and under boats
which are unused. The nests are made of mud, cup-like in shape, and are
lined with feathers. The eggs, normally, three in number, are white, speckled
with reddish.
777. HirundO Smithi, Leach , App. to Tucktfs Voyage Congo,
p. 407. Hirundo filifera, Steph., Gen. Zool. xiii. p. 78 ; Gray, Gen. B. \.
p. 58 ; Bp., Consp. Av. i.p. 338 ; Cab,, Mus. Hein. Th. \. p. 46 ; Jerd., B. Lid,\.
p. 159, No. 84; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 164; Adam, t. c. p. 370; Vipan.,
t. c. p. 495; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 409; Aitken, Sir. F. 1875, p. 212;
Butler, t. c. p. 451 ; Fairbk., Sir. F. 1876, p. 254; Wardlaw- Ramsay, Ibis,
1877, p. 466 ; Hume andUav., Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 43 ; Davidson and Wenden,
Sir. F. 1878, p. 43 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 84 ; Bingham, t. c. p. 192 ; Doig,
t. c. p 370 ; Butler, Cat. B. Sind, fyc., p. 12 ; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 43 ; Reid,
Sir. F. 1 88 1, p. 18; Davison, Sir. F. 1882, p. 292; Murray, Vert. ZooL
Sind,ip. 102. Hirundo filicauda, Frankl., P.Z.S. 1831, p. 115. Uromitrus
filifera, Bp., Rivist. Contemp. Torino, 1857, p. 4; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind.
B. p. 75; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 383; id., Sir. F. 1875, p 289. Uromitrus
filiferus, Oates, B. Br. Burmah, i. p. 307. The WIRE-TAILED Sw ALLOW.
Head deep ferruginous ; lores black ; ear coverts, nape and entire upper
surface purplish blue ; wings glossy steel-blue ; tail black, the outer web
attenuated and elongated 56 inch beyond the rest, the two centre feathers un-
spotted purplish blue ; rest of the feathers with a white spot on the inner web ;
under surface of the body white, tinged with pinkish on the breast ; a crescent-
shaped patch of feathers on each side of the breast dull purplish blue. Bill
black ; feet dark brown.
Length. 475 to 5-75 inches; wing 4-3; tail 2-85, to end of elongated
feathers 4*75.
Hab. Throughout the greater part of India and Cashmere, also
Beloochistan (Quetta) and Afghanistan, extending into Tenasserim on the
east and to Sind on the west. Recorded from the Salween River (Tenasserim),
Bhamo (Burmah), Bengal, Kumaon, Nepaul, >Behar, Mhow, Madras,
Malabar, Deccan, Concan, Mysore, Kattiawar, N.-W. Himalayas, Kurrachee,
Sukkur, Kotree, and Cashmere. Breeds in the plains of India during February
and March, and again in July, August and September. In the lower ranges
of the Himalayas, it breeds up to an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet.
Hume records having taken nests in April and May. He adds that they breed
exclusively in the neighbourhood of water, under the cornices of bridges
HIRUNDO. 265
under culverts beneath which there is some water, and under overhanging
shelves of rock or kunker projecting from the face of stony or earthy river
cliff. The nest is composed exteriorly of mud, and is usually lined with
feathers. Eggs, 2 3 in number, a long narrow oval, a good deal pointed
towards one end ; ground color white or pinkish white, richly speckled and
spotted with shades of reddish brown or brownish red. Often the markings
form a zone round the large end. Size 0*65 to o - 8 X O'5 to 0*57.
Hirundo rufula, Temm., a species distinguished by its blue head, cinna-
mon rufous rump fading off into creamy buff, and with the under surface
fulvescent with mesial shaft streaks, is recorded from Bampur in Beloochistan,
and a var. or sub-sp. closely resembling it but smaller from Pushut, Afghan-
istan. Wing 4 35 45 against 4-7 of H. rufula.
778. HirundO nipalensis, ffodgs., Icon, ined in Br. Mus.
Passeres, pi. 6; id. J , A. S, B. vi. p. 780; Hume and Davison, Str. F. 1878,
p 44; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 84; Scully, /. c. p. 233; Bingham, Sir. F.
1880, p. 148 ; Hume, /. c. p. 246 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 306. Hirundo
daurica (non Pall.), Gray, Cat. Fissirostres, Br. Mus. p. 23 ; JFerd., B. Ind.\.
p. 1 60, No. 85 (1862 pt.) ; Brooks, Ibis, 1869, p. 46. Lillia daurica, Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 78. Cecropis nipalensis, Hume, Str. F. 1875,
p. 42. Hirundo (Cecropis) nipalensis, Brooks, Str. F. 1875, p. 230. Lillia
arctivitta, Hume, Str. F. 1877, PP- 261, 266. Hirundo arctivitta, Oates, B.
Br. Burm. i. p. 307. SWINHOE'S STREAKED SWALLOW.
Forehead, crown, back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts glossy steel
black ; lores ashy ; a spot in front of the eye black, a narrow supercilium
and a broad patch behind and above the ear coverts chestnut, these patches
narrowly and interruptedly connected on the nape ; ear coverts, cheeks and the
whole under surface white, narrowly streaked with dusky ; rump chestnut,
the band very narrow ; upper tail coverts black ; under tail coverts white at
base, black at the tip, the black not more than 07 in length. Bill black ; feet
dusky.
Length, 7 inches ; wing 4-4 to 4*7 ; smaller than H. daurica, vera.
Hab. N. China, the Himalayas from Simla to Assam, wintering in the
plains of India and the Burmese countries. Sharpe's record gives the following
localities : Upper Assam, Nepaul, Behar, Kamptee, Godavery Valley, Pegu
and Tenasserim. Gates says Captain Wardlaw-Ramsay obtained a specimen
on the Karin hills east of Tounghoo. Breeds in the Himalayas and the Dhoon,
also at Murree about May, June, July and August. Eggs, pure white,
0-8189 X 0-55 0-6.
779. HirundO Japonica, Temm. and Schleg., Faun. Japan. Avcs,
p. 33, pi. ii.; Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 340. Hirundo daurica, Swinh., Ibis, 1860,
p. 48 ; 1863, pp. 89, 255. Hirundo striolata (non. Tern, and Schleg.}, Wall.,
P. Z. S. 1863, P- 485 ; Wald.,B. Burm. p. 127; Hume and Dav., Str. F.
VOL. 1I.-34
266 HIRUNDINID^E.
1878, p. 44 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 305. Lillia Japonica, Hume, Str. F.
1877, p. 261. Lillia substriolata, Hume, Str- F. 1877, p. 264 Cecropis
erythropygia (nee. Sykes), Blakist and Pryer B. Japan, p. 139. Hirundo
striolata, Seebohm, Ibis, 1883, p. 169. Hirundo Japonica, Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. x. p. 162. The JAPANESE STRIPED SWALLOW.
Adult. Forehead, crown, back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts glossy
steel black ; lores ashy ; a spot in front of the eye black ; a very narrow
supercilium and a broad patch behind and above the ear coverts chestnut ;
these patches narrowly andinterrtiptedly connected over the nape ; ear coverts,
cheeks and whole lower plumage white, tinged with rufous, and broadly
streaked everywhere with dark brown ; rump chestnut, the shafts of the
feathers conspicuously black ; upper tail coverts black ; under tail coverts
white at base, black at the end ; the black portion being about an inch long ;
greater wing coverts, wings and tail black with a bluish gloss ; under tail
coverts like the back ; rump band ri inch with distinct black shafts.
Length. 7 to 7^4 inches ; wing 4-55 to 4*7 ; tail 4 ; tarsus 0-65.
Rab. Japan and China, extending into the Burmese countries. Captain
Wardlaw-Ramsay obtained a specimen on the Karen hills, which the British
Museum is now in possession of. According to Blakiston arid Pryer, in the
Catalogue of the Birds of Japan, the species builds a long bottle-shaped
nest under the eaves of the buildings, and the eggs, six in number, are white.
Sharpe observes that H. striolata (Boie), distinguished by much broader
rump stripes, is a larger race than H. Japonica, with a wing of 5'O5 5*1
inches. I have not included the species owing to its occurrence in Burmah
being doubtful, and the species being confounded by various authors with the
present one.
780. Hirundo erythrcpygia, Sytos, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 83;
Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 237 (1840); Blyth, Ibis, 1866, pp. 237, 337;
Gray, Hand-l. B. i. p. 69, No. 806 (1869) ; Brooks, Ibis, 1869, pp. 46, 47 ;
Blyth, Ibis, 1870, p. 161 ; Cock, and Marsh., Str. F. 1873, p. 350 ; Adam, t. c.
p. 370; Aitken, Str. F. 1875, p. 212; Hume, t. c. p. 318; Butler, /. c.
p. 451 ; Walden, Ibis, 1876, p. 338; Butler, Str. F. 1877, p. 226; Davidson
and Wenden, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 76; Murray, t. c. p. 113; Legge, B.
Ceylon, p. 594(1879); Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 84; Butler, Cat. B. Sind,
fc., p. 13 (1879) ; id., Cat. B. S. Bomb. Pres. p. 14 (1880) ; id., Sir. F.
(1880), p. 377 ; Wardlaw-Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, rj; 48 ; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 43
Butler, t. c. p. 377; Reid, Str. F. 1881, p. 18 ; Davidson, Str. F. 1882,
p. 292 ; Davison, Str. F. 1883, p. 345; Seebohm, Ibis, 1883, p. 169. Hi-
rundo daurica (non Pall.) Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. At. Soc. p. 198 (1849, P*-) '>
Layard, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 170 (1873); id. and Kelaart,
Prodr. Cat., app. p. 58 (1853); Cass. Cat. Hirund, Mus. Philad. Acad.
P- 4 ( l8 53) ; Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B. E. 7. Co. Mus. i. p. 92 (1854, pt.) ;
Jerd. t B. India, i. p. 160 (1862, pt.) ; Boulger, P. Z, S. 1866, p. 568;
HIRUNDO. 267
Boldsw., P. Z. S. 1874, p. 419; Murray, Vertbr. Faun. Stnd, p. 103 (1884).
Cecropis erythropygia, Gould, B. Asia,i. pi. 29 (1868); Jerd., Ibis, 1871,
p. 352 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 127 (1875); fairb. % Sir. F. 1876, p. 254.
Lillia erythropygia, Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 76 (1873) ; id., Str. F.
1877, p. 255. The RED-RUMPED SWALLOW.
Adult. General colour above deep purplish blue with white striations
where the bases of the feathers show through ; the wing coverts like the back ;
quills blackish externally, glossed with dull blue ; rump and upper tail coverts
deep ferruginous, the longer coverts deep purplish blue ; tail feathers blackish,
glossed with dull blue; crown of head like the back, from which it is
almost separated by a nuchal collar of deep ferruginous, the sides of the
hinder crown and sides of the neck being of the latter colour and converging
on to the nape, the nuchal collar being only interrupted by a few dark
blue plumes in the form of spots ; a narrow frontal line and a streak
over the eye deep ferruginous ; lores whitish, tipped with dusky ; ear
coverts pale rufous with dusky shaft streaks ; cheeks, throat, and under
surface of body whitish, slightly marked with rufous on the breast and
flanks ; the whole of the under parts narrowly streaked with dusky black-
ish shaft lines, disappearing on the under tail coverts, the long ones of which
are deep blue black with whitish bases ; under wing coverts and axillaries
rather deeper fulvous than the breast, with nearly obsolete dusky shaft lines,
which are, however, more plainly developed on the small wing coverts near
the edge of the wing ; quills dusky below, paler along the edge of the inner
web. (Sharps.) Bill, legs and feet black ; iris brown. (Legge.}
Total length. 6'2 inches; culmeno'35; wing 4*45 ; tail 3'n j tarsus 0-5.
Hab. All over India, to Nepaul, Himalaya, Siberia, N.-E. Asia, Persia,
Beloochistan and Afghanistan. In Ceylon rarely. Occurs in Sind, the
Deccan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Rajutana and N. Gujerat ; also the Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces and Oudh, Bengal, Central and Southern India. It is a permanent
resident of the plains of India, and breeds from April to August. The nest,
according to Hume, is usually fixed to the under surface of some ledge of
rock or the roof of some cave or building, and is constructed of fine pellets of
mud or clay, making up a tubular passage terminating in a bulb-like chamber,
some 4 to 7 inches in diameter. The eggs are pure white, and generally
four in number. The nest chamber is lined sometimes thickly and sometimes
thinly with feathers only as a rule, but occasionally with a mixture of these
and fine grass. During the breeding season the old birds, like all the other
species, fly round about their nest morning and evening, uttering quite a
variety of ratho? pretty somewhat musical notes. During the day they re-
main near, and one of them generally in the nest, or the pair may be seen
perched on some stone below the nest sitting for an hour at a time, preening
their feathers, the male every now and then singing a few notes. Hirundo
hyperythra is closely allied to this species, and is found in Ceylon.
268 MOTACILLID/E.
Gen. Petrochelidon. Cab.
Tail square or only slightly emarginate ; rump differing from the back in
colour. (Sharpe.)
781. Petrochelidon flUViCOla (Blyth\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. x. p. 2OO. Hirundo fluvicola, Blyth, J. A. S. tt. xxiv. p. 470 ; Jerd. t
B. Ind. i. p. 161 ; id., Ibis, 1871, p. 352 ; Hayes Lloyd, Ibis, 1873, p. 406 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 80 ; Adams, Sir. F. 1873, P- 37 ', Aitken,
Sir. F. 1875, p. 213 ; Davidson and Wenden, Sir. F. 1882, p. 293. Lageno-
plastes fluvicola, Gould, B. Asia, i. pi. 33; Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 452;
Fairb., Sir. F. 1876, p. 2545 Butler, Sir. F. 1877, p. 217. The INDIAN
CLIFF SWALLOW.
Above glossy blue -black ; lesser wing coverts the same ; the remainder
dusky blackish, glossed with steel-green ; rump and upper tail coverts smoky
brown, mottled with blackish ; tail blackish with a steel-green gloss ; crown of
the head dull brick red, the feathers with blackish shaft lines ; lores white,
separated from the forehead by a line of black ; ear coverts dusky brown,
streaked with fulvous brown ; abdomen and under tail coverts pure white with
narrow dusky shaft lines.
Length. 4-5 inches; wing 4-6 ; tail 175; tarsus 0-4 ; culmen 0-25.
jj a j) t India generally, Central India, Kutch, Kattiawar Punjab, Nagpoor,
Berar and the Godavery Valley. It is also recorded from Mirzapoor, Ajmere,
Ahmedabad, Etawah and Gwalior, also from the Dhoon. Hume says they
breed from February to April, and again in July and August, building a more
or less retort-shaped mud nest in cluster of from 20 to 200, packed as closely
as possible. The normal number of eggs is three. They are generally long
ovals, a good deal pointed at one end. In colour they are pure white or white,
speckled, streaked and spotted with pale yellowish or reddish brown. In size
they vary from 0-65 to O'8 inch in length, and from 0*48 to 0-58 inch in
breadth.
Family. MOTACILLID^:.
Nine-quilled Passeres with bill generally of moderate length, slender, straight,
and more or less deflected at the tip ; rictus nearly smooth ; wings long and
pointed ; tertiaries lengthened and nearly as long as the primaries ; tail long ;
tarsus long and slender ; toes moderate ; hind claw long and slightly
curved. No bastard primary ; plumage either black and white, or grey and
white with a good deal of yellow.
The family Motacillidae comprises two groups of birds, the^pecies of each
bear a very close resemblance one to another. They live almost entirely on
the ground, though some do perch on trees, and their natural habitat is by the
river side, on the margin of lakes, damp ground, meadows, marshes and
irrigated fields ; some of the Anthinae or pipits, however, affect bare stony
MOTACILLA. 269
plains and perch on trees. Their habits are peculiar and characteristic.
Living as they do on the ground they run at a great speed by short jerky
movements, and when still, wag their tails up and down continually. Their
food is chiefly insects, but some eat grain and seeds also. They breed mostly
on the ground or on the ledges of rock, and lay whitish or clay-coloured eggs.
A few species only breed in India proper, and those chiefly in the Himalayas
and Cashmere, the rest (a considerable number) are migratory, and visit India
only during winter.
Gen. Motacilla. Linn.
Bill moderate, slender and compressed at the tip, profile of oilmen straight
from the base of the bill to the tip ; nostrils apert ; wings with nine long
primary quills, the first two subequal and longest ; tertiaries equal to the
primaries in length, or nearly so ; tarsus long and slender ; hind toe short with
slightly curved claw.
Owing to the many stages of plumage in which the species of this large
family of birds are met with in India, and also to the insufficient materials
for comparison and study, I consider it best to follow Mr. Sharpe as closely
as possible in the description and key to the plumage of each species, as the
admirable manner in which he has worked them out, with the immense mass
of materials at his hand, leaves nothing to be added or desired.
782. Motacilla alba, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 331; StoL, Sir. F.
1875, p. 217; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 233 ; Blanf., East Persia, ii. p. 232;
Scully, Str.F. 1876, p. i5i ; Brooks, Sir. F. 1877, p. 472 ; id. Str. F. 1878,
vol. ii. p. 137; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103; Scully, t. c. p. 313 ; Brooks,
t. c. p. 484; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 69; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 68;
Scully, t. c. p. 45 1 ; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, i. p. 156; Seebohm, Hist. Br.
B. iii. p. 199; Murray, Vert. Zool. Stnd, p. 166. Motacilla dukhenensis,
Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 91; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 250 ; Gould, B. Asia,
pi. 62 ; Blanf., Ibis, 1863, p. 219; Hume, Str. F. 1873, pp. 29, 30; Ball,
Str. F. 1874, p. 416 ; Brooks, t. c. p. 457 ; id. Str. F. 1875, p. 49 ; Wald. in
Bl. B. Burmah, p. 97 ; Hume and Davison, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 137 ;
Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 69; Davison, Str. F. 1883, p. 395. Motacilla
dakhanensis, Fairb., Str. F. 1876, p. 260. The WHITE-FACED WAGTAIL.
The following is Mr. Sharpe's key to the plumage of this species :
(a) Throat white or yellowish white.
(a') Forehead like the crown.
(a") Throat dingy white, tinged with yellow ; foreneck and
chest dull ashy with a dusky patch in the centre of the
former
Young: ist plumage.
(") Throat white, washed with yellow, separated from the
white breast by a crescent of black on the foreneck
Young-, ist autumn plumage.
270 MOTACILLID^E.
(') Forehead white.
(c") Crown grey like the back Fotmg : 1st winter plumage.
(d") Crown black, contrasting with the grey back
Adult : winter plumage.
(I)) Throat and foreneck black.
(c f ) Head and nape black Adult & breeding plumage.
(d') Nape mixed with ashy Adult 9 breeding plumage.
" Young in ist plumage. Above uniform ashy grey, washed with olive; the
lesser wing coverts the same ; median and greater series dusky ashy, washed
with brown externally, and with white at the ends ; bastard wing, primary
coverts and quills blackish edged with ashy externally, the secondaries with
white, subterminally shaded with brown ; tail black, the two centre feathers
edged with white, the two outer ones white with blackish edgings to the inner
web ; the base of the penultimate feather also black ; forehead and crown
like the back ; lores ashy ; above the ear coverts a streak of yellowish white;
ear coverts pale yellowish white ; cheeks and throat dingy white with a slight
yellowish tinge ; foreneck, chest and sides of the body ashy grey with a patch
of blackish on the foreneck ; remainder of under parts white ; thighs dull ashy
with dusky bases ; axillaries and under wing coverts white.
"From this plumage a complete moult brings the bird into its full winter
plumage ; the upper surface uniform grey, and there is generally a strong
suffusion of yellow on the face, but Sharpe says this is not always the
case, and may be peculiar to one sex or to the birds of the second brood.
In the following spring the full plumage is reached not by a moult but
by a change of feather, the black on the head generally appearing first and
afterwards that on the throat. In the case of the female birds, at least in
their first spring, the head never seems to become entirely black, the nape
still retaining some ashy plumes. The young male in first winter plumage
is light ashy grey above, washed with yellowish olive on the head and
back ; the rump being purer grey, and becoming dusky towards the upper
tail coverts which are black, washed externally with ashy, the lateral coverts
white on their outer webs ; lesser wing coverts ashy grey like the back, and
similarly washed with olive ; median and greater wing coverts blackish,
externally washed with brownish ashy; whiter towards the ends of the feathers j
bastard wing, primary coverts and quills blackish, externally edged with dull
ashy, the inner secondaries browner on the outer web which is fringed with
dull white ; tail as in the adult, but with black extending along the outer web
of the penultimate feather ; head light ashy grey, washed with yellowish olive ;
a frontal band of white obscured with yellowish olive ; lores ashy ; a streak of
whitish yellow above the ear coverts, surmounted by a line of blackish along
the sides of the crown ; ear coverts pale yellowish, also the sides of the neck ;
throat yellowish white, followed by a crescentic band of black on the foreneck
MOTACILLA. 271
which extends upwards in a broad line to the hinder part of the cheeks ; the
black crescent extending to a point on the centre of the chest, remainder
of under surface of the body white, washed with yellowish on the upper breast,
and with grey on the sides of the body and flanks ; axillaries white, washed
with yellow."
Length. 7 inches ; wing 3^45 ; tail 3^35 ; tarsus 0*85 ; culmen 0-55.
" The adult in winter plumage has a grey back, white forehead, and black
crown and nape ; the sides of the crown, region of the eye, ear coverts, sides
of neck, cheeks and throat pure white, sometimes with a slight tinge of
yellow ; on the foreneck a broad black crescent, extending to the sides of
the throat to the hinder cheeks ; otherwise the plumage is the same as in
summer, excepting that the wing coverts are more ashy."
" Adult male in breeding-plumage. General colour above light ashy grey from
the nape to the upper tail coverts, the latter being blackish, edged with ashy
grey, the lateral ones externally white, the outer greater coverts browner;
bastard wing, primary coverts and quills dark brown, edged with ashy, the
longer inner secondaries rather broadly margined with white, the two outermost
white, black at the base, and obliquely along the edge of the inner web ; a broad
frontal band, lores, cheeks, sides of face, ear coverts and sides of crown pure
white, the top of the head and nape black ; sides of neck white, washed with
ashy ; throat and foreneck black, the lower feathers tipped white where they
adjoin the breast, which is entirely white as the under tail coverts ; flanks and
sides of body light ashy grey, clearer on the sides of the upper breast ; thighs
ashy white ; under wing coverts and axillaries white, the coverts near the edge
of the wing with blackish bases ; quills dusky brown below, lighter along the
edge of the inner web, whiter near the base of the feathers. Bill, legs and feet
black ; iris dark brown."
Totallength. 6-7 inches; culmen 0*5 ; wing 3^35 ; tail 3*35 ; tarsus 0*55.
Adult female. Similar to the male. Females in the first spring.
Witrfregard to M. dukhunensis, as the Oriental form of this Wagtail is
called, specimens from Siberia, collected by Mr. Seebohm in the valley of
the Yen-e-say, cannot be specifically separated from M. alba> being merely of
a little purer french grey. This applies to the examples from India and
Burmah collected in the winter season ; and it seems to be a fact, as
Mr. Brooks says, that the young ones killed in these countries have not the
yellow face of European specimens ; but this cannot be made a specific
character, for many European individuals do not have it either.
A gradual transition seems to take place, as the species ranges eastwards,
from the duller grey of the West-European specimens to the pure grey of the
Siberian birds. This difference is only visible on the actual comparison of
a large series, and may be due to a strain of M. lugubris* with which
272 MOTACILLID^.
M. alba undoubtedly sometimes crosses. A pair of birds presented by Lord
Walsingham with their nest and young birds, to illustrate the breeding of the
Common-Pied Wagtail of England (M. lugubris), proved to belong, the
male to M. alba, and the female to M. lugubris. Mr. Seebohm informs us that
in winter he has always seen the two consorting in flocks in the south of
France ; and it is, therefore, quite likely that, on their return lo their breeding
quarters, a White Wagtail may often mate with a Pied Wagtail. In addition
to the purer grey of the Eastern birds, there is always more white on the
wing coverts in the Siberian and Indian specimens than in West-European
examples.
Hab. The whole of Europe and Northern Asia, wintering in N.-E.
Africa and Senegambia, also the plains of India.
Sub-spf A. Motacilla baicalensis. Motacilla baicalensis, Sivinhoe, P.Z.S.
1871, p. 363 ; David and Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 301 ; Slater, Ibis, 1882, p. 433,
is also described by Mr. Sharpe.
General colour of the Adult male(typQ of species). Above very pure pearly
grey, the rump like the back; the upper tail coverts blackish, edged with
grey, the lateral ones externally white ; lesser wing coverts like the back ;
median and greater coverts pure white, the blackish bases entirely hidden ;
bastard wing black> edged with white ; primary coverts and quills blackish,
externally edged with grey ; the long secondaries externally white, preceded
by a shade of light brown ; tail feathers black, the two centre ones edged
with white, the two outermost pure white, with the extreme base and a
broad edge to the inner webs blackish ; fore part of the head white ; the
hinder crown and hind neck black ; lores, sides of face, cheeks, ear coverts,
sides of hinder crown and sides of neck pure white ; chin and sides of throat
white ; centre of throat, foreneck and chest black ; remainder of under
surface, including the under tail coverts, pure white ; the sides of the breast
and flanks ashy grey ; axillaries white, washed with ashy ; under wing coverts
pure white. (Sharpe.)
Length. 7*2 inches; wing 3*5; tail 3'55 ; tarsus 0*85; culmen cr$5.
(Mus. H. Seebohm.)
Hab. Eastern Siberia, probably wintering in India and China. Gates has
it as a synonym of M. alba, of which it is an eastern form. It is probably
found in British Burmah. Sharpe's record of this is from Lake Baikal and
India (Gould Collection), but there is no precise locality given.
783. Motacilla ocularis, Swinh., Ibis, 1860, p. 55 ; id., P. z. S.
1870, p. 129; 1871, p. 364; David et. Oust., Ois. Chine, p. 299; Seebohm,
Ibis, 1875, p. 345 ; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 518 ; Hume, Str. F. viii.
p. 103; Scully, Str. F. viii. pp. 312,315; Hume, t. c. p. 413 ; Gates, Str.
F. x. p. 225 ; id., B. Br. Burm. i. p. 158 ; Dybowsky, Bull, Soc. Zool. France
viii. p. 360; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 471. SWINHOE'S WAGTAIL.
MOTACILLA. 273
Key to plumage of M. ocular is.
(a) Throat white or white tinged with yellow.
(a!) Only a dusky brown patch on the foreneck ; upper
parts ashy brown.
Young, ist plumage.
(b f ) A black crescent on the foreneck.
(a"} Head like the back white, forehead slightly
indicated.
Young, ist winter plumage.
(//) Head black, forehead white.
Adult) 2nd winter plumage.
(b) Throat black up to the chin or nearly so.
Adult, Q , Summer plumage.
c( Male and female in breeding plumage. Forehead and crown as far back
as the eyes, face and sides of the neck pure white, remainder of the crown
and nape and a streak extending from the angle of the bill through the eye
and over the ear coverts to the nape black ; lower surface from the chin to
the lower breast black, remainder of lower ' plumage white ; back, rump and
upper tail coverts and also the smaller wing coverts pure grey ; larger wing
coverts, secondaries and tertiaries brown, margined on the outer webs with
white ; primaries brown, edged with white interiorly ; tail black, with the
exception of the two outer pairs of feathers which are white with a linear
patch of black on the edge of the inner webs/'
In winter the upper surface is blue grey, also the wings and tail ; the head
black with a broad white frontal band ; instead of the throat being entirely
black, there is only a black crescent on the foreneck,
The young have the margins to the wing coverts and tertiaries narrower,
and the forehead is grey instead of being white ; head suffused with a yellow
tinge, and the grey of the upper plumage is much less pure white than in the
adult ; the black eye streak is well developed.
Adult. Bill black, plumbeous at base ; iris brown ; legs and claws black.
Length. 7'8 to 8 inches ; wing 3*85 ; tail 4 ; tarsus 0*94 ; culmen 0*6.
Had. From Kamschatka and Amoor Land to South China, breeding
throughout this extent of country, wintering in the Burmese countries and
extending westwards to Cachar and Nepaul. (Sharpe.) According to Gates it
is very abundant in Pegu from the beginning of November to the end of April ;
more common on the Pegu canal and in the Sittang river, extending to
Rangoon and up to Tounghoo. Davison procured it abundantly at Moulmein
and further North Captain Bingham got it in the Thoungyeen Valley.
784. Motacilla personata, Gould, B. Asia, iv. pi. 63; Biyth,
Ibis, 1865, p. 49; Klanf., Ibis, 1873, p. 219; Severtz., Turkest.yevotn.pp.66,
139; Hume and Benders., Lahore to Yark., p. 224; Hume, Sir. F. 1873,
pp. 29-30; Ball, Sir. F. 1874, p. 440; Brooks, /. c. p. 456; id., 1875,
VOL. 11. 35
274 MOTACILLID/E.
p. 250 ; Scully, Sir. F. 1876, p. 150 ; Broolss, Str. F. 1877, p. 472 ; Blanf.,
/. c. p. 246; Hume, t. c. p. 329 ; Seebohm, Ibis, 1878, p. 344 ; Brooks, Str. F.
1878, ii. p. 140; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 219; Hume, Str. F. 1879 P- IO 3 ;
War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 60; Reid, Sir. F. 1881, p. 48. Motacilla
dukhunensis, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 218 (nee Sykes). Motacilla Cashmeriensis,
Brooks, Pr. As. Socy. Beng. 1871, p. 289; id., J. A. S. Beng. xli. p. 82 ;
id., Str. F. 1874, p. 456. The BLACK- FACED WAGTAIL.
