SPj * iiF./\ '%^JN!^-v>' mss® m.?r* WSSfc ssp*® ?^._c ,: nix' j S^jT.r^ %,?■ '^4 jj.iJ\^i_ cjg| N§ll§l ,->^t iNC^N, iii \Ms&) ?4fm RH>L\- #H ■0^m \ l»Hw) 0Rl Si ^j®a?&! c ' THE BIEDS OF INDIA. THE BIRDS OF INDIA; BEING A IATSSAI 9ISTS1Y OF ALL THE BIRDS KNOWN TO INHABIT CONTINENTAL INDIA: WITH Descriptions of the Species , Genera , Families , Tribes , and Orders , a/uZ a Brief Notice of such Families as are not found in India , MAKING IT A SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR INDIA. BY T. C. JERDON, SURGEON MAJOR, MADRAS ARMY, Author of “ Illustrations of Indian Ornithology.'1'' VOL. II.— P ART I. \ A, ' ■' firrn'ig rxx&~ s PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY THE MILITARY ORPHAN PRESS, 6, BANKSHALL STREET. _ • H vj w - v MAR 2 7 1934 -/BRARlE' 1863. (o<\\ 1H765 b I H’bX' M. 2. ^ l PREFACE. In consequence of the time that the careful compila- tion of an Index will take, and other circumstances, the Author has been induced to issue the Second Volume in two parts. This will be attended with great additional ex- pense to the Author ; but, in consideration of the numerous observers, now fortunately scattered over the country, who are anxious for the early appearance of the Work, the Author has not grudged it. The concluding part will, he hopes, be issued in a few months. CONTENTS OF VOL II., PART I. PAGE. INSESSOKES, (Continued,) Fam. Merulid^e, Continued, Timalince, 1 Fam. BRACHYPODIDiE, 75 Pycnonotinae, » 76 Phyllornitliinse; ... 96 Ireninae, ... . ... ...... 104 Oriolinaa, ... 106 Fam. SylviadjE, . ... ...... 113 Saxicolinae, ... ... ... ... 114 Buticillinse, . 135 Calamoherpin£e3 ... 153 Drymoicinae, 164 Phylloscopinae, 187 Sylvianae, . . 207 Motacillinae, 210 Fam. Ampelid^e, . 240 Leiotrichinae, ... ... ... ... 241 Parinae, 269 Accentorinae, ... 283 Tribe Conirostees, 291 Fam. Corvids, 292 Corvina?, 292 Garrulinae, 306 Dendrocittinae, 313 Fregilinae, 318 CONTENTS PAGE. Fam. Sturnid.®, 320 Sturninae, 321 Lamprotorninae, 331 Fam. Fringillidje, 341 Ploceina?, 342 Estreldinse, 351 Passerinae, ... ... 362 Emberizinas, 369 Fringillinaa, 383 Alaudinae, 415 THE BIRDS OF INDIA. Sub-fam. Timalin^e, Babbling Thrushes. Syn. Crater opodinee, Swains. — TimaUdce, Bonap.— Liotrichidcs, Caban., and Van Hoeven (in part). Legs and feet stout and large ; bill various in form and length, almost always compressed, usually notched ; wings short and rounded ; tail largish, graduated ; plumage often lax. This family presents a large assemblage of birds of diverse and varied aspect ; some with short and thick bills ; a few with long and curved beaks ; others with this organ moderate and Thrush-like. In fact, we have represented here, as far as the beak is concerned, Thrushes, Shrikes, Jays, Finches, Titmice, and Tree-creepers. Their most characteristic features are their strong legs and feet, combined with a short rounded wing, and a compressed bill. Their colors are usually plain and sombre, in one group varied with some richer tints. Their habits correspond with their struc- tural details. They are mostly social, or even gregarious ; they are a good deal on the ground, on which they hop vigorously, or climb with facility through tangled thickets or reeds ; and their food is both insects, fruits, and grain. The majority of those, with vdiose habits we are familiar, lay blue eggs. The sexes rarely differ, if at all, and the young are clothed much as the parent birds, only somewhat duller. The greater number of the species, as at present recognized, are Asiatic, chiefly from India and Malay ana ; and it is only of late years that most of them have been made known to science. They extend through the Eastern Isles to Australia and New Zealand ; several are African; and possibly many birds of the New Continent may be found to associate naturally with the birds of this group. Swainson was the first naturalist who seized on their peculi- arities of structure, and named them C rater opodma, a name which perhaps ought to be retained. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, A 9 BIRDS OF INDIA. separated them, some of them being placed as a sub-family, Timalince , of his Maluridce ; and others in the Ptilorhynchince , a sub-family of the Garrulidce, or Jays. Latterly, however, he fully recognized the extent of the group, so far as to locate in his family, Timalidce , most of the birds now usually placed here ; but he included in it many of the short-legged Thrushes, Bracliypodince ; and, with more justice, I consider, the group of Mocking-birds, or American short-winged Thrushes. Blyth, in his Catalogue, also classed them much as the Prince formerly did ; but now nearly adopts the group as defined by Gray and Ilorsfield, with some additions. This naturalist also is inclined to place the diminutive, short-winged warblers, such as Drymoicu, Prinia, &c., with the Babblers ; but I prefer class- ing them as a type of the Sylviadce. Taking all their characters and habits into consideration, I fully agree with Gray and Horsfield in their views as to the extent of this family ; but I believe that many other forms, not usually associated with this family, also belong here, some of which will be pointed out in the proper place. As we approach the limits of the group on either side, there are of course a few forms whose place is not so clear or marked ; and one or more have been placed in the next family, the Brachypodidce ; and this we can easily under- stand (as the two groups approach each other, if they do not actu- ally unite,) without agreeing with the Prince of Canino, and placing the short-legged Thrushes, of strict arboreal habits, with these strong-legged and active clamberers, and ground birds. A few of this family also approach the Myiotherw.ce, and several of the smaller members of the Timalia section were classed by Temminck under his somewhat heterogeneous Myiotliera. Some of the forms of this family also approach the Leiotrichince ; they are classed together by certain foreign Ornithologists ; and one, or more genera have been bandied between the two groups by other writers. Bonaparte divides the Timuliclce (excluding the Bulbuls) into Lio trichinae, Garrulacince , Crater opodince, Miminae, and Timalince. I shall divide them, without bestowing any distinct name, or defining the limits of each very closely, into the following sections: lsf, the thick billed, or Finch-thrushes ; 2nd, the Jay -thrushes TIMALINJ3. 3 and Shrike-babblers; ord, the Quaker and Wren-babblers; Ath, the Creeper-thrushes ; 5th, the Laughing-thrushes ; 6th, the true Babblers ; and lastly, the Reed-thrushes. Although the series, as here given, is not unbroken, I think that it presents the affinities, inter se, of the various sections pretty closely ; and the two most abnormal groups are here placed each on the confines of the family. With regard to their external relations, I think, that whilst they perhaps join the Tits, and Liotricldnce , through Sut hora and the Alcippe group, on the other side .they are undoubtedly connected to the Warblers through some of the Reed- thrushes, such as Eurycercus and Schcenicola, and they join the true Thrushes by the Mocking Thrushes of America. lsf. The thick -billed, or Finch-thrushes, ( Pa ra doxornith in a;. Gray.) There has been considerable difference of opinion as to the affinities of these very curious birds. Mr. Gould, who founded the typical genus, contents himself with calling it a paradoxical bird. Gray places the smaller forms with the Parities, and the larger in the Fringillidee, next Phytotoma. Bonaparte, likewise, in his Conspectus, classed them among the Finches, but subsequently admitted their alliance with the Timalince, associating; them with Leiotlirix , and thus formed the sub-family, Liotricldnce , in which, moreover, he placed Conostoma. Hodgson considered the larger ones nearly allied to Conostoma , an undoubted member of this family ; and Blyth, whilst placing them in the Paridee (as does Horsfield), also admitted the relationship to Conostoma ; and he is now inclined to class them near the Timalince. Tickell does not allow their affinities for this family, and calls them Fringillideous. Putting aside the bill, the structure in every other respect is quite Crateropodine. The strong legs and feet, the rounded wing, the long graduated tail, the lax plumage, all agree with the characters of this family ; whilst the bill, (on which so much stress is laid by some, to the exclusion of every other feature,) as already noticed, varies greatly in this family ; and here it is reduced to a minimum in shortness, and a maximum in depth and width. Conostoma, Pyctoris , and some other genera, foreign to India, approach it in these points, and make an easy transjtion to the more ordinary form of beak. 4 BIRDS OF INDIA. Gun. Pakadoxornis, Gould. Syn. Bathyrliyuchus, McLell. — Heteromorpha , Hodgson (partly). Chur. — Bill short, stout, as high at the base as long ; culmen much curved, compressed on the sides, blunt, sinuated on the margin ; nostrils small, round, concealed by setaceous feathers ; rictus with a few slender bristles ; wings feeble, rounded, the 6th quill longest, the four first graduated ; tail long, firm, graduated ; legs and feet very stout ; tarsus nearly entire ; lateral toes equal ; hind toe and claw large ; claws all freely curved ; the middle toe not much elongated ; plumage soft and lax. The birds composing this curious genus differ somewhat in the form of the bill and wing, and one of them has been classed separately by Gray ; but I think that, with the exception perhaps of Heteromorpha , they range better together than if each peculiarity is made to constitute a sub-genus. The present genus is characterized by the deep sinuation of the tomias of the mandibles. 373. Paradoxornis fiavirostris, Gould. P. Z. S., 1836, 17 — Horsf., Cat. 609 — Gould, leones, pi. 1. — Birds of Asia, Part YL, pi. 8. — Bathyrhynchus brevirostris, McLelland. The Yellow-billed Finch-thrush. Descr. — Above, the head and hind neck pale rufous ; back, wings, and tail, dull olive-brown ; cheeks and throat white, with small black spots ; ear-coverts and a gular band, black ; beneath, pale earthy rufescent. One (female) specimen wants the black gular hand, and has the white of the lower parts rufescent-white, with some brown spots on the throat and breast. Bill bright yellow ; legs plumbeous ; irides red brown. Length 81 inches ; wing ; tail 3f ; bill at front i, nearly as deep at the base; tarsus 1T^. I have only procured this very interesting bird on the Khasia hills, at an elevation of above 5,000 feet, in a pine wood, and found that it had partaken of various seeds. There were two or three young birds in company with the parents, one of which I also shot, and found that it closely resembled the old birds in plumage. They were rather shy, though they did not conceal TIMALIXiE. 5 themselves iu the manner of the Garrulax group, but flew from tree to tree. McLelland obtained his only specimen in Assam, very probably on the Khasia hills ; and Hodgson has also procured it in the Sikhim Terai, and Xepal. 374. Faradoxornis gularis, Hoesfield. LIorsfield, MSS. — Gray, Genera of birds, pi. 94, f. 2 — Gould, Birds of Asia, Part VI., pi. 10. — P. caniceps, Blyth — • Heteromorpha, apud Blyth, Cat. 528 — Horsf., Cat. 612 — - CJiongto-phep-pho, Lepch. The hoary-headed Finch-thrush. Descr. — Above rufescent brown ; head pure grey, with a black superciliary line, commencing with the nostrils ; beneath white, with the chin black. Bill yellow; legs and feet plumbeous ; the claws pale; irides light brown. Length 6 inches ; wing 34 ; tail 3 ; bill at front 4 inch nearly ; tarsus 1. The wing in this species is proportionally longer, and the hind toe is very large. I procured this bird at Darjeeling, where, however, it is rare, and it is found at from 3,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation. It has also been sent from Bootan. 375. Faradoxornis ruficeps, Blyth. J. A. S., XI., 177, and XII., 1010, with a figure — Horsf., Cat. 611 — Heteromorpha, apud Blyth, Cat. 52 7 — Gray Genera of Birds, pi. 94, f. 1 — Gould, Birds of Asia, Part AH., pi. 11. — Chong to-phep-plio, Lepch. The red-headed Finch-thrush. Head, cheeks, ear-coverts, nape, and sides of neck, bright rufous; the rest of the upper plumage olive-brown, darker, and tinged with rufous on the wings ; beneath, white, a little sullied with fulvescent on the neck and flanks. Bill, with the upper mandible, horny brown, the lower one pale yellowish; legs plumbeous; irides red brown; orbitar skin pale blue. Length about 74 inches; wing 34; tail 34; bill at front 4 inch, f th deep ; tarsus above 1 inch. 6 BIRDS OF INDIA. This species differs somewhat from the two last by its less com- pressed bill, which is also less sinuated at the margin ; and Blyth, at one time, classed it as a Heteromorpha. Gray, moreover, sepa- rates it from Paradoxornis , appropriating for it McLelland’s name of Bathychynchas. It is found in the hilly regions of Nepal, Sikhim, Bootan, the Khasia hills, extending into Arrakan. I have procured it both at Darjeeling, and on the Khasia hills, and found it in dense bamboo jungle, feeding on the seeds which ripened this year (IS 62) over a large extent of the hills- Whilst feeding on the bamboos, in small parties, it did not shun observation, but on being followed soon concealed itself. Tickell saw this bird at Ging, near Darjeel- ing, and found it feeding on grain, maize, rice, and buck-wheat. “It perches,” says that naturalist, “ on the top of high trees, as well as bushes, when off its feed, and in fact shows nothing, in its man- ners, of the thicket-loving, skulking habit of the Crater opodines.” In the few opportunities I had of observing it, I saw nothing opposed to the view of its being placed in this family, and several undoubt- ed members of the Timalincp,, viz., the Malacocerci , are great grain- eaters. Gen. Heteromorpha, Hodgson. Char. — Similar to the last, but the bill with the margin straight; the head crested. This sub-genus, applied by Hodgson also to the other species of Paradoxornis , is retained as distinct by Gray for this species ; and from its form, and the mode of coloration, I am inclined to accept it. 376. Heteromorpha unicolor, Hodgson. J. A. S., XII., 448, with figure— Horsf., Cat. 610 — Gould, Birds of Asia, Part VI., pi. 9 — Lho-ramnio-plio, Lepch., i. e., the Mountain Actinodura. The Brown Finch-thrush. Descr. — Throughout of an ashy olive-brown, brightest on the head, wings, and tail ; head with full but short crest. TIMALINiE. 7 Bill orange-yellow ; legs slaty-grey ; iricles brown. Length 7f inches ; wing 3TL ; tail 4 ; bill at front ; tarsus 1§-. This plainly-coloured Finch-thrush is not distantly allied to Conos- toma oemodium. The Lepehas call both birds by the same name, and both are peculiar to the more elevated regions of the Hima- layas, and have not been procured elsewhere. Hodgson states that it is found in the higher regions of Nepal, dwelling in thick brushwood, frequently alighting on the ground, but also feeding on trees, on bugs and other insects, in small flocks, and not noisy. I procured a single specimen from Mount Tongloo, near Darjeeling, 10,000 feet high. Gen. Culeuasicus, Blyth. Char. — Bill much as in Paradoxornis, but shorter, wider, and more tumid on the sides. This genus is now included by Blyth and Horsfield in Suthora ; but 1 think that it is more allied to the last group than to the Tit-like members of that genus, and the sole species has very much the colors of P. ruficeps. 377. Ghleuasiciis ruficeps, Blyth. J. A., S. XIV., 178 — Blyth, Cat. 529- — Chongto-phep-pho , Lepch. The Red-headed Tit-Thrush. Head and neck bright ferruginous ; the rest of the upper plumage olive-brown, more or less inclining towards ferruginous, specially on the shoulder of the wing ; entire under parts white. Bill whitish horny ; legs greenish plumbeous; irides red-brown. Length 5^- inches ; wing 2f ; tail ; bill at front § ; tarsus f. This bird has only yet been pi’ocured in Sikhim. I got it at Darjeeling, but had no opportunity of observing its habits. Gen. Suthora, Hodgson. Syn. — Temnoris and Hemirhynchus , Hodgson (postea). Char. — Bill very short and stout, as high and nearly as wide as long; ridge much curved; the sides slightly tumid ; rictus smooth; nostrils concealed by plumes ; wings short, rounded, 6 th quill 8 BIRDS OF INDIA. longest ; tail rather long, graduated, feeble ; tarsus long, smooth ; toes short ; nails compressed and acute, hind toe stout ; outer toe slightly longer than the inner. This remarkable group of small birds cannot, I think, be sepa- rated from the last series, as is done by Gray and others, for they are distinctly connected to Paradoxornis by Chleuasicus. Gray, Horsfield, and Blyth, however, agree in placing them among the Paring , near the long-tailed Tit-mouse and Panurus biarmicus , as does Hodgson, though he asserts their relationship with Ueteromor- pha, &c. But it appears to me questionable if the bearded Tit-mouse really belongs to the Paring. , for it differs from them by its short wings, large legs and feet, short tumid bill, and dense plumage ; and, in these points, certainly agrees with Suthora. Bonaparte, indeed, in his Conspectus, placed Suthora among his Lciotrichince , with Paradoxornis and Conostoma. 378. Suthora nipalensis, Hodgson. Ind. Rev. 2, p. 32 — Blyth, Cat. 530 — IIorsf., Cat. 613. — Temnoris atrifrons, IIodgs., P. Z. S., 1845 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. upper figure — Suthora , Nipal. The Black-fronted Tit-Thrush. Descr. — Crown bright fulvous, passing to duller fulvous on the back ; forehead, and a broad streak over the eyes to the nape, black ; lores and sides of the face, with the plumes growing from the base of the lower mandible, pure white ; ear-coverts, and a spot behind the eye, below the black streak, bright fulvous ; below the ear-coverts, and the sides of the neck, pure ash, paler on the breast, and passing to white on tire abdomen; chin and throat black, with whitish margins ; wings dark brown, the first twro or three quills edged with white, the next two or three with rufous, and the remainder edged throughout their entire length witli the same colour, but of a deeper hue ; tail bright cinnamon brown, edged externally with rufous ; the inner webs dusky. Bill black, bluish at the base ; legs fleshy white ; irides brown. Length 4^ inches; wing 2 ; tail 2^; bill tarsus f. TIMALINiE. 9 Gould has figured two varieties, one with ashy crown and white cheeks, the other with rufous crown and ear-coverts. Are these the different sexes ? This bird inhabits the Central and Northern regions of Nepal and Sikim. It associates, says Hodgson, in small flocks; frequenting the brushwood and tall grass, and has the manners and food of Parus. I only obtained one specimen near Darjeeling. 379. Siithora poliotis, Blytii. J. A. S., XX., 122 — Hoesf., Cat. 615 — S. Nipalensis, apud Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. (the two lower figures). * The Asii-eared Tit-thrush. Descr. — Crown of head, and back of neck, brownish grey ; the ear-coverts and sides of the neck grey ; face, and superciliary stripe, white, bounded above by a broad black line ; rest of the upper plumage rusty red ; wings as in the last ; beneath, the chin barred with black and rust colour, the rest of the lower plumage uniform rusty. Bill blackish ; legs fleshy. Dimensions of the last. The Ash-eared Tit-thrush has been found in Nepal, and also in the Khasia hills. 380. Sutliora Mvifrons, Hodgson. J. A.S., XV., 579 — BLYTn, Cat. 531 — Horsf., Cat. 614 — Tem- noris Nipalensis, Hodgson, J. A. S., XIII., 450, with figure — Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. 61. The Fulvous-fronted Tit-thrush. Upper parts light rufescent brown, inclining to fulvous on the forehead, throat, and breast ; a pale dusky streak on each sin- ciput; secondaries, and the base of the caudals, broadly margined with bright clresnut-fulvous; the belly and flanks albescent greyish. Bill pale; legs light brown. Length 5 inches ; wing 2-^- ; tail 24 ; bill at front \ ; tarsus f. This bird has hitherto only been sent from Nepal. In it the bill is reduced to its minimum in this group, and it might easily be 13 10 BI11DS OF INDIA. mistaken for a thick-billed Tit-mouse. Another species of this genus from China lias lately been figured by Gould in his Birds of Asia, as Sulhora Webbiana. I agree with Mr. Blyth in considering that Struthidea of Austra- lia belongs to this family, and probably to this group ; as perhaps also Splienostoma , and Xerophila of Gould, which, indeed, I see Bonaparte includes in his Timalince , placing them after the Para- doxornis group, in a sub-family with Psophodes and Melanochlora, which latter, however, I look on as a true Tit. Near this group perhaps should come the genus Pyctorhis , but as its affinities for the Alcippe and Timalia section, are perhaps stronger, I shall bring it into the system along with the latter series, and go on to the Jay-tlirushes. Gen. Conostoma, Hodo-son. Char. — Bill short, stout, compressed, arched, with the culmen broad and rounded ; nostrils round, concealed ; rictus with a few short bristles; wings short, feeble, much rounded, 6th, 7th, and 8th quills being about equal and longest ; tail moderately lengthened, rounded, broad ; feet large and strong ; tarsus long, nearly smooth ; the outer toe longer than the inner; hind toe very large ; nails long, slender, and moderately curved. This genus, of which there is only one representative, was con- sidered by its founder to belong to the Glancopince, or Tree-crows of Swainson, with analogies for the Timalince , and Crateropi, of the lower regions; and Gray agrees with this view of its affinities. Blyth classes it with the Paradoxornis group, as do Bonaparte and Idorsfield, who had previously placed it near the Garrulax series. Taking into consideration its short wing, strong legs, and lax plumage, I have no hesitation in placing it near IJeteromorpha, at the same time leading, through the next form, towards Garrulax and its affines. 381. Conostoma cemodium, Hodgson. J. A. S., N., 857, with figure. — Blyth, Cat. 526 — Hoiisf., Cat. •o09, and 612 bis— Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. 84. — Llio-rammo-pho* Lepch. TIMALINiE. 11 The Red-billed Jay-thiiush. Descr. — Head, neck, and body above, dull olive-brown, clearest on the secondaries, and most rufescent on the wings ; the outer edge of the first three primaries pale rufescent or vinous; beneath paler, and passing into dusky slaty blue, all the feathers at their base being of that tint. Bill dull orange; legs slaty grey; hides brown. Length 11| inches; wing 5 ; tail 4|; tarsus ; bill at front §th, nearly 1 inch deep. This bird has hitherto been only procured in Nepal and Sikhim. I got one specimen from Mt. Tongloo, close to the Nepal frontier. Hodgson says that its habits are terrene and rasorial. “ It is,” says he, “ a shy forester, adhering to the wilds, and tenanting the skirts of forests, where brush-wood as well as trees abound. Five or six of these birds are usually found together, chattering, hopping and feeding on the ground, and resorting to the trees and shrubs for shelter. Their food is principally insects in summer, but in winter, doubtless, they take some vegetable food. They inhabit the northern region of Nepal, close to the snows.” The next genus, though somewhat allied in form, differs in its longer and less deep bill, in the apert nostrils, and shorter claws. Like the last, it is composed but of a single species, which was by some considered congeneric with a New Zealand bird, but has lately been separated from it.* Gen. Grammatoptila, Reich. Syn. Turnagra , apud Blyth — Keropict, Gray. Char. — Bill short, stout, moderately compressed, gently curving from the base, slightly hooked and notched ; nostrils obliquely oval, exposed ; a few thin rictal bristles ; wings short, rounded, 5th and 6th quills longest ; tarsus strong ; feet stout; lateral toes slightly unequal, claws moderate, broad. Crested. 382. Grammatoptila striata, Vigors. Garrulus, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1830 — Gould, Century, pi. 37 — Blytii, Cat. 480 — FIorsf. Cat. 301 — Nampiok-pho , Lepch — Kopiam , Bhot. * The New Zealand bird, Kempia crassirustris, appears to me related to the Bower-birds of Australia. 12 BIRDS OF INDIA, The Striated Jay-thrush. Descr. — Above light wood-brown, tinged with umber brown on the head, and rufescent on the wings; the tail almost chesnut brown ; the outer edge of the outermost primaries tinged with hoary ; beneath, brown slightly paler than above ; all the body feathers, both above and below, striated longitudinally with yellowish white ; the streaks on the abdomen wide, and longer than those on the back. Bill black ; legs dusky plumbeous ; irides red brown. Length 12 inches; wing 5| ; tail ; bill at front nearly 1, §th deep; tarsus H. This bird has a remarkably strong aud Jay-like bill, and was originally described as a Jay by Vigors. In its mode of coloration it approaches some of the Garrulax series, viz. Trochalovteron lineatum , and T. irnbricatum. The striated Jay-thrush is a very common bird about Darjeeling, from about 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet, but is more often heard than seen. It frequents the densest thickets, in pairs, or in small and scattered parties. It has some very peculiar calls, one of them not unlike the clucking of a hen which has just laid an egg. I found both fruit and insects in the V OO stomach of those which I examined, chiefly the latter. It extends from Bootan to Nepal, but I am not aware if it is found further to the west. We next come to the Shrike-thrushes. These are disguised so completely as Shrikes that they have usually been classed as such; but, after a full consideration of all their characters, and noting their apparent affinities for some of the next group, many of which have strong Shrike-like bills, I think that their true place is in this family. Gen. Thamnocataphus, Tickell. Char. — Bill lengthened, compressed, high at the base, well hooked at the tip, and strongly notched ; rictal vibrissae small and few; wings short, much rounded, the 3rd to the 7th primaries about equal and longest ; tail moderately long, nearly even ; the outermost feathers slightly shorter ; tarsus long ; lateral toes un- equal ; feet strong ; plumage soft, full, and puffy. TIMALINiE. 13 383. Thamnocataphus picatus, Tickell. 3. A. S., XVIII. — Blyth, Cat. 866. The White-winged Shrike-thrush. Descr. — Above dull greyisli-black, deeper on the crown, and blackest on the lores and ear-coverts ; a narrow white bar on the wing-coverts, continued along the margin of two of the first row ; beneath, uniform rufescent-white, tinged with ferruginous on the flanks and lower tail-coverts. Bill dusky ; legs apparently plumbeous. Length 9 inches ; wing 3| ; tail of; tarsus If; bill at front fth, depth at the base f. This remarkable form differs from all the other members of this family (except Sibia and Gampsorhynclius) by its white wing-spot, assimilating it still further to the Shrikes, and indeed it is very similar, in its mode of coloration, to some of the African Shrikes. The general character of its plumage, however, combined with its elevated and strong tarsi and feet, its habitat in a region rich in varied forms of this family, and its near affinity for Gampsorhyn- chus, have influenced me in placing it here. It has only been procured near Darjeeling by Major Tickell, and the specimen in the Museum of the Asiatic Society at Calcutta is, I believe, unique. Nothing is recorded of its habits. Gen. Gampsorhynchus, Blyth. Cha.7'. — Bill of moderate length, nearly equal to the head, rather wide at the base, deep, moderately compressed ; culmen curved, strongly hooked at the tip, and notched ; gape conspicuously armed with straight vibrissa ; nostrils oval, pierced in the front of the membrane; wings moderate, much rounded, 5th, 6th, and 7th quills about equal and longest; tail rather long, graduated; tarsus moderately long, strong ; claws tolerably curved. Major Tickell considered this form congeneric with the last, from which it differs chiefly by its shorter bill, graduated tail, and colours. Its mode of coloration allies it to some of the next group, and the Lepchas give it the same name as they apply to the species of Paradoxornis and Chleuasicus. 14 BIRDS OF INDIA. 384. Gampsoiiiynchus rufulus, Blyth. J. A. S., XII., 370 — Garrulax, apud Gray — Blytii, Cat. 865 — IIorsf., Cat. 225 — Thamnocataphus senilis, Tickell — Chongto- phep-pho, Lepch. Tiie White headed Shrike-thrush. Descr. — Above uniform olive-brown ; head in adults white, in the young bright ferruginous ; beneath, white in adults, and more or less ferruginous in younger specimens ; shoulder of the wings more or less white ; under surface of the wings pale fulvescent ; the tail-feathers narrowly tipped with pale fulvescent or whitish. Bill dusky horny above, pale beneath ; legs reddish horny ; irides orange yellow in some, straw yellow in others. Length 9 inches ; extent 11£; wing 3^; tail 4f ; tarsus ly’y. This curious bird is found from Xepal through Sikhim and the Khasia hills to Arrakan. In Sikhim it frequents the warmer valleys up to 3,000 feet of elevation. I had not an opportunity of observ- ing it myself, though I procured several specimens ; but the Shikarees assured me that it was found in small flocks in thick 1 busliy places. Those which I have examined had eaten grass- hoppers and other insects. The next group consists of the Quaker-thrushes and Wren- babblers : a great many of them are clad in grey and russet plumage, with more or less of white, and many of them resemble each other so closely that they are only distinguished specifically by the form of the bill, and the size. It is more deve- loped in Malayana than in India, and appears to correspond to a certain extent with the section Cacopittece of Bonaparte. Some of this series approach the Paradoxornis group ; others the Shrike- thrushes ; and a few are close to the Timalice , with which, indeed, most of them are usually placed ; but I think that they form a peculiar section, distinguished as well structurally, as by a parti- cular mode of coloration. I shall begin with one formerly alluded to, which is, however, by no means a typical member of the group. TIMALIN2E. 15 Gen. Pyctoehis, Hodgson. Syn. Chrysomma , Hodgs. Char. — Bill rather short, strong, deep, arched, entire ; rictus strongly bristled ; orbit nude ; wings rather short and feeble, 4th and 5th quills longest; tail long, graduated; legs and feet stout and large ; claws large, moderately curved. 385. Pyctorhis sinensis, Gmelin. Par us, apud Gmelin— Blyth, Cat. 860 — Horsf., Cat. 339— . Timalia hypoleuca, Franklin— Jerdon, Cat. 95 — T. Horsfieldii, Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn., pi. Ill — Tim. bicolor, Lafresn., Mag. Zooh, pi. 39 — Gal-chasm or Bulal-chasm, H. in the south. — Bara-podna , H. in the N. W. P. — Yerra kali-jitta Tel. — Mullala , Sindh. The Yellow-eyed Babbler. Descr. — Above clear red brown, rufous or cinnamon color on the wings, and the tail obsoletely banded with dusky ; lores, and all the lower plumage, white ; lower surface of wings and tail dusky cinereous. Bill black, with the nostrils deep yellow ; legs orpiment yellow ; irides dark brown, with an outer circle of buff; orbits bright orange. Length 61 inches; wing 2^; tail 3| ; bill at front not quite \ ; tarsus lT\j. This species of Babbler is universally spread throughout India, extending to Burmah, and, from the name, perhaps to China. It has been sent from Nepal by Hodgson; is not rare in Bengal and the N. W. P. ; is said to be common in Sindh, and I have seen it in every part of the South of India. It is also found in Ceylon, and it is very common in Upper Burmah. It frequents low jungles, or the skirts of forests, long grass, hedge-rows, and even comes occasionally into gardens. Though sometimes to be met with singly, it is generally seen in small parties of five or six, flying, from bush to bush before you, and trying to conceal itself in some thick clump. It has a low chattering note when at rest, and when flying from bush to bush, a loud sibilant whistle. I have, on several occasions, heard one, perched conspicuously on a high bush or 16 BIRDS OF INDIA. hedge-row, pour forth a remarkably sweet song. It feeds mostly on insects, often on ants and small coleoptcra. Mr. Blyth remarks, that he possessed some of these birds alive, and noticed that they frequently placed one foot upon their food, while they peeked with the bill. Mr. Philipps states that, in the N. W. Provinces, this is the bird said by the natives “ to support the heavens by its legs, lest they fall.” In Southern India this is related of the common Plover, Pluvianus Goernsis. Hie same observer also says, that it generally builds on Banyan trees. I wish that he had described the eggs, which I have never been able to procure. 386. Pictorhis longirostris, Hodgson. P. Z. S., 1854— Horsf., Cat. 669. The larger Yellow-eyed Babbler. Descr. — Above, rufous-brown, darkest on the crown, wings and tail, the last distinctly rayed ; chin, throat, the middle of the belly, and vent, white ; ear-coverts, sides of neck, and Ifreast, pale rufes- cent, brightening on the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts. Bill black, yellowish at the base beneath ; legs pale horny. Length 8^ inches; wing 2|; tail 3^; bill at front g ; tarsus 1. This bird has been only recently described from specimens sent home from Nepal by Hodgson. It is probably the species noticed by Mr. Frith (J. A. S., XIII., 370), as being found in Bengal, which he states to differ from the common species, in being about half larger. I discovered a third species of this genus at Thayet-myo in Upper Burmah, which I have described in the 4th vol. of the ‘Ibis,’ as Ckrysomma altirostre. Its short deep bill approximates it to the Paradoxornis series. Gen. Trichastoma, Blyth. Syn. Malacocincla , Blyth. Char. — Bill about equal to the head, straight, stout, high, much compressed ; the tip hooked ; nostrils large ; wings moderate, 4th quill longest ; tail somewhat short, weak, nearly even ; tarsus moderate ; feet large, the lateral toes slightly unequal ; claws moderately curved, the middle and hind claw very long. TIMALTN2E. 17 Plumage full and lax, with the coronal feathers slightly elongated. This genus appears to have some affinities for Pyctorliis , but differs in its longer bill, shorter, nearly-even tail, and shorter tarsus. 387. Trichastoma Abbotti, Blyth. Malacocincla, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XIV., 601 —Blyth, Cat. 838 — Horse., Cat. 662 — Malacopteron, apud Gray. The Brown-backed Tit-babbler. Descr. — Above, plain olive-brown, tinged with rufous on the rump and tail ; under parts paler ; the throat and the middle of the belly white ; ear-coverts, sides of breast, and flanks, rufescent ; lower tail-coverts pale ferruginous. Bill horny, pale beneath. Length 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2|- ; bill at front This bird has been sent from Nepal by Hogdson, from Dacca by Tytler, and also from Arrakan. I have not had an opportunity of observing it. Other recorded species of Trichastoma are T. bicolor, Less. ( ferruginosum , Bl.) ; T. to stratum , Blyth ; and T. olivaceum, Strickland, all from Malacca. Gen. Alcippe, Blyth. Syn. — Setaria, Blyth — Siva, postea Ioropus, Idodgs. Char. — Bill short, moderately stout and compressed ; culmen slightly curved, hooked and notched ; nostrils slightly impended by some set® ; rictal bristles moderate ; wings moderate, rounded, 4th and 5th quills equal ; tail moderate or rather short, very slightly rounded ; tarsus stout, moderate ; lateral toes unequal ; claws tolerably curved. The birds of this genus are of small size, with plain colors, and, mostly, undefined markings ; and, in their habit are less social, 0 perhaps, and more silent, than most of the Timalice, with which however, they have undoubted affinities ; and they exhibit distant relationship to some of the Leioirichince ; more than one species, now referred to this genus, having been described as Brachypteryx. c 18 BIRDS OF INDIA. 388. Alcippe nipalensis, Hodgson. Siva, apud Hodgson, Ind. Rev., 1838 — Ioropus, Hodgs., J. A. S., XIII., 937 — Blytii, Cat. 848 — Horsf., Cat. 330 — Sam - dayal-plw , Lepch. The Nepal Quakek-thrush Descr. — Above, the head ashy brown ; lores, ears, and sides of neck also ashy ; back, wings, and tail, olivaceous brown ; an in- conspicuous dark brown line over the eyes, extending to the nape ; beneath, the chin wdiite, the rest of the lower parts albescent, mixed with earthy brown. Bill horny yellow; feet pale fleshy brown ; irides whitey brown. Length 5| inches; wing 2§; tail 2^; bill at front barely f ; tarsus §. This bird has been found in Nepal, Sikhim. the Ivhasia hills, and Burmah, as far as Tenasserim. It is very common about Darjeel- ing, frequenting trees, singly, or in small parties, and feeding chiefly on insects. I had the nest and eggs brought me by the Lepchas ; the nest was loosely made with grass and bamboo leaves, and the eggs were white with a few reddish-brown spots. 389. Alcippe poiocephala, Jerdon, Timalia, apud Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 95 bis — Blytii, Cat. 850. The Neilgherry Quaker-thrush. Descr. — Head and nape dusky cinereous ; back and rump green- ish olive, inclining to rufous on the rump, darker and more ferruginous on the wings and tail ; beneath, pale rufescent or fulvous, lightest and albescent on the chin and throat. Bill horny, yellow at the gape and edges ; legs pale fleshy ; irides greenish- white ; the very narrow orbits yellow. Length nearly G inches ; wing 2T8y ; tail 2T°n ; bill at front ; tarsus This is very similar to the last, but differs structurally in having the rictal bristles less elongated, and the feet shorter, with a more robust hind toe. It is found in all the forests of Malabar, as high as North Canara, in Coorg, Wynaad, and the slopes of the Neilgherries, up about 5,000 feet, but it is not a common bird. It goes singly or TIMALINyE. 19 in small flocks, flying from branch to branch of low trees ; is silent, and lives chiefly on various insects. 390. Alcippe atriceps, Jerdon. Brachypteryx, apud Jerdon, Cat. 78 — Blyth, Cat. 861. The Black-headed Wren-eabblee. Descr. — Head, cheeks, and nape, black ; wings, tail, and under tail-coverts brownish olive, darkest on the tail and wings ; beneath, white, with a tinge of olive-brown on the sides and towards the vent. Bill horny -brown ; legs plumbeous ; irides pale orange or buff. Length 5h inches ; wing 2T3jj ; tail 2 ; bill at front fE- ; tarsus T9^ ; extent 7. The Black-headed "Wren-babbler is found in the same localities as the last, but not ascending so high on the slopes of the hills, and being most abundant in the lower forests, contrary to the habits of the previous species. It frecpients the thickest underwood in dense and lofty jungles ; lives in small flocks of five or six, and is continually hopping about the thick bushes with an incessant loud twittering: note. It lives on various insects, small ma.ntidce, grass-hoppers, and the like. In my Catalogue I placed it under Brachypteryx from its like- ness to B. Sepiaria of Horsfield, which, I see, is now considered by some to be also an Alcippe , though Blyth says it is interme- diate to this and Malacopteron. Perhaps this has led Gray to associate this genus with Brachypteryx in his Myotherince. A very closely allied species is A. nigrifrons, Blyth, from Ceylon; and Brachypt. nigro-capitata, Eyton, is probably another. Though so similar in structure, I am by no means certain that these last-named species, viz., A. atriceps , nigrifrons, nigro-capitata , and sepiaria, should not be classed apart from the more dingy- colored species first noticed. The habits of A. atriceps, as observ- ed by myself, are more those of Timalia, or, at all events, of Dumetia and Pellorneum, than the more staid and quiet demeanour of A. poiocephala and Nipalensis. Next to Alcippe, perhaps, should be placed the pre-eminently Malayan group of the Quaker-thrushes, named Malacopteron by 20 BIRDS OF INDIA. Eyton, and to which belong Turdinus, Turdirostris, Macronovs Trichixos , and Napothera. Among the recorded species are Malacopteron magnum , Eyton ; M. major , Blyth ; Macronovs ptilosus, J. and S. ; Turdinus macrodactylus , Strickland, Turdirostris svperciliaris , Hay, &c. &c., from Malay an a : Turdinus crispifrons , BL, T. brevicaudatus , Bl., T. guttatus , Tickell, are from Tenasserim; and there is a new species of that genus from the Ivhasia hills. Cacopitta, Bonap., with' a few species from the Islands, apparently belongs to this section of the Timalince. Some of the birds, however, described under these names are more nearly allied to the true Timalice. Although several species have been lately de- scribed, yet from their plain and sombre plumage, many are perliaps overlooked ; and Wallace states that he got some new species from Malacca, quite common there, but neglected by the bird-dealers. They vary a good deal in the form of their bill, some having this organ large, and much hooked ; and others comparatively slender and slightly hooked. The last-named observer found that they feed chiefly on fruit, but also on insects. It appears to me (judging,from the figures only, and the account of their habits) that Phyllastrephus , an African genus, belongs rather to this family than to the Bulbuls, or Warblers, and if so, it should be located in this section ; and Alcthe, Cassin, also from Africa, is said to be near Napothera. Close to the black -headed species of Alcippe should be placed the following group with which I would commence the series of Wren-babblers, and these nearly agree with Bonaparte’s section Tirnaleoe of his Timalince. Gen. Staciiyeis, Hodgson. Char. — Bill somewhat long, high at the base, straight, com- pressed, tapering or conic, the tip very slightly bent downwards, and faintly notched ; nostrils nearly concealed ; rictus almost smooth ; wings short, rounded, oth, Gth and 7th quills 'equal and longest ; tail rather short, slightly graduated ; tarsus moderately long, stout ; lateral toes nearly equal, claws moderately curved ; middle toe not elongated; hind toe and claws very large. The head is usually crested or sub-crested, the feathers being semi- erect and divergent. TIMALINJE. 21 Blyth, Horsfield, and Gray locate this genus near Pyctorhis and Timalia , the latter, indeed, ranking them as Timalia. Bonaparte puts it among Liotrichiiue , and Hodgson considered it to have affinities for the Brachypodincs, hut leading to the Crateropodans, and with a tendency to pass into the Leiotrichinee. He further compares its habits with those of Zosterops. It appears to me that there are two types of form in this genus, and that, whilst the more common species belong to this family, others, especially .S'. chryscea, appear to have relations to J lyzomis, Erpornis , Zosierops , and lora, which in fact are tlie views of the founders of the genus. 391. Stachyris nigriceps, Hodgson. J. A. S., XIII., 878 — Blyth, Cat. 861 — Horsf., Cat 340. — Sangriam-pho , Lepch. The black-throated TYrex-babbler. JDescr. — Above olive-brown ; beneath paler and tinged rufes- cent ; the crown, face, and throat, dusky black ; the feathers of the crown edged with whitish grey ; a white supercilium, and also a white moustache from the base of the lower mandible, and some white on the chin and throat. Bill dusky horny above, paler beneath ; legs pale horny green ; irides pale yellow. Length 5^ inches ; extent 7 ; wing 2§ ; tail 2 ; bill at front T9^ ; tarsus f . This bird inhabits the S. E. Himalayas and the Kliasia hills. It is very common about Darjeeling, from 5,000 feet to nearly 10,000 in summer : is quite arboreal, hunting among the upper foliage and Hoovers of trees, singly, or in small parties, and feeding chiefly on insects. Hodgson says that it builds a large globular nest, and lays four or five eggs of a pale fawn color, unspotted. A nest and eggs were brought to me at Darjeeling, said to be of this species ; the nest was rather large, very loosely made of bamboo leaves and fibres, and the eggs were pale salmon color, with some faint darker spots. 392. Stachyris pyrrliops, Hodgson. J. A. S., XIII., 378 — Blyth, Cat. 862— Horse., Cat. 341. 22 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Red-billed Wren-babbler. Descr. — Above olivaceous-brown, with a tinge of rufous on the head; lores and chin black; a pale line impending the latter; below rufescent, more or less brown on the belly and flanks. Bill sordid sanguine ; legs pale fleshy-brown ; irides blood-red. Length 4^ to 5 inches ; wing 2 ; tail 2 ; bill at front T7n ; tarsus f. I did not procure this bird in Sikhim. It has been sent from Nepal, Mussooree, and Kussowlee, and it is probably the Prinict , No. 132, of Adams’ List of Birds, said to be common on Apricot trees in the lower Himalayan ranges, in the N. W. Provinces. 393. Stachyris ruficeps, Blyth. J. A. S., XVI., 452 — Blyth, Cat. 863 — Horsf., Cat. 670 — Syak-birang-pho, Lepch. The Red-headed Wren-babbler. Descr. — Crown of the head light ferruginous, the rest of the upper plumage plain olive ; chin and the middle of the throat white, with faint black streaks ; the rest of the lower parts whitish, with a fulvous tinge on the sides of the neck and breast, or, throughout of dull oil-yellow or pale ferruginous, darkest on the breast, and fading, and becoming dusky towards the vent. Bill plumbeous above, reddish beneath ; legs pale yellow brown ; irides light brown. Length 4f inches ; wing 2^ ; tail 2 £ ; bill at front T7g ; tarsus f . This bird, which, says Mr. Blyth, is allied in form and size to the last, is found in Nepal, Sikhim, and the Khasia hills. It is common at Darjeeling, frequenting high trees in small parties, searching the foliage for minute insects. A nest and eggs, said to be of this species, were brought to me at Darjeeling. The nest wTas a loose structure of grass and fibres, and contained two eggs of a greenish white color, with some rusty spots. 394. Stachyris chrysaea, Hodgson. J. A. S., XIII., 379 — Blyth, Cat. 864 — IIorsf., Cat. 342 — Syak-birang-pho , Lepch. TJMALINiE. 4 The Golden-headed Wren-babbler. Dsscr. — Above yellow olivaceous ; forehead and crown yellow, the latter with black streaks ; lores black ; wings and tail dusky, margined with olive ; beneath bright yellow. Bill plumbeous ; legs pale brownish yellow; irides light brown* Length 4i inches ; wing 2^ ; tail 2 ; bill at front nearly k; tarsus The Golden-headed Stachyris is found in the S. E. Himalayas, the Khasia hills, and Arrakan, generally at a lower level than the last, from 3.000 to 5,000 feet or so. It frequents high trees gene- rally, feeding on the minute insects that, infest flowers and buds, and often has its forehead powdered with the pollen of flowers, as we see in Zosterops and other birds. This species differ from its congeners in its mode of coloration, more pointed bill, and other points, and perhaps should be removed to a distinct genus near Zosterops or Myzornis. Very probably some of the smaller Timalice of the Malayan Fauna should be placed in Stachyris. Tim. poliocephala, Temm., judging from the figure, has much of the character and plumage of Stachyris. Gen. Mixornis, Hodgson. Char. — Bill rather long, compressed, with a tendency to arch ; tip blunt, barely notched ; nostrils ovoid, advanced ; wings moder- ate, rounded, the first four graduated, 5th and 6th sub-equal and longest ; tail moderate or rather short ; tarsus strong ; toes rather short, laterals very unequal ; hind toe large ; nails well curved. This genus is very closely allied to the last, inclining more to- wards Timalia. Hodgson says that it ‘ resembles Iora , but the bill is more meruline, inclining to the Crateropodince.' 395. Mixornis rubicapillus, Tickell. Motacilla, apud Tickell, J. A. S., II., 575 — Blyth, Cat. 855 — XIorsf., Cat. 338. — M. chloris, Hodgs, — M. ruficeps, Hodgs. — M. gularis, Horsf.? The Yellow-breasted Wren-babbler. Descr. — Above dull olive-green, inclining to rufescent or brown ; wings and tail rufescent brown ; part of the forehead, supercilium, 24 BIRDS OF INDIA. ears, and sides of the neck, yellowish-green, with’some dusky streaks; crown of the head dull ferruginous ; beneath pale yellow, fading to whitish on the lower abdomen, and olivaceous on the flanks and vent : the throat and upper part of the breast with some blackish streaks. Bill horny ; legs pale horny brown ; irides reddish-hazel. Length 5f inches ; wing 2| ; tail 2 ; bill at front § ; tarsus This bird, very similar in color to Stachyris rujiceps , has been found at the foot of the Xepal and Bootan Himalayas, and in part of Central India; but it appears to be rare, fori have never met with it. It will probably occur in the Sikhim Terai, at the foot of the Ivhasia hills, and in various parts of lower Bengal. Tickell says that it is found in thick under-wood, hollows, ravines, &c., and is lively and agile, with a frequent piping note, and occasional chatter. M. gularis of Java looks like a faded specimen of this bird ; but is put as distinct by Horsfield. In this genus are placed several species from Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Gen. Timadia, Horsfield. Char. — Bill strong, deep, much compressed, very gently arching throughout ; nostrils oval, apert ; strong rictal bristles ; wings short, much rounded, 5th and 6th quills longest ; tail moderate, rounded ; tarsus stout ; lateral toes unequal ; hind toe, and especially the claw, large. This genus, founded on the only species occurring in our pro- vince, was one of the first of this family separated from the old Linnaean Tardus , and, perhaps, on this account has been selected for the family name, though I do not consider it as one of the most typical forms. 396. Timalia pileata, Horsfield. Lin., Trans. XIII., 151 — Horsf., Zool. Res. Java, pi. — Horsf., Cat. 332 — Blyth, Cat. 856. The PiEd-capped "Wren-babbler. JDescr. — Forehead and ears white ; top of the head bri Hit rusty- red : the rest of the upper plumage olivaceous-brown, tinged with ashy on the sides of the neck and nape; wings and tail tinned TIMALIN.S. 25 ■with rusty brown ; beneath, the chin, throat, neck, and part of the breast, pure white ; the lower part of the neck with narrow black streaks, the shafts of each feather being shining black and pro- longed; abdomen and vent pale ferruginous, tinged with olivaceous on the flanks, and the lower tail-coverts olive-brown. Bill black ; legs fleshy brown ; irides dusky red. Length 6f inches ; wing 2§ : tail 2^ ; bill at front f- ; tarsus nearly The Red-capped Babbler has been procured in Xepal, the Bengal Sunderbuns, Assam, and Arrakan, extending through Burmah and the Malayan peninsula to Java. It has thus the most extensive geographical distribution of any of this family. I have seen it in the grass jungles of Pumeah, Rajmahal, Sylhet, and Cachar, as well as in Upper Burmah. where it is much more abundant than in Bengal, and less shv, affecting hedge-rows near villages, instead of the unfrequented grass jungles and thickets in which alone it is seen in Bengal. Horsfield says that it is common (in J ava) in groves and woods; approaches villages, constructs its nest 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 tones of the diatonic scale (C. D. E. F. &.), with perfect regularity, and at small intervals of time. There are manv other species of Timalia in Malayans, viz., T. nigricollis. T. — T. erythroptera. Bl. — T. maculata, T. ( pectoralis , Bl.), from Malacca : and others from the islands. Gen. Doietia, Blyth. Svn. Timalia, apud Franklin. Char. — Bill moderate, or rather short, compressed, pointed; culmen sli^htlv curving from the base, and the commissure also slio-htlv curved ; a few small rictal bristles : wings short, rounded, 4th, 5th. and 6th quills nearly equal : tail moderate, rounded ; tarsus stout ; middle toe not elongate ; lateral toes about equal, hind toe and claw moderately large. This genus, instituted by Mr. Blyth for two small species confined to continental India, is barely separable from PeUomevm , with which at one rime Mr. Blvth classed them : but it differs D 26 BIRDS OF INDIA. in the bill being somewhat shorter, the middle toe less elongate, and in its distribution. The species have all the wandering habits of the Malacocerci and Chatarhceci, and in this they certainly differ from the Drymoicce and Prinice , which are only a little smaller than these birds. 397. Bumetia hyperythra, Franklin. Thimalia, apud Franklin — Blyth, Cat. 787. The Rufous-bellied Babbler. Descr. — Above brownish olive, the tail obsoletely barred with dusky ; forehead and whole body beneath rufous. Bill horny; legs fleshy yellow; irides pale yellow-brown. Length inches ; wing 2-Aj ; tail 2 ; tarsus T|. This bird is found in low jungle and brushwood, from Nagpoor northwards to Central India and Midnapore, but has not been ob- tained in Lower Bengal. It has similar habits to the next, with which I formerly confounded it ; and Mr. Blyth remarks that its note is like that of Chatarhcea caudata, but proportionally weaker. 398. Dumetia albogularis, Blyth. Pellorneum, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XXI.— Blyth, Cat 788 — Horsf., Cat. 660 — T. hyperythra, apud Jerdon, Cat. 69 — Pandi- jitta, Tel, i. e., Pig-bird. The White-throated Wren-Babbler. Descr. — Like the last, but with the chin and throat pure white. Length 5ij inches; wing 2T% ; tail 2£ ; bill at front t4q ; tarsus 17 2 O’ This little Babbler is found throughout Southern India in suit- able localities, in bushy jungle, ravines, thick hedge-rows, &c., but it is entirely absent in the forest districts of Malabar. It always occurs in small parties, skulking along one after the other, under bushes or through them, rarely showing itself on the top ; hence the Telugu name of Pig-bird given it by the Yana- dees of Xellore. It feeds almost exclusively on small insects, and has a low chattering call. TIMALIN2E. 27 Gen. Pellorneum, Swainson. Syn. Cinclidia, Gould — • Hemipteron , Hodgs. Char. — Bill moderate, straight, compressed, very gently curving throughout, slightly hooked at the tip, and notched; rictal bristles feeble; wings much rounded, 5th, 6th, and 7th quills nearly equal ; tail moderate, rounded ; tarsus moderate ; feet large ; middle toe lengthened ; laterals barely unequal ; hind toe long ; claws tolerably curved. 