Adult male. A broad frontal band extending to the front of the eye and
forming a narrow supercilium, white ; sides of the face, ear coverts, chin,
throat, lower parts from below the breast and under wing coverts white ;
crown and nape black ; breast black ; back, rump and upper tail coverts grey,
the upper tail coverts darker; primaries dusky brown, the outer webs darker ;
secondaries and tertiaries darker brown, margined on their outer webs and
tipped with white ; the secondaries margined for the basal half on their inner
webs with white ; tail black, the two outermost feathers on each side white, except
a dark brown margin on their inner webs. Bill and legs black ; irides brown.
Length. 7-5 to 8 inches ; wing 3-6 to 37 inches; tail 4-5 to 475; bill at
front 075.
Hab. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Central Provinces, Beloo-
chistan, Persia, South Afghanistan, East Turkistan ; also in Rajputana. A
winter visitant throughout India ; breeds in Persia and Cashmere.
The Wagtails of India have been fully treated of by Mr. Hume, in Vols. I.
and II. of Stray Feathers, in respect to the distinctness of the several species
occurring in India, and the outcome of his investigations has placed the
present species under the name it bears here. " In winter," Mr. Hume
says, " both M. personata and dulthenensis = alba entirely lose in both sexes
the black of the head, which is replaced in the male by a dark, in the
female by a light, grey. The black of the chin, throat, and breast is
reduced in dukhenensis = alba to a moderately broad more or less crescentic
pectoral band with two ill-defined broken blackish stripes running up the
side of the neck, as it were from the points of the crescent, which stripes
never, he thinks, entirely disappear, though in some specimens they become
entirely obsolete ; the br&ad white frontal band remains unchanged in width
or nearly so in the adult male, though its colour is less pure ; but in the
female it is greatly diminished in width so as in some specimens to become
almost obsolete ; while in all specimens it is more or less overlaid with sordid
grey. In personata, on the other hand, the whole breast always remains
black, and though the chin and upper part of the throat are white, the lower
part of the throat is still more or less speckled with black. In the perfect
winter plumage of both species, the amount of the black on the breast, sides
of the neck and throat at once serve to distinguish the two species, but
specimens of alba changing into winter plumage often (so far as the
amount of black on the throat is concerned) exactly resemble the perfect
winter plumage of personata, and the only ready and unfailing diagnosis of the
MOTACILLA. 275
two species is that in loth sexes, and at all seasons, the ear coverts and aural
region are in personala black, blackish, or dark grey; in dukhenensis = alba
pure white or greyish or sordid white."
Sharpe (Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 481) says that old birds in winter plumage
are remarkably like the summer plumage, and have the same black ear coverts,
the chin, however, is white, as well as a good deal of the throat and the forepart
of the cheeks, so that a narrow black stripe is left between the white lores and
white cheeks, running from the base of the bill to the ear coverts. It seems
certain, he adds, that old birds have the white chin spot for a short time only,
for December specimens have nearly got the full black chin.
The female in breeding plumage (Gilgit, Scully,) exactly resembles the
male. Length 6-5 inches ; culmen O'5 ; wing 3-5 ; tail 3-3 ; tarsus 0*9.
785. Motacilla leucopsis, Gould, p. z. S. 1837, p. 78; Swinh.,
P. Z. S. 1870, p. 121 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 103; Scully, t. c. p. 313;
Oales, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 154. Motacilla Hodgsoni, Ilodgs., Icon. ined. in
Brit. Mus. Passeres, pi. 113, fig. 2. Motacilla alboides, Eodgs., Asiat. Res.
xix. p. 191. Motacilla luzoniensis (tion. Scop.), Gray, Cat. Mamm., &Y.,
Nepaul; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 250; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. nS; Hume,
Str. F. 1873, pp. 26-28; Ball, t. c. p. 73; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 237 ;
Blylh and Wald., B. Burm. p. 96 ; Hume and Oates, Sir. F. 1875, p. 142 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1876, p. 291 ; Wald.. Trans. Z. S. ix. p. 198 ; War dlaw- Ramsay,
Ibis, 1877, p. 462; Hume and Dav., Str. F. 1875, p. 362; Anderson, ZooL
Yunnan Aves, p. 609; Brooks, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 137 ; Hume, t. c. p. 519.
Key to the plumage of M. leucopsis.
(a) Forehead like the back ; upper surface light ashy or pale
olivaceous; least wing coverts like the back; median
coverts white with a mesial streak of dark brown ; on the
foreneck a dusky blackish patch.
Young, ist plumage.
(b) Forehead white ; upper surface grey ; median wing coverts
white ; a narrow black band on the foreneck.
Young ist winter.
(c) Forehead white ; head black ; back grey or grey mottled with
black ; least wing coverts black ; a black band on foreneck.
Adult, second winter.
(d) Forehead white ; remainder of upper surface black, as also
the least wing coverts ; black extending on the throat,
leaving the upper throat white ; secondaries with the white
confined to the inner web.
Adult, breeding plumage.
(e) Black extending on to the chin ; base of secondaries white
on both webs.
. Adult, final plumage.
276 MOTACILLID^.
Maleand female in breeding plumage. Forehead, lores, ear coverts, feathers
over the eye, sides of the head and of the neck pure white ; the whole upper
plumage, chin, throat and breast black ; lower plumage white ; the four
central pairs of rectrices black, narrowly edged with white ; the next pair white,
with a streak of black on the edge of the inner web ; the outer pair white,
with a still narrower streak of black on the inner web ; lesser wing coverts
black ; median and greater series pure white, with concealed dark bases ;
bastard wing, primary coverts and quills black, edged with ashy white, purer
and broader on the secondaries ; under tail coverts white ; thighs white with
dark bases to the feathers ; under wing coverts and axillaries pure white. Bill
black, bluish below ; iris brown ; legs dark brown or nearly black. (Sharpe.)
Length. 6-8 to 77 inches; wing 3-45 to 3^5 ; tail 3*4 to 3-6; tarsus 0*85
to 0*9; culm en 0*65,
In winter the black of the upper plumage becomes iron grey; the frontal
band is washed with brown and becomes much like the back, the chin and
throat are white, and there is only a circular dark patch on the breast.
Hab. Eastern Siberia to China generally and the Himalayas, wintering in
Southern China, the Burmese countries, the Andaman Islands and the plains
of India (Sharpe). Nepaul, Darjeeling, Bengal, Assam, Bhamo, Pegu, Tavoy
and Tenasserim are recorded localities. In Pegu, according to Gates, it is
found abundantly over the whole of the plains during winter, arriving about
the middle of September and leaving in April. In the Tenasserim Division
it is only found in the northern half. It is one of the commonest birds
wherever it occurs, and frequents by preference margins of ponds and rivei^.
786. Motacilla HodgSOIli, Blyth, MSS. ; Hodgs. Icon. ined. in
Br. Mm. Passcres, pi. 133, fig. 3; Blanf., J. A. S. B. 1872, p. 59; Hume,
Str. F. 1873, p. 26; Brooks, Sir. F. 1875, pp.247, 2 7 8 ; M>, MM, 1878,
p. 472 ; Seebohm, Ibis, 1878, p. 346 ; Brooks, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. I 4 o ; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, p. 103 ; Scully, t. c. p. 312; Brooks, t. c. p. 484; Scully, Ibis,
1881, p. 451. Motacilla luzoniensis, Hume and Henderson, Lahore lo Yark,
p. 223. HODGSON'S WAGTAIL.
PLATE.
Adult in summer plumage. A broad frontal band, including in its extent
the sides of the crown, lores, feathers all round and below the eye, and also
behind the eye, above the black ear coverts white ; crown of the head, nape,
back, scapulars and whole upper surface including the upper tail coverts
black, the latter with white edges on the outermost; a line of black from the
gape, joining the black of the nape and sides of the neck ; followed by a
white line, the feathers being 'mottled with black ; chin, throat, sides of the
neck, foreneck and breast black ; under surface of the body, including the
under tail coverts, axillaries and under coverts, white ; median and greater
series of wing coverts white, with concealed dark bases to the latter ; bastard
MOTACILLA. 277
wing, primary coverts and quills black, edged with white, more broadly so on
the margins of the secondaries ; tail black, the outermost white, with a broad
black margin on the inner web. (S/iarpe.)
The adult female is like the male, except that the back is dusky ash colour.
In the winter plumage it is ashy grey on the back ; the chin is white, and the
feathers of the foreneck and throat are mottled with white.
Hab. The Himalayas, extending to Turkestan to the West and Tenasserim
in the South. The recorded localities are Gilgit, Nepaul, Bhootan, Assam and
the Salween river in Tenasserim.
787. Motaciila Madraspatensis, Gm., Syst. Nat. \. p. 961;
Gould, B. Asia, pi. 61 ; Holdsworlh, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 458 ; Sever 7z., Turkest.
Je-)otn. pp. 66, 139; Murray, Sir. F. 1878, p. 113; Legge, B. Ceylon,
p. 107 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p 103 ; Reid, Sir. F. 1881, p. 47 ; Damson,
ibid, iSSi, p. 310. Motaciila madraspatana, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi.
p. 428 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 251 ; J'erd., B. Jnd. ii. p. 217 ; Hu?ne, Nests and
Eggs. Ltd. B. p. 377 ; id., Sir. F. 1873, p. 28 ; Fair bank, Sir. F. 1876,
p. 2OO; Dresser, Ibis, 1876, p. 177 ; Brooks, Sir. F. 1877, p. 472; Murray,
Hdblt., Zoo I. $v., Sind, p. 165 ; id., Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 164 ; "Davison and
Wenden, Sir. F. 1878, p. 348 ; Seebohm, Ibis, 1883, p. 92. Motaciila picata,
Frank!., P. Z. S. 1831, p. 1 19. The PIED WAGTAIL.
Head, lores, sides of the face, nape, ear coverts, chin, throat, breast, back,
rump and upper tail coverts black ; a broad white stripe from the nostrils over
the eye as a supercilium and extending to the nape ; primaries and their
coverts, secondaries, tertiaries and inner webs of greater coverts dark brown ;
the primaries and their coverts narrowly, the secondaries, tertiaries, median
and greater coverts tipped, and broadly margined on their outer webs with
white, forming a conspicuous wing patch ; the basal half of all the primaries
and secondaries white on the inner webs, and tipped with white ; the inner
webs of the innermost narrowly margined with white ; tail black, the two
outermost feathers on each side white, except a margin of dark brown on their
inner webs, which is broader on the next outermost ; breast, belly, vent, under
tail and wing coverts white ; edge of the wing and thigh coverts white, with a
few dark spots. Bill and legs black ; irides dark brown.
Length 8-25 to 9 inches ; wing 375 to 4 ; tail 4 ; bill at front O'S ; tarsi ro.
Hob. Nearly throughout India, extending into the Eastern Himalayas ;
westward to Cashmere, and thence to Turkestan. Occurs in Sind, Kutch,
Rajputana, Guzerat, Concan and Deccan, Khandeish, Berars, Central and
Southern India, Ceylon and Sikkim. The localities quoted are, Kumaon,
Nepaul, Behar, Mhow, Saugor, Kamptee, Deccan, Madras, Travancore and
Ootacamund.
According to Hume, the Pied Wagtail breeds throughout India from north
to south, only avoiding the low country of Bengal Proper. It ascends to
278 MOTACILLID/R.
mountains of Southern India, and breeds at Ootacamund. The months are
generally March, April and May. They nest in the neighbourhood of water,
in holes in banks ; crevices in rocks, under stones, in drains, holes in walls, and
in fact anywhere. The normal number of eggs is four. They differ much
in size and shape, and vary from a long to a broad oval more or less pointed
towards the small end. The ground colour of the eggs varies from pale
brownish to greenish white, and the markings are clouds, smudges, streaks,
spots and specks of earthy brown, dark olive brown and sometimes purplish
brown.
788- Motacilla melanope, Pall., Reis. Russ. Reichs, iii. App.
p. 696 ; Gm., Sysf Nat. i. p. 997 ; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 25 1, pi. 128 ; Legge,
B. Ceylon, p. 610. Motacilla boarula, Linn., Mant. p. 517; G??i., Sysf. Nat.
i. p. 997; Gould, B. Eur. ii. pi. 147; Bp. Comp. List. B. Eur. and N.
.Amer. p. 19; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. ^. 97. Motacilla sulphurea, Bechst.
Naiurg. Deulschl. iii. p. 459; Blanf., East. Pers. ii. p. 233; Seebohm, Hist.
Br. B. ii.p. 263. Calobates sulphurea, Kaup., Naturl. Syst. p. 33 ; Jerd., B.
I nd. ii. p. 220, No. 592; Butler and Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 489; Butler,
Sir. F. 1877, p. 230. Calobates boarula, Sivinh., Ibis, 1870, p. 346; Hume,
Sir. F. 1873, p. zoi ; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 381; Hurray, Hdbk.
ZooL, Sfc.y Si7id, p. 167 ; id , Vert. Zool. Sim/, p. 166. Calobates melanope,
Swinh., P. Z. S. 1871, p. 364 ; Brooks, J. A. S. B. xli. p. 82 ; Fairb., Str.
F. 1876, p. 260; Bourd., t. c. p. 401 ; Tweed., Ibis, 1877, p. 310; Hume and
Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 362 ; Davison and Wenden, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 84 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1829, pp. 63, 103, 161 ; Scully, t. c. p. 315 ; Vidal, Str. F.
1880, p. 69; Reid, Str. F. iSSi, p. 48 ; Davison, Str. F. 1882, p. 310; td. t
Str. F. 1883, p. 395 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 159. The GREY AND YELLOW
WAGTAIL.
Head, nape, sides of the face and back pale grey, with an olive tinge ; rump
and upper tail coverts pale greenish yellow ; chin, supercilium and throat
white, rest of under surface yellow, purest on the middle of the abdomen,
under tail coverts and flanks ; primaries dusky brown, lighter on the margin
of their inner webs, and darker on the outer ; secondaries dusky brown, white
on both webs at their bases, forming a conspicuous wing band ; tertiaries
dark brown, also white at their bases, and edged on both webs with yellowish,
narrow on the outer, and broad on the inner webs, being a continuation of the
basal white patch ; tail dark brown, nearly black, the feathers with greenish
yellow edging, the outermost feathers whiter and dark shafted ; the next also
white, both the shaft and outer web for three-fourths their length dark brown.
Bill black ; legs pale brown ; irides brown.
Length. 7-25 to 7-5 inches ; wing 2-25 to 2-5 ; longest tertiaries the length
of the first three primaries ; tail 3-8 ; bill at front nearly 0-5. In summer plu-
mage the chin and throat are black, and the under parts dark yellow ; the
upper surface is clear blue grey, with a slight wash of olive yellow on the
MOTACILLA. 279
back and crown ; rump and upper tail coverts sulphur yellow, tinged with
olive ; a short streak from the eye over the ear coverts and a moustacial stripe
white ; three middle pairs of tail feathers black, slightly edged with yellow on
the outer webs ; the next two pairs black on the outer webs and white on the
inner; the outer pair all white ; wing coverts dark brown edged paler; quills
dark brown ; the tertiaries edged broadly with yellowish white. The birds found
in India during winter with a buff coloured throat and eyebrow are immature.
Hab. Central and Southern Europe, N.-E. Africa, Australia and Asia
Minor. Occurs throughout India to Nepaul and Ceylon as a winter visitant ;
also in Sind, Punjab, and N.-W. Provinces ; Beloochistan, Persia and Afghan-
istan ; Kutch, Katliawar, Jodhpore, Jeypore, North Guzerat, Concan,
Deccan, and Central and Southern India ; also the Indo-Burmese countries,
China, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Breeds in Cashmere,
according to Brooks, along the mountain streams at elevations of above 6,000
feet during the month of May. Eggs, 4 5 in number, nearly uniform in
shape and size, broad ovals at the larger end and much compressed and
pointed at the smaller end. Typically the ground colour is yellowish or
brownish white, closely mottled and clouded all over with pale yellowish
brown or brownish yellow. In length the eggs vary from 0*68 to 0*73 and in
breadth from 0*53 to o'SS-
789. Motacilla Citreola, Pall., Reis. Russ. Reichs., \\\. App.
p. 696 ; Gm., Syst. Nat. i. p. 963 ; Tern., Man. cVOrn. p. 259 ; Gould, B. Eur.
ii. pi. 144 ; Dresser, B. Eur. iii. p. 245 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mns. x. p. 503.
Budytes aureocapilla, Less.) Traite p. 422; Hume, Lahore to Yark. p. 225.
Budytes citreola, Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 90 ; Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 9;
Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 250; Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 142; Wald. y t. c. p. 293;
Brooks, J. A. S. B. xli. p. 82; Ball, Sir. F. 1873, p. 73; Hume, t. c.
p. 202 ; Adam, t. c. p. 384 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 239 ; Blanf., East. Pers.
ii p. 235 ; Murray, H'dbk. ZooL, 8fc., Sind., p. 1 68 ; id., Vert. Zool. Sind,
p. 169. Budytes calcarata, Hodgs., Asia/. Res. xix. p. 190. The GREY-
BACKED YELLOW WAGTAIL.
Adult. Forehead, crown of head, sides of the face, car coverts, chin,
throat, breast, and entire under surface bright yellow, paler on the vent, and
nearly white on the under tail coverts ; nape and upper back black ; lower
back and scapulars dark grey ; rump and upper tail coverts pale or dark
brown or yellowish green, the feathers edged with greenish ; primaries and
secondaries dusky; tertiaries dark' brown; the primaries and secondaries
faintly edged and tipped with white, and the tertiaries broadly so, all basally
white on their inner webs ; lesser wing coverts like the back and tipped brown ;
median and greater coverts brown, edged with white and forming two conspicu-
ous white or yellowish white bands ; the second band oblique in the closed
wing, being formed by the white of the greater coverts, and that of the inner-
most tertiaries, the longest of which is nearly equal in length with the 4th
280 MOTACILLID/E.
primary ; under wing coverts white ; tail black ; the feathers with a faint tinge
of whitish on their outer webs ; the two outermost tail feathers on each side
white, with a brown margin on their inner webs, to about half an inch from
the tip ; the next black, with the edge of the outer web and tip white. Bill
and legs pale brown ; irides brown.
Length. 7*1 inches; wing 3*18 ; tail 2*75 ; bill at front O'4.
The adult female is much browner above and has not the yellow head,
which is dull olive greenish, with the eyelid and a distinct eyebrow yellow ;
the cheeks and under surface of the body are yellow. The adult male in
winter plumage is very pale yellow, and the forehead and sides of the crown
only are yellow, the top of the head being dusky greenish.
Hab. E. Europe, Africa ; Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Bengal,
Kutch, Kattiawar, Rajputana, Deccan ; Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan,
and E. Turkestan ; Nepaul, Gilgit, N.-W. and Central India, Darjeeling, Assam
and Bhamo. Breeds in Cashmere, where Mr. Theobald found the nest placed
in a depression in soft earth beneath a rock. Eggs, four in number, pale grey,
dotted with greyish brown.
790, Motacilla CitreoloideS (Hodgs.}, Gray, Hand.-l. J5. i.
p. 247. Budytes citreoloides, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. HPisc. 1844, p. 83;
Gould, B. Asia t iv. pi. 64; Butler and Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 490; Butler,
Sir. F. 1877, p. 230. Budytes citreola, Blyih, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc.
p. 138; Jtrd., B. Lid. ii. p. 225, No. 594 (nee. Pall.); Hume, Sir. F. 1873,
p. 202 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 50. Budytes calcaratus, Blylh, Ibis,
1865, p 49; Wald.t Ibis, 1869, p. 214; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B.
p. 382 ; Wald., B. Burmah, p. 96 ; Brooks, Sir. F. 1876, p. 502 ; Fairb., t. c.
p. 560; Hume andl)av. t Sir. F. 1878, p. 364 ; Reid, Sir. F. 1881, p. 48 ;
Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 163. The BLACK BACKED YELLOW WAGTAIL.
Adult male in breeding plumage. Entire head, chin, throat, breast, and
under surface bright yellow; back, rump and upper tail coverts dark brown,
nearly black ; lesser wing coverts dark grey ; median and greater wing-coverts
dark brown, margined and tipped with white ; the tertiaries broadly margined
with white ; primaries and secondaries dark brown on their outer webs, dusky
on their inner, and with whitish margins ; tail dark brown or black, the feathers
very narrowly edged with greenish ; the four outermost white, except a dusky
brown margin on the inner web for three-fourths their length. In winter the
adult is light ashy grey above, the nape and sides of the breast darker ; head
and under surface yellow, olivaceous on the flanks ; primaries dusky, edged
with greyish white on their outer webs ; secondaries dusky ; tertiaries darker,
broadly margined with white ; wing coverts brown, broadly tipped with white,
forming two conspicuous wing bands ; lower tail coverts albescent or very
pale yellow ; tail as in the breeding plumage. Bill and legs black ; irides
brown.
MOTAC1U.A
Length. 6-5 to 7 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 3-5 ; bill at front 0-5.
Hal. India generally to Ncpaul. Affects, during winter, the paddy fields,
the banks of the River Indus, marshes and canals. Numerous in Sind, on
the Munchur ; also in Rajputana and the Deccan, Beloochistan, Afghanistan,
and E. Turkestan ; Nepaul, Assam, N.-W. Himalayas, and Gilgit.
791. Motacilla beema, Sykes, P.Z.S. 1832, p. 90; SAarpe
Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 521. Budytes flava (iion Z.), Hume, Ibis, 1869,
P- 3575 l8 7, P- J 42; id-* Sir. F. 1874, pp. Si, 238; Armstrong, Sir. F.
1876, p. 329; Butler, Sir. F. 1877, pp. 210, 230; Hume, Sir. F. 1879,
pp. 65, 103 ; Seebhom, Ibis, 1880, p. 189. The LONG-CLAWED YELLOW
WAGTAIL.
Adult male. General colour above yellowish green, rather brighter yellow
towards the lower back and rump ; upper tail coverts dusky brown, edged
with yellowish, the lateral ones externally white, washed with yellow ; lesser
wing coverts like the back ; median and greater coverts dull brown, edged and
tipped with dull olive yellow, or white, tinged with olive yellow ; primary
coverts and quills dark brown, edged with ashy olive ; secondaries broadly
edged with yellowish white or brown, washed with olive ; tail feathers
blackish, edged with pale olive yellowish, the two outer ones white, with a
broad oblique mark of dark brown on the inner web ; head and hind neck
light pearly grey ; lores dusky, surmounted by a very broad white eyebrow,
extending from the base of the nostrils to above the ear coverts ; ear coverts
white, only the upper portion dark slaty or dusky blackish ; cheeks and chin
white ; remainder of throat and under surface of body brilliant yellow, a little
more green on the sides of the upper breast; thighs ashy; axillaries yellow,
dusky ash colour at the base ; under wing coverts yellow.
Length. 5*8 to 6 inches ; wing 3-15 ; tail 2-8 ; tarsus 0*95 ; culmen O'6.
I/ab. N.-W. Himalayas to Afghanistan, wintering in the plains of India,
It has been found in Kandahar and Nepaul ; also in Sind, Mhow (Central
India), Sikkim and Behar.
792. Motacilla borealiS, Sundcv, (Efv. K. Vet.-Akad. F'drh.
Stockh.', Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 522. Budytes flava melanocephala,
DeSetys-Longchamps, Faun. Belg. p. 88. Motacilla viridis, Gray, Gen. B.
i. p. 203. Budytes viridis, Jerd,, Madr. Journ. xiii. p. 132 ; Blyth, J. A.
S. B. xvi. p. 430; Bp., Consp. A?', i. p. 250; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 222,
No. 593; Holdsworth, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 458; Wald. and Layard, Ibis, 1872,
p. 97; Blyth and Wald., B. Bnrrn. p. 96; Seebohm and Harvie-Brown, Ibis,
1876, p. 122; Brooks, Ibis, 1877, P- 2 8 ; Legge t B. Ceylon, p. 617; Oates,
B. Brit. Burm. i. p. 161. Budytes cinereocapillus (nee. Savi.}, Hume, /^/ s
1869, p. 357; Brooks, J. A. S. Beng. xli. p. 82; Adam, Str. F.
p. 384 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 237; 1875, p. 489 ; id., Oates, t. c. p.
Fairb., S/r. F. 1876, p. 260; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, pp. 363,
VOL. II. 36
2S2 MOTACILLID/E.
Ball y Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 219; Davison and Wendett, /. . p. 84; Brooks, I. c
p. 139; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 65, 103, 161 ; Vidal, Sir. F. 1880, p. 69;
Davison, Sir. F. 1882, p. 310; Davison Sir. F. 1883, p. 396. The GREY-
HEADED WAGTAIL.
Male and female in breeding plumage. Whole head from bill to the nape
deep slaty ; lores and ear coverts nearly black ; a narrow indistinct line over
the lores ; a short streak of white occasionally behind the eye, frequently
absent ; upper plumage dull greenish yellow ; upper tail coverts brown,
margined with yellowish ; median and greater coverts brownish black, edged
and margined with yellowish white; quills brown, the secondaries and tertiaries
margined with yellowish white on the outer webs ; four central pair of tail
feathers black ; the two outer pairs black at base and white on the terminal
portion, the junction being oblique ; chin white, the whole lower plumage
bright yellow ; a little dusky on the lower throat.
In winter the head becomes greenish yellow like the back and the ear
coverts also become yellowish ; the eyestreak is distinct and the under surface
of the body duller yellow. The young are more or less fulvous or white below,
and there are spots on the throat and breast. Bill blackish brown ; the base of
the lower mandible yellowish ; iris brown ; legs, feet and claws dark horn
colour. (Oates.)
Length. 7 inches; wing 3*2; tail 3'i ; tarsus 0'9 ; bill from gape 0*7 ;
culmen 0-5.
Hab. From Northern Scandinavia across Northern Europe and Siberia,
occurring on migration throughout Southern Europe down to South Africa, and
being met with in winter throughout the plains of India, the Burmese countries
and the Malay Peninsula. (Sharpe.) It occurs in Kandahar and throughout
S. Afghanistan ; also in the N.-W. Provinces, Punjab, and Sind. It is recorded
from Nepaul, Behar, Mhow, Calcutta, Poona and Sholapoor in the Deccan,
Madras, Assam, Pegu, Tenasserim and Ceylon. In Burmah Gates says it is
abundantly distributed over the plans of Arrakan and Pegu and in the
Northern and Central portions of Tenasserim as far South as the Malay
Peninsula. Its breeding habitat is Europe, where, it is said to place its nest on
the ground under cover of a tussock on the side of a ditch. The nest is made
of fine roots and fibres, and lined with horsehair and wool. Eggs, 4 5 in
number, white, spotted with grey. In fact it has a very wide distribution in
India during winter, being then found in swampy lands, grass fields, meadows
and paddy fields.
793. Motacilla Peldeggi, Michah., Isis, 1830, p. 814. Motacilla
melanocephala, Lichl., Verz. DoubL p. 36. Budytes melanocephalus, Bp.,
Faun. Hal. Ucc. pi. 31, fig- 35 Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 290; Jerd., Madr.
Journ. p. 9 ; Blyth, Ibis, 1876, p. 30 ; Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 195 ; Blanf., Geol.
Zool. Abyssinia, p. 381 ; Adam, Sir. F. 1873, p. 384; Siol., Sir. F. 1874,
p. 464; Butler and Hume, Sir. F. 1875, p. 490; Blan/.> East. Persia, ii.
LIMON1DROMUS. 283
p. 235; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 363; Brooks, Sir. F. 1878, ii.
p. 138; Murray, Handb]^. Zool., &c., Sind, p. 167; id., Vert. Zool. Sind,
p. 1 68 ; Vavison, Sir. F. 1881, p. 310 ; Reid, Sir. F. 1881, p. 48. The INDIAN
FIELD WAGTAIL.
Adult male in breeding plumage. Head, nape, lores, sides of the face
and ear coverts black ; back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts yellowish
green, the latter lighter, and the feathers edged with yellowish ; chin white or
buffy white ; rest of under surface pure yellow ; primaries and secondaries
dull brown, lighter and whitish on the margins at the base of their inner webs;
tertiaries dark brown, edged on their outer webs with yellow ; lesser wing
coverts yellowish olive, subterminally dark brown, and tipped yellowish ;
median and greater coverts dark brown, tipped yellowish, forming two con-
spicuous wing bands ; tail black, margined with greenish, the two outermost
feathers on each side white, except a broad dark brown margin on their inner
webs ; bill and legs dark brown ; irides brownish.
Length. 6-25 to 6'5 inches ; wing 3*1 to 3*25 ; tail 275 ; bill at front 0-43.
The adult in winter garb is olive green above, with a yellowish white super-
cilium ; the chin and throat white, and the rest of the under surface yellow ;
the wing bands formed by the median and greater coverts are paler, the
yellow,, edgings of the tertiaries broader and purer yellow. The female is like
the male, but in some specimens (in December) there is a brown band across
the breast.
Hab. S.-E. Europe, N.-E. Africa, and Moluccas \ Sind, Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces, Bengal, Southern and Central India, Deccan, Concan y Kutch,
Kattiawar, Jodhpore, Beloochistan and Afghanistan. With the last species it
is very abundant in the large marshes, and especially on the Munchur Lake in
Sind.
Gen. Limonidromus. Gould.
General form and characters of Motacilla, but with the plumage uniform ;
feet pale ; bill long and exceeding in length the outer toe and claw. Inter-
mediate between the Wagtails and Pipits both in structure and habits.
794. Limonidromus indicus, Gould, B. Asia, iv. pi. 67;
Holdsworih, P. Z. S. 1872 ; Walden, Ibis, 1874, p. 239; Sahad., Ucc. Born,
y. 261 -, H time, Sir. F. 1874, p. 239; 1875, p, i^i; Blyth and Wald., B.
Burm. p. 16; Bourd., Sir. F. l876, p. 401 ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878,
p. 364; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 614; Eume, Sir. F. 1879, PP- 65, 103;
Vidal, Sir. F. 1880, p. 69; Bingham, t. c. p. 189; Oales, B. Brit. Burm.
i. p. 164; Davison, Sir. F. 1883, p. 397; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x.
p. 532. Motacilla indica, Gm., Sysl. Nat. i. p. 962; Gray, Gen. B. i.
p. 203. Nemoricola indica, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi., p. 429 ; Bp.,
Consp. i. p. 251; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 226, No. 595; Hume, Sir. F. 1873,
p. 450; Armstrong^ Sir. F. 1876, p. 329. The BLACK-BREASTED WAGTAIL.
284 MOTACILLID^E.
Above dull olive brown, the upper tail coverts dark brown, the lateral ones
with whitish margins ; ear coverts and lesser wing coverts like the back ;
cheeks, chin, throat, lores, eyelids, and supercilium extending from the bill to
the nape, and whole under surface of the body yellowish white ; two black bands
across the breast, the upper one entire and the lower one interrupted in the
middle; median and greater series of wing coverts dark brown with broad
yellowish white tips forming two bands across the coverts ; quills brown, the
2nd to the 7th primaries with a patch of yellowish white on the outer webs
near their bases ; all the primaries and secondaries with an abrupt margin of
yellowish white near their tips on the outer webs ; tertiaries brown, broadly
tipped with olive green ; tail with two central feathers olive brown like the
back, and washed externally with olive ; remainder of the feathers blackish,
obsoletely tipped with white ; outermost feathers white, except at the base
where it is brown ; penultimate feather dark brown, with the terminal third of
the inner web white ; under wing coverts dull white, washed with olive ;
axillaries white, washed with olive yellow, irides black ; upper mandible dusky
brown ; lower mandible fleshy white ; legs and feet purplish white.
Length. 6-3 to 6-6 inches; wing 3*1 ; tail 27; tarsus 0-85 ; culmen 0-55.
Hab. Eastern Siberia and N. China, ranging in winter into the Indian
Peninsula and Ceylon,the Andaman Islands and the Burmese countries (Sharpe).
It also occurs in Cochin China, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
In Burmah, Gates says, it is uncommon in Pegu ; it was only once met with by
Armstrong in the Irrawaddy delta. On the Tenasserim division it appears
to be tolerably abundant. In South India it is fairly common on the Neil-
gherries and in Coonoor, also in Malabar on the Coast. Jerdon procured it at
Nellore, and it is said to be not very uncommon about Calcutta, also in
Assam. It is quite a forest-loving species, being found in well-wooded loca-
lities and in shady orchards. It is usually seen solitary feeding on insects.
Gen. AnthuS. Becks t.
Plumage sombre, generally mottled and lark-like, the feathers of the back
with dark centres and pale edges ; feet pale ; bill straight, stout and shorter
than in Motacilla; profile of culmen swollen from the centre to the tip. No
scutellations on upper part of back of tarsus ; the outstretched feet do not
reach beyond the tail ; 1st to 3rd quills longest ; tertials long.
795. AnthuS trivialiS (*.), Fleming, Br. An. p. 75 ; Yarrell,
Br. B. i. p. 384 ; Dresser JB. Eur. iii. p. 309, pi. 132 ; Blanf., East. Persia,
ii. P- 2 3S; Brooks, t. c. p. 499; Ball, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 240; Cripps, t. c.
p. 288; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103; Vidal, Sir. F. 1880, p. 69; Reid,
Str. F. 1881, p. 49. Alauda trivialis, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 288. Alauda,
plumata, P. L. S. Mull. Natur. Syst. Anhang, p. 137. Pipastes arboreus,
Bechst. Naturg. "Deutschl. iii. p. 33 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 229; Hume, Ibis,
1870, pp. 287, 400; Brooks, J. A. S. ficng. xli. p. 83; Hares Lhyd, Ibis,
ANTHUS. 285
1873, p. 412; Murray, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 109. Anthus agilis, Sykes,
P. Z. S. 1832, p. 91. Pipastes trivialis, Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 31 ; Gates,
B. Br. Burm. i. p. 172. Pipastes plumatus, Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 202 ; id,,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 383. Anthus arboreus (Bechst.), Murray, Verl.
Zool., Sind, p. 170. The EUROPEAN OR WESTERN TREE PIPIT.
Plead, nape, back and scapulars dusky olive green, the feathers centred
dark brown ; rump and upper tail coverts duller olive green, with no dusky
strire ; chin and throat fulvescent or fulvous white, with dark brown spots on
the throat ; rest of under surface fulvescent, olive on the flanks, and the under
tail coverts albescent ; the breast streaked with dark brown ; primaries,
secondaries and tertiaries dark brown, the primaries narrowly edged on their
external webs with pale white ; the secondaries and tips of the primaries
white, the tertiaries broadly margined with dusky olive ; the wing coverts
brown, with yellowish white tips ; tail brown, the feathers with pale edgings ;
the outermost feather white, except the basal fourth and margin of the inner
web to within one-fifth of the tip ; the next all brown, edged and tipped with
white. Bill dusky yellowish at base of lower mandible ; legs pale brown,
irides dark brown.
Length. 6*5 inches ; wing 3*5 ; tail 2*5 ; bill at front 0*43 ; tarsus 0*8.
Hab. Europe and India generally to Nepaul ; Sind, Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces, Oudh, Assam and British Burmah, Central and South India,
Beloochistan, S. and N. Persia, Afghanistan, Kutch, Kattiawar, N. Guzerat,
Jodhpore, and the Deccan. It is found over all India nearly during winter
arriving early in October and leaving about the end of April. Burmah
appears to be the extreme limit of this species. Some of the birds
remain in the Himalayas, which is about the most southern limit in Asia.
Hume, in " Nests and Eggs," speaks of the nidification of P. agilis, Sykes,
and P. plumatus, Mull., both of which are now considered to be the same
ias Anthus trivialis. He says, all he knows of the nidification of this
species (P. agilis) is that a loose grass nest was sent to him containing
a single egg with a male bird shot off the nest in Upper Kooloo. The nest;
he says, was found on the snowy range beyond Spiti, at an elevation of pro-
bably 11,000 feet. The egg is a moderately broad oval, slightly compressed
towards one end, has a greyish white ground, and is thickly and minutely,
speckled and spotted all over with two different shades of rather pale dingy
purple. The description of the egg of P. plumatus is much the same as the
above.
796. Anthus maCUlatUS, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Pas-
seres, pi. II8A. ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 248; Broolts, Str. F. 1876, p. 278; Ball
Str.F. 1877, p. 417; id., Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 219; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 103; Reid, Str. F. 1881, p. 48; Butler, Cat. B. Sind, fyc., p. 41;
Davison, Str. F. 1883, p. 396. Anthus agilis (non Sykes), Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
286 MOTACILLTID/E.
p. 229, No. 596 ; Gould, B. Asia, iv. pi. 65 ; Adam, S/r. F. 1873, p. 384 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1874, p.' 499; id., Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 382. Pipastes
maculatus, Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 287; 1871, p. 35; Blyth and Wald., B.
Burnt, p. 96; Armstrong, Str. F. 1876, p. 330; Butler, Sir. F. 1877, p. 230;
Davidson and Wende?i, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 84; Murray, t. c. p. 109; Scully,
Str. F. 1879, p. 316; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 171. Pipastes agilis,
Blanf., J. A. S. Beng. 1872, p. 60. The EASTERN TREE PIPIT.
Whole upper plumage rich olive brown ; the head with distinct brown broad
mesial streaks ; the back the same ; rump and lower back entirely uniform ;
lesser wing coverts like the back ; median and greater series dusky brown,
externally olive brown, the median series tipped with yellowish white ; tail dark
brown, the outer pair with a long diagonal patch of white from base to tip ; the
next tipped with white, which and the others are all margined with olive brown
on the outer web ; eyelid and a broad eyebrow fulvous, becoming whiter above ;
the 'bar coverts are white and the lores fulvous brown ; cheeks, chin, throat
and breast, rich fulvous ; a moustachial streak from the sides of the throat to
the breast, which is marked with numerous oval black spots ; flanks dull fulvous,
streaked with brown ; under surface of the body white ; under wing coverts
smoky brown, edged with olive yellow.
In winter the fulvous colour of the head changes to fulvescent white. Bill
bluish black ; yellowish at the angle of the lower mandible ; iris brown ; legs
and feet flesh colour.
Length. 6 to 6-5 inches; wing 3-2 to 3-5; tail 2-5 ; tarsus 0-85; culmen
0-55-
Hal. Eastern Asia, from Japan and Eastern Siberia as far as the Yen-e-
say, wintering in the plains of India, the Burmese countries and Cochin-
China. In Northern India and the Himalayas its occurrence is recorded as from
Nepaul, Mogul Serai, Cawnpore, Behar, Ootacamund, and Bhootan, also the
Khasia hills, and in Burmah from Pegu, Karenne, Poonsee (Kakhyen hills),
Bassein, Tenasserim and Bhamo. It is found all over India nearly as a winter
visitant, arriving in October and leaving in April. In Burmah, Oates says,
it is found very abundantly in all the wooded tracts and gardens in small flocks
under the shade of trees, feeding on insects and seeds.
797- AnthuS nilghiriensiS, Sharpe, Cat. B Br. Mus. x. p. 550.
Anthus rufescens, Jcrd., Madr. Journ. xi. p. 34 (nee. Te??im.). Anthus
rnontanus (nee. Koch.}, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 435 (Ex. Jerd. Mss.)\
Hume, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 461 ; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 103; Davison, Str. F.
1883, p. 397. Pipastes montanus, Jerd. B. hid. ii. p. 230, No. 598 ; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 383; Fairb., 1877, p. 407. The NILGHERRY TREE
PIPIT.
Above light sandy buff, the upper surface of the body mesially streaked
with black ; rump more uniform, the mesial dark streaks being less distinct
ANTHUS. 287
and not numerous ; wing coverts olive brown, also mesially streaked with dark
brown; primary coverts edged with fulvous; quills blackish, edged with pale
olivaceous ; the first primary with bullish white ; fifth primary shorter than
the first and equal in length to the long secondaries ; 2nd to 5th emarginate ;
upper tail coverts and tail blackish edged with paler brown, the tail with
pale sandy buff ; outer tail feathers smoky brown, whitish at tip ; the
inner web with an oblique mark of dark brown; third feather with an
irregular wedge-shaped spot of white at the end of the 'inner web ; superci-
lium extending from the base of the nostril to above the ear-coverts white ;
ear-coverts and feathers below the eye reddish brown ; lores blackish ; cheeks
rich sandy buff brighter on the throat and foreneck as well as the sides of
the body ; foreneck, chest and sides streaked with black ; under tail coverts
rich sandy buff ; auxiliaries paler sandy buff, washed with olive near the edge
of the wing ; bill blackish ; legs pale brown ; irides dark brown.
Length. 6-5 inches ; wing 2-95 ; tail 27 ; tarsus 0-95 ; culmen 0*55.
Hind claw stout and strongly curved, shorter than the hind toe.
Hab. Hills of Southern India (the Neilgherries), where only it is found
and is a permanent resident. Breeds during May at an elevation of about
6,500 feet, making a shallow cup of grass loosely put together and lined with
finer grass. According to Davison (Hume) the nest is placed under a tuft of
grass or bush on the side of a hill. The eggs, two or three in number, are
pale dingy greenish brown, thickly mottled with a darker shade. In length the
eggs vary from 079 to 0-89, and in breadth from 0-59 to 0*62.
798. Anthus sordidus, Rupp. Neue, Wirb. Aves, p. 103, pi. 39,
fig. i. Anthus similis, Jerd.> Madr, Journ. xi. p. 36; id. III. Ind. Orn.
pi. 45. Agrodroma cinnamomea, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 235. Agrodroma
similis, Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 385 ; id., Sir. F. 1873, p, 203 ;
Fairb., Sir. F. 1876, p. 260; Butler, B. Bom. Pres. p. 56; Davison,
Str. F. 1883, p. 397. Agrodroma sordida, An/in and Salvad, Viagg.
Bogos, p. 1 10; Butler, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 183; Hume, Str. F. 1879,
p. 103; Reid, Str. F. 1881, p. 49; Davidson, Str. F. 1882, p. 311. The
RUFOUS ROCK PIPIT.
Above dusky brown, the feathers edged with pale ferruginous ; upper tail
coverts the same, much lengthened ; lesser wing coverts like the back ;
median and greater series dark brown, broadly edged with pale ferruginous ;
primaries and their coverts dark brown narrowly edged with fulvescent ; tail
dark brown, margined with pale ferruginous or fulvous, the outer web of
the outermost being entirely of this color, the penultimate feather with a
triangular spot of ferruginous at the tip ; supercilium pale ferruginous ; ear
coverts the same but tipped with dusky; chin fulvescent white ; cheeks and
throat, also the under surface of the body, pale ferruginous ; the foreneck and
breast streaked with triangular dusky spots, and a few spots along the mous-
288 MOTACILLID^.
tachial line ; flanks unstreakecl ; thighs and under tail coverts deep sandy buff ;
axillaries and under wing coverts dusky with sandy margins.
Length. 7 to 8 inches ; wing 3-4 to 37 ; tail 2-85 to 3-05 ; tarsus I to IT ;
culmen 0*65 ; hind claw strongly curved, primaries emarginate, 2-3 x 4*5 ;
equal 3rd and 4th.
Hal. North-Eastern Africa as far as the Upper Nile regions and occurring
throughout North-Western India as far as the Neilgherries (Sharpe), but every-
where sparingly. Jerdon says he obtained it on the Segoor Pass of the Neil-
gherries, where they were found seated on rocks by the roadside and occa-
sionally descending to the road to feed on insects. The British Museum has
two specimens from Coonoor. Hume, who calls this species the Neilgherry Tit-
Lark, says it is a very rare bird even on the Neilgherries. The eggs obtained
by, Dr. Jerdon, Hume says, closely resemble those of Alauda Malabarica, but
are more glossy. They are moderately elongated ovals, somewhat compressed
and pointed towards one end with a creamy white ground, densely, but very
minutely freckled and speckled all over with very pale yellowish brown and
pale. purplish grey. The eggs were taken on the i6th May and measured
0*85 x O'65.
799. AnthUS Jerdoni (Finsch.), Sharpe, Cat. It. Br. Mus. x.
p. 562. Agrodroma Jerdoni, Finsch., Trans. Z. S. vii. p. 241 ; Hume and
Henders., Lahore to Yarlt., p. 227 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Lid. B. p. 386 ;
Brooks, 5/r.F. 1875, p. 252; Hume and Butler, Str.F. 1875, p. 491 ; Butler,
Sir. F. 1877, p. 230; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 61. Corydalla griseo-
rufescens, Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 286. Agrodroma sordida (nee Rupp.}, Jerd.,
B. Ind. ii. p. 236; Butler, Cat. B. Sind, p. 42; Murray, Hdbk. Zool., $-c.,
Sind, p. 169; id., Vert. ZooL, Sind, p. 173. The BROWN ROCK PIPIT.
Head, nape, back, scapulars, rump, and upper tail coverts dull earthy
brown, the feathers edged paler ; wings and tail darker brown than the upper
parts ; supercilium fulvous or fawn coloured ; a faint brown stripe from the
base of the lower mandible down the sides of the throat ; primaries, seconda-
ries and tertiaries as in the last, but edged with rufescent ; first primary short,
dark brown, outermost feathers rufescent on their outer webs, and for about
an inch and a quarter obliquely on their inner webs at the tip ; rest of the
feathers dark brown, the next dark brown, except at the tip and for a short
distance (i of an inch) along the shaft ; chin and throat whitish ; rest of under
surface bright rufescent fawn; the breast with a few indistinct streaks. Bill
dusky ; lower mandible yellowish, except at tip ; legs yellowish.
Length. 775 to 8 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 3-5 ; bill at front 0-5.
Hab. India generally to the Himalayas, Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces,
N. Guzerat, Deccan, Beloochistan and Persia. Breeds in the Punjab and
N.-W. Provinces from May till the middle of July low down the hill side.
Captain Marshall, who took its eggs at Murrec, says the eggs are not unlike
ANTHUS. 289
those of other species of the family. Hume says, the eggs sent him by
Captain Marshall are barely, if at all, separable from those of Oreocorys sylva-
mis. They are moderately broad, fairly regular ovals, somewhat compressed
or pointed towards one end ; the shells are compact but almost entirely
devoid of gloss, brownish or greyish white, profusely speckled, spotted and
streaked, and in places blotched and clouded with sienna brown or pale inky
purple ; the markings are thickly set, but most dense at the large end.
800. Anthus Richardi, N. 'Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxvi. p. 491 ;
Temm. PI. Col. iii. pi. 101 ; McGill. Br. B. ii. p. 199; Hume, Ibis, 1869?
p. I2O; Blanf. East, Persia, ii. p. 236: Seebohm, Ibis, 1878, p. 343; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 564. Corydalla Richardi, Vigors, Zool. Journ. ii.
p. 397 ; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 247; Kelaart, Prod. Faun. Zeyl. Cat. p. 121 ;
Jerd., B.Jnd. ii. p. 231, No. 599; Blanf., Ibis, 1870, p. 466 ; Holdsw., P. Z.
S. 1871, p. 458 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 239; Ball, t. c. pp. 416, 479, 496 .
Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 95 ; Armstrong, Str. F. 1876, p. 330; Hume
and Davison, Str. F. 1878, p. 365 ; Ball, Str. F. 1878, ii. p. 220 ; Cripps, t. c.
p. 288; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 621; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103; Oates, B.
Br. Burmah i. p. 166. Cichlops monticolus, Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus.
Passeres, pis. 12 1, 124, fig. I. Corydalla sinensis, Bp. Consp. i. p. 247;
David et Oust., Ois Chine, p. 311. RICHARD'S PIPIT or the LARGE MARSH
PIPIT.
Upper surface of the body, including the scapulars and wing coverts, brown,
the feathers edged with fulvous ; lower back and rump more uniform, the
feathers centred with dusky ; primaries, secondaries and tertiaries brown, the
primaries narrowly, and the secondaries and tertiaries broadly edged with
fulvous ; the first primary ashy white externally ; tail dark brown, with ashy
fulvous margins ; the outermost pair of feathers nearly entirely white, the
next with a large triangular patch of white on the inner web ; supercilium,
chin, cheeks, throat and axillaries fulvous white ; ear coverts sandy rufous or
fulvous brown ; under surface of the body pale fulvous, darker on the flanks,
thighs and vent, and striated on the breast ; lower throat and foreneck with
dusky brown. Bill brown ; yellowish at the base of the lower mandible; irides
brown; legs flesh colour.
Length. 7 to 8 inches ; wing 3-6 to 3*9 ; tail 3'4 ; tarsus 1*2 ; culmen 0'6.
Hab. Central and Eastern Asia where it breeds, migrating to India and
Ceylon in winter, also into Southern China, the Moluccas and the Burmese
countries ; occurring also in parts of Europe. It is found from Nepaul and
the Himalayas to the extreme South ; more rare, however, in Southern India
and the Carnatic. Jerdon adds that it is tolerably abundant in Lower Bengal,
Ceylon and countries to the eastward. According to Oates it is exces-
sively common in all the vast plains in the south of Pegu. It has been
procured in Tonghoo and in Karenne also throughout Tenasserim and the
Thoungyeen Valley. It is as common in the Malay Peninsula and has been
VOL. II. 37
290 MOTACILLID^:.
got in Siam. It abounds in all the rice-fields and swampy lands covered with
grass, and numbers are generally found together, but this fact would not admit
of them being called gregarious. Nothing of its nidification in India is yet
known.
801. Anthus striolatus, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. P . 435 ; Bp.
Consp. i. p. 248 ; Layard, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 268 ; Blanf.,
J. A. S. Beng. xli. p. 61 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 568. Corydalla
striolata, Kelaart, Prodr. Fauna Zeyl. Cat. p. 12 1 ; Jerd.,B.Ind.\\. p. 232,
No. 601 ; Holdsw., P. Z. S. 1872, p. 453 J Brooks, Str. F. 1873, p. 369;
Walden, Ibis, 1874, p. 140; Ball, Str. F. 1874, p. 417 ; Hume and Davison,
Str. F. 1878, p. 366 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 628 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103 ;
Butler, Cat. B. Bom. Pres. p. 56; Oates, B. Br. Burmah i. p. 167. Cichlops
thermophilus, Hodgs., Icon. ined. Passeres, pi. I22A. BLYTH'S PIPIT.
Like Anthus Richardi, except that the triangular patch of white on the inner
web of the penultimate tail feathers in Anthus Richardi is about two inches in
length, or never less than an inch and a half, but in this species it is never quite
an inch ; the tarsus is also shorter, and the markings on the breast more
numerous.
Length. 7 to 8 inches; wing 3-5 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 1*05 ; culmen 0-6.
Hab. Throughout India and Ceylon, occurring as far west as Sind. It has
also been met with in Burmah and the Andaman Islands. Jerdon records il
from Saugor in Central India, Nellore and Darjeeling. It is also stated to be
found in South India generally (Madras, Travancore), also in Dinapoor, Sultan
poor (Punjab), Sikkim and Nepaul. Visits India in September, and leaves
again by the I5th April.
802. AnthUS campestriS (Linn.), Bechst. Naturg. Deutschl. iii
p. 722 ; Blanf., East Persia ii. p. 237. Anthus rufescens, Temm., Man. d'Orn
i. p. 267 ; Gould, B. Europe, p. 18. Agrodroma rufula, Jerd., Madr. Journ
p. 34. Agrodroma campestris, Bp., Consp. Av. p. 247 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 234
No. 602 ; Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 35; Adam, Str. F. 1873, p. 384; Butler ana
Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 491 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103; Davidson, Str. F
1882, p. 310 ; Murray, Hdbk. Zool, &c., Sind, p. 169 ; id., VerL Zool. Sind
p. 173. The STONE PIPIT.
Head, nape, back, scapulars, rump and upper tail coverts olive brown wit!
a faint rufescent tinge, the feathers of the head with mesial dark streaks, those
of the back very faintly streaked or absent ; rump unstreaked ; upper tai
coverts with dusky shafts ; chin whitish ; rest of under surface and superci
Hum pale or rufescent fawn, albescent on the vent and under tail coverts ; i
brown stripe from the base of the lower mandible down the sides of the throat
and another from the gape ; primaries and secondaries very pale brown, edgec
externally with pale or rufescent fawn; the secondaries tipped whitish
tertiaries brown, with broad fulvous or pale fawn margins ; wing coverts brown
ANTHUS. 291
broadly tipped and edged with the same colour ; tail dark brown, the feathers
edged fulvous, the centre feathers broadly edged with fawn, the outermost
feather on each side white, basally dark shafted, and margined on the inner
web with brown, the next, edged on the outer web, tipped, and for about an
inch running up the inner web, whitish ; the shaft and rest of the feathers
brown. Bill horny ; lower mandible yellowish ; legs yellowish.
Length. 7 to 7-25 inches ; wing 3*6; tail 275 to 3; tarsus nearly I ; bill
at front 0*5.
Hab. Central and Southern Europe, N. and W. Africa, Central and Southern
India, Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces and Bengal ; also Beloochistan, Persia,
Afghanistan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore, Jeypore, N. Guzerat, Concan and
Deccan. Winters in the plains of India, arriving in September and departing
in April. It affects barren, open, stony land.
803. AnthuS rufulus, Vieill, N. Diet. d'Hisl. Nat. xxvi. p. 494 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 437 ; JBp. t Consp. Av. i. p. 248 ; Layard, Ann. and
Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. p. 268. Anthus cinnamomeus, Rupp., Neue Wirb. p. 103 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 574. Anthus malayensis, Eyton, P. Z. S.
1839, p 104 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 797 ; Hume, Str. F. 1874, p. 497 ;
Tweed. t Ibis, 1877, p. 310; Hume and Damson, Str. F. 1878, p. 366; Hume,
Str. F. 1879, pp. 65, 103. Agrodroma agilis, Jerd., Madr. Journ. xi-
p. 33. Cichlops ubiquitarius, Hodgs., Icon, ined- in Br. Mus. Passeres, pi.
1 22 A. Anthus caffer, Sundev., (Efv. K. Vet. Akad. Fork. Stockh; Layard,
Ibis, 1869, p. 368. Anthus raalteni, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 248. Corydalla
rufula, Kelaart, Prodr. Fauna. Zeyl. Cat. p. 121 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 232;
Blanf., Ibis, 1880, p. 469 ; Holdsw., P. Z. S. 1872, p. 458 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 384; Brooks, Str. F. 1873, p. 359; Ball, Str. F. 1874,
p. 416 ; Hume t. c. p. 497 ; Blyth and Walden, B. Burm. p. 96; Fairb., Str.
F. 1876, p. 260; Armstrong, t. c. p. 330 ; Botird., t. c. p. 401 ; Fairb., Str. F.
1877, p. 407 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 625 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 103 ; Vidal,
Str. F. 1880, p. 69; Reid, Str, F. 1881, p. 49; Davidson, Str. F. 1882,
p. 310; Gates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 168 ; Davison, Str. F. 1883, p. 397;
Scully, Str. F. viii. p. 317. Corydalla rufulus, Murray, HdHk., ZooL, &.c.,
Sind, p. 160; id., Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 172. The INDIAN TIT LARK.
Head, nape, back, scapulars and upper tail coverts olive brown, the feathers
with dark mesial streaks ; rump unstreaked pale olive ; supercilium fulvous
white; chin white; throat, breast and rest of under surface, including the
under wing coverts fulvous white, deeper on the breast and sides of the throat,
the feathers of which are centred darker ; primaries, secondaries, tertiaries and
wing coverts brown ; the primaries slightly paler brown and edged externally
with fulvous white ; the secondaries edged with light olive brown and tipped
whitish ; the tertiaries broadly edged externally with pale olive or fawn brown,
all, except the innermost tertiaries, fulvous and basally whitish on their inner
292 MOTACILLID^:.
webs ; tail dark brown, the two centre feathers shorter than the others, pale
brown and margined narrowly with pale olive ; the outermost feathers on each
side white, except a narrow margin on the inner web, which is brown ; the
next feather also white, with a dark shaft, and a wider brown margin on the
inner web. Bill dusky, yellowish at base of lower mandible ; irides brown ;
legs pale yellowish brown,
Length. 6'$ to 7 inches ; wing 3 to 3*25 ; tail 2*5 ; tarsus I ; bill at front 0*4
Hab- The whole of Southern Africa, extending up the eastern side of
that continent to N.-E. Africa, and occurring even in Egypt; also throughout
India and Ceylon, the Burmese countries and Malayan Peninsula, extending
to Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Phillipines. (Sharped) In India it is found
in Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Bengal, Assam, British Burmah and
Nepaul ; also Beloochistan, Afghanistan and Eastern Turkestan. Common in
the Concan and Deccan; breeds in Sind during April and May. Eggs 3 4,
of a greenish colour, with numerous brown mottlings all over, chiefly at the
larger end. It is one of the most common birds, and is abundantly spread
over all India, except the higher elevations. In Burmah as elsewhere it is
partial to open grass plains and dry paddy fields.
804. Anthus cervinus (Pall), Naum. Vogt. Deutsclil, iii. pi. 85,
fig. I ; Gould, B. Asia, iv. p . 66; Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 35 ; Ball, Str. F. 1873,
p. 74; Hume, t. c. p, 310; Hume, Sir. F. 1874, pp. 239, 479; Blyth and
Wald., B. Burm. p. 96; David and Oust., Ois Chine, p. 306; Hume and
Davison, Str. F. 1878, p. 367; Seebohm, Hist, Br. B. ii. p. 229; Oates, B.
Br. Burm, i, p. 169. Motacilla cervina, Pall,, Zoogr. Rosso, Asiat. i. p. 51 1.
The RED-THROATED PIPIT.
Male in summer plumage. Whole upper surface of the body, including the
wing coverts and tertiaries dark brown, each feather edged with fulvous;
superciliary streak, cheeks, chin, throat and breast vinous pink, the breast and
sides of the breast streaked with brown ; lores and ear coverts vinous brown .
quills brown, narrowly edged with fulvous white ; tail dark brown, the outer-
most pair of feathers with a large diagonal streak of white, extending from the
base to the tip ; the next pair faintly tipped with white ; axillaries buff ; under
surface of the body pale rufescent, streaked on the flanks with brown ; under
tail coverts deeper rufescent.
ThQ/emale in summer plumage is similar to the male, except that the throat
alone is vinous ; the rest of the under surface of the body from the foreneck
downwards being pale rufescent or sandy buff, the foreneck, breast and flanks
profusely spotted with blackish centres to the feathers, linear on the sides and
flanks.
The winter plumage of both sexes is the same as the summer plumage of
the female, except that the vinous flush on the foreneck is absent in most birds,
and the throat is like the abdomen. Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath ;
irides brown.
ANTHUS, 293
Length, 6-4 to 6 S inches; wing 3-3 ; tail 2-4; tarsus 0-9 ; culmen 0-55 to
0-6. The females are smaller.