399. Pellorneum ruficeps, Swainson. Blyth, Cat. 823 — Horsf., Cat. 323 — Megalurus ruficeps, Sykes, Cat. 87 — Motac. dumeticola, Tickell — Cinclidia punctata, Gould — P. olivaceum, Jerdon, Cat. 86 — Adavi liku-jittu , Tel. The Spotted Wren-babbler. Descr. — Above olive-brown ; crown and nape deep rusty color- ed, with a more or less marked white eye-brow from the forehead to the nape ; ears dusky-white, or mixed brown and white, or en- tirely brown ; beneath, white or fulvous white, with spots of dark olive on the sides of the breast and belly, olivaceous on the flanks and under tail-coverts. Bill horny above, yellowish fleshy beneath ; legs fleshy yellow ; irides brick-red. Length 7 inches ; extent 9 ; wing 3 ; tail 3 ; bill at front T9y ; tarsus, lTy. This bird has a wide geographical distribution, only inferior, in this family, to that of Tim. pileata. It is found throughout South- ern India, both on the east and west coasts ; in Central India ; in the South East Himalayas ; the Khasia hills ; and through Burmah to Tenasserim. It associates in small flocks, frequenting underwood and thickets in forest jungle, often descending to the ground, where it hops about in search of various insects, or climbing up the small branches of shrubs ; it keeps up a continual chattering, and, occa- sionally, one of them, perched on a bough, elevating his head and neck, gives utterance to a sort of crowing laugh, not unlike that of Troclicilopteron cachinnans. Col. Sykes's observation that it frequents the plains like a Lark, must have arisen from some mistaken identity. 28 BIRDS OF INDIA. Besides the affinity of Pellorneum for some of the last noticed group, there is also considerable similarity to at least one of the next birds mentioned, the Pomatorhini. Other species of Pellorneum recorded are P. fuscocapillum, Blyth, from Ceylon, formerly classed as Drymocataphus ; P. Tickelli, Blyth, from Tenas- serim ; and a closely allied species from the Khasia hills. At the end of this Section, Bonaparte places two Oceanic types, € lit onyx, Reich, and Certhiparus , Lafresn., with what justice I cannot say. The next group is one which shows the extreme form from the species of this family first noticed ; for while in Paradoxornis and Suthora , the bill was reduced to its minimum in length and maxi- mum depth, here it is extremely elongated, slender, and curved, varying of course in the different species. Gen. Pomatorhinus, Horsf. Char . — Bill long, compressed, pointed, much curved throughout, entire at the tip; nostrils barelyr apert, lengthened; a few very small rictal bristles; wing short, rounded; 5th and fith quills longest; tail long or moderate, rounded ; tarsi and feet long and stout ; anterior toes not much elongate ; hind toe large ; claws large, moderately curved, somewhat blunt. Bonaparte ranges this genus with the Babblers, his Crater op odinae ; but it is certainly more nearly allied both in plumage and habits to the Garrulax series. It is found in India and Malayana, extend- ing to Australia, but of a somewhat different type. They hunt in pairs, and less in parties than many of this family, and their diet is exclusively insects, in seeking for which on the ground they are said to use their bills freely like Upupa, but I have not had an opportunity of observing them thus employed; and from the thick brushwood and tangled brakes they usually fre- quent, it is difficult to watch them closely. Though not habi- tually frequenting the open forests, they are never found away from a forest country. They nidificate in banks generally, and the eggs of those that are known are white. The first species in our list is a slightly aberrant form ; its bill being shorter and less arched, and it has much resemblance to Pellorneum ruficeps. TIMALIN^E. 29 400. Pomatorhinus ruficollis, Hodgson. As. Res., XIX — Blyth, Cat. 834 — Horsf., Cat. 350. The Rufous-necked Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above olive-green ; bead and nape dusky ; back and sides of neck deep rusty ; lores and ear-coverts blackish ; a white supercilium from the brow to the nape; beneath, as above, but paler, and shaded with white on the breast and belly, merging into pure white on the chin and throat. Bill yellow, dusky above ; legs plumbeous ; irides red or red- brown, (or sometimes hoary according to Hodgson). Length 8 inches; extent 9g ; wing 3 ; tail 3^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus This species is found in the S. E. Himalayas and the Khasia hills. 401. Pomatorhinus ferruginosus, Blyth. J. A. S., XIV., 597 — Blyth, Cat. 833 — Horsf. Cat. 351 — Piong-kohut , or Poniong-hut , Lepch. — Bhotetet , Bhot. The Coral-billed Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above greenish-olive brown, the cap black (in the males) ; lores and ears black ; a long white supercilium, tinged with rufous in front (in the male); beneath, the throat white, and the rest of the under-parts deep ferruginous, fading on the belly, and olivaceous on the flanks. Bill coral-red ; legs greenish brown ; irides red-brown. Length 81 inches ; extent 11 ; wing 31 ; tail 4 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus, 1 J. The Coral-hilled Babbler has been found in the S. E. Himalayas, Nepal, and Sikhim, at from 3,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation. I pro- cured it near Darjeeling, but know of nothing peculiar in its habits. A very nearly allied race, P. Phagrei, Blyth, is found in the hill regions of Assam and Arrakan, differing only in the crown being- of the same color as the back ; and P. albogularis, Bl., also closely allied, is from the Tenasserim province of Burmah. 402. Pomatorhinus schisticeps, Hodgson. As. Res., XIX. — Blyth, Cat. 828 — Horsf., Cat. 315 — P. mon- tanus, apud McLelland — Pubdoa Beng. 30 BIRDS OF INDIA. Phoyeum-pho , or Pharr eeum-pho., Lepch. The Slaty-headed Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above dark olive-green ; crown, nape, and ear-coverts, dark slaty ; a long white supercilium from the base of the bill to the shoulder ; lores black ; sides of the neck and body intense ochreous red ; beneath, the chin, breast, and belly, pure white ; lower part of abdomen, with the flanks, vent, thigh-coverts, and under tail-coverts, olive-green ; tail faintly cross barred. Bill orange-yellow, with the ridge dusky ; legs fleshy-brown ; irides hoary; orbitar skin slaty. Length 11 inches; extent 12^ ; wing 4 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front If ; tarsus 1^. This species of Pomatorhinus extends from Nepal, through Sikhim and Bootan, to Assam, Sylhet, and Arrakan. It is not rare near Darjeeling, at about 5,000 feet high, and goes generally in pairs, the male uttering a loud hooting call, answered by the female in a different tone. A nest made of moss and some fibres, and with four pure white eggs, was brought to meat Darjeeling as belonging to this bird. 403. Pomatorhinns lencogaster, Gould. Blyth, Cat. 829 — IIorsf., Cat. 346 — P. olivaceus, Blyth. Gould’s Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above uniform dull olive ; the head tinged with dusky- cinereous, and a faint rufescent tinge on the nape ; lores and ear- coverts black; a long white supercilium, and a deep ferruginous spot behind the ear, continued on the sides of the neck and flanks ; beneath, the throat, breast, middle of abdomen, white ; flanks and lower tail-coverts olivaceous. Bill yellow, dusky above ; feet leaden brown. Length 9 inches ; wing 3 1 ; tail 4 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1^. This appears like a somewhat diminutive race of the last ( schisticeps ), and is widely spread from the N. W. Himalayas, through Nepal, to Assam, and as low as Tenasserim. I did not procure it at Darjeeling. It appears not to ascend the hills to any height. TIM ALT NAS. 31 404. Pomatorhinus Horsfieldii, Sykes. Cat. 73— Jerdon, Cat. 89— Blyth, Cat. 831 — Hoesf., Cat. 347 — Namala-pitta , or Dasari-pitta , Tel. The Southern Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above deep olive-brown ; a- white superciliary stripe ; neck in front, breast, and middle of abdomen, white ; the flanks, vent, and under taihcoverts olive-brown. Bill yellow, dusky, above ; legs dusky green ; irides dark-red. Length 9^ inches; wing 3t8q ; tail 4; bill at front ly1^; tarsus 1TV This is the only species of Pomatorhinus we possess in the south of India, or indeed in any part of India except the Himalayas. It is found in all the forests and hill ranges of Southern India, espe- cially in the more elevated districts such as Wynaad, Coorg, and the Neilgherries, up to above 6,000 feet; also in the Eastern Ghats, Goomsoor, &c. ; and in the heavy jungles of Central India. It frequents tangled under-wood, in forests, especially in swampy places, and bamboo jungles ; and it makes its way through the most dense and tangled bushes with great facility. It is very shy and wrary, and speedily evades observation. It is usually in pairs, the male calling out, as well expressed by Col. Sykes, hoot , hoot , hoot , while the females answer hooee. Occasion- ally it is met in parties, keeping up a continual chattering call. It feeds entirely on insects. I parocured its nest near Nediwuttum on the Neilgherries, on a bank on the road side, made with moss and roots, and containing four white eggs of a very elongated form. A nearly allied species, P. melanurus , Bl., occurs in Ceylon ; and this, with the two last species, andP. montanus , Horsf., from Java, may be considered representative species. 405. Pomatorhinus erythrogenys, Gould. P. Z. S., 1831 — Gould, Cent. H. B., pi. 55 — Blyth, Cat. 827 — Horsf., Cat. 345 — P. ferrugilatus, IIodgs. — Ban-bukra , at Mussooree — Yongohut-pho, Lepch. 32 BIllDS OF INDIA. The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above light olive-brown ; the forehead and sides of the head rusty; a hoary spot just before the eye, and a short faint dusky moustache ; beneath, white, dashed on the top of the breast with dusky ; and the sides of the body, the lining of the wings, thighs, and under tail -coverts, bright rusty. Bill horny ; legs fleshy-yellow ; irides pale yellow (hoary accord- ing to Hodgson) ; orbital* skin slaty. Length 10^ inches; extent 11^; wing 3§; tail 4^; bill at front l—y ; tarsus 1^. The female is said to differ from the male in wanting the dark moustache. This Pomatorhinus is found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas, from Simla to Sikhim and Bootan. It is not rare at Darjeeling. Hutton says that it is ‘‘common in the N. W. Himalayas, from 3,000 to 10,000, and even 12,000 feet; always in pairs, turning up the dead leaves on copsewood-covered banks, uttering a loud whistle, answering and calling each other ; it breeds in April, constructing a nest on the ground, of dry grasses and leaf stalks of walnut trees, and is covered with a dome-shaped roof, so nicely blended with the fallen leaves and withered grasses, among which it is placed, as to be almost undistinguish- able from them. The eggs are three in number, and white, of ordinary oval shape. When disturbed the bird sprung along the ground with long bounding hops, so quickly, that from its motions and the appearance of the nest, I was led to believe it was a species of rat.” Somewhat allied in appearance and structure to this last species is P. hypoleucos of Blyth, from Arrakan, and a new species, lately found by me on the Khasia hills, Pom. McLellandi. The former species, originally described by Blyth from a young specimen, under the generic name of Orthorhinus, is still considered generically dis- tinct by Tickell, who says that “the bill is soft in texture, and sub- cylindric in form, the sinciput flat, and the tail broad and fan-like. Other Pomatorhini not previously noticed are P. Isidorei , Lesson, from New Guinea; P. borneensis, Cab., from Borneo ; P. musicus and P. stridulus , Swinhoe, from China. The Australian TIMALINiE. 33 Pomatorhini have been recently separated as Pomatostomus ; their habits appear very similar, but the nidification differs. Gen. Xiphokamphus, Blyth. Syn. Xiphorhynchus, Blyth, olim. Char. — Bill still more curved and more slender than in Pomator- liinus, much compressed ; wings and tail as in that genus ; claws longer, more slender, and very slightly curved. This is simply an exaggerated form of Pomatorhinus. 406. Xiphoramphus superciliaris, Blyth. J. A. S., XI., 175— Blytth, Cat. 856 — PIorsf., Cat. 353 — ■ Jerdon, 111. Ind. Om., PI. 49 — Karriok-tamveep , Lepch. The Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler. Descr. — Above uniform reddish brown ; quills and tail dusky ; crown, occiput, and sides of head, dark cinereous, with a narrow superciliary white line ; under-parts dull rufo-ferruginous ; throat whitish, streaked with dusky grey ; the breast fainter rufous than the belly, and obscurely spotted with dusky ; shoulders of wings and tibia! feathers dark cinereous. Bill dusky black, plumbeous at the tip ; legs leaden brown ; irides red-brown. Length 9 inchps ; wing 3 ; tail 4f ; bill at front If ; tarsus If. This very curious bird has hitherto been only procured in Sikhim. It is rare, and is found from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, and upwards. I know nothing of its habits, but I doubt its being known to any one as a pleasing songster, as Mr. Blyth was informed. The next group, that of the Laughing Thrushes, Garrulacincs , Bonaparte, is peculiarly a Himalayan and mountain tribe, only three having been found in Southern India ; one or two in Ceylon ; and a few more on the Khasia hills, and the upland forests of Burmah, extending northwards to China, but sparingly into Mai ay ana. They have received several names. Swainson formed of them his genus Crater opus, which was formerly used by myself, but that name is now restricted to a peculiar African type ; and Gould formed his Ianthocincla for some. Garrulax of Lesson is now generally adopted, but it has been sub-divided. E 34 BIRDS OF INDIA. All the species of this group have a more or less Thrush-like bill, short rounded wings, a long and broad, graduated or rounded tail, and strong legs and feet. As introductory to this division of the Timalince, I extract some excellent general remarks by Hodgson, when describing several new species : “ They frequent deep and dark forests and groves exclusively, feed chiefly on the ground, eat insects, berries, and caterpillars, and are incapable of a sustained flight. They are frequently met with on the roads and pathways in the forests, attracted by the dung of cattle, for the grain, larvae, and insects it affords them. On the whole they are more insectivorous than frugivorous or graminivorous, yet they are more capable of a graminivorous diet than the true Thrushes.* They scrape the earth with their bill, and sometimes with their feet; many of them are caged and tamed with facility, and in Nepal are often kept in walled gardens, when they are very useful, destroying larvae and insects.” To these remarks I can only add that they are almost exclusively monticolous, one (or two perhaps) frequenting forests in the plains. All are very social, and have loud voices, some harsh, others mellow and pleasing; a few lay white eggs, the majority blue. Gen. Gaeeulax. Syn. Crater opus , Swainson, apud Jerdon — Ianthocincla (partly) Gould. — Cinclosomci , Vigors and Hodgson. Char. — Bill rather long, moderately stout, nearly straight ; the culmen gently curved towards the tip, which is slightly hooked and notched ; nostrils advanced, more or less impended by nareal tufts ; rictal bristles rather long ; wings moderate, 5th and 6th quills longest; tail long, much founded; legs and feet very strong ; lateral toes nearly equal ; claws long. The birds composing this genus are of rather large size, with longer bills than the next; the plumage plain, in masses, and with fewer marks and variegations. In their habits they are the most gregarious and noisy of their tribe. There are several sections, distinguished chiefly by the mode of coloration. * I presume that Mr. Hodgson had here partly in view the Malacocirci, or Babblers, which are much greater grain-eaters than the Laughing-thrushes. TIMALINiE. 35 The first have the head crested, that and the breast white, and a black ear-stripe ; and the only species known to the older authors is the first on our list. The bill is furnished with tufts of bristly feathers advancing to the base of the nostrils ; the tarsus is very strong ; the middle toe elongated, and the outer toe distinctly longer than the inner. 407. Garrulax leucoloplins, ITardwicke. Corvus, apud Hardwicke, Lin. Tr. XI. — Blyth, Cat. 482 — Horse., Cat. 284 — Gould, Cent. Id. Birds, pi. 18 — Rawil-kahy , H. in the N. W. P. — Karrio-pho , Lepch. — Karria goka , Bhot. — Laughing Crow of Europeans in the X. W. Himalayas. The White-crested Laughing-thrush. Descr. — The whole head with the crest, nape, sides of neck, throat, and breast, pure white, tinged with cinereous on the nape and back of the neck ; a black streak from the nostrils through the eye to the ear-coverts ; the rest of the plumage rich olive rufescent brown, tinged with chesnut where it joins the white, and darker on the tail ; quills and tail dusky on their inner webs. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; hides red-brown (or brownish yellow in some). Length 12 inches ; extent 15^ ; wing 5 ; tail 5 ; bill at front yf ; tarsus 1 f- . The White-crested Laughing-thrush is found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas from the far north-west to Bootan, and thence through the Khasia hills to Arrakan. It assembles in large flocks of twenty or more, every now and then bursting out into a chorus of most discordant laughter, quite startling at first, and screaming and chattering for some time. They feed on the ground a good deal, turning over dead leaves for insects, but also eat various berries. They frequent the hill zone from about 2,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation (rarely higher), but are most numerous between 3,000 and 4,500 feet. I have had the nest and eggs brought me more than once when at Darjeeling ; the former being a large mass of roots, moss, and grass, with a few pure white eggs. 36 BIRDS OF INDIA. A nearly allied species is found in Burmali, G. Belangeri, Lesson. Another sub-division, very similar in form, is exemplified by G. strepitans of Tickell, and this extends into China, where represent- ed by G. perspicillatus, and G. chinensis (which last also occurs in the Tenasserim Provinces) ; indeed, it is doubtful if it really do occur in China. G. bicolor and G. mitratus , Muller, from Sumatra, perhaps belong to this section. An interesting account of the habits of G. chinensis in confinement is recorded by Blyth, from Mr. Frith, which, as throwing light on the manners of the group, I shall here transcribe: “The bird was excessively tame and familiar, and delighted in being caressed and tickled by the hand, when it would spread its wing, and assume very singular attitudes. It was naturally a fine songster, and a most universal imitator. Whenever chopped meat, or other food, was put into its cage, it always evinced the propensity to deposit the bits one by one between the wires ; and when a bee or wasp was offered, the bird would seize it instantly, and invariably turn its tail round and make the insect sting it several times successively before eating it. A large beetle it would place on the ground and pierce it with a violent downward stroke of its bill ; a small snake (about a foot long) it treated in like manner, transfixing the centre of the head ; it afterwards devoured about half the snake, holding it by one foot, while it picked with the bill, as was its common mode of feeding.” Swinhoe relates that he has more than once found the remains of small birds in the gizzard of G. perspicillatus , and he states that it also pilfers eggs. The two next birds, with two others found out of our limits, form a small group of allied species, of similar habits to those of the last section, but with a particular coloration ; the bill is a trifle more curved ; and the nareal bristles almost conceal the nostrils. 408. Garrulax carulatus, Hodgson. Cinclosoma, apud IIodgs., As. Ees. XIX. — Blyth, Cat. 487 — IIoRSF., Cat. 291 — Tarmol-pho , Lepch. — Piavg~kam , Bhot. The Grey-sided Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above rich olive-brown, tinged with chesnut ; the head darker, with some black marks, each feather being narrowly tipped TIMALINiE. 37 black; a black frontal zone reaching through the lores to the ears ; wings and tibial feathers dull blue or ashy grey. Bill dusky, livid at the base ; legs fleshy white ; irides red brown; orbitar skin livid. Length 11 inches; extent 13 ; wing 4^ ; tail 5 ; bill at front f ; tarsus If. This Laughing-thrush is found in the S. E. Himalayas. It is not rare in Sikhim, from about 2,000 to 4,000 feet or so. A nest and eggs, said to be of this bird, were brought to me at Darjeeling, the nest loosely made with roots and grass, and containing two pale-blue eggs. 409. Garrniax Delesserti, Jerdon. Crateropus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 88 — Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 13 — C. griseiceps, Delessert. TheWynaad Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Head and nape dusky blackish grey ; the rest of the plumage above dark brownish rufous, lighter and ferruginous on the rump and tail-coverts, and darker on the wings and tail ; chin, throat, neck, and breast, white ; the sides of the breast shaded with dull cinereous, belly and vent light reddish brown. Bill dusky, yellow at the base beneath ; legs fleshy ; irides dull red. Length 11 inches; wing 4 jh- ; tail 4f ; tarsus 1-^. This is a somewhat rare bird. I first saw it in possession of M. Delessert, who got it in the slopes of the Neilgherries ; and I afterwards procured it in the same locality, at about 3,000 feet of elevation. I also saw it several times in the Wynaad, associating in large flocks, wandering about among the under-wood and bamboos, and occasionally bringing out a chorus of peculiar, but clear, chatterino- notes. o A nearly allied species is found in Ceylon, G. cinereifrons , Blyth ; another in Assam, G. gularis, McLelland, which last I lately procured in the Khasia hills. The next bird noticed differs in some points : the bill is shorter and more arched, the frontal plumes are bristly ; the tarsus is distinctly scutated, and the coloration is peculiar. 38 BIRDS OF INDIA. 410. Garrulax ruficollis, Jard. and Selby. Ianthocincla, apud Jardine and Selby, 111. Orn., 2nd Series, pi. 21 — Blyth, Cat. 496 — Horsf. Cat. 293 — Ianthoc. lunaris, McLelland — Pobduya, Beng. — Rapchen-plio , Lepch. The Rufous-necked Laughing-thrush. Descr. — General plumage olive-brown, darker on the tail, which is almost black at the tip, and passing into deep ashy on the crown and occiput ; forehead, orbital- region, ear-coverts, throat, and fore- neck, deep black ; a crescent-like patch of deep rufous on the sides of the neck ; middle of the lower abdomen, vent, and under tail- coverts, rufous. Bill black ; legs livid brown ; irides dull red. Length 91- inches ; extent 12^ ; wing 4 ; tail 5^ ; bill at front f ; tarsus H. This Garrulax is found at the foot of the Himalayas, extending up the slopes of the hills, to perhaps 2,000 feet ; and is also com- mon in the forests of Assam, Sylhct, and Cachar, and the eastern frontier of Bengal. I first observed it in the Sikliim Terai, where I was absolutely startled by a large troop of them, twenty or thirty at least, suddenly breaking out into a most extraordinary cack- ling, chattering, crowing chorus, some of the notes being clear, others harsh. The birds were in some bamboo jungle on the road side, some feeding on the ground, others perched on the bamboos and trees around ; and they did not leave the spot, nor cease their calling, till I had shot two or three of them. I found that they had been feeding chiefly on insects, also on seeds. Buchanan Hamilton says that this bird is easily tamed, sings with a fine full mellow note, like a Blackbird, and lives on insects and plantains, &c. The next group is distinguished by their dull plumage, by' the tail feathers tipped with white, and by a tendency of the outer web of the primaries to be lighter colored, as in the next genus. The bill is stron- ger than in the last, the nostrils more apert, the rictal bristles feeble, the tarsus strongly scutated, and the middle toe less lengthened. 411. Garrulax albogularis, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 484 — Horsf., Cat. 286 — Cinclos. albigula, Hodgson— Karreum-pho , Lepch. TIMALINiE. 39 The W niTE-TiiROATED Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above dull olive-brown, with some fulvous on the fore- head and near the eyes ; lores, and under the eyes, black ; termi- nal third of the lateral tail feathers white ; beneath, the chin and throat white ; breast the same colour as the back ; abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, rusty, darker on the flanks and under tail-coverts. Bill dusky ; legs plumbeous grey ; irides glaucous ; orbitar skin greenish. Length 12 inches; extent 15; wing 5j ; tail of ; bill at front nearly 1 ; tarsus 1^. The White-throated Laughing-thrush is found throughout the Himalayas, from Bootan to Simla, more common in the North-west, than in the eastern portion of the range. It prefers rather high elevations, from 6,000 to 9,000 feet and upwards ; lives in large flocks, feeding mostly on the ground, among bamboos and brush-wood, and every now and then scream- ing and chattering, but not so loudly or discordantly as some of the others. Hutton, who says that it is very common at Mussooree, found the nest “about seven or eight feet from the ground, of woody tendrils, twigs, fibres, or at times of grass and leaves, and with three beautiful shining green eggs.” It is not very common at Darjeeling, and is not found below 6,000 or 7,000 feet. 412. Grarrulax pectoralis, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 485 — Horse., Cat. 288 — Cinclos. grisaure, Hodgson — G. melanotis, Blyth — G. uropygialis, Cabanis— Ol-pho, Lepch. TnE Black-gorgeted Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Plumage above light olivaceous brown, with a rusty tinge on the back and rump, and the nape and hind neck bright rusty ; quills edged whitish, or pale cinereous, and the terminal third of all the lateral tail-feathers with a double band of black and white ; a narrow rvhite supercilium ; cheeks, lores, and ear-coverts silvery grey or white (in some, however, pure black), enclosed by two narrow black lines, which originate at the base of the bill, and circling round the eyes and ears, unite into a broad band, which descends on the sides of the neck, and thence form a gorget 40 BIRDS OF INDIA. on the top of the breast ; beneath, the chin is white ; the neck, throat, breast, and sides of the abdomen, very pale fulvous, in some bright rusty throughout, except on the middle of the lower abdomen, sometimes white on the throat and breast ; the rest of the body beneath, white. Bill bluish horny, dusky above ; legs greenish plumbeous ; irides brown ; orbital* skin dusky leaden. Length 1 3 inches ; extent 164; wing 5|; tail 5| ; bill at front 1^; tarsus 1^. This species varies a good deal (according to the locality) in the markings on the ear-coverts, which in some are black, in others white mixed with black ; and in some the pectoral band is obsolete. Specimens from the Himalayas have usually the ears silver-grey, whilst those from Arrakan have them black and grey in every gradation. It is found in the Himalayas, extending through Assam into Burmah. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, gives G. uropygialis , Cabanis, from Assam, as distinct from this, ( the wings of a duller shade, and the rump rufescent, not concolorous with the body. ’ It does not appear to me to differ. 413. Garrulax moniliger, Hodgson. Cinclosoma, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX. — Blyth, Cat. 486 — Horsf., Cat. 289 — Ianthoc. pectoralis, apud McLellanJD— -Garr. MeLellandi, Blytii — Ol-pho , Lepch. — Piang-kam , Bliot. The Neck-laced Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Very like the last ; above pale olive-brown ; the whole neck and throat rusty; the lateral tail feathers with a double band of black and white, but the white much less broad than in the last ; the rest of the body beneath white, more or less tinged with rusty on the breast, flanks, and middle of the abdomen ; a white supercilium from the bill to the occiput ; below it a black line proceeding from the bill, through the eyes and ear-coverts (which are black, more or less mixed with white or grey), and sweeping round the bottom of the breast like a necklace. Bill dusky horny ; legs fleshy grey ; irides yellow, or pale brownish, or orange ; orbital* skin evanescent. Length 1 1 4 inches ; wing 54 ; tail 5 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1 4- TIM ALINAS. 41 This species differs from the last in its smaller size, shorter wing, the less development of the pectoral band, less white on the tail feathers, and in the ear-coverts seldom having any white, or, it is only seen in the lower part ; the legs and hides, too, differ in color. It is found in the S. E. Himalayas, also ex- tending into Assam, Arrakan, and the Tenass erim Provinces. I procured both this and the last at Darjeeling, and have also seen one, or both, in Sylhet, Cachar, and Upper Burmah. They both associate in large flocks, and frequent more open forests than most of the previous species. The eggs are greenish blue. Other species of Garrulax , which, without being very closely allied, may yet be classed near this section, are G. merulinus , Blyth, from the Khasia hills, remarkable for its Thrush-like appearance, and perhaps G. rujifrons , Swains, and Lesson, from Java. The former I found to be rare near Cherra Poonjee, at least during the rainy season. The next species differs somewhat from those previously noticed by its shorter wing, lengthened tail, and coloration. In its habits it is intermediate between the species of Garrulax and Tmchaloptemn , having the loud call and numerous flocks of the former, whilst the members keep individually more apart, as in the succeeding birds. Gray separates it generically, retaining for it Gould’s name, Ianthocincla , but, with Horsfield, I shall still keep it as Garrulax . 414. Garrulax ocellatus, Vigors. Cinclosoma, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Gould, Cent. H. B., pi. 15 — Blyth, Cat. 488 — Horsf., Cat. 292 — Llio-karreum- pho , Lepch. The White-spotted Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Forehead, sides of the head, and body above, reddish brown ; top of the head, and neek in front, blackish brown ; the nape, back, wings, and upper tail-coverts, marked with white ocelli, black anteriorly ; quills, and lateral tail-feathers, greenish dusky, with white tips ; outer webs of the middle quills grey, showing a F 42 BIRDS OF INDIA. grey alar band ; the lower wing-coverts variegated with red, black, and white ; beneath, the breast whitish rufous with black bands; abdomen pale rufous. Bill yellowish, dusky on the ridge and tip ; legs dull yellow ; irides yellow-brown. Length 14 inches; wing 5; tail 7 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1T75. I have seen no record of this handsome bird having been procured elsewhere than in Nepal and Sikhim. About Darjeeling it is not found below 8,000 feet, and is most abundant between that elevation and 10,000 feet. I saw it between Darjeeling and Tongloo in large flocks, with a fine loud clear call, which, when begun by one, was immediately answered on all sides. It was feeding on various fruit and seeds. Crocias gultatus, Temm., P. C. 592, from Java, judging from the figure, appears to me allied to this species ; and Bonaparte places near these birds Timalia pnlliata and T. Inyubris, Muller, both from Sumatra. The following birds differ considerably from Garrulax , as restrict- ed, in their smaller size, more variegated plumage, more rounded wings, and also in habits ; for, though still associating in flocks, they do not keep so close together, but scatter through the brushwood. They have all peculiar calls, which, however, in general, they do not utter in such full chorus as Garrulax. They have of late been divided into two genera, which, however, differ but very slightly from each other, and chiefly in the more complete rounding of the wings. I shall not separate them, but class them both under Hodgson’s genus Trochalopteron ; Pterocyclos , in which Gray [daces them, being pre-occupied in Malacology. Gen. Trochalopteron, Hodgson. Syn. Garrulax (in part) Auct. — Pterocyclos , Gray. Char. — Bill moderate or short, nearly straight, very slightly hooked at the tip, distinctly notched ; nostrils impended at their base by the frontal plumes ; wings short, much rounded, the tertiaries being as long as the primaries; tail moderately long, broad ; tarsus and feet moderately strong; hind claw large. TIMALIN2E. 43 The birds of this genus are pleasingly varied in their plumage, and the outer webs of the first primaries of many are colored yellow, or bluish, or red. 415 Trochalopteron erythrocephalum, Vigors. Cinclosoma, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Gould, Cent. H. B., pi. 17 — Blyth, Cat. 495 — Horsf., Cat. 294. The Red-headed Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Head and nape deep rich cliesnut ; lores, chin, and throat black ; ear-coverts mixed rufous and dark brown ; neck posteriorly olivaceous, with black marks ; the rest of the upper plumage ashy olive ; shoulders of the wings and lesser coverts deep ferru- ginous or chesnut; primaries olivaceous, tinged, more or less, with ferruginous, and with black spots on the breast, especially on the sides ; these vary in number and size, probably accordingto age; the flanks, lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, olivaceous. Bill horny brown ; legs dull yellow. Length 11^ inches ; wing 4£; tail 5^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus 1^. The Red-headed Laughing-thrush appears to be confined to the N. W. Himalayas and the western districts of Nepal. It is un- known in Sikhim, where it is represented by a very closely allied species. Shore, as quoted by Gould in his “ Century, ’’-says that tc it is by no means uncommon in Kurnaon, where it frequents shady ravines, building in hollows and their precipitous sides, and making its nest of small sticks and grasses, the eggs being five in number, of a sky-blue colour.” 416. Trochalopteron chrysopterum, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 494— Horsf., Cat. 294 — Tarphom-pJio , Lepch. — Paniong , Bhot. The Yellow-winged Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Forehead dark rufous; sinciput dusky grey, continuing behind the eyes as a darky band; occiput dark chesnut; back of neck reddish, with large black spots ; back, rump, and upper tail- coverts, olivaceous, tinged rufescent on the interscapulars ; shoul- der of wings and lesser coverts deep chesnut ; primaries olivaceous, 44 BIIiDS OF INDIA. edged with bright yellow ; tertiaries dull cinereous, black tipped ; beneath, the chin and throat are black, ear-coverts black, edged with white ; the rest rufous, with black crescentic spots on the neck and breast; olivaceous on the flanks, vent, and under-tail- coverts. Bill dusky brown ; legs horny yellow brown ; irides red. Length 10 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front f ; tarsus If. This is perhaps the most common and abundant species about Darjeeling. It is often seen on the road, picking up insects or grain among the dung of cattle, but rapidly hopping off, and diving into the nearest thicket on being approached. If one utter its call, it is answered in all directions, though not very noisily. The eggs are greenish blue, in a nest neatly made with roots and moss. It extends from Sikhim and Bootan to Nepal, and is very closely allied to the last, which it replaces in the S. E. Himalayas. T. ritficapillum, Bl., from the Khasia hills, and T. rnelanostigma , Bl., from Tenasserim, are also representative species in their respec- tive localities. 417. Trochalopteron subunicolor, Hodgson. J. A. S., XII., 952 — Blyth, Cat. 491 — Horsf., Cat. 306 — Tarmal-pho, Lepch. — Nabom , Bhot. Tiie Plain-colored Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above olive-brown, with black marks ; the crown dashed with dusky cinereous, and the feathers slightly edged dark ; lores blackish ; ear-coverts, and the feathers beneath them, margined with silvery ash ; the outer primaries, and the emarginate portion of the others, edged with bright yellow ; the central tail-feathers golden olive-green ; lateral tail feathers blackish, olivaceous at their base, with narrow white tips; the under parts, like those above, viz., olive-brown with dark marks, but paler, and with the dark markings less defined. Bill dusky ; legs reddish brown ; irides red-brown. Length 10 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 4^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus If. This bird is classed as a Trochalopteron in Horsfield’s Catalogue, whilst the two former are placed in Pterocyclos, but there is no TIMALINiE. 45 essential distinction. The bill is a little shorter in this species, and the wing a trifle more rounded. O It is nearly as abundant as the last in the vicinity of Darjeeling, and its habits do not differ. 418. Trochalopteron variegatum, Vigors. Cinclosoma, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Gould, Cent. H. B., pi. 16 — Blyth, Cat. 493 — PIorsf, Cat. 296 — Ganza , Nepal. The Variegated Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Plumage above brownish grey, rusty on the forehead, and cinereous on the head and neck ; a stripe from the nape through the eyes black, surmounted by a narrow white line behind the eye ; ear-coverts dark brown ; wings with a black spot on the primary coverts, and another on the middle of the wings ; the greater coverts rufous ; outer webs of the primaries pale ashy-white, tinged yellowish (probably bright yellow in the fresh bird) ; the last of the primaries and all the secondaries tipped white ; tail, with the tips of four middle feathers, ashy grey, the four outer feathers on each side edged with olive-yellow, and white tipped, and all, except the outer ones, black at the base ; beneath, the chin, throat, and middle of the neck, are black ; the sides of the neck pale rusty whitish, olivaceous on the breast and flanks ; and the abdomen and vent rufous. Bill black; legs reddish; irides brown. Length 10 inches; wing 4 ; tail 4f ; bill at front ; tarsus 1 This species has been sent from Nepal, Kumaon, and Simla, but it does not appear to extend into Sikhim. 419. Trochalopteron affine, Hodgson. Garrulax, apud Hodgson, J. A. S., XII., 950 — Blyth, Cat. 492 — Horse., Cat. 297. The Black-faced Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above rufescent olive-brown, more or less mottled with paler on the back ; rump dingy greenish, and the upper tail- coverts rufous ; sides of head, lores, cheeks, and ear-coverts, black, occasionally this hue even suffusing the crown ; shoulder of 4G BIRDS or INDIA. wings and wing-coverts like the back ; a jet black spot on the primary coverts ; winglet, and the outer margin of the quills, pearl grey ; those of the secondaries and some of the tertiaries greenish yellow ; the rest of the tertiaries and tips of the secondaries slaty grey ; a broad white inoustachial spot, and one behind the ears also white ; beneath, the chin is black ; the breast rufous brown, the feathers edged laterally with gi'e}' ; the belly uniform faint rufous brown ; lower tail-coverts the same, but darker. Bill black; feet reddish brown; irides brown. Length 10£ inches ; wing 4 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front nearly § ; tarsus 1^. This rare species of Laughing-thrush may be said in some measure to take the place, in the S. E. Himalayas, of the last. It has been sent from Bootan, Sikhim, and Nepal. I saw it in thick bamboo jungle between 8,000 and 9,000 feet of elevation, on the road from Darjeeling to Tongloo, and I imagine that it only fre- quents the higher mountains. 420. Trochalopteron squamatum, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 492 — IIorsf., Cat. 305 — Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. 2, pi. 4 — Ciuclos. melanura, Hodgson — Tarmal-plio , Lepch. — Nahum, Bhot. The Blue-wing iiD Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Head, neck, and body above, olive-brown, with black lunules ; rump unspotted dark chesnut ; brows black ; wings black internally, visible as such on the tertiaries, but the edges of the first primaries blue ; margins of the other quills, and the coverts, dark castaneous ; tail black, overlaid with glossy green, and obsoletely barred with a terminal band of rusty ; beneath, the chin is black, and the rest of the lower plumage olivaceous in some, in others inclined to rufous or chesnut ; vent and under tail-coverts rufescent or chesnut. Bill black ; legs shining fleshy brown ; irides red-brown (glaucous according to Hodgson). Length 10^ inches; extent 12; wing 3f ; tail 4^ ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1-^. This is a common bird in the neighbourhood of Darjeeling, and has similar habits with the others. It has very short and highly TIMALlNiE. 47 rounded wings, and was placed by Horsfield as a restricted Troclia- lopteron. It has hitherto only been found in Nepal and Sikhim, but I quite recently obtained it in the Khasia hills, where not un- common. 421. Trochalopteron rufogulare, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1831 — Blyth, Cat. 482 — HorSF., Cat. 303 — Cinclos. rufimenta, Hodgson -Narbigivan- pho, Lepch. The Rufous-chinned Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above olive-brown, broadly lunated with black ; the entire cap black ; tail dark rufescent olivaceous, unspotted, but with a double band of black and rusty at the tip ; winglet, and outer edges of the primaries, bluish, the last white tipped ; the long coverts of the wings tipped with black, barwise ; a pale white roundish spot before the eyes, and abroad longitudinal black patch behind the gape, extending under and behind the ear-coverts, which are olive rufescent ; beneath, the chin is rusty ; the throat white (rusty in some individuals, the females ?) ; breast and belly pale smoky grey, with black drops ; vent and under tail-coverts rusty ; the lower part of the flanks and thighs olive-brown. Bill horny yellow ; legs fleshy brown ; orbitar skin blue. Length 10 inches; extent lOf ; wing 3^; tail 44; bill at front not f; tarsus 1§. The bill is somewhat straighter than in the others, and very indistinctly notched. This bird is found throughout the whole extent of the Hima- layas, from Bootan to Cashmere, and also in the Khasia hills. It is not common at Darjeeling, and I found it at from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Hutton obtained the nest and eggs at Mussooree in May. The eggs are white ; a color rare, but not unknown, in this group, vide p. 35. Adams states that it is common in the dense jungles of the lower Himalayan ranges in the N. W., and around the vale of Cashmere. It is generally seen in flocks, and its call is loud and harsh. The next bird stands alone in its coloration, and is perhaps the richest colored in the family. 48 BIRDS OF INDIA. 422. Trochalopteron phceniceum, Gould. Ianthocincla, apud Gould, Icon. Ay., pi. 3 — Blyth, Cat. 497 — Horsf., Cat 302 — Crateropus puniceus, Blyth — Tilji- pho, Lepch. — Repcha , Bhot. The Crimson-winged Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above, plumage rich olive-brown, rufous on the wings ; tail dusky black above, each feather tipped with bright orange, the lateral ones most broadly so ; the feathers on the sides of the crown, and over the eye, margined laterally with black, form- ing a superciliary streak; eye-streak, ear-coverts, sides of the neck, outer edge of primaries, of the terminal portions of the secondaries, and of the longest tertiaries, crimson ; the secondaries black internally, and partially margined with light grey ; beneath, as the upper plumage, but paler, and tinged with ruddy ; tail beneath almost entirely dull-orange. Bill black ; legs livid brown ; irides red-brown. Length Sc- inches ; extent 10^ ; wing 34 ; tail 4J ; bill at front f ; tarsus lyU. This richly-plumaged Laughing-thrush is found in the S. E. Himalayas, and also in the Khasia hills. It is tolerably abundant in Sikhira, and frequents the zone from 4,000 to 6,000 feet or so. A nest and eggs, said to be of this bird, were brought to me at Darjeeling, the nest made of roots and grass, and the eggs, three in number, pale blue, with a few narrow and wavy dusky streaks. The two next birds belong to a peculiar type, and are the only representatives of the genus found in Southern India, where they, as was to be expected, are confined to the summits of the highest mountain ranges. 423. Trochalopteron cachinnans, Jerdon. Crateropus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 87, with figure — Blyth, Cat. 598 — Horsf., Cat. 298 — Crat. Lafresnayii, Delessert — C. Dele- serti, Lafrksnaye. The Neilgherry Laughing- thrush. Descr. — Above olive-brown ; the head dusky black ; eye-brows, lores, and eyelids, white ; ear-coverts rufous ; beneath, the chin TlMALlNiE. 49 white ; the rest of the body bright rufous, olivaceous on the flanks and lower tail-coverts. Bill black ; legs dusky greenish ; irides fine red. Length 9^ inches ; wing 3T6„ ; tail 4 ; bill at front T7n ; tarsus If. This noisy bird is abundant in all the woods on the summit of the Neilgherries, and its loud laughing call is often heard when the bird itself remains unseen. I have found it nowhere else than on the Neilgherries, but it very probably will be found on the top of the Pulneys, Animalies, and other high ranges of Southern India. Like others of the genus, it lives in small scattered flocks, forag- ing about the thick brushwood. It often wanders apparently alone, though at no great distance from the flock, with whom it keeps up a communication as a signal of the direction it is going, or, perhaps, of the abundance of food obtained. On being- watched they hop and climb up the stems and thick branches of the nearest tree, never however ascending to the tops of trees. They feed partly on the ground, and partly on bushes ; and their chief food appears to be fruit, especially that of the Physcilis peruviana , so perfectly acclimatized on the Neilgherries ; but they occasionally eat caterpillars and other insects. The nest is made of roots and moss, and the eggs are blue, with a few brownish spots. I was in error in stating in my Illustrations of Indian Ornithology that the eggs were white, for, on the occasion alluded to’, I mistook the bird (of which I had only a hurried glance) ; it was the Pomatorhinus Horsfieldii whose nest I then obtained, as I had afterwards several opportunities of confirming. 424. Trochalopteron Jerdoni, Blyth. Garrulax, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XX. 522. The Banasore Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above olivaceous ; the head bluish, passing to dull ashy- on the nape ; white supercilia ; lores black, less developed than in cachinnans ; fore-neck and breast pale ashy, passing to whitish on the ear-coverts ; middle of the abdomen rufous ; flanks and under tail-coverts olivaceous. Bill black ; legs horny; irides red. Length inches; wing 3f5 ; tail 3f ; tarsus lT\. G 50 BIRDS OF INDIA. This Laughing-thrush is very closely allied to the last, differing chiefly by the ashy breast, and some few other particulars. I 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 from 5,000 to 6,000 feet. Its voice is very like that of its Neilgherry congener, but more subdued. I did not hear it in Coorg, nor in any other part of the Wynaad, but 1 have no doubt that it will be found on some of the higher elevations along the range of Western Ghats. The two next species also differ from all in their mode of colora- tion, and, to a small extent, structurally, and they exhibit some affinity for Actinodura , and also, though more distantly, to the Malacocircus group. 425. Trochalopteron lineatum, Vigors. Cinclosoma, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Blytii, Cat. 599 — Horsf., Cat. 300. The Streaked Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Head and back olivaceous ashy, the feathers of the head and neck centred with reddish brown ; wings chesnut ; tail the same, more or less olivaceous, and with a broad ashy-white tip, preceded by a narrow dark band, and obsoletely barred (most dis- tinctly seen beneath) ; ear-coverts rufescent ; lores, and over the eyes, whitish ; beneath the plumage is mixed ashy and rufescent, lighter and more ashy on the chin and throat ; lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, olivaceous ; the feathers of the back and of the neck and breast white-shafted ; and the feathers of the breast and lower parts are all edged with olive ashy. Length 8^ inches; wing 3^ ; tail 3f ; bill at front T9^ ; tarsus 1£. This species has not been found in the Sikhim Himalayas, but extends from Nepal to Cashmere, where Adams says that it is not rare. He found it living in flocks, very tame, and with a low chattering note. Hutton says that it is seen in pairs, or four or five together. He found the nest, either in a low bush, or the sides of a bank, loosely constructed of grass, stalks, and roots, and with usually three eggs, whose color he does not mention. TIMALIN2E, 51 426. Trochalopteron setafer, Hodgson. Cinclosoma, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX. — Garr. imbricatus, Blyth, J. A. S., XII., 951* — Blyth, Cat. 500— Horsy., Cat. 299. The Bristly Laughing-thrush. Descr. — Above rufescent brown, darker on the head, and more rufous on the wings and tail ; rump and flanks olive-green ; tail rufescent, its feathers broadly subterminated with dull black, and the extreme tip whitish ; feathers of the crown, nape, and neck, slightly margined with dull olive-green, and with shining black shafts, and these feathers and those of the back slightly rigid to the feel ; lores albescent ; beneath, rufescent olive-brown, more in- clining to rufous than the upper parts, and the ear-coverts, sides of neck, and all the under parts are more or less white-shafted, chiefly towards the tips of the feathers ; the primaries are inconspicuously margined with grey, and the secondaries with yellowish olive. Bill and feet brown. Length 8f inches ; wing 3 ; tail 4 ; bill at front § ; tarsus 1|-. This curious species shows some affinities for Acanthoptila, placed by Hodgson in the Malacocircus series, both by its more lengthened bill and the spinous character of the plumage. It has only as yet been sent from Nepal and Bootan, but it will probably be found in Sikhim. Hodgson states that the stomach of this bird is very thick, almost like a gizzard. No other species of this genus appear to be recorded, except one from China, said by Blyth to be very MalucocircusASke. Psophodes of Australia appears to belong to this family, near the present series, and indeed has been placed in it by Bonaparte ; and this Ornithologist also classes next to it the peculiar Malayan genus Lophocitta, Vanga cristata of Griffith’s Cuvier, which appears to have some affinity for Thamnocataphus. The European Dysornithia, infansta, usually placed among the Jays, perhaps belongs to this family and section, but most of the African Crateropi come nearer the Malacocircus group. * Blyth’s imbricatus agrees with the description of setafer, but Hodgson appears to have mixed up specimens of both species, for he sent specimens of the last bird as setafer, as I am informed by Mr. Blyth. 52 BIRDS OF INDIA. We have next in order two genera which differ somewhat, both in structure and habits, from the others of this family, but which, nevertheless, appear to belong to it. They are more arbo- real in their habits, less social and noisy, and they appear to have some affinities for the Leiotrichince, and analogies for the Jays. Gen. Actinodura, Gould, Syn. Ixops, Hodgs. — • Leiocincla , Bl. Char. — Bill moderately long and compressed, rather slender, slightly curved ; nostrils linear, basal ; rictal bristles few and weak ; wings short, rounded, 5th, 6th, and 7th quills about equal ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus moderate, stout ; lateral toes unequal ; anterior claws long, moderately curved ; hind toe with the claw strong and well curved. Plumage copious, dense, and silky; wings barred ; tail obscurely banded ; head crested. This genus was considered by Hodgson to be a link between Sibia and Cinclosoma. Bonaparte in his Conspectus placed it next to Malacocircus , but afterwards removed it to the Garvulax series. Blyth, Horsfield, and Gray all recognise its affinity to this family, and I think it may be considered to lead from Trochalopteron to Malacocircus. There are only two species known. 427. Actinodura Egertoni, Gould. P. Z. S., 1836— Blyth, Cat. 501 — Horsf., Cat. 307 — Ixops rufifrons, Hodgson — Leiocincla plumosa, Blyth — Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. — JRamnio-pho , Lepch. The Rufous Bar-wing. Descr. — Crown and nape soft brown, passing into ashy pink on the crest; forehead deep red-brown; ear-coverts silky ashy brown ; back, rump, shoulder of wing, and coverts, red-brown ; primaries, except the first three, barred with black on a reddish ash ground ; the secondaries and tertiaries with narrow dark bars on a more rufous ground ; tail dark ruddy brown, faintly barred with dusky (except the two central tail-feathers), and white tipped ; beneath pale rufeseent, tinged with ashy on the neck and breast, and with red-brown on the throat. TIMALINiE. 53 Bill light horny ; legs pale brown ; irides brown. Length 9 inches ; wing 3§ ; tail 5 ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1. The rufous Bar-wing is found from Nepal, to the hill ranges of Assam and Sylhet. It is very common near Darjeeling, from 3,000 to 6,000 feet or so, associates in small flocks, wandering from tree to tree, and carefully examining the foliage and branches, never descending to the ground, and feeding both on fruit and (especially) on insects. Horsfield gives Afghanistan as a locality, but I have no doubt that Griffith’s specimens were from the Khasia hills, where I found it far from rare. 428. Aetinodura nipalensis, Hodgson. Cinclosoma, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX., subsequently Ixops, — Blyth, Cat. 502 — Horsf., Cat. 308 — Ramnio-pho , Lepch. The Hoary Bar-wing. Descr. — Plumage above rufescent brown, with an olivaceous tinge ; head and nape, with the full soft crest, pure brown, the centre of each feather, hoary ; ear-coverts and cheeks dark grey ; a black moustache from the lower mandible, bounding the ear- coverts beneath ; the greater coverts black ; the wings castaneous, with numerous cross bars of black, and the quills externally and at tip black ; tail also castaneous, with numerous black bands, except the two middle tail-feathers ; the inner web quite black, and the tip white, broadly ended with pure black ; beneath, rufescent ashy with a yellow tint ; the flanks, thighs, vent, and under tail- coverts, of the same color as the back. Bill dusky horny ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides brown. Length 8 inches ; extent 10 ; wing of ; tail 3-| ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1~. The Hoary Bar-wing replaces the last species at higher elevations, being found from about 7,000 to 10,000 feet and upwards. It has only been procured in the S. E. Himalayas, in Nepal, Sikhim, and Bootan. It may be said to be still more arboreal than the last, for it is frequently seen perched on the very tops of moderate-sized trees. It feeds chiefly on insects, and I found it, on Mt. Tongloo, feeding on the various insects that infest the flowers of the 54 BIRDS OF INDIA. Rhododendrons. As I did not obtain the nest, either of this or of the last species, I presume that they build on high trees. Gen. Sibia, Hodgson. Syn. Alcopus, Hodgson — Ileterophosia , Blyth, partly. Char. — Bill rather long, slender, gently curved, barely hooked at the tip, and almost entire ; nares lateral, lengthened ; wings moderate, rounded ; tarsi stout, moderately long ; toes moderate, lateral toes unequal, hind toe broad and large ; nails acute, mo- derately curved. The form of the birds of this genus is slender, and the bill is more lengthened and attenuated than in most of the members of this family. The tongue, moreover, is forked and slightly brushed, somewhat as in Phyllornis. Gray includes it in the Pycnonotince , or Bulbuls, as Bonaparte formerly did, near to Ilypsipetes (the most slender billed of the Bulbuls) ; and McLelland, indeed, described one species as a Ilypsipetes. Blyth, however, described this very species as an Actinodura ; and, taking their strong legs-- and feet as the most important character, I quite agree with Hodgson, Blyth, and Horsfield, in placing Sibia next to Actinodura in this family, of which it may be considered a tenuirostral or Melliphagous type, as Hodgson asserts. There are two forms in this genus, to one of which Cabanis, and Gray, following him, have given the generic name Malarias, but I shall not adopt it here ; and, moreover, if the genus is to be divided, I would retain Sibia for the species classed by Cabanis as Malarias, and apply Blyth’s prior name of Ilcterophasia for the long-tailed species. 429. Sibia capistrata, Vigors. Cinclosoma, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Blyth, Cat. 514 — Horsf., Cat. 314 — S. nigriceps, Hodgson — Cinclos. melanoce- phalum, Royle, List of Birds — Sarnbriak-pho, ~Lc^c\\.~-Sesiyona, Bhot. — Sibya , Nepal. The Black-headed Sibia. Descr. — Head above, cheeks, and ear-coverts, black ; nape pale rufous ; back brownish grey in the middle, deep rufous posteriorly TIMALINiE. 55 and on tlie npper tail-coverts ; tail rufous, black at the base (except the central feathers, which are rufous grey), with a subterminal broad band of black, tipped grey ; the inner webs rufous ; neck in front, breast, and upper part of the abdomen, pale rufous ; the rest deep rufous. Bill black ; legs yellowish brown ; irides brown. Length 9 to 10 inches ; extent 11 ; wing 4 ; tail 5 ; bill at front ; tarsus 1^-. The black-headed Sibia is found throughout the whole Hima- layas, from Simla to Bootan, and is one of the most abundant birds about Darjeeling. It is found from 4,000 feet to 8,000 feet, but most common about 7,000 feet. It frequents the highest trees, climbing up the larger branches, and clinging round and below the smaller branches, almost like a Wood-pecker, or Nuthatch. It is often seen alone, or in pairs, but occasionally in small parties ; and is constantly uttering its twittering call, which Hutton syllabizes as titteeree, titteree , tiveeyo , often answered by one at some little distance. It is very fond of concealing itself in the thick masses of Epiphytic plants found on all lofty trees in Sikhim, and its favorite food is the fruit of the Epiphytic Andro- medte so abundant about Darjeeling; it occasionally, however, picks insects from moss, or crevices of the bark. I on one occasion saw it at Kursion, 4,500 feet high, in winter, climbing up and down the thatched roof of a bungalow. Hutton procured the nest at Mussooree, made of coarse grass, moss, wool, and roots ; and the one egg he got was pale bluish- white, with rufous freckles. 430. Sibia picaoides, Hodgson. J. A. S., VIII., 38 — Blyth, Cat. 508 — Horse., Cat. 312 — Heterophasia cuculopsis, Blyth — Malcheo-pho , Lepch. The Long-tailed Sibia. Descr. — Above greenish fuscous, slightly darker on the fore- head ; lores black ; wings dusky, with a large white wing-spot formed by the middle third of the outer webs of four of the secondaries ; tail dusky, with broad white tip ; beneath dark ashy, paler on the belly. 50 BIRDS OF INDIA. Bill and legs "blackish ; irides red-brown. Length 14 inches ; extent 14 ; wing 4f ; tail 8f ; bill at front § ; tarsus l—j. This curious looking bird is the type of Blyth’s Heterophasia, which, as he says, has a very cuculideous appearance altogether. It differs from the more common species in its longer bill, longer wings, and gently lengthened tail, as well as in its mode of colora- tion ; and, if other species are discovered resembling it, will deserve separation. It bears towards S. capistrata much the same relation as Volvocivora silens does towards V Sgkesii. It has only been found in Nepal, Sikhim, and Bootan. I found it not uncommon near Darjeeling at about 4,000 feet of elevation, associating in flocks of six or seven, and flying from tree to tree, feeding both on fruit and insects, and keeping up a continual whistling sort of call. , Two other species of Sibia are on record ; one from Assam, S. gracilis , McLell., which I found rather common on the Khasia hills at about 5,000 feet high ; and S. melanoleuca, Tickell, from Tenasserim. They both belong to the type of Capistrata. The bird described and figured by Nicholson in theProc. Zool. Soc. for 1851, page 195, as Artamus cv.cullatus, has much the aspect of Sibia gracilis. Its habits, as described, are certainly not those of Artamus , or any similar bird ; but, unless it be a Sibia or allied form, I know not where else to class it. I shall here transcribe the account of the bird from the work above quoted. It is said to be from India, but the locality is not mentioned. The Tailor-bird de- scribed in the previous page was from Western India, Raj cote and Surat. “ Head large ; bill strong, narrow, and sharp, gently arched on the culmen ; a distinct notch near the tip of upper mandible ; gape wide ; tongue horny and divided at the point ; nostrils basal, small ; eye rather small ; iris of a silvery colour, tinged with yellow ; wings rounded ; first quill very short, third longest, Second, third, and fourth quills emarginate on outer web ; tail short, and nearly even at the end, of twelve feathers, 2f inches long ; tarsus strong » hallux and claw stronger than the other toes, and as long as the inner toe, and has a large pad at its base ; the outer toe is shorter ; the claws are much hooked ; plumage is soft and loose. TIMALINiE. 57 S( Colours. — The whole top of the head is covered with a cap of black. Bill lead-colour at base and black at the point. The chin, the breast, and all underneath white ; the body all above of a leaden colour. Quills and tail of a light black, edged with light on both webs ; the outer web of the outer tail-feather is white, as well as the tips of the first five on each side. Feet and legs black. Male : weight 6^ oz. Length from bill to tip of tail 7§ inches. Alar extent 10 inches. “ Contents of stomach were a few grains of Holcus spicatus and the exuviae of insects. “ These birds are only found in very thick jungles among the brushwood, where they are always moving about, and are shot with great difficulty, and even then, if not killed outright, they are so tenacious of life, that they creep into the first hole or crevice they come to. The only note I ever heard was like ‘ chick, chick.’ I think they are residents, but the few I have seen just appear and are lost again in a moment, so that I know little of their habits ; the one figured here had one leg and both wings broken, and still crept into the hole of a jerboa-rat, from which I dug it out dead.” The next bird is a very interesting form which appears to unite the Garrulax group with the Babblers ; and also resembles Sibia in the form of its bill. It resembles TrocTialopteron setafer in the general character of its plumage, and specially in the black and spiny shafts of many of the body feathers, whilst it is more like Malacocircus in its bill and general structure, and Hodgson classed it with the members of that genus. Gen. Acanthoptila, Blyth. Char. — Bill moderately long, compressed, very gently curved, pointed, entire ; rictal bristles few and small ; wings feeble, much rounded ; tail long, broad ; tarsus moderately long, stout ; lateral toes nearly equal ; claws moderately curved ; plumage with black and shining shafts. 431. Acanthoptila nipalensis, Hodgson. Timalia, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX. — Blytit, Cat. 789 — Horsf., Cat. 320 — T. pellotis and T. leueotis, Hodgson. h 58 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Spiny Babbler. Descr. — Above brown ; eliin, throat, neck, and upper breast, rufes- eent ; the lower part of the breast, belly, and vent, albescent, shaded with brown, and passing into brown on the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts ; cheeks pure white ; outer Avebs of the primaries pale ; the plumage generally with black and somewhat spiny shafts to the feathers. Bill and legs dark plumbeous ; irides hoary blue. Length 10 inches ; extent 10 ; wing 4 ; tail 5 ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus ly7^. This highly interesting bird appears to be rare, having only been sent from Nepal, and I did not procure it in Sikhim or in the Terai. Nothing is recorded of its habits. The next group is that peculiarly Indian one the Babblers. It includes several more or less marked types of form, the most typical of which appears to be only found in the continent of India and Ceylon, and is one of the few generic types quite peculiar to the plains of India. The birds composing this group are all grega- rious, somewhat garrulous, chiefly ground feeders, and mostly familiar birds. They construct a loose nest of twigs, and all lay blue eggs. Gen. Malacocircus, Swainson. Syn. Timalia , Auct. Char. — Bill short or moderate, much compressed, rather deep, curving from the base, barely hooked at the tip, entire ; com- missure slightly curved ; gonys ascending ; nostrils apert ; a few short pale rictal setse ; wings short, much rounded, 4th, 5th, and 6th quills nearly equal and longest ; tail moderately long, broad ; tarsus stout, scutellate ; feet rather large; claws moderately curved. The birds composing this genus resemble one another so closely that they are with difficulty recognised as distinct. The frontal plumes are broad and round, but; slightly rigid. They are clad in sombre earthy grey, more or less mixed with rufescent, and striated, and were formerly, by some authors, referred to the Mynas. One or more species are to be found in every part of the plains of India, and it is the type alluded to above as being perhaps the most characteristic form in this geographical district. TIMALIN.E. 59 432. Malacocircus terricolor, Hodgson. Pastor, apud Hodgson, J. A. S., Y., 771 — M. Bengalensis, Blyth, Cat. 790 — M. canorus, L., apud Horsf., Cat. 318 — - Sat bhai, H, i. e., the seven brothers — Chatarliia , Ben g. — Pengya maina , H., in the Upper Provinces. The Bengal Babbler. Descr. — Above brownish ashy, paler and somewhat cinereous on the head and neck ; browner on the back, where the feathers are faintly pale shafted ; quills brown, with outer webs paler, and narrowly bordered with ashy ; tail reddish brown, faintly barred, and the outer feathers tipped with pale whitey brown ; beneath pale ashy brown on the throat and breast, the feathers very faintly edged and shafted lighter ; abdomen, vent, and under-tail-coverts, pale fulvescent. Bill horny brown ; irides pale yellow ; legs dingy or fleshy yellow. Length 9 to 10 inches ; extent 13; wing 4|- ; tail 4| ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1^. This species very closely resembles M. striatus of Ceylon, excepting that all its colors are less brought out, the cross rays on the tail being faint and inconspicuous, barely discernible on the tertiaries, and not at all on the secondaries ; it has a very weak tinge of fulvous on the abdominal region, whilst the Ceylon bird is deeper ferruginous. The closed wing of striatus shows more ashy, the bill too is a trifle longer, and more gradually curved. The Bengal Babbler is found throughout all Bengal proper, extending south to Goomsoor, and perhaps further westward, through the Terai of Nepal to the Debra Doon ; and as far as the Nerbudda at all events in Central India. “It is,” says Pearson, “a most abundant and conspicuous species in Bengal and Nepal. It is the Sat bhai , or seven brothers, of the natives, so called from being always found in a company of about that number. It is one of the chattering, noisiest birds in India, squeaking and hopping about, now on the ground then upon a tree, the flock being constantly on the move ; when one starts, all the rest fol- low it, one after the other, making generally but a short flight of not more than forty or fifty yards at a time, and when alighted GO BIRDS OF INDIA. they hold a sort of consultation, hopping and chattering about all the time, till, after a few minutes, they move up to another tree, and so on for the greater part of the day, rarely staying for more than half an hour in the same place : they feed on insects.” I may add to this that this bird becomes more rare to the eastwards, and I did not observe it at Cachar. 433. Malacocircus griseus, Gmelin. Turdus, apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat. 792 — Horse., Cat. 319 — Timalia, apud Jerdon, Cat. 92 — Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 19 — M. affinis, Jerd. — Khyr , H. — Chinda or Si da, Tel. — Kcdli-kuravi , Tam., i. e., Hedge-bird — Fouille-merde of the French in India (Vieillot) — Dirt-bird popularly in the South of India. The White-headed Babbler. Descr. — Head, lores, and nape, fulvescent or dirty whitish ; plumage above darker brown than in the last, the feathers with pale shafts ; quills not barred ; tail brown, very faintly barred, and the outer feathers tipped pale ; beneath, the chin and throat are mixed brown and ashy, conspicuously darker than the neighbouring parts, each feather being ashy at the base, and with a dark band, tipped paler ; as the pale tip gets worn away, the dark tinge becomes more apparent ; from the breast the rest of the lower parts are pale fulvescent, inclining to rufescent. Bill yellowish ; irides yellowish white ; legs fleshy yellow. Length 9 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 4 ; bill at front ; tarsus 1^. The chief distinguishing marks of this species are the whitish head, and the dark throat, both of which contrast strongly with the neighbouring parts. It is found throughout the whole Carnatic, extending northwards into the Northern Circars, and westwards into the neighbouring portion of the table land, to a greater or less distance. Either this, or a very closely allied race (M. affinis of my Illustrations of Indian Ornithology, text to plate 19) is found in the south of Malabar. It is extremely common and abundant in the Carnatic, and is to be found in every hedge, avenue, and garden. Like the others of its genus it always associates in families of six, seven, eight, or TIMALINiE. 61 more ; even in the breeding season the parent birds feeding in company with their former companions. One may be seen sud- denly dropping to the ground from some tree, and is followed in succession, though perhaps not immediately, by each of the flock. They hop about, turning over fallen leaves, and examining all the herbage around the base of trees, a very favorite spot, or on a hedge side, never venturing to any distance from cover, being aware of their tardy powers of flight. They are occasionally seen seeking insects or grain, from heaps of dung, whence they have received their common denomination, as well from the French (Fouille merde) as from the English (Dirt-bird), who are on this account prejudiced against them. They generally feed at some little distance apart from each other, but now and then, if a richer prize than usual is spied out, two or more will meet and struggle for it ; and now and then one of them will make a clumsy flight after a grasshopper seeking safety by its wings, and not unfre- quently eluding its awkward pursuer. On being driven from the ground, or leaving it from choice, their hunger being satisfied, they fly up to the nearest tree, hopping and climbing up the larger branches, and if you happen to be watching them they do not stop till they have reached the top, or the opposite side, whence they fly off in single and extended file as before. They often appear to pick insects off the branches of trees. They are familiar, if un- disturbed, feeding often close to houses, but if watched or followed, they become circumspect, disperse, and hide themselves. Their cry is a loud sibilous or whispering sort of chatter, which they repeat all at once, sometimes when feeding, or when any unusual sight attracts their attention, and often without any apparent object at all. They have no song. Their flight is slow and laborious, per- formed by a few rapid strokes of the wings alternating with a sail- ing with outspread pinions. I have often found the nest of this bird, which is composed of small twigs and roots, carelessly and loosely put together, in general at no great height from the ground ; it lays three or four blue eggs. I have found them breeding at all times from January to July, and even later, but do not know if they ever have two broods in the year. The black and white crested Cuckoo, ( Coccystes mclanoleucos ) appears to select this bird 62 BIRDS OF INDIA. to act as foster parent to lier own progeny, and she lays a greenish blue egg. They are readily caught by a spring trap baited with grain, with one of their kind put in the centre as a lure. The Shikra or Chipka ( Micronisus hadius) is sometimes flown at them, and causes a general consternation. After the first burst of alarm and gabbling, they cease their chattering, separate, and disperse, and do not, like the bolder Mahratta Babbler (M. Malcolmi), come to the I'escue of their unfortunate companion. The variety or race I named M. afiinis is so very similar that I shall not separate it. It appeared to me to differ slightly in the white of the head being less pure, and the band on the throat less dark. The hind toe and claw also appeared larger, and the bill shorter. My specimens were procured in Travancore. 434. Malacocircus Malabaricus, Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., text to M. griseus, pi. 19 — Blyth, Cat. 791 — M. Somervillei, apud Jerdon, Cat. 91 — and IIorsf., Cat. 317 (in part) — M. orientalis, Jerdon — Jangli-khyr H. — Peddasida, Tel. The Jungle Babbler. Descr. — Very like M. terricolor , but somewhat darker in color, with broader and more distinct pale mesial streaks on the feathers of the back, and especially of the breast ; the tertiaries are but very obscurely striated, but the tail is distinctly so. Bill and gape dark yellow ; orbits yellow ; irides pale yellow ; legs dirty yellow, with a fleshy tinge. Length 9 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 4^ ; tarsus 1T% ; bill at front f. The Jungle Babbler is found in forests and jungles throughout the greater part of the Peninsula of India, in the Carnatic, the N. Circars, the Malabar Coast, the slopes of the Neilghenies, and the table land, in suitable places, as far as Nagpore, and to the latitude of Bombay on the Western Ghats. It is replaced in the North by M. terricolor andJ/. Malcolmi respectively in the east and west. Royle, in his List of Birds procured in the N. W. P., gives M. Somervillei as found in the Dhoon, but this appears doubtful. Horsfield gives my Malabaricus as synonymous with Sykes’ Somervillei, but I procured another species in Bombay and vicinity TIMALINiE. 63 which corresponds with Sykes’ description. Col. Sykes doubtless obtained both species, and probably mixed them up under one name, for Horsfield declares that one of Sykes’ own specimens is identical with one of the present species, transmitted from myself through the Asiatic Society of Bengal. I have always found this species of Babbler either in dense and hilly forest, or in highly-wooded districts, such as Malabar. There I found it not uncommon even in my own compound at Tellicherry, but, in general, it avoids dwellings. In other respects it is similar in habits to M. griseus , but its voice is very different, much more like that of M. terricolor. In my £ Illustrations,’ I separated those from the Eastern ghats under the name of M. orientalis. This race, however, has not been considered distinct from Malabaricus, and I have accordingly for the present merged it in that species. Malabar specimens appeared to me to have more rufous ; those from the Eastern ghats more grey, 435. Malacocircus Somervillei, Sykes. Cat. 68. The Rufous-tailed Babbler. Descr. — Above ashy brown, the feathers of the back barely lighter shafted, passing into rufescent on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; quills dark brown on both webs; tail rufous brown, obsoletely banded ; beneath, the chin, and throat are mixed dark brown and ashy as in griseus ; the upper part of the breast pale whitey-brown, the feathers dark at their base ; the lower breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts, rufescent. Bill horny yellow ; legs dirty yellow ; irides pale yellow. Length 9^ inches ; wing 4^ ; tail 4 ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1|-. This is a very distinct species, and, if it be not Sykes’ M. Somervillei , is new, and may have the name of M. Sgkesii ; but I feel certain that Sykes had this species in view when he de- scribed M. Somervillei , and I append a translation of his description for reference : — “ Reddish brown ; abdomen, vent, lower back, and tail, pale rufous; the tail obsoletely banded with darker; quills brown ; feathers of the throat and breast bluish in the middle. Bill and feet yellow. Length 9^ inches ; tail 4-^.” 64 BIRDS OF INDIA I found this to be the common species of Babbler in Bombay, entering compounds and gardens ; and I also saw it above the ghats, though less common there. A specimen obtained at Bombay by myself is now in the Museum of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta. It is possible that some of the races alluded to by me in the “ Illustrations” may turn out to be distinct ; but I have not had an opportunity of verifying them since those remarks were penned. The next bird is of a slightly different type, and has been separat- ed by Mr. Blyth as distinct, under the name of Malcolmia , but the distinctive marks are not prominent, and I shall not adopt it here. It differs from restricted Malacocircus by its larger size, more uniform color, the tail longer and more narrow ; the frontal feathers are stiff and pointed, the bill is a trifle shorter, and the wings are somewhat longer and more pointed. It associates usually in still larger flocks. 436. Malacocircus Malcolmi, Sykes. Timalia, apud Sykes, Cat. 67 — Blyth, Cat. 794 — Horsf., Cat. 316 — Jerdon, Cat. 90 — Garrulus albifrons, Gray, ITard- "WiCKE, 111. Ind. Zool. 2, pi. 36, f. 1 — Gliogoi , H. — Gangai, IT in the N. W. Provinces — Gongya, Can. — Kokatti, Mahr. — Verri- cliinda , i. e. Mad-babbler, Tel. — also Gowa sida, Tel. The Large Grey- Babbler. Descr. — Above of a pale brownish grey, lighter and more cinere- ous on the rump ; quills and middle rectrices darker, the latter with some faint cross bands, and the lateral feathers whitish ; forehead pale bluish, the feathers with white shafts ; the first three quills with the outer wrebs pale yellowish ; beneath uniform whitish grey, with a tinge of fulvescent or rufescent, most distinct on the breast and upper part of the abdomen. Bill horny ; legs dirty yellow ; irides light yellow. Length 1 1 inches ; wing 4yff ; tail 5f ; bill at front T9^ ; tarsus ly^. This large Babbler has a peculiar distribution. In the south of India it is found, though not very common, only in jungly and hilly ground, apart from cultivation. I have seen it nearNellore, on the slopes of the Slier varoy and Neilgherry Hills, in Mysore, TIMALINiE. 65 always in jungly places ; but as we go north on the table land, it leaves the jungles and wilds, and becomes the familiar and unscared representative of the Khyr or Sat bhai. It is particularly abundant at Jaulna in the Deccan, and the country round about. From this it extends north and north-west to the valley of the Ganges, as at Cawnpore, barely extending eastwards, for it is rare at Mhow, and unknown at Saugor in Central India. About Jaulna it frequents fields, hedges, orchards, and the vicinity of villages, generally asso- ciating in large flocks, more numerous than those of Malacocircus griseus , or Malabaricus. It feeds chiefly on the ground, and espe- cially round the trunks of large trees, and near hedge-rows, turning- over the fallen leaves with their bills and sometimes with their claws, and picking up various insects, beetles, cockroaches, grass- hoppers, &c., and also seeds and grain. I once saw one in vain attempt to capture a grass-hopper on the wing. The flock keep up a continued chattering, occasionally changed to a more sono- rous call, resembling “ quey , qaey , quey, quo , quo," pronounced gutturally. Their flight is feeble and straggling. If the Shikra sparrow-hawk be thrown at them, they defend each other with great courage, mobbing the hawk, and endeavouring to release the one she has seized. I think that Mr. Philipps must have had this species in view, and not M. terricolor , when he writes of the latter attacking a hawk and severely handling it. I have no doubt that this bird extends through most of the N. W. Provinces, whilst M. terricolor, so far as we know, is not found there; and the name he gives is nearly that applied to the former bird in other districts. I have frequently found the nest and eggs, the former a loose ' structure of roots, twigs, and grass, with usually four verditer blue eggs. Burgess says that he found the nest of this bird in a tuft of grass in some boggy ground. This is a very unusual spot for them to select, and, from the small size of the eggs, I suspect that he must have got the nest and eggs of Cliatarrhcea caudata , or, it may be, of Megalurus palustris. Mr. Blyth considers that some African birds may perhaps be found to range in Malcolmia , especially Malurus squamiceps and M. acacice of Ruppell, the former from Eastern Africa, and the latter from Arabia Petrsea, which belongs to the African Fauna. I 66 BIRDS OF INDIA. If this is found to be the case, I would then accord the generic rank proposed by Blyth. The following bird has also been lately separated from Mala- cocircus by Blyth, and as its distinguishing features are more pro- minent, 1 shall adopt it. Gen. Layardia, Blyth. Similar to Malacocircus , but of more decided colors, the bill shorter and deeper, the wings shorter and more rounded; the frontal plumes hispid, but of open texture, and monticolous in its habits. In its coloration, as in its habitat, it makes an approach to the Garridax series. But two species are known, one from Southern India, the other, a somewhat aberrant species, from Ceylon ; but Blyth thinks it probable that Crateropus rubiginosus , Kiippell, of E. Africa, may belong to it. 437. Layardia subrufa, Jerdon. Timalia, apud Jerdon, Cat. 93 — Blyth, Cat. 795 — Horsf., Cat. 315 — Tim. poecilorhyncha, Lafresnaye — Jungli khyr , H. The Rufous Babbler. ) Descr. — Above darkish brown olive ; forehead pale bluish ash- the frontal feathers somewhat rigid ; beneath deep rufous, paler on the chin. Bill dusky above, yellow beneath ; legs dull yellow ; irides light yellow. Length inches ; wing 3T7n ; tail 4^ ; bill at front T7y ; tarsus 1-jyy. The Rufous Babbler is found in the higher wooded regions of Malabar, the Wynaad, Coorg, and all along the crest of the Western Ghats, as far as the Southern Mahratta country. I have seen it, though rarely, below the Ghats in Malabar. It always frequents thick jungles, more especially bamboos ; has similar habits to the Malacocirci, feeding chiefly on the ground in parties of eight or ten ; and, on being disturbed, retreating through the thick clumps of Bamboos, and concealing themselves from view, chattering all the time. Their note, though similar in character to that of the Malacocirci , is quite distinct, clearer, and less harsh. TIMALINJE. 67 An allied species, L. rufescens , Blyth, is found in Ceylon, some- what darker, the head tinged with ashy, and the whole bill yellow. We now come to a group which differs in the more slender body, lengthened and narrow tail, and striated plumage. Gen. Chatarrh(EA, Blyth. Syn. Timalid and Malacocircus (in part). Auct. Char . — -Bill longer than in Malacocircus , more slender, and very gently curved, both on the commissure and culmen; tail long, narrow ; lateral toes about equal ; hind toe very long ; claws slightly curved. 438. Chatarrhcea caudata, Dumeril. Copyphus, apud Dumeril — Blyth, Cat. 797 — Hoksf., Cat. 322 — Tim. chatarrhcea, Franklin— Sykes, Cat. 69— Jerdon, Cat. 94 — M. Huttoni, Blyth — Megalurus isabellinus, Swainson — Dumri, H. in the South — Huni , Tam. — Hedo and Lailo , Sindh — Chilchil H. in the N. W. P. (Royle) — Peng or Chota-phenga , Hindi — Sor in the N. W. (Theobald) — • Chinna sida , Tel. 4 The Striated Bush-babbler. Descr. — Above pale ashy brown, with numerous dusky striae, each feather being centred brown ; tail pale olive-brown, obsoletely barred with dusky ; beneath, the chin white, the rest of the plu- mage rufescent ashy, darkest on the flanks. Bill pale brownish horny ; legs dull yellow ; irides red brown. Length 9 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus 1. This Babbler is the most extensively spread of all the Indian members of this group, being found throughout the whole country from Assam to Sindh, and from the N. W. Provinces and Afghan- istan to Cape Comorin. The only district in which I have not seen it, is Malabar. In the south of India it is usually found away from houses and villages, in the open plains, that are clad with a few low and scattered bushes, and indeed it is to be met with in low jungle throughout India ; but, towards the north, in Central India, and in some of the Gangetic provinces, it frequents cultivated 68 BIRDS OF INDIA. grounds, entering gardens and compounds, and sheltering itself in hedge-rows. In the south it is a shy bird, flying before you from bush to bush with a sibilant sort of whistle, or, as Mr. Philipps says “ a low under-toned warbling whistle,” which it often repeats. It runs or rather hops along the ground at a great rate, and with its long tail held straight out and drooping on the ground, it looks more like a rat than a bird. This likeness is so striking, that it has occurred to more than one observer. It flies low, from bush to bush, with a few rapid beats of the wing alternating with a sailing motion, and outstretched wings ; and though, from the nature of the ground it frequents, it is obliged to take longer flights than the Malacocerci , yet its powers of wing are very feeble, and a person on horseback can easily overtake the flock. In such case they take refuge in the nearest bush, and are with great difficulty dis- lodged. I have frequently seen the nest and eggs, the former almost always in a thorny bush, at no height, made of roots and grasses loosely put together, and with three or four verditer blue eggs. Mr. Philipps says that “they bear confinement well, feeding on grain, and that all day long they are jumping from side to side of the aviary, responding to each other.” 439. ChatarrhceaEariei, Blyth. Malacocircus, apud Blytii, J. A. S., XIII., 369 — Blyth. Cat. 796 — HoRSF. Cat. 321 — Burra-phenga , Hindi. The Striated Eeed-babbler. Bescr. — Above pale ashy brown, with dark brown streaks on the head and back, fading on the upper tail-coverts ; tail con- colorous with the back, still paler perhaps, and with no trace of striae ; chin, throat, and upper part of the breast dull reddish fulvous, edged paler, and with faint dark central lines ; the rest of the under-parts dingy fulvous or albescent brown. Bill pale greenish yellow, dusky above and at the tip ; legs dirty greenish horn ; irides bright yellow. Length not quite 10 inches; extent 11 ; wing 3^ ; tail 5^ ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1| ; extent of foot H. TIMALINiE. - 69 This species is very similar to the last, but differs in being a little larger, in the frontal feathers being less rufescent, and more distinctly streaked, in the tail being barely striated, and the chin not being white, &c. &c. It is found throughout Lower Bengal and the Nepal Terai, extending along the valley of Assam and southwards to Burmah, where it is very abundant ; but has not yet been noticed in Southern or Central India, nor in the N. W. Provinces. It frequents heavy grass and reed jungle, exclusively, especially near water, and is a most common bird along all the rivers of Eastern Bengal, and its note, which is something like that of its congener, but clearer and louder, is often the only sound heard whilst tracking along the river banks. It associates in large flocks, and a sentinel is ge- nerally posted on some high perch to warn the rest of any danger. They feed more exclusively on insects perhaps than the last species. C. gularis, Blyth, from Burmah, is the familiar Garden-babbler of Thyetmyo, and is still more abundant and familiar higher up the river Irrawaddy, as Mr. W. Blanford informs me. Other species belonging to the group of Babblers are found in Africa, such as Crateropus Jardinii, A. Smith, and perhaps some ranked under Ivos, viz., I. plebeius , I. leucocevhalos , and I. leucopygius of Riippell. The former of these, indeed, is very like a true Malacocircus. Some of the other African Crateropi appear immediate between this group and Garrulax ; but their habits, as described by Tristram, are very similar to those of Malacocircus or Chatarrhcea. Chcctops, Swainson, perhaps should also be placed in this group. Next the Babblers I place a small series of Reed and Grass birds, some of them striated, others of plain plumage ; they are somewhat aberrant members of this family, and their location here is not adopted by all. Gray and Horsfield place them among the Warblers, and Bonaparte makes of them a section, Sphenurece, of his Calamoherpince, including most of our birds, and others greatly affined to them from other regions ; but he places them next the Timalidce. Blyth, too, classes them near Chatarrhcea , to which the larger species are certainly nearly related, whilst the smaller 70 BIRDS OF INDIA. members approach the Locustellce and Drymoicce of our Sylviadce. Hodgson, too, had, I suspect, similar views of their affinities, for he ranges Acrocephalus (which, though allied to our birds, I yet consider more strictly a Sylviadean type) as Malacocircus abnormis ; and Swainson placed Chatarrkcea caudata as a Megalurus. Those whose nidification is known lay blue eggs, and although they are less social in their habits than the Babblers, they are perhaps nearer to this group than to any other. They may be said to bear , the same relation to the restricted Babblers that Sibia and Actinodura do to the Garrulax group, or Alcippe to the Timalice. Gen. Megalurus, Horsfield. Char. — Bill slender, compressed, of moderate length, gently hooked at the tip and notched ; nostrils apert ; rictal bristles few, strong ; wing somewhat lengthened, third quill longest, 4th and 5th nearly equal to it ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus long, with large scutie ; middle toe very long ; lateral toes unequal ; hind toe long ; all the claws long, slender, acute, moderately curved ; hind claw large. Sexes differ in size. This genus, of which there is one species in India and the Malayan isles, comprises several others from Australia and the oceanic province. 440. Megalurus palustris, Horsf. Lin. Trans., XIII., 159 — Blyth, Cat 781 — Horsf., Cat. 512 — Malurus marginalis, Reinavardt, pi, col. 65, f. 2 — Ta/cko, Beng. — Jal-aggin , H. i. e. Water-lark. TnE Striated Marsh-babbler. Descr. — Upper parts bright olive-brown, with a mesial broad black stripe to each feather of the back and the scapulars ; the edges of the wing-feathers also brown ; tail pale dusky-brown, with light edges to the feathers ; crown rufescent, with mesial dark lines, obsolete towards the front, and the feathers small, rigid, and oppressed; a pale whitish streak over the eye; beneath, the chin and throat are white, the rest whitish, tinged with earthy brown ; the breast and flanks slightly speckled with brown. TIMALTNiE. 71 Bill horny brown above, paler beneath; legs dull purplish or greenish-brown; irides pale brown. Length of male 9^- to 10 inches; ext. 12; wing 3f ; tail 5; bill at front f ; tarsus If. The female is only 8^ inches long. This bird has an extensive geographical distribution, being found in Bengal and Central India, extending to Assam, Burmah, the Malayan peninsula, and Java. I have seen it on the banks of the Wein-Ganga and Indrawatty, tributaries of the Godavery ; also on the Nerbudda, where it frequents the grass and reeds on the banks, or on the islets. But it is most abundant in Lower Bengal, where the country is intersected by rivers, and where long grass and reeds cover miles of country. It does not appear to associate in flocks, but hunts about the reeds and grass for various insects, chiefly grasshoppers and coleoptera, and, as Mr. Blyth remarks, it has a remarkable freedom of the action of its legs enabling it to sprawl widely as it clambers among the reeds and grass stems. Every now and then one rises to the air with a fine song, which Blyth calls a fine flute-like voice, and after fluttering slowly along for a few seconds, warbling all the time, descends again. The song'is not confined to the breeding season, for 1 have heard it at all times. Its nest and eggs have not been observed yet, abundant though it be in many districts. In the breeding season the bill becomes livid blackish, and the whole inside of the mouth wholly black. Gen. Ch^tornis, Gray. Char. — Bill very short, strong, high, compressed, curved on the culmen, strongly hooked at the tip, and notched ; five remarkably strong bristles between the gape and the eyes, forming an almost vertical range curved stiffly outwards ; wings somewhat long, 3rd quill longest, 4th and 5th nearly equal to it ; 2nd equal to the 7th ; feet and legs strong ; tarsus moderately long, the middle toe elongate, laterals unequal, inner toe very versatile, hind toe long, all the claws slightly curved. This genus chiefly differs from Megalurus by the very remarka- ble bill, which, from its compression, is quite Timaline in character. BIRDS OF INDIA. 79 441. Chsetornis striatus, Jerdon. Megalurus, apud Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 88 bis — Blyth, Cat. 782 — Horsf., Cat. 513 — Dasyornis locustelloides, Blyth — Genta- pitta , Tel, i. e., Grass-bird. The Grass-babbler. Dcscr. — Above olive or yellowish brown, the feathers all centred with deep brown ; tail brownish, banded with dusky externally, and dusky along the centre of each feather, which is tipped fulvous white, and the outer feathers have further a dark brown subterminal band ; beneath, the color is white, tinged with earthy- brown on the breast, and with a few dark specks. Bill dusky-brown above, fleshy-brown beneath ; legs brownish fleshy ; hides yellow-brown or dull grey in some. Length of male 85 inches ; extent 1 1 ; wing 34 ; tail 3f ; bill at front not quite 4 ; tarsus lT\j ; extent of the foot If. The female is 7 inches long and the wing 3. I first obtained this bird on the Neilgherries in swampy ground, but afterwards found it not rare at Nellore, during the cold season, in long grass and rice fields ; and I again found it in Central India, during the rains, in grass meadows. It is also abundant all over Lower Bengal in high grass, though not frequenting such dense thickets of reeds as Megalurus, or Chatarrhcea Earlei. It most probably will be found in all suitable localities through the greater part of India. It has similar habits to Megalurus , soaring into the air like a lark, with a fine clear song. I have not procured the nest, but Mr. Blyth mentions that it nearly accords with that of Malacocir- cus, and that the eggs are blue. It feeds chiefly, if not entirely, on insects. The great difference of size between the sexes at one time led Mr. Blyth to believe them to be distinct species. Mr. Frith suggests that the very remarkable outer orbital bristles of this bird are admirably adapted to protect its eyes when it is forcing its way through dense tufts of grass and reeds. Near these two birds probably should be placed the African genera Sphenceacus and Sphenura; and the Australian Cincloramphus, TIMALINiE. 73 two of the species of which latter have been considered to belong to Megcilurus. From these Reed and Grass-babblers there is an evident transi- tion to the Reed-warblers, such as Lomstella , Acrocephalus , and Arandinax, in all of which, however, the characters of this family- are lost, or nearly so. But it will, perhaps, be advisable to class here two small Grass or Reed birds, which, by their strongly compressed bill, apparently belong to this group, leading to the Warblers. They belong to two distinct forms, and both are rare, and but little known. Mr. Blyth also places them in this family, between Chcetornis and Dumetia. Gen. ScHiE nicola, Blyth. Char. — Bill moderate, rather deep, much compressed, slightly curved on the culmen; a few strong rictal bristles, but less developed than in Chcetornis ; wings moderate, slightly rounded, 4th quill longest, 3rd equal to 5th ; tail moderate, very broad, soft ; tarsus long ; toes grasping ; plumage somewhat lax. 442. Schsenicola platyura, Jerdon. Timalia, apud Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 96 bis. The Broad-tailed Reed-bird. Descr. — Above dark olive-brown ; the feathers of the tail obsoletely barred ; beneath ochrey yellowish. Bill horny yellow ; legs fleshy yellow ; irides yellowish brown. Length inches ; wing ; tail ; bill at front T^, tarsus t9q. I only once observed this curious bird among some reeds in swampy ground close to Goodaloor in the Wynaad, at the foot of the Neilgherries. It took short flights, and endeavoured to conceal itself among the thick herbage. Its food had consisted wholly of small insects. I only procured one specimen, which is now lost, but Mr. Blyth had previously seen it, and recognising its peculi- arities, had given it the above generic appellation. Gen. Eurycercus, Blyth. Syn. Laticilla olim, Blyth — Sphenceacus , Strickland. Char. — Bill of moderate length, compressed, slender, nearly straight; culmen gently curved, barely hooked at the tip ; a few distant K BIRDS OF INDIA. 74 short rictal setae ; wings short, rounded; 4th and 5th quills longest; tail long, graduated, the feathers very broad and soft; tarsus long ; middle toe elongated, lateral toes unequal, hind toe rather short. This curious bird has so much the aspect of a Drymoica that it would by some be placed in that genus, but its more compressed bill, broad tail, and, to a certain extent, its coloration, all evince a tendency to this present family. It differs from the last type by its lengthened tail and streaked plumage. Blyth notices its affinity for Ckcetornis, of which says he “ it has the general form, but a weaker and more compressed bill, feebler vibrissa;, shorter feet, and the tail much broader.” 443. Eurycercus Burnesii, Blyth. J. A. S., XIIL, 374 — Blyth, Cat. 786 — Ilidela , Sindh. The Long-tailed Heed-bird. Descr. — Above brownish grey, with dark central streaks, mostly on the scapulars and back ; tail faintly barred; under parts whitish, tinged with fulvescent on the flanks, and a shade of the same on the sides of the neck, where also a few mesial streaks are distinct; under tail-coverts ferruginous. Bill horny above, yellowish beneath ; legs yellow-brown ; irides brownish yellow. Length 6£ inches ; wing ; tail 3f ; bill at front f ; tarsus t8q. This bird was originally sent from Sindh by Sir A. Burnes, and a drawing of it is also among his collection in the Asiatic Society’s Library. Quite recently I found it at Monghyr on the Ganges in March, frequenting grass mixed with Jhow bushes. When flushed, it flew close to the ground, and endeavoured to escape observation, hiding itself in the grass, and with more of the aspect of a Chat- arrlicea than of a Drymoica. It will probably be found in suitable spots all along the Gangetic valley. In its rufous under tail-coverts, and slightly spotted breast, it recalls the coloring of the African genus Parisoma .* The Mimince or Mocking Thrushes of America are the only group, not Asiatic, included by Bonaparte in this family, Toxostoma , * Salicaria leucoptera, Riippell, appears to me to belong to this division of the Timalina. BRACHYP0DIDA2. 75 hy its long and curved beak representing Pomatorhinus. Tardus vulpinus , Hartlaub, one of the Mimince , figured in P. Z. S. 1850, could not, by the Indian ornithologist, be mistaken for ought but a Timaline form. Fam. Brachypodid^e — Short-legged Thrushes. Legs and feet very short, only suited for perching ; wings moderate or rather long ; bill various, long and Thrush-like in some, short and somewhat depressed in others. In this family I include both the Bulbuls and Orioles, which agree in their short legs and feet, food, and arboreal habits. As in the last sub-family we found that the strong legs and feet afforded the most certain guide to their classification, to the exclu- sion of the bill, so, in these, the short feet are the most character- istic feature. It has not been usual to class the Bulbuls and Orioles together, but they are, in most systems, placed near each other ; the green Bulbuls are by some arranged with the Orioles, and by others with the Bulbuls ; and I see no essential difference between them, more than warranting a sectional separation. I was at one time inclined to place them in the family Merulida, as Gray and Horsfield do, but, on full consideration, have now considered them distinct. The Short-legged Thrushes are peculiar to the old world, being most abundant in India and Malayana, not rare in Africa, one or two species extending to the south of Europe, and one or two to Australia. The bill varies from somewhat long and slender, as in Hypsipetes , to thick and Finch-like in Spizixos. It is generally more or less wide and depressed at the base, and usually slightly notched at the tip. The wings are moderate, rather long in a few, and somewhat pointed. The tail is usually short or moderate, even or slightly rounded. The tongue of several is slightly pen- cilled or brushed, and, in consequence, some of them have been classified as a division of the Melliphagidce, or Honey-eaters of Australia ; but the structure and habits of these last, with their geo- graphic distribution, forbid the association, though there is a good deal of mutual resemblance between some of the species of each group, and they perhaps pass into each other. Mr. Blyth re- 76 BIRDS OF INDIA. marks that the affinity of the family for that of the Melliphagidee is, I think, undeniable. With regard to other external relations, they appear to have affinities with the Ampelidce, and particularly perhaps for some of the Leiotrichin throat and lower tail-coverts white ; breast pale ashy ; belly greyish white. Bill black ; legs dark plumbeous ; irides dark brown. Length 81 inches, extent 12 ; wing 3T9n ; tail 31 ; bill at front f ; tarsus ||. The Brown-eared Bulbul is found in the Eastern Himalayas, from Nepal to Bootan, also in the Khasia hills. It is not very rare uear PYCNONOTINiE. 81 Darjeeling, at elevations from 3,000 to 6,000 feet. It associates in small parties, feeds both on berries and insects, and lias a loud warbling note. The pointed feathers of its crest, and its long square tail, show its affinity to Hypsipetes. Gen. Alcurus, Hodgson. Char. — Bill slightly stronger than in the preceding genera, and somewhat wider at the base ; rictal bristles weak ; tail almost evem the outermost feathers barely shorter ; head sub-crested. This form appears to be immediate between Hemixos and its allies, and Criniger , from which last it is distinguished by the much feebler bill. In its habits too it is more allied to Hypsipetes. The peculiar striation of the plumage is faintly shadowed forth in II. McLellandi , but is more marked in Pycnonotus Finla.ysonii , Blyth, a very beautiful species from Arracan, which appears to belong to this type ; as does, perhaps, Ixos tigus, Miill., from Sumatra. 449. Alcurus striatus, Blyth. Tricophorus, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XI., 184 — Blyth, Cat. 1256 — Horsf., Cat. 384 — Alcurus Nipalensis, Hodgson — Senim- plek-pho, Lepch. — Chichiam , Bhot. The Striated Green-bulbul. Descr. — Above olive-green, brightest on the rump and wings ; feathers of the occiput lengthened and somewhat pointed; crown of the head and back darker green, with a slight tinge of cinereous on the back, and the feathers of both the head and back narrowly streaked with white ; tail dusky, with the outer web greenish, obsoletely barred above, and tinged with yellow beneath ; the two outer rectrices, and the third partially, tipped with yellow- ish white ; part of throat, chin, and under tail-coverts pale canary yellow ; a yellow streak from the nostril to near the eye ; throat, fore- neck, and belly, pale yellowish, albescent on the breast, the feathers all edged with dusky greenish, most broadly so on the breast, giving a generally striated aspect to the under parts ; ear-coverts black. Bill horny black ; legs greenish brown ; irides brown-red. Length 8f inches; wing 4§ ; tail 4 ; bill at front £ ; tarsus not L 82 BIRDS OF INDIA. This bird is exceedingly abundant about Darjeeling, and is most common from 7,000 feet and upwards. It in general keeps to the tops of high trees, going in small parties, and having a loud mellow warble, which it is continually repeating, both when feeding and on the wing. It feeds chiefly on fruit, sometimes on insects. This bird, like Ilemixos Jlavala, has also affinities for Uypsipetes , shewn, as well in the structure, as in its habits of flying high, and the frequent repetition of its call. Gen. Criniger, Temm. Syn. Tricopliorus, Temm. — Alcurus , pars, Hodgson. Char. — Bill of moderate length, strong and deep ; the culmen well curved ; rictal bristles distinct, long ; tail nearly even, with the outermost feathers distinctly shorter. Head more or less crested. The first species noticed has the bill somewhat less strong than the second and more typical one, and has been placed under Hemixos , but its colours and general characters are more those of the present genus. 450. Criniger ictericus, Stricland. Ann. Nat. Hist., XIII. — Blyth, Cat. 1255 — Horsf., Cat. 379 — Tricopliorus Indicus, Jerdon, Cat. 75. The Yellow-browed Bulbul. Descr. — Plumage above bright olive-green ; superciliary streak extending to the forehead, and the whole plumage beneath, bright yellow ; quills dusky on their inner webs ; the shafts of the tail feathers beneath yellow. Bill black ; legs dark plumbeous ; irides blood-red. Length 8 inches; wing 3-^; tail S}2 ; bill at front T6n ; tarsus T8n. This species has only been found in the Malabar forests and Ceylon. It prefers mountainous regions, at from 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation, being very abundant on the slopes of the Neilgherries at that elevation ; but it is also found occasionally down to a few hundred feet above the sea level. It lives in small flocks, flying from tree to tree, and keeping up a continual and pleasing mellow bulbul-like warble. I have chiefly found PYCN0N0T1N.E. 83 it to have partaken of fruit ; but I dare say at times, insects are captured. I first described this bird, considering that it might be the Turdus indicus of the older authors. I am not aware what species is now supposed to have been described under that name, or whether it has been identified at all. This bird has the crest only moderately developed, and the tail more even than the next bird. The next species has the bill proportionally stronger, the crest more developed, and the tail with the outer feathers distinctly shorter. 