Had. Throughout Northern Europe and Siberia, above the limits of forest
growth, where it is said to breed. Occurs in England and Western Europe on
migration. Winters in Egypt, N.-E., Africa, Beloochistan, Persia and North -
Western India, but principally in Southern China and the Burmese countries,
extending at least to Borneo. Its northern range to the eastwards appears to be
Kamtschatka and as far as Behring Island (Sharpe.) Gates says it is a
winter visitor to Burmah ; abundant from October to April in Southern Pegu,
and equally so throughout Tenasserim and the Thoungyeen Valley, where
Captain Bingham met with it. It is said to frequent the open parts of the
country, on waste lands and the margins of rivers.
805- AnthuS rosaceus, Hodgs., Icon, ined in Br. Mus. Passeres,
pi. 1 18; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mm. x. p. 589; Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B.
E. I. Co. Mus. i. p. 357 ; Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 287; id., Nes/s and Eggs,
Ind. B. p. 386; Brooks, Str. F. 1875, p. 252; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm.
p. 96 ; Hume, Sir. F- 1879, p. 103; Scully, t. c. p. 317; Oafes, B. Br.
Burm. i. p. 170. Anthus cervinus (nee. Pall.), Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 237,
No. 605. The VINOUS-THROATED PIPIT.
Adult male in breeding plumage. Above ashy, the feathers streaked with
black mesially, the head more narrowly, the hindneck less distinctly, and the
back very broadly, the latter and the mantle mottled with edges of ashy white,
faintly tinged with olive ; rump more uniform olive brown ; upper tail coverts
dusky brown, edged with ashy fulvous ; lesser wing coverts dusky brown,
washed with olive yellow ; median and greater wing coverts blackish brown,
edged with fulvous or olive brown and tipped with dull white ; bastard wing
dark brown, edged with ashy ; primary coverts and quills dusky brown,
margined with yellowish ; the secondaries margined with whity brown, whiter
on the inner secondaries which are blackish ; upper tail coverts and tail blackish
brown, edged with ashy or olive brown ; penultimate feather with a white spot
at the tip of the outer web, the outer feather white, smoky brown at the
tip of the outer web, the inner one with a broad oblique mark of
blackish brown ; eyelids and a broad supercilium, extending from the base of
the bill to above the ear coverts white, with a fulvous tinge ; lores blackish ;
ear coverts dusky blackish, mottled with white below the eye ; cheeks, throat
and breast pale vinous ; abdomen, vent and under tail coverts dull white, also
the sides of the body and flanks, but washed with olive and broadly streaked
with black ; axillaries pale olive yellow ; under wing coverts dull white,
washed with yellow and mottled near the edge of the wing with dusky bases.
(Sharpe.) Bill dusky, blackish on the culmen and fleshy brown at the base of
the lower mandible ; iris dark brown. (Scully.)
Length. 5*7 inches; wing 3-45 ; tail 2-45 ; tarsus O'S ; culmen 0*55.
VOL. II. 38.
MOTACILLID/E.
The adult female in breeding plumage is similar in colour 'to the male, hut
with remains of a fe\v blackish streak on the foreneck.
Hab. The Himalayas, from Afghanistan to Bhootan and the Khasia hills,
extending into Moupin and Kansu in China. Winters in the plains of India,
It has been found in Cachar, Gilgit, Etawah, Kumaon, Darjeeling, Nepaul,
Bhootan and the Khasia hills. It is believed to breed in Gurhwal, but the find
of the eggs and nest has not been properly authenticated.
806- AnthllS spipoletta (Linn.), Jaub.. et Barth-Lapomm. Rich.
Orn. p. 285 ; Sharpe, Cat.B. Br. Mus. x. p. 593. Alauda spinoletta, Linn.,
Syst. Nat. i. p. 288 ; Grn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 794. Anthus aquaticus, Bechst.,
Naturg. DeutschL iii. p. 745. Anthus .montanus, Koch., Syst. baier Zool. \.
p. 179. Anthus spinoletta, Bp., Comp. List, B. Eur. and N. America, p. 18 ;
Walden, Ibis, 1869, p. 213 ; Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 36 ; id., Sir. F. 1875, p. 491 ;
Blanf., East. Pers. ii. p. 236; Butler, Str. F. 1877, p. 230; Hume, Sir F.
1878, p 521 ; Murray, H'dblc. Zool, fyc., Sind, p 169; id., Vert. Zool. Sind,
p. 170. Anthus Blakistoni, Swinh., P. Z. S. 1863, p. 90; Brooks, Ibis,
1877, pp. 206, 207 ; Butler, Str. F. viii. p. 177 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind,
p 171. Anthus neglectus, Brooks, Ibis, 1876, p. 501 ; Hume, Sjr. F. 1877
p. 345, The WATER PIPIT.
" In the winter plumage the upper surface is a sort of olive brown, with
more or less of a faintly rufous tinge ; the rump unstriated ; the head and
back with dark hair brown centres to the feathers ; there is a well-marked
dull white stripe from the nostrils over the eye ; the coverts and the quills are
mostly hair brown, the former broadly margined with brownish or olivaceous
white, purer just at the tips of the coverts, and the latter narrowly margined,
the first few primaries with greyish white, the rest with a sort of greenish or
olivaceous white ; the tippings of the coverts form two tolerably well-marked
wing bars ; the tertiaries, which are somewhat paler than the rest of the quills,
are broadly margined with brownish white. The central tail feathers, which
are the shortest, are a comparatively pale brown, margined all round with
brownish white ; the next pair on either side are very dark brown, very
narrowly margined with pale olivaceous, and the fourth with a tiny whitish
spot at the extreme tip ; the exterior tail feathers of all has the whole outer
web white, slightly brownish towards the tip, the whole inner web svhite for
nearly half an inch from the tip, beyond which for another three-quarters of an
inch the white occupies (next the shaft) a gradually diminishing portion of the
inner web, the rest of the feather being brown. The lower surface is a dull
white, in many specimens with a faint vinaceous tinge, in parts with a row of
small brown spots down the sides of the neck, with similar spots on the breast
and longer striae along the sides and flanks.
"In the summer plumage the whole upper surface becomes greatly overlaid
with an earthy or greyish brown shade, the striations of the back and head
OREOCORYS. 295
almost disappear, though the edges of the feathers are still somewhat paler
than the centres, and the whole lower parts become a nearly uniform pale
vinaceous colour, without, in what I take to be the perfect plumage, a single
spot or streak ; in some specimens, which is somewhat less advanced, a few
spots still remain on the breast, and one or two streaks on the flanks. In all
stages of plumage the axillaries are white, and the greater portion of the wing
lining and the lower surface of the quills are pale satin grey.
" Male, length. 675 to 7*25 inches; expanse 1 1 to 11*25; wing 3*46 to
3*6; bill at front o - 45 to 0*53; hind toe and claw 0*7 to nearly O'8.
" Female, length. 6-37 to 6-62 inches ; wing 3-15 to 3'3 ; expanse 9-5 to
IO'5 ; bill at front 0-45 to 0*5 ; hind toe and claw 07 to 075 ; legs and feet
brown, or dark brown ; bill dark horny brown." Str. F. i. p. 204.
Hab. Central and Southern Europe and N.-W. Africa, Sind, Punjab,.N.-W.
Provinces, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan and E. Turkestan. In India
during winter only.
Gen. OreOCOryS. Sharpe.
Bill deep and strong ; culmen arched ; wings with the first five primaries
sub-equal; tail attenuated to a point at the tip ; tarsus strong; the upper part
behind scutellated.
807- OreOCOryS sylvanus (Bodgs), Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
x. p. 622. Heterura sylvana, Hodgs., J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 556 ; Bp. Consp. i.
279 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 239 ; Beavan, Ibis, 1868, p. So ; Ball, Str. F. 1878,
p. 207; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 387. Cichloramphus sylvanus,
Gray, Gen. B. p. 168. The UPLAND PIPIT.
Above brown, the feathers with dark brown mesial centres and pale rufous
buff edges ; wing coverts blackish, broadly edged with rufous buff ; primary
coverts the same ; tail light brown, edged with fulvous, the outermost feather
obliquely white towards the tip of the inner web, and the penultimate feather
with a white tip to the inner web; lores and a distinct supercilium dull white ;
sides of the face dull white ; ear coverts rufescent, streaked with buffy white ;
the sides of the neck with narrow brown streaks ; throat dull white, with a narrow
black mystacal line ; under surface of the body dull white, the breast spotted
with dark brown on the flanks and with fulvous on the sides ; under wing
coverts fulvous with narrow brown shaft lines. (Sharpe.) Bill dusky above,
yellowish beneath ; legs pale cinereous.
Length. 67 inches; wing 2-9; tail 2-9.
Hab. The Himalayas. Hodgson says exclusively monticolus, being found
in the uplands of the central region of Nepaul. Adam records it from Cashmere,
and Sharpe from Murree.
VOL. II. 89
296 FRINGILLID^E.
Family. FRINGILLID.E.
Birds with conical bill, usually entire at the tip, the lower mandible generally
of the same proportions as the upper, but in some deeper ; margin of bill not
toothed or indented ; wings moderate ; tail moderate or short, even, rounded
or emarginate; feet fitted for walking on the ground. They are chiefly
ground-feeders, and while some may be said to be omnivorous, others feed
almost exclusively on grain. They nidificate on trees, holes in rocks, or
banks of nullahs and river beds. Plumage generally plain, in some only
sandy. They are usually possessed of much intelligence, and .there are
among them some of the most familiar birds, which are the most appreciable
songsters. The gizzard of many is thick and muscular, and in such cases
the birds swallow stone, or gravel, to assist the trituration of the seeds they
feed pn.
Sub-Family. COCCOTHRAUSTIN.E.
Bill very stout, otherwise as in the family.
808. Coccothraustes humii, Sharpe, P. z. S. 1886, p. 97;
id. Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 40. Coccothraustes vulgaris (nee. Z.), Hume,
Ibis, 1869, p. 456 ; id. Str. F. vii. pp. 416, 462. The PUNJAB GROSBEAK.
Above pale chocolate brown, with a broad ashy grey collar ; lower back,
rump and upper tail coverts pale cinnamon brown ; lesser wing coverts dark
brown, nearly black, the median series ashy white, the bases only black ;
greater coverts blackish brown, externally ashy white, primaries with a large
white spot about the middle of the inner webs ; sides of the body tawny or
orange brown ; tail blackish and edged with brown, the middle one cinnamon
brown, externally ashy towards the end, and the rest are white tipped ;
lower abdomen white ; crown of head pale cinnamon buff ; a narrow black line
along the forehead continued as a patch in the loral region, and along the base
of the mandible extending on to the chin and throat, the upper edges of
which are shaded with fulvous.
Length. 6-75 inches ; wing 3*8 ; tail 2-35 ; tarsus o'8; culmen o 75.
Hob. N.-W. Punjab and Attock.
Gen. Mycerobas. Hodgs.
Bill extremely thick, as deep as long, very nearly conic ; upper mandible
compressed, and slightly bent over, dentate at base. Commissure sinuate.
809. Mycerobas melanoxanthus (Hodgs.), Bp. Consp. Av.,
p. 505 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 386, No. 772. Coccothraustes melanoxanthus,
Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p. 150 ; id. J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 950, pi. fig. 3 ; Gould,
B. Asia v. pi. 20; Bp., Consp. Av. i. p. 505; Jerd., B. Ind.ii.p. 386;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 107 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 41. The
SPOTTED GROSBEAK.
PYCNORAMPHUS. 297
Head, neck and upper surface of the body dull slaty black ; lesser wing
coverts like the back, beneath siskin yellow ; base of the primaries, except of
the first three or four pure white, forming a conspicuous wing spot ; some of the
greater coverts, the shorter primaries, and the secondaries and tertiaries with
an oval yellowish white spot near the tip on the outer webs ; upper tail coverts
and tail black; sides of the body black spotted. Bill and feet plumbeous ;
irides brown.
Length. 8-5 inches ; wing 5-25 ; tail 3 ; bill at front o'8 ; tarsus 075.
The female is a little smaller, has the upper parts like the male, but there
is a yellow supercilium, occasionally some of the same colour on the forehead,
crown and nape, as also on the upper plumage ; the cheeks too are yellow ;
upper ear coverts dark brown ; beneath bright yellow spotted with black, except
on the vent and tail coverts ; a dark line from the gape, another from the lower
mandible enclosing the chin ; wing as in the male, but with larger spots on the
feathers/especially on the wing coverts. The young female is whitish beneath,
and on the crown, nape and interscapulary region. (jferd)
Hal. N.-W. Himalayas at considerable elevations, ranging into Sikkim
and Munipur. Jerdon procured specimens near Darjeeling ; Hodgson obtained
it in Nepaul ; and according to Hutton, it comes to Mussoorie in flocks during
March and April. He adds that it remains as long as it can get plenty of
cherry stones to crack ; when at this operation they are easily detected by
the noise. It is also recorded from Chamba, Kotegurh, Simla, Mussoorie,
Kumaon, Nepaul and Sikkim.
Gen. PycnoramphuS. Hume.
Bill conic, thick, longer than deep, tumid at base ; the tip of upper mandible
bent a little over the lower; 2nd, 3rd and 4th quills subequal.
810. Pycnoramphus icteroides, Vigors, P. z. S. 1830, p. 8 ;
Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. 1844; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 469;
id. Sir. F. 1819, p. 107. Hesperiphona icteroides, Bp. Consp, Av. p. 505.
Coccothraustes icteroides, Vig. t Proc. Comm. Sci. and Corr. Zool. Soc. ;
Hodgson, J. A. 'S. B. xiii. p. 950, pi. fig. 5.; Gould, B. Asia v. pL 22;
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 384. The BLACK AND YELLOW GROSBEAK.
Head, neck, wings, thigh coverts, extreme upper tail coverts and tail black ;
no alar speculum ; rest of the plumage rich yellow, inclining to orange on
the nape and paler beneath. Bill apple green ; legs fleshy.
The female is dull olivaceous grey, with the back and rump tinged with
fulvous and the abdomen and under tail coverts more strongly fulvous or rusty
yellow ; quills and tail black. Bill yellow ; legs fleshy.
Length. % to 9 inches ; wing 5-25 ; tail nearly 4 ; bill at front I.
298 FRINGILLID^E.
Hab. N.-W. Himalayas, extending into Nepaul, but it is unknown
further east. Adams states it haunts the pine forests of Cashmere in small
flocks. According to Hume, it breeds in the pine forests, south of the first
snowy range and west of the Ganges, from 5, to 6,000 feet. Murree,
Chamba, Kotegurh and Dharamsala are recorded localities of its occurrence.
811- Pycnoramphus affinis, Myth, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 179;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. . p. 469 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 46.
Hesperiphona affinis, Blyth, J . A. S. B. xxiv. p. 179; Jerd., B. Ind. ii,
p. 385, No. 726 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 23. The ALLIED GROSBEAK.
Very nearly allied to H. icteroides ; differs in the male having the black
portion of the plumage deep and shining instead of dull ashy black ; the
black of the head extends somewhat lower down, and the interscapularies and
axillaries are also black, and the tibial feathers yellow, while the reverse is
the case in H. icteroides ; entire wing, upper tail coverts and tail black ;
hind neck, upper mandible, lower back and rump orange yellow.
The female differs in having the upper parts olive green, tinged with
yellowish on the collar and rump, more brightly so on the lower plumage ;
wings and tail black ; the coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries broadly margined
externally with yellow green ; crown and ear coverts ashy, passing into pale
grey on the chin and throat. Bill bluish in winter, yellow in summer ; feet
fleshy yellow.
Length. 8*8 to 9 inches; wing 4*75 ; tail 3-5.
Hab. The Alpine Punjab to the Eastern Himalayas ; said to be common,
about Dharamsala, Nepaul, Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Thibet.
812. Pycnora"mplms carneipes (Hodgs), Hume, Sir. F. viii,
p. 108 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. xiii. p. 49. Hesperiphona carneipes, Hodgs., As. Res.
xix. p. 151 ; id. J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 950. Coccothraustes speculigerus, Brandt^
Bull. Sci. del Acad. ix. p. I IO. Hesperiphona speculigerus, Bp. Consp. Av.
p. 506; Gould. , B. Asia. v. pi, 21. Mycerobas carneipes, Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 387, No. 728. The WHITE- WINGED GROSBEAK.
Head, neck and breast sooty brown ; wings and tail dusky with yellowish
edgings and a white speculum on the wings ; back, wing coverts and tertiaries
with olive yellow spots and stripes ; lower back and rump greenish yellow,
also the abdomen, vent and under tail coverts, the latter sometimes dashed
with dusky. Bill and legs fleshy grey ; irides brown.
Length. 8 75 inches ; wing 4-6 ; tail 3-7 to 4.
Hab. Nepaul and Sikkirn. Recorded also from Dharamsala, Gilgit^
Mussoorie, Darjeeling, and Thibet.
Sub-Family. FRINGILLIN.E.
Bill variable in size and form, more or less conical and thick, short andi
bulged in some or thick and elongate.
PROCARDUELIS. 299
Gen. Pringilla- Lin.
Bill a lengthened cone ; upper mandible slightly notched near the tip ;
wings with the first four primaries nearly equal ; tail emarginate.
813. Pringilla montifringilla (Linn.), Gould, B. Eur. pi. 188;
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 412; Sir. F. vii. p. 465; id. 1879, P- lo8 J Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 179. The MOUNTAIN FINCH.
Head, lores, cheeks, sides of neck, back and rump dark brown, the feathers
of the latter with pale edges ; lesser wing coverts rufous, margined with
white ; median coverts the same ; quills with a white spot ; tail black, edged
with brownish yellow, the outermost on each side edged at the base with
white ; chin, throat, breast and flanks rufous ; abdomen cinereous or ashy
grey. In the winter plumage the back is black, and the feathers of the upper
surface are edged with rufous ; rump pure white ; sides of the head and nape
greyish white.
The female differs in having the head grey ; and the breast not so rufous
as in the male. Bill horny brown ; legs fleshy ; irides dark hazel.
Length. 6 to 6-3 inches ; wing 375 ; tail 2-5.
Hab. The Himalayas, in the North-West during winter. Jerdon says it
has been obtained in Simla and Afghanistan, and that Hutton observed it at
Mussoorie as a rare winter visitant in flocks of Propasser rhodochrous. In
the Hume collection it is recorded from Kandahar and the Abbottabad
Valley,
Gen. Procarduelis. Hodgs.
Bill longer and more slender than in either Propasser or Pyrrhospiza ;
2nd, 3rd and 4th primaries subequal ; 1st a little shorter.
814. Procarduelis nipalensis, Hodgs., y. A. S. B. xii. p. 955;
id., As. Res. xix. 157; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 405, No. 746; Hume, Sir. F.
1879, p. 108. Linota saturata, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 192 ; Reid, Cat. B.
Lucknow, Prov. Mus. p. 136. The DARK ROSE FINCH.
Forehead, a line over the eye to the occiput, chin, throat and abdomen pure
blossom-red ; neck and breast sooty brown, tinted with dark sanguineous
blossom red ; above sooty black washed with deep vinous ; crown of head the
same ; quills and tail the same, but tinted on the margins only with the
sanguineous hue of the back. Bill brown ; irides red brown j legs fleshy
brown.
Length. -6*5 to 7 inches; wing 3*9; tail 2*75.
The female is olive brown above ; from the chin to the breast dirty
yellowish ; breast to tail white ; wings dusky brown ; wing coverts and tertia-
rjes externally margined and tipped with dirty yellowish.
300 FRINGILLID/E.
Hab. Himalayas, Kumaon, Bhootan, Nepaul and Sikkim. Jerdon says it
is a cold weather visitant at Darjeeling, being found there in moderate flocks,
feeding on the roads sometimes or among the ferns and brushwood.
815. Procarduelis rubescens, Blanf., P. z. S. 1871, p. 694,
pi. 74; Hume, Str. F. 1873, PP- H-SiS; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii.
p. 184. The PALE ROSE FINCH.
Adult male. General colour above dark vinous red, the mantle and scapulars
with somewhat dusky bases ; wing coverts like the back ; the greater coverts,
bastard wing, primary coverts, and quills dusky brown, edged with rhubarb
brown ; upper tail coverts like the back ; tail dusky brown, edged with dull red ;
crown of head brighter and more crimson - t lores dusky ; sides of the face,
feathers round the eye, ear coverts, cheeks and under surface of the body rosy
crimson; abdomen ashy grey, paler and whiter towards the vent; sides of
the body and flanks rosy crimson ; under tail coverls ashy grey, edged with
greyish white.
The female is brown above, washed with crimson on the rump and lower
back and upper tail coverts; cheeks, throat and under surface of the body
brown, whitish on the lower abdomen and vent.
Length. 5 to 5'2 inches; wing 3-15 ; tail 2 ; tarsus 07; oilmen 0-5.
Hab. Nepaul and Sikkim. Hume's collection contains four specimens
from Darjeeling.
Gen.
Bill more lengthened than in the last, conic, compressed, the tip attenuated
and acute ; gonys straight, ascending ,* commissure slightly sinuated ; wings
lengthened, pointed, the first three quills equal ; tail moderate, emarginate ;
feet short, hind claw rather long.
816. Carduelis caniceps, Vigors., P. z. S. 1831, p. 71; Gould,
Cent. Him. B. pi. 32, fig. i ; Roylc, III. Bot. Him. pi. 8, fig 2 ; Blyth, Cat.
Mus. As. Soc. No. 675 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 408, No. 749 ; Str. F. iiu
255. The HIMALAYAN GOLD FINCH.
Upper surface of the body whitey brown ; rump and upper tail coverts
white ; a narrow band of scarlet continued round the base of the bill to the
chin ; wings black, with a golden yellow band, and a few spots on the
secondaries ; tail black ; the inner webs of the outermost feathers with a large
patch of white and the four centre feathers tipped with white ; under surface
of the body whitish, the breast and flanks tinged with ashy. Bill carneous, the
tip dusky ; legs pale brown ; irides brown.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 3-25 ; tail 2*1 ; bill at front 0*5.
/fo3. N.-W. Himalayas ; common about Mussoorie and Simla, extending
into Afghanistan.
CHRYSOMITRIS. 301
Gen. Chrysomitris.--^0/>.
Bill short, rather broad at the base, compressed at the tip and acute ; culmen
flat ; tail forked, other characters as in Carduelis.
817. Chrysomitris spinoides (Vigors^ Gould, Cent. Him.
Birds, pi. 32, fig. 2 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. No. 673 ; Jerd., B. Ind.
ii. p. 409, No. 750; Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 25 5 Hypacanthus spinoides, Cat.
Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 16 1 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 472; id.
Str. F. 1879, p. 1 88. The HIMALAYAN SISKIN.
Forehead, occiput and back of neck yellow, the rest of the upper surface
-olivaceous brown ; wings dusky brown, with a few yellowish or greenish olive
spots on the wing coverts, and a pale yellow band on the primaries ; tail
feathers dusky, the outermost yellow, except the shaft and tip ; beneath yellow,
olivaceous yellow on the sides of the breast and flanks.
The female is less bright in colour and has both the upper and lower surface
of the body striated. Bill fleshy; legs fleshy brown ; irides light brown,
Length. 5*5 inches; wing 3*1 ; tail 1*9.
Hab. Throughout the Himalayas. Common at Darjeeling, and also at
Mussoorie. Breeds in all the well-wooded hills at elevations of from 4,000 to
7,000 feet. In the neighbourhood of Simla it lays in July and August in trees
and bushes. The nest, according to Hume, is a beautiful structure, cups-haped,
woven of the finest grass roots with a good deal of hair interwoven in the interior,
and with much moss blended with the exterior. It is a very solid and compact
structure. The eggs are usually three in number, and, when fresh, are a
delicate slightly greenish white, with an irregular ring. Recorded from
Hupali, Ramgunga Valley, Kumaon, Bhimtal, Almorah, and Pethoragurh.
818. Chrysomitris thibetana, Hume, Ibis, 1872, p. 107 ; Brooks.
Ibis, 1872, p. 469; Hume , Str. F. 1877, p. 416; id. Str. F. 1879, p. 108
Sharpe, Cat. B: Br. Mus. xii. p. 226. The THIBETAN SISKIN.
Adult male. General colour above dark olive green, the feathers of the head
and nape subterminally marked with yellow, and forming a patch ; a narrow
yellow line above the base of the bill, extending as a supercilium and enclosing
the dusky ear coverts ; feathers immediately round the eye yellow ; cheeks
yellow with a dusky stripe behind ; lower back and rump dark greenish yellow
washed with olive green, the feathers mesially dark brown ; wing coverts the
same, the greater series with pale yellowish white tips ; primary coverts and
quills blackish, edged externally with greenish yellow ; the secondaries fringed
with whitish at the tips ; throat and under surface of the body yellow ; abdomen
white ; sides of the body and flanks washed with greenish yellow, and with
long mesial dark bruwn streaks ; under tail coverts similar.
802 FRINGILLID/E.
The female is dull greenish above, the feathers washed with yellow and
streaked mesially with dusky ; median and greater coverts dusky blackish ;
broadly tipped with greenish yellow, and forming a double wing bar, otherwise
as in the male.
Sides of the breast, sides of the body and flanks broadly streaked with dark
brown; thighs ashy ; under tail coverts yellow, white at tip and streaked with
black.
Length. 4-5 to 5 inches ; wing 275 ; tail r6; tarsus O'S ; culmen 0-4.
Hab. Sikkim ; Himalaya Mountains.
Gen. CallacanthiS- Reich,
Bill shorter than in Chrysomitris ; wing does not reach to the end of the tail,
otherwise as in Chrysomitris.
819. CallacanthiS burtoni, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 90; id. B.
of Asia, pt. I, pi. 15. Fringilla burtoni, Gray and Mitch., Gen. B. ii. p. 371.
Fringilla erythrophrys, Blyth* J. A. S. B. xv. p. 38. CallacanthiS burtoni,
(Gould), Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 407. The RED-BROWED FINCH.
Crown of the head, ear coverts, wings and tail brownish black ; forehead,
supercilium, chin and throat crimson ; upper suface of the body ruddy brown,
deeper on the rump and upper tail coverts ; wings Jprown, marked with white
on the primary and greater coverts, also on the secondaries ; outermost tail
feathers mostly white towards the tip ; the rest, except the middle pair, tipped
with white. In summer the under surface of the body becomes crimson. Bill
yellow ; legs light brown.
Length. 7 inches ; wing 3-9 ; tail 2'6.
The female is plain brown above, darker on the crown ; supercilium saffron
yellow ; forehead ochreous ; back yellowish brown ; the under surface of the
body tinged with fulvous.
Hab. N.W. Himalayas, Simla, Kotegurh.
Gen. AcanthiS- Bechst.
General characters of Chrysomitris, claws larger, and equal to the toe.
820. Acanthis brevirostris, Bp. Consp. List B. Eur. and N.
Amer.p.34; Moore, P, Z. S. 1855, p. 216. Linaria brevirostris, Hume,
Sir. F. 1879, p. 108; id. Sir. F. vii. p. 417. The SHORT-BILLED LINNET.
General colour above brown, the feathers blackish in the centre and streaked
with white ; lower back and rump rosy pifik ; lesser and median coverts
reddish brown ; greater coverts blackish, edged with brown and tipped with
white ; quills black, externally margined with white ; head like the back, and
similarly streaked ; lores, and a broad line over the eye, also the ear coverts,
cheeks and throat creamy buff ; foreneck and breast ashy whitish, with broad
blackish brown centres to the feathers ; lower breast and abdomen pure white,
also the under wing coverts and axillaries ; legs and feet brown, claws dusky ;
iris brown.
MONTIFRINGILLA. 303
Length, *, inches ; wing 2-95 ; tail 2-4 ; tarsus O'6 ; culmen 0-4.
The female has not the rose colour on the rump as in the male, and the
breast is less broadly streaked with dusky.
Hab. Himalayas.
821. Acanthis fringillirostris, Up. and Schleg. Monogr. Loxiens,
p. 45. Linaria cannabina, Dresser, Ibis, 1875, p. 242 (pt.) ; Blanf., East.
Pers.\\*v* 2 46; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 108, 389; Bidd., Ibis, 1881,
p. 86. The FINCH-BILLED LINNET.
Above pale reddish brown, ashy about the hind neck, the mantle with a few
nearly obsolete dark shaft lines ; the back nearly uniform chestnut ; rump
paler, edged with rufescent ; wing coverts like the back ; ; quills blackish ;
primaries and primary coverts edged with white; secondaries tipped with
white ; upper tail coverts black, edged with ash colour ; tail black; the edges
of both webs white ; crown of head and nape ashy brown ; base of forehead
ashy, a crimson patch on the occiput ; lores and found the eye bufty white ;
throat buffy white, with minute brown spots ; foreneck and breast bright scarlet ;
sides of the body and flanks pale reddish brown, mottled with brown centres ;
lower breast and abdomen dull buffy white ; under tail coverts buffish white ;
under wing coverts and axillaries white.
Length. 5*3 inches; wings 3" 15; tail 2-25 ; tarsus 0*65 ; culmen 0*4.
The female is like that of A. cannabina.
Hab. Asia Minor to the Caucasus, and Persia. Found also in Sind and
Arabia during winter.
Gen. Montifringilla. z,
Claws long and slightly curved, the third primary shorter than the first.
Other characters as in Fringilla.
822. Montifringilla adamst Mo-ore, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 482;
Adams, P Z. S. 1859, p. 178 ; Gould, B. Asia, vol. v., pi. ; Jerd., . Ind. ii.
p. 413; Sir, F. iv. p. 486 ; vii. pp. 41*2, 418 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind.