451. Criniger fiaveolus, Gould. Tricophorus, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1836 — Blyth, Cat. 1257. — ■ Horse., Cat. 382 — Tr. xanthogaster, Hodgs. — Kussop eechiop-pho , Lepch. The White-throated Bulbul. Descr. — Head crested, the feathers progressively lengthened, and mixed with hairs; plumage above dull yellow olive, with a tinge of reddish brown on the wings and tail ; cheeks and throat ashy white ; the rest beneath bright yellow. Bill light plumbeous ; legs pale fleshy yellow ; irides brown-red. Length 84 inches ; extent 13 ; wing 4^ ; tail 3f ; bill at front f ; tarsus f . This bird in its plumage much resembles the last. It is an inhabitant of the Himalayas from Nepal to Bootan, extending to the hill ranges of Assam, Sylhet, and Arrakan. It is chiefly found at from 2,000 to 5,000 feet. I got several specimens from the vicinity of Darjeeling, but did not myself observe it. The name which the Lepchas give it is taken from its call. Near here should be placed several species of Bulbul, viz. C. ochrocephalus , Gmel., ( crispiceps , Blyth,) the giant of the family ; Pyc. inornatus and P. simplex , Kuhl, from Sumatra ; Pycn , rufocaudatus , Eyton, ( Tricophorus gularis, Horsf.) from Java and Malacca; with Trie, gutturalis, and sulphurata , Mull., from Borneo ; and jlavicaudus, Bon., from Amboyna ; also Setor- nis criniger , Blyth, from Malacca ; all which tend to grade into dole , previously mentioned. Not far from these birds should be placed Spizixos , Blyth, with a short thick conical bill. The best known species, S. canifrons , 84 BIRDS OF INDIA. Blyth, from the Ivhasia hills, lives in small flocks, has a pleasant call, keeps to the top of trees, and lives entirely on fruit. Another has lately been sent from China. The next division only includes two birds belonging to our province, but several Burmese and Malayan species. The colors are not so vivid as in the last, the form is larger and more plump, and it is somewhat related to Hemixos. As I imagine that Muse, psidii, of the older authors, belongs to this group, I shall put it as Ixos , under which genus that bird is classed by Gray. Gen. Ixos, Temm. (restricted). Char. — Bill rather short, slightly arching on the culmen ; the tip bent over, distinctly notched ; commissure nearly straight ; a few rictal bristles, mixed with some smaller tufts ; hairs on the nape distinct, and some of the feathers of the throat bristle-ended ; lateral toes nearly equal ; hind toe shorter than middle toe ; 4th, 5th, and 6th quills sub-equal and longest, 7th barely shorter; tail slightly rounded in some, almost even in others, with the outer feathers slightly shorter. 452. Ixos luteolus, Less. Hoematornis, apud Lesson, Rev. Zook, 1840 — Horsf., Cat. 362 — Pycnonotus flavirictus, Siiickland — Blyth, Cat. 1270 — Ixos virescens, apud Tickell, and Jerdon, Cat. 74 — Criniger Tickelli, Blyth — Poda-pigli, Tel. The White-browed Bush Bulbul. \ Descr. — Above dull brownish olive-green, palest on the head, where it is slightly ashy, and yellowish on the rump ; quills and coverts edged with brighter green ; over the eye to the ear-coverts, and from the base of the upper mandible extending below the eye, obscure white ; chin, and base of lower mandible, pale clear yellow ; lower parts whitish ashy, tinged with pale yellow ; the breast dashed with brownish grey, and the vent and under tail- coverts pale yellow. Bill blackish ; legs dark plumbeous ; irides blood-red. Length 7^ inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 3^ ; bill at front T65 ; tarsus T8^. PYCNONOTIIOE. 85 This is a tolerably common bird in many parts of the South of India ; rare in others. It is not found in the forests of Malabar, but in low jungle in that province it is common, and on the skirts of forests occasionally. In the Carnatic it is tolerably common in bushy jungle, and even in gardens, in wooded districts ; also throughout the Northern Circars to Goomsoor; and Tickell found it in Central India. It is not however known at Jubbulpore, Saugor, Nagpore, nor Mhow, nor in the bare table land of the Deccan. It associates less in flocks than most of this family, being usually seen alone, but it avoids observation, and keeps to the thickets. It flies about from bush to bush with a fine loud, clear, thrush-like warble, and feeds entirely on fruit of various kinds, I found the nest in my garden at Nellore. It was rather loosely made with roots, grass, and hair, placed in a hedge ; and the eggs, four in number, were reddish-white, with darker lake-red spots, exceed- ingly like those of the common Bulbul. I see that the Ixos virescens of Temminck, which in my Cata- logue I considered the same as this bird, now ranks as an Ilyp- sipetes. 453. Ixos xantholaemus, Jerdon. Brachypus xantholEemus, J erdon, 2nd Snpph, Cat. 69 bis — 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 35 — Blyth, Cat. 1269 — Horsf., Cat. 369 — Konda- poda-pigli, Tel. The Yellow-throated Bush Bulbul. Descr. — Head and face yellowish green ; upper plumage grey, tinged with green, especially on the upper tail-coverts ; wings dusky, edged with yellow green; tail dusky, the feathers edged with yellow green, and, except the central ones, all the feathers tipped with yellowish white, most broadly on the outermost ones; chin, throat, and forehead pure canary yellow ; breast grey, paling to whitish on the abdomen ; under tail-coverts pure yellow. Bill and legs black, irides red. Length nearly 8 inches ; wing 3t6q ; tail 3~ ; bill at front ; tarsus t8q- This bird is one of exceedingly limited geographical distri- bution. I have only met with it from the Eastern Ghats, west of Nellore, whence it was brought me by some Shikarees. Jt 86 BIRDS OF INDIA. probably may extend along this range South to Royacottah, and Northwards [along the hills towards Goomsoor, but, as yet, I believe, specimens have not been obtained from any other locality. Bonaparte in his Conspectus states that it very closely resembles 7. leucogrammicus, Muller, from Sumatra, but is larger, and has the throat yellow, which the other has not. Other species apparently belonging to the present group are I Jlavescens , Blyth, from the Khasia hills and Arrakan, very close to Jiaveolus ; I. iristis, Blyth, from Arracan ; 7. Blanfordi, Jerdon, ( familiaris, Blyth) very abundant at Thayetmyo ; I plumosus , Brand; 7. brunneus , Bl., from Malacca; I tigus , Mull., from Sumatra, and other species from the Islands of Malayana. Gen. Kelaartia, Blyth. Char. — Bill short, wide, tolerably curved, strongly notched ; ric- tal bristles feeble ; tarsus somewhat long. This form is distinguished by having a longer tarsus than any member of the family. It at present consists of but a single species ; but Pyc. Sinensis is very closely allied to, if indeed it does not belong to it, chiefly differing in its shorter tarsus. 454. Kelaartia penicillata, Blyth. Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 70 bis. The Yellow-eared Bulbul. Descr. — Head above brown ; the feathers scale-like ; a white spot at the base of the upper mandible, not extending over the eyes ; lores, under the eye, and the ear-coverts dusky blackish, paling posteriorly ; behind the eye a tuft of lengthened, lanceolate, bright yellow feathers ; upper plumage olive-green, with the inner webs of the quills and tail feathers dusky brown ; beneath, the chin white, the rest of the lower parts olivaceous yellow, clearer on the abdomen and under tail-coverts, and olivaceous on the sides of the breast and flanks. Length 7 inches ; wing 3£ ; tail 3 ; bill at front T9y ; tarsus f. I believe that this Ceylon bird is identical with one procured by me from the Mysore country, below the Neilgherries, which was accidentally destroyed before I had taken a description ; but PYCNONOTINJE. 87 I had a coloured sketch drawn, from which I briefly described it in my Supplement Cat. Birds. The succeeding group of Bulbuls differ somewhat from the pre- ceding ones in their generally smaller size, more slender bills, somewhat more rounded tails, and also in a more marked form of coloration. They are mostly Malayan forms, Southern India possessing two, representing different types ; and Northern India, including Assam and Burmah, three. The first genus comprises two species from India, one from Northern India, the other from the South. Blyth named one of these Rabigula ; Cabanis subsequently Sphagias ; and Hodgson classed the northern one under his genus Alcurus ; but it does not correspond with the type of that genus, and both forms I think may safely be classed together. Genus, Rubigula, Blyth. Syn. Sphagias, Cab. Char. — Bill rather short, moderately stout ; rictal bristles small or moderate ; tail slightly rounded, or almost even ; head black, more or less crested; the feather of the back loose and decomposed ; irides yellow. 455. Rubigula gularis, Gould. Brachypus, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 1277 — Horsf., Cat. 368 — Brachypus rubineus, Jerdon, Cat. 69, and 111. Ind. Orn. pi. 37. • The Ruby-throated Bulbul. Descr. — Head and cheeks pure glossy black ; plumage above yellowish olive-green ; a small chin spot black ; throat beautiful shining ruby-red, the feathers much divided and somewhat bristly ; the rest of the plumage beneath bright yellow ; quills with a tinge of dusky on the inner webs. Bill black ; legs greenish dusky ; irides light yellow. Length 6^- inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2f ; tarsus rather more than i inch ; bill at front f . This pretty species is found only in the forests of Malabar, extending from Travancore to North Canara. It is found from 88 BIRDS OF INDIA. the level of the sea nearly to about 2,000 feet of elevation. It is not common, frequents the more open spots and glades in thick jungle, and 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, much in the manner of the crested Bulbuls. Its food consists chiefly of fruits and berries. A very closely allied species is the Ixos dispar of Horsfield, Temm., PI. col. 137 ; and another has lately been procured in Ceylon, R. aberrans , Blyth. The next species has the head conspicuously crested, and the bill is shorter than in the foregoing ; but it has a general similarity of character and plumage, and the irides of both (which is unusual in this family) are pale yellow. 456. Rubigula flaviventris, Tickell. Vanga, apud Tickell, J. A. S., 2 — Blyth, Cat. 1275 — IIorsf., Cat. 371 — Brachypus melanocephalus, Gray, Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool. 2, pi. 35, f. 1 . — Br. plumifera, Gould — Zurd bulbul , 11. — Pahanya kangdhara, at Goruckpore — Mancliph-hur , Lepch. The Black-crested Yellow-bulbul. Descr. — Above olive-green, beneath yellow, with a greenish tinge, strongest on the breast ; head ( with a long slender erectile crest ), cheeks, and throat, glossy black ; primaries within dusky black ; the tail brown, the leathers edged with green on the outer webs. Bill black ; legs dark horn ; irides pale yellow. Length nearly 8 inches ; wing 3f ; tail 3^ ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus y9^. This Bulbul is found in the Himalayas from Nepal to Bootan, extending into Assam, Arrakan, and Burmah; also in the forests of Central India, where it was procured by Tickell. I found it in Sikhim in the warm valleys from 1,200 feet to 3,000, most abundant in the lower elevations, as on the banks of the Rungeet. It associates in small flocks, is lively and active, and has the usual twittering notes of this family. It feeds chiefly on fruits. An allied species is I. bimaculatus, Lesson, from Java, with the cheeks orange-red. PYCNONOTINiE. 89 It is in this group that we find an approach to the color of the common Bulbuls of India, Hcematornis and Pycnonotus , as in no other genus is there any red tint. Gen. Brachypodius, Blyth. Char. — Bill somewhat as in Rubigula , short, rather deep at the base, but the rictal bristles more feeble ; tail more or less rounded. This form is chiefly developed in Malayans, only one species from Southern India, and one from Tipperab, occurring else- where. 457. Brachypodius poiocephalus, Jerdon. Brachypus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 70 — 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 31 — • Blyth, Cat. 1282. The Gray-headed Bulbul. Descr. — Crown of head, occiput and throat, bluish gray ; fore- head siskin green ; back, wings, and plumage beneath, oil-green, lighter towards the vent ; feathers of the rump light yellowish green, broadly streaked with black ; tail with the centre feathers greenish, broadly edged with gray, lateral feathers black, also gray- edged ; under tail-coverts light gray. Bill greenish horn ; legs reddish yellow; irides bluish white. Length about 7 inches ; extent 9 ; wing 3 ; tail 2T8n ; tarsus | inch ; bill at front y7^. The Gray-headed Bulbul is confined to the forests of the Malabar Coast, extending from Travancore to Honore. It is found from near the sea level to about 2,000 feet or so of elevation, living in small families, and feeding chiefly on stony fruit. The plumage of the back and rump is very copious and puffy, recalling the structure of Iora , and, like that bird, the present has whitish hides, which are rare in this, or indeed in any group. A species with very similar markings, Brachypus eutilotus , from Malacca, is figured by Jardine and Selby; and of this Gray makes his sub-genus, jEuptilutus, to which perhaps the present species would appertain. M 90 BIRDS OF INDIA. Other species of Brachypodius arc found in the Malay countries and Burmah, viz., 13. melanocepliulus , Gmelin, from Burmah, and another allied species from Malacca, probably Ixos melallicus of Eyton (which two have much the coloration of the Orioles); Ixos squamatus Temm., and I. chalcocephalus, Temm., from Java and Malacca; B. cincrcovcntris , Blyth, from the Tipperah liills ; Ixidiu cyaniventer , Blyth, from Malacca, and I. poliopsis , of Bonaparte’s Conspectus. Near here branches off Microtarsus, with black plu- mage, a long and slender bill, and well rounded tail, comprising two species from Malacca. We have next two forms, the most common of all the Bulbuls, and also with extensive distribution, one or more being found in every part of India Proper, Assam, and Burmah. Both forms have the under tail-coverts bright red in most, yellow in a few, and one group has in addition a crimson check stripe. The first group has been named Otocmnpsa by Cabanis. It was founded apparently on P. jocosus , and includes the two yellow- vented crested Bulbuls, whose markings are similar to the first named species. Gen. Otocomfsa, Cabanis. Char. — Bill short or moderate, slightly curved; rictus bristled; the head black, with an erectile pointed crest ; the upper plumage brown and the under tail-coverts yellow or red. 1st. with the lower tail-coverts yellow. 458. Otocompsa leucogenys, Gray. Brachypus, apud Gray, IIardw. 111. Ind. Zool. 2, pi. 35, f. 3— Blyth, Cat. 12G6 — Horsf., Cat. 3G0 — lx. plumigerus, Lafiiesn. — Manglio-kur or Mancliph-kur, Lepch. — Kangdhara , Beng. TnE White-cheeked Crested-Bulbul. Dcscr. — Top of head and nape hair brown, the feathers long and forming an erectile occipital crest ; a faint white supercilium, only reaching the middle of the eye ; lores, and round the eyes, black ; ear-coverts white ; plumage above pale earthy-brown, the PYCNONOTINiE. 91 quills somewhat darker brown ; tail brown at the base, black for the terminal half, with a white tip ; chin and throat blackish brown, this colour extending round to the back of the ears ; breast and lower parts pale whity-brown, more albescent on the middle of the abdomen ; under tail-coverts bright yellow. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; irides brown. Length nearly 8 inches ; extent 11 ; wing of ; tail 3^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus T9^. The White-cheeked Bulbul is found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas, from Cashmere to Bootan. It is most abundant, in Sikhim, from about 2,500 to 5,000 feet of elevation. It feeds both on seeds, fruits, and insects. ITutton found the nest neatly made with stalks and grass, and containing three or four eggs, rosy or purplish white, with specks and spots of dark purple or claret. 459. Otocompsa leucotis, Gould. Ixos, apud Gould, P. Z. S., 1836 — Blyth, Cat. 1265 — Horsf., Cat. 359 — Kangdhara , Beng. — Kushandra , or Kuslianbra of the Punjab — Blworoo of Sindh. The White-eared Crested-Bulbul. Descr.- — Whole head and neck black, passing into rich brown on the neck ; ear-coverts, and a patch below them, white, edg- ed black ; upper plumage earthy brown; tail brown at the base, the terminal half blackish brown, with the edges white, most broadly so on the outer feathers; beneath, from the breast, whity-brown ; the under tail-coverts rich saffron-yellow. Length 7 inches ; wing ; tail 3£ ; bill at front yL ; tarsus f. This species has the tail slightly rounded, the bill is rather short, deep, and strong, and in these points it makes approach to Pyc. sinensis , V., p. 86. This Bulbul is found in the Punjab, extending down the Indus and Sutlej, through Ferozepore and Bhawulpore, into Sindh and Guzrat. Nothing is recorded of its habits. Ixos tympunistrigus , Mull., of Bonaparte’s Conspect., may perhaps belong to the present group ; as does certainly chrysor- heeusj Latham, from J ava, figured in Brown’s 111. Zool. 92 BIRDS OF INDIA. 460. Otocompsa jocosa, Lin. Lanins, apud Linnaeus — L. Emeria, Shaw — Blyth, Cat. 1260 — Horsf., Cat. 354— Jerdon, Cat. 77 — Sykes, Cat. 70 — lx. monticolus, McLell., P. Z. S., 1839 — I. pyrrhotis, IIodgs. — Kanera bulbul , H. in the north — Phari-bulbul , II. in the south — Kara bulbul, and Sipahi bulbul, Beng. — Turaha pigli-pitta, Tel. The Bed-Whiskered Bulbul. Descr. — Head, with crest, black ; ear-coverts white, with a tuft of glossy hair-like crimson feathers over the ears, and reaching beyond them ; a narrow line of black borders the ear-coverts beneath ; plumage above light hair-brown, darker on the quills and on the tail, especially towards the tip, which is white on all, except, the central feathers, but only on the inner web, except on the outermost pair ; beneath, from the chin, white, the sides of the breast dark-brown, forming an interrupted gorget. Length 8 inches; extent 11 ; wing 3^; tail 3T9jj ; tarsus T9n j bill at front The Red-whiskered or Hill-bulbul is found throughout India, but often affects particular localities. As a general rule it is most common in jungly and well-wooded districts. In the Carnatic it is rare, found now and then in low jungle, and periodically visiting Madras and other wooded towns in large flocks. On the western coast it is more generally spread, but even there you may pass over considerable tracts of ground without seeing it. On the Neilgherries it is very abundant. It is rare in the central table land, tolerably common on the Northern Circars, in Lower Bengal, and here and there throughout the Upper Provinces, extending to the Sub-IIimalayan range ; but not apparently ascending the hills to any height, as it does in the South. Out of our province it is found in Assam and Arrakan. It is a most lively and active bird, always on the move, and warbling its pleasant chirruping notes, which are more agreeable than those of the next species. Its flight is steady, but not very rapid, and its crest is always raised the moment it alights. I have frequently had its nest and eggs brought me on the Neilgherries. The nest was very neatly made, deep, cup- PYCNONOTINiE. 93 shaped, of moss, lichens, and small roots, lined with hair and down. The eggs are barely distinguishable from those of the next bird, being reddish white with spots of purplish or lake-red all over, larger at the thick end. It lives chiefly on fruit and seeds, on the Neil- gherries, robbing the gardens of peas, strawberries, &c. ; now and then it takes insects ; and I have seen it come to the ground to secure them. An affined race or species is found in Burmah and Malayana, which differs in having the red whiskers shorter, truncated, and of a much deeper crimson colour. Jt only reaches the basal third of the wdrite ear-coverts, whilst, in the Indian bird, it measures f of an inch or more, and passes beyond the ear-coverts. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, applies the name of Linnaeus to the race of Burmah and China ; and to the Indian species Hodg- son’s name pyrrliotis ; he has also a third species, erythrotis , Bonap., from Java. McLelland’s Lx. monticolus , which I procured from the Ivhasia hills, does not appear to me to differ from the Indian race. Gen. Pycnonotus, Iiuhl. Syn. Heematornis partly, Swainson. Char. — Bill moderately long, strong, tolerably curved, with strongish rictal bristles ; legs and feet stout ; tail barely rounded, almost square ; under tail-coverts red. With Gray, I have kept the genus Pycnonotus for the common Bulbuls of India. These differ from the last in their darker plu- mage, and in the want of' the pointed crest. One of the following species is to be seen in every part of Igdia, and a nearly allied race in Burmah, and the Malayan provinces. 461. Pycnonotus pygssus, Hodgson. IIorsf., Cat. 239 — P. Bengalensis, Blyth, Cat. 1261 — P. cafer of India, auctorum — Bulbul, Hind. — Kala bulbul, Bcng. — Mancliph-pho, Lepch. — Paklom , Bhot. The Common Bengal Bulbul. Descr. — Head, nape, hind neck, chin, throat, and breast, glossy black ; ear-coverts glossy hair brown ; from the hind neck dark 94 BIRDS OF INDIA. smoky brown, edged with ashy, which is the colour of the rump ; the upper tail-coA'erts white ; tail brownish-black, tipped with white, except the central pair ; wings as the back; the shoulders and wing-coverts, edged with whitish ; below, from the breast, dark brown, edged with ashy, passing to ashy on the lower abdomen ; vent, and under tail-coverts rich crimson. Length 8f inches; extent 12^; wing 3f ; tail 3£ ; bill at front f ; tarsus § . Bill black ; legs dark brown ; irides deep brown. The Bengal Bulbul is found throughout Lower Bengal, and the Tapper Provinces, extending to the Himalayas on the north, and south to Midnapore, and the jungles stretching thence to Central India, north of the Nerbudda river. It is doubtful if it is found in Rajpootana and the Punjab. It is also found in Assam ; but in Southern Burmah it is replaced by a nearly afhned race, P. nigropileus , Blyth. This bird, whose habits and manners precisely resemble those of the next, ascends the Himalayas, at Darjeeling, to 7,000 feet, at least, being common in the station ; whilst our Southern species is not found beyond Kotagherry and Coonoor, 6,000 feet high, on the Neilgherries. 462. Pycnonotus hsemorhous, Gmelin. Muscicapa, apud Gmelin — Blyto, Cat. 1262 — Horsf., Cat. 356 — Ixos Cafer, apud Sykes, Cat. 71 — Hamatornis cafer, Jerd., Cat. 76 — H. pusillus, and psendo-cafer, Blyth (olim) — Brown, 111. Zool., pi. 31, f. 1 — Bulbul , Hind — Tonhi bulbul , Beng.- — Pigli-pitta, Tel. — Konda-lati , Tam. The Common Madras Bulbul. Descr. — Head, chin and throat, black ; nape and back smoky brown, more or less edged paler, and the pale edging often extends to the darker feathers of the hind head and nape, giving it a speckled appearance ; rump somewhat cinerascent ; upper tail- coverts white ; beneath, from the top of the breast, brown, edged with ash, paling posteriorly, and becoming albescent on the lower abdomen and vent ; under tail-coverts crimson ; wings and tail as in the last. PYCNONOTINiE. 95 Bill black; legs greenish slaty; irides deep brown. Length about 8 inches; extent 11; wing 3t6q ; tail 3^; tarsus ^ ; bill at front It differs from the Bengal Bulbul in only having the head black, the nape being of the same colour as the back ; also in the black of the lower parts only reaching the upper part of the breast, whilst in the Bengal one the whole breast is black. It is also decidedly a smaller bird. This is one the of most common and generally spread birds in the South of India. It extends throughout the southern part of the Peninsula to the Nerbudda river, and beyond it, apparently, in the North-west. A specimen from Wuzeerabad, in the Punjab, resembles this species in having only a black cap, but the wing is longer ; it is altogether a larger bird, and the ear-coverts are shining dark brown, not so conspicuous as in the Bengal bird, more so than in the Madras species. The plumage, too, is generally lighter, and more deeply edged pale. This may be a hybrid between the two races, but it is probably a distinct race, and will perhaps be found to be the common species throughout the Punjab and other parts of the North-Western Provinces, but I do not like to give it a distinct specific rank at present on the faith of one speci- man. I see, however, that Lord A. Hay considered it distinct, and suggested for it the name of P. intermedius. Mr. Blyth moreover states that our present bird is also found in Arrakan, and one specimen from thence, in the Asiatic Society’s Museum, certainly very closely resembles the species from Southern India ; but two others, one from Arrakan and another from Tonghoo, have the decidedly brown ears of the Bengal species, and are more probably a peculiar race, replaced in the South of Burmah by P. nigropileus. It frequents gardens and cultivated ground, and low bushy jungle, but is never found in forests, and it ascends the Neilgherries to about 6,000 feet only. It is usually seen in pairs, or in small families, flying briskly about, restless and inquisitive, feeding chiefly on fruits, but occasionally descending to the ground, and even hopping a step or two and picking up insects. It destroys various buds and blossoms also, and is very destructive to peas, 96 BIRDS OF INDIA. strawberries, brazil cherries ( Phy sails peruviana ), and other soft fruit. Its note, which it is frequently uttering, is an unmusical rather harsh chirrup. It has at times, however, a sweeter note, and it is said to be able to imitate the notes of other birds when caged. Its flight is direct, performed by a continued quick flap- ping of the wings. It breeds from June to September accord- ing to the locality. The nest is rather neat cup-shaped, made of roots and grass, lined with hair, fibres, and spiders’ webs, placed at no great height in a shrub or hedge. The eggs are pale-pinkish, with spots of darker lake-red, most crowded at the thick end. Burgess describes them as rich madder colour, spotted and blotched with gray and madder-brown ; Layard, as pale cream, with darker markings. The Bulbul is very commonly caged in various parts of the country, and in the Carnatic it is kept for fighting, being held on the finger with a cord attached. They fight sometimes with great spirit, often, I am assured, seizing their antagonist by the red fea- thers, and endeavouring to pull them out. When excited they often spread out these feathers laterally, so as to be seen even from above. Besides P. nigropileus, and the races already alluded to, there is one, P. atricapillus from China. Two species of Bulbul placed by Pr. Bonaparte under Tricophorus, viz., T. pulverulentus, and T. striolatus , S. Muller, both from Sumatra, appear, by their dingy coloration, either to belong to the present genus, or to be links uniting it to some of the other forms. Of non-Asiatic Brachypodince , we have Andropadus with three or four species, and Tricophorus and Ixos, with many species from Africa. Of the last genus there are several from Northern Africa, one of which, I. obscurus, has been killed in Spain ; and I. arsinoe and I. vallumbrosce have been procured, respectively, in Arabia and Palestine. Sub-Fam. Phyllornithin^e. Bill slightly lengthened, more or less curved, of variable strength ; wings moderate ; tail short ; tarsus and feet short, stout. Ot a beautiful grass green colour, more or less adorned with various glistening blue patches on the throat and shoulder of the wings. PHYLLORNITHINiE. 97 This is a small group of very pretty "birds found in India, Burmah, and Malayana, the species being, as usual, rather locally distributed. Bonaparte places this sub-family among the Mellipha- gidce. Gray also places Phyllornis at the end of the Melliphagidce, and Blyth considers that it is allied to that family (though not so nearly as are the Orioles) ; but, in his Catalogue, places it and Iora in his sub-family Phyllornince of -the Pycnonotidce , with which views I entirely agree. Their general structure and habits are quite like those of the short-footed Thrushes in general, and their geographic distribution coincides with that of the present family. The birds, however, as a rule, are more insectivorous than the true Bulbuls. Gen. Phyllornis, Boie. Syn. Chloropsis , Jard. and Selby. Char. — Bill moderate or rather long ; culmen keeled, and more or less curved ; tip bent down and notched ; nostrils basal, leng- • thened; wings moderately long, with the 4th and 5th quills sub- equal, but the 4th longest ; tail moderate or rather short, even ; tarsus short, smooth. The bill in this genus is of very variable strength and curvature. The plumage of all is bright grass-green, varied with blue and yellow markings about the head and neck. m In one or more species the wings are fine blue, showing an approximation towards Irena. There are four species found in our province, two in Southern, and two in Northern India. 463. Phyllornis Jerdoni, Blyth. J. A. S., XII., 392 — Blyth, Cat. 1287 — Horsf., Cat. 396 — Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 43 — Chloropsis coesmarhynchos, apud Tickell — Chi. cochinsmensis, apud Jerdon, Cat. 72 — Harreiva, H. — Wanna bojanum , Tel. i. e., Ornament of the forest. The Common Green Bulbul. Descr. — Male, pale grass-green, shoulder patch pale shining blue, quills dusky internally; chin, throat and gorge, deep black, surround- ed by a greenish yellow band, which extends through the eyes to the forehead ; maxillary streak hyacinth blue, short. The female N 98 BIRDS OF INDIA. has the parts that are black in the male light bluish green, surround- ed by the yellowish band, and the maxillary streak light azure. Bill dusky; legs plumbeous; irides light brown. Length 71- inches; wing 3^.; tail 2f ; bill at front barely Lr 5 tarsus not quite -iV P. cochinchinensis, with which this species was for long con- founded, differs in being a smaller bird ; in having more yellow on the forehead and breast ; in the maxillary streak being still shorter, &c., &c. This Green Bulbul, is spread over great part of the continent of India, not extending however to Lower Bengal, or to the sub- Ilimalayan forests. It is extremely common in all the Western provinces, and in the jungles of the Eastern Ghats ; but is more rare in the open country of the Carnatic, Mysore, and Hydrabad. It is found in Central India at Mhow, Saugor, &c., and through the vast jungles of Chota Nagpore up to Midnapore. It is usually met with in pairs, sometimes in- small parties, flitting about the extreme branches of trees, examining the leaves for various insects, in pursuit of which it occasionally takes a short flight of a foot or two, or searching for some suitable fruit. It has various notes ; its usual call being, as Mr. Blyth remarks, not unlike that of the King-crow ( Dicrunts mucrocercus ), though softened down and mellowed ; and, «at times, it has a very pretty song. Tickell says “ it is an excellent mocker, and imitates the notes of almost every small bird of the country.” I have seen the nest only once. It was neatly but slightly made, cup-shaped, composed chiefly of fine grass, writh some hairs, and was placed near the extremity of a branch, one or two of the nearest leaves being brought down, and loosely fixed to it. It contained two eggs, white, with a few claret-coloured blotches. Layard also found the nest in Ceylon “ with four eggs, white, thickly mottled at the obtuse end with purplish spots.” 464. Phyllornis Malabaricus, Latham. Turdus, apud Latham — Blyth, Cat. 1286 — Chi. aurifrons, apud Sykes, Cat. 131 — Jerdon, Cat. 71 — Chlor. Malabaricus, Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat., page 124. PHYLL0RNITHINA3. 99 The Malabar Green Bulbul. Descr. — Male bright grass-green ; forehead golden'-yellow ; chin and throat black, with a small blue moustachial streak ; flexure of the wing verdigris blue. • The female wants the golden forehead of the male, and has the black gorget and blue maxillary streak somewhat smaller. Bill dusky blackish ; legs plumbeous ; irides light yellowish- brown. Length nearly 8 inches ; extent 11 ; wing ; tail 3 ; bill at front f ; tarsus T7^. Female a little smaller. This species is found most abundantly in the forests of Mala- bar, in Wynaad, Coorg, and on the sides of the Neilgherries, up to about 4,000 feet of elevation. It is also found, though rarely, on the Eastern Ghats, and in some of the forests of Central India. Like the last it is seen in pairs, or small parties, hopping and flying actively about the branches of trees, and lives both on fruits and insects, chiefly the latter. 465. Phyllornis aurifrons, Temm. PI. col. 484, f. 1 — Blyth, Cat. 1285 — Housf., Cat. 395 — Chi. Malabaricus, apud Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn., pi. 5 — Subz - liarciva , Nepal — Hurriba , Beng. — Slcalem-pho , Lepcli. The Gold-fronted Green Bulbul. DeScr. — Male, green, paler beneath, with the flexure of the wings verdigris blue ; forehead and front of crown, brilliant golden orange, the feathers rigid and glistening; the throat wholly shining smalt-blue ; fore-neck black, surrounded by a yellow zone ; wings and tail beneath dusky-gray. The female has the black of the neck of smaller extent, and wants the golden forehead. Bill black ; legs greenish plumbeous ; feet dusky blue ; irides brown. Length 8 inches ; extent 12 ; wing 3f ; tail 2f ; bill at front £ ; tarsus f. This species is found in all the sub-IIimalayan region, from Dehra Doon into Sikhim ; also in Lower Bengal and Midnnpore, and it extends into Assam, Arrakan, and Burmah. It is often caged in Calcutta, many being brought to Monghyr from the Nepal 100 BIRDS 0 Y INDIA. Terai. I procured it in Sikhim up to 4,000 feet or so. It has a sweet song,, and, like the others, when caged, is quite a mocking bird. 4G6. Phyllornis Hardwickii, Jard. and Selby. Chloropsis, apud Jard. and Selby — Blyth, Cat. 1284 — Horsf., Cat. 394— C. curvirostris, S WAINS. — C. chrysogaster, McLell., P. Z. S., 1838 — C. auriventris, Guerin, Mag. Zool. 1840, pi. 17 — C. cyanopterus, IIodgs. — Saklem-pho, Lepch. The Blue-winged Green Bulbul. Uescr.— Male above green ; the head and neck tinged with yellowish, and a brilliant smalt-blue moustachial streak ; shoulder of the wings verdigris blue ; wings and tail fine violet or purple ; throat and fore-neck black, passing into glossy dark-purple on the breast ; abdomen rich orange saffron. Females want the black neck and throat ; the moustachial streak is less vivid, and the lower parts are more mixed with green. Bill black ; legs plumbeous ; iridcs light brown. Length 8 inches; extent 12 ; wing 3f ; tail 3 ; bill at front jA ; tarsus f. This beautiful bird is found in the South-East Himalayas, from Nepal to Bootan, spreading south to the hill ranges of Assam, Sylhet, and Arrakan. In Sikhim I found it from 2,000 feet upwards, most common about 4,000 feet. It has a fine song, and the usual habits of its genus. Several other species of Phyllornis are found in Malayana and the eastern island, viz , P. Cochinsinensis , already alluded to ; ictero- cephalus, Temm., P. C. 512, 2, very closely allied to the last, and both having, like Hardwickii , blue wings and tail ; cyanopogon of Malacca; and Sonneratii, J. and S., also from Malacca and the islands, the largest of the group, and with the bill proportionally strong and curved. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, gives two ad- ditional species, media, Mull., like Sonneratii , but with the bill smaller ; and venusta, Temm., both from Sumatra. The next genus, lora , has been considered rather an isolated form, although its relationship to the Bulbuls had been allowed by many', but the discovery of a fine and large species of this genus, with undoubted affinities for Phyllornis , has settled conclusively PHYLLORNITHIK®. 101 its place along with that genus as a group of the Brachypodine Thrushes. Iora is one of those forms that has certain affinities both of structure and habits for some of the Parine and Leiotri- ehine groups. Bonaparte classes it along with Pkyllornis, but as- sociates with them Yuhina and Zosterops, which I prefer placing with the Leiotrichince , albeit there is a considerable resemblance to those genera, and more especially to Erpornis, another member of the same family. But the still closer affinities for Phyllornis , shewn in Iora Lafresnayii, the nest and the color of the eggs, which are those of the Bulbuls, have determined me to place it here. Gen. Iora, Horsf. Syn. (Egithina Vieill. Char. — Bill moderate or rather long, somewhat compressed, very slightly curving ; culmen rounded, slightly hooked at the tip, and notched ; rictal bristles almost wanting ; nostrils apert ; wings rather short, with 4th, 5th, and 6th quills sub-equal and longest ; secondaries long, nearly equal to the primaries ; tail even, short ; tarsus rather short with scales divided ; toes short ; middle toe very little longer than the outer, which is slightly syndactyle ; claws slightly curved ; hind toe shorter than the middle toe. 467. Iora Zeylonica, Gmelin. Motacilla, apud Gmel. — Blyth, Cat. 1291 — Horsf., Cat. 409 — Brown, 111. Zool., pi. 15 f. 2 — I. melaceps, Swains. — I. typhia, apud Jerdon, Cat. 73 — Shoubiga or Shoubhigi , Hind. — Patsu-jitta , Tel. and Pacha-pora, Tam. ; both names meaning green-bird. The Black-headed Green Bulbul. Descr. — Male in full plumage, with the head, back, wings, and tail, deep black ; the former with two white bars, caused by the tips of the greater coverts ; scapulars also partly white ; the tail tipped with yellowish white; beneath bright yellow; abdomen and lower tail-coverts pale yellow ; the flanks have a tuft of white silky feathers, and the base of the clothing feathers is mostly white. 102 BIRDS OF INDIA. In non-breeding plumage, and in males not fully adult, the black of the upper plumage is less in extent, and more mixed with green ; the white of the quills are faintly edged with pale yellow externally, and the innermost ones are white internally, near the tip ; and the pale tips to the tail feathers are more distinct. I believe that the black plumage is mostly seasonal, and that the change takes place either by a partial moult, or by a change in the feathers. One specimen .in the Museum, Asiatic Society, from Southern India, has the central tail feathers partly green and partly black. In the cold weather we generally find the males having more or less green mixed with the black. The female is entirely grass-green above, pale yellow beneath ; the wings blackish, with whitish bars and yellow edges ; and the tail green, pale tipped. Bill light plumbeous, darker on the ridge ; irides greyish white ; legs dusky plumbeous. Length 5^ inches ; extent 8 ; wing ; tail 2 ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus f. This is one of the most common birds in Southern India. It extends up to 16° or 17° N. L. if not further, and it is possible that it may be met with in the N. W. Provinces, for Blyth gives one, though with a query, from Dehra Doon. In Bengal and in the north of India generally, it is replaced by the next species. It may be seen in almost every garden in the south of India. Its habits are more active and restless than those of any other member of this family, being much like those of the Tits. It may be seen diligently and carefully searching the smaller branches and twigs of trees, climbing actively among them, poring under the leaves, and occasionally clinging like a titmouse from a slender twig ; all the while keeping up a loud warbling strain, or a low querulous sort of note, very different from each other. It is not confined to cultivated ground, but i^ also a denizen of the open spaces of jungles. Its flight is performed by a succession of quick vibrations of the wing, and causes a loud whirring sound. Its food consists of various insects and larvae, spiders, &c. The male, at the breeding season, now and then takes a short flight from one tree to another, slowly, and in a fluttering manner, with his black tail spread, and the white feathers of the flanks PHYLLORNITHINiE. 103 puffed, outwards and upwards, so as to give the appearance of a pure white rump. I have seen the nest and eggs on several occasions. The nest is deep, cup-shaped, very neatly made with grass, various fibres, hairs, and spiders’ web ; and the eggs, two or three in number, are reddish white with numerous darker red spots, chiefly at the thicker end. It breeds in the South of India in August and September ; perhaps however twice a year. Burgess, speaking of its notes, says “ truly, it has a wonderful power of voice ; at one moment uttering a low plaintive cry, at the next a shrill whistle.” Layard, too, who observed it in Ceylon, states that “the note is a clear bell-like whistle, which may be imitated on an octave flute.” One of its notes, the low plaintive one, is not unlike the word e Cliee-too ,’ the last syllable much lengthened out, which Horsfield gives as the note of its Malayan congener. It is said by the natives of the south of India to repeat the word “ Shoubhiga, Shoubhiga ,” before rain. '468. lora typhia, Lin. Motacilla, apud Linnaeus— Blyth, Cat. 1293 — Horsf., Cat. 408 — Sykes, Cat. 74— Mot. sub-viridis, Tickell -Chah-tuk, Beng. — Tapliika , or Fatickja tonfik, also, Beng. The White-winged Green Bulbul. Descr. — Male, above olive-green, beneath yellow ; wings black, faintly edged with yellow ; greater coverts broadly tipped with white ; scapulars also partly white ; tail black. The female has the tail concolorous with the body, but slightly infuscated, and the wings paler than in the male. Bill and legs pale bluish brown ; eyes light hazel. Length 5% inches ; wing 2f ; tail 2 ; bill at front T^-. This species of lora is found in Nepal, Bengal, Central India, Assam, Arrakan, and the Malayan Peniflsula. Horsfield, in his Catalogue, asserts that it is Col. Sykes’ species from the Deccan, and I believe that it was the species common at Jaulnah, as it certainly was at Nagpore and Saugor. It differs in the want of black on the head and back, in the bill being slightly longer, in being altogether a larger bird ; also in the color of the irides. Blyth however says that a dusky tinge is often observable on the 104 BIRDS OP INDIA. crown and back ; and occasionally specimens are met with which have assumed more or less of the black. These perhaps may be hybrids, for males, colored exactly as birds from Southern India and Ceylon, are not met with in the North. The females are barely distinguishable. Another very closely affined species, Iora scapularis, is found in Java and the other islands; and a large species, of plain plumage, has lately been discovered in Arrakan, 1. Lafresnayii , Hartlaub, (innotata, Blyth), which, as before remarked, by its size, shape of bill, and other points, distinctly shows the relationship of this genus for Phyllurnis. There are two other species recorded in Bonaparte’s Conspectus, I. viridis, and 1. viridmima , Temm., the first from Borneo, the other from Sumatra. Sub-fam. Irenin2E, Blue-birds. Bill stout, of moderate length, somewhat Widened at the base ; culmen elevated, and slightly arching from the base ; the tip not much hooked, but distinctly toothed ; nostrils partially concealed by short plumes ; rictus with short but distinct bristles ; wings moderate or rather long ; 4th quill longest, 3rd nearly as long ; tail moderate, even ; feet with the tarsus very short ; lateral toes very slightly unequal ; claws short, well curved. The fairy Blue-birds have been bandied about by various authors, and it is by no means agreed on even yet where their final resting place is to be. Gray, most unfortunately as I consider it, places them near the Drongo Shrikes, from some similarity in the bill. Others would place them in the Campephagina , but their strictly fruit-eating habits, though not entirely unknown in that family, are still the exception to the usual habits. Swainson placed them, with moreh’egard to both structure and habits, among the Orioles, and, in his Catalogue, Blyth placed it between Phgllornis and the Orioles ; and I think that this is pretty nearly its true situation. The rich blue, glistering color of Irena is present, in more or less extent, in Phgllornis, and in few other Indian birds ; the feet and wings are quite those of the Brachy- podine Thrushes, and its full rich notes are those of the Orioles. IRENINiE. 105 I was at one time inclined to class it as an aberrant form of Ampelidce , not far from Coclioa ; and Bonaparte, in his Conspec- tus, places Irena together with Coclioa in the Dicruruice, but next to the Orioles. Its much shorter legs and feet, and the less depressed bill, are, however, more those of the present family. Gen. Irena, Horsf. Char . — Those of the sub-family of which it is the sole genus. 469. Irena puella, Latham. Coracias, apud Latham — Jerdon, Cat. 100' — Blyth, Cat. 1295— Horsf., Cat. 420—1. Indica, A. Hay. The Fairy Blue-bird. Descr. — Male, the whole upper parts with the lower tail-coverts, brilliant glistening cobalt-blue ; wings; tail, and lower plumage, deep velvet black. The female is of a dull, slightly mottled, Antwerp-blue throughout. Bill and legs black ; irides ruby-red. Length 10 inches ; wing ; tail 4 ; tarsus T7y ; bill at front This most lovely plumaged bird is only found in our province in the dense and lofty forests of Malabar, from Travancore upwards to about N. L. 15°. It is also found in Assam, Arrakan, and Burmah ; but has not been procured in any of the sub-IIimalayan forests. It ascends mountain ranges up to 4,000 feet and upwards, and lives in small parties of five, six, or more, frequenting the loftiest trees near their summit, and wandering from tree to tree. It has a fine loud mellow warble, which it is constantly repeating, both when feeding and 'as it flies from one tree to another. It feeds chiefly on fruits of various kinds, but I dare say may take caterpillars occasionally. Mr. Ward obtained what he was informed was the nest and eggs ; the nest was large, made of roots and fibres and lined with moss ; and the eggs, two in number, were pale greenish, much spotted with dusky. A race from Malay ana differs in having the under tail-coverts reaching to the end of the tail, whilst, in the Indian bird, they are o 106 BIRDS OF INDIA. never less than 1^ inch short of the tail-tip. Lord A. Hay, thinking that the name pnella of Latham applied to the J avanese bird, called our species I. indica ; but in Horsfield’s Catalogue it is mentioned by Moore that Latham’s bird came from India; consequently the Malayan race is without a name, and Moore accordingly named it I. malayensis. It is figured in Horsfield’s Zool. Res. in Java. A third species exists in I. cyanogastra , Vigors, from the Phil- lipines, figured in Gray’s Genera of Birds. Sub-fam. Oriolinje. Bill Thrush-like, rather long, strong, moderately broad at the base, slightly curving, tolerably hooked, and the tip distinctly notched ; wings long, 3rd or 4th quill longest ; tail rather short, nearly even; tarsus short; feet small; lateral toes unequal, and the outer one syndactyle ; claws well curved. The Orioles comprise a small number of genera, chiefly natives of the Old World and Australia. They may be said to be true Thrushes by their bills, with the legs of the short-footed Thrushes. The tongue is slightly cleft or pencilled at the tip. Their food is fruit, and soft insects, such as caterpillars. They frequent woods and forests, and rarely or never descend to the ground. Van Hoeven places them with the Birds of Paradise ; Blyth in the Melliphagidce ; Cuvier, Gray, and Plorsfield among the Thrushes. Gen. Oriolus, Linnseus. Char. — Bill long, slightly broad at the base, somewhat curved on the culmen, which is keeled, slightly hooked at tip, distinctly notched; nostrils basal and lateral, longitudinal, pierced in mem- brane, nearly apert; -wings lengthened, 1st quill very short, 2nd a little shorter than the 3rd, which is longest ; tail sub-even, with long coverts ; tarsus short ; feet moderately strong ; anterior scales of tarsus divided ; claws moderate, well curved. The true Orioles are confined to Asia, Africa, and Australia, one species extending to the South of Europe, and rarely straggling to England. They are almost uniformly of a yellow color, with ORIOLINiE, 107 more or less black. Several species are found in India, and others in Malayana. They may be divided into four groups : 1st, Golden Orioles ; 2nd, Black-naped Orioles ; 3rd, Black-headed Orioles ; 4th, Maroon Orioles. 1st, Golden Orioles, ( Galbulus of Bonaparte). 470. Oriolus kundoo, Sykes. Sykes, Cat. 60 (the young or female)— 0. galbula, apud Sykes, Cat. 58 — Blyth, Cat. 1304 — Horsf., Cat. 418 — 0. aureus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 97 — O. galbuloides, Gould — Pilah , Hind. i. e., the yellow bird — Vanga-pandu , Tel. — Paivseh, Mahr. — Mango-bird of Europeans in India. The Indian Oriole. Descr . — Male, bright yellow; a black stripe from the base of the bill through the eyes for a short distance beyond ; wings black, with a yellow bar formed by the primary coverts and the tips and outer edges of the quills ; tail with the central feathers black ; the next pair black with a broad yellow tip ; and the others black at the base, and yellow for the greater part of their terminal length. Bill deep lake-red ; legs plumbeous ; irides rich blood-red. Length 9^ inches, wing 54 ; tail 3^ ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1. The young bird is yellowish-green above ; the rump, vent, the inner webs of the tail feathers at their tips, and the sides of abdomen, bright yellow; wings olive-brown; body beneath whitish, with brown stripes ; bill black. The adult female differs from the male in a slightly greenish tint above. This Oriole differs from the European 0. galbula, only in the black eye streak extending to the ear- coverts, in the wing being shorter, and the bill proportionally longer. It extends over the whole peninsula of India (except Lower Bengal) up to the base of the Himalayas. On the Malabar Coast it is perhaps not so common as 0. melanocephalus. It does not occur in the countries to the east of the Bay of Bengal. In the South of India it is most abundant in the cold weather ; in the Deccan, according to Sykes, in the hot weather just before the rains; and in Central India, during the rains, when it breeds ; but 108 BIRDS OP INDIA. it is to be found, at all seasons, in every part of the country in small numbers. It prefers a well-wooded country, but not deep forests ; and lives in large groves of trees, gardens, and avenues. It chiefly feeds on fruit, especially on the figs of the Banian and PaJcur, on Mulberries, &c., also occasionally on caterpillars, and other soft-bodied insects. Its flight is strong, but undulating, with interrupted flappings. Its call is a loud mellow whistle, something resembling pee-ho ; and the voice of the European Oriole must be very similar, as it is given as puh-lo and bulow ; and the French name Loriot is said to be also given from its call. I have seen the nest several times, and I described one in my Illustration of Indian Ornithology, under 0. inclicus , as follows : — “ It was a cup-shaped nest, slightly made with fine grass and roots, and suspended from a rather high branch by a few long fibres of grass ; these did not surround the nest but only supported it on two sides. It contained three eggs, white, spotted, chiefly at the large end, with a very few large dark purple blotches.” I procured a nest at Saugor, from a high branch of a banian tree in cantonment. It was situated between the forks of a branch, made of fine roots and grass, with some hair and a feather or two internally, and suspended by a long roll of cloth about f inch wide, which it must have pilferred from the neighbouring verandah, where the tailor worked. This strip was wound round each fork, then passed round the nest beneath, fixed to the other fork and again brought round the nest, to the opposite side ; there were four or five of these supports on each side. It was, indeed, a most curious nest, and so securely fixed that it could not have been removed till the supporting bands had been cut or rotted away. The eggs were, as before described, white, wdtli a few dark claret-colored spots. Burgess describes a nest, made of grass, spiders’ web, hemp, and pieces of paper, placed in the fork of a tree, and two of the branches were bound together with the hemp. Theobald also found the nest, a neat cup of woven grass, attached by its side to the bough of a tree, and he describes the eggs as white, with black spots. The only other species of Oriole of this section in Bonaparte’s Conspectus, is 0. uuratus, of Africa ; but others are Recorded elsewhere, ORIOLTNJE. 109 2nd, Black-naped Orioles ( Broderipus , of Bonaparte), peculiar to the Indian region. 471. Oriolus indicus, Brisson. Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 15 — Blyth, Cat. 1302 — Horsf., Cat. 415 — 0. chinensis, Jerdon, Cat. 99— and of other authors. The Black-naped Indian Oriole. Descr. — Bright yellow, greenish on the hack and coverts ; a black horse-shoe mark extending from the base of the bill through the eyes to the nape ; tail black, the central feathers barely tipped yellow, the others tipped broadly, the outermost feathers for 1^ inches or so ; -wings black, the secondaries, broadly margined with pale yellow; the tertiaries with the whole outer web, and part of the inner web, greenish yellow ; primaries also tipped with the same ; a bright yellow wing-spot formed by the tips of the coverts of the primaries. Females only differ in being slightly greenish above, and in the yellow generally being not quite so vivid. The young are yellowish green above, with little or no trace of the occipital crescent, whitish beneath, with dark central lines ; bill infuscated. In a further stage the under-parts are weaker yellow, with black shafts to the breast feathers more or less developed. Bill of adult pinky-red; feet plumbeous ; irides rich blood-red. Length 10 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 3| ; bill at front !§• ; tarsus f. This species, which I first characterized in my Illustrations as distinct from O. chinensis ( acrovhynchus , Vigors), differs from that species and from another nearly allied one from the Nicobars ( 0. rnncrourus, Blyth), by its much smaller bill, the smaller black crescent on the nape, and in the much greater extent of the yellow upon the wings, whilst the tail has less yellow. The present species however appears also to be found in China, and, it is possi- ble, may have been the original chinensis, instead of acrorhynchns. This Black-naped Oriole is spread more or less through India, but rare everywhere, and it has not been observed in the Hima- layas. I have procured it from the Malabar jungles ; Mr. Elliot obtained it at Dharwar, and it is found near Calcutta. It appears however to be much more common in the countries to the east of 110 BIRDS OF INDIA. the Bay of Bengal, Arrakan, Pegu, and Tenasserim, extending to Malacca, and it is more confined to the forest regions than the other Indian Orioles. Besides the two allied species mentioned above, a fourth has been found in the Burmese countries, and named 0. tenuirostris , by Blyth ; and another exists in Java, 0. hippocrepis , Wagler, probably coronatus of Swainson. Bonaparte also gives O. Hors - jieldii from Java (gcilbida of Horsfield) ; and 0. Broderipi, from Sumbava, figured in the 111. P. Z. S. for 1850. 3rd, Black -headed Orioles ( Oriolus of Bonaparte for the Indian species, and Bari/ffius, Bon., for the African ones). There are two races of Black -headed Orioles in India ; and, as they are well marked apart, and, constantly, as it would appear, I shall follow Prince Bonaparte in separating them. 472. Oriolus melanocephalus, Linn;eus. Blytii, Cat. 1297 (in part) — Horsf., Cat. 411 (in part)— O. maderaspatanus, Franklin (the young) — 0. McCoshii, Tickell, (the young) — Pilah, and Zardok , II — Pirola , at Goruckpore. The Bengal Black-headed Oriole. Descr. — Whole head, neck and breast in front, deep black ; rest of the plumage rich dark yellow above, slightly paler beneath, on the lower abdomen and under tail-coverts ; wings black, with a small yellow band formed by the primary coverts ; tertiaries with the tips and outer webs pale yellow ; the secondaries also broadly tipped with yellow, gradually diminishing in extent to the last primaries, some of which are tipped and edged with yellow ; tail pale yellow, the two central feathers with a broad black band about half inch, tipped with yellow, the next pair with barely one inch of black, and the yellow tip nearly ^ inch ; the next pair with a narrow and sometimes interrupted black band about the terminal third, and the three outer pair on each side nearly wholly yellow ; the outer pair with an occasional smear of black on the outer margin ; all the tail feathers with black shafts diminishing in intensity towards the outermost feathers. Bill pale lake-red ; legs plumbeous ; irides rich red. Length 94 inches ; extent 16 ; wing 5^ ; tail 3^ ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus £. 0RI0LIN2E. Ill The young bird has the forehead yellow, the head more or less blackish, the neck white with blackish streaks, the belly yellow with longitudinally dark streaks, and the yellow duller in tint. This black-headed Oriole is found throughout Bengal and North- ern India generally, extending into Central India, and spreading to all the countries to the eastward, Assam, Burmah, and the Malay peninsula. In the south of India and Ceylon it is replaced by the next bird. It frequents both forests, and gardens and groves ; is a lively and noisy bird, constantly flying from tree to tree, and uttering its loud mellow whistle, which Sundevall has put into musical form. It feeds chiefly on fruit, especially on the figs of the Banian, Peepal, and other Fid , and it is said also to eat blossoms and buds. Buchanan Hamilton states that he found the nest, made of bamboo leaves and the fibres that invest the top of the Cocoanut and other palms, in March, with the young unfledged. 473. Oriolus ceylonensis, Bonaparte O. melanocephalus, Blyth, Cat. 1297 (in part) Jerdon, Cat. 98 — Sykes, Cat. 59 — Kondci-vanga pandu, Tel. The Southern Black-headed Oriole. Descr. — Head and neck deep black ; rest of the plumage rich yellow ; wings black ; the wing-spot formed by the tips of the primary coverts smaller than in the last ; the tertiaries only tipped with yellow ; and the black on the tail of greater extent especially on the central feathers. Bill, legs, and irides as in the last. This species is found in Southern India and Ceylon, but how far it extends towards Central India, I am not aware. Its note, as might have been expected, is very similar to that of its Northern congener. It is very common in the Malabar Coast, more so indeed than 0. Kundoo , but is comparatively rare in the Carnatic, and almost unknown in the bare Deccan. Other black-headed Orioles from the East are O. xanthonotus , Ilorsfield, from Malacca and Java, the smallest of the genus, placed as a separate division by Bonaparte, under the sub-generic 112 BIRDS OF INDIA. name of Xanthonotus ; and 0. Philippensis , Gray : and there are several similarly colored Orioles in Africa. 4th, Marroon Orioles, Psarolophus , J. and S. The only bird of this division is a remarkably plumaged species, and has been considered to belong to a different type, but it is essentially an Oriole. The glistening maronne color recals that of some of the American Ampelidce (Cotinga pompadoura) ; and this remarkable variation of color, from the usual yellow tints of most of the group, serves, in some manner, to show us that the glistening blue of the Irena is not an unique anomaly in the coloration of this family. 474. Oriolus Traillii, Vigors. Pastor, apud Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 35 — Blytii., Cat. 1296 — Horsf., Cat. 419 — Psarolophus Traillii, Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. 2nd Ser., pi. 26 — Melambok , Lepch. — Tania-pia , Bhot. The Maronne Oriole. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and wings, glossy black ; the rest of the plumage, both above and below, glistening maroon red ; tail dull Indian red. The young bird is brown above, darker on the head, and the tail red ; beneath sullied white, with numerous longitudinal brownstreaks. Bill bluish ; legs dark plumbeous ; irides pale yellow. Length 114 inches; wing 6 ; tail 44; bill at front 1 ; tarsus lT7j. This curiously plumaged Oriole is found in the eastern part of the Himalayas, Nepal, :ind Sikhim, extending into Assam, Arrakan, and Tenasserim. It is found from 2,000 feet, or so, to at least 7,000 feet, generally in small flocks, keeping to high trees, and has a fine loud mellow call. I found thoseT-examined to have partaken of caterpillars only. In the young bird the iris is yellow-brown. Other genera placed in this sub-family are Mimeta and Sphe- cotheres, from Australia, and the Oceanic region. Some species, formerly ranked under the former genus, are now considered to be true Orioles. Sericulus is classed by some among the Orioles, but is more generally considered to belong to the Birds of Paradise. SYLVIA DAS. 113 Oriolia , from Madagascar, probably belongs also to this family, and shows some affinity in its coloring to 0. Traillii . Eam. SYLYIADiE. Of small size mostly ; bill slender ; wing usually somewhat lengthened, and tail moderate or short ; tarsus long ; feet moderate. The family of Warblers comprise several distinct groups which I have classed together, partly in accordance with Gray and Hors- field, and partly because I consider that the birds thus arranged form a parallel series of equal value with the Thrushes, Shrikes, and the other dentirostral families, in all of which there are certain marked differences of type. They agree in being mostly of small size, some very minute, and none equalling a Thrush ; the wings of most are moderate or somewhat long, short and rounded in one sub-family ; the tail is usually moderate or rather short, lengthened in a few ; the tarsus of all is moderately long and stout, and the feet moderate, suited in some for perching, in others for terrestrial habits. The majority feed solely on insects, a very few on flower- buds, and even on fruit. They may be divided into the following sub-families : — 1. — Saxicolina , Stone-chats and AVheat-ears. 2. — Ruticillince, Redstarts and Bush-chats. 3. — Calarnoher pines, Grass Warblers. 4. — Drymoicina, Wren Warblers. 5. — Phylloscopina, Tree Warblers. 6. — Sylviince, Grey Warblers. 7. — Motacillince , Wagtails and Pipits. Prince Bonaparte divides them into Saxicolince, including our two first sub-families ; Calamoherpince , comprising our two next ; Sylviince, with our 5th and 6th ; and Motacillincs. Although the chain of affinities is not uninterrupted in this grouping, yet it appears, upon the whole, that this is not far from tire natural order of succession. The Stone-chats and Wagtails perhaps ought to be placed next each other, as they have various affinities of color and habits. Some of the larger species appear to grade into the Rock-thrushes ; a few have affinities for the Timaline Thrushes ; several approach the Saxicoline Fly-catchers ; others p 114 BIRDS OF INDIA. H perhaps join the Titmice in the next family ; and lastly the Pipits are barely separable from the Larks, a conirostral group. Sub-fam. Saxicolin^e. Bill stouter, more depressed at the base than in the other sub-families ; wings moderate or somewhat long ; tail moderate in most, short in some, long in a very few ; tarsus moderately long, stout; feet moderate, fitted for terrestrial habits; claws slightly curved. The Scuvicolince are a group of ground birds, of solitary habits, frequenting in general open and rocky ground, and affecting the neighbourhood of man ; a few however being more sylvan, and courting concealment. The song of most is pleasing, very fine in a few, and they are exceedingly pugnacious. They nestle on banks, or rocks, or holes in buildings, occasionally in a hole of a tree ; and the eggs of most are bluish white, with a few dark spots. The plumage of many is pied, and the sexes usually differ more or less in colour. The young are usually spotted like the young of Thrushes. They comprise some of the largest birds of the present family, and Bonaparte unites with them some of the Rock-thrushes of the Old World. They are chiefly inhabitants of the Old World, many of them being migratory ; but there is a peculiar group in Australia, and another in America. They approach the Wagtails on one side, and certainly grade into the next sub-family, Ruticil/uue. Gen. Copsychus, Wagler. Syn. Gryllivora , Sw. — Dahlia , Hodgs. Char. — Bill moderately long and strong, straight, tip slightly bent, distinctly notched ; rictal bristles almost absent ; nostrils large, exposed, basal ; wings moderate, 4th and 5th quills longest, 3rd nearly equal to them ; tail rather long, graduated, or with the six central feathers equal, the outer ones graduated ; tarsus moderately long, stout, nearly entire ; feet moderate, middle toe long, hind toe and claw moderate ; claws slightly curved. 475. Copsychus saularis, Linn. Gracula, apud Linnaeus— Blyth, Cat. 970— Horsf., Cat. 422 — Sykes, Cat. 62— Gryllivora intermedia, Swainson, and Jeedon SAXICOLIN-E. 115 Gat. 101— Dahila docilis, Hodgs Dai/or, or Dayal , H. and Beng. — Pedda nalanchi , Tel., also Sarela-gadu, i. e.y the Piet — Zannid* pho , Lepch. The Magpie-robin. Descr. — Head, neck, breast, body above, and wings, black, glossed blue on all parts except the wings ; abdomen, vent, and under tail- coverts white, the four outer tail-feathers on each side, white. The female is duller black than the male, and somwhat ashy on the breast. The young birds have the breast dusky with ruddy spots, the upper surface olive-brown turning to slaty. Bill and legs black ; irides brown. Length 8^- inches ; wing 4 ; tail 3-fy ; extent 11^ ; bill at front ~ ; tarsus 1£. The Magpie-robin is found throughout all India, from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin and Ceylon ; and eastwards to Arrakan and Tenasserim. Hutton says that at Mussooree it occurs up to 5,000 feet. It is rare near Darjeeling, and I never saw it above 3,000 feet. It affects chiefly wooded districts, but does not inhabit the deep jungles. Towards the South of India it is less familiar than it is in the North, for in Central India, Bengal &c., it is often seen feeding close to houses. It is generally seen alone or in pairs, usually seeks its prey on the ground from a low perch, often hopping a few steps to pick up an insect. When it returns to its perch, it generally elevates its tail and often utters a pleasing warble. Though it frequently raises and depresses its tail, both when perched and on the ground, I cannot say that I have observed the Wagtail-like flirtation of its tail noted by Hodgson, or that it throws its tail back till it nearly touches its head, as Layard has seen. Towards the evening it may often be seen near the top of some tolerably large tree, or other elevated perch, pouring forth its song. I have always found its food to consist of insects of various kinds, small grasshoppers, beetles, worms, &c. Hodgson asserts that in winter they like unripe vetches, and such like ; but this is quite opposed to the usual habits of this group. It breeds generally in thick bushes, or hedges ; some- times in a hole in a bank or tree, and occasionally in a hole in a wall, or on the rafter of a house. The nest is made of roots and grass ; and the eggs, four in number, are bluish white, or pale 116 BIRDS OF INDTA. bluish, with pale brown spots and blotches. Layard says that the eggs are bright blue, and Hutton that they are carneous cream color, but these observers must, I think, have been mistaken in the identity of the owner of the nest. The Dayal is often caged, .as well for its song, as for its pugna- cious qualities, which, according to Hodgson, are made use of to capture others. “ Fighting these tame birds,” says Hodgson, “ is a favorite amusement with the rich (in Nepal), nor can any race of game-cocks combat with more energy and resolution than do these birds. Latham called it the Dial bird from its native name, and Linnaeus, apparently thinking that it had some connection with a sun- dial, called it Solaris, by lapsus pennce, saularis. I may here state that in my Catalogue published in 1839, I called it the Magpie-robin, by which name Mr. Layard says it is now known in Ceylon. A nearly allied race is found in Ceylon, C. ceylonensis , Sclater, P. Z. S., 1861, p. 186 ( brevirostris , apud Blyth) ; C. mindanensis , in Malacca, Siam and China ; and C. amcenus, Horsf’. ( brevirostris , Swains.) in Java; and these are all representatives of our Indian species ; besides which there are C. luzoniensis , Kittlitz, in the Philippines, and C. pluto, Temra., in Borneo. Gen. Kittacincla, Gould. Char. — Bill more slender than in the last; tail very long, graduated ; wings slightly more rounded ; tarsus slender, pale ; lateral toes very short. This form is considered by some not to be distinct from the last, but the few structural points noted above, its more slender form, retired habits, and the fact of there being several species, exhibiting all these characters, from various parts of the Indian region, lead me to keep it distinct. 476. Kittacincla macronra, Gmel. Turdus, apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat. 968— IIorsf., Cat. 425— Sykes, Cat. 61 — Gryllivoralongicauda, Swainson — Jerdon, Cat. 102 — Shama, LI. — Poda nalanchi, Tel., also Tonka nalanchi. The Shama. Descr. — Head, neck, back, wing-coverts, breast, and tail, glossy black ; rump white ; wings dull black ; outer tail feathers broadly SAXICOLINJE. 117 tipped with white ; breast, belly, and under tail-coverts deep chesnut. Bill black ; legs pale fleshy ; irides deep brown. Length 12 inches ; wing 3f ; tail nearly 8 ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1. The female has the colors less pure and duller than the male. This most charming songster is found over all India where there are sufficiently dense or lofty jungles, and it never affects cultivated country, however well wooded.* It is common in all Malabar, especially in the upland districts, as in the Wynaad ; more rare in the Eastern Ghats ; and not unfrequent in all the jungles of Central India to Midnapore and Cuttack. It also frequents all the sub-Himalayan forests, and extends to the hill tracts of Assam, Sylhet, Burmah, and Malacca, as also to Ceylon. The Shama frequents the densest thickets, and is very partial to thick bamboo jungles. It is almost always solitary, perches on low branches, and hops to the ground to secure a small grasshopper or other insect. When alarmed, it flies before you from tree to tree at no great height. Its song is chiefly heard in the evening, just before and after sunset. It is a most gushing melody, of great power, surpassed by no Indian bird. In confinement it imitates the notes of other birds, and of various animals, with ease and accuracy. It is caught in great number and caged for its song. Many are brought from the Nepal Terai to Monghyr, chiefly young birds. It is the practice throughout India to cover the cages of singing birds with cloth, and in some places a fresh piece of cloth is added every year. The birds certainly sing away readily when thus caged, but not more so perhaps, than others free- ly exposed. The Shama is usually fed on a paste made of parched chenna mixed with the yolk of hard-boiled eggs, and it appears to thrive well on this diet, if a few maggots or insects are given occasionally. It will also eat' pieces of raw meat in lieu of insects. A new species has lately been discovered in the Andaman Islands, K. cilbive?itris, Blyth ; there is another from Labuan, K. StricJclandi, Mottl. and Dillwyn ; and a fourth species has quite * I can scarcely believe that this is Mr. Philipps’ Shama, which, says he, in the N. W. P., may he seen perched on walls, and building in houses. 118 BIRDS OF INDIA. recently been described by Sclater, P. Z. S., 18G1, p. 187, Copsy - elms suavis from Borneo, which has the tail of a Copsychus , and the colours and form of Kittacincla. Gen. Myiomela, Hodgson. Syn. Muscisylvia, Hodgs. — Notodela, Lesson, apud Blyth. Char. — Bill short, tolerably slender, compressed, slightly bend- ing at the tip and notched; rictus very feebly bristled; wings rather long, ample, reaching half way down the tail ; 5th quill longest ; tail moderate, broad, very slightly rounded ; tarsi rather long, smooth ; toes moderate, slender ; claws gracile, longish. This genus has the general structure of Copsychus, but less robust in form, with a more even tail, a smaller bill, and larger feet. Blytli considers this form barely distinct from Huticilla, to which it certainly has affinities ; but its general structure, coloration, and sylvan habits, induce me to consider it as more nearly allied to the present group. 477. Myiomela leucura, Hodgson. Muscisylvia, apud Hodgson, Ann. Nat. Hist., 1845 — «T. A. S., XIII., 138 — Blyth, Cat. 971 — HoRSF.,Cat. 426 — Mangshia , Lepch. Tfle White-tailed Blue-chat. Descr. — General color dark blackish indigo-blue ; forehead, over the eyes, and shoulder, bright smalt-blue ; alars and caudals dull black, with the base of the outer web of the three tail feathers on each side, next the outer ones, white, this white increasing out- wardly ; a concealed white spot on the sides of the neck, formed by part of the outer webs of some of the feathers. The female is rufescent brown, paler beneath ; the quills dusky, edged with deep ferruginous; tail the same; the base of the feathers white, as in the male. Bill black ; feet brown-black ; irides dark brown. Length 71- inches ; extent 12 ; wing 3f ; tail 3£ ; bill at front T9^ ; tarsus 1|. The wingsreach to within 1| inches or so from the end of the tail. The White-tailed Blue chat is found throughout the Himalayas, from Mussooree to Sikhim, and also in the Khasia hills. It affects high altitudes, being found from 5,000 to nearly 9,000 feet. It SAXIC0LINJ3. 119 frequents dense underwood, or very thick forest, perching Imv, and seeking its food chiefly on the ground. I have found only insects of various kinds in its stomach. Hodgson, indeed, says that it feeds equally on pulpy berries. It is very shy, and from the density of the cover it frequents, it is difficult to observe closely. From its tone of coloring, the white neck spot, and especially the mode of coloration of the female, it appears to me to be somewhat allied to Niltava , and the Lepchas brought me a nest and eggs, alleged to belong to this bird, exactly resembling those of Niltava sundara , but they may have been mistaken in the identity of the bird, the females being so like each other. A somewhat allied species is found in Pegu, Notodela diana, of Lesson, in Belanger’s voyage, and Eupetes ccerulescens , Temm., P. C. 574, from New Guinea, appears to me also related. The next bird noticed is a somewhat anomalous form, albeit having some distant affinities for the last species. Gen. Grandala, Hodgson. Char. — Bill moderate, slender, straight, phcenicuran, but slightly depressed at the base ; nostrils oval, free, in the front of a large fossa; gape perfectly smooth; wings long, ample and firm, 1st quill spurious, 2nd longest ; the tertials only half the length of the primaries ; tail moderate, firm, slightly emarginate ; tarsus longish, entire ; toes long, slender, suitable for progression on the ground ; hind toe rather short. This is a very peculiar genus. Hodgson says that “ it has the general structure of a Thrush with the wings greatly enlarged, and a sylvian bill.” Blyth says that it is allied to the Wheat-ears. It differs from all the other members of this family by its excessively long wings. I was at one time inclined to class it not far from Hartlaubius , Bonaparte, an African genus of Starnidcc, judging from the brief characters given by the Prince, and the long wings and sturnideous habits of the only species, as noticed by some observers. 478. Grandala ccelicolor, Hodgson. J. A. S., XII., 447, with fig. — Blyth, Cat. 972 — IIorsf., Cat. 427 — G. schistacea, Hodgson, the young female. 120 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Long-winged Blue chat. Descr. — Whole head and body glistening externally with brilliant dark smalt-blue, but the feathers black internally ; -wings and tail black. The female is sordid slaty, or blue-black, with a brown smear ; alars and caudals darker, and a white bar through the wing; the feathers of the lower parts striped down the shafts with luteous white. Bill and feet jet black ; irides dark brown. Length of male 9 inches; wing 6; tail 3| ; bill at front T9g ; tarsus Ig-. The female is considerably smaller than the male. This magnificent bird inhabits the Northern region of Nepal, or the Cachar, in under spots near the snows. It is stated by Hodgson to be solitary in its habits, and that insects and gravel were found in its stomach. It has also been found in the North- west Himalayas, near the snowy region, and Mr. Blyth was in- formed by Lieutenant Speke, that he observed it in flocks, with a rapid flight like that of the Starlings. The next group, from its slender, and slightly curved beak, was formerly classed under the heterogeneous Ixos of Temminck ; but its place in this family is now universally conceded. Gen. Tiiamnobta, Swainson. Char. — Bill slender, very slightly widened at the base, the sides compressed, slightly arched throughout ; tip deflected, not notched ; gape smooth ; wings short, rounded, the 4th and 5th quills longest, the primaries hardly exceeding the terti- aries and secondaries, which are broad ; tail moderate, broad, much rounded ; tarsus long, the feet moderate, inner toe much shorter than the outer ; hind toe short, all the claws slightly curved. I have no doubt myself of the propriety of placing this genus among the Stone-chats or Robins. Blyth, at one time, from observation of a caged specimen, held that it was a Wren. Swain- son was the first naturalist who, from specimens alone, with great acumen fixed its true position ; which subsequent observations of its habits have certainly confirmed. The Telingas, it will be observed, call both Copsychus and Thamnobia by the same name, with a specific prefix. There are two species known in India, one from the south, the other from the north. SAXICOLIN.E. 121 479. Thamnobia fulicata, Linn. Motacilla, apud Linnaeus — Jerdon, Cat. 103 — Bltth, Cat. 967 — Horsf., Cat. 428 — Ixos, apud Sykes, Cat. 72 — Tham. leucoptera, Swains. — Kalchuri, II.- — Nalanchi , Tel. — Wannati- Jcuravi , Tam., i. e., Washerman-bird. The Indian Black Robin. Descr. — Male, shining deep black, with a white wing spot ; the middle of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts deep chesnut. The female is dull sooty-brown, darkened on the wings and tail, the under tail-coverts chesnut. Length 6 inches; wing 2^ to 3 ; tail 2f ; tarsus ly1^ ; bill at front barely 4 inch. Bill black ; irides dark brown. This well known bird is found throughout Southern India as far north as the Taptee on the West, but only extending to the Godavery on the East. North of this it is replaced by the next species. Its familiar habits well entitle it to the name of Indian Robin. It is mostly found about villages, pagodas, old buildings, and mud walls, often perching on the roofs of houses and tops of walls, and feeding in verandahs, or occasionally even entering houses. It is, however, not confined to the vicinity of houses or villages, but is very common on rocky and stony hills, and in groves of palmyra or date palms. It is generally seen single, or in pairs, feeds on the ground, on which it hops with great agility, frequently pursuing and capturing several insects before it re-seats itself on its perch either on a house or on a neighbouring tree or bush. At all times, but especially when feeding, it has the habit of jerk- ing up its tail by successive effottsAso as almost to overshadow its head. The male has a very sweet little song, which it warbles forth from the top of a wall or low tree, and it is occasionally caged. It builds among rocks, on holes in houses or mud walls ; also low down on the stem of palm trees, where the broken stalk of the frond juts out from the trunk : Burgess says, ‘ under tussocks of grass.’ On one occasion a pair built their nest, at Jalnah, among a heap of stones raised from a well. It was being deep- ened, and they made their nest during the time the rock was being 122 BIRDS OF INDIA. blasted, and continued the incubation till the young ones were hatched, when it was accidentally destroyed. The nest is made with grass, roots, and hairs ; and the eggs, four or five in number, are bluish white, spotted with purplish brown. 480. Thamnobia Cambaiensis, Lath. Sylvia, apud Latham— Blyth, Cat. 96G — Horse., Cat. 429 — M. fulicata, apud Tickell — Th. scapularis, Hodgs. — Saxicoloi- des erythrurus, Lesson (the female), and Cinnyricinclus mela- soma, Lesson (male.) The Brown-backed Indian Robin. Descr. — The male has the back, wings, and upper tail-coverts, dusky olive-brown ; the wings and the tail black ; the lores, ear- coverts, and lower plumage also black ; a white wing spot as in the last; the vent and centre of belly deep chesnut. The female is sooty-brown throughout, except the chesnut beneath. Dimension of the last nearly, or a trifle smaller. The Brown- backed Robin is found throughout all Central and Northern India, up to the base of the Himalayas, and as far as the Punjab. It is found at Nagpore, Mhow, Saugor, Chota Nagpore, and Midnapore, and thence throughout northwards. It differs in nowise in its habits from the last. Theobald found the nest in holes of trees and banks, made of grass, and almost invariably with cast snake- skins ; and the eggs were greenish-white, ringed and spotted with pale reddish. To this series of the Shama, Dayal, and Robins, belong several African forms, but it does not appear to be developed further in Malayana. Thamnolcea , Cercotrichas , and Dromolcea of Cabanis arc African groups, a few of them coloured like the Shamas, others like the Dayals, and some more like Thamnobia, to which last genus several African birds are referred. Turdus Madagascari- ensis, figd. PI. Enl. 557, 1, appears very like a Copsychus. The next group, that of the Chats, have the bill short and stout, a short tail, and wings of mean length. They frequent bushy places and cultivated land, occasionally seize insects on the wing, and sometimes sing while hovering in the air. SAXICOLHSLE. 123 Gen. Pratincola, Koch. Syn. Ruletra, Gray. Char. — Bill short, straight, somewhat wide at base, strongly curving at tip, which is faintly notched ; nostrils concealed by tufts of hairs and plumes ; strong rictal bristles ; wings moderate, 4th, 5th, and 6th quills nearly equal and longest; tail moderate, nearly even ; tarsus moderate, longish ; feet moderate ; claws slightly curved, slender. This genus has been instituted for the Whin-chat and some allied birds, which are usually smaller than the true Saxicolce, and differ in some other points, and they more affect wooded and cultivated country. It includes two or three minor divisions. The first and third peculiar to India, the second common to Europe, Africa, and Asia, and containing several representative species. 481. Pratincola caprata, Linn. Motacilla, apud Linnaeus — Mot-sylvatica, Tickell — Sax. fruti- cola, Horse. — S. bicolor (male), and S. erythropygia (female), Sykes, Cat. 90 and 92 — Jeedon, Cat. 105 (in part) — Blyth, Cat. 995 — Horsf., Cat. 433 — Sax-melaleuca, Hodgson — Pidha, and Kala pidha, IT. — Kumpa nalanchi , Tel., i. e., Bush Robin. The White-winged Black Robin. Descr. — Male black ; a longitudinal band on the wings, the rump and the upper tail-coverts, and the middle of the lower part of the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, white. When newly moulted, the black is fringed with brown edgings, which gradually get worn away. Eemale dusky brown, the feathers edged paler, with a rufous rump and upper tail- coverts ; beneath pale reddish brown, albescent on the throat and vent ; abdomen slightly streaked ; vent and under tail-coverts tinged with rufous. Length about 5 inches ; wing 2f ; tail 2^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus Bill black ; legs brown-black, irides deep brown. This Bush-chat is common over all India, frequenting bushy ground, hedges, gardens, and the like, but not found in forests or 124 BIRDS OF INDIA. jungle. It extends to Burmah and the Malayan countries, and even to the Philippines. It has the usual habits of the tribe, dart- ing down to the ground from its perch, usually on the top of a bush or branch of a tree, and, having secured an insect, returning to its seat. It has a pleasant song, which Blyth compares to that of the English Robin, but more uniformly plaintive. It is rather a favorite cage-bird in Bengal. Tickell got the nest in a bush, made of grass, with three pale greenish white eggs, sprinkled equally throughout, with brown spots. 482. Pratincola atrata, Blyth. J. A. S. XX., 177 — Jeedon, Cat. 105 (in part). The Neiloherry Black Robin. Descr . — Very similar to the last, larger. No gradation of size has been observed between this and the last species. Length 6£ inches ; wing 3^; tail 2£; tarsus In my Catalogue I did not distinguish this specifically from the last, but called attention to the difference of size between it and the low country one, P. caprata. This species is very common on the Neilgherrics as well as the upland hilly regions of Ceylon, frequenting the skirts of woods, bushes, and gardens ; and it gets the name of Hill-robin from its familiar habits. I have seen the nest of this bird several times, always on banks, on the road side, neatly made of moss, roots, and hairs, and with usually three or four eggs, bluish-white, with brown specks and spots. The next group comprises the Whin-chat of Europe and several allied species. 483. Pratincola Indica, Blyth. J. A. S. XVI., 129— Blyth, Cat. 997 — Horsf., Cat. 434 — Sax. rubicola, Sykes, Cat. 89 — Jerdon, Cat. 104 — P. saturatior, Hodgson — Adavi kampa nalanchi, Tel., i. ) ; the Hill-tits Leiotricheai ; and the Flower-peckers, (Ivulees.) 1st. — Blue Thrush-tits, Cochoeee. Gen. Cochoa, Hodgson. Syn. O) eias, Teram. ? Char. — Bill short, wide at the base, depressed, straight, the tip slightly bent and notched ; nostrils large and advanced, with a few short hairs incumbent over them ; wings rather long, some- what pointed, 1st quill minute, 2nd and 3rd graduating, 4th quill longest, 5th sub-equal; tail moderate, nearly even, the outer feathers slightly graduating ; tarsi rather short and stout ; feet moderate ; middle toe and hind toe long ; claws short, moderately curved. Head moderately crested ; of large size, bigger than a Thrush ; colors rich blue, purple, and green. 'S his genus is placed by Gray in the sub-family Ampeluice, all the others of that group being American. Bonaparte places it next to Pena in the Edoliince. Blytli, too, places it at the end of the Ampelidce , but says of doubtful location, and affined to Pteruthins Concurring in this last view of its affinities, 1 have withdrawn it from the New World family, and placed it next to Pteruthius , in the Leiotrichine Group, of which it forms a separate division, distinguished by its large size, and partially terrene LEI0TRICHIN7E. 243 habits. Horsjield classes it next to Bomby cilia (which certainly belongs to this sub-family), but in his Todidce, a fissirostral group. 607. Ooclioa purpurea, Hodgson. J. A. S., V. 359 — XII., 450 (with figure) — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 1, pi. 13 — Blyth, Cat. 1175 — Horse., Cat. 631 — Cocho , Nepal. — Lho nyum-pho , Lepclr. The Purple Thrush-tit. Descr. — Head lavender-blue grey ; lores, eyebrows, and ear- coverts black ; upper plumage ashy purple ; wings light purple or soft grey blue, more or less purpurascent; the primaries black with a broad pale lavender band at their base ; primary coverts and primaries black, and the secondaries broadly tipped with pure black; the tail light purple with black tip; plumage beneath brownish purple. The female is reddish brown where the male is purple ; and the upper pai't of the wings also is brown : wing spot and tail as in the male, but duller. The young bird is dusky black above, the head whitish with black edgings, and beneath red brown with dusky bands. Bill and legs black; irides dark brown. Length nearly 11 inches ; extent 17 ; wing 54 ; tail 4^ ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1. This elegantly-plumaged bird has only been procured in Nepal and Sikhim. I found it very rare near Darjeeling, and only obtained one specimen, which was shot at a considerable elevation, above 8,000 feet. Hodgson says “ They are common to all the three regions of Nepal. They are shy in their manners, adhere exclu- sively to the woods, live solitarily or in pairs, breed and moult but once a year, nidificate on trees, and feed almost equally on the ground and on trees. I have taken from their stomachs several sorts of stony berries, small univalve Mollusca, and sundry kinds of aquatic insects.” Hodgson further adds, “The tongue ts simple, fiat, wTith a subjagged tip, and the stomach is muscular, with a tough grooved lining.” 608. Oochoa viridis, Hodgson. J. A. S., V. 359 — Blytii, Cat. 1174 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 1, pi. 12. 244 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Green Thrush-tit. Descr. — Head, nape, and back of neck, fine cobalt blue, clearest on the forehead ; lores, and narrow supercillia, black ; ear-coverts blue black ; a small nude space behind the eye, as in Thrushes ; body above dull blue green ; lesser wing coverts green with black lunules ; median coverts green tipped black ; greater coverts pale blue externally, green on the inner web, with black tips ; pri- mary coverts blue at the base, black tipped ; primaries and secon- daries black, with a pale blue band at their base ; tail dull cobalt blue, with a black tip ; beneath green, as on the back, tinged bluish on the throat and lower abdomen. In one specimen, perhaps a female, the secondaries are olive- brown in place of blue, and the colors generally are paler. Bill black ; legs fleshy brown ; irides brown. Length 1 1 inches; wing 5§ ; tail 4f ; bill at front f ; tarsus 1 inch. Hodgson states that the back of the young bird or the female is much lunated with black, and that the soft blue of the wings is smeared with brownish yellow. This species appears more rare even than the last, and I did not procure a specimen whilst at Darjeeling. It has only been obtained in Nepal and Sikhim. Major Tick ell informs me that he pro- cured one specimen in winter, near Kursiong ; but in summer it apparently keeps to great elevations, not being found in general below 8,000 feet. 2nd. Hill-tits, Leiotrichece. This division comprises Pteruthius with some allied forms, and Leiothrix. They are birds of small or moderate size, usually with strongly marked, variegated colours ; are arboreal in their habits, and most of them associate in small flocks, feeding on in- sects, fruits and buds ; and some of them have a pleasing song. The bill is varied, short in most, in some strong and Shrike-like, in others more slender. Gen. Pteruthius, Swainson. Syn. Allotrius, Temm. Char. — Bill short, stout, curved at the tip, and hooked, moderately wide at the base, not compressed, notched ; nares basal, apert, but overlaid by a few bristles ; wings moderate, 3rd, 4th, and 5th quills LEI0TRICHIN2E. 245 about equal and longest ; tail short, somewhat rounded, or nearly even ; tarsus rather short ; toes moderate, with the laterals equal and much syndactyle ; hind toe long, claws well curved. This genus, formerly placed among the Laniadce , and still retained there Irv Horsfield, is properly referred here by Swainson, Gray, and others. It comprises the largest species of this pecu- liar group, and the bill attains its maximum in depth and strength, being, indeed, very Shrike-like 609. Pteruthius erythropterus, VigoIs. Lanius, apud Vigors. — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 11 — Blyth, Cat. 507— Horsfield, Cat. 227 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII., pi. 8. The Bedwinged Siirike-tit. Descr. — Vale, head black; rest of the upper plumage a light plumbeous grey ; wings black ; tertiaries chesnut-red internally, fulvous without, and black-tipped; a white superciliary stripe ; tips of the primary quills, and the body beneath, white ; tail black, and some of the extreme feathers of the upper tail-coverts also edged black. The female has the head grey, the back, wings, and tail, grey, with a green smear on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; wings pale olive-green, dusky externally ; primaries tipped white, and the pri- mary coverts black ; beneath dingy white, tinged with reddish ash ; tail, as the wings, with the central feathers, tipped with whitish. Bill black ; legs pale fleshy ; irides dark brown. Length 7 inches ; extent 11 ; wings 3^ ; tail 2-| ; bill at front T9^ ; tarsus lytj. The red-winged Pteruthius is found throughout all the Hima- layas from the N. W. to Bootan, extending also into the hill ranges of Assam. At Darjeeling it frequents the zone from 2,500 feet to nearly 6,000 feet; lives in small flocks, flying from tree to tree with a lively mellow call, and feeding at times on fruit, at other times on soft insects. 610. Pteruthius ruhventer, Blyth. J. A. S., XL 183 and 945— Blyth, Cat. 506 — Horsfield, Cat. 228 — Gray, Gen. of Birds, pi. 66 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII., pi. 9. 246 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Rufous-bellied Shrike-tit. Descr. — Male, the head above and nape deep black ; back and upper tail-coverts dark c.hesnnt ; wings and tail shining black, the latter tipped ferruginous, as are the secondaries, and the longest of the tertiaiies ; lores, ear-coverts, and below the eyes, deep black ; throat, foreneck and breast pure ashy, the rest of the under parts from the breast, pale brownish cinereous with a patch of golden yellow on each side of the breast, bordering the gray ; and the flanks ferruginous. The female differs in having the upper parts, wings, and middle of the tail feathers, green ; and only the rump and upper tail-coverts ferruginous ; sides of the head grey. Bill black ; length inches ; wing 34 ; tail of ; bill at front f : tarsus If. J did not procure this species myself, but it was originaliy sent, from Darjeeling, and has since been found by Hodgson in Nepal. Jfc differs from the last structurally bv its more slender and less hooked hill. Allotrius jiaviscapis , Temrn., from Java, appears to be a typical Pteruthius. The next form differs in its small size. Gen. Allotrius, Temm. (restricted). Char. — Of small size ; the bill strongly hooked and notched ; tarsus longer than in Pteruthius ; tail nearly even. This form differs but slightly from the last, and is barely worthy of separation, hut the genus is adopted by some Ornithologists. Its mode of coloration is somewhat different. 611. Allotrius cenobarbus, Temminck. PI. Col. 589, f. 2 — Pt, melanotis, (the male) and P. xanthochloris (the female), PIodgson — Blyth, Cat. 1883— IIorsf., Cat. 226 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII., pi. 11 and 1 2 -Ku-er-pho, Lepch. The Cues nut-throated Shrike-tit. Descr. — Male, above vernal green with the forehead yellowish, and the nape slaty; ear-coverts mixed black and yellow ; wing- coverts blue grey externally, dusky black within, and with whitish edges to the tips ; tail with the central feathers green, the outer pair pure white, the rest tipped white, and the pair next the LEIOTRICHINiE. 247 central pair just edged with white ; beneath, the chin, throat, and top of breast, are bright chesnut; the rest of the body bright yellow, greenish on the flanks and under tail- coverts. The female has the top of the head bright slaty, the rest of the plumage above vernal green, as in the male ; tail tipped yellow ; throat white, the rest of the body beneath bright yellow. Bill plumbeous ; legs fleshy white ; irides light brown. Length 4f inches ; wing 2^; tail If ; bill at front f ; tarsus ff. This curious little bird has been found in Nepal, Sikhim, Bootan, and the Khasia Hills. I got several specimens from the neigh- bourhood of Darjeeling, though I did not myself observe it there ; but I have since seen it abundant near Cherra Poonjee. It asso- ciates in small flocks, is lively, and hunts the extreme branches of trees. I found remains of fruits and seeds in some which I examined, but others had only eaten insects. Gen. Cutia, Hodgson. Syn. Heterornis , Hodgs. Gltar. — Bill moderately long, strong at the base, higher than broad, slightly arched throughout, compressed, barely emarginate ; culmen keeled ; nares broad, lunate, sub-basal ; rictus nearly smooth ; wings moderate, firm, the first three graduated ; 4th and 5th quills longest ; tail short, nearly square, firm ; tarsus moderate, strong, almost smooth ; feet strong, lateral toes unequal, middle toe not long ; hind toe large and strong ; nails moderately bent. This genus is placed by Horsfield in the Timcdince, between Alcippe and Timcilia. Blyth puts it next to Pteruthius, as does Bonaparte. Gray makes it a Starling, near Saraglossci. From its mode of coloration and habits, I have no hesitation in placing it here. 612. Cutia nipalensis, Hodgson. J. A. S., V., 774— Blyth, Cat, 505— Horsfield, Cat. 331 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII , ph 10 — Khatya of Nepal Rabnoon or Rapnun-pho , Lepch. The Yellow-backed Shrike-tit. Descr.— Mile, top of head and nape slaty ; a black band from the base of t e bill through the eyes and over the ear-coverts, 248 BIRDS OF INDIA. meeting at the nape; back, rump, and the very long upper tail- coverts, brilliant deep rusty -yellow ; wings and tail jet black, and the former with more or less white on their inner webs ; a large central portion of the wings, purplish slaty ; the scapulars olive-yellow ; and most of the quills, and lateral tail-feathers, tipped with white ; below, from chin to the legs pure white ; from the middle of the abdomen to the under tail-coverts, flavescent, the flanks broadly barred with black. The female is a trifle smaller, her mantle is paler and more flavescent, and variegated with black longitudinal drops, and her cheek-band is brown instead of black. Bill blackish above, plumbeous beneath ; legs orange yellow ; irides brown. Length 7 inches; extent 11; wing of; tail tl\; bill at front f ; tarsus ljy ; hind toe and claw f. This bird has hitherto only been procured in the S. E. Tlimalayas, from Nepal to Bootan. I found it not very common at Darjeeling, usually from 6,000 to 8,000 feet and upwards. It frequents very high trees in small flocks, and lives both on fruit and insects. Gen. Leioptila, Blyth. Char. — Bill somewhat lengthened, slender and slightly curved, the tip of the upper mandible slightly bent over, and feebly emar- ginate; nostrils long, narrow; rictal bristles fine and inconspicuous ; wings rather short, rounded, 4th and 5th quills equal and longest ; tertiaries broad, almost truncated ; tail moderately long, the outer ones graduating, the central feathers equal. This genus was considered by Blyth to connect Sibia with Yuhina , with affinities for Actinoclura , Sibia being according to him one of the Garrulacince , and Yuhina a Leiotrichine bird. Gray puts Leioptila among the short-winged Thrushes. I unhesitatingly place it in the present group, so far agreeing with Blyth in its affinities for Yuhina. Its relations ts, and with four white eggs, with a few rusty red spots. It has been found from Nepal to Bootan, and extending into the hill ranges of Assam. I found it far from rare at Cherra Poonjee. 619. Minla castaniceps, Hodgson. Blytii, Cat. 514 — House., Cat. 590 — Prong -samyer-plio, Lepch. The Chesnut-headed Hill-tit. Descr. — Above olive-brown, with a bright chesnut head, the feathers streaked with white, and a white superciliary streak extend- ing to the nape ; ear-coverts dusky, mixed with white ; a narrow moustachial band black ; quills dusky slaty ; middle of the wing edged deep rusty, forming a band ; the first two outer primaries hoary ; tail olivaceous externally, dusky on the inner webs ; be- neath, the chin and throat white, also the middle of the belly, the sides of the breast and abdomen lutescent. Bill dusky brown ; legs fleshy ; irides brown. Length 5 inches ; wing 2f ; extent 7 ; tail If ; bill at front ~j ; tarsus This species is found in the South-east Himalayas, from Nepal to Sikhim, extending to the Khasia Hills. It is tolerably common near Darjeeling, inhabiting a slightly lower zone than the last, and its habits much resemble those of that .species. In its coloration it shows an approximation to some of the next group. 620. Minla cinerea, Blytii. J. A. S., XVI. 449. The Dusky-green Hill-tit. Descr. — Greyish green above, the feathers of the head broadly margined with black, with a pale yellow supercilium, and, above this, a black one ; cheeks mingled dusky and white ; secondaries 256 BIRDS OF INDIA. edged with yellowish, and the tertiaries edged grey ; beneath pale yellow. Some birds (females?) differ in being somewhat more cinereous above, and whitish beneath. Bill dusky ; legs fleshy yellow ; irides brown. Length 4^ inches ; wing ; tail If ; bill at front T6g ; tarsus f . This species is not common in Sikhim, but appears to be more so in Nepal. I only got one specimen at Darjeeling, but I have since obtained it on the Khasia Hills. Gen. Proparus, Hodgs. Bill entire, quite parian ; head crested ; wings short, bowed ; tail narrow and cuneate ; tarsus rather long ; feet moderate ; hind toe long, its claw very long; nails all large, moderately curved. This name was at first bestowed on the Siva group, but subse- quently transferred to this place. The two species at present composing the genus are very distinct in aspect, though agreeing somewhat in their structural characters. The first has the more typical coloring of the group. 621. Proparus chrysceus, Hodgson. Gray’s Zool. Misc. 1844 — P. chrysotis, Hodgson, apud Blytii, J. A. S., XIII. 938 — Blyth, Cat. 516 — Horsf., Cat. 592— Prong-samyer-pho, Lepch. Descr. — Head and throat fine dark silvery ash-grey, paler on the throat ; rest of the upper plumage olive-green, passing to yellowish on the rump; ear-coverts silvery ash; a longitudinal band of rich orange-yellow on the wings, formed by the margins of the secondaries ; the outer primaries edged yellow ; the inner edge of the tertiaries margined with white, and the secondaries have also a white spot at their tip ; the basal two-thirds of the tail feathers (except the central pair) are edged with orange yellow ; plumage beneath bright yellow. The female differs in having the colours less bright, the lower parts ashy white, merely tinged with yellow, the yellow of the wiims and tail also being much fainter, and the green above more ashy. The green of the back has a tendency to fade to ashy, even in the male, LEIOTRICHTN^E. 257 Bill plumbeous ; legs pale fleshy ; irides brown. Length 4£ inches ; extent 6 ; wing 2 ; tail 2 ; bill at front not T5^. This pretty little bird is not very common in Sikhim, and I did not myself observe it. It is also found in Nepal, but I did not procure it on the Khasia Hills. 622. Proparus vinipectus, Hodgson. Siva, apud Hodgson. — Blyth, Cat. 515 — Horsf., Cat. 593. The Plain brown Hill-tit. JJescr. — Head crested ; plumage above and ear-coverts brown, passing into rusty in the rump ; wings and tail dusky black, with the outer webs of some of the quills rusty, and the base of the caudals the same ; the first four primaries with hoary edges ; a white eyebrow extending to the nape ; beneath, dirty white, tinged with vinous on the breast, and somewhat brownish towards the vent. Bill and legs fleshy brown. Length 4f ; wing 2§- ; tail not quite 2 ; tarsus This bird was originally described by Hodgson as a Siva, and afterwards Proparus. Bonaparte has made it a Poecila of Ivaup among the true Pari. Hodgson remarks of it “distinguished by its perfectly Parian bill without a trace of a notch, and by its long, but not very falcate nails.” Besides its strong affinities for Paras , it also tends in its colora- tion towards the next group. It has hitherto only been sent from Nepal and the N. W. Himalayas. 3rd. — Flower-peckers ( Ixulecc ). These birds have the bill more slender and lengthened, and slightly curved in some. They are, like the last, mostly social in their habits, frequent the extreme branches of trees, especially searching flowers for the minute insects harboured there. Most of them are of plain and sombre plumage ; one genus only having somewhat bright colours. Gray places them in his Mniotiltincs , next to the Parities. Hors- field classes most of them in the Pycnonotince, one alone, Erpornis , in the Timalince. Bonaparte locates them in the Melliphaginas ; and 2 K 258 BIRDS OF INDIA, Blyth considers that Zoster ops belongs to that group, but places the first three genera with the Leiotrichince. 1 think that there can be little doubt, but that this is their proper location. The near affinity of some of the species for Siva and Minla is patent to all ; and, although there may be some doubts about Zosterops and Erporrtis , yet most Ornithologists have classed the former genus along with Yuliina. Gen. Ixulus, Hodgson. Char. — Bill short, straight, slightly curving at the tip, and notched ; a very few minute rictal setm ; wings moderate, the first three quills graduated, the three next sub-equal ; tail moderate, even or slightly forked; tarsus moderate, stout; toes rather short, stout, slightly unequal, syndactyle at the base ; hind toe larger and broad ; claws tolerably curved. This genus differs from Yuhina, with which it was at first classed by Hodgson, in its shorter bill, simple tongue, and some few other points. These are birds of plain and sombre plumage, with the head furnished with a full crest. They are strictly arboreal in their habits, and cling to the minute twigs and flowering branches, or even climb up the larger boughs. They feed both on fruits, buds, and insects, and are particularly fond of searching flowers for small insects and larvae. The tongue is simple or nearly so. 623. Ixulus flavicollis, Hodgson. Yuhina, apud Hodgson, As. Ives. XIX., p. 167 — Blyth, Cat. 518 — Horsf., Cat. 402 — Siripckong-pho, Lepch. The Yellow-nared Flower-pecker. Descr. — Above dull pale brown, with a dusky tinge ; head pure rich brown ; cheeks and nape paler brown ; back of the neck rusty yellow, continued in a demi-collar round the sides of the neck ; a dark brown moustache ; primaries edged externally with white on the outer webs ; lining of wing also white ; chin and throat white ; rest of the body beneath pale yellow, the sides shaded with brownish. LEIOTRICHINiE. 259 The female is usually nearly white beneath, or with the yellow very dilute. Bill fleshy brown ; legs fleshy yellow ; irides brown. Length 5£ inches; extent 71 ; wing 2\ ; tail ; bill at front T7¥ ; tarsus §. This was originally described by Hodgson as a Yuhina , but, on subsequent examination, referred to a new genus. This is a very common and abundant bird about Darjeeling. It associates in large flocks, is very active, incessantly on the move, and diligently hunting among the foliage of bamboos, and various other trees, for minute insects and larvae, and keeping up a continual twittering the whole time. I have repeatedly had the nest brought to me. It is large, made of leaves of bamboos, carelessly and loosely put together, and generally placed in a clump of bamboos. The eggs are three to five in number, of a somewhat fleshy white, with a 'few rusty spots. It inhabits the whole Himalayas from Mussooree to Bootan, from 5,000 feet (perhaps lower in the winter) to 9,000 feet, and upwards. It keeps its crest generally elevated when feeding, showing very distinctly the rusty-yellow nape. 624. Ixulus occipitalis, Blyth, Siva, apud Blyth, J. A. S. XIII., 937 — Blyth, Cat. 517 — Horsf., Cat. 676 — Temgyeng-plio , or Turringing-pho, Lepch. The Chesnut-headed Flower-pecker. Descr. — Crown and nape ferruginous brown ; the coronal feathers elongated, and showing a full, but not lengthened or pointed crest, some white on the occiput and nape ; rest of the upper plumage dull brownish olive-green ; the shafts of the dorsal and scapulary feathers pale ; beneath, like the back, but much paler, and rufescent ; the throat white, and lower tail-coverts brownish ferruginous. Bill black ; legs pale yellowish brown ; iris brown. Length 5 \ inches ; wing 2f ; tail 2^ ; tarsus § ; bill at front f . This is also a very common bird about Darjeeling ; has similar habits to the last, and constructs a like nest. A very closely allied species has been described by Ilorsfield in his Catalogue, No. 677, Tv. castaniceps, said to have been brought 260 BIRDS OF INDIA. from A Afghanistan by Griffiths, but more likely from Assam ; and indeed, since the above was penned, I procured it on the Khasia Hills. 