B. ii. p. 473. ADAMS' MOUNTAIN FINCH.
Head and upper surface of the body pale grey brown or ash colour ; wings
brownish black, the greater coverts and secondaries tipped with wrn'te;
spurious wing white, each feather tipped with brown ; two central tail
feathers brownish black, the lateral ones narrowly tipped with black ; under
surfaee of the body creamy white. Bill, legs, and feet black.
Length.- 6 inches ; wing 3'75; tail 2-5.
Hab. Ladakh. According to Adams it is common on the bare and
barren mountains of Ladakh and Little Thibet, and feeds on the seeds of the
few plants found in these desolate and dreary-looking mountains. Its cry is
like that of a lark, and its habits on the ground very similar. The nest is
composed of grass, and generally placed in the long dykes by the Tartars, over
their dead.
TOL. II. 40
304 FRINGILLID^E.
823. Montifringilla ruficollis, Bianf., J. A. S. B. xli. p. 67 ;
Gould, B. Asia, vol. v. pi.; Sir. F. iv. p. 486; vii. p. 420. The RED-
NECKED MOUNTAIN FINCH.
Forehead whitish, passing into the rather pale umber brown of the head ;
supercilia white ; lores and a line from them passing under the eye black ;
this line is continued posteriorly over the ear coverts, and its colour changes to
dark ferruginous ; back umber brown, with dark central dusky streaks to the
feathers ; rump more ferruginous j wings brown, the first primary with the
outer web white, the others with fulvous outer margins, all with white in-
ternal edges and a broad white wing band, visible only in the expanded wing,
formed by a white spot on the inner webs of all the primaries except the first
four and the whole basal portion of the inner web of the remaining quills,
except the last three, which have broad fulvous borders ; lesser wing coverts
mostly white, with a row of dark spots on the upper series of feathers ; angle
of wing greyish ; upper tail coverts long, pale umber brown, with a fulvous
tinge ; central tail feathers and the tips of the remainder for about half an
inch dark brown with fulvous margins ; basal portion of all the tail feathers
except the central pair ashy, external web of the outermost white ; cheeks,
chin and throat white, with two black lines, one from each side of the base of
the lower mandible ; ear coverts bright ferruginous ; sides of the neck the
same but a little paler, the rufous tint forming a demi-collar very slightly
interrupted ; under surface of the body white, tinged with isabelline ; iris red-
dish brown. Bill and legs black.
The female has not the white forehead and the rufescent tinge on the
rump ; the demi-collar is brown posteriorly and continuous round the front of
the neck.
Length. 6*75 inches; wing 3*56 to 3*63; tail 2*1 to 2*3; tarsus 0*85;
hind claw 0-36; culmen 0-43.
Hab. Himalayas, ranging to Sikkim and Thibet.
824. Montifringilla blanfordi, Hume, Sir. F. iv. 487; id. 1879,
p. 108 ; Sharpe> Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 265. BLANFORD'S MOUNTAIN
FINCH.
Above uniform sandy brown, the upper tail coverts resembling the back ;
wing coverts like the back, with sandy edges to the median and greater coverts;
bastard wing and primary coverts black, fringed with ashy brown ; quills
blackish, externally edged with ashy brown ; the inner secondaries more
broadly margined and tipped with pale sandy ; the inner primaries and secon-
daries white at the base of the inner web, the former also white externally, as
well as the first primary ; centre tail feathers blackish, edged with white, the
remainder having the white increasing externally and towards the end, which
are edged with sandy buff and have a large subterminal blackish spot ; crown
of the head like the back ; the occiput, nape, and hind neck more rufous,
MONTIFRINGILLA. 305
forming an indistinct collar commencing behind the eye ; forehead white,
intersected by a black median streak ; lores black, extending in a streak
above the eyes and followed by a white eyebrow ; eyelids black above, white
below like the ear coverts and cheeks, which have a slight tinge of rufous, like
the sides of the neck ; throat and under surface of body white ; chin black ;
sides of breast, body and flanks fawn brown ; thighs and under tail coverts
white ; under wing coverts and axillaries white ; quills below dusky, but white
along the inner edge. (Sharpe.)
Length. 5*7 inches ; wing 3-8 ; tail 2*25 ; culmen 0*5 ; tarsus 0*65.
Hab. Sikkim and Thibet. Noted from near Darjeeling.
825. Montifringilla sordida, Stoi. J. A. S. B. xxxvii. p. 63 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1873, p. 41 ; Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 597; Sharps, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. xii. p. 266. Propasser Murrayi, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxxii. p. 458 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1876, p. 504. Fringillauda nemoricola (nee Hodgs.), Horsf. and Moore,
Cat. B. E. I. Co. Mus. ii. p. 492 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 414. Carpodacus
Murrayi, Gray, Handl. B. ii. p. 85. The HIMALAYAN LARK-FINCH.
Above brown, the feathers centred with darker brown, those of the mantle
and back broadly edged with white ; lower back and rump ashy grey ; lesser
wing coverts sandy brown, centred with blackish ; median series the same,
and edged with yellowish buff ; greater coverts dusky blackish, narrowly
tipped with yellowish white, and edged externally with light brown ; bastard
wing blackish, edged with light brown ; primary coverts blackish, with ashy
grey bases and conspicuous white edges on the outer web ; quills blackish,
edged with sandy brown, the inner secondaries with ochreous buff, and con-
spicuously blackish at the base of the outer web, forming a similar pattern to
the inner greater coverts ; upper tail coverts blackish, broadly tipped with
white ; tail feathers dark brown, edged with sandy buff ; crown of the head,
like the back, sandy brown and mottled with black centres; hind neck
uniform ashy brown : lores ashy ; eyelids and supercilium pale sandy buff ;
ear coverts and cheeks pale ashy brown, slightly streaked with dusky centres ;
throat and under surface of the body pale ashy brown, the feathers edged with
greyish white on the lower breast and sides of the body ; breast rather more
ashy ; abdomen whitish ; thighs pale ashy ; under tail coverts white mottled
with dusky blackish centres ; upper mandible brown ; lower brownish fleshy ;
legs, feet and claws blackish brown; iris cinnabar-red. (Sharpe.)
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3*85 ; tail 2*2 ; tarsus O'75 ; culmen O'5.
Hab. N.-W. Himalayas, as far as Kumaon; also Afghanistan. Recorded
from Kashgar, Gilgit, Chamba, the Sutlej Valley, and Simla. Nothing is
known of its habits.
826. Montifringilla nemoricola, Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p. 158 ;
id. Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passer es, pi. 288 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 538 ; Hume, Str.
306 FRINGILLID/E.
F. 1873, p. 41 ; flume, Sir. F. 1879, P- IoS '> Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 954.
Leucosticte nemoricola, Blyth, J. A- S. B. xxiii. p. 213. The SIKKIM
LARK-FINCH.
Very similar to M. sordida, but differs in being larger and in having the
wing coverts tipped and edged with pure white, and the axillaries tinged with
sulphur yellow or orange, Bill brown, the base paler; lower mandible
yellowish: feet and claws brown. (Sharpe.)
Hob. Eastern Himalayas, from Nepaul to Bhootan, extending to the moun-
tains of Moupin and Kokonoor in Western China. (Sharpe,) Recorded from
Nepaul and Native Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhootan.
827. Montifringilla brandti Bp. Consp. i. p, 537. Montifringiiia
haematopygia, Gould, P. Z. S. 1857, F- U 4 ; id. B.Asia, v. pi, 3; Hume
and Henderson^ Lah. to Yark. p. 261 ; Scully, Str.F. 1876, p. 171. Leuco.s-
ticte haematopygia, Salvad., P. Z. S f 1868, p. 580; Hume, Str, F, 1879,
p. 108. BRANDT'S MOUNTAIN FINCH.
Mantle and upper back sooty brown, streaked with blackish brown ; scapu-
lars ashy grey with dusky shaft stripes ; lower back and rump dusky brown,
the feathers edged with rosy at the tips ; lesser and median coverts ashy grey,
with dusky shaft lines and hoary edges; primary coverts and quills dusky
blackish, edged with white, more broadly so on the secondaries ; upper tail
coverts pale brown, with whitish edges ; tail blackish brown, edged with white ;
crown of head and neck sooty black, also the lores and feathers round the eye
as well as at the base of the bill ; ear coverts and sides of the hinder crown dark
ashy brown ; cheeks and throat the same ; rest of under surface of the body
ashy grey, with dusky shaft lines to the breast feathers ; lower abdomen white ;
sides and flanks ashy grey ; under tail coverts whitish, with dusky shaft lines ;
. under wing coverts and axillaries white. (Sharpe.) Bill black in summer,
dusky brownish in autumn, yellow at base ; legs, feet and claws black ; iris
brown. (Scully.)
Length. 7 inches; wing 4-5 ; tail 3-1; tarsus O' 8 ; culmen 0'4S
Had. Himalayas, from Sikkim to Kulu and Cashmere,
Gen. Khodopechys- Cab.
Bill rather swollen at base ; culmen gently curved j wings do not reach the
tip of the tail ; nostrils covered by bristles, wings with a patch of red,
828. Rhodopechys sanguinea, (Gould), Cad. Mus. Hein, Th. \.
P. 157 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 28. Fringilla sanguinea, Gould, P. Z. S.
l %37> p. 127. Erythrospiza phcenicoptera, Bp. Comp. List B. Eur. and N.
Amer. p. 34. Erythrospiza sanguinea, Blanf., East Pers. ii. p. 252 ; Dresser,
B. Eur. iv. p. 91, pi. 197; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 108. The RED-WINGED
JIOSE-FINCH.
ERYTHROSPIZA. 307
Crown of the head black, forming a cap, the feathers of the forehead
minutely tipped with rosy; lores and feathers round the eye bright rosy;
eyebrow a little paler rosy, sandy brown posteriorly ; ear coverts, cheeks and
throat sandy brown with black streaks along the shafts, forming large spots
on the foreneck ; upper surface of the body chocolate brown ; the mantle and
tipper back mottled with blackish ; lower back sandy brown ; rump and upper
tail coverts rosy, the longer feathers of the latter black, edged with rosy ;
median and greater wing coverts brown, edged with rosy ; primary coverts and
quills black, edged with bright rosy ; secondaries narrowly tipped with white,
all the quills with white concealed bases ; outer tail feathers white, with
black shafts ; centre feathers black, edged with rosy, their bases white ; under
surface of the body creamy white, tinged with rosy, the abdominal region a
little paler ; sides of the body sandy brown with narrow central streaks of
brown; axillaries white, edged with rosy. (Sharped) Bill yellow, dusky
towards the tip of the upper mandible ; claws and feet blackish.
Length. 6 to 6'2 inches; wing 4*1 ; tail 2'2 ; tarsus 0*75 ; culmen O'55.
The adult female is duller than the male ; the crown is obscured with sandy
brown edges ; the wing is less rosy in colour ; the base of the secondaries
conspicuously white.
Length. 6 '2 inches.
Hab, Yarkand through Persia to the Caucasus and Eastern Asia Minor,
reaching to Arabia. A single specimen only of this species was got on the
Upper Sind Frontier by Mr. Charles Hutchins during the winter of 1885.
Gen. Erythrospiza. Bp.
Bill scarcely bulged, more sparrowlike ; culmen and gonys slightly curved,
the depth at base nearly equal to the length ; commissure scarcely sinuated.
829. Erythrospiza githaginea (Licht.}, Bp. Faun. Ital. pi. 35,
fig. 3; Dresser* B. Eur. p. 85, pi. 196; Hume, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii.
p. 64; Butler, t. c. p. 284; Hume, t.c. p. 454; id. Str. F. 1879, P- IO ^-
Fringilla githaginea, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 24. Pyrrhula githaginea,
Temm. PL Col. iii. pi. 400 ; Hume, Ibis, 1872, p. 468. Carpodacus cras-
sirostris, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi. p. 476. Bucanetes githagineus, Cab. Mus,
Hein. Th. i. p, 164; Hume, Str. F. 1878, p. 210; Blanf., East. Pers. ii.
p. 250; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind. p. 190. Propasser githaginea, Jerd.,
B. Ind. ii. p. 404. The TRUMPETER BULL-FINCH.
In the male the head is pale bluish grey, the feathers tipped brown ; the
chin, throat, breast, cheeks, and ear coverts a sort of blue grey, the feathers
faintly tinged, most conspicuously so round the base of the lower mandible,
with pale rosy ; the abdomen, vent, and lower tail coverts very pale rosy white,
the longest of the latter with dark shafts ; the back and scapulars dull earthy
brown, with, when fresh, a faint rosy tinge, which disappears in the dried skin.
308 FRINGILLID/E.
and somewhat greyer towards the nape ; rump pale brown, more decidedly
tinged with rosy ; the visible portion of upper tail coverts rosy white, more
strongly tinged with rosy at the margins, the centres and bases of the longest
being pale brown ; these, however, are not seen till the feathers are lifted ; tail
feathers dark brown, conspicuously, though narrowly, margined with rosy
white, most rosy towards the bases of the lateral feathers ; the wings hair-
brown, conspicuously margined and tipped with pale rose colour, or rosy
white ; the coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries most broadly so. There is a very
narrow, inconspicuous, pale rosy frontal band. The wing lining and axillaries
are pure white ; the winglet alone is dark brown, unmargined with rosy.
'* The female has the whole upper surface and the sides of the head and
body a dull pale earthy brown, with only a faint rosy tinge upon the rump and
upper tail coverts ; the lower parts a still paler earthy brown with the faintest
possible roseate tinge on the breast and becoming albescent on the vent, lower
tail covert and tibial plumes ; the wings and tail are as in the male ; but the
margins are narrower and less conspicuous, and are pale brownish instead of
rosy white.
" Both Sexes. Bill at front 0*35 to 0-41 ; tarsus 0-67 to 077. The irides
are brown ; the legs and feet fleshy brown ; claws dusky ; soles whitish ; the
bill orange yellow, in some probably less mature, pale yellow, brownish on
upper mandible.
" Male, Length. $"j to 6 inches; expanse 10 to 10*7 ; tail from vent 2'i to
3 ; wing 3*3 to 3*6; wing, when closed, reach to within 0'7 of end of tail.
Female, Length. 57 to 5'S inches ; expanse 10-5 to iri ; tail from vent
r8 to 2 ; wings 3*2 to 3*4; wings, when closed, reach to within 0*6 to 0*8 of
end of tail." (Hume, Str. F. vi. 210, 211.)
Hab. Sind, Punjab, Kutch, and Jodhpore, (Quetta) Beloochistan, Persia
and Afghanistan. Winters in India ; breeds in Persia and Afghanistan.
Erythrospizamongolica, a species found in Gilgit and Southern Afghanistan,
may be probably found in the Himalayas, or to range through Beloochistan
into Upper Sind.
Gen. Petronia. Kaup.
General characters of Erythrospiza ; nostrils exposed.
830. Petronia fiaviCOlliSJ (Frank!.), Blyth, Cat. B. Br. Mus. As.
Soc. p. 120 ; Irby, Ibis, 1861, p. 231 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 293.
Fringilla flavicollis, Frankl., P. Z. S. 1831, p. 20. Gymnoris flavicollis,
Blyth, y.A. S. B. xiii. p. 948 ; Adam, Str. F. 1873, p. 388 ; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 461 ; Ball., Str. F. 1874, p. 421 ; Blan/., East. Pers. \\.
p. 256; id. Str. F. 1877, p. 249; Vidal, Str. F. 1880, p. 72 ; Reid, Str. F.
1881, p. 56. Passer flavicollis, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 368; Butler, Str. F.
l8 75, P. 497 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 184 ; Sharpe, Ibis, 1886, p. 486.
The YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW,
PASSER. g09
Male. Head, neck, back, rump, scapulars and under tail coverts pale
earthy brown ; a pale or fulvous superCilitim, more distinct in females ; chin
white; throat-spot yellow ; the rest of the under surface whity brown, albe-
scent on the vent and under tail coverts ; primaries and secondaries dull brown,
the primaries edged paler and tipped whitish, as are also the secondaries ;
tertiaries broadly edged and tipped with fulvous ; lesser wing coverts chestnut;
median and greater coverts dull brown, tipped with fulvous white, forming two
conspicuous wing bars ; edge of the wing white ; tail dull brown, the outer-
most feathers on each side paler.
The female wants the chestnut on the wing, and is more brown in colour
beneath; the throat-spot too is less bright; upper mandible black, lower
yellowish at the base ; irides brown ; legs pale brown.
Length. 5-5 inches; wing 3-4; tail 2 ; tarsus -7.
Hob. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces Beloochistan, Persia, Rajputana,
Kutch, (Kattiawar, Jodhpore), N. Guzerat, Deccan and Concan. Other
localities are Shiraz, Bushire, Fao, all over Sind, Kutch, Sharunpore, Lucknow,
Etawah, Allahabad, Mhow, Indore, Saugor, Mahableshwar, the Malabar
countries, Travancore, and Mysore.
Breeds throughout India nearly, during the months of April and May, also in
June, in holes in trees in which a little grass is placed, but thickly lined with
feathers, hair, tow, or any suitable fibrous material. Eggs, three to four, dull
and glossless, moderately elongated ovals, greenish white or glossless white,
thickly streaked, smudged and blotched with brownish.
Gen. Passer. Briss.
Bill broad at base, slightly scooped at tip j 2nd and 3rd quills longest ;
nostrils partly covered by plumes.
831. Passer montanilS, Koch., Syst. Baier, Zool.p. 219; MacGiU,
Brit. B. i. p. 351 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 120; Jerd., B. Ind. \\.
p. 306; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 460 ; id. Sir. F. 1874, p. 481 ;
Bianf., East. Pers. ii. p. 255 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, pp. 67, 107; Oates, B.
Br. Burm. i. p. 348 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 302. The RED-
HEADED or MOUNTAIN SPARROW.
Above fawn colour, the mantle with ashy fulvous edgings and broad black
streaks ; lower back and rump, also the upper tail coverts ashy brown, tinged
with fulvous ; lesser wing coverts uniform chestnut ; median series black with
broad white tips, forming a wing bar ; greater series dusky blackish edged with
pale rufous brown and with white at the ends ; primary coverts and primaries
the same ; tail brown edged -with ashy tulvous ; entire head vinous chestnut ;
lores, feathers under the eye, and a patch under the ear coverts black j sides
of face and neck white ; chin and throat black ; under surface of the body
310 FRINGILLID^E.
ashy, whitish on the abdominal region and tinged with fulvous on the sides
of the breast, flanks and under tail coverts. Bill black ; iris brown ; legs
flesh colour.
Length. 5-6 inches ; wing 2-75 ; tail 2*3 ; tarsus 07 ; oilmen o'45-
Hob. The greater part of Europe, and eastward through Siberia to Japan
and China. It is also found in N.-E. Africa, Central Asia, Persia, aftd Afghan-
istan, as well as in the Himalaya mountains, eastwards to Assam, Burmah,
and through Tenasserim and the Malay Penninsula to Java. It is recorded
from Nepaul, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kashgar, Yarkand, and Kandahar ; also from
the Deccan, and in Burmah from Pegu, Bassein, Bhamo, Mergui, Tavoy,
Poongyah, and Pakchan, where it almost replaces Passer domesticus.
832. Passer domesticUS, (Linn.'}, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso. Asia/, ii.
p. 29 ; McGill. Brit. B. I. p. 340 ; Shelley, B. Egypt, p. 148 ; Blanf., East.
Pers. ii. p. 254; Hume, Sir. F. 1878, ii. p. 64 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p, 600.
Fringilla domestica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 323. Pyrgita domestica, Cuv.
JRegne. Anim. i. p. 385. Passer Indicus, Jerd, and Selby, 111. Orn. iii.
p. 1 18 ; Jerd.) B. Ind. ii. p. 362 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 457;
Blanf., East. Persia, ii. p. 254; Oales, B. Br. Burm. I. p. 346; Murray,
Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 183. The COMMON HOUSE-SPARROW.
Male. Head and nape dark grey ; lores, feathers below the eye, sides of the
lower mandible, chin, throat and breast black ; mantle and scapulars chestnut
with dark mesial streaks; rump and upper tail-coverts ashy brown; lesser wing
coverts chestnut, the last row or series of feathers dark brown at the base and
tipped with white ; the greater series dark brown, edged with rufescent and
tipped with fulvous white ; primaries, secondaries, and tertiaries dusky brown,
edged with rufous, paler and narrow on the primaries, which are darkish
brown on the middle of their outer webs ; tertiaries tipped with fulvous white ;
sides of the face and neck and entire under surface white, the flanks cinereous ;
tail dusky or pale brown, the feathers edged with fulvous brown.
The female is pale earthy or light brown, with a fulvous supercilium
extending to the nape and the lower parts less pure white ; bill horny brown ;
legs dusky ; irides light brown.
Length. 5-25 to 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2-25 ; tarsus 0-65 ; culmen 0-4,
Hab. Throughout India to the Himalayas, Ceylon, Assam and Upper
Pegu ; also Beloochistan, Persia, and Afghanistan. Its nidification is too
well known to need description.
833. Passer pyrrhonotus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 946;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 508; Jerd., B. 2nd- ii. p. 365 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, P- 2O 95
Scrope Doig. Sir. F. 1880, p. 280; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 184;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 316. The SIND SPARROW.
PASSER. 311
Head and ear coverts ashy grey ; back and rump chestnut, the feathers
with black central streaks and yellowish buff margins ; throat stripe black,
the margins of the feathers greyish ; lores and eyelids blackish, a broad chest-
nut supercilium continued to the sides of the neck, the anterior portion being
whitish ; cheeks and sides of the neck white ; lesser wing coverts chestnut ;
the median series also chestnut, with broad black centres and white tips ;
greater coverts chestnut with broad black centres and white tips ; primaries,
secondaries, and tertiaries dull brown or blackish brown, edged with rufous
and with a white spot at base, forming a wing bar ; upper tail coverts ashy
brown, with dusky centres ; tail dark brown, edged with fulvous white ; under
surface of the body white ; foreneck and breast ashy, the flanks pale brown,
and the thighs and under tail coverts, also the axillaries, white. Bill dusky
brown ; tarsi dusky fleshy brown ; iris light brown.
Length. 5-2 to 5-3 inches; wing 2-6; tail 2-5 ; tarsus 0-65 ; oilmen 0*4.
The female is not unlike the female of the House Sparrow.
Hab,-^ Sind, on the Eastern Narra
834. Passer hispaniOlensis (Temm.\ Rupp. Syst. Uebers, p. 78 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 317. Fringilla hispaniolensis, Temm., Man.
dOrn. p. 353. Passer salicicolus, Bp. Consp. \. p. 509 ; Jerd., B.lnd. \\.
p. 64 ; Murrav, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 183. The WILLOW SPARROW.
Male. Head and back of neck dark chestnut, the feathers edged paler ;
back sooty brown with whitish edgings ; rump and upper tail coverts pale
brown ; shoulder of wing chestnut, with white borders to the lesser coverts ; rest
of the wing dusky with broad pale rufous brown edgings, and a whitish bar
formed by the tips of the greater coverts ; secondaries edged and tipped
whitish ; tail dusky with pale edgings ; lores, cheeks, and a narrow superci-
lium white, passing into ashy brown on the ear coverts ; beneath, the cbin,
throat and breast black, some of the feathers edged whitish ; rest of the lower
parts sullied white or whitish ; the flanks and under tail coverts with dusky
longitudinal streaks.
Length. 5 -75 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2.
The female resembles that of the common House Sparrow, but the striation
on the dorsal feathers is less strongly marked. (Jerdon,}
Hab. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan,
Rajputana (Koochamun), and E. Turkistan.
835. Passer cinnamomeus (Gould), Blyth< J. A. S. B. xiii.
p. 947 ; Jerd., B. Jnd. ii. p. 365 ; Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 42 ; Beavan, /. c. p. 138 ;
Stohckza, J. A. S. B. xxxvii. p. 57 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Jnd. U.p. 459 ;
Cock and Marsh, Str. F. 1873, p. 357; Brooks, Str. F. 1875, p. 254;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- IO 7 5 Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 326. Pyrgita
cinnamomea, Gould, P. Z. S. 1835, p. 185 ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xi. p. 1 08.
The CINNAMON-HEADED SPARROW.
VOL. II. 41
312 FRINGILLIDiE.
Whole upper plumage including the top of the head cinnamon rufous,
the feathers of the mantle streaked with black and tipped with fulvous ; lesser
wing coverts cinnamon rufous, the median series white with black bases, form-
ing a broad wing bar ; quills blackish brown, edged with ashy brown, the
innermost secondaries with pale cinnamon, a pale whitish spot at the base of
the primaries forming a speculum, the outer edge near the tip whitish ; upper
tail coverts and tail ashy brown ; lores and feathers below the eye blackish,
with a few whitish spots ; cheeks and ear coverts pale yellow ; upper edge of
ear coverts cinnamon ; chin and throat with a narrow central black patch ;
rest of the under surface of the body pale yellow ; the sides of the body and
flanks, also the thighs, pale ashy brown ; axillaries and under wing coverts
pale sulphur yellow. In winter plumage (male) the chestnut of the upper
surface is edged with sandy buff.
The 'female is light brown above, with a pale supercilium, and wants the
black throat ; the under surface is dingy brown.
Length. 4-5 to 5 inches ; wing 275 to 2-95 ; tail r8 to 1-9 ; tarsus 07 ;
culmen 0-45 to 0-5.
Hab. The Punjab and N.-W. Provinces to the Himalayas, Afghanistan,
Cashmere, Sikkim, Assam, and Bhootan. Common at Darjeeling, Mussoorie,
and Simla ; also at Peshawar. Recorded also from Shillong and Munipoor.
Breeds throughout the Himalayas, from Murree to Nepaul, at elevations
of from 4,000 to 7,000 feet, during May and June, nesting in holes in trees.
Eggs four to six; rather smaller than those of Passer indtcus, and not unlike
them in marking.
836. Passer assimilis, Walden, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) v.
p. 218; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 157; Blyth, B. Burnt, p. 94; Hume
and Dav^ Str. F. 1878, p. 407; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 107; Wardlaw
Ramsay, Works Tweed, App. pp. 93, 668 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 350 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 330. The ALLIED HOUSE-SPARROW.
Male. The whole upper plumage from the nostrils to the rump deep
chestnut ; upper tail coverts greyish brown with dark shaft-stripes ; feathers of
.the back with the inner webs black at the tip ; lores, feathers round the eye
and over the ear coverts brown ; cheeks, ear coverts and sides of the neck
pure white ; abroad black streak from the chin over the throat to the upper breast,
where it becomes wider ; lower plumage sooty brown ; lesser wing coverts
chestnut ; median coverts black, broadly tipped with white ; greater coverts
brown, edged with pale rufous and tipped with whitish ; primaries and
secondaries dark brown narrowly edged with pale rufescent, the third to the
seventh primaries with a broader edge of the same at the base of the outer
webs ; tertiaries blackish, edged with chestnut ; tail brown, edged paler.
(Oates.)
PASSER. 313
The female has the head and nape brown, tinged with rufescent, the feathers
of the forehead with darker centres ; the back rufescent brown, the feathers of
which have the terminal portion of the inner webs black and the outer webs a
little paler ; rump pale chestnut ; upper tail coverts greyish brown ; tail
brown ; superciiium pale rufescent ; lores and a streak behind the eye
dark brown ; lower plumage greyish brown, fulvescent or yellowish on the
abdomen ; under tail coverts brown, edged with yellowish ; lesser wing coverts
rufescent ; median series dark brown, broadly tipped with white ; greater
coverts dark brown, narrowly edged with whitish ; quills dark brown, narrowly
edged with pale rufescent ; third to seventh primaries with a broader edge of
the same near the base of the outer webs ; tertiaries and inner coverts dark
brown, edged broadly with rufous. (Gates.)
Length. 4-5 inches; wing 27 ; tail 17 ; tarsus 0*5 ; bill from gape 0*55.
Hal. Tonghoo and Karenne, Burmah.
837. Passer flaveolus, Biyth, J. A. s. B. xiii. p. 946; Hume,
Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 460 ; Blyth, B. Burnt, p. 94 ; Hume, Str. F. iii.
p. 156; Anders. Yunnan Exped. p. 602 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 107; Oates,
Str. F. x. p. 233. Passer jugiferus, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p, 508 ; Blyth, Ibis.
1870, p. 172; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 349. The PEGU HOUSE-SPARROW.
Entire top of head, also the nape and hinder portion of the neck, greenish
olive ; lores, chin, and mesial line on the throat black ; a loral streak from the
nostrils to eye yellow ; cheeks and ear coverts brighter yellow ; a patch from
the eye over the ear coverts to the sides of the nape chestnut, also the back f
scapulars and lesser wing coverts ; lower back and rump tinged yellowish ;
median wing coverts dark brown, tipped with white ; the greater series and
quills dark brown edged with yellowish white ; under surface of the body with
the under wing coverts bright yellow ; tail brown, the outer webs tinged with
olive yellow.
The female has the chin, cheeks, throat, and under surface of the body with
the under wing coverts pale yellow; a yellowish white superciliary streak
extends to the nape ; the plumage of the entire upper surface of the body,
including the scapulars and ear coverts hair brown, with darker shafts ; wing
coverts dark brown, the feathers edged with yellowish white ; tail brown, the
feathers edged with whitish on their outer webs. Bill black $ ; flesh colour
& ; iris hazel ; legs plumbeous.
Length. 5*5 inches ; wing 27 ; tail 2-1 ; tarsus o'6 ; bill from gape 0-55.
The female is smaller.
Hab. British Burmah. Gates says, common about Thayetmyo. It has
been observed at Rangoon, and is common also at Pegu. Captain Wardlaw-
Ramsay met with it in Karenne. In Cochin China, according to Dr. Tiraud, it
is abundant. Breeds on trees, generally in bamboo clumps.