625. Ixulus striatus, Blyth. J. A. S. XXYIII. p. 413. The Striated Flower-pecker. Descr. — Above, the whole plumage dull earthy brown, the feathers all with white shafts ; quills dark brown ; tail the same, with all except the central feathers tipped white ; beneath albescent, sullied on the abdomen. Bill dusky brown, fleshy yellow at the base ; legs pale brown ; irides light brown. Length 5 inches ; wing ; tail 2\ ; bill at front f ; tarsus f . Mr. Blyth described this species from a specimen sent from Tenasserim. I obtained one specimen at Darjeeling and another on the Khasia Hills, which I shot at about 4,500 feet of elevation. Gen. Yuhina, Hodgson. Syn. Polyodon, Hodgs. Char. — Bill moderate or rather long, slender, much compressed beyond the nares ; tip of the upper mandible slightly inclined, with three minute teeth on each side (nothowever always distinguish- able) : a few weak rictal bristles ; wing as in the last; tail moderate, nearly even, or divaricate; legs and feet strong, slender, hind toe and claw very large ; claws well curved. This genus differs from the last by its longer bill, somewhat brushed tongue, and, in its habits, it is still more a Flower-hunter. The head is more or less crested ; the tongue is deeply cleft, fila- mentous and brushed. Hodgson says “ They adhere exclusively to the wild uplands, preferring the lower and more umbrageous to the higher and barer trees, and seem to procure no portion of their food from the ground. They are usually found in small flocks, and have a monotonous feeble monosyllabic note. They feed on viscid, stony berries and fruits, and tiny insects that harbour in the cups of large deep flowers, such as the Rhododendrons, and to which the birds cling with their strong feet.” LEIOTRICHINiE. 261 626. Yuhina gularis, Hodgson. As. Res. XIX. 166 — Blyth, Cat. 519 — Horse., Cat. 399 — Fugi-pho , Lepch. The Stripe-throated Flower-pecker. Descr. — Above, with tertiaries and tail, obscure olive-brown ; cap with a full, soft, somewhat recurved crest, darker and purer brown; primaries and secondaries black, the former with a narrow edging of hoary ; the latter with a broad one of orange-brown, the lining of the wings and inner margin of the quills, towards their bases, albescent ; tail dusky internally ; chin, throat, and breast, obscure rufous wood brown, albescent on the chin and throat, which are spotted longitudinally with blackish, and bounded laterally by a longitudinal stripe of the same hue ; the rest of the body below bright orange-rusty. Bill fleshy brown with dusky culmen ; legs deep orange ; irides brown. Length 61? inches ; extent 8f ; wing 3 ; tail 21? ; bill at front t9b ; tarsus not quite y|. This is a very common and abundant bird near Darjeeling, and, according to the season, is to be found from 4,000 to 10,000 feet, and upwards. It associates in large flocks, sometimes fifteen, twenty, or more : these fly from tree to tree, alighting on the middle branches, and thence climbing sometimes over the mossy trunk, and hopping from branch to branch, they gain the summit, hunting all the while most carefully for small insects and larvae. In winter they feed a good deal on small berries of various kinds. In April, when the Rhododendrons were in flower on Mount Tongloo, at 10,000 feet, I found them in immense numbers, on the very summit of the mountain, feeding on the minute insects harbouring in the flowers. This species is found from Nepal to Bootan. 627. Yuhina occipitalis, Hodgson. As. Res. XIX. — Blyth, Cat. 520— TIorsf., Cat. 400. The Slaty-headed Hill Tit. Descr. — Top of the head (which is well crested), and back of the neck, dull slatv brown, with hoary stripes ; the forehead narrowly 262 BIRDS OF INDIA. tinged with rusty ; the back of the crest and nape bright rusty ; the rest of the upper plumage, with the tertiaries, and outer webs of the larger quills, and of all the tail-feathers, dull olive or rufescent brown ; quills and tail feathers dusky on the inner webs ; quills beneath, near the base, pale buff; lining of wings white ; ears, chin, lower neck, and breast, vinous buff; an in- distinct black moustachial line ; the lower belly, and under tail- coverts, deep rusty ; middle of the abdomen rusty white or greyish, tinged with rusty. Bill fleshy red ; legs orange buff ; irides brown. Length 5| inches ; extent 74 ; wing 2 4 ; tail 2 ; bill at front 4 ; tarsus not J-£. This bird is rare at Darjeeling, and I only procured one or two specimens ; one that I examined had eaten berries. It is found in the Himalayas, from Nepal to Bootan. 628. Yuhina nigrimentum, Hodgson. J. A. S. XIV. 562 — IIorsf., Cat. 401 — Blytii, Cat. 1934. The Black-chinned Flower-pecker. Descr. — Head forested) and nape, slaty grey ; back and rump dull olive-green ; quills and tail dusky, edged with the same ; tip of chin and lores black ; cheeks grey ; ear-coverts whitish ; throat white, the rest of the lower parts fulvous or rufescent, slightly darker on the lower tail-coverts. Bill dusky above, lower mandible red ; feet reddish yellow ; irides brown. Length 4^inches; extent 64 ; wing 2§- ; tail 14; bill at front f; tarsus f. This is a somewhat rare bird. I found some seeds and some small insects in the stomach of one I examined. Its forehead was pow- dered with pollen. A nest was once brought me which was declared to belong to this species ; it was a very small, neat fabric, of ordinary shape, made with moss and grass, and contained three small pure white eggs. The rarity of the bird makes me doubt if the nest really belonged to it. It has as yet only been found in Nepal and Sikhirn. The two last species of Yuhina , though not well known, apparently, to the Shikarees, were called by them Turringing-plio , the name properly applied to Lvulus occipitalis. LEIOTRICHINiE. 263 The next bird differs from the rest of this group by its bright plumage, and the scale-like feathers of the head. Gen. Myzornis, Hodgson. Char. — Bill rather long, slightly curved, slender, entire; nostrils almost closed by an impending scale; gape with a few fine vibrissa ; wings much graduated; 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th quills sub-equal and longest ; tail short, even ; tarsus moderate ; outer toe much syn- dactyle ; claws moderately curved ; hind claw large. - Plumage soft, dense, and copious, very puffy over the rump ; feathers of the head scale-like ; tongue brushed. This genus is unhesitatingly placed by all modern Systematists in the situation now given to it. It has some of the characters of the Nectarinice , viz. the scale-like character of the feathers of the head and its bright plumage; but the white tips to the quills, and the red bar on the wing are characters which point out its relation to this sub-family. 629. Myzornis pyrrhoura, Hodgson. J. A. S., XII. 984 — Blyth, Cat. 521 — Hoksf., Cat. 403 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VIII. pi. 7. — Lho sagvit-pho , Lepch. i. e. the Mountain Honeysucker. The Fire-tailed F lower-picker. Uescr. — General colour fine lively grass-green, becoming bright emerald green on the forehead and crown, the feathers of which have black centres ; lores deep black, which color is continued through the eyes ; under parts paler, with a slight rufous cast on the throat and upper part of breast ; lower tail-coverts yellow ; wing- coverts and tertiaries green, like the back; primaries black, the first eight with white tips, and mostly edged white ; the secondaries edged red and white, and with a white spot on their tips ; tail with the central feathers green, faintly edged externally with red, and tipped dark ; the other all dusky internally, red on their outer webs, and black-tipped. Bill dusky brown; legs fleshy ; irides brown. Length 5j inches; wing 2f ; tail 2 ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus This very beautiful bird is rare at Darjeeling, and I only shot one, myself, close to the station. It was clinging at the time to the 264 BIRDS OF INDIA. trunk of a large tree, not very far from the ground, on which it had flown from a shrub near at hand. Another which I procured had been shot by a pellet-bow in the station, on a shrub close to the road. It apparently keeps to the higher elevations, from 6,500 feet and upwards. One I examined had eaten small insects. It has only hitherto been found in Nepal and Sikhim. The next form is also a somewhat anomalous one, both as regards structure and coloration, and, like the last, is founded on a single species. Gen. Erpornis, Hodgson. Char. — Bill moderate or rather long, conic, compressed, strong, straight, pointed ; tip of the upper mandible longer and notched, nostrils exposed ; wings moderate, round, 5th quill longest; the first small ; tail bifurcate, simple ; legs and feet moderately strong. This genus is placed by Gray and Horsfield next to Stachyris among the Timalince. Bonaparte locates it with the Pycnonotince. Blyth places it where I have done, but with the remark ( mcertce sedis In its coloration, as in the form ol its bill, it is related to Zosterops ; by the structure of the feathers of the head to Myzornis ; and it has also some affinity or analogy to dura. 630. Erpornis xantholeuca, Hodgson. J. A. S. XIII. 380 — Blyth, Cat. 528 — Horsf., Cat. 343 — Dang-pu-pho, Lepch. The White-bellied Flower-pecker. Descr. — Above light green, beneath dull milky-white ; coronal feathers elongated and spatulate. Bill pale horny-brown ; legs fleshy red ; hides light-brown. Length barely 5 inches; extent 7£ ; wing 2^; tail If; bill at front ^ ; tarsus f. This is not a very common bird at Darjeeling, and I had not an opportunity of observing its habits. It is found from 2,000 feet or less, to 5,000 feet. * We have here a remarkable instance both of the difficulty of arranging aberrant members of any group, and at the same time of the intricate relations that appear to exist among the outlying species of allied families. LETOTRICHIISLE. 265 It extends from Nepal, through Sikhim to Arrakan, and even to the Malay Peninsula. This extended geographical distribution, I may remark, is, in some degree, in favor of its relationship to Zoster ops. The next genus differs from the preceding ones in having a wide geographical distribution, and comprising numerous species. Gen. Zosterops. Char.-— Bill somewhat conic, stout, acute at the tip, slightly but distinctly notched ; cuhnen slightly curved ; rictus smooth ; eyes surrounded by close-set white feathers ; nostrils lengthened, exposed : wings moderate, 3rd and 4th primaries about equal and longest ; 1st a little shorter than 2nd ; tail short, even ; tarsus moderate ; toes strongish, two laterals nearly equal, outer syndactyle ; hind toe strong ; claw well curved. Horsfield classes Zosterops in his Pycnonotince , between Myzornis and Iora ; Gray in his Mniotiltinm next to Yuhina ; and Bonaparte and Blyth in Melliphagince. Some of the species extend from India, through the isles, to Australia even, the head quarters of the Honey-eaters; but also to the Mauritius, Madagascar, and Africa ; this distribution in Africa is against the view of its being a really Melliphagous genus ; and, as it undoubtedly has affinities with the birds with which it is placed here, I prefer keeping it in this group. 631. Zosterops paipeferosns, Temminck. Sylvia, apud Term., PL, Col. 293 f. 3— Z. Maderaspatana, Auct. Blyth, Cat. 1333 — Horse., Cat. 406 — Jerdon, Cat. 128. The White-eyed Tit. j Descr. — Above light siskin green, with a circle of close white feathers round the eye; throat and upper breast canary yellow ; belly bluish white ; leg feathers, lower tail-coverts, and some of the feathers on the abdomen, tinged with pale yellow. Bill blackish, horny at the base beneath ; legs reddish horny ; irides light yellow-brown. Length 41 inches ; wing 2-fij ; tail ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus f ; extent 6£. This bird is spread throughout the whole of India, from the Himalayas to the extreme south, and extends to Assam, Arrakan, 2 L 266 BIRDS OF INDIA. Tenasserim and Ceylon. Towards the south it is somewhat rare, and only found at high elevations ; hut, as you get further north, it becomes more common, but chiefly occurs in hilly regions, and it is not found in Lower Bengal. It is very abundant on the Neil- glierries, both in the woods and in gardens ; and there it may be seen clinging to flower stalks, extracting the minute insects that infest flowers, by the pollen of which its forehead is often powdered. It associates generally in small flocks, is lively and brisk in its movements, and keeps up a continual feeble twitter. In the plains it is found in well-wooded districts, or jungly places, only, I think in the cold weather. It breeds on the Neilgherries, and makes an exceedingly neat deep cup- shaped nest of moss, lichen, hair, &c., not suspended, in those I have seen, but fixed in the fork of two small branches, in a Barberry or other low bush. I found two eggs only in several nests, of a very pale blue, almost like skimmed milk. Hutton found at Mussooree that it generally suspended the nest by some fibres, hair, or silk. He describes the eggs as whitish green. He further says that they are often mixed up with the flocks of Pams erytliroce • phalus , and that they appear to feed greedily upon the small black berries of a species of Iihamnus common in these localities. They depart for the Dhoon about the end of October, and they do not ascend higher than about 5,000 feet. This bird is rare at Darjeeling, and is only found in the warmer valleys. Numerous species of Zosterops are recorded from Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Malayan Archipelago, and Australia, with Oceanica. The next two forms are by Gray and Blyth included in the Parince or true Tits, but, from their mode of coloration, and more slender bill, perhaps better associate with the members of this group. Gen. Sylyiparus, Burton. Chav. — Bill short, conic, straight, very slightly depressed at the base; nostrils concealed by tufts of hairs and plumes ; rictal set® wanting; wings long, 1st primary small, 2nd shorter than the 3rd, which nearly equals the 4th and 5th ; tail rather short, or moderate, even, or somewhat emarginate ; tarsus moderately long, stout; feet small; hind toe long; claws well curved. LEI0TRICHIN2E. 267 This genus, by its plumed nares, evidently grades directly to the true Tits ; and both this and the next genus have some affinity for Regulus , and may be said to connect the Warblers with the Tits. 632. Sylviparus modestus, Burton. P. Z. S., 1835, p. 154— Blyth, Cat. 552 — Horsf., Cat. 373 — Parus sericophrys, Hodgson — Parus minutus, Jerdon, Cat. 132. The Yellow-browed Flower-pecker. Descr. — Above light olive-green ; beneath yellowish ; a pale yellow supercilium ; forehead yellow-green; wings and tail dusky, edged externally with bright greenish yellow. Bill and legs plumbeous ; irides light brown. Length 3f inches ; extent 7^ ; wing 2yU ; tail If ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus This small Tit is found throughout the Himalayas, extending, perhaps in the cold weather only, to the plains ; but it is not common anywhere. I procured one specimen near Ajunteh at the edge of the Northern Ghats ; and have since obtained it at Darjeeling. It hunts in small flocks about the foliage and flowers of high trees, feeding chiefly on minute insects. Gen. Cefhalopyrus, Bonap. v Syn. JEgithalus, Vigors. Char. — Bill like that of Sylviparus , but more lengthened, conic, and pointed ; nostrils apert ; wings very long, pointed ; tarsus short, stout; feet very small ; lateral toes unequal ; hind toe mode- rately long ; claws well curved. This chiefly differs from Sylviparus by its exposed nares, evincing less affinity to the Tits. 633. Cephalopyrus flammiceps, Burton. ZEgithalus, apud Burton, P. Z. S., 1835, p. 153 — Dicseum sanguinifrons, A. Hay, J. A. S., XV. 44. The Flame-fronted Flower-pecker. Rescr. — Above yellowish green, brightest on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; forehead, top of head, and chin, rich shining orange-red ; wings dusky, edged with green ; and with two light 268 BIRDS OF INDIA. bars on the wing-coverts ; beneath golden yellow, paling on the lower abdomen and under tail-coverts. The female has no red, and is a duller yellow beneath. Bill plumbeous ; legs leaden brown. Length 4 inches ; wing 21r ; tail If ; tarsus not quite 4 ; bill at front 8 mill. This pretty little bird has hitherto been found only in the North- West Himalayas, extending to Cashmere. Stachyris cliryscea , antea, p. 22, appears to me to have some re- lation with the present bird, both in structure and colors. Acan- thiza is also nearly connected, though Gray places it with the Ac- centorince. It is an Australian group, extending to the Malayan Archipelago. Among the Leiotrichince, ought to be placed Bombycilla , or the Wax-wings, of which B. garrula , L., is the type; and there are other well marked species in Japan and North America. It most resembles Leiothrix , or it may be said to be intermediate between it and Pteruthius. Moquinus albicaudus, Bonap.,of Africa, placed by its describer among the Fly-catchers, appears to me, simply judging from the figure, to have a very Pteruthian aspect. Fulcunculus, Pachycephala , and Eopsaltria, of Australia, are by some referred to Parince, but they appear to be better arranged with the Leiotrichince , the former genus, by its stout Shrike-like bill, much resembling Pteruthius. Gray, indeed, in his List of Genera arranges them here. One species of Eopsaltria by its grey and white plumage, appears to tend towards the Sylviince. The Pardaloti, also of Australia, appear very nearly related to some of the smaller Leiotrichine genera, such as Minla. They are diminutive birds with lengthened wings ; the head more or less crested ; a gay and variegated plumage, with bright markings on the wings ; and they breed in holes of trees, in which they more resemble the Pari. Among the more slender billed group are placed EEgithalus , founded on the Parus peaaulinus of Southern Europe, noted for its beautiful purse-like nest. Acantliiza is chiefly an Australian group, extending to the Malayan isles, of somewhat plain plumage, resembling the Regulus group ; they are said to construct domed nests, and to lay fleshy- white eggs, with brown, red, or yellowish specks. These two last genera are very PARING. 269 close to Sylvipctrus and Ceplialdgyrus. EpJitliianura is considered by Gray to belong to the Motacillince , but one species, E. aurifrons , Gould (like Stachyris chryscea, in its own group), appears to belong to a distinct type, grading towards AEgithalus. Sub-fam. Paring. Bill typically rather short, conic, stout, entire ; the nares tufted ; wings moderate, somewhat rounded ; tail short or moderate, long in a few; tarsus and feet short, stout; hind toe long, claws well curved. The Titmice or Tits are, typically, a strongly marked group of small birds found chiefly in the Old Continent, a few occurring in the more Northern parts of America. They are most abundant in temperate districts, one or two preferring cold climates, and a good many inhabiting the hilly districts of the tropical or juxta- tropical regions. In India they are chiefly confined to the Hima- layas, only three species extending to the hilly regions of Central and Southern India. They do not appear to be migratory. The Tits are characterized by a strong, somewhat acute, and conic bill, and stout legs and feet. They differ from most of the Warblers by having their nares protected by tufts of reflected feathers and hairs, and by their conical, entire bill, which led to their being placed in the Conirostres, by Cuvier and other. Undoubtedly they have a considerable resemblance to some Coni- rostral groups, especially to the Garrulinoe , and they are indeed very like Jays in miniature. This resemblance to conirostral families is exhibited by others of this, the last dentirostral family ; to wit, the Accentorince to the Finches, and the Mniotiltinoe to the Tanagers ; and it is probably a real affinity, for it extends, in some cases, to the internal structure, the stomach being thick, and muscular. But their relation to other tooth-billed genera, such as Pteruthius , and Falcunculus , cannot be ignored, and they thus form part of the last and most aberrant division of the Dentirostres. In their colours they are mostly sober, compared with the Leio- trichince , black, gray, and white, varied in a few with rufous, and in others pleasingly blended with blue, green, and yellow. Many are crested. 270 BIRDS OF INDIA. In their habits they are strictly arboreal, active, climbing about and clinging to the twigs and flowering branches of trees and shrubs, with a loud, and reiterated chirp. They are very omnivo- rous, feed equally on seeds, fruits, and insects ; and they pierce hard seeds or nuts with their strong conical bill, holding it with their feet, and thus extract the kernel. They are excessively bold and even ferocious, the larger ones occasionally destroying young and sickly birds, both in a wild state, and in confinement. They are very social. They nidificate mostly in holes of trees, or even in walls, occasionally on the ground, lining their nest profusely with hair and feathers ; and they lay very numerous eggs, usually white with red spots. A few build pendulous nests like the ZEgithaline group. Of late they have been divided into several genera, varying chiefly in the mode of coloration, crest, and length of tail, but also in the length and strength of the bill. I shall adopt some of these genera in accordance with my previous practice, for, though not very well marked, structurally, they each comprise several nearly allied species. The first of these is a well marked group, admitted by all. Gen. TEgithaliscus, Cabanis. Syn. 0 rites Moshr. — Psaltria , T., and Paroides, Brehm, apud A net. (in part) Acanthiparus, apud Gould. Char. — Bill short, small, conic ; tail somewhat lengthened, of small size; plumage mixed with rufous, not crested. The following birds have been usually classed under Orites , but the type of that genus, P. caudatus, or the long-tailed Tit of Europe, has naked orbits, a still shorter beak, much longer tail, and is very distinct in form and habits. 634. JSgithaliseus erytlirocephalus, Vigors. Parus, apud Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. II. Birds, pi. 30, f. 1 — Blytii. Cat. 550 — Hoesf., Cat. 606 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 7, pi. 11, Pyiong-samyi, Lepch. The Bed -headed Tit. Descr. — Head above and nape rufous; back of neck, back, and rump, cinereous, tinged with reddish on the rump and upper FARING, 271 tail-coverts ; wings and tail dusky cinereous ; superciliary stripe, and outer webs of tlie outermost tail-feathers, white; the rest with a white tip ; a broad black eye-stripe, extending through the eye and ear-coverts to the nape ; the throat black, with a white line between it and the eye-streak ; chin white, the rest of the body beneath rufescent white, or pale vinous, deepest on the flanks and lower abdomen. Bill black; legs fleshy yellow; irides brown. Length 4f inches ; extent 6 ; wing 2 ; tail 2 ; bill at front ; tarsus §. This little Tit is found throughout the Himalayas, from the far North-West to Bootan. It is very common at Darjeeling about the Station, at 7,000 feet of elevation, and is found up to 10,000 feet. It associates in small flocks, frequenting shrubs, hedges, and high trees, and lives chiefly on insects. Hutton describes the nest as being ‘around ball, with a small lateral entrance, composed of moss, and well lined with feathers. The eggs are five, white, with a pinkish tinge, sparingly sprinkled with lilac spots, and with a well defined lilac ring at the large end. The nest is placed on a bank, or among creepers twining round the trunk of a tree.’ 635. JEgithaliscus icraschistos, Hodgson. Parus, apud Hodgs., J. A. S., XIII. 942 — Blyth, Cat. 549— Horsf., Cat. 608 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 7, pi. 15. The Rufous-feonted Tit. Descr. — Above ashy, slightly tinged with olive ; winglet, and coverts of primaries black ; a broad streak over the eye black ; the central line of head, and sides of head, reddish fawn color ; the outer tail-feathers more or less tipped and edged externally with whitish ; under parts reddish fawn or rufescent. Bill black ; legs yellow brown ; irides brown. Length 4j inches; wing 2£ ; tail 2 ; bill at front f ; tarsus f. This Tit has the three outer tail-feathers graduated, with the middle pair £ inch shorter than the next pair, and its bill is some- thing longer, and more slender than in erythrocephalus. It is an evident link to the true Puri , and Bonaparte includes it in the genus Pcecila , of which P. palustris is the type. 272 BIRDS OF INDIA. I did not procure this bird at Darjeeling, but it has been found both in Nepal and Bootan. 636. iEgithaliscus niveogularis, Gould. Orites, apud Gould, Moore, P. Z. S. 1854, p. 140 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 7, pi. 14. The White-throated Tit. Descr. — ‘ Forehead white, passing to buff-brown on the back of the head, nape, and fore-part of the back, and thence to the tail gre}’, tinged with isabelline on the rump ; lores, over the eyes and ear-coverts, black, passing into brown on the nape ; ear-coverts blackish anteriorly, brownish-buff posteriorly, and somewhat striped longitudinally with white ; base of lower mandible, chin, throat, forepart of breast, and sides of the neck, to the nape be- hind the ear-coverts, snowy- white, contrasting with the brownish band which runs from the nape across the middle of the breast ; the lower part of the breast with the abdomen pale pinky-isabel- line, passing to white in the middle of the belly ; wings brown, margined with greyish-white ; coverts and scapulars blackish ; tail dusky-black, margined externally with greyish- white ; its outermost feathers white on the outer web. Bill black, longish, and slender as in A. ioiischistos, Hodgson ; feet yellowish. Length 44 inches ; of wing 24 ; tail 2f, its outer- most feather 4 inch shorter ; bill to frontal plumes T3y to t5 bill at front This handsome Jay is found only in the N. W. Himalayas, extending to Nepal. It is not known in Sikhim. Hutton says that it is one of the commonest birds of the hills about Simla, usually appearing in small parties of five or six. It breeds in May and June. The nest is made of tAvigs, roots, and fibres, loosely put together. The eggs, three or four in number, are greenish stone grey, freckled, chiefly at the larger end Avith dusky, and a few black hair-like streaks not always present. GARRULINiE. 309 Otheiv true Jays, besides G. glandarius of Britain, are G.japoni- cus, Schlegel, from Japan; G. melanocephalus, Bonelli; G. krynicki G. Brandti, and G. lidtlii , apud Bonap., all from Western Asia, the first occasionally occurring in Eastern Europe ; and G. cervicalis , Bonaparte, from North Africa. A vast number of Jays are found in America, some crested, others not, and many of very beautiful blue plumage. Cyanopica , Bonap., has been instituted for some blue jays, one of which C. CooJrii, is not rare in Spain ; and two others are from Central and North-eastern Asia. Perisoreus of Bonaparte contains the curious Lanins infaustus of Linngeus, from the North of Europe and Asia, whose habits appear to be much those of some of the Babbling Thrushes ; and another species from North America. The next genus is peculiar to the hilly regions of India and China, and the species are remarkable for their beautiful blue plu- mage, and very long, graduated tails. They were formerly classed with some American Jays under Psilorhinus, but have lately been justly separated. Gen. Urocissa, Cabanis. S yn. Calocitta, Bon. — Psilorhinus Rupp. Char. — 'Bill stout, broad at the base, moderate or rather long, straightish, culmen gently curved and hooked, obsoletely toothed at the tip ; gonys nearly straight ; rictus with a few weak bristles ; nostrils basal, lateral, open, but impended by a few soft lengthened bristles ; wings rounded, 4th and 5th quills sub-equal and longest, 6th about equal to the fourth ; tail very long, graduated, with the two central feathers much elongated; tarsus moderate ; lateral toes unequal, claws strong. These are beautiful birds of large size, with, the bill more slender and longer than in the true Jays, either bright red or yellow; usually solitary, of wandering habits, noisy, and bear confinement well. Three species only are known. 671. Urocissa sinensis, Linnjeus. Cu cuius, apud Linn^us — PL Enl. 622 — IToesf., Cat. 860 — Psilorhinus occipitalis, Blyth, Cat. 471 — Pica erythrorhyncha, Gmelin — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 41 — Psil. albicapillus, 310 BIRDS OF INDIA. Blyth (the young bird) — Nil-khant , at Mussooree — Dig -doll, of the Hillmen at Simla. The Red-billed Blue Magpie. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, deep black, with a lengthened occipital white band extending from the back of the head down the whole neck, gradually shading to bluish; some of the feathers of the crown tipped white ; mantle and scapulars ashy cobalt blue, upper tail-coverts the same, with broad black tips ; wings fine rich cobalt blue ; the quills black on their inner webs, and all tipped white ; the tail blue, the central feathers tipped white, and all the others with a black and white tip ; beneath, from the breast whitish, with a tinge of purplish ash. Bill coral red ; legs orange ; irides fine red. Length 26 inches, wings 8 ; tail 17 to 18 ; tarsus not cpiite 2 ; bill at front 1^. This splendid bird is found in the Himalayas, from the far north- west to Nepal, replaced towards the east by the next species. It is found chiefly on the lesser ranges of the hills. Adams states that it is pretty common on the ranges round Simla, Kussowlee, and to the westward, till replaced by U. Jlavirostris. It is also said to be found in parts of China. It breeds at about 5,000 feet, making, says Hutton, a loose nest of twigs, externally lined with roots. The nest is built on trees, sometimes high up, at others 8 or 10 feet from the ground. The eggs are from three to five, of a dull greenish ash-grey, blotched and spotted with brown dashes, confluent at the larger end. It is very terrene in its habits, feeding almost entirely on the ground. Several of these Magpies will often follow a Leopard for more than a mile, perching on the trees and bushes above it, and keeping up a continual screeching. (Ind. Sport. Iiev. 1856.) It is sometimes caged, and bears confine- ment very well. It will eat raw meat, young or small birds, insects, and, indeed, almost any kind of food. 672. Urocissa fiavirostris, Blytii. Psilorhinus, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XV. 28 — Blyth, Cat. 472 — IloRSF., Cat. 861 — Tying -jongring , Lepch ; — Flanging jabbring, Bhot. The Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, deep black, with a narrow transverse white occipital band ; upper plumage and scapulars GAKRU LIN/E. 311 purplish ashy ; upper tail-coverts, with some small black spots ; wings and tail dull cobalt blue, with an ashy tinge ; the quills black on their inner webs, and white tipped, and the tail feathers broadly tipped black and white, except the centre pair which are only tipped with white ; beneath, from breast whitish, with a strong tinge of purplish ashy. Bill yellow ; legs orange yellow ; irides brownish red*. Length 24 inches; wing 7^; tail 16; tarsus If; bill at front If. This species differs from the last in its generally duller hue, yellow bill, and small occipital mark ; the legs, too, are shorter, and not so strong. The Yellow-billed Magpie is found throughout the Himalayas, but confined to certain localities. It is found in Cashmere and at Jummoo, in Kumaon, in parts of Nepal, and in Sikhim, where it is the only species. It occurs about Darjeeling from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet or so ; wanders about a good deal, generally flying low, and alighting on low trees and shrubs, sometimes on a stone, or the stump of a tree. It lives chiefly on large insects, grass- hoppers, locusts, &c., and it has a loud ringing call which the natives attempt to imitate in the names given above. I had the nest and eggs brought me once. The nest was made of sticks and roots ; the eggs, three in number, were of a greenish fawn colour, very faintly blotched with brown. Another species of Urocissa is found in Burmah, U. magni- rostris of Blyth, exceedingly similar to U. sinensis. I obtained it at Thayet Myo. Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, has two long-tailed Jays with black bills from Eastern Asia, which he classes under Cyanurus. The next genus is also exclusively Indian, and there are only three known species. Gen. Cissa, Boie. Syn. Corapica , Lesson — Kitta , Temminck — Citta , Wagler — Chlorisoma, Swainson. Char. — Bill strong, robust, compressed, moderately long, gently curved and hooked, and slightly notched at the tip ; gonys curving upwards ; nostrils basal, impended by short bristles and 312 BIRDS OF INDIA. feathers ; rictus slightly bristled ; wings rounded ; tail lengthened, cuneate ; feet strongish, moderate ; lateral toes unequal, inner toe much shorter, outer much joined to middle one; claws strong, well curved ; hind toe and claw large. 673. Cissa Sinensis, Brisson. Galgulus, apud Brisson — PI. Enl. 620 — Horsf., Cat. 859— Kitta venatoria, Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 2 — Cissa venatoria, Blytii, Cat. 468 — Corvus speciosus, Siiaw — Sirganr, /, Beng. — Chap- ling-pho, Lepch — Iiabling-chapu, Bhot. The Green Jay. Descr. — General color beautiful pale chrysophrase green, fading to bluish or bluish green, yellowish on the head, the feathers of which are lengthened, forming a crest ; a black streak from the lores through the eyes to the nape, meeting the opposite one, and forming the lower part of the crest; wing-coverts and quills line dark red, fading to rufous brown, or greenish brown in old specimens ; the secondaries tipped pale blue-green, broadly edged above with black ; tail with the central feathers tipped white, the outer ones tipped black and white. Bill and legs coral red ; irides dark red brown ; orbits vermilion. Length 15^ inches; expanse, 8 inches ; wing 6 ; tail 8^- ; bill at front If; tarsus 1|. This lovely bird is found in the South-eastern Himalayas ; also in the hill ranges of Assam, Sylhet, Arracan, and Tenasserim. It is not rare in Sikhim from 1,200 feet to 5,000 feet or nearly so. It wanders about from tree to tree, and picks various insects, grasshoppers, locusts, mantides, &c., off the leaves and branches. It has a rather loud, not unpleasant call, besides the usual harsh cry of the Jays and Magpies. They are frequently tamed and caged, and become, says Blyth, “ very tame and fearless, are very amusing and imitative; sing lustily a loud and screeching strain of their own, with much gesticulation, and are highly carnivorous in their appetite. The Shrike-like habit, in confinement, of placing a bit of food between the bars of their prison, is in no species, more strongly exemplified than in this.” DENDROCITTIN^E. 313 Bucli. Hamilton states that it is said to be trained in Tipperah to hunt like a hawk, and catch small birds. Another very closely allied species, Cissa thalassina, Temminck, is found in Sumatra; and a beautiful species lias lately been found in Ceylon, Cissa ornata , Wagler, (C. puellai Blyth,) which has a ches- nut head, neck and wings; the rest of the body bright cobalt blue. The next sub-family have still shorter and more rounded wings, and are, perhaps, still more arboreal. Sub-fam. Dendrocittinae. Syn. CallceatincE, Gray — Glaucopince, Swainson and Horsfield. Bill short, with the culmen much elevated and curved, quite entire at the tip, gonys straight ; commissure curved ; nares pro- tected by dense, velvety, short feathers ; wings short, rounded ; tail long, graduated ; tarsus short, stout ; feet arboreal with the lateral toes slightly unequal. The Tree-crows or Magpies differ from the Jays by their still shorter, more curved beaks, more rounded wings, and strictly arboreal habits. They frequent forests in the hills, and well- wooded districts, and several are peculiar to the Himalayas, others to the hill ranges of Southern India, one only being found throughout the plains. They feed both on fruit and insects, and occasionally even capture young and sickly birds. They only take short flights, have loud chattering notes, and are mostly confined to the Indian province, one genus only being African, for I exclude the Australian birds generally placed here by Gray and others, Glaucopis and Struthideu ( vide page 10). Gen. Dendrocitta, Gould. Char. — Bill short or moderate, compressed, well curved from the base; nostrils small, basal, concealed by short incumbent feathers; wings short, rounded, 5th and 6th qu’lls longest, 4th, sub-equal ; secondaries nearly as long as the primaries ; tail elongate, wedge- shaped, with the two central feathers produced ; feet moderate or short, arboreal ; middle toe short, lateral toes unequal, hind toe and claw rather large. This is a peculiarly Indian group, one or two species only extending into the Malayan countries. 2 R 314 BIRDS OF INDIA 674. Bendrocitta rufa, Scopoli. Corvus, apud Scopoli — Blyth, Cat. 463 — Horsf., Cat. 848 — Pica vagabunda, Yieillot — Gray and Haudw., 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 25 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 42 — Jerdon, Cat. 159 — P. rufiventris, ATeillot — Maha-lat, H. i. e., Large Shrike — Kotri , II. in Bengal — Takka-chor , Beng., i. e., Rupee thief — also Handi- chacha, Beng., i. e., Pan-scraper, imitative of its cry — Mahtab and Chandf Sindh — Gokurayi, Tel., vulgo, Konda-kati-gadu , Tel. The Common Indian Magpie. Descr. Whole head, neck, and breast, sooty brown, or blackish, deepest on the forehead, chin, and throat, and passing into dusky cinereous ; scapulars, back, and upper tail-coverts dark ferruginous; wing-coverts, and the outer web of the secondaries, light grey, almost whitish in some ; rest of the quills black ; tail ashv-grey, the feathers all broadly tipped with black, least so on the centre feathers ; beneath, from the breast, ferruginous or fulvous. Bill black ; irides blood-red ; legs dark slaty. Length 16 inches ; -vving 6; tail 10; bill at front through the frontal bristles JL, height 4 inch ; tarsus 1T%. The Indian Magpie is found throughout all India, from the ex- treme south to the foot of the Himalayas on the east ; but in the North-west ascending apparently to some height. It extends to Assam and even to China. Adams says that it is found in Cashmere, and that it is common on all the lesser ranges of the North-western Himalayas.* In the plains it is most common in well-wooded districts ; and, in the Carnatic, and bare table land, it is only found occasionally about the larger towns, and in hilly jungles ; but, as you go further north, it is to be seen in every grove and garden, and about every village. It occurs singly oc- casionally, very frequently in pairs, and now and then in small parties. It flies from tree to tree with a slow undulating flight. At times it feeds almost exclusively upon fruit, but at other times on insects, grasshoppers, locusts, mantides, and caterpillars. The natives always assert that it destroys young birds and eggs, and * But these birds should be compared with D. pallida. DENDR0CITTIN2E, 315 consider it of the Shrike genus. Mr. Smith says, “ he has known this bird enter a covered verandah of a house, and nip off half a dozen young geraniums, visit a cage of small birds, begin by stealing the grain, and end b}^ killing and eating the birds, and repeating these visits daily till destroyed.” Mr. Buckland informs me that he has known it enter a verandah and catch bats. It has a variety of notes ; the usual harsh cry of the Magpie ; a clear whistling, somewhat metallic call, which Sundevall syllabizes into Kolilee-oh-koor , or Kohlee-oh ; the Bengalees into 4 Kotree ’ ; and it has also a feeble indistinct note at the pairing season, which the male utters, and the female responds to in a sort of chuckle. When several pairs are together, they have a curious guttural call, which the Revd. Mr. Philipps, as cpioted by Horsfield, says, ‘ sounds like kakak or keke-kak , repeated several times. ’ It builds a large nest of sticks, generally on lofty trees, and lays three or four eggs of a light greenish fawn colour, sometimes with a few indistinct pale brown blotches. Buch. Hamilton says : — “ The Bengalese women imagine when- ever they hear this bird calling, that it forebodes the approach of religious mendicants, who, by partaking of the fare prepared for the family, will clean the pots used in cooking ; from which circumstance, its native name is derived” (Pan-scraper) ; hence he called it Corvus mendicantium, or the Beggar’s Crow. 675. Dendrocitta pallida, Blyth. J. A. S. XV. 30— Blyth, Cat. p. 336 — Horsf., Cat. 849. The Pale Magpie. Descr. — Plumage as in D. rufa, but altogether much paler ; the back and scapularies isabelline, with a shade of dusky, but devoid of any decided rufous tinge ; rump paler ; the belly, and lower tail- coverts pure isabelline, or buffy cream colour. “ The hue of the lower parts,” says Blyth, ‘‘approaches that of the young of D. rufa , but the much firmer structure of the plumage, indicative of maturity, at once distinguishes it from that species.” Length 15 inches ; wing 54 ; tail 8f ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus 1£. This species, if really distinct from the last, has only been found in the extreme North-west Himalayas, bordering on 316 BIRDS OF INDIA. Afghanistan. It is perhaps Adams’ species referred to D. ru/a, as found in Cashmere. 676. Dendrocitta Sinensis, Latham. Corvus, apud Latham — Gray and Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool. 1, pi. 26 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 43— Blyth, Cat. 464 — Horsf., Cat. 850 — Jerdon, Cat. 461 — Kokia-kak at Mussooree — Karrio-pho , Lepch. — Karriah-ban, Bhot. The Himalayan Magpie. Descr. — Forehead, lores, and patch over the eye, black; chin, throat, and ear-coverts sooty-brown ; top of head, nape, and hind neck, bluish ashy ; mantle and scapulars earthy brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts cinereous ; wings (with their coverts) black, with a white spot, formed by a bar across the base of the pri- maries ; tail with the two centre feathers cinereous, passing into black at the tip, all the others black ; lower parts, from the throat, reddish cinereous, paling on the lower abdomen and thigh-coverts ; under tail-coverts rich chesnut. Bill horny black ; legs dusky black ; irides red brown. Length 16 inches; wing 5^; tail 8^-; tarsus 1|- ; bill at front 1^, less strongly curved and hooked than in the last two. This Magpie is found throughout the Himalayas, and occurs very rarely on the hills of Southern India. I got a specimen, said to have been killed on the Eastern Ghats, and fancied that I saw it on the Segoor pass of the Neilgherries. I^orsfield also has one specimen from Madras. On the Himalayas it is very abundant from 2,000 feet up to 7,000 feet, mostly so perhaps from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. It is found in the more open parts of the forest, and near cultivation and villages. Like its congeners it is a noisy bird, and has a variety of notes, similar in character to those of D. rufa. It usually feeds on trees, on insects and fruit. I have, however, seen it on the - ground eating grain. I have had the nest and eggs brought me at Darjeeling frequently. The nest is made of sticks and roots, and the eggs, three or four in number, are of a pale dull greenish fawn colour, with a few pale reddish brown spots and blotches, sometimes very indistinct, Hutton, who got the eggs at Mussooree, describes them as dull greenish ash, with DENDROCITTIN.E. 317 brown blotches and spots, somewhat thickly clustered at the larger end. It is doubtful if it is also an inhabitant of China., as its name would imply. 677. Dendrocitta frontalis, McLelland. P. Z. S. 1833 — D. altirostris, Blyth, Cat. 465 — Horsf., Cat. 851 — Hamslii-bon , Lepch. — Kolio-ko , Bhot. The Black -browed Magpie. Descr. — Forehead, top of head, ear-coverts, throat and foreneck, deep black ; wings and tail also black ; wing-coverts (except those of the primaries) pure ash grey ; the occiput, rest of the neck, breast and belly, whitish grey ; the back, scapulars, upper and lower tail-coverts, vent and flanks, bright ferruginous or chesnut ; the tibial feathers mixed grey and rufous. Bill and feet black; irides brown red. Length 15 inches ; wing 5^ ; tail 9j ; bill at front 1, § deep ; tarsus 1. The bill is some- what shorter, and much deeper than in the other species ; the claws too are longer. This Magpie is found only, in our province, in the South-eastern Himalayas, in the east of Nepal, and in Sikhim ; it also occurs in Assam, where the original specimens were obtained. I found it near Darjeeling at from 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation. It is somewhat rare, though well known to the natives, and the Bhotia name, which is intended to represent the call, is curiously similar to the call of the D. rufa, as syllabized by Sundevall. It lives both on fruit, and on insects of various kinds. 678. Dendrocitta leucogastra, Gould. Trans. Zool. Soc., vol. 1., p. 89., pi. 12 — Blyth, Cat. 462 — Horsf., Cat. 852 — Jerdon, Cat. 160. The Long-tailed Magpie. Descr. — Forehead, face, ears, sinciput, throat, neck, and breast, black ; back of head and neck, white ; wings black, with a white bar in the middle, formed by a band on the primaries ; scapulars, back, and rump, bright chesnut bay ; upper tail-coverts whitish ; tail black, with the two outer feathers ashy grey, broadly tipped 318 BIRDS OF INDIA. black, as is the half of the 5th pair, and the base of the 4th ; belly white ; lower tail-coverts pale chesnut ; bill short, not so deep as in the last ; tail very long. Bill black; legs and feet dark plumbeous; irides blood red. Length 19 inches ; wing of ; tail 12 ; bill at front 1 ; tarsus lTij. This long-tailed Magpie, the handsomest of the tribe, is only found in some of the jungles of the Malabar Coast. I have seen it most abundant in the Wynaad ; on the slopes of the Neilgherries up to 5,000 feet and upwards ; also in Coorg and Travancore. Those which I killed had eaten fruit only. It has a loud call like others of the genus. Another species, JJ. rn/igastra , has lately been described by Gould from Southern Asia; and D. occipitalis, Mull., from Sumatra, is recorded in Bonaparte’s Conspectus. Others of this family are Teona variavs , from Burinah, with ten tail feathers, the central pair enlarged at the tip, and somewhat curled up as in the Drongos ; also a new species of the same genus found by myself in Upper Pegu, Temia cucnllata. Gla.ncopis leucopterus , PI. Col. 265 ; Gl. temnurus PI. Col. 337, both from Malacca; and G. aterrimus , Temm., from Borneo, are nearly related. Ptilostomus, from Africa, with two species, is referred here by Gray and others. Sub-fam. Fregilin.e, Swainson. Syn. Pjrrhocoracince, Gray. Bill more or less lengthened, slender and arched, slightly notched at the tip in some, and brightly coloured ; nares covered with dense silky plumes ; wings long and pointed ; tail moderately long ; tarsi stout, and lateral toes equal. This sub-family contains only two genera, both of which are European, but are also found in the higher slopes of the Hima- layas. In their habits they closely resemble Crows and Jackdaws, are more or less gregarious, and nidificate in rocks, or on high buildings. They are nearly related to the Crows, into which they appear to grade, and should properly have followed them. Gen. Fregilus, Cuvier. Char. — Bill long, slender, arched, compressed ; the tip entire ; nostrils covered with setaceous plumes ; wings long, somewhat pointed ; 4th and 5th quills longest ; tarsi strong, robust ; tail square. FREGILINJE. 319 679. Fregilus Himalayanus, Gould. P. Z. S. 1862 — F. graculus, apucl Blyti-i, Cat. 458-—-HQRSF., Cat. 822. The Himalayan Chough. Descr. — Black, finely glossed with purple and green; wings and tail black. Bill and feet coral red. Length 154 inches ; wing 12| ; tail 6f ; tarsus ; bill at front 2f. It differs from the European species in its larger size and longer bill. It is found on the Himalayas in flocks, near the snows ; some of them migrating, (with the Jackdaws) to the plains of the Punjab in winter. Its call is rough and harsh. Adams found it on the mountains of Cashmere ; and it has also been sent from Nepal. Its wild excited flight, and still wilder cry, says Adams, attract the sportsman’s attention. Gen. Pyrrhocorax, Vieillot. Char . — Bill moderate or rather short, stronger than in Fregilus , and less curved, subulate ; the tip of the upper mandible toothed ; feet robust ; claws strong, well curved. This genus, with Crlancopis and those very peculiar New Zealand birds, Creadion and Neomorpha, once referred by Bonaparte to this sub-family, are now separated by him as a distinct group of his Curvirostres , leading to the Crows. 680. Pyrrhocorax aipinus, Vieillot. Corvus pyrrhocorax, Linn. — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 218 — Blyth, Cat. 457 — Horse., Cat. 823. The Alpine Chough. Descr. — Brilliant black with iridescent tints ; wings long, nearly reaching to the end of the tail. Bill yellow; legs bright red. Length 16^ inches ; wing Ilf; tail 7 ; bill at front If ; tarsus If. The Alpine Chough is found in the higher ranges of the Himalayas. It lives in flocks, feeds on various fruits, especially on the mulberry ; and it breeds in holes in rocks. In Europe it m BIRDS OF INDIA. is found on the Alps and Apennines ; and it is noted by Powys as ‘ a curious, fearless, chattering bird.’ One allied species, Fregilus leucopterus , Vigors and Horsfield, is found in Australia, since separated generically as Corcorax. Fodoces Panderi , a remarkable bird of Northern Asia, is placed by Bonaparte in this sub-family, but by Gray in his Garrulirue , and it appears to have decided affinities or analogies for the Timalince. The only sub-family of Corvidae , not represented in India, is the STREPERiNiE or Piping Crows, from New Holland, New Guinea, and adjacent islands. Their bill is straight, long, compressed, broadish at base and advancing on the forehead ; the tip sometimes notched, and the nostrils are linear, quite exposed, pierced in the bill. They are noisy birds, with lively manners and omnivorous habits. By their bill they appear to lead the way to the next family, the Sturnince ; and, at the same time, some of them have the habits of the Shrikes, whose place indeed, they partly take in Australia ; most of them are coloured black, or black* and white. Fain. SturniDjE, Starlings. Bill straight, or very slightly curved, longish, compressed, subu- late, often angulated at the base, slightly notched at the tip or entire ; wings long, rather pointed; tail moderate or short; tarsi stout, moderate ; lateral toes about equal. The Starlings are, typically, birds of moderate size, with straight pointed bills, generally dividing the feathers at the base of the bill, which advance to the nostrils on each side. They have long pointed wings, fly well, and mostly walk on the ground, like Crows, which they much resemble in habits, being often gregarious, and feeding alike on grain, fruit, and insects. They nidificate in holes of trees or in buildings, a few constructing large nests in trees. In captivity they are docile and intelligent, and can be taught to imitate the human voice well. In most there is little or no differ- ence between the sexes. They are divided into Sturnince, Starlings and Mynas ; Lam- protornince , glossy Mynas, or Grakles ; Buphagince, Ox-peckers ; Quiscalinae, Boat-tails ; Icterince, Hang-nests ; and Agelaince, Maizers. The first three are peculiar to the Old World; the last three to America. STUENINvE. 321 The Starlings may be said to grade from the Crows through the Australian Piping-crows, some of which much resemble large Star- lings. On the other side they pass into the Finches, through the shorter-billed Agelairue , or Maizers of America, such as Dolichonyx and others. Sub-fam. Stuenin^e. Bill moderately long, compressed, straight, or slightly curved, entire in most ; commissure usually angulated, or bent down towards the base; frontal plumes soft, dense, covering the base of the bill, which is prolonged backwards between the plumes ; wings with the 2nd primary usually longest; the tail short, even, or slightly rounded; tarsus moderately long, stout. This family comprises the Starlings of the Old Continent, and the Mynas of India, a group considerably developed throughout the Indian region. They are all more or less familiar, sprightly in their habits, loquacious, and easily domesticated. The first group is that of the true Starlings, which are limited in number, and comprise two forms, the one distinguished by its nearly black color, and the other by its pied plumage, combined with some slight details of structure. The typical Starlings are a very limited group, comprising only two species, one of which lias but lately been discriminated, and is not very satisfactorily distinct. Both the European species occur in India, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. Gen. Stuenus, Linmeus. Char. — Bill long, straight, subulate, slightly depressed at the base ; the culmen convex ; tip obtuse, barely deflected ; nostrils basal, partly closed by a vaulted membrane ; wings with 1st quill minute ; tail even, short ; tarsus moderately long ; lateral toes nearly equal ; hind toe long. 681. Sturnus vulgaris, Linnjeus. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. .210 — Blyti-i, Cat. 580 — Hcrsf., Cat. 800 — S. indicus, Hodgson — S. splendens, Temm. — Telia- maina , Hind. — Tilora , at Ghazeepore — Nakslii-telia , at Agra. — Tilgiri , in Cashmere. 