314 FRINGII.LID/t:.
. Serinus. Koch.
Bill swollen, both mandibles curved, tornium deflected ; plumage yellow.
838. Serinus pectoraliS, Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 190,
(1884) ; Sharpc, Cat. B. Br. Mas. xii. p. 372. The COLLARED SERIN.
Male. A dark brown nearly black streak at the base of the upper
mandible, followed by a bright yellow frontal band, extending as a broad
supercilium to behind the ear coverts ; a slaty grey streak through the eye ;
crown of the head slaty grey, each feather with a dark central streak ; nape
greenish olive; back, scapulars and lesser wing coverts yellowish green, the
feathers with a dark mesial streak ; median coverts dark brown, edged with
yellow ; greater coverts also dark brown, margined on their outer webs, and
tipped with yellow ; primaries and secondaries dusky brown, margined whitish
on their inner webs, and edged on the outer very narrowly with greenish ;
rump olivaceous : upper tail coverts yellowish, some of the lateral feathers
with a dark mesial streak ; chin, throat, breast and sides of the face bright
golden yellow ; a dark brown nearly black streak from each side of the base
of the lower mandible extending to the sides of the neck, which is slaty grey ;
sides of the breast slaty grey with a narrow band issuing from each side, nearly
meeting on the lower breast and forming a nearly complete pectoral band ;
rest of under surface yellow ; tail dusky brown, the feathers slightly darker
on their outer webs, and all tipped yellowish white on their inner webs ; bill
horny ; legs dark fleshy ; irides light brown.
Length. 4*93 inches; wing 2*62 ; tail 1*5 ; bill at front 0*31.
This pretty little species was got at Kurrachee, and was alive when it was
described in the possession of Mr. J, Strip, Assistant Collector of Customs, to
whom I am indebted for having very kindly permitted me to describe it,
Sharpe remarks, that it is closely allied to . canonicus^ if not identical with
it ; but the description of S. canonicus does not agree with it. It was captured
in May 1 88 1, having been struck by a catapult, and the wing so hurt as to
disable it from flying. It has been a captive since, and appears quite happy.
A second one was seen by Mr. Strip shortly after on a mound near an
abandoned well in one of the Kurrachee gardens. He says that the bird in
his possession is hardy and lively, and has an extremely pleasant song. It has
outlived three canaries, and never yet appeared dull or ill, even when moulting.
It differs from hortulana, canaria and auri/rons, rirst in size, being smaller
than the first two, and quite unlike in colour ; and from Tristram's aurifrons,
pi. 7, Ibis, 1868, in having no striations on the flanks, and from all the species
J know, in having a nearly complete pectoral band, which is its chief charac-
teristic. Tristram refers (/. c.) to Bonaparte's S. syriacus, which, he says, has
4 bright yellow forehead, light coloured back, and uniform yellow under surface
PYRRHOPLECTES. 315
without striations. It may possibly be this species, but there is no mention of
the pectoral band, the slaty grey sides of the breast, and the dark streak at the
base of the upper mandible.
839. SerinUS pusillus (Pall.), Brandt, Bull. Sci. Acad. St.
Petersb. i. p. 366 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 524. Passer pusillus, Pall., Zoogr. Rosso-
Asiat. ii. p. 28, No. 43. Metoponia pusilla, Bp. Notes, Orn. Coll. Delattre,
p. 17 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 410; Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 473 ;
Blanf., East. Pers. ii. p. 250; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- IQ 8; C. Swinhoe,
Ibis, 1882, p. 115; Biddulph, t. c. p. 284 ; Murray, Zool. of Beloch. and
S. Afghanistan. Fringilla aurifrons. Horsf., J. A. S. B. xv. p. 38. Serinus
aurifrons, Blyth, Cat. Mus. A. Soc. No. 68 1. The GOLD-HEADED FINCH.
Forehead crimson ; crown of head dusky blackish, also the feathers round
the eye, the sides of the face, occiput, cheeks, throat, and foreneck ; nape and
hind neck blackish, the feathers more narrowly streaked with this colour and
golden yellow ; back more broadly streaked with the same ; rump yellow, the
feathers streaked mesially with blackish ; lesser wing coverts black, the lesser
coverts margined with yellow and the median and greater series edged and
tipped with whitish with a slight yellow tinge ; primary coverts blackish
edged with ashy yellowish; quills dusky brown; the primaries edged with
golden yellow ; the secondaries margined with the same near the base and
fringed near the tip with whitish ashy ; upper tail coverts black, broadly edged
with ashy white ; tail blackish, edged with whitish and tinged with golden
yellow near the base ; under tail coverts golden yellow, also the under wing
coverts and axillaries. Bill dull black ; base of lower mandible slightly tinged
with brown.
Length. 4*8 inches; wing 2-95 ; tail 2'OS; tarsus O'6; culmen 0*3.
The female is less bright in colour and rather smaller.
Hab. From the Caucasus and Northern Persia to Turkistan, wintering in
Asia Minor and in the N.-W. Himalayas. Common in Southern Afghanistan,
also in Cashmere, and at Simla, Kotegurh, Murree, and Mussoorie. In the
Hume collection there are specimens from Kashgar, Ladak, and Gilgit ; also
from Murdan and Kotekhale.
This species is generally found in small flocks and affects cereal crops and
grasses which are in seed ; often, however, they may be seen solitary or in
pairs.
Gen. Pyrrhoplectes. Hodgs.
Bill bulged ; tip of upper mandible slightly overhanging ; lower mandible
very thick ; wings moderate, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries subequal and longest ;
tail even or very slightly divaricate.
VOL. ii. 41 *"
316 FRINGILLID^E.
840. Pyrrhoplectes epauletta, Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p. 156;
Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 382 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 108 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. xii. p. 386. The GOLD-HEADED BLACK BULL-FINCH.
Top of head and occiput bright golden orange ; rest of the body brownish
black, except a tuft of golden yellow feathers on the axillaries ; inner webs of
the uppermost tertiaries partially white.
The female is reddish brown with the forehead and neck grey and the coronal
patch with the ear coverts dull greenish saffron ; axillaries as in the male ;
primaries and tail dusky, with white on the inner webs of the tertiaries. Bill
dusky horny ; legs brown ; irides brown.
Length. 5*75 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2^25 ; tarsus 0-7 ; bill at front 0-45.
Eab. Himalayas, Nepaul, Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Gen. CarpOdaCUS- Kaup.
Bill tumid, rather longer than in Pyrrhula, and compressed at the tip,
notched near its base ; tail forked.
841. Carpodacus erythrinus, Pall., Nov. Comm. Petrop. xiv.
p. 587, pi. 23, fig. I ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 398, No. 738 ; Dresser, B, Eur.
iv. p. 75 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 94 ; Oates, Str. F. iii. p. 342 ; Scully,
Str. F. iv. p. 170; David et Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 356; Blanf., East. Pers.
ii. p. 250 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 108 ; Scully, Str. F. viii. p. 335 ; Biddulph,
Ibis, 1 88 1, p. 83; id., Str. F. ix. p. 348; Oates, Str. F. x. p. 234; Murray,
Hdbk. Zool., 8fc. t Sind, p. 185 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 345 ; Murray,
Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 189; id,, Zool. Bel. and S. Afghan, p. 59. The COM-
MON ROSEFINCH.
Chin, throat, head, nape and rump brilliant crimson, the sides of the head
duller and the ear coverts tinged with brown ; lores brown ; back and
scapulars dull red, the terminal third of the feathers being red and the basal
two-thirds grey ; upper tail coverts brown, margined with dull red ; tail brown,
suffused with ruddy on the outer webs ; belly and flanks pale crimson, paling
to rosy white on the vent and under tail coverts ; axillaries smoky grey ; upper
wing coverts brown, tipped and margined with dull crimson ; wing brown,
more or less suffused with dull crimson on the outer webs of the quills.
In winter plumage the male has the chin, throat, head, nape and rump a
dull crimson, but brighter than the back ; the breast, abdomen, flanks and
vent pale rose colour with a tinge of yellow ; wing coverts tipped with rose
colour instead of crimson. (Oates.)
The female has the whole upper plumage olive brown, each feather tinged
with yellowish brown ; upper wing coverts brown, broadly tipped with ochra-
ceous, paler and more yellowish white in some ; wings and tail brown, the
outer webs narrowly margined with pale ochraceous ; ear coverts brown, with
paler shafts ; chin, throat, breast, upper abdomen and flanks light brown,
CARPODACUS. 317
streaked with dark brown; centre of abdomen, vent and under tail coverts
whity brown. Bill horny grey, darker on the culmen ; irides brown ; feet
fleshy brown. {Scully)
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3'2 ; tail 2-6 ; tarsus O - 8 ; bill from gape 0*5.
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces,
Central and South India, Sikkim and in the Himalayas, chiefly at the foot of
the hills and in the valley. Jerdon says it extends to Assam and Arrakan, and
Gates that it has also been procured at Tounghoo and in the Karin hills, also
Thayetmyo. It is found in India and Burmah as a winter visitor only, resorting
to Northern Asia and Europe to breed. The eggs are said to be five in
number, bluish green in colour, marked with reddish black j like the
Passerinse, it feeds on various seeds and grain.
842. CarpodaCUS Sipahi (Hodgs.\ Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii.
p. 397. Corythus sipahi, Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p. 151. Hsematospiza sipahi,
Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. App. p. 342 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 394; Hume,
Str.F., 1869, p. 108 ; Haematospiza boetonensis, BIyth, J. A. S. B. 1841,
p. 95 1. The SCARLET GROSSES AK.
Brilliant scarlet above and below ; the wings and tail dusky brown, edged
more or less with scarlet ; tibial feathers dark brown ; lower tail coverts scarlet
with dusky bases ; thighs sooty black ; axillaries scarlet.
The female is dusky brown, the feathers broadly margined with dull
greenish yellow ; beneath pale olivaceous yellow with dusky crescentic marks,
becoming more albescent on the lower abdomen. Bill yellow ; legs brown ;
irides hazel brown. (Jerd*)
Length. T$ inches ; wing 4-1 ; tail 2-5 ; bill at front 0*5 ; tarsus 075.
Hab. S.-E. Himalayas, in Nepaul and Sikkim. Jerdon adds that it is by
no means rare about Darjeeling, haunting elevations from 5,000 to 1 ,000 feet.
843. CarpodaCUS rubicilla ( Gould), Bp. et Schleg. Mon. de Loxiens,
p. 23; Jerd., B Ind. ii. p. 397, No. 737. Loxia rubicilla, Gould, Nov.
Comm. Petrop. xix. p. 464 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 25. Coccothraustes cauca-
sica, Pall. Zoogr. ii. p. 13. Pyrrhula caucasica, Keys and Blast, Wirb. Eur.
pp. xi. et 158. The CAUCASIAN ROSEFINCH.
Forehead, ear coverts and throat shining white, bordered with carmine red ;
crown of the head, nape, back, wing coverts, scapulars and upper tail coverts
beautiful pale rosy grey ; primaries, secondaries and tail brownish black,
narrowly edged with reddish ; chin, abdomen and breast carmine red, each
feather with a triangular spot of shining white at the tip ; under tail coverts
pale carmine red ; rump the same.
Thz/emale is brown above, paler beneath, the feathers streaked with dark
brown; primaries and secondaries brown, edged with pale brown. Bill dark
brown above, fleshy on the lower mandible ; feet dark brown.
318
Length. 8-5 inches ; wing 4 % 5 ; tail 4 ; tarsus I.
Hab. N.-W. Himalayas. Has been found in the Punjab, at Pind Dadun
Khan, also in Cashmere.
844. Carpodacus grandis, B/yth, J.A.S. B. xiii. p. 810, Carpo-
dacus rhodochlamys (nee. Brandt?), Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 26. Propasser
rhodochlamys, (nee Brandt.} Bp. et Schleg. Monog. de Loxiens< p. 22, pi. 25 ;
Jerd., B. Ind t ii. p. 401, No. 741 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 1 08 ; Scully, Ibis,
iSSi, p. 578 ; Biddulph, t< c. p. 84. The RED-MANTLED ROSEFINCH.
Upper surface of the body greyish brown, strongly tinged with rosy red ;
crown of the head washed with purplish rose colour, the feathers streaked with
dark brown; supercilium, cheeks and throat shining rosy white ; quills and
tail brownish black, margined with greyish red j rump and under surface of
the body deep rose-red ; under wing coverts rosy white.
The female is brown, somewhat brighter on the lower surface, and with a
streak of brownish black down each feather ; the wings and tail brown with
paler margins especially on the greater and middle coverts of the wings. Bill
brownish grey above, yellowish beneath ; feet brownish yellow.
Length female. 7 inches ; wing 3-5 ; tail 275. The male is larger,
Hab< Himalayas, between Simla and Mussoorie, Thibet and the Altai
mountains, also Afghanistan and Native Sikkim. In the Hume collection are
specimens from Kotegurh, Simla, Chamba and hills north of Mussoorie.
845- CarpOdaCUS rhOdOChroUS ( Vigors), Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 384.
Propasser rhodochrous, Hodgs., P. Z. S. 1845, p. 36 ; Jerd., B. Ind ii, p.
402, No. 714; Brooks, Str. F. 1875, p. 255 ; Butler, Sir, F, 1880, p. 368.
Fringilla rhodochrous, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831. The PINK-BROWED ROSEFINCH.
Upper surface of the body brown, edged with reddish ; head and neck dusky
crimson or vinous rosy ; forehead, supercilium and rump pale rosy ; wings
unspotted brown ; wing coverts reddish brown ; quills blackish, edged exter-
nally with ruddy brown ; under surface of the body dull vinous rosy.
The female is brown above, the feathers edged with pale olive brown ;
beneath pale rufous or rufescent, with brown streaks. Bill pale brown ; legs
and feet fleshy brown.
Length. -6 inches ; wing 2-8 ; tail 2-3.
Hah. Western Himalayas, Cashmere to Nepaul. According to Hutton it is
common at Mussoorie, flying about in small flocks with Bulfinches and Siskins.
846. CarpOdaCUS rhodOpeplllS (Vigors}, Gray, Gen. B. ii.
p. 384 ; Blylh, Cat. Mus. As. Soc. p. 121 ; Bp. Consp. i. p. 53, Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 416. Propasser rhodopeplus, Hodgs., tned. in Br. Mus.
pi. 299; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 400, No. 739; Str. F. i. p. 15. Fringilla
rhodopeplus, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 193 ; Gould, Cent. Him. B, pi. 31, fig. I.
The SPOTTED-WINGED ROSEFINCH.
CARPODACUS. 319
Above dark crimson or ruddy brown with dusky or blackish median streaks ;
supercilium pale glistening roseate ; rump and the tips of the wing coverts and
tertiaries vinaceous rosy pink; throat, breast and under surface of the body
dull vinous rosy.
The female is deep brown above with paler margins to the feathers ; under
surface of the body light yellowish brown with dark central lines ; a broad
pale supercilium and another pale line from the lower mandible. Bill horny
brown ; legs pale brown ; irides brown.
Length. 675 ; wing 3*25 ; tail 2-75.
Hab. Himalayas. Found at Mussoorie, and also in Nepaul and Sikkim.
847. Carpodacus Edwardsii, Verr., N. Arch. Mus. vi. Bull
p. 39; id, vii. p. 58; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 418. Propasser
saturatus, Blanf. J. A. S. B. xli. p. 168 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1873, p. 180.
Propasser Edwardsii, David et. Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 355 -,Hume, S/r. F. 1878,
vol. ii. p. 415 ; id. Sir. F. 1879, p. 108. EDWARD'S ROSEFINCH.
Above ruddy brown washed with crimson, the mantle and back streaked
with dusky blackish centres to the feathers ; rump and upper tail coverts
more uniform; lesser wing coverts ruddy brown ; .median and greater series
dusky, edged with ruddy brown, and tipped with pale rosy, forming a double
wing bar ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills dusky brown, edged with
ruddy brown, more rosy on the primaries; the inner secondaries tipped with
rosy ; tail dusky brown, edged with ruddy brown ; crown of head dull crimson
with longitudinal dusky centres ; base of forehead varied with rosy tips to
the feathers, this being continued over the eye, forming a supercilium ; lores,
feathers round the eye and upper part of ear coverts dark crimson, the
remainder of ear coverts, sides and cheeks rosy, the feathers tipped
with pearly rose colour ; throat like the cheeks ; foreneck and breast dark
crimson with dusky shaft lines ; lower breast and abdomen washed with rosy,
the latter with dusky shaft lines ; sides of body and flanks brown, washed with
crimson ; thighs brown ; under tail coverts brown, washed with rosy and with
dusky shaft lines - r under wing coverts and axillaries dark ochreous brown,
washed with crimson. {Sharped) Bill brown, the lower mandible greyish ; feet
reddish grey ; iris reddish chestnut. (A. David.)
Length. 5*5 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2-25 ; tarsus Cr8 ; culmen 0-5.
The adult female is dark ochreous brown above, streaked with dusky brown ;
head the same ; rump and upper tail coverts nearly uniform ; lesser coverts
dull ochreous brown ; median and greater coverts dusky, edged externally
with pale ochreous, forming a double wing-bar ; bastard wing and primary
coverts blackish, edged with ashy ochreous ; quills dusky brown, edged with
pale ochreous ; lores ashy ; eyebrow and eyelid ochreous buff ; ear coverts
dark brown ; cheeks ochreous buff, streaked with dark brown ; under surface
of the body ochreous buff, broadly streaked with black on the throat, narrowly
VOL. II. 42
320
on the foreneck and breast ; abdomen clear ochreous buff, with obsolete
dusky shaft lines ; sides of the body and flanks dark ochreous brown ; under
tail coverts pale ochreous with lighter margins and dusky centres ; under
wing coverts and axillaries pale ochreous with dusky bases.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 3*1 ; tail 2-3 ; tarsus o'9; culmen 0-55.
Hab. The Himalayas from Nepaul to Bhootan. Recorded from Sikkim
and Darjeeling.
848- CarpodaCUS ttiura, Bp. and Schleg. Monog. Lox. pi. 23.
Propasser thura, Jerd., B. 2nd. ii. p. 400, No. 740 ; Hume, Sir. F. i. p. 15 ;
id., Sir. F. vii. p. 459. The WHITE-BROWED ROSEFINCH.
Similar to P. rhodopeplus ; differs in the male being hair-brown above
centred with blackish ; rump rose color ; only the lesser wing coverts tipped
with pale crimson: end of the superciliary streak and the centre of the
belly pure white ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills blackish, edged
with dull rosy ; secondaries edged with creamy white like the greater
coverts ; crown of head like the back ; forehead rosy, extending back in a
line over the eye as an eyebrow ; feathers round the eye and a broad streak
above the ear coverts dark brown ; ear coverts, cheeks and throat rose
colour ; under surface of the body rosy, the foreneck streaked with pearly
white ; lower abdomen white; sides of the body and flanks brown streaked with
black ; under tail coverts rosy ; under wing coverts and axillaries greyish white.
Length. 7-5 inches; wing 3-4 ; tail 3 ; tarsus 0-9.
The female is brown above, all the feathers broadly centred with black ;
rump golden yellow, streaked with black centres to the feathers ; upper tail
coverts dark brown, edged with whitey brown and tinged with golden yellow ;
lesser wing coverts dull golden yellow with black centres ; median and greater
coverts blackish, edged with brown ; tail the same ; quills blackish ; base of
forehead brownish white, streaked with black ; eyebrow pale rufous ; also
the cheeks, which are streaked with black ; throat, foreneck and chest rufous,
narrowly streaked with black ; abdomen white, with narrow black streaks;
sides of body and flanks brown, tinged with rufous and streaked with black ;
under tail coverts yellowish buff, with black centres ; under wing coverts
and axillaries white ; edge of wing pale rufous. (Sharpe.)
Length. 6*5 inches ; wing 3*25 ; tail 2*85 ; tarsus 0-9.
Hab. The Himalayas from Nepaul to Sikkim and Thibet.
849- CarpodaCUS dubiUS, Pryr. in Rowley's Misc. ii. p. 30.
Propasser frontalis, Blylh, J . A. S. B. xxxii. p. 458 ; Jerdon, B. Ind. ii.
p. 403, No. 744; Hume, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 459; id. Sir. F. 1879,
p. 108. The ROSY-FRONTED ROSEFINCH.
Frontal band, and supercilium silvery rose pink ; lores and a narrow band
round the base of the bill beneath, crimson ; top of the head, nape and cheeks
CARPODACUS. 321
plain dark brown ; back brown, with broad central streaks ; wings brown,
the median coverts tipped with rosy, forming a prominent band; greater
coverts and tertiaries narrowly edged with rosy white ; tail brown ; rump and
upper tail coverts pale vinaceous rosy ; chin, throat, neck and breast rufous,
with black mesial streaks and silvery white shafts ; rest of the lower plumage
of a dull rosy tint.
The female has the whole of the upper plumage yellowish brown, with black
streaks and two pale, very narrow wing bands ; quills and tail dark brown ;
forehead, eyebrow, lores and face white with black stripes ; chin, throat and
breast rufous, with black stripes ; belly, vent and under tail coverts white,
with dark stripes. Bill horny brown ; legs pale brown ; irides brown.
Length. 6-75 inches; wing 3^25 ; tail 3.
Hab. Sikkim, N.-W. Himalayas.
850. CarpodaCUS ambigUUS (Hume], Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus.
xii. p. 428, pi. x. Propasser ambiguus, Hume, Sir. F. 1874, p. 326 ; Brooks,
Sir. F. 1875, p. 255 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 108. HUME'S ROSEFINCH.
Above dull brown, the feathers centred with blackish, the pale edges to the
feathers more distinct on the mantle and upper back ; rump uniform pale
rosy ; lesser wing coverts dark brown ; median and greater series the same,
edged with pale brown and tinged with rosy ; bastard wing and primary
coverts dark brown ; quills and upper tail coverts the same, edged with paler
brown; crown of head blackish, with a faint tinge of crimson; lores and
eyebrow dark crimson, also the feathers round the eye, sides of face, ear-coverts
cheeks and throat ; under surface of the body pale rose colour, with dusky
shaft streaks ; the feathers of the foreneck and chest slightly washed with
crimson ; sides of the body and flanks more broadly streaked with blackish
brown ; thighs ashy brown ; under tail coverts pale rosy ; under wing coverts
and axillaries whitish, washed with rosy.
Length. 5-5 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2*l
The female is marked like the male but is pale brown, and the black streaks
are broader and well defined on the fulvous white under surface of the body.
Hab. Himalayas, from the neighbourhood of Mussoorie to Nepaul.
851. CarpodaCUS pulcherrimus (Hodgs.*), Gray, Hand.-l. Birds
ii., p. 102 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii., p. 429. Propasser pulcherrima ve!
rhodochroa, Hodgs., Icon. ined. pi. 301 (fig. 467). Propasser pulcherrimus,
Moore, P. Z S. 1855, p. 210 ; Jerd., B. Ind, ii., p. 462; Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 471; id., Sir. F. 1874, p. 317; id., Str. F. 1879, p. 108.
Carpodacus Davidianus, Milne-Edwards, Nouv. Arch, i, Bull, p. 19, pi. ii.,
fig. 2. The BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH.
Above -ruddy brown, streaked with black centres, the mantle rather more
ashy ; rump clear rosy ; lesser wing coverts ruddy brown ; median and
322 FRINGILLID^E.
greater series, dusky brown edged with lighter brown, rather rosy towards the
ends ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills dark brown, edged with dull
rosy; the secondaries edged with ruddy brown, the inner ones with ashy
whitish near the tips ; upper tail coverts brown, tipped with rosy and centred
with black ; tail dark brown, edged with ruddy brown ; crown of the head
ruddy brown, tinged with rosy and centred with black ; lores dusky ; base of
forehead and eyebrow pale rosy, with a pearly gloss, streaked with black on the
anterior portion of the eyebrow ; ear coverts, sides of face and cheeks rosy
with a pearly gloss, surmounted by a dark brown stripe over the ear coverts ;
throat and under surface of the body rosy, with a pearly gloss on the throat and
foreneck and with black shaft lines ; breast and abdomen with crimson reflec-
tions, the latter uniform ; sides of the body and flanks brown, streaked
with black ; thighs brown ; under tail coverts rosy, streaked with black, the
long ones edged with whitish near the tips ; under wing coverts rosy, centred
with black, the longer ones whitish ; axillaries pale rosy. (Sharpe.)
Length 72 to 7-5- inches; wing 3-05 ; tail 2-4 ; tarsus 07; culmen 0-45.
The female is ruddy brown above, streaked with black centres to the
feathers ; the lesser wing coverts like the back, and the median and greater
series blackish, margined with light reddish brown, paler at the tips of the
feathers ; bastard wing, primary coverts and quills blackish, edged with brown,
the inner secondaries with pale reddish brown ; rump more uniform than the
back ; upper tail coverts ruddy brown, with black centres ; tail dark brown,
margined with paler brown ; crown of head like the back, centred with black
streaks ; eyebrow creamy white, narrowly streaked with black ; sides of face,
ear coverts and cheeks pale tawny buff, streaked with black ; a dark brown
line above the upper edge of the ear coverts ; throat and under surface of the
body pale tawny buff, paler on the throat and whiter on the abdomen ; under
tail coverts pale tawny buff and centred with black ; axillaries and under
wing coverts pale tawfiy buff wkh ashy bases. {Sharpe.}
Length. 5-5 inches; wing 3; tail 2-2 ; tarsus 07; culmen 0-45.
Hal. The Himalayas from Kumaon to Nepaul and Sikkim.
Gen. Pyrrhospiza- Hodgs.
Bill conical, elongate, with a slightly curved outline both above and below,
somewhat compressed and tapering to the tip ; gonys arched ; wings long,
reaching to more than half the length of the tail, which is moderately long.
1st four primaries subequal, 2nd and 3rd rather the longest; feet adapted for
ground habits ; toes rather long ; claws large and arched. (Jerd?)
852. Pyrrhospiza punicea, Hodgson, J. A. S. B. xiii., p. 953;
Jerd., B. Jnd.ii., p. 406, No. 747 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, P- Io8 '> Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 431. Propyrrhula rubeculoides, Hodgs,, P. Z. S. 1845,
p. 36. Pyrrhospiza Humii, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii., p. 433. The
LARGE RED-BREASTED FINCH.
LOXIA. 323
Upper surface of the body dark brown, the feathers centred with blackish ;
rump bright rose colour ; wing coverts like the back, the lesser coverts
washed with reddish ; the median and greater series with reddish brown and
edged with pale brown ; primary coverts and quills dark brown, narrowly
edged with ashy brown ; upper tail coverts light brown ; forehead crimson ;
crown of the head like the back, the feathers with blackish centres ; lores
dusky, with crimson tips ; eyebrows crimson ; ear coverts dark brown, streaked
with blackish centres ; cheeks and feathers below the eye crimson, the feathers
with silvery white tips ; throat, foreneck and breast crimson, with silvery white
centres to the feathers ; abdomen earthy brown, centred with black; sides of
the breast and body, also the flanks, dark brown, with blackish centres to the
feathers ; under tail coverts rosy, with dark brown centres ; under wing coverts
ashy brown, washed with rosy and centred with black. Bill dark homy ; feet
dusky black ; irides brown.
Length. 7^5 to 8 inches ; wing 4/5 to 4*75 ; tail 3"i.
The female is fulvescent brown throughout, with the feathers mesially
streaked with black ; wing coverts and quills dark brown, with paler edges ;
eyebrow and feathers round the eye ochreous buff, streaked with black ; ear
coverts the same ; cheeks and under surface of the body ochreous buff ; from
the throat below, streaked and spotted with black.
Hab. Himalayas, from Nepaul to Sikkim.
Gen. Loxia. 'Lin.
Bill somewhat lengthened, strong, and compressed towards the tip ; culmen
keeled and strongly hooked at the tip; both mandibles hooked, so that the tips
cross each other ; wings moderately long, 1st and 2nd quills subequal and
longest; tail short, forked. Jerdon says "the peculiar structure of the bill of
these finches enables them to extract the seeds from the hard woody cones of
the various pines, and the ease and rapidity -with which they do this is said
to be very wonderful. They nidificate high up on pine trees, making a nest
of twigs and grass lined with hair.
853. Loxia CUrvirostra, Linn, Syst. Nat. i., p. 299; SharpeJ Cat.
B. Br. Mus. xii., p. 435. Loxia himalayana, Hodgs. in Gray's Zool. Misc.
1844, p. 85 ; id., J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 952 ; id., P. Z. S. xxxv., p. 35 ; id., Ann.
and Mag. Nat. Hist. xvi. p. 206 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 393, No. 734 ; Gould,
B. Asia, v., pi. 41 ; Httme, Sfr. F. 1879, p. Io ^- The HIMALAYAN CROSS-BILL.
The greater part of the head and neck and the whole body beneath rich
roseate blood red, more or less tinged with dusky brown ; rest of the head, neck,
back, wings and tail ashy brown, smeared and edged with red.
The female is brown above, the rump tinged with yellow ; pale yellowish
beneath, tinged on the breast and abdomen with olive yellow.
Length. 575 to 6*5 inches ; wing 3-25 ; tail 2*3 ; bill at front 0-5.
324 FRINGILLID^F.
Hab. The greater part of Europe, and Northern Asia to Japan and North
China, the Himalayas, Nepaul, Sikkim, and Thibet.
Gen. Pyrrhula. Briss.
Bill short, as high as its greatest length and breadth ; tip slightly compressed
and overhanging; 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries subequal and longest, the 1st
and 5th shorter ; sole of the foot broad, the feet formed for perching ; tail
emarginate.
854. Pyrrhula erythrocephala, Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 174;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 457; Gould, Cent. Him. B. pi. 32; id.,
B. Asia, pi. 35; Gray and Mitch., Gen B.ii., p. 387; Bp. Consp. Av.
p. 525 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 389. The RED-HEADED BULLFINCH.
Head dull crimson, continued round the sides of the neck and more or less
on the ear coverts ; lores, feathers below the eye, eyelids, forepart of cheeks,
chin and a narrow band on the forehead and round the base of the bill black,
set off with whitish passing into the red of the hinder cheeks ; back, scapulars
and wing coverts dull reddish ashy ; rump, upper tail coverts and tail
purplish black, the outermost feathers of the latter black ; median coverts,
wings and tail glossy black; greater coverts ashy terminally and purplish
black basally ; lower throat ashy grey tinged with red ; sides of the neck and
body, foreneck and breast pale vermilion ; abdomen ashy grey, white towards
the vent and on the under tail coverts ; thighs ashy grey ; under tail-coverts
white ; under wing coverts and axillaries whitish, the latter more ashy and with
a reddish tinge. Bill black ; legs pale fleshy brown.
Length. 5*4 inches ; wing 3 to 3'2 inches; tail 2-4; tarsus 0*7 ; culmenO'4.
The female has the head and neck dull greenish yellow, the back browner
than in the male, and the lower parts pale brown.
Bill black ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides light brown.
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3*1 to 3-2 ; tail 275.
Hab. The Himalayas ; Jerdon says more common in the N.-West, some-
times rare in the S.-East. He procured it at Darjeeling, where it is only a
winter visitant. It has also been recorded from Sikkim and from Mussoorie,
where, according to Blyth (Jerd.), it feeds on the ground, as well as on berry
bearing bushes, and perches high on the top of trees. Kotegurh, Simla apd
Nepaul are other recorded localities.
855. Pyrrhula nipalensis, Hodgs., Asiat. Res. xix. p. 155 ; id.
Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. pi. 330 fig. I ; Blyth, Cat Mus. As. Soc. Calc.
p. 122; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 525 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 27 ; Jerd. B. Ind.,
ii. p. 390, No. 731 ; Hume, Sir. F. 1879, p. 108 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br.
Mus. xii. p. 453. The BROWN BULLFINCH.
Above drab brown, smeared with slaty cinereous ; rump, upper tail coverts,
wings and tail glossy black, the rump with a white band across it; outer web
PYRRHULA. 325
f innermost secondaries crimson; a pale drab band formed by the tips of the
greater coverts ; a narrow band of dusky brown round the base of the bill ; a
small white spot under the eye ; ear coverts, cheeks, sides of body and flanks,
also the thighs and under surface of the body like the back but paler and
passing to white on the lower abdomen, vent and under tail coverts. Bill
greenish horny, tipped with black ; legs fleshy brown ; irides brown.
Length. 6'2 to 6-3 ; wing 3-3 ; tail 3-5, emarginate, the middle feather
0*75 inch shorter than the rest.
The female has the outer web of the tertiaries saffron yellow instead of red.
Hal. S.-E. Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikkim.
856. Pyrrhula erithacus, Biyth, ibis, 1862, p. 359; id ,J. A. S. B,
xxxii. p. 459; J rd. B.Ind. ii. p. 389, No. 730; Hume, Str. F. 1874,
p. 455 ; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 108 ; Biyth, Ibis, 1862, p. 389; Beavan, Ibis,
1868, p. 177; Gould, B. Asia v. pi. 39; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii.
P 455- BEAVAN'S BULLFINCH.
A narrow black band edged with white round the base of the bill ; head,
neck, back and wing coverts pure ashy grey, paler on the chin and throat, and
edged with black where it joins the pure white on the rump ; wing and tail
glossy black ; greater coverts pale silvery ashy, forming a conspicuous pale
wing bar ; beneath from the breast lively red passing to white on the vent and
under tail coverts ; eyelids, lores, forepart of cheeks and chin spot black ;
lower throat ashy grey washed with orange ; neck and breast orange scarlet ;
bill black ; feet fleshy ; iris dark brown,
Length. 5*8 to 6 inches; wing 3*3 to 3*4; tail 3.
Hal. Sikkim (Darjeeling).
857. Pyrrhula aurantiaca, Gould, P. z. S. 1857, p- 22 ; id.,B.
Asia v. pi. 34; Jerd. B> 2nd. ii. p. 390, No. 732; Stolickza, Str. F. 1874,
p. 461; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- I0 ^ 5 Scully, Ibis, 1881, p. 5.77; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 455. Pyrrhula aurantia, Gould, E. Asia, v. pi. 34 ;
Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 47. The ORANGE BULLFINCH.
Frontal band, lores, eyelid, forepart of cheeks, upper throat, wings and tail
deep black ; also the upper tail coverts ; sides of neck and of face, ear coverts
and upper and under surface of the body deep orange ; under tail and under
wings coverts, also the axillaries and rump, white ; wing coverts black, mar-
gined with orange, ashy subterminally ; apical half of the innermost of the
greater wing coverts orange, the outer ones slightly tipped with buffy white.
Bill black; feet fleshy ; irides dark brown.
Length. 5*5 inches ; wing 3*25 ; tail 2*3 ; tarsus O"6.
The female has a black circle round the bill ; head and neck ash colour ; back
ashy, tinged with orange red ; lower parts as in the male but less brilliant.
Hab. Cashmere, the Sind Valley, Murree and the N.-W. Himalayas.
326 FRINGILLID^:.
Gen. Propyrrhula. Hodgs.
Bill short, a little longer than high or than its greatest breadth ; tip of the
upper mandible very little prolonged and overhanging.
858- Propyrrhula subhimalayensis, Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p.
152 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 462. Corythus subhimalayensis,
Hodgs., Icon ined in Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 305 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 396,
No. 736. The RED-HEADED ROSEFINCK.
The forehead, supercilium, cheeks, throat and breast roseate, brightening to
crimson in the breeding season ; crown, back and wings olivaceous brown,
margined with crimson, more or less bright and often mingled with dull
greenish orange, purer on the rump and upper tail coverts ; primaries
and tail hair brown margined with red or orange ; ear-coverts and sides of the
neck dark crimson ; feathers round eye paler ; under surface of the body from
below the breast dull brownish grey, tinged with olivaceous on the flanks ;
lower abdomen whitish.
The female has the forehead arid part of throat and breast bright yellow ;
rest of the head, the neck and the lower plumage plumbeous grey, tinged
with greenish, paler and albescent on the vent and under tail coverts ; upper
plumage dusky greenish ; wings and tail dusky brown with yellow edges on
the outer webs. Bill fleshy brown ; legs pale brown ; irides hazel brown.
{Jerd.)
Length. 7-8 to 8 inches ; wing 3*75 to 4 ; tail 3 ; tarsus o'Q.
Hab. S.-E. Himalayas, in Nepaul and Sikkim during winter; Jerdon
obtained it in near Darjeeling, where it was found frequenting the more open
parts of the woods in small parties.
Sub-Family. EMBERIZIN.E.
Bill flattened on the sides, smaller and more compressed than in Passer, the
edges indented or waved a palatal knob on upper mandible; wings pointed ;
tarsi moderate, scutate ; hind toe longer than inner ; tail moderate, even, or
emarginate.
Gen. Emberiza.
Bill small ; second to 4th quills longest ; tail rather forked ; outermost
feather white or whitish.
859. Emberiza SChoenicluS, Linn., Syst. Nat. \. p. 311 ; Yarrell,
Br. B. i. p. 438 ; Hume, Ibis, 1869, p. 355 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii.
p. 457. Emberiza schcenicola, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 38; C. Swinh, Ibis,
1882. The ROSY ORTOLAN.
Adult Male in breeding plumage. General color above rufous, the feathers
margined paler, and those of the mantle and back with broad black centres ;
lower back, rump and upper tail coverts ashy grey, mesially centred with black
or pale brown; scapulars, and lesser and median wing coverts chestnut, the
EMBERIZA. 327
scapulars centred with black and the latter with black bases ; greater coverts
black with chestnut margins and sandy buff outer edges ; bastard wing and
primary coverts dusky brown, edged with ashy or pale rufous, which color also
fringes the outer webs of the quills, which are blackish ; tail dark brown, margined
with whitey brown, the outer pairs of feathers white on the outer web, except a
dusky mark at the tip ; the inner web white at the base only ; crown of the
head, sides of the face, ear coverts, throat and foreneck black ; sides of the neck,
a demi collar on the neck, cheek, under tail coverts, axillaries, under wing
coverts and under surface of the body white ; the sides of the body streaked
with b'lack, also the flanks ; sides of the breast ashy grey with narrow streaks of
black ; thighs brown.
Length. 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2-6 ; tarsus 0-75 ; culmen 0-45.
In winter the upper plumage is rufous chestnut with narrow central black
streaks, and the black of the head, throat and neck is fringed with sandy brown.
The adult female in breeding plumage has the head reddish brown instead
of black, the feathers mesially streaked with black like the back ; ear coverts
reddish brown ; above the eye a streak of sandy buff ; cheeks white ; hind neck
ashy with central black streaks ; foreneck rufous and also streaked with black ;
under surface of body white, the sides streaked with dusky.
Length. 5*2 inches ; wing 2^9 ; tail 2*4 ; tarsus 07; culmen 0*45.
flab. The whole of Europe extending as far as Kamtschatka, reaching in
winter to the N.-W. Provinces of India in the Punjab and S. Afghanistan.
860. Emberiza pUSilla, Pall., Reis. Russ. Reichs, iii. p. 697 ; Blyth,
J.A.S. B. xv. p. 40 ; id. Ibis, 1867, p. 42 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 7 ; Hume,
Sir. F. 1876, pp. 279, 29; Anderson, Zool. Exped. Yunan Aves, p. 604;
Hume and Dav. Sir. F. 1878, p. 407 ; Secbohm, Ibis, 1882, p. 379 ; Oates, B.
Br. Burm. i. p. 343; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 487. Ocyris oinops,
Hodgs., Icon. ined. in Br. Mus. Passeres, pi. 292. The DWARF BUNTING.
Upper plumage streaked with black, rufous and grey ; forehead to nape over
the crown light chestnut and a similar line over the ear coverts ; lores, sides
of the face, ear coverts and throat light or vinous chestnut, with a black
moustachial line extending behind the ear coverts ; hind neck and sides of the
neck pale chestnut streaked with whitish ; chin and upper throat pale chestnut ;
lower throat and under surface of the body dull white, streaked with black ;
under wing coverts and axillaries white ; wing coverts brown edged with
rufous, the median series broadly tipped with rufous forming a wing bar ;
bastard wing, primary coverts and quills blackish, fringed on the outer web
with brown, the primaries margined with ashy brown and the secondaries with
rufous; tail brown or blackish brown edged with lighter brown, the penultimate
feathers with a white diagonal or wedge-shaped bar of white on the inner web,
the outer pair with a larger band extending to both webs.
VOL. II. 43
328 FRINGILLID/E.
In winter the male has the black bands fringed with rufous and the head is
not so rufous.
The female in summer is similar to the male in winter, but it wants the
chestnut on the throat which is white and bounded by a black moustachial line
on both sides. Bill horny; legs pale fleshy ; irides brown.
Length. 5-25 inches ; wing 2'8 ; tail 2'4; tarsus 07 ; culmen 0-4.
Hab. Northern Europe, wintering in the Himalayas, Assam, Burmah and
Tenasserim. Recorded from Nepaul, Sikkim, Shillong, Khasia hills, Sylhet,
Munipoor and Mooleyit in Tenasserim, It occurs in small flocks in bare
spots of ground covered with low bushes. According to Seebohm it breeds in
Siberia, building on the ground, amongst dead leaves, a nest made of moss
and grass, thickly lined with fine grass. Eggs, 5 in number, pale grey,
blotched and spotted with darker and paler grey.
861. Emberiza fUCata, Pall, Reis. Rnss. Reichs, \\\. p. 608 ; Gm.
Syst. Nat. i. p. 871 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 375; Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 42;
Beavan, t. c. p. 41 ; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 9; Godwin-Auslen, J. A. S. B.
1874, p. 171 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 95 ; Hume and Dav,, Str. F.
1878, p. 407 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 107 ; Dates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 351 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 493. Euspiza fucata, Blyth, J . A. S. B.
xxiii. p. 215. Citrinella fucata, Hume, Nests and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 465; id.
and Gates, Str. F. 1875, p. 157. The GREY-HEADED BUNTING.
Male in breeding plumage. Head, nape and sides of the neck grey,
streaked with black ; back and mantle reddish brown, also streaked with
black ; rump uniform reddish brown ; upper tail coverts isabelline with
dark shaft streaks ; tail dark brown, with russet edges on the outer webs ; the
outer feathers white on the outer web and with a diagonal patch of the same
on the inner ; the next pair dark brown with a patch of white on the inner web
near the tip ; lesser and median wing coverts chestnut, the latter with black
shaft stripes, the greater series and inner secondaries dark or dusky brown
margined broadly on both webs with reddish brown ; primaries and secon-
daries brown, also margined on the outer webs with reddish brown ; lores
and feathers round the eye greyish brown ; ear coverts chestnut ; cheeks and
a line below the ears white, below which latter again is a thin black line which
widens on the neck and forms an interrupted pectoral gorget, below which
again is another of chestnut ; chin and throat white ; under surface of the body
isabelline or fawn colour, the flanks streaked with black.
In winter the male has an olive brown head, much mixed with grey ;
the black gorget line is not so evident and the chestnut streak below is
wanting. Bill dark fleshy brown ; iris brown.
Length. $-1$. to 6*5 inches ; tail 27 ; wing 2-8; tarsus O'8 ; culmen 0-5.
Hab. Eastern Siberia and Japan. Resident in the N.-W. Himalayas
migrating to the Burmese countries and the plains of India during winter.
EMBERIZA. 329
According to Gates it is a common winter visitor to Pegu, and is said to be
found nearly throughout British Burmah and parts of Tenasserim. Breeds
under tufts of grass, or under a large stone, making a shallow cup, lined with
grasses and hairs. Eggs, 4 in number, greenish grey, marked with reddish
brown.
862. Emberiza melanocephala, Scop., Ann. i. p. 142;
Man. a" Orn. i. p. 393; Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 93; Gould, B. Eur. iii. pi.
172 ; Jerd. Madr. Journ. xi. p. 29; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 957; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 503. Euspiza melanocephala, Bp. Comp. List B.
Eur. and N. Amer. p. 32 ; Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 128 ; Bp. Consp..
i. p. 488 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 378-; Gould, B. Asia, v. pi. 13 ; James, Str. F.
1871, p.. 421; Brooks, Ibis, 1873, p. 246; Butler, Str. F. 1875, p. 397;
Blanf. E. Pers.. ii. p. 260; Fairb'k. Str. F. 1876, p. 261 ; James, Str. F.
1877, p. 6 1 ; Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- 107 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 188 j
id. Zool. of Beloochistan and Afgh. p. 23,; Swinhoe and Barnes, Ibis, 1885,
p. 129. Euspiza simillima,. BlytJi, J. A. S. B. xviii. p. 811 ; Hume, Nests
and Eggs, Ind. B. p. 466. The BLACK- HEADED CORN BUNTING.
Male. Whole head, feathers under the eye and ear coverts black; in winter
edged with yellowish or greyish brown ; chin, throat, sides of the neck, and
entire under surface bright yellow ; sides of the breast chestnut ; back and
scapulars rich chestnut ; rump and upper tail coverts yellowish with a faint
tinge of chestnut on some of the feathers; wing coverts dark brown, the
feathers edged and tipped with fulvous ; primaries, secondaries and tertiaries
brown, the primaries and secondaries narrowly, and the tertiaries broadly
margined with fulvous ; edge of the wing bright yellow ; tail brown, the feathers
edged paler. The/e?nale is yellowish brown above, the feathers of the head!
and back with mesial dark streaks ; the chin whitish, and the rest of the under
surface very pale yellow ; bill and legs yellowish brown ; irides light brown.
Length. 7*5 to 8 inches ; wing 3-8 to 4;. tail 3; bill at front -5 ; tarsus ro.
In winter plumage the feathers of the male is obscured by ashy margins to
the feathers of the head, and the back, nearly obscuring the black and chest-
nut of these parts.
Hab. Sind, Punjab (at Mooltan and Montgomery), Beloochistan, Persia^
Afghanistan, Kutch,. Kattiawar, Jodhpore, N. Guzerat, Conean.and Deccan.
Found outside of India, in Turkey, Asia Minor and.S. E. Europe. Arrives in
large flocks in the middle of August, and during their stay till October
commits great havoc in the barley and jowaree crops.
863. Emberiza luteola, Sparrman; Mus. Carls, fasc. iv. Taf. 93 ;
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. $05. Euspiza luteola, Bly>th, Cat. B, Mus.
As. Soc. p. 127; Bp. Consp. i. p. 469; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 378; Hume,
Str. F. iii. p. 498; id. Str. F. 1879, p. 107; Murray, Vat. Zort; Sind,
p. 188. The RED H-EAPED BUNTING.
330 FRINGILLID^E.
Head, neck, chin, throat and breast rich chestnut ; sides of the breast
greenish yellow ; back and scapulars greenish yellow, the feathers mesially
streaked with dark brown ; the whole under surface including the under tail
coverts bright yellow ; wing coverts dark brown, broadly edged and tipped
with fulvous ; primaries, secondaries and tertiaries brown with fulvous edgings,
broader on the tertiaries ; tail brown, the outermost feather on each side much
paler, and the rest edged with greenish ; edge of the wing yellow. The
female wants the chestnut of the head, chin, throat and breast ; the upper
surface is olive brown, and the under surface very pale fulvous ; bill and legs
yellowish brown.
Length. 675 to 7 ; wing 3-5 ; tail 3 ; bill at front O'S.
The female in summer plumage is light ashy brown above, streaked with
blackish shaft lines, the head like the back and the hind neck -more uniform ;
wings and tail as in the male.
Hab. Sind, Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan, E. Turkistan, Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces, Oudh, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore, Jeypore, N. Guzerat, Concan,
Deccan and Southern India, also Khandeish and Central India.
The adult male in winter is not unlike the male in summer, but like the
preceding has ashy brown edges to the feathers, which obscure the summer
plumage, even the yellow rump.
864. Emberiza aureola, Pall., Reis. Russ. Reichs, ii. p. 711 ; Gm.
Syst. Nat. i. p. 875 ; Tern., Man. d'Orn. iii, p. 232 ; Gould, B. Eur. iii. pi.
174; Gates, B. Br. Burm. p. 355; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 510.
Emberiza aureola, Bp. Comp. List* B. Eur. and N. Amer. p. 36; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 380; Hume, Str. F. 1874, pp. 258,481; Gates, Str.F. 1875,
p. 159; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 94; Godwin-Austen, J. A. S.B. xlv.
p. 83 ; ILume and Dav., Str. F. 1878, p. 409; Hume, Str. F. 1879, pp. 67,
107 ; Scully, /, c. p. 334 ; Hingham, Str. F. ix. p. 193. Emberiza flavogu-
laris, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xviii. pp. 86, 811. The YELLOW-BREASTED
BUNTING.
Crown of the head, back, rump and scapulars rich chestnut, margined or not
with faint yellowish white ; forehead, sides of the head, chin and upper throat
black ; lesser wing coverts smoky brown ; the median series white, and the
greater ones chestnut, edged with white near the tips ; quills brown, the
primaries edged on the outer webs with whity brown, and the rest with pale
chestnut ; upper tail coverts pale rufous brown ; tail brown, edged paler, the
outer web of the outer feathers white for two-thirds of its length from the base,
and the inner web with a diagonal streak of white ; the next feather generally
with a small obscure mark of white on the inner web ; lower throat, breast
and abdomen bright yellow ; a band of chestnut feathers across the breast
slightly fringed with black ; sides of the body yellow with brown streaks ; vent
and under tail coverts pale yellow, with a few obscure streaks. (Oatcs.)
feMBERIZA, 331
During winter the male has no black on the head ; the upper plumage is
chestnut with very broad greyish yellow fringes ; the ear coverts are purplish
brown marked with yellow; the chin and throat are deep yellow like the breast
.and abdomen ; the pectoral band becomes obscure by the yellow fringe to the
feathers, and the greater coverts are rufous instead of white.
The female at all seasons has the head chestnut brown, streaked with dark
brown ; the nape, back of the neck, back and scapulars olive brown more or less
tinged with chestnut brown and with dark brown streaks ; rump pale chestnut
edged with grey ; upper tail coverts brown centred darker ; all the wing coverts
and quills brown, the median series broadly tipped with white and the greater
ones and quills edged on the outer webs with pale rufous brown ; supercilium
reaching to the nape yellowish white ; chin and throat whitish ; breast, sides
of the neck and abdomen bright yellow, tinged with brown across the breast ;
vent and under tail coverts pale yellow ; iris rich brown ; upper mandible dark
brown ; lower fleshy brown ; feet and claws pinkish brown.
Length. 5-75 to 6'2 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2-4 ; tarsus 0-85.
Hab. Northern Europe and Siberia, wintering in the Burmese countries.
Found in Nepaul, Assam, Sikkim, Cachar, Munipur, Pegu, Bhamo, Johore
and the Nicobars. It is a winter visitor to the whole of Burmah, arriving in
October and leaving in May. Like the last it affects corn crops- The nest is
said to be placed on or near the ground. It is made of dry bents and lined
with hair. Eggs, 46, greenish, clouded with purplish grey and marked with
some dark scrawls.
865- Emberiza rutila, Pall., Rets. Russ. Reichs. \\\. p. 698; Blyth,
B. JBurm. p. 95; Dav. et Oust. Oi's Chine, p. 331 ; War dlaw- Ramsay, Ibis,
1877, p. 462 ; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 234 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii.p. 514.
Euspiza rutila, Bp. Consp. i. p. 469: Hume and Dav. Sir. F. 1878, p. 408;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 107. Citrinella rutila, Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 117.
The CHESTNUT BUNTING.
Entire head and upper breast and the whole upper plumage including the
wing coverts chestnut, the feathers except those of the rump fringed with olive
greyish; primaries, secondaries and primary coverts brown, the primaries edged
on the outer webs with ashy and the inner secondaries with chestnut ; tail
brown, margined with olive or lighter brown, the two outer feathers with a
small whitish mark near the tip on the outer web ; foreneck chestnut, rest of
under surface of the body sulphur yellow ; the thighs and under tail coverts
sulphur yellow ; sides of the body and flanks olive greenish, streaked with
dusky ; axillaries and under wing coverts yellowish white, the bases yellow.
Legs and feet grey ; iris brownish rufous.
Length. 5 inches; wing 2*95 ; tail 2*25 ; tarsus 0*7; culmen 0*45.
The female has the top of the head, neck, back, and scapulars olive brown,
broadly streaked with black on the mantle and back ; hind neck the same but
332 FRINGILUD/E.
less distinctly streaked ; rump and upper tail co-verts chestnut, the latter duller
and tinged with grey ; wing coverts and quills dark brown edged and tipped
with dirty white ; lores, feathers round the eye. and a faint eyebrow isabelline ;
ear coverts pale ashy brown with a streak of blackish along the upper margin ;
cheeks, chin and throat fulvous brown, separated by a dark brown narrow
malar line ; under surface of the body pale sulphur yellow, the breast with a
few indistinct dusky streaks.
Length. 4*5 inches ; wing 2-65 ; tail 1*85 ; tarsus 07 ; culmen 0-45.
The young male is not unlike the female except that the head and rump
are chestnut.
Hab. E. Siberia and N. and S. China, where as well as in the Indo-
Burmese countries and the S.-E. Himalayas it winters. In Burmah it has
been got in Pegu and near Rangoon. It is also recorded from Sikkim, and
the Bhootan Doars.
866. Emberiza spodocephala, Pall., Rets. Russ. Reichs. Hi. p. 698 ;
Bp. Consp. i. p. 465 ; Dav. el Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 329 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 374 ;
Hume, Str. F. 1879, P- IO 7; Seebohm, Ibis, 1880, p. 188 ; Sharpe, Cat.
B. Br. Mus., xii. p. 522. Emberiza melanops, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xiv.
p. 554. The BLACK-FACED BUNTING.
Head and neck all round, sides of the face, throat and chest olivaceous ashy ;
lores, base of cheeks and chin black ; breast pale sulphur yellow ; upper back
and scapulars brown washed with rufous, edged with fulvous and broadly
streaked mesially with black ; lesser wing coverts uniform rufescent ; median
and greater series blackish brown edged with sandy brown and tipped with buffy
white ; quills dusky brown, externally washed with rufous, the primaries with
ashy white ; lower back, rump and upper tail coverts earthy brown ; tail dark
brown, edged with lighter brown, the centre tail feathers light brown, the pen-
ultimate with a large wedge-shaped spot of white near the end of the outer
web, and the outer feathers entirely white except a dusky mark on the inner
web, and a spot near the tip of the outer web ; abdomen whitish ; under tail
coverts and axillaries pale sulphur yellow ; bill brown ; feet flesh colour.
Length. 4*75 inches ; wing 2*7 ; tail 2-7 ; tarsus 0*75 ; culmen 0-45.
The winter plumage of the male is not unlike that of the summer, except
being more olive yellow on the head and neck and the feathers of the crown
tipped with rufous brown. The female is browner on the head than the male,
there is no black on the face or chin, the cheek stripe is yellow and there is a
distinct malar streak of dusky blackish spots ; the lores, eyelids and an in-
distinct supercilium are yellowish buff ; sides of the body and flanks reddish
brown ; lower abdomen and under tail coverts yellowish white.
Hab. Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Bhootan, Nepaul, Cachar and Munipur,
where it winters. Breeds in Siberia eastwards from the Yenesai Valley.
EMBERIZA. 333
867- Emberiza Buchanan!, Biytk, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 957, xvi.,
p. 780; Hume, Sir. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 150; id., Sir. F. 1879, p. 107; Reid,
Str. F. i88i,p. 57. Emberiza huttoni, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 373 j Blyth,
Ibis, 1867, p. 42 ; Blanford, t. c. p. 463 ; Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 400 ; Blanf.,
East. Pers. ii. p. 258; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 185. The GREY-NECKED
BUNTING.
Head, neck, nape, and sides of the neck grey ; from the lower corner of the
under mandible on each side is a short streak of buffy, between which and the
c hin which is also buff is a streak of greyish, meeting the grey of the sides of
the neck ; orbital feathers whitish ; back grey, with a slight rufescent tinge, the
feathers being faintly striated ; rump and upper tail coverts greyish brown, un-
striated ; breast and rest of lower surface reddish brown or ferruginous, paler
on the abdomen and vent, and nearly buff on the under tail- coverts; lesser
coverts ferruginous; median and greater coverts brown, edged with ferru-
ginous ; primaries dull brown, margined narrowly on their outer, and broadly
on their inner web with pale white or rufescent white ; secondaries the same,
but the feathers also tipped with pale rufous ; edge of the wing fulvous ; tail
blackish brown, the outer web of the outermost feather, except at the extreme
base, and half of the inner web, white ; the next outermost blackish brown on
the outer web, and for nearly two-thirds its length on the inner web, blackish
brown, the rest white on their inner web only ; centre tail feathers edged with
pale rufous ; bill reddish ; legs pale brown.
Length. 5*75 to 6 inches ; wing 3-5 ; tail 3 ; tarsi 75.
Hob* Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Central India, Beloochistan, Persia
and Afghanistan. Occurs also in Kutch, Rajputana, Guzerat, Concan and the
Deccan.
Specimens from Jeempeer and Jacobabad (Sind), and Quetta and Dozan
(Beloochistan), have the chin and the streak above the greyish moustachral line
unspottted buff, except in a single specimen from Dozan.
868. Emberiza stracheyi, Moore, P. z. S. 1855, p. 215, pi. 112;
Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B. E. I. Co. Mus. ii. p. 483 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii.
p. 372; Brooks, Str. F. 1875, p. 254; Hume, Str. F. 1879, p. 107; Ward-
law-Ramsay, Ibis, 1880, p. 65 ; Biddulph, Ibis, 1881, p. 79; Marshall, Ibis,
1884, p. 419. Emberiza Cia (nee. L.), Jerd., B. Ind.ii.p. 371 ; Beavan, Ibis,
1868, p. 175; Cock and Marsh, Str. F. 1873, p. 357. The WHITE-NECKED
BUNTING.
Above rufescent brown with black mesial streaks ; the rump and upper tail
coverts unstreaked ; crown of the head pale bluish grey, with a broad band of
black on either side of the crown ; supercilium ashy white ; lores and eyelids
black, continued as a streak over the ear coverts which are ashy whitish and
separated from the throat by a streak of black, which meets the other black
line ; median and greater wing coverts tipped with rufous but not forming
334 FRINGILLID/E.
distinct wing bars as in E. Cia ; quills blackish, the primaries margined with
ashy whitish, the secondaries with pale rufous, the inner ones being rufous on
the inner webs also ; middle tail feathers pale rufous, black in the centre, the
remainder blackish, edged with sandy rufous, the penultimate feather with a
large wedge-shaped mark of white at the tip of the inner web, larger on the
outermost, which is also externally margined with white ; under surface of the
body pale cinnamon rufous washed with isabelline. Bill dark brown or black,
the base of the lower mandible bluish ; legs and feet fleshy brownish ; iris
dark brown.
Length. 6 to 6-8 inches; wing yi ; tail 2-85 ; tarsus 07; culmeri 0-5.
Hab. From Eastern Beloochistan and Cashmere eastwards to Kumaon,
wintering slightly to the southward. It is found plentifully in Gilgit, also at
Dhurmsala, Murree, Kotegurh, Simla, Mussoorie, and Bhawulpoor in Sind,
also at Mutiana in the Punjab.
869. Emberiza stewarti, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiii. p. 215 ; Horsf.
and Moore, Cat. B. E. / % Co. Mus. ii. p. 485 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 374 ; Hume,
Ibis, 1870, p. 400, Cock and Marsh, Sir. F. 1878, p. 112; Hume, Sir. F.
1879, p. 107; Murray, Sir. F. 1878, p. 112 ; id., Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 185,
Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 547. Citrinella stewarti, Hume, Nests and
Eggs, Ind. B. p. 465. The WHITE-CAPPED BUNTING.
Male. Forehead and crown greyish white ; lores and a broad supercilium
extending to the nape black ; chin and throat black ; back, scapulars, rump,
upper tail coverts, flanks, and a broad band across the chest reddish chestnut ;
the feathers of the back in some specimens with a mesial dark streak ; cheeks
and ear coverts white ; breast, belly and under tail coverts greyish white or
rufescent white ; the under tail coverts with dark mesial streaks ; wing coverts
dark brown, edged with fulvous, or buffy brown ; primaries and secondaries
pale brown, the primaries edged whitish, and the secondaries fulvous brown ;
tail dark brown, the outermost feather on each side white on the outer web ;
the shaft dark brown, the white of the inner web running obliquely from about
one-fourth its length at the base ; the next like the outermost, but with the
outer web dark brown, and narrowly edged with white. The female is olive
brown above, the feathers with dark mesial streaks ; upper tail coverts tinged
rufescent ; under surface fulvous or buffy brown, the feathers mesially streaked
with dark brown ; bill and legs pale brown.
Length. 6 inches; wings 3 to 3-1 ; tail 2-75 ; tarsus 07.
Hab. Sind, Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, N.-W. Himalayas, Beloochistan and
Southern Afghanistan. Uncommon in Sind, and occurs less abundantly in
the Southern Districts during winter.
870. Emberiza loucocephala, Gm., N. Comm. Acad. Sti. imp.
Petrov. xv. p. 480, tab. xxiii. p. fig. 3 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 549.
FRINGILLARIA. 335
Emberiza pithyornis, Gm., Syst. Nat. i. p. 875 ; Horsf. and Moore, Cat. B.
E. I. Co. Mus. ii. p. 482; Blyth, Ibis, 1868, p. 355 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 370.
Emberiza albida, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xviii. pi. 2. The WHITE-CROWNED
BUNTING.
Above cinnamon rufous, the back and mantle streaked with black ; the hind
neck and sides of the neck, also the lower back, rump and upper tail
coverts unstreaked rufous ; crown of the head white, bounded on either
side by a broad black band ; base of forehead washed with rufous ; lores
and eyebrow chestnut ; chin, throat and a moustachial line rich vinous
chestnut, middle of throat with a triangular patch of white ; chest, sides
of the body and flanks chestnut, the flanks narrowly streaked with black ;
breast, abdomen, thighs and under tail coverts white ; median coverts
rufous, their bases black and their margins whitish ; the greater series
blackish edged with whity brown and tipped with whitish; bastard wing and
primary coverts blackish ; quills blackish, edged with ashy white ; the secon-
daries edged with brown and the innermost rufous on their outer webs ; tail
feathers blackish, edged with whity brown, the penultimate one with a large
wedge-shaped mark of white at the tip of the inner web, which is much
larger on the outermost feather and entirely white on the outer web ; auxiliaries
and under wing coverts white, the latter with dusky bases ; upper mandible
dark brown, the lower one yellowish brown ; feet pale yellowish ; iris dark
brown.
Length. 6 to 6*5 inches; wing 3*75 ; tail 3*15 ; tarsus 0*75 ; culmen 0*5.
Hab. Siberia, extending to the Himalayas. Found in Cashmere, Mus-
soorie, Dehra-Doon, Simla, and Quetta in Southern Afghanistan.
Miliaria miliaria has once occurred in Sind during an extremely severe
winter, but the question is, should such a straggler find a place among the
birds proper of India. I think not, and hence do not include it. It occurs
in the Persian Gulf as low down as Bushire.
Gen. Pringillaria.^azw.
Bill longer than in Emberiza and pointed ; 1st long primary longer than
the inner secondaries ; tail without any white pattern on it.
871. Pringillaria striolata, Licht., Verz. Doubi. p. 24 ; Swains.,
Classif. B. ii. p. 290; Bp., Consp. i. p. 467; Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B.
p. 463 -Adams, Str. F. 1873, p. 388; Hume, t. c. p. 420 ; id., Sir. F. 1877,
p. 329; 1878, vol. ii. p. 74; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 561.
Emberiza striolata, Cretzschm in Rupp. Atlas, p. 15, pi. IO, fig. 9; Dresser, B.
Eur.iv.p. 197, pi 213; Butler, Sir. F. 1876, p. 35; Elanf., E. Pars. ii.
p. 258 ; Hume, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. pp. in, 410; l8 79 P- 1O 7 ; Murray,
Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 186. The STRIOLATED BUNTING.
VOL. II. 4-1
336 FRINGILLin/E.
" Male. Forehead, top of the head and nape greyish white, grey or white
in different specimens, each feather with a conspicuous linear median black
streak ; a narrow, pure white superciliary stripe starting from the base of the
bill and extending behind the eye over the ear coverts ; the lores and a
moderately broad stripe directly behind the eye (and immediately under the
white stripe), involving the upper portions of the ear coverts black: ; below this
another greyish white stripe, involving the rest of the ear coverts ; below this,
starting from the base of the lower mandible, a greyish white stripe, which
is again divided from the greyish white of the chin by a narrow inconspicuous
dark streak. In the fresh birds in breeding plumage all these streaks and
stripes are as clearly and sharply defined as if painted ; but at other seasons
and in stuffed specimens they are not so clear ; the whole of the back, scapu-
lars, and tertials are hair brown, the former two very broadly, the latter more
narrowly margined with pale more or less sandy, or even rufous brown; in
many specimens the darker median streaks of the back feathers are
reduced to mere lines, and in some the rufous tinge on the upper
back is well marked ; the primaries "and secondaries and their coverts are
a mixture of hair brown -and rich rufous (recalling in -colour the wings of
Mirafra erythroptera), the extent of each varying in different specimens,
but the brown predominating in the 'earlier primaries and everywhere at
the tips, and decreasing in extent in the hinder part of the wing and
towards the bases of the feathers ; the second primary for instance will
be all brown, except -a narrow rufous edging for the basal two-thirds of the
outer web and -a broad rufous stripe on tfhe margin of the inner web for the
same distance, while one of the later secondaries will be all rufous, except a
narrow brown stripe running down the shaft till within one-third of the end of
the feather, whence it gradually widens so as to occupy the tip and the whole
of both webs ; the rump and upper tail coverts are much the same as the back,
but in some specimens slightly more rufous than the lower back, and the
longest of the coverts -are in some specimens very narrowly tipped with very
pale fulvous white -; the tail is faair brown, darker than the brown portion of the
quills ; all the feathers externally very narrowly margined with pale rufous,
except the external feather on each side, which has the whole outer web of
that colour.; the throat -and upper breast are greyish white or grey, with more
or less numerous and conspicuous black median stripes on the feathers. Speci-
mens differ widely in this respect; in some the greyish white is a mere
edging to dusky black feathers ; in others only a few black spots and streaks
peep out of an almost unbroken grey, and this among specimens killed at the
same time and of apparently the same age ; the lower breast and the whole
lower parts of the body are pale greyish rufous, all the bases of the feathers
(only seen if the tips are lifted) being a sort of bluish dusky ; the axillaries,
wing lining, and in fact the whole lower -surface of the wings, except the points
of the quills, a pale delicate salmon rufous.
MELOPHUS. 337
" The/emale only differs in being generally somewhat smaller, in having
the white, grey, and black of ths head, neck,, throat and breast much duller
(and in many specimens overcast with, a sandy or pale rufous shade), the
various stripes being less well marked, and in having the dark spots and
streaks of the throat and: breast almost obsolete."
Male. .Female.
r A r i
Length 575 to 5*97 5'5 to S'9
Expanse 9'37 975 9' > 9*5
Tail from vent 2-45 275 2*2 2-72
Wing from carpal joint to tip* of longest
primary 2-96 3-1 2'8; 2-96
When closed' reaching, within i.'i to 1*3, 1*1 17
of the end of tail.
Foot r . IT i* i 1-17
Width -63 & 72 -8
Bill at front -36,, -39 -35 "38
Legs and feet were in some pale- waxy yellow, in some dingy, income fleshy
yellow or yellowish fleshy. The feet, especially at the joints, more or less
tinged with brownish : the claws rather pale brown ; the bill had the upper
mandible brown, in some blackish brown ; the lower in some waxy, in some
fleshy, and' in some dingy yellow;- irides brown.- (Hume, Ibis,. 1869.)
Hab Sind, Punjab, N'.-W. Provinces, and Beloochistan, affecting sandy
plains ; also R'ajputana,.Kutch and Guzerat. In Sind, chiefly the barren hills,
during winter.
Gen. MelOphUS. Swains.
Head' crested ; upper mandible ridged and slightly notched at tip.
872. Melophus melanicterus (Gm.), Bp., Consp. \. p. 470;
Jerd. t B. Ind. ii. p. 38'*; Hume, Nests and Eggs Ihd. B. p. 467-; id., Str. F.
1873, p* 47; Cock and Marsh., t. c. p. 357 ; Blyth and Wald., B. Br. Burm.
p. 95 ; Hume, Str. F. 1875, p. 254 ; Ward law -Ramsay, Ibis, 1877, p. 462 ;
Hume and Dav., Sir. F. 1878, p. 409 ; Murray, Str. F. 1878, vol. ii. p. 113;
Oates, B. Br. Burm. p. 357; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind,y. 189; Sharpe,
Cat. B. Br. Mus. xii. p. 569.. Fringilla melanictera, Gm., Syst. Nat. i. p. 910.
Melophus erythropterus, Swains, Classif. B. ii. p. 29. Euspiza lathami, Blyth,
Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc., p. 129. The CRESTED BLACK BUNTING.
Entire head, neck, back, scapulars, rump, upper tail coverts, chin, throat,
breast, and under surface, including the under tail coverts, glossy black,
unglossedon the latter; lesser wing coverts black ; median and greater series,
primaries, secondaries and tail dark cinnamon ; the primaries, secondaries and
tail feathers tipped dusky brown ; bill pale brown, darkish on the upper man-
dible ; legs reddish brown ; irides dark brown.
338 FRINGILLID^E.
Length. 6-5 inches ; wing 3-25 ; tail 275 ; bill at front 0-5. The female is
dusky brown, the feathers edged paler ; under surface rufescent white ; wings
duller or pale cinnamon.
Hab. Sind, Rajputana, Northern Guzerat, Concan, Deccan, Nepaul and
Tenasserim ; also Central and Southern India.
Breeds in parts of the Central and N.-W. Provinces and the Punjab ; also at
Mount Aboo, in Guzerat and throughout the Himalayas. The breeding season,
according to Hume, extends from April to June in the Himalayas and July
to August in the plains. The nest is placed in holes in banks or walls, under
some overhanging clod or rock, or concealed in some thick tuft of grass.
Eggs, 34, pale greenish white, thickly speckled, freckled, and spotted with
red, purple or purplish brown, more dense at the larger end-
Sub-Family. PLOCEIN^E, WEAVER BIRDS.
Bill thick at base, with the keel projecting on the forehead and arched to
the tip; wings rounded ; ist quill very short; tarsi and toes strong, scutate;
hind toe long and strong.
873. PloceUS phillipinus, Lin., Syst. Nat. i. 305 ; HAul. P. E.
135, 2; Reich.-Sing. t. 36, 283. Ploceus phillipensis, JBriss., Orn. iii. 232,
pi xii. f. i. Ploceus maculata, P. L. S. Mull. Suppl. 150; ex P. E. Hume,
Str. F. vi. 399. Ploceus baya (Blyth), apudjerd. B. hid. ii. 343, No. 694;
Hurray, Hdbk., Zool., fyc., Sind, p. 176. THE COMMON WEAVER BIRD.
Adult Male in Breeding Plumage. Forhead, crown, sides of the neck and
breast bright yellow; lores, sides of the face, ear coverts, chin and throat dull
brown, paler on the chin ; back brown, the feathers with yellow edgings ; rump
paler brown, edged lighter ; upper tail coverts a dirty buff colour or rufous
white ; wing coverts dull brown, the greater series and the primary coverts
narrowly edged with greyish white ; primaries, secondaries and tertiaries dull
brown, the primaries with a narrow edging of pale yellow on their outer webs f
also on the secondaries; tertiaries broadly edged yellowish white; tail dull
brown, the feathers faintly and narrowly edged with yellowish green ; abdomen,
vent and under tail coverts dull white, also the thigh coverts ; the middle of the
abdomen and thigh coverts tinged yellowish ; edge of the wing fulvous white.
Bill black ; irides brown ; legs yellowish brown.
Length. 5-5 inches ; extent 8-5 ; wing 275 ; tail 175 ; bill at front 0-6.
The female is like the male, but wants the yellow crown and breast, and the
chin and throat are whitish or rufous white.
Ilab. Throughout India to Ceylon, Assam, Burmah and Nepaul. Common
everywhere in Sind with the two next species, as well as in the Punjab, N.-W.
Provinces and Bengal, also Central and Southern India, the Concan and
Deccan, Kutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpore and N. Gu/erat. Breeds freely in
company with niiinyar and bengahnsis. Nest non-pensile, being attached lo the
PLOCEUS. 339
upper stalks of reeds, with the leaves interwoven, and smaller than that of
bengalensis or manyar, less large in the body, and generally with a long and
narrow tubular entrance. The unfinished-like nests are inhabited by the males.
Breeds wherever found from April to June. Eggs white, 3, 4 or 5 in number-
All the species of this genus are taken young by natives, and taught to perch
on the hands and to perform various feats.
874. Ploceus baya, Biyth, J. A. S. B. xiii. p. 945 ; Jerd., B. Ind.
ii- P- 343 (part); JBlanf., J. A. S. B. xli. pt. ii. p. 167 ; Hume, Nests and
Eggs Ind. B . p. 436 (part) ; Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 153 ; Hume and Davison,
Sir. F. vi. p. 398 ; Hume, Str. F. vii. p. 1 20 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm, i. p. 360.
Ploceus phillipinus, apud Blyth, B. Burm. p. 92 ; Oates, Str. F. v. p. 160.
Ploceus megarhynchus, Hume, Str. F. iii. p. 406 ; id., Str. F. vi. p. 400.
The BAYA.
Male in Summer. Forehead and top of head yellow ; plumage of the upper
surface of the body, including the wings and tail, dark brown edged with
fulvous, the rump and upper tail coverts being almost uniform, fulvous ; sides
of the head, chin and throat blackish brown; breast and under surface of the
body rusty, brightest on the breast and palest on the abdomen. Bill black ;
inside of mouth flesh colour; eyelids grey; iris dark brown; legs flesh
colour.
Length. 5-5 to 5*7 inches ; wing 2'8 ; tarsus O'9 ; bill from gape 0*7.
Hab. British Burmah, where, according to Oates, it is found abundantly
over the plains and lower hills. It ranges through the Indo-Burmese countries
into Bengal, Sikkim and Nepaul. In the Peninsula it is represented by
P. phillipinus. Dr. Tiraud states it is found in Cochin-China, also in the
Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. These birds associate in large flocks at
all seasons of the year, and are commonly found in rice and corn fields in
company with various Buntings, also Sparrows and Amadinas.
They breed under the eaves of houses, or on trees, make a large flask-
shaped structure of grass, the admittance to the inside of which is from a
long narrow tube about 18 inches in length. The breeding season, according
to locality, is from April to September, and from 10 to 50 pairs of birds
breed in company. Eggs 2 3 in number, glossless white, typically rather
long ovals, pointed toward one end or at both ends, varying in size from 0^75
to 0-9 x 0-52 to 0-62.
875- Ploceus manyar, Horsf., Trans. Lin. Socy. xiii. p. 160;
Hume, Str. F. vi. p. 399 ; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 348 ; Hume, Nest's and Eggs
Ind. B. p. 440 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p. 92 ; Oates, Str. F. v. p. 160 ; Hume,
Sir. F. viii. p. 106 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 646 ; Murray, Vert. ZooL Sind,
p. 181 ; Oates, B. Br. Burm. i. p. 360. Euplectes striatus, Blyth, J. A.
S. B. xi. p. 873. The STRIATED WEAVER BIRD,
340 FRINGILLID^E.
Adult Male in Breeding Plumage, Forehead and crown bright golden
yellow ; lores, cheeks, chin and throat and sides of the neck blackish or sooty
brown ; back, rump and upper tail coverts brown, the feathers edged with
fulvous white ; wing coverts, primaries, secondaries and tertiaries concolorous
with the back, the primaries edged yellowish, and the secondaries, wing
coverts and tertiaries whitish or fulvous white ; tail brown, the feathers edged
greenish ; breast and flanks fulvous white, with mesial dark streaks ; abdomen
and under tail coverts white, tinged fulvous ; bill black ; irides brown ; legs
pale brown.
Length. 5'8 inches ; wing 2-75 ; extent 9 ; tail 1^75 ; bill at front o - 56.
Females and males in non-breeding plumage want the yellow head, and have
a pale supercilium, and the chin and throat are whitish.
Hab. Northern and Central India to Assam and Burmah. Occurs in Sind,
Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Oudh, Bengal, Deccan, Concan, Travancore, Kutch,
Kattiawar and N. Guzerat. Breeding season same as the last. The nest is
generally suspended from the top of four or five leaves of high bulrush or
elephant grass, which are also incorporated into the nest. The entrance
tube is not as long as that of P. baya.
876. PlOCeUS bengalensiS (Linn.), Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 349 ; Hume,
Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 441 ; Blyih* B. Burmah p. 92 ; Hume, Sir. F.
viii. p. 107; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 231 ; Murray, Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 181 ;
Oates, B. Burm. i. p. 361. The BLACK-THROATED WEAVER BIRD.
Adult Male in Breeding Plumage. Forehead and crown bright golden
yellow ; cheeks, ear coverts, sides of neck and throat white, more or less
suffused with dusky; a dark brown pectoral band ; back dusky brown; rump
and upper tail coverts greyer ; wings and tail dark brown, the coverts and
secondaries with pale margins ; body below fulvous white ; flanks brownish.
The female has the head dusky brown and unstreaked, the feathers of the back
edged with pale rufous or fulvous ; a pale yellow supercilium and a spot of
the same colour behind the ear coverts ; a small dark stripe at the base of the
bill on each side ; the throat yellowish, with a few dark spots ; bill white ;
irides light brown ; legs fleshy brown.
Length. 5-5 to 6 inches ; wing 275 ; tail 1*75.
Hal. Lower Bengal, extending into Assam and parts of Burmah. Occurs
also in Sind ; not known from the Punjab and N.-W. Provinces.
877. PlOCGUS JavanensiS (Less.), Blyth, B. Burm. p. 9i.Loxia
Javanensis, Less., Traite d'Orn. p. 446. Fringilla phillipinus (Linn), apud.
Horsf. Trans. L. Soc. xiii. p. 160. Ploceus hypoxanthus (Daud.), Hume,
Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 442; id., S/r. F. iii. p. 154. Ploceela Javanensis,
Oates, Str. F. v. p. 160 ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 107 ; Oates, Sir. F. x. p. 231.
Ploceela chrysea, Hume, Sir. F. vi. p. 399 (footnote). The GOLDEN WEAVER
BIRD.
AMADINA. 341
Chin, throat, cheeks and ear coverts black ; forehead, top of head and lower
plumage bright yellow ; back and scapulars black, each feather broadly
margined with yellow ; rump and upper tail coverts bright yellow ; wings and
tail brown, margined with yellowish white. Bill black ; lower mandible dark
horn ; iris brown ; legs pinkish flesh colour.
The Female in Summer and both Sexes in Winter have the whole lower
plumage with the cheeks and supercilium rusty, paling on the abdomen ;
upper plumage brown with broad yellowish brown margins ; tail and wings
brown, margined with yellowish white. (Oates.)
Length. 5-5 to 5-7 inches; wing 2*7; tail 2-3; tarsus 0'8 ; bill from
gape 0-55.
Hab. British Burmah, also Siam and Cochin-China and the Islands of Java
and Lombock.
Oates says the stronghold of the Golden Weaver Bird lies in the large
plains of Southern Pegu, where it is extremely abundant. During winter they
associate with other species of Weaver birds, but in summer they break up,
and separate into small groups and keep apart. The nest he adds is a cylin-
drical structure made entirely of grass with an opening at the side, and is
attached to the tops of elephant grass. The eggs differ from other species of
Weaver birds ; they are 2 3 in number, and vary much in colour, being white,
greenish white or grey, or purplish unmarked, or speckled with grey or greenish
brown. The normal number is three, but two is common.
Sub-Family. ESTRELDINLE.
Bill large, conic, more or less bulged or slender ; wings short, rounded ; the
1st primary minute as in Ploceus.
Gen. Amadina. Swains.
Bill thick, as long as deep ; culmen arched, prolonged behind on the fore-
head ; tarsi stout, moderate. These birds inhabit grassy or reedy ground and
cultivation generally, feeding on rice, grain and other seeds.
878. Amadina malacca (Lin.\ Jerd., B. ind. ii. p. 352, No. 697.
Loxia malacca, Lin., Syst. Nat. i. p. 300; Edward, Birds, pi. 356, fig. 2.
The BLACK-HEADED MUNIA.
Head, neck and breast rich black ; back, wings and tail pure cinnamon red,
the upper tail coverts brighter, tinged with a glistening lustre ; under surface
of the body from below the breast white ; middle of abdomen and vent black.
Bill bluish, the tip yellowish ; irides dark brown ; legs plumbeous.
Length. 4-5 inches ; wing 2'6 ; tail 1-5.
The young is pale cinnamon brown above, whitish below, and dusky about
the head and neck.
342 FRINGILLID^E.
77(73. Southern India and Ceylon, a few stragglers, according to Jerdon,
being found in Central India and even in Bengal. On the Malabar Coast it is
extremely abundant, frequenting long grass by the sides of rivers and tanks; also
grain and cane-fields. The nest is placed among reeds, and is a rather large
or nearly round or oval structure made of grass with the entrance on one sid'e.
The eggs, according to Jerdon, are 46 in number, and in colour pure white.
Hume says he had notes of eggs sent to him from the Coimbatore districts?
also from the Bhundara districts, and describes them as somewhat elongated
ovals, from 0*6 to 0*72 inch in length, and from 0*44 to 0*5 in breadth.
879. Amadina atricapilla ( Vieill.), Gates, B. Br. Burm. \. p 366.
Loxia atricapilla, Vieill., Ois. Chant, p. 53 Coccothraustes sinensis, Briss,,
Orn. iii. p. 235. Munia rubronigra, Hodgs., As. Res. xix. p. 156; Jerd., B.
Ind. ii. p. 353, No. 698 ; Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 625 ; Blyth, B. Burm. p 92 ;
Gates, Sir. F. v. p. 160; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 401 (footnote). Munia
atricapilla, Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. ii. p. 444 ; Salv., Ucc. Born,
p. 265 ; Wald., Trans. Zool. Soc. ix. p. 208. Munia sinensis, Daud. et Oust.,
Ois. Ckine'.p. 342. Amadina rubronigra, Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 107 ; Scully ',
Str. F. viii. p. 32. The CHESTNUT-BELLIED MUNIA.
Head, neck and breast black ; remainder of the plumage chestnut, turning
to glistening fulvous on the rump, upper tail coverts and the outer edges of
the tail feathers ; centre of abdomen, vent and under tail coverts black. Bill
and feet plumbeous ; iris dark brown.
Length. 4'5 inches ; wing 2*1 ; tarsus O*55 ; bill from gape 0*45.
The young are pale fulvous throughout ; lighter below than above.
Hab. Northern India ; found throughout Lower Bengal and along the foot
of the Himalayas as far as Dehra Dhoon ; also in the N.-W. Provinces. It
has been procured in Ceylon as well as in Southern India ; rare in the latter
country, but is much more common in Assam and Burmah, throughout the
Malay Peninsula, the Islands of Sumatra and Borneo, South- West China, and
the Indo-Burmese countries. In Burmah it occurs in all parts of the province.
It everywhere affects grassy land in flocks of from 6 to 12 ; breeds from
June to August in Burmah, placing the nest in a clump of elephant grass.
Eggs generally five, pure white. Gates says that the nest of this bird is very
often tenanted by a snake, and great care should be taken not to insert the
hand without previous examination.
880- Amadina punctulata (Lmn.}, Gates, B. Br. Burm. i,
p- 368. Loxia punctulata, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. p. 302. Loxia undulata, Lath.,
Ind. Orn. i. p. 387. Munia undulata, Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 354, No. 699.
Munia punctulata, Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 444 ; Legge, B. Ceylon,
p. 656. Munia subundulata, Godw.-AusL, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 48 ; Hume, Str.
F. iii. p. 398 ; Gates, Str. F. v. p. 162. Munia superstriata, Hume, Sir. F.
i. p. 481 (footnote) ; Hume and Dav., Sir. F. vi. p. 402. Munia punctularia,
AMADWA, 343
and Wald., B. Burm. p. 93. Lonchura purictulata, Pftime, S/r. F. iiu
p. [56. Munia Inglisi, Hume, Sir. F. v. p. 39. Amadina punctulata, A. sut>
unduiata, A. superstriata* and A* Inglisi, Hume, Sir. F. viii. p. 107. Ama*
dina superstriata, Oafos and Humt, Str. F. x fc p. 232. The BARRED MUNIA.
Back as far as the rump chocolate brown,, the shafts slightly paler and the
feathers of the rump barred with whitish ; upper tail coverts glistening
yellow fulvous ; chin, throaU ear coverts and sides of the neck chestnut ; head
and neck behind ruddy brown ; tail brown, the edges of the feathers glistening
yellow or fulvous ; primaries and secondaries brown*, the edges and tertiaries
the same chocolate brown as the upper surface ; under wing coverts buff j
under surface of the body white with zigzag markings of brownish fulvous ;
lower abdomen, vent and under tail coverts unmarked whitish. Bill and legs
plumbeous ; iris deep reddish brown.
Length. 47 inches ; wing 2M ; tail 1*7 ; tarsus 6'6 ; bill from gape 0*45.
Hab. Throughout India and Ceylon. Common in the North spreading into
Assam and Burmah* It is found throughout the Indo-Burmese countries*
and is recorded from Arrakan, Pegu, Tavoy and Tenasserim. Occurs in the
Himalayas and the south of India on the edges of the Neilgherries ; also in
various parts of the Carnatic, Central India and Bengal. In the Punjab, Sind,
N.-W. Provinces, and Rajpootana it is rarely seen* It frequents gardens,
groves and orchards, and is quite a familiar bird. It builds in thorny bushes,
chiefly about fields. Acacias are generally selected* The nest is not unlike
that of other species of Munia, and the eggs glossless white.
881. Amadina pectoralis, Jerdon, B. ind. ii. p. 355 ; Hume,
Str. F. iii. p. 263 ; id., iv. p. 403. The RUFOUS-BELLIED MUNIA.
Head, neck and back brown, the shafts of the feathers pale ; upper tail coverts
dark brown, the feathers tipped with glistening yellow ; wings and tail dark
brown ; face, forehead, throat and breast dark brown, strongly contrasting with
the sides of the neck; lower parts from the breast reddish fawn colour;
under tail coverts dark brown with pale shafts. Bill plumbeous ; legs plum-
beous brown ; irides dark brown.
Length. 4*5 inches; wing 2*2; tail 1*7 ; tarsus O'56.
Hab. The Wynaad and Coorg. Hume in his "Nests and Eggs'" quotes
Miss Cockburn to the effect that it is a summer visitant to the slopes of the
Neilgherries about Kotagherry. The birds build in July, and !ike all the
species construct a large nest, laying from 6 to 8 pure white eggs, o'6i to
0-63 inch in length and 0-42 to 0*46 in breadth.
882. Amadina leucogastra, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv. P . 286 (foot-
note) ; Hume, Str. F. viii. p. 107. Munia leucogastra, Salvad. Ucc. Born.
p. 267; Dav., Str. F. v. p. 460; Hume and Dav., Str. F. vi. p. 402 ; Oates,
B. Br. Burmah i. p. 367. The WHITE-BELLIED MUNIA.
VOL. II. 45
344
Upper plumage chocolate brown, all the feathers except those of the head
white shafted ; cheeks, ear coverts, throat, breast, under tail coverts and sides
of the body deep brownish black, paler on the latter parts ; abdomen white ;
upper tail coverts black ; middle pair of tail feathers shiny fulvous, the rest
dark brown with fulvous edges ; under wing coverts white ; legs and feet
dusky plumbeous; lower mandible dull smalt or pale blue, upper mandible
black ; irides dark brown.
Length. 4-5 inches; wing 1-9; tail r8 ; tarsus O55 ; bill from gape
0-45. (Gates.)*
Hab. Tenasserim in the south, where Davison found it nesting.
883. Amadina acuticauda (Hodgs.\ Hume, Sir. F. viii.p. 107.
Munia acuticauda, As. Res. xix. p. 153; Jerd., B. Ind. ii. p. 356, No. 702;
Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 450; Blyth and Wald., B. Burm. p. 93 ; David el
Oust., Ois. Chi 