2 s 322 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Common Starling. Descr. — Glossy black, with a pale whitish or brownish tip to each feather, giving the bird a pretty speckled appearance; all the clothing feathers long and lanceolate. In very old birds the specks are said to disappear altogether, or nearly so. The young bird is dull brown. Bill brown at first, for several moults, finally becoming rich yellow ; legs yellow ; irides brown. Length about 9 inches ; wing 5 ; tail 3 ; bill at front through the feathers 1 i ; tarsus If. The clothing feathers become longer and more pointed at each moult. The common Starling is found, during the cold weather only, in the North-western Provinces of Bengal, as low down as Monghyr, South of the Ganges, and perhaps still lower ; and as far as Purneah, at. least on the North bank of the Ganges. It is, however, much more common further to the North-west, and I have never seen it out of the valley of the Ganges. It associates in large flocks, feeding both on grain, and on insects among cattle, associating with the common and Bank Mynas, and roosting on high reeds at night. Theobald found it breeding in Cashmere, in holes of bridges, of tall trees, &c. ; the eggs pale clear bluish- green. 682. Sturnus unicolor, Marmora. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 211 — Blyth, Cat. 581. The Glossy Black Starling. Descr. — Glossy black, never having any white specks to the feathers ; the clothing feathers still more elongated than in the common Starling. Length 9^ inches ; wing 5§- ; tail If ; bill at front 1. This Starling, (found in the South of Europe ; particularly in Sardinia, in Africa, and Western Asia,) is said by Adams to be common in Sindh, the Punjab, and in Cashmere, and to build in holes of decayed trees. It is possible that Theobald may have been referring to this species, when he describes the breeding of the former bird, but Adams says that St. vulgaris is also common in Cashmere. STURNIN.E, 323 Gen, Sturnopastor, Hodgson. Syn. Psarites, Cabanis. Char. — Bill nearly straight, slightly curving, more so than in Sturnus, deflexed at tire tip, more depressed than in Sturnus, and stronger ; base of the bill plumed to the nostrils, but ascending in the middle ; orbits bare ; wings shorter ; tarsus and toes strong. This genus chiefly differs from Sturnus by its bare orbits and pied plumage ; and, as its name implies, is a sort of link betrveen the true Starlings and Mynas. 683. Sturnopastor contra, Linnaeus. Sturnus, apud Linn.eus — Jerdon, Cat. 162 — Blyth, Cat. 579 — Horsf., Oat. 801 — Edwards, Birds, pi. 187 — S. capensis, Linn. — P. j alia, Horsf.? — Ablak maina, H. — Ahlaka gosalih, Beng., also Guia-leggra, — Venda gorinka, Tel. The Pied Starling. Descr. — Head, neck, and upper part of breast, glossy black; ear-coverts white, extending in a narrow line to the nape ; back, wings, and tail, black, slightly glossed; upper tail-coverts white, as also an oblique bar on the wing, caused by the lesser coverts and outer portion of the scapulars ; beneath, from the breast, white, tinged with reddish-ash ; under tail-coverts pure white. The young bird is more brown than black, and the colors are less defined. Bill red at the base, yellow at the tip ; legs yellowish ; irides brown ; nude skin and orbits orange yellow. Length 9 inches ; wing 4f ; tail 2f ; bill at front 1^ ; tarsus 1£. The Ablaka is found throughout a considerable part of India, but absent in the South and South-west. It is found through out Bengal up to the foot of the Himalayas, extending as far as Allahabad at all events ; towards the South it is found all along the Northern Circars to near Masulipatam, thence inland to Hyderabad, but no further South nor West, except perhaps a straggler here and there; thence it is found in Nagpore sparingly, more abundantly at Saugor, and through Bundelkund to Allahabad. It is unknown in the West Coast, in the Deccan, and at Mhow in Central India. Ac- cording to Philipps it is found also in the Upper Provinces of India, 324 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Pied Starling is more abundant in the Northern Circars than anywhere else where I have seen it. It here associates in vast flocks of many hundreds, feeding among cattle. In general, it is only found in sm dl_ parties. It feeds like the others on grain fruit, and insects. It is a familiar bird, feeding close to houses, and breeding on trees near houses, sometimes, as at Saugor, in the midst of the town ; though as Mr. Blyth says, “it does not venture into the streets in Calcutta.” It makes a large nest of sticks, grasses, and feathers, usually about 8 or 10 feet from the ground, and lays three or four eggs of a clear greenish blue. It breeds from April to June or Tidy, according to the locality. It is very often taken young and caged ; has a pleasant song, and is a great imitator of other birds. Tytler observed a caged specimen of a uniform black colour which he believed to be a distinct race, and named St. Moorii, but Mr. Blyth, I know, did not consider it distinct. Birds from Assam, Burmah, and the eastwards generally, differ slightly from Indian birds by a distinct white supercilium, and some streaks of white on the forehead; this race has been named S. super - ciliaris , Blyth, J. A. S., 1863. It however should be compared with Pastor j alia of the Malayan region. Pastor tricolor , Horsf. ( melanoptera , Dandin), from Java; P. temporalis , Wagler, from China, and, perhaps, Sturnus cineraceus, Temm., from Japan, belong to this genus. P. temporalis, like S. contra, builds a large round nest on high trees; and the Japanese bird is aberrant, grading towards Ternenuchus. We next come to the true Mynas, which have a rather shorter bill, slightly curved on the culmen, and a dull or slightly glossed plumage. The first group comprises the typical Mynas, a form peculiarly characteristic of the Indian province. They are birds of somewhat massive form and dull plumage, and feed chiefly on the ground, often associating with cattle. They prefer insect food, but will also eat grain, and, indeed, are almost as omnivorous as the Crows Gen. Acridotheres, Vieillot. Syn. Gracida, Cuvier. Char. — Bill rather short, stout, compressed ; culmen gently curving and deflected ; gonys slightly sloping upwards ; nostrils STURNIJLE. 325 almost concealed by the frontal plumes, which extend above them their whole length tail rounded ; tarsus stout ; feet strong, toes lengthened; the laterals nearly ec^ual; claws moderately curved. The head is more or less crested, and some of them have a naked space behind and under the eye. 684. Acridotheres tristis, Linnaeus. Paradisea, apud Ltnnjeus — Blyth, Cat. 574 — Horsf., Cat. 806 — Pastor, apud Sykks, Cat. 113, and Jerdon, Cat. 163 — Gracula gryllivora, Daudin — Maina tristoides, Hodgs. — Maina , H. — Desi- maina, also in the north — Salik, Bengal, and Bhat-salik — Bemni , or Saloo, in Chota Nagpore — Sulonka , Mahr. — Gorwantera, Can. — Goranka or Gorinka , Tel. The Common Myna. Descr. — The whole heath with moderate occipital crest, neck, and breast, gloss}r black; the rest of the plumage quaker or snuff brown,* darkest on the back and wing-coverts, and lightest beneath ; primaries black with a white spot at their base, forming a conspi- cuous wing-spot ; tail black with a white tip, successively broader from the centre pair ; lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts white. Bill and orbits deep yellow ; legs dull yellow ; irides red brown with white specks. Length about 10 inches ; wing ; tail 3-§- ; bill at front f ; tarsus If. Some specimens are much darker colored than others, and those from Ceylon appear to be always darker. The common Myna is found throughout India, extending into Assam and Burrnah. It is one of the commonest birds in the country, affecting towns, villages, and the neighbourhood of man rather than the jungles. It roosts, generally in large numbers, in some particular tree in a village or cantonment, and, morning and evening, keeps up a noisy chattering concert. Soon after sunrise the birds disperse, and in parties of two, four, six or more, wing their way in different directions, to their various feeding grounds. Some remain about villages and cantonments, O O * Hence probably Linnaeus’ name tristis, tho ‘ sad colour’ of our forefathers. 32 6 BIRDS OP INDIA. looking out, like the Crows, for any fragments of cooked rice that may be thrown out by the side of a house, or even coming into a verandah for that purpose ; others attend flocks of cattle, which they follow while grazing, picking up the grass- hoppers disturbed by their feet ; while some hunt for grain or fruit. The Myna walks well, nodding his head at each step, and hops occasionally. Its flight is strong, direct, and tolerably quick. It has a great variety of notes, some of them pleasing and musical, others harsh ; some have a resonant metallic sound. One of its notes has been syllabized as prai/ch, praikh ; another, when flying, as twee , twee. The Myna is a household bird, breeding almost exclusively in nooks and eaves of houses, under the roofs, in holes in walls, or in pots hung out for that purpose by the natives. Mr. Smith, in his Notes, says: li It has several broods fluring the year.” I have not, however, found this to be the case in general. Hutton says that at Mussooree, where it is a summer visitant, it breeds in holes in trees ; Layard says the same of it in Ceylon ; and doubtless many do so also in Bengal, and in other parts of India. The eo-gs are four or five in number, pale bluish green. The Myna is very commonly caged and domesticated, and becomes very tame and familiar, often following its master about the house like a dog. It is a good imitator, and soon learns to pick up words and sentences. It is sacred to Ram Deo , on whose hand it sits. This bird was introduced into the Mauritius from India, to destroy the grasshoppers, and is perfectly naturalized there. 685. Acridotheres ginginianus, Latham, Turdus, apud Latham — Blyth, Cat. 575 — Horsf., Cat. 807 — Pastor gregicolus, Hodgs. — P. Mahrattensis, apud Boyle.— Gang a maina, H — Gang salik , or Ram saHk, Beng. — Bardi-maina , in Nepal — Lali, Sindh — GHgila of the Upper Provinces. The Bank-Myna. Descr. — Plead, with rather short occipital crest, lores, ear-coverts, and nape, glossy black ; the rest of the plumage dull cinereous or STURNINiE. 327 inky black, paling beneath ; wings black, with the wing-spot ferru- ginous ; tail black, tipped dull ferruginous ; middle of abdomen, of vent, and the under tail-coverts, pale ferruginous. The frontal feathers are slightly erectile, and those on the sides of the head, are directed towards the median line. Bill red, yellow at the tip; nude eye spot reddish ; feet dull yellow. Length 8^ inches; wing 5; tail 3j tarsus 1^; bill at front nearly The Bank Myna is found throughout Bengal, the Upper Provin- ces, and Sindh, extending into Central India as far as the Nerbudda and the Mahanuddy. I got it at Mhow and Saugor, though rare, and on the banks of the Nerbudda. It is also found in the lower Himalayas, extending, it would appear, into Afghanistan, as Hors- field has one specimen from Griffith, stated to be from Candahar, but it is possible there may be some mistake about this, especially as Adams says that it is not found in the Pui^ab, nor in the Hima- layas. it also extends into Assam and Burmah. It certainly does not occur in Southern India, notwithstanding its specific name taken from Gingi, south of Madras. It is especially abundant in the Gangetic provinces, not occurring, says Mr. Blyth, so low down the Hooghly as Calcutta, but abounds as soon as the banks of the river become of sufficient height for it to burrow in with tolerable security. It has the usual habits of the group, feeding much with cattle, and partaking alike of insects, grain, and fruit. It breeds in holes in river banks, usually in large societies ; also in holes in wells, as I saw commonly at Ghazeepore and neighbour- ing country ; and lays, according to Theobald, as many as seven or eight eggs of the usual greenish blue colour. The next bird has the same bulky form, but no naked space on the face, and the frontal feathers form a short, erect, narrow crest. 686. Acridotheres fuscus, Wagler. Pastor, apud Wagler — Jerdon, Cat. 164 — Horsf., Cat. 810 — P. Mahrattensis, Sykes, Cat. 114 — A. griseus, apud Blyth, Cat. 577 — Maina cristatelloides, Hodgs. — Gracula cristatella, apud Sundevall — Pahari maina, H. — Jhonti maina , II. in Bengal — Jhont salik , Beng. 328 DIRDS OF INDIA. Descr. — The whole head, small frontal crest, and ear-coverts, glossy black ; the upper plumage fuscous black, or blackish brown, with a vinous tinge ; primaries black, with a white spot near their base ; tail also black, white-tipped, most broadly on the outer feathers ; beneath, the throat and breast dull cinereous blackish ; abdomen reddish cinereous, paling in the centre, whitish on the vent, and the under tail-coverts pure white ; the secondaries are glossed with bronze towards their end. Bill orange yellow ; irides greyish white in the South of India, yellow in the North ; legs yellow. Length 9L inches; wing 5 ; tail 3 ; bill at fronty7^ ; tarsus ly4^. This Myna takes the place of the last in hilly and jungly districts throughout India. I have found it on the Neilgherries, in the Wynaad, in parts of Mysore bordering on the Ghats, and along the crest of the Western Ghats, also in some of the jungles of Central India and fi*undclkund. It is also found in Nepal, the more jungly parts of lower Bengal, Assam, and Burmah. It is very remarkable that this species should have grey eyes in the South and yellow ones in the North, but such is certainly the case. At one time I thought that there must be two distinct species, but specimens from both localities are barely distin- guishable from each other. Those from the south of India have the color of the upper surface, perhaps somewhat lighter and more brown than in specimens from Bengal, and are a trifle smaller. These differences, with the fact of the eye being white instead of yellow, perhaps should constitute this a distinct species or race, in which case it would bear Sykes’ name, Mahrattensis. This bird has almost the same habits as the common Myna, like it often attending cattle, but also frequently seen in gardens, as at Ootacamund, eating seeds and fruit of various kinds ; and it is very often seen clinging to the tall stem of the large Lobelia so common on the Neilgherry hills, feeding on the small insects (bugs chiefly) that infest the capsules of that plant. It is most abundant on the Neilgherries, where it is a permanent resident, breeding in holes in trees, making a large nest of moss and feathers, and laying three to five eggs of a pale greenish-blue colour. From what Hodgson says it is probably also a permanent STURNINA3. 329 resident in Nepal, where, he says ‘ perpetually associating with A. tristis , every large flock of which has many individuals of this bird among them.’ At Mussooree, Hutton says that it is only a summer visitant, breeding in holes in trees there. He further says, “ it does not appear to visit Simla, but is to be found in some of the valleys below it to the south ; when the young are hatched they betake themselves to the Dhoon in J uly.” Captain Tytler says that at Dacca this bird builds in the old temples and houses about the Sepoys’ huts. A. cristatellns of China is nearly allied to this bird, as is A. javanicus, Cabanis, of Java, ( griseus , apud Horsfield). The former is said by Swinhoe to breed in holes of trees in general, but sometimes to make a large oval nest on high trees. The next birds differ from the previous group in their smaller size, less massive form, lighter and more elegant plumage, more arboreal habits, and more or less grey plumage. Gen. Temenuchus, Cabanis. Syn. Sturnia , Lesson — Heterornis, Gray. Char. — Bill short, compressed, less stout than in Acridotheres, barely deflected at the tip, often parti-coloured ; wings moderate, 1st and 2nd primaries sub-equal ; tail nearly even ; tarsus short ; lateral toes slightly unequal ; claws more curved. Head usually crested. This genus comprises several nearly allied species from India and Burmah. The first noticed differs from all the others in the black head, and it is, at the same time, more terrestrial in its habits. 687. Temenuchus pagodarum, Gmelin. Turdus, apud Gmelin — Jeedon, Cat. 165— Sykes, Cat. 116 — - Blyth, Cat. 588 — Horsf., Cat. 803 — Pastor nigriceps, also Maina sylvestris, Hodgson — Popoya maina , H., vulgo Bamuni maina — Puhaia , H. in the Upper Provinces — Monghyr paivi, Beng. — Pabiya pawi at Muttra — Papata gorinki , Tel. — Papata. pariki, also Rawan- ati , Tam. — Braliminy Myna of the English. The Black-headed Myna. Descr. — Head and long pendent crest black ; body above grey ; beneath and ear-coverts bright fulvous buff, with some mesial 330 BIRDS OF INDIA. pale streaks ; wings blackish, with a white edge near the shoulder ; tail dull black. Bill blue at the base, then greenish, yellow at the tip ; hides greenish white ; legs bright yellow. Length 8^ inches ; wing ; tail 3 ; bill at front Tf^ ; tarsus 1—. The Brahminy Myna is found more or less throughout all India, but much more abundant in some localities than in others. It is most numerous in the Carnatic, as about Madras and Trichinopoly, and in the Southern portion of the Northern Circars ; rare on the Malabar Coast, only seen in the Deccan at the end of the cold weather, and a casual visitant in lower Bengal at the same time. It is found in the lower regions of Nepal, in Cashmere, and also in the lesser ranges of Cashmere, and, it is stated, more or less throughout the North-western Provinces, though only for a short time. Dr. Adams, however, who saw it in Cashmere, says that he never saw it on the plains in the North-western Provinces. It occurs also, though rarely, in Assam, and Arracan, and, in Ceylon, only towards the North. At Madras it feeds chiefly on the ground, among cattle, in company with Acridotheres tristis , picking up grasshoppers and other insects. It also feeds on trees on various fruits, berries, and flower-buds, and occasionally insects. Adams says that in Cashmere, it feeds on the seeds and buds of Pines. When the silk cotton tree comes into bloom, is always to be found feeding on the insects that harbour in the flowers. I observed this at Jalna, and Blyth remarked the same at Calcutta. At Madras, it breeds about large buildings, pagodas, houses, &c., and lays three or four greenish-blue eggs. Mr. Philipps records it as building in holes of trees. It has a variety of calls, and a rather pleasing song. It is frequently caged and domesticated, is docile and hardy, and will imitate any other bird placed near it. Like the others of its tribe, it is lively in its manners and actions, and has a steady swift flight. 688. Temenuchus malabaricus, Gmelin. Turdus, apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat. 587 — Horsf., Cat. 804 — Pastor cinereus, apud Jekdon, sub. No. 166 — Jeedon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 166, bis — P. caniceps, P. Blythii, and Maina aflinis, STURN1N/E, 331 Hodgson — P. pagodaram, female, apud Wagler andMcLELLAND — ■ Pawi , H. and Desi-pawi, Beng. Pali palisa , Tel. The Grey-headed Myna. Descr . — Upper parts grey ; the forehead and throat whitish, the feathers being centred white, and the former, occasionally, pure white ; entire under parts, from the foreneck, ferruginous buff (some of the feathers of the breast also centred with whitish), deep coloured in old males, faint in young and in females; quills black ; the inner web deep brown ; the primaries slightly glossed and faintly tipped with grey; the middle tail feathers grey, the rest dusky, succes- sively more broadly tipped with deep ferruginous. The colors fade much by abrasion, and become more nearly uniform. Bill blue at the base, greenish in the middle, and yellow at the tip; irides greyish white; legs dull yellow. Length 7^ inches ; wing 4 ; tail 2| ; bill at front T6y ; tarsus 1 . The young birds are nearly all grey, lighter beneath, and with rufous tips to the outer tail-feathers. The Grey-headed Myna is found throughout India, but somewhat locally distributed. It is most common in the North of India, in lower Bengal, extending to the Upper Provinces and Central India, but in smaller numbers. In. the South of India, it is only a cold weather visitant. It extends to Assam, and Tenasserim. It feeds chiefly on trees, on various fruit and seeds, also on insects, and lives in small flocks ; has the usual chattering notes of the Mynas, and a pleasant song. Tytler says that they build in the hollows of trees. 689. Temenuchus Blythii, Jerdon. Pastor, apud Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 166 — P. Malabaricus, apud Jerdon, Cat. 166 — Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn., pi. 22 — Blyth, Cat. 586 — Horsf., Cat. 805 — The White-headed Myna. Descr. — Whole head with long crest, neck, throat, and breast, silky-white ; back and scapulars grey ; belly and under tail-coverts deep rufous ; wing-coverts and outer web of most of the quills, and 332 BIRDS OF INDIA. all the tertiaries also grey ; quills black, grey tipped ; central tail- feathers dark grey, blackish at the base, the outer feathers deep ferruginous brown, dusky towards the base. Bill blue at base, greenish in centre, yellow at the tip ; irides greyish white ; legs reddish yellow ; claws pale yellow. Length inches ; wing 4t2q ; tail 3 ; bill at front t7q ; tarsus 1 . This pretty Myna is only found in the Malabar forests, both near the level of the sea, and up to a level of 2,000 feet or so in the Wynaad and the slopes of the Ghats. It is found from the extreme south of the Malabar coast to about North Lat. 15° or 16". It is entirely arboreal, living in small flocks, and keeping to the tops of high trees, feeding on various insects and larvae, small shells ( Bulimi ), and occasionally on fruit. Its usual cry is neither so loud nor so harsh as that of the Mynas in general, and it has a very pleasing song. Its nails are well curved, and it climbs about the trunk and branches of trees with great facility. It is said to nidificate in holes of trees. Other species of Temenuchus from neighbouring countries are T. erythropygia , Bl., from the Nicobars ; and a nearly related race from Burmah, T. nemoricolus, Jerdon. T. sericeus , Latham, from China, by its larger and straighter, bill somewhat approximates the Starlings; and T. burmannicus, Jerdon (Ibis, vol. 4), is a nearly allied species from Pegu. This last bird feeds much on the ground like the true Mynas, and perhaps, with sericeus , ought to form a separate section. Both have red beaks. T. sinensis , Gmel., ( elegans , Lesson,) approaches Calornis. Layard (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1854) has Sturnia albofrontata , from Ceylon. Bonaparte has Pastor senex , Temm., from Bengal, perhaps the same as’ Blyth’s erythropygia , or, as Layard suggests, with his species quoted above. Gen. Pastor, Temm. Char. — Bill short, compressed, curving from the base, very slightly hooked at the tip ; gonys straight ; nostrils partially concealed by fine frontal plumes ; wings long, pointed ; 1st quill longest, 2nd sub-equal, 3rd a little shorter; tail nearly even; tarsus rather short ; lateral toes slightly unequal ; head adorned with a long pendent, occipital crest. STURNINiE. 333 This genus, which is composed of but a single species, with somewhat the form of Temenuchus , has the gregarious habits of the true Starlings and Mynas, and is more a grain and fruit eater perhaps than others of this family. 690. Pastor roseus, Linnaeus. Turdus, apud Linnaeus — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 212 — Sykes, Cat. 115 — Jerdon, Cat. 167 — Blyth, Cat. 593 — Horsf., Cat. 811 — T. suratensis, Gmel. — Golabi maina, H. in the North — Tilyer , H. in the South — Pariki-piita , Tel., — Palisa, Tel., of some Sura kuravi , Tam. — Gy a, in Sindh — ■ Cholurn bird of Europeans in Madras. The Kose-colored Starling. Descr. — Whole head, with crest, neck, and breast, fine glossy black, with purple reflections ; wings and tail black wdth a green gloss ; rest of the plumage pale salmon or light rose color. Young birds have the rose color much dashed with pale brown and fuscous, and the head not so glossy ; and the young of the year are more or less earthy brown, paler beneath, and without a crest. Bill orange yellow at the base, then pinkish, and brown at the tip ; irides deep brown ; legs dusky reddish. Length 9^ inches ; wing 5 5 ; tail 3; bill at front tarsus 1-—. The tongue is bifid at the end and somewhat fringed. The Kose-colored Starling is found throughout the greater part of India, most abundant in the South and South-west, rare towards the North and North-east, and, apparently, not known in Assam and Burmah, unless P. Peguanus, Lesson, be the immature state of this bird. It usually makes its appearance in the Deccan and Carnatic about November, associating in vast flocks, and committing great devastations on the grain fields, more especially on those of the Cholum or Jowaree ( Andropogon sorglms ), whence its familiar name in the South. Mr. Elliot, in his MSS Notes, cpioted in my Catalogue, says: “Is very voracious and injurious to the crops of white Jowaree, in the fields of which the farmer is obliged to station 334 BIRDS OF INDIA. numerous watchers, who, with slings and a long rope or thong, which they crack dexterously, making a loud report, endeavour to drive the depredators away. The moment the sun appear above the horizon they are on the wing, and at the same instant, shouts, cries, and the cracking of the long whips, resound from every side. The Tillyers, however, are so active that if they are able to alight on the stalks for an instant, they can pick out several grains. About 9 or 10 o’clock a. M., the exertions of the watch- men cease, and the Tillyers do not renew their plundering till evening. After sunset they are seen in flocks of many thousands retiring to the trees and jungles for the night. They prefer the half ripe Jowaree whilst the farinaceous matter is still soft and milky.” When they can no longer get grain, they feed on various grass and other seeds, flower-buds, fruit, and also on insects, seek- ing them on the ground, but rarely seen with cattle in India. Their Telugu name is derived from the name of a plant whose fruit they are particularly fond of. Mr. Blyth remarks that “ they visit the neighbourhood of Calcutta only at the end of the cool season, when flocks of them are not unfrequendy observed upon the arboreal cotton tree then in bloom.” Burgess states that he has seen them busily feeding on the flowers of the leafless Caper, a shrub very common in the Deccan on the banks of the larger rivers. Dr. Adams says that “it is very abundant in the Punjab, committing great havoc on the grain there.” In the North-west of India, and in AfFghanistan, they devour large quantities of Mulberries in spring, hence called the ‘ Mulberry-bird' in the North-west, disappearing afterwards. They at times, how- ever, feed much on insects, and are called the ‘ locust-eater’ in Persia, according to Chesney. They do not breed in this country, quitting the South of India in March, but lingering in the North a month or so longer. It is ascertained that they breed in vast numbers in Syria, and other parts of Western Asia, in rocky cliffs. Burgess states his belief that they breed in India somewhere, and was informed by a native that they do breed in the Ghats. This however is, doubtless, totally without foundation. Mr. Layard states that one year he saw large flocks of these birds in July, that they remained only a week and then disappeared. They were entirely STURNINvE. 335 unknown to the Natives. Burgess also states that in 1850, towards the end of August, he saw a large flock of the Rose-color- ed Starlings feeding on insects in an open field. These intances of their appearing so early are very unusual, and more especially their occurrence in Ceylon in July, by which time the young could only have been just fairly fledged. Most of the birds met with in India are, of course, young birds in imperfect plumage. Sub-fam. Lamprotornin^, Grakles or Hill Mynas. Syn. Ptilviorhynchince , Gray and Horsfield — Eulabetince , Horsf. — Graculince , apud Gray. Bill somewhat stout, the ridge more or less curved and hooked, and the tip notched ; nostrils more or less hidden by the close set frontal plumes ; wings long or moderate, and pointed ; tarsus short and stout. The Grakles are birds of usually glossy plumage, found in the warm regions of the Old Continent. Many are found in Africa, a few in India and Malayana. They are more or less gregarious, live chiefly on fruit, and nestle, in general, in holes of trees or in rocks. Many feed habitually on the ground, associating with cattle ; others are more arboreal. The glossy Mynas of India comprise two very distinct forms, one with rather slender bill, of delicate conformation, consisting of a single species ; the other of robust make, with strong beaks, and furnished with prominent wattles, the Hill Mynas. They are both strictly arboreal in their habits, living, in forests, on fruit, and nidifi- cating in holes of trees. In his List of Genera, Gray places these birds respectively under Juidince and Eulabetince , the first including Saraglossa , Calornis , and some other Eastern forms, and all the African Mynas ; the second our Hill Mynas and one or two allied genera. G. R. Gray in his Genera included the former (together with the Bower birds of Australia), under his Ptilinorhynchince , and the latter under Eulabetince. The Indian members of this group do not appear to associate very well with the African ones, in spite of some resemblance of plumage, and perhaps ought to form a distinct division. They evidently grade to the true Mynas through Calornis. 336 BIRDS OF INDIA. Gen. Saraglossa, Hodgson. Char. — Bill rather long, straight at the base and depressed, com- pressed at the tip; culmen ridged, curved, and slightly hooked; gonys nearly straight; nostrils apert, but the frontal plumes descending over the base of the bill, which does not divide the frontal plumes; wings pointed, the first three nearly equal ; tail firm, short, sub-furcate or nearly even ; legs and feet strong and arboreal ; nails acute and well curved. The founder of this genus states that he considered it to be a ‘ Sturnideous bird with Melliphagous adaptations,5 and compares its bill with that of Phyllornis. It is generally classed among the Lamprotornince , but appears to be a somewhat anomalous form of this sub-family. 691. Saraglossa spiloptera, Vigors. Lamprotornis, apucl Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 34 — Blyth, Cat. 582 — Horsf., Cat. 816 — Puli at Mussooree. The Sfotted-winged Stare. Descr. — Above pale plumbeous, the feathers tipped with dusky, giving it a speckled and Stare-like appearance ; upper tail-coverts tinged with rufescent brown; quills and primary coverts glossy green black, with a white spot at the base of the primaries ; tail deep brown ; beneath, the chin and throat, deep chesnut rufous ; some of the feathers tipped with glossy grey, the rest white, deeply tinged with rufous on the abdomen and flanks. Bill dusky horny ; legs brown ; irides white. Length 8 inches, wing 4§ ; tail 24 ; bill at front f ; tarsus J. This bird is found only in the Western and Central Himalayas. It is not known in Sikhim. It frequents the valleys about Simla and Mussooree, up to 6,000 feet, lives in small flocks of five or six ; its note and flight, says Hutton, “ are very much like those of Sturnus vulgaris , and it delights to perch on the very summit of the forest trees. I have never seen it on the ground, and its food appears to consist of berries. It nidificates in the holes of trees, lining the cavity with bits of leaves cut by itself; the eggs are usually three LAMPKOTORNUSUE. 337 to five, of a delicate pale sea green, speckled with blood-like stains, which sometimes tend to form a ring near the larger end. Dr. Adams says that it frequents rice fields, or the sides of mountain streams, and that it is shy and timid. Turdus madagascariensis , Gmel., figd. P. E. 557-1, is referred here by Gray, but evidently belongs to a very different family (vide page 79). The next birds are the glossy or Hill Mynas of India, compris- ing four distinct races, one from the south of India, another from Ceylon, a third from the Himalayas and Burmah, and the last from Malayana. Gen. Eulabes, Cuvier. Syn. Gracula , L. (in part), and Swainson — Mainatus , Lesson — • Maina , Hodgson. Char. — Bill short or moderate, stout, compressed ; culmen gradu- ally curved ; tip notched ; nostrils basal, lateral, placed in a plumed fossa; under mandible with the base broad and dilated ; frontal feathers short, velvety, advancing on base of bill; head with naked wattles ; wings long, 4th quill longest, 1st short; tail short, even ; feet strong ; tarsus equal to the middle toe ; outer toe slightly longer than inner one ; claws well curved ; hind toe and claw large. The Hill Mynas are well known birds of fine glossy plumage, and with prominent yellow wattles. They are readily tamed, and can be taught to repeat words very distinctly. They are entirely frugivorous in their habits. They progress on the ground by hopping only, not by alternate steps as the true Mynas. 692. Eulabes religiosa, Linn^us. Gracula, apud Linnaeus— Jerdon, Cat. 168 — Blyth, Cat. 571 — Horsf., Cat. 796 — Edwards, Birds, pi. 17 (the upper figure) — Eul. indicus, Cuvier — Gracula minor, Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 168 — Kokni maina, H. in the South — Konda gorinka, Tel. The Southern Hill Myna. Descr. — General plumage glossy purplish black, with green reflections on the lower back and upper tail-coverts ; beneath less 2 u BIRDS OF INDIA. Q 0 Q ooo brightly glossed ; wings and tail coal black without reflections ; a white spot on the first seven primaries, forming a conspicuous wing-spot. The wattles on the head commence below each eye, are crossed at the lower posterior angle of the eye by a triangular patch of minute feathers, pass beyond the ear, where they form a rather large loose flap, or lappet, and then return in a narrow stripe to the top of the head. There is also a small nude patch below the eye. Bill orange ; wattles deep yellow ; irides dark brown ; legs deep yellow. Length 10 inches; extent 18^ ; wing 5T^- ; tail 2T8n; bill at front 1 ; height f ; tarsus 1T^. The Hill Myna of Southern India is found in the forests of Malabar from Travancore up to North Lat. 16° or 17°, most abundant parhaps on the Ghats, and especially in the Wynaad, Coorg, and other elevated districts, up to 3,000 feet or so. It also occurs in - the thick forests of the Northern Circars, as far as Goomsoor, extending west into the wooded portion of the Nagpore territories. It is stated also to be found in Ceylon, where, however, another species occurs. It is somewhat locally distributed, the birds appearing to congregate in certain spots. It is found at times in small parties of five or six or more, sometimes in large flocks; and, during the cold weather, at all events, they appear to roost in company’, in great numbers, especially on bamboos along the edges of mountain streams. It appears, as far as I have observed, in a wild state, to feed exclusively on fruit and berries of various kinds. The song of this bird is very rich, varied and pleasing ; but it has some harsh notes also. It breeds in holes of trees, but I never saw the eggs, though I have had the young brought to me in the 'Wynaad. It is occasionally taken when young and caged, but less frequently than would be the case were it a denizen of Northern India, the birds in confinement beino- usually those of the next species brought from the North. It was most probably by confounding it with Acridotheres tristis , that Linnaeus was led to call this bird religiosa, for I never heard of its being held at all sacred. LAMPROTORNINiE. 339 693. Eulabes intermedia, A. Hay. Gracula, apud Hay, Madras Journal, XIII. 156, and J. A. S. XY. 32. — G. religiosa, apud Sundevall — Blyth, Cat. 570— Horse., Cat. 797. — Paharia-maina, H. The Nepal Hill Myna. Descr.— Larger than the last, but the colors similar. The bill is larger, deeper, and stronger, and much wider at the base, and less flattened ; the naked skin is broader where it begins below the eye, and the patch of feathers is differently shaped ; the loose flap too is smaller, and it is not continued back to the top of the head. Bill deep orange ; wattles bright yellow ; irides dark brown ; legs dusky yellow. Length lOi inches ; wing 6^ ; tail not quite 3 ; tarsus 1^ ; bill at front 1 ; height The Hill Myna of Northern India is found all along the lower ranges of the Himalayas, extending into Assam and Burmah, as far as Tenasserim certainly. It does not ascend to any height on the Himalayas, keeping to the Terai, and the warmer valleys. Its habits and manners do not differ from those of the last. It is taken, when young, in large numbers, in the Nepal Terai, and other parts, and sold at Monghyr and elsewhere. It is easily tamed, and learns to speak with great facility and accuracy. E. ptilogenys , Blyth, from Ceylon, differs in only having the loose flap of skin, the rest of the cheeks being feathered. E. javanensis is found in the Nicobars, Malacca, and the islands. It is still larger than the Nepal bird, and has a stronger bill, about At inch deep, with the wattles less developed, but the lappets larger. Bonaparte has Grac. venerata, Temm., from Sumbava, with a lengthened and slender bill. An interesting form, nearly rela- ted, is found in Burmah, Ampeliceps co remains, Blyth. It has the top of the head and throat yellow, as well as the wing-spot. Other allied forms are Mino, from New Guinea, barely distinct from Eulahes ; and Gymnops , from the Philippines ; and those very remarkable birds, Enodes erythrophrys, and perhaps Sets sir o strum 340 RTTCDR OF INDIA. Par/ei , the former from Java, and the latter from Celebes, appear to belong to tills sub-family. Basilomis, or the crested Mynas, from Malayana, are usually placed near the Hill Mynas. Calornis may be said to be the Malayan representative of the African Lamprotornis. One species, L. cantor , Gmel. ( chalybccus Horsf. — affi'nis , Hay) is recorded, from Tipperah, Burmah, and Malacca. Another species, Calornis dauricus , Pallas, is quite interme- diate, both in color and structure, between the glossy Mynas and the grey Mynas ( Temenuchus) ; it extends from Malayana into China and Central Asia; and Heterornis pyrrTiogenys, Mull., and Pastor ruficollis , Wagler, are nearly allied species from Borneo, Japan, and the Philippines. Several others allied to cantor are recorded from the Malayan isles and Oceanica. The rest of this sub-family are chiefly African. They are showy birds, with rich glossy plmnage, of moderate size, and often with lengthened tails. They \[ve 'm flocks, eat both fruit and insects, and often perch on the backs of cattle. One of these birds, Amijdus Tristrami , figured by Gould, Birds of Asia, XI. pi. 9, occurs in Palestine. Baphagince , or the Oxpeckers, are a purely African tribe, whose position has been a subject of much doubt. They are a singular group, comprising only two species, with short, stout, somewhat curved bills, short but stout feet, with strongly curved claws. They are of plain and sombre plumage, and perch a good deal on the backs of cattle, camels, and rhinoceros, &c.; and are said to extract the larvae of botflies and ticks from the skins of those animals. The remaining families of the Sturnince are strictly American. Some, Qniscalince , have long graduated tails, with the sides curved upwards, whence called Boat-tails. Their bill is long, straight, with the nostrils placed in triangular grooves, pointed wings, and a long hind toe, with curved claw ; their plumage is usually glossy black, mixed with chesnut. They live in troops, feeding alike on grain and insects, and nestle in society, forming nests of mud, lined with grass and hair. The Icterince, or Hang-nests, chiefly differ from the last in want- ing their boat-like tail; they are often adorned with yellow FRINGILLIDiE. 341 and black colors, and build long pendulous nests, open at the top, in company. Another group, the Agelaiance, or Maize-birds, are usually clad with orange or scarlet and black. They are of smaller size, have shorter bills than the last family, are very destructive to grain, and evidently grade into the Fringillidee. Among them is the celebrated Cow-bird of the United States, the only bird besides the Cuckoos that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. It is the Molothrus pecoris , Auct. Certain birds of New Zealand and Oceanica, Aplonis, Gould, and Creadion, Vieillot, are generally considered, and, perhaps correctly, to belong to the Starling family ; but the Bower-birds of Australia, Ptilinorhynchince , placed here by some, are very doubtful members of this division, and, perhaps, belong to a particular section of the Birds of Paradise, as suggested by Blyth, which, as already noticed, used to be placed among the Conirostres, and are so still by many. These Bower-birds and Satin-birds, Chlamydera and Ptilino- rhynchus , are birds about the^size of a Myna, and are noted for the remarkable bower-like structure they make, and adorn with shells, pebbles, small bones, and feathers ; and which does not appear to serve for nidification, but simply for amusement, or a place of resort for both sexes, which run through and around the bower in a sportive and plaintive manner. Fam. FRINGILLIDiE. Bill short, thick, and conic ; wings usually long, pointed ; tail moderate, even, forked in most; tarsus moderate or short; feet suited both for perching and terrestrial habits ; of small size. The Finches comprise a very large number of small birds, with thick conical bills, which live for the most part on seeds, and many are Avell known and familiar birds. They exhibit a great variety of structure, varying much in the strength and thickness of the bill. The tongue is somewhat more fleshy than in most Insessores (except Parrots), but horny at the tip. The bill is usually entire, more or less notched in one sub-family. The cesopha- gns is dilated into a craw or crop, in which the food is allowed 342 BIRDS OF INDTA. to remain awhile, and undergo maceration, before passing into the powerful and muscular gizzard, required in these birds that live so much on hard grain. They are usually very active on the wing, with a strong jerking flight, and they hop on the ground. Many of them are social, or even gregarious in winter, and most of them construct neat, and, in some cases, elaborate nests. They are perhaps more abundant in northern and temperate regions than in tropical countries, and, in India, if we except the Sparrows, the Munias and the Weaver-birds, most are migratory and only winter visitants. They are divided into numerous sub- families, concerning the extent of which there is much disagreement among Ornitholo- gists. I shall, with Blyth, divide them into Ploceime , Estreldince, Passerines, Ember izinee, Fringillince, and Alandince ; besides the great group of American Tanagers, Tanagrince , the most aberrant of the family. The first two sub-families are well distinguished from the others by possessing a minute first primary. Sub-fam. Plocein^e, Weaver-birds. Bill strong, conic, slightly lengthened ; the culmen arched, and the ridge continued back upon the forehead; wings somewhat rounded, first primary very minute ; tail short in most ; legs and toes very strong and robust, the latter lengthened, especially the hind toe, and the claws well developed. The AVeaver-birds form a well marked group of Finches, peculiar to the tropies of the Old AVorld, and nearly so to Africa, for there are only four Asiatic species. They are eminently social and gregarious, nidificating in society, making most ingenious and elaborate nests, and the Indian species, at least, laying pure white eggs. They have a double moult, the males of most putting on a gay plumage in spring, which is yellow in the majority, red in a few. They have a remarkable similarity, both in colours and habits, to some of the American Icterince and Agelaince. They do not sing, but the flocks keep up a continual chirping. They are readily domesticated, and will, it is stated, breed in confinement. PLOCEINvE. 343 Horsfield classes the Weaver-birds among his F ringillince , and Swainson in his Coccoihranstince ; but these differ, as already stated, in wanting the first small primary. There is only one genus of this sub-family in India. Gen. Ploceus, Cuvier. Syn. Euplectes , Swainson (in part.) Char. — Bill thick at the base, laterally compressed, pointed at the tip ; culmen smooth, broad, rounded, and produced backwards on the forehead to a point ; commissure nearly straight ; nostrils basal, partly concealed ; wings moderate or somewhat short, with the first quill small, about one third of the next four or five, 2nd a little shorter than 3rd, which is usually longest ; tail short even, or very slightly rounded ; feet large, hind toe and claw strong, all the claws lengthened. This germs comprises the four Indian species, and many African. In all the Indian birds the crown of the head, in the males, becomes bright yellow in the breeding season. In winter the sexes are alike, or nearly so. All build nests of strips of leaves or grass interwoven together, from June to August, and have pure white, rather long-shaped eggs. Of three Indian species found within our limits, one is widely diffused, and the other two are more locally distributed. They are often called Tailor-birds in India. 694. Ploceus baya, Blyth. J. A. S. XIII. 945 — Horsf., Cat. 785 — P. Philippinus, apud Sykes, Cat. 106 — Jerdon, Cat. 169— Blyth, Cat. 614 — P. atri- gula and passerinus, Hodgson (m. and f.) — Fring. bengalensis, Sundevall — Baya , IT. — Chindora, II. in Bengal — Bawi , or Tal- habi, Beng. — Parsnpu-pitta , Tel. — Manja-kuravi , Tam. The Common Weayer-bird. Descr. — Old males, in breeding plumage, have the crown of the head bright yellow, the rest of the upper plumage with the wings and tail, dull brown, edged with pale fulvous brown, some of the feathers in the middle of the back edged yellow ; rump und 344 BIRDS OF INDIA. upper tail-coverts pale rufous brown ; primaries with a narrow edging of pale yellow ; lores, ear-coverts, chin, and throat, blackish brown ; breast bright yellow ; belly and lower tail-coverts dull white ; the flanks and under wing-coverts and thigh-coverts pale rusty or buff. Bill black ; irides dusky brown ; legs brownish fleshy. Younger males in the breeding plumage have the breast pale rusty instead of yellow, and the yellow edging of the intersca- pulars is wanting. The females, and males in winter dress, totally want the yellow head, the crown being brown with dark streaks, have pale rufous supercilia, and the chin and throat are whitish. Bill pale horny brown ; Length about G inches ; extent 9^ ; wing 2T8y ; tail not quite 2 ; bill at front ; tarsas T8y ; spread of foot If. The common Weaver-bird is found throughout the whole of India from Cape Comorin and Ceylon to the foot of the Himalayas, and extending into Assam, Burmah, and Malay ana. It is most abundant in the Avell wooded parts of the country, and in the bare table land of the Deccan you may travel for days without seeing one. It appears to wander about in some localities, for some observers have stated that it is migratory, but it is certainly a permanent resident in most parts of the country ; and their roosting places on certain trees are well known. Grain of all kinds, especially rice and various grass seeds, form the chief food of the Weaver-bird, and I never observed it feeding on fruit, as Sykes asserts he has known it do on the fig of the Banian tree. Whilst feeding, particularly, as well as at othsr times, the whole flock keeps up a perpetual chirruping. I have seen it feeding in grain fields in company with flocks of Emberiza melanocephala ; and Sykes relates that he has seen it associate with the common Sparrow. The Baya breeds during the rains, according to the locality, from April to September, but I am not aware if they ever have more than one brood. Its long retort-shaped nest is familiar to all, and it is indeed a marvel of skill, as elegant in its form, as substantial in its structure, and weather-proof against the down- pour of a Malabar or Burmese Monsoon. PLOCEESL®. 345 It is very often suspended from the fronds of some lofty Palm- tree, either the Palmyra, Cocoanut, or Date, hut by no means so universally so as Mr. Blyth would imply, for a Babool ( Acacia arabica , or Vachellia Farnesiana ), or other tree will often be selected, in preference to a Palm-tree growing close by, as I have seen within a few miles from Calcutta on the banks of the canal. Very often a tree overhanging a river or tank, or even a large well is chosen, especially, as Tickell says, if it have spreading branches and scanty foliage. In India I have never seen the Bava suspend its nests except on trees, but in some parts of Bunnah, and more particularly in Rangoon, the Bayas usually select the thatch of a bungalow to suspend their nests from, regardless of the inhabitants Avithin. In the cantonment of Rangoon, very many bungalows may be seen with twenty, thirty, or more of these long nests hanging from the end of the thatched roof, and, in one house in which I was an inmate, that of Dr. Pritchard, Garrison Surgeon there, a small colony commenced their labors towards the end of April, and, in August, when I revisited that station, there were above one hundred nests attached all round the house ! In India, in some localities, they appear to evince a partiality to build in the neighbourhood of villages or dAvellings; in other places they nidificate in most retired spots in the jungle, or in a solitary tree in the midst of some large patch of rice cultivation. The nest is frequently made of grass of different kinds plucked when green, sometimes of strips of plantain leaf ; and not un- frequently of strips from the leaves of the date palm, or cocoanut ; and I have observed that nests made of this last material are smaller and less bulky than those made with grass, as if the little architects were quite aware that with such strong fibre less amount of mate- rial Avas necessary. The nest varies much in the length both of the upper part or support, and the lower tube or entrance, and the support is generally solid from the point whence it is hung for tAVO or three inches, but varies much both in length and strength. When the structure has advanced to the spot where the birds have determined the egg compartment to be, a strong transverse loop is formed, not in the exact centre, but a little at 2 x 346 BIRDS OF INDTA. one side. If then taken from the tree, and reversed, the nest has the appearance of a basket with its handle, but less so in this than in the next two species, which have seldom any length of support above. Various authors have described this loop or bar as peculiar to the male nest, or sitting nest, whereas it exists primarily in all, and is simply the point of separation between the real nest and the tubular entrance, and, being used as a perch both by the old birds and the young (when grown sufficiently), requires to be very strong. Up to this time both sexes have worked together indis- criminately ; but when this loop is completed, the female takes up her seat on it, leaving the cock bird to fetch more fibre and work from the outside of the nest, whilst she works on the inside, drawing in the fibres pushed through by the male, re-inserting them in their proper place, and smoothing all carefully. Considerable time is spent in completing this part of the nest, the egg chamber being formed on one side of the loop and the tubular entrance at the other ; after which there appears to be an interval of rest. It is at this stage of the work, from the formation of the loop to the time that the egg compartment is ready, that the lumps of clay are stuck on, about which there are so many and conflicting theories. The ori- ginal notion, derived entirely, I believe, from the natives,* was that the clay was used to stick fire-flies on, to light up the apart- ment at night. Layard suggests that the bird uses it to sharpen its bill on ; Burgess that it serves to strengthen the nest. I of course quite disbelieve the fire-fly story, and doubt the other two sugges- tions. From an observation of several nests, the times at which the clay was placed in the nests, and the position occupied, I am inclined to think that it is used to balance the nest correctly, and to prevent its being blown about by the wind. In one nest latelv examined, there was about three ounces of clay in sis different patches. It is generally believed that the unfinished nests are built by the male for his own special behoof, and that the pieces of clay are more commonly found in it than in the complete nests. I did not find this the case at Rangoon, where my opportunities of observino- * See the interesting and almost unique Natural History by a native, Akbar Ali Khan of Delhi, of the Baya, in the Asiatic Researches, vol. 2. PL0CEIN2E. 347 the bird were good, and believe rather that the unfinished nests are either rejected from some imperfect construction, weak support, or other reason, if built early in the breeding season ; or, if late, that they are simply the efforts of that constructive faculty which ap- pears, at this season, to have such a powerful effect on this little bird, and which causes some of them to go on building the long tubular entrance long after the hen is seated on her eggs. I have generally found that the Baya lays only two eggs, which are long, cylindrical, and pure white, but other observers record a larger number. Sundevall states that he found three in one nest. Layard says from two to four ; Burgess six to eight ; Tickell six to ten. Blyth thinks that four or five is the most usual number. From many observations, I consider two to be the usual number, but have found three occasionally. In those exceptional instances, where six or more eggs have been found, I imagine they must have been the produce of more than one bird. The Baya, is stated not to use the same nest for two years consecu- tively. and this I can quite understand, without having actually observed it. The Baya is frequently taken when young, tamed, and taught to pick up rings, or such like articles, dropped down a well ; or to snatch the Ticca mark off the forehead of a person pointed out. It is also taught occasionally to carry a note to a particular place, on a given signal. Mr. Blyth, in an unpublished paper, has the following interesting account of some of this bird’s perfor- mances : “ The truth is that the feats performed by trained Bayas are really very wonderful, and must be witnessed to be fully credited. Exhibitors carry them about, we believe, to all parts of the country ; and the usual procedure is, when ladies are present, for the bird, on a sign from its master, to take a cardamom or sweetmeat, in its bill, and deposit it between a lady’s lips, and repeat this offering to every lady present ; the bird following the look and gesture of its master. A miniature cannon is then brought, which the bird loads with coarse grains of powder one by one, or more commonly with small balls of powder made up for the purpose ; it next seizes and skilfully uses a small ramrod ; and then takes a lighted match from its master which it applies 348 BIRDS OF INDIA. to the touch-hole. All this we have personally witnessed in common with most persons who have resided in or even visited India ; and we have seen the little bird apply the match five or six times successively before the powder ignited, which it finally did with a report loud enough to alarm all the crows in tire neighbourhood, while the little Baya remained perched on the gun, apparently quite elated with its performance.” Captain Tytler mentions also “the twirling of a stick with a ball of fire at each end. This the bird turns in several ways round its head, making luminous circlets in imitation of a native practice ; the stick being held by the beak in the middle.” In an ordinary cage or aviary, they will employ themselves constantly, if allowed the chance, in intertwining thread or fibres with the wires of their prison, merely gratifying the constructive propensity, with apparently no further object; unless, indeed, the sexes are matched, when they breed very readily in captivity ; of course, provided they are allowed sufficient room, as in a spacious aviary. This bird has currently passed as P. philippinus , Auct., but on a reference to the figure in the PI. Enl. of BufFon, the type of that species, I am convinced that it refers to the species named hypoxantha by Daudin. 695. Ploceus manyar, Hoksfield. Fringilla, apudHoRSFiELD— BLYTH,Cat. 615— IIorsf., Cat. 783 — Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 170 — Euplectes flaviceps, Swainson — E. striatus, Blyth, — E. bengalensis, Jerdon, Cat. 170 — Bamani baya , H. in the Deccan — Telia baya , Beng. — Bawoyi, in Rungpore. The Striated Weaver-bird. Descr. — The male in full breeding dress has the crown of the head intense yellow ; lores, cheeks, ear-coverts, chin, throat, and neck, brownish black ; back, wings, and tail, brown ; the feathers of the back with a mesial dark streak, those of the pri- maries and tail edged with yellowish ; rump streaked like the back; upper tail-coverts rufescent; beneath, from the throat PLOCEINJE. 349 whitish, tinged with fulvous, and streaked on the breast and flanks with dusky black. Bill black ; irides light brown ; legs fleshy. Length about 5T8y inches ; extent 9 ; wing 2f ; tail If ; bill at front T9¥ ; tarsus f ; stretch of foot If. The male in winter dress is clad like the female, and has the head brown, streaked like the back, a pale yellow supercilium, and a small yellow spot behind the ear-coverts ; the chin and throat are whitish, and the streaks on the lower surface less developed. The bill is pale horny fleshy. This species of Weaver-bird is found in suitable localities, throughout all Northern India, spreading into Central India, and more rarely to the Deccan. It does not appear to occur in the N. W. Provinces. It is also found, and perhaps more abundantly, in Assam, Burmah, Malacca, and some of the Islands. It chiefly frequents long grass and reeds on the banks of rivers and jheels, and was hence named by Buchanan Hamilton Loxia typhina. It invariably breeds among high reeds, and usually in places liable to be inundated ; and, as the breeding season is during the rains, the nest is thus unassailable except from the Avater. The nest is fixed to two or three reeds, not far from their summit, and the upper leaves are occasionally turned down and used in the con- struction of the nest, which is, in all cases that I have seen, made of grass only. The nest is non-pensile, that is to say, it is fixed directly to the reeds, without the upper pensile support that the nest of the last species has ; and, in some cases, the eggs are laid before any tubular entrance is made, a hole at the side near the top forming the entrance. This, however, is often, but not always, completed during the incubation of the female ; and, in other cases, a short tubular entrance is made at first, in a very few, prolonged to a foot or more. I have found the eggs in this case, as in the last, to be generally two in number, three in a few ; and in one nest I found five. 696. Ploceus Bengalensis, LiNNiEus. Loxia, apud Linn.eus— Blyth, Cat. 616— Horsf., Cat. 784 — Euplectes flavigula, Hodgson — E. albirostris, Swainson — P. 350 EIRDS OF INDIA. aureus, Lesson — Sarbo baya , H. — Shor baya , and Kantaivala baya in Bengal. The Black-throated Weaver-bird. Descr. — The male in breeding plumage has the crown brilliant golden yellow, with, in some instances, a slight inclination to flame color ; back dusky brown ; rump dingy grey brown ; wings and tail dark brown, the former with very slight pale margins to some of the feathers ; the throat white ; the cheeks, ear-coverts, and sides of the neck white, more or less suffused with dusky on the ear- coverts and throat ; a broad, brownish black pectoral band ; the rest of the lower plumage sullied or fulvous white, brownish on the flanks. In some the pectoral band is broad and entire, in others narrower, and divided along the middle. The female has the head streakless dusky brown, the feathers of the back edged with pale rufous brown ; a pale yellow super- cilium, and a spot of the same colour behind the ear ; also a narrow moustachial stripe; throat white, yellowish in some, ana usually separated from the yellow moustache by a narrow black line ; pectoral band less developed. Males, after the autumn moult, resemble the females, but the breast and flanks are more rufescent; the pectoral band is frequently wanting, or rather concealed by pale fulvous deciduary edgings. Bill always pearly white ; irides light brown ; legs dusky carneous. Length 5^ inches ; extent 9f ; wing 2f ; tail If. This very pretty Weaver-bird is more locally distributed than either of the preceding. It is found in various parts of Lower Bengal, extending into Assam, Tipperah, and parts of Burmah. It appears unknown in Central India and the N. W. Provinces. I found it abundant near Purneah, also in Dacca, building in low bushes, in a grassy churr overflown during the rains. The nest was non-pensile, and had either no tubular entrance or a very short one, made of grass, and more slightly interwoven than either of the others. Though a good many pairs wmre breeding in the neighbourhood, the nests were, in no instance, close to each other, rarely indeed two on the same bush. ESTRELDINiE. 351 The figure in PI. Enl. 393, f. 2, usually quoted for this species, appears to me more applicable to manyar , but, in either case, is barely recognisable. The only other eastern species of Ploceus is P. philippinus, ( hypoxanihus , Daudin) vide p. 348, recorded from Java, and various parts of Malayana, perhaps extending to the Philippines. I found this very pretty Weaver-bird at Thayet-myo in Upper Burmah, rare ; in Rangoon, where observed also by Mr. Blyth ; and frequent in swampy ground near the mouth of Rangoon river, where I also found its nest, solitary, in a thick thorny bush, very similar to that of P. bengalensis . Africa is the head quarters of this tribe, and there are many species very similar to our Indian birds ; others are clad in black and red, or flame color. Most of them build pensile nests of grass, but the eggs are described as being bluish-white, or greenish-blue, in some instances speckled. They are referred to several genera. One remarkable species, Philceterus socius, builds in society, con- structing a common roof or shed, beneath which their nests are placed contiguously. The Whidah birds, Viduia , during the breeding season, develop tails of extraordinary length and form, and, in one instance, a ruff. It is supposed by some that these birds are polygamous. Sub-fam. ESTRELDINiB. Of small size ; bills large in many and bulged, more slender in others ; wings short, rounded ; feet large ; tail rounded or cuneiform. The Munias or Amadavads closely resemble the Weaver- birds in many particulars, and perhaps, with these, should form one group. They inhabit Africa, India, Malayana, and Australia, in which country they are the sole representatives of the Fringillidce. The first primary is minute, as in Ploceince, and, like them, they are often social, even during the breeding season, but they do not construct such elaborate nests. The eggs of all known are pure white, as in our Indian W eavers ; many are very pleasingly colored, and some of them are very beautiful. In general they do not sing, but one of the Indian species has a rather pleasing song. 352 BIRDS OF INDIA. The sexes are usually alike ; in a few that moult in spring, the male is more richly colored than the female. They inhabit grassy or reedy ground, bushy jungle, and open spaces in forests, occasionally being found in immense flocks. There are two forms found in India, one the Munias, with a thick tumid bill ; the other the Amadavads, ( Estreldci ), with a more slender, conic, and waxy red bill. Gen. Munia, Hodgson. Syn. Lonchura , Sykes — Spermestes, in part, Swainson. Char. — Bill very thick and at the base as deep as long, com- pressed at the tip ; culmen arched, flattened, prolonged backward to a point on the forehead ; gape strongly angulated ; nares round, sunk and free ; wings short ; 1st primary minute, the three next nearly ecpial ; tail moderate or short, rounded or wedged ; tarsus stout, moderate ; toes long, slender; claws long. The birds appertaining to this genus are found in India, Malay- ana, and Australia, and almost all have the large beak of a pale glaucous lead color. They are of small size, but larger than the next group ; and build large, loosely-constructed nests of grass. They feed much on rice, as well as on grass seeds; are readily domesticated ; and the young of most are light brown. 697. Munia Malacca, Linn^us. Loxia, apud Linnaeus — Edwards, Birds, pi. 355, f. 2 — Blytii, Cat. 623— Horsf., Cat. 773— Jerdon, Cat. 174 — Nakal- nor H. Nalla jinawayi , Tel. The Black-headed Munia. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, rich black ; back, wings, and tail, pure rich cinnamon red ; upper tail-coverts brighter tinged, and with a glistening lustre ; beneath, from the breast, white, with the middle of the abdomen and vent black. Bill bluish, yellowish at the tip; irides dark brown; legs plumbeous. Length 4^ inches ; wing 2-^ ; tail 14. The young bird is pale cinnamon brown above, whitish below, dusky about the head and neck. ESTRELDIN2E. 353 The Black-headed Munia is chiefly found in Southern India and Ceylon, a few stragglers occurring in Central India, and even in Bengal occasionally. It is very abundant in parts of Southern India, especially on the Malabar coast, frequenting long grass by the sides of rivers and tanks, occasionally dry grain fields, and very commonly sugar-cane fields. It often associates in very large flocks. The nest in usually placed among reeds, in tanks, or in the beds of rivers ; occasionally in long grass in the bunds of paddy-fields. It is a rather large, nearly round or oval nest, neatly but loosely made of grass, with the hole at one side, this in general being very artfully concealed by the interlacing of the fibres of grass, so that I have been puszled for a few moments to discover the entrance; and the eggs, four to six in number, are pure white. 688. Munia rubronigra, Hodgson. As. Res. XIX. 153 — Blyth, Cat. 622 — Horsf., Cat. 774 — Lox. malacca, var., Latham — Lonchura melanocephala, McLelland. The Chesnut-bellied Munia. Descr. — Head, neck, and breast, black ; rest of the plumage deep chesnut or cinnamon, passing to glistening maronne on the upper tail-coverts, and tinged with fulvous on the tail ; a stripe down the middle of the belly, vent, and under tail-coverts, black. Bill and feet plumbeous; irides dark brown. Length 4^ inches; wing 2^- ; tail 1^ ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus T9^. The young are brown above, paler brown below ; head and breast somewhat infuscated. This very closely allied species, which differs from the last only in having the belly chesnut in place of white, replaces it in the north of India, being found throughout Lower Benoal, and all along the foot of the Himalayas as far as the Dehra Doon ; and also in some of the more wooded adjacent districts, but it would appear to be rare in the open country of the N. W. Provinces. I have seen specimens from the Eastern coast north of Madras, and Mr. Layard procured it in Ceylon, but it is certainly rare in Southern 2 Y 354 BIRDS OF INDIA. India. It is much more common in the countries to the eastward, Assam, and Burmah as far as the Tenasserim provinces, south- wards of which it is replaced by M. sinensis, which wants the black abdominal stripe altogether. According to Mr. Frith the nest is ordinarily placed in a Banbul tree in Lower Bengal, solitarily, and is composed of a large ball of the tufts of Saccliannn spontaneum. I have al.vays found its nest fixed to reeds or long grass, and suspect that Mr. Frith must have been mistaken in the identity of the owner of the nest above noticed, the more so because that is exactly the character, both as to materials and site, of the nest of the next species noticed. 699. Munia undulata, Latham. Loxia, apud Latham — Blyth, Cat. 624 — Horsf., Cat. 772 — M. lineoventer, Hodgson — Amadina punctularia, apud Pearson — Lonchura nisoria, apud Sykes, Cat. 109 — Jkrdon, Cat. 172 — Edwards, Birds, pi. 40 — Telia munia , H. in the North — Sing-baz or Shin-baz , FI. in the Deccan, and at Mussooree — Shubz munia , Beng. — Kakkara jinuwayi, Tel. The Spotted Munia. Descr. — Above ruddy brown, deeper on the head and neck^ inclining to whitish on the rump, and the upper tail-coverts and margins of the lateral tail-feathers, glistening fulvous ; quills chesnut externally, dusky within ; beneath, the chin and throat, with the face and ear-coverts, rich chesnut ; breast and flanks white, with numerous zig-zag cross bars of black; lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, whitish, unmarked. Bill and legs plumbeous; irides brown. Length 4^ inches; wing 2jq ; tail 1| ; bill at front ; tarsus The two central tail-feathers are very slightly elongated. The young are rufous brown above, paler below. The Spotted or Barred Munia is found throughout India and Ceylon, somewhat rare in the extreme south, common in the north, and spreading into Assam, and Burmah as far as Tenasserim. It is ESTRELDINjE. 355 somewhat local in its distribution, but, where met with, is there tolerably abundant. I have seen it on the edges of the Neil- gherries, and in various parts of the Carnatic and Central India, as well as in Bengal, but it does not occur in the Malabar Coast. It is occasionally found in grassy or bushy ground, and Buchanan Hamilton states it to live in thickets of Hugla grass ( Typha elephantina) , near villages where small grains are sown ; but more frequently it occurs near cultivated ground, affecting mangoe groves, or patches of tree jungle. It builds in thorny bushes, chiefly about fields, and makes a large nest of very fine grass, or not unfrequently of the flowering tufts of some Sacchnrum, which I have often seen it conveying to its nest ; and I have always found the nest solitary, contrary to Mr. Layard’s observations, who states that he has seen thirty or forty nests in one tree, and that in one instance he found one structure containing several nests. The eggs, of course, are pure fleshy white, usually four to six in number. At Thayet-myo I found it building in a hole in the thatch of my bungalow. Blyth states that this bird, which is very commonly caged, is known in Bengal as the Nutmeg-bird from the peculiar mottling of its breast. The nearly allied M. punctularia (nisoria of Temminck), occurs in the Malayan provinces. 700. Munia pectoralis, Jerdon. Spermestes, Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 173 bis. The Rufous-bellied Munia. Descr. — 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 plumbeous brown ; hides dark brown ; Length 4^ inches ; wing ; tail 1t7q ; tarsus T6^. The central tail feathers are barely longer than the next pair. BIRDS OF INDIA. 356 This species occurs only, that I have observed, in Wynaad and Coorg ; but most probably may be found all along the crest of the Western Ghats. I found it associating in small flocks, in bushy and jungly ground near rice fields. A nearly allied species M. Keloarti Blyth, occurs in Ceylon, with the lower parts, from the breast, mottled black and dull white. The three next species have the tail feathers successively more elongated. 701. Munia striata, Linnaeus. Loxia, apud Linnaeus — Blytii, Cat. 628 — Horsf., Cat. 779 — Fringilla leuconota, Temm. PI. Col. 500, f. 1 — Sykes, Cat. Ill — Jerdon, Cat, 173 — Shakari muniu, Beng. The Whitk-backed Munia. Descr. — Plumage above rich dark brown, deepest on the head, and the feathers white shafted ; rump white; tail almost black; beneath from chin to breast uniform deep blackish brown ; belly, flanks and vent white ; under tail-coverts and thigh-coverts brown. Bill bluish ; legs dark slaty ; irides brown. Length 4^ inches; wing 2-Oq ; tail If. The middle tail feathers exceed the outermost by nearly half an inch. This species is most abundant in the Malabar coast, where it is occasionally to be seen in vast flocks feeding in the rice fields. It also occurs sparingly in other parts of India, in the Northern Circars, in lower Bengal, Arrakan, and Ceylon ; but is replaced in the lower Himalayas, and throughout the Burmese province, by the next species. It is also stated to occur in Java. In Malabar it is a familiar bird, being constantly seen on the road side, about houses, and in stable yards ; and it builds in gardens and orchards, solitarily, making a large loosely constructed nest of grass, and laying four or five white eggs during the rains. 702. Munia acuticauda, Hodgson. As. Kes. XIX. 153 — Horsf., Cat, 778 — M. molucca, apud Blyth, Cat. 626 — Samprek-pho , Lepch. A amprek , Bhot. ESTRELDI N JK , 357 The Himalayan Munia. Descr. — Above deep brown, blackish on the forehead and sides of the face, all the feathers white shafted ; rump white ; upper tail-coverts black, tipped brown; tail deep black; throat and breast brown black, the throat almost black, the feathers of the breast pale-shafted, and with whitish edges (more or less) ; belly dull white, with narrow hastate marks of dusky brown ; under tail- coverts and thigh-coverts brown ; the lining of the wings buff. Bill and legs slaty blue; irides dark brown. Length 4^ inches; extent ; wing 2 ; tail If ; the medial tail feathers are much elongated, exceeding the outermost by § inch. This species, which differs chiefly from the last in the lower parts being lineolated, in place of pure white, is found, within our province, only in the Himalayas ; but extends into Assam, parts of Burmah and Malayana ; and is perhaps identical with the birds said to be from the Moluccas, named L. moluccu , Lin., and figured PI. Enl. 1 39 f. 2. In the Sikhim Himalayas it ascends to at least 5,000 feet, and is tolerably abundant near cultivated lands. Its nest is of the usual structure, large and loosely made of fine grass, and there are generally five or six white eggs. I found it far from rare on the Khasia Hills, whence it had not been previously sent, and it probably will be found all through the intervening country.' to Mergui (where Blyth obtained it), in suitable localities. The next species has the central tail feathers still more lengthen- ed, and Sykes made it the type of his genus Lonchura , but, as already seen, there is a regular gradation in this respect. 703. Munia Malabarica, Linnaeus. Loxia, apud Linnaeus — Blyth, Cat. 630 — Horsf., Cat. 776 — Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. 2nd ser. pi. 34 — Lox. bicolor, Tick ell, — Lonchura cheet, Sykes, Cat. 110 — Jerdon, Cat. 174 — Cliorya, H. in the North — Charcharci , in the N. W. P, — Piddari in Southern and Central India — Sar-munia , Beng. — Jinuwayi, Tel. 358 BIRDS OF INDIA. t The plain brown Munia. Descr. — Upper plumage pale earthy brown, slightly rufescent on the hea'l, and darker towards the forehead ; u ings and tail blackish ; the tertiaries slightly bordered with whitish at their truncated tips; upper tail-coverts -white, edged with black exter- nally ; cheeks and lower parts white, tinged with pale earthy brown on the flanks, which sometimes have some faint cross rays. Bill plumbeous; legs livid carneous ; irides deep brown. Length 5 inches; wing 2| ; tail 2. The central tail-feathers are much elongated, being f inch longer than the outermost pair. This plain coloured Munia is found throughout India, not entering the hills, nor extending to the countries towards the £3 7 O east, but very abundant in Sindh and the Punjab. It also occurs in Ceylon. It frequents bushy jungles, hedgerows, thickets near cultivation, and groves of trees, often entering gardens, and is to be met with, in the south and in Central India, near every village ; it is more rare in Malabar and other well- wooded dis- tricts, and generally so indeed in forest country. Like all the others it associates in small flocks, and feeds on grass seeds and grains. The nest is a large, loosely constructed fabric, of fine grass, with an opening at one side, which, says Theobald is “some- times prolonged into a short deflected neck, partially closed by the elasticity of the long spikes of grass forming it.” The eggs are numerous, small and white. Sykes took ten from one nest; Burgess never more than six ; I have usually found from five to eight. Theobald on one occasion took “ twenty-five in different stages of incubation from one nest, but he has satisfactorily accounted for this by showing that two pairs of birds” (if not more) “are frequently, if not usually, employed in the construction of one nest, and the two hens lay consecutively in it.” The same observer states that “sometimes the nest is a simple platform of grass, open at each end, l>ut the grass ends curved over to meet at the top. It is much to be doubted if the eggs found occa- sionally in October and December are often hatched.” With Mr. Blyth, I consider that the nest last described was not intended for incubation. Col. Sykes states that they “ frequently take ESTKELDINiE. 359 possession of deserted nests of tlie Weaver-bird ; and that the cry of this bird is “ cheet , cheet , cheet uttered simultaneously by flocks in flight.” “ This bird is very commonly tamed, and a pair,” says Buchanan Hamilton, “ always being kept in the same cage, each bird has a small cord fastened round its body, and the owner, holding one bird by the cord, throws up the other, which always returns and sits by its companion.” Besides the Asiatic species already referred to, there are several others from Malayana. M. maja, L., from Malacca and the isles; M. ferruginosa , Latham, from Java, both with white heads, but otherwise like M. rubronigra ; and M. leucogastrci, Blyth, from Malacca, is another species. Donacola , an Australian group, is very close to Mania in structure and mode of coloration. The well known Java sparrow, Oryzivora leucotis, Blyth, PI. Enl. 388, has the bill more lengthened than in Mania, but still very thick, and bright cherry red, thus lea' ling to the next group. So many birds of this species have escaped from cages at Madras, that, I am in- formed it is to be seen wild in the neighbourhood. The next birds have the bill more slender, and waxy red. Gen. Estrelda, Swainson, Char. — Bill much more slender than in Munia; the culmen less arched and flattened at the base, more compressed throughout, deep red color ; tail soft and graduated ; feet moderate. Of still smaller size, and more delicate conformation. In the form of their beak the Wax-bills, as Blyth calls them, deviate towards the Finches and Linnets, as the Munias do towards the Grosbeaks. There are two Indian species, one or two in Australia, and many in Africa. 704. Estrelda amandava, Linnaeus. Fringilla, apud Linnaeus — .Sykes, Cat. 105 — Jeudon, Cat. 175 — Blyth, Cat. 637 — Horse., Cat. 7o6 — Amaduvade Finch, Edwards, Birds, PI. 355, f. 1 — Lai (the male), Munia (the female,) H. — generally called Lai munia — Yorra jinuwayi, Tel. — A maduvad of Europeans. 360 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Red Wax-bill. Descr. — The male in full summer plumage is more or less crimson, darkest on the throat, breast, supercilia, cheeks, and upper tail coverts ; tail black, the outer feathers more or less white tipped ; wings brown ; a range of minute white feathers beneath the eye, and the wing, flanks and sides of breast, with numerous round white spots, and a few smaller specks on the back ; abdominal region infuscated ; lower tail-coverts black. Bill deep red, the upper mandible black above ; irides crimson ; feet fleshy. Length about 4 inches; wing If ; tail If. The female is olive-brown above, with the lores blackish, bounded by a whitish semi-circle below the eye ; a few white specks occasionally on the back ; rump and upper tail-coverts tinged with crimson ; beneath paler brown, the abdomen strongly tinged with fulvous yellow ; the lower tail-coverts dull white. The young is brown above, paler beneath, whitish on the throat and belly, tail blackish, and a few small white specks on the wings. After breeding the males assume, by moulting, a plumage similar to that of the female. The Amaduvad ( par excellence ) is found throughout all India, more rare in the South, abundant in the North. In the south of India, I have seen it tolerably frequent on the lower hills of the Neilgherries, in Mysore, here and there throughout the Carnatic, but rare in the Deccan and the bare table-land generally. It is more common in Central India, and abundant in Oudh and in Lower Bengal, extending into the lower ranges of the Himalayas, as well as to Assam and Burmah. It frequents bushy ground, gardens, and especially sugar-cane fields, and long grass, associating in large flocks, except towards the end of the rains, at which season it breeds. The nest is large, made of grass, and placed in a thick bush, or occasionally in long grass or reeds, and the eggs, six to eight in number, are very small, round, and white. This species moults twice a year, the male after breeding assuming the plumage of the female. Large numbers are taken in many parts of the country and caged. The male has a pleasant little song, and it is also said to fight with much spirit, for which purpose it is kept by the natives. The ESTRELDINA3. 361 popular name of Amaduvad was originally applied to this species, and Mr. Blyth has shown that this word took its origin from the city of Ahmedabad, whence it used to be imported into Europe in numbers. A nearly allied species, E. punicea, Horsfield, inhabits Java and other Malayan isles. 705. Estrelda formosa, Latham. Fringilla, apud Latham— Bltth, Cat. 638— Havre lal, H., or Havre munia — i. e., the green Munia. The Green Wax-Bill. Descr. — Above light olive-green, quills and tail dusky, the former edged with green ; beneath very pale yellow, somewhat darker on the lower belly and under tail-coverts, and with broad transverse dashes of dusky on the flanks and sides of the abdomen. Bill waxy red; feet plumbeous brown; irides pale brown. Length barely 4 inches; wing If ; tail If. This very pretty little bird is chiefly found in Central India. I have seen it in the jungles north of Nagpore, on the high land near Seonee, on the Pachmarri range of hills, rather abundant, and on the Vindhian range of hills near Mliow. It has also been found at Omerkantak, near the source of the Nerbudda, and in other parts of Central India, and I am told that it occurs in Oudh, and other parts of Northern India, in the Pindooa Dhoon according to Col. Tytler. It is occasionally caught and caged at Kamptee, Saugor, and Mhow. It associates in tolerably large flocks, with a low chirping note, and keeps much to the woods. Blyth indicates, from a drawing, a plain colored species from Assam. This group is greatly developed in Africa. Among the Eastern species especially deserving notice here, is the very beautiful Erythntrajwasina, hom Sumatra and Java, with three or four allied species from the oceanic region ; and there are one or two similarly colored Australian species, viz. Poeplnla Gouldice , and another, which resemble Parrots in the gaudiness of their plumage. The remaining sub-families want the minute first primary of the two preceding groups. 2 z 362 BIRDS OF INDIA. Sub-fam. Passerine, Sparrows. Bill stout and strong, somewhat tumid, slightly compressed towards the tip ; the culmen broad, convex ; commissure straight ; wings moderate, the first three primaries about equal, the fourth nearly as long ; tail moderate, nearly square, or very slightly forked; tarsus moderate; feet formed both for hopping on the ground and perching ; lateral toes about equal. The sparrrows comprise a small group only found in the Old World, none occurring in America nor in Australia, and only one species is known in Malay ana. They are social in their habits, and many species evince a marked predilection for the neighbourhood of man, even living in the midst of crowded cities. They breed either in suitable spots and nooks in buildings, or in holes of trees, and occasionally on trees. Their nests are a large loose mass of grass, or any soft material, usually copiously lined with feathers ; and their eggs are white, speckled with dusky or olive brown. They chiefly live on grain, but will also eat insects, and many feed their young chiefly on the latter food. Their plumage is plain, usually more or less chesnut brown above, and the sexes differ in some species, but not in others. Gen. Passer, Brisson. Syn. Pi/rgita , Cuv. and Swainson. Char. — Those of the family, of which it is the only genus. There are several types of form and colour among the Sparrows, but none so well marked as to constitute a distinct genus. Two species are found throughout the greater part of India, one affecting the neighbourhood of man, the other chiefly confined to open forests, or well wooded districts ; and there are a few other species with a limited geographical distribution in India. 706. Passer indicus, Jaed. and Selby. 111. Orn., pi. 118— Blyth, Cat. 642— Horsf., Cat. 761— P. domesticus, apud Sykes, Cat. 112 — and Jerdon, Cat. 176— Gouriya , H. in the North — Chari and Klias churi , H. in the South —Charia or Chata, Beng. — Uri-pickike, Tel. — Adiki lam Jcuravi, Tam. PASSERINE. 363 The Indian House Sparrow. Descr. — Male, head above and nape dark grey ; a deep chesnut patch behind the eye, widening on the nape ; wing-coverts, scapulars, and mantle, dark chesnut, the scapulars and back with brown stripes or dashes ; a white band on the tip of the lesser coverts ; quills dusky, with their outer edges rufous, more broad on the secondaries, and tipped pale ; rump and upper tail-coverts ashy brown ; tail dusky, light-edged ; lores, round the eyes, and base of the bill, black ; chin, throat, and breast, black ; ear-coverts and sides of the neck white ; lower parts whitish, ashy on the sides of the breast and flanks. Bill horny brown ; irides light brown ; legs dusky. Length to 6 inches ; extent 9 ; wing 3 ; tail 2\. The female is light brown above, back and scapulars edged with pale rufous ; a pale eye-streak, and the lower parts sullied white ; slightly smaller than the male. The common Sparrow of India differs very little from that of Europe, but most systematists agree in placing it as distinct. It chiefly differs from P. domesticus in the greater purity of its colours and in the female being somewhat paler. It is somewhat smaller too than its European congener, the black of the breast in the male is more extended laterally, and the cheeks and sides of the neck are purer white, as are the lower parts generally, these being distinctly ashy in the European bird. This Sparrow is generally diffused over all India, from the extreme south and Ceylon, to the foot of the Himalayas, and eastwards to Assam, Arrakan, and Upper Pegu, and also to Siam, according to Crawford. It is less abundant on the Malabar Coast, and, generally, in the very rainy districts, and Quilon is said to be exempt from its society, as well as that of the common striped squirrel ( Sciuvus palmarum ), two of the greatest pests of most other stations. It is not found at Darjeeling, but it occurs on the N. W. Himalayas up to a moderate height. Out of India we have no accurate record of its distribution, but it is said to occur in Afghanistan. The Sparrow builds in thatched roofs, under the eaves of houses, and in similar concealed nooks and cavities, making a nest quite 364 BIRDS OF INDIA. like that of the English bird, and the eggs also are very similar, and much varied in their markings. In various parts of India, and in Ceylon, the natives hang up earthern vessels on trees, and in verandahs, for this bird to build in, which it does very readily. The note of this sparrow is quite like that of the European one, and, as it familiarly enters rooms (where, indeed, if allowed, it often breeds on the cornices of ceilings), it is quite a nuisance in many parts of the country, especially during the hot weather. I have frequently seen it chase and capture moths in a room. 707. Passer salicicolus, Vieillot. Fringilla, apud V ieillot. — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 185, f. 1 — Blytii, Cat. 644 — Horsf., Cat. 764 — Fringilla hispaniolensis, Temm. The Willow Sparrow. Descr. — Male, head and back of neck dark chesnut, the feathers edged paler ; the mantle blackish, with creamy-white edgings to the feathers ; rump and upper tail-coverts pale brown ; shoulder of wing chesnut, with white borders to the lesser coverts ; the 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 edging ; lores, cheeks, and a narrow supereilium, white, passing into ashy brown on the ear-coverts ; beneath, the chin, throat and breast, black, some of the feathers edged whitish ; rest of the lower parts sullied white, the flanks and under tail-coverts with dusky longitudinal streaks. Length 5f inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2. The female resembles that of the common Sparrow, but the striation of the dorsal feathers is less strongly marked. This Sparrow very closely resembles the last, chiefly differing in the back of the male more resembling that of the female of the common Sparrow, and in the black of the breast being less defined, and passing into dashes on the flanks. It has only occurred, within our limits, at Peshawar and Shikarpore ; but it appears to be common further west, in Afghanistan. Out of India PASSERINE. 365 it is common in the north of Africa, spreading to the south of Europe and Western Asia. It is said to he common at Kandahar, and to build both in houses and on trees. 708. Passer cinnamomeus, Gould. Pyrgita, apud Gould, P. Z. S. 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 645— Horsf., Cat. 762. The Cinnamon-headed Sparrow. JDescr. — Male, with the whole upper plumage, including the shoulder and fore part of the wings, bright cinnamon rufous, marked on the middle of the back with black streaks ; a small white bar on the wing, formed by the tips of the lesser coverts ; wings dusky, the feathers edged and tipped with pale brown ; primaries pale brown at their base on the outer webs ; plumage beneath, and cheeks, yellowish, with a tinge of grey, albescent towards the vent and under tail-coverts ; chin and throat with a narrow central black patch. The female is light brown above, with a pale supercilium, wants the black throat band, and is dingy brown beneath. Length Oj inches ; wing 2| ; tail barely 2. This Sparrow is found chiefly in the N. W. Himalayas, but also occurs in Nepal, and even in Bootan, according to Horsfield. I never procured it in Sikhim, nor has Mr. Blyth seen specimens from Darjeeling or Nepal. Hutton says that it breeds at Mus- sooree, and that he suspected it to build in sheds, though he did not actually observe it to do so. It is chiefly a jungle bird, perhaps, and Adams records that it is common in Cashmere, and is seen in flocks, in wooded copses, and round hamlets. Its chirp is stated by Hutton to resemble that of the common Sparrow. 709. Passer pyrrhonotus, Blyth. J. A. S. XIII. 946— Blyth, Cat. 643. The Bufous-backed Sparrow. Descr. — Male above, head and ear-coverts grey, with a chcsnut stripe from the eye to the nape ; the rest of the plumage maronnc, 366 BIRDS OF INDIA. the feathers of the back centered dark ; wings and tail dusky, the feathers pale edged ; beneath sullied brownish-white ; throat black. Length 5 inches ; wing 2§ ; tail 2. This Sparrow differs from P. indicus by its smaller size ; the rump feathers are dull maronne instead of greyish brown ; and the black of the throat does not descend over the fore-neck and breast. The beak and feet too are conspicuously smaller. It has only been procured at Bahawulpore, in Sindh, and nothing is known of its habits. It appears much to resemble P. rutilans of Japan. The female is at present unknown. The next Sparrow is remarkable for both sexes being clad alike, in a plumage similar to that of the males of the previous species. 710. Passer montanus, Linn^us. Fringilla, apud Linnueus — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 184 f. 2— Blyth, Cat,— 647 — Hoesf., Cat. 763. The Mountain Sparrow. Descr. — Head above and nape vinous chesnut; the shoulders of the wings rich chesnut ; the back and wings rusty chesnut, with black streaks ; rump and upper tail-coverts unstriped yellowish- brown ; the quills dusky, edged with rufous, and with the outer webs, near their base, entirely so ; two whitish bars on the wings formed by the tips of the coverts ; tail dusky, narrowly edged with rufous ; the lores, a stripe below the eye, and the posterior edge of the ear-coverts, black, as are the chin and throat ; the anterior parts of the ear-coverts, and the sides of the neck extending towards the nape, white ; beneath pale ashy, albescent on the lower abdomen and under tail-coverts, and tinged with fulvous brown on the breast, flanks, and thigh- coverts. Sexes alike. Length about 5 inches ; wing 2f ; tail 2. The Mountain Sparrow is found, in India, only on the Himalayas, thence extending to the South-east throughout the hill ranges of Assam ; and finally in Burmah, from Iiamree in Arrakan and PASSERINE. 307 Upper Pegu, southwards to Singapore and Java, frequenting the plains, as well as the hills, and, in many places, it is the only species of Sparrow found.'* It is also common in China, Afghanistan, and other parts of Asia, in the North of Africa, and all through Europe, being found in Britain, and as far north as Lapland and Siberia. Where it occurs in India, Burmah, in China, and most other Eastern countries, it replaces the common Sparrow, building about the roofs of verandahs and houses, and being quite as familiar as its better known representative, and, indeed, in Eastern Europe, it appears to have the same habits. I have seen it at Darjeeling, where it is the only Sparrow ; at Thyet-myo, where it occurs along with P. indicus and P. fiaveolus ; and in Rangoon and Moulmein. Its voice is less harsh than that of the common Sparrow, and it is not nearly so noisy nor so troublesome as that bird. Lesson, in Belanger’s Voyage aux Indes Orientales, records a Sparrow from Southern India, said to inhabit the Coromandel Coast, and to be common in tbe neighbourhood of Pondicherry. I have never been able to procure it, nor do specimens exist in any of our Museums. Mr. Blyth suspects that it may be P. italicus ; if so its locality is probably incorrectly given, but “more probably it refers to the common Indian Sparrow badly described.” I give a brief description of it in case it should be recognised hereafter. Passer pyrreopterus, Fringilla , apud Lesson. Size of the common Sparrow. — Head and neck spotless rufous brown; the mantle bright rufous, with black central streaks to the feathers ; shoulder deep maronne, bordered by a small oblique white line; the middle wing-coverts black, edged with rufous and maronne, and the rest of the wing pale ashy externally, and brownish on the inner barbs of the feathers ; under parts rufous grey ; the throat reddish grey, with a black patch commencing on the lower part of the neck; bill and tarsi yellowish. Female grey brown, above silky brown with central streaks to the feathers ; below of a blonde- grey throughout; wings ash grey, with a white ray on the shoulder, but no maronne.” * Blyth noticed that Burmese examples were more rufous above, 'and whiter beneath than birds from Sikim, which are identical with British specimens. 368 BIRDS OF INDIA. P. flaveolus, Blyth, I found common at Thyet-myo , in Upper Pegu, usually building on thorny trees, but occasionally in verandahs. P. jugiferus, Temm., from the Philippines, is recorded by Bonaparte. The only other Sparrows of Europe and Asia not previously alluded to are P. italicus, Degland (cisalpinus, Temm.), of S. Europe and North Africa ; and P . jagoensis, Gould, from the Cape de Verde Islands. There are several others from Africa. The next species has been classed as a Ploceus by Sykes, and Hodgson makes it the type of his genus Gymnoris , but it scarcely differs, except in its mode of coloration, from some of the preceding Sparrows. 711. Passer flavicollis, Franklin. Fringilla, apud Franklin — Blyth, Cat. 649 — Horsf., Cat. 759 — Jerdon, Cat. 177 — Sykes, Cat 107 — Raji, H., vulgo Jangli churi — Adavi pick ike, also Konde pichike, and Cheruku pichike, Tel. The Yellow-necked Sparrow. l)escr. — Above ashy brown, beneath dirty or brownish white, more albescent on the vent and under tail-coverts, and white on the chin ; a yellow spot on the middle of the throat ; shoulders and lesser-coverts chesnut ; wings with some white marks on the tertiaries, and two white bands formed by the tips of the coverts. The female merely differs in the yellow neck-spot, and the ches- nut on the wings, being paler than in the male. Bill black ; irides brown ; legs cinereous brown. Length 51- inches ; extent 10 ; wing 3yL ; tail 2 ; tarsus T70. The yellow-necked Sparrow is found over the greater part of India, but does not appear to occur in Lower Bengal, nor in the countries to the eastward ; and it does not ascend the Himalayas to any height. It has not yet been observed in Ceylon. It frequents thin forest jungle ; also groves of trees, avenues, and gardens, in the better wooded parts of the country. It lives in small parties, occasionally, during the cold weather, congregating in very large flocks ; feeds on various seeds, grains, and flower-buds, and has much the same manners and habits as the common house-sparrow. It has also a very similar note. It breeds in holes in trees, and in some parts of the country, in the EMBERIZIN^E. 369 roofs of houses, in the hollow bamboos of the roof, and, occasion- ally, in pots hung out for the purpose. The eggs are three or four, greenish white, much streaked and blotched with purplish brown. Two allied species are P. petronius , Linn, of S. Europe and Afghanistan, which may occur in the extreme N. W. of India ; and P. superciliaris , A. Hay, from Africa, both of which have the yellow throat spot. Sub-fam. EmberiziN2E, Buntings. Bill with the upper mandible typically smaller and more com- pressed than the lower, which is broader, equal in a few ; a palatal protuberance in many ; commissure usually sinuate ; tail moderate, even or emarginate. The Buntings form a considerable group of birds found in all parts of the world, except in Australia, more abundant in temper- ate than in tropical climes. Some have unequal mandibles, the upper one small, and furnished internally with a palatal knob or protuberance ; whilst others have the mandibles nearly equal, and no trace of the palatal knob. The ridge of the upper mandible is usually straight, or nearly so, and the margins of both are more or less inflected. The legs are of moderate length, and the claws slender. They are not remarkable for beauty of plumage or rich colours ; several have more or less yellow, and the head is often marked with supercilia or medial coronal stripes. A few are crested; and, in general, the males are brighter coloured than the females. They do not appear, as a rule, to have a vernal moult, but, in winter, the colours of some are less pure, having pale edges, which wear off towards summer ; and a few do put on a richer plumage in spring. They are more or less terrestrial in their habits, and build their nests in low bushes, or in tufts of grass. These are neat, cup-shaped, and the eggs are marked with spots and irregular streaks or dashes. The young are said to be fed chiefly on insects. Some species, in winter, collect in huge flocks and migrate. They have little or no song in general, and are less noisy than many other Fringillidce. They form, with two exceptions, a very inconspicuous part of the Indian Fauna, none of them being permanent residents. Three or four are winter 3 A 370 BIRDS OF INDIA. visitants to the plains ; and the remainder are almost confined to the Himalayas and adjacent districts, one or two species only occurring in Assam, Burmah, and the countries to the East, and none aparently visiting the Malayan isles. They have been sub- divided into several groups, which however are not very strongly characterized, except in the case of certain American Buntings. They approximate some of the Fringillince ; and the Snow Huntings, by their long hind claw, approach the Larks ; but these are by Blyth referred to the Fringillince. The Indian Buntings may be referred to three groups : the true Buntings ; the yellow Corn- Buntings, or Gundams of India; and the crested Buntings. 1st. True Buntings. Gen. Emberiza. Bill of varied strength, and the mandibles more or less unequal, usually somewhat lengthened ; wings moderate or rather long, with the 1st quill a little shorter than the second and third, which are longest ; tail of moderate length ; the outermost feathers more or less marked with white. The first on the list are the most typical Buntings, to which the yellow ammer of England belongs. They are the restricted Emberiza of some. 712. Emberiza pithyornis, Pallas. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 180 — Horse., Cat. 728 — E. albida, Blyth, J. A. S. XVIII., and Cat. 705 — E. leucocephala and E. dalmatica, Gmelix. The white-crowned Bunting. Dcscr. — Top of the head white in the male, greyish in the female; upper parts rufeseent brown, with central dark-brown streaks* nearly wanting on the back of the neck ; rump and upper tail-coverts cinnamon-rufous, edged with pale brownish ; wings and tail dusky brown, edged yellowish, and the two outer tail-feathers with a patch of white on the inner web, largest on the outer feathers ; beneath, the chin, throat, and a moustachial line, are dark rufous with pale edgings, and there is a triangular patch of white on the middle of the throat ; ear-coverts pale brown ; breast and sides EMBERIZIN2E. 371 of abdomen rufous, with pale edgings, and the middle of abdomen, of vent, and the lower tail-coverts white wdtlr a few streaks. Length 6 to 6^- inches ; wing 3J ; tail 3 ; tarsus f. I his is a typical Bunting, very like E. citrinella, but the yellow replaced by white. It has been only found, in India, in the N. W. Himalayas. Hutton found it on the Tyne range, beyond Simla, and Dr. Adams in the same locality ; and it has also been procured near Peshawur. It is a native of Siberia and Northern Asia, in summer, occasionally straggling into Eastern Europe. The next birds have the bill weaker, with the mandibles less unequal, and the palatal knob smaller. They constitute Kaup’s genus Cia. 713. Emfeeraa cia, Linnaeus. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi 179 — Blyth, Oat 719 — IXorsf., Cat. 729. The White-browed Bunting. Descr. — Above rufescent brown with black central streaks, brighter on the rump and tail-coverts, which are unstreaked ; crown black, with a pale median line, and a broad white supercilium ; a black line through the eye round the pale ear-coverts, meeting another, from the base of the lower mandible ; cheeks and chin greyish white, passing into pale ash grey in the neck, throat, and breast, with obsolete dusky spots on the front of the neck ; the rest beneath ruddy brown ; wings dusky, edged rufescent ; the two outer tail-feathers chiefly white. Bill dusky plumbeous ; legs light fleshy yellow. Length 6f to 7 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 3Jr ; tarsus f . The female has the head and lower parts more weakly and dully colored than in the male ; the crown and breast are more or less streaked and spotted with dusky ; and, in some, there is scarcely a trace of grey on the crown. In winter the colors are less pure ; with somewhat rufous edgings to the coronal feathers, and a tinge of the same on the grey neck. This well known European Bunting has been killed near Simla, and appears not very rare in the N. W. Himalayas. It extends 372 BIRDS or INDIA. throughout most of Western and Northern Asia. It is said to nestle in low hushes, and the eggs are whitish, with delicate black lines. 714. Emberisa Efcracheyi, Moore. P. Z. S. 1855, pi. 112 — Horsf., Cat. 730 — Blyth, Cat. p. 337. The White-necked Bunting. Descr. — Allied to E. cia ; differs in having the markings about the head more broadly developed, and of a deeper black colour, and forming three well defined black bars, as seen laterally in the throat and sides of the neck being whiter, and ashy on the front of the neck only ; the breast, and the rest of the under parts being uniform bright rufous-brown, which colour is also prominent on the back, and especially on the scapulars, rump, and upper tail- coverts. Length about 6 inches ; wing ; tail 3 ; tarsus f. This species has been killed in Kumaon. The chief differences from cia, are the whiter chin and throat. Emberiza cioides, Tcmm,, is recorded by Adams to be common in the lower ranges of the N. W. Himalayas. It is said to differ from E. cia , by the shorter wing and more distinct markings. Adams’ Bird, is probably the same as the last bird ; but Temminck’s species was originally described from Japan, is said to occur in China, and may also be found in the Himalayas. The next group is that of the European Ortolan, and some nearly allined species of Northern India, and probably of Central Asia, which differ by a peculiar mode of coloration, and, in their structure, approach the African group named Fringiiiaria. They are the Ghjcgspiza, of Kaup. There is considerable confusion about the first two species, and I shall follow Horsfield’s nomen- clature here, as there are not sufficient materials at my disposal for a thorough examination of these birds. 715. Emberiza hortulana, Linnaeus. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 17G — Blyth, Cat. 715 — Horsf., Cat. 734 — E. Buchanani, Blyth, J. A. S. XIII. 957 (not XVI, 780) — Jamjohara , Hind. EMBERIZINiE. 373 The Ortolan Bunting. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, grey, with a green cast ; a pale yellow streak from the base of lower mandible, and a broad central stripe of the same colour down the chin and throat ; upper parts rufescent brown, with dark central streaks ; wings and tail dingy brown, pale edged ; the outer tail-feathers with a large patch of white on the inner web ; beneath, from the breast, ferruginous, paling posteriorly. Bill reddish ; feet fleshy yellow. Length 5f to 6 inches ; wing 3| ; tail 2i The Ortolan of Europe, considered by ITorsfield identical with Blyth’s species, formerly named by him E. Buchanani , is recorded to have been occasionally found in Western India. It is well known in the south of Europe, where they are caught in great numbers, fattened for the table, and considered a great delicacy. In India the social lark ( calanclrella brachydactylci ) and the Byrrhulauda grisea are popularly called Ortolans. The next bird has the bill somewhat stouter and larger. 71G. Emberiza Huttoni, Blyte. J. A. S., XVIII., 811 — Horsf., Cat. 735 — E. Buchanani, Blytii, J. A. S., XVI., 780. The Grey-necked Bunting. Descr. — -Nearly allied to E. hortulana , but differing in colour, having the head, neck, throat, and interscapularies, greyish, without marks, but a few traces of striation on the lower part of the back ; orbital feathers whitish ; scapularies, forepart of wing, and margins of the coverts and tertiaries of the same pale rufous buff as the entire lower parts, from the breast inclusive, which is similar to that of the abdominal region, only, of E. hortulana. Bill reddish ; feet pale fleshy brown. Length 6 inches ; wing 3 1 ; tail 3 ; tarsus f. From the N. W. Himalayas; found in winter in flocks near shingly and stony hills. Hutton found it at Candahar in summer. It does not appear certain whether this, or the preceding species, is Sykes’ E. hortulana. Cat. 102 ; no specimen of which appears to exist in the Museum E. I. C. H., but it was most probably this 374 BIRDS OF INDIA. species, or perhaps E. fucata. Mr. Blyth states that I sent a speci- men of the present bird to him as my No. 181, Avhich I must have confounded with that species. If this was the case, it makes it more probable that the present was Sykes’ Ortolan, and in this case it is probably a rare straggler into Western India. In the next three the bill is still smaller and more compressed. 717. Emberiza spodocephaia, Pallas. E. melanops, Blyth, J. A. S. XIV. 554, and Cat. 716 — E. chlorocephala of Nepal, J. A. S. XV. 39 — E. personata, Temm, P. C. 580 ? The Black-faced Bunting. Descr. — Head, neck, and breast, dull green, faintly streaked with dusky on the crown ; lores, chin, and feathers at the base of the lower mandible, black ; belly and lower tail-coverts sulphur yellow ; flanks greenish, with dusky streaks ; scapulars and interscapulars greenish rufescent, black streaked ; wings blackish, edged rufescent ; rump plain rufescent-greenish ; tail dusky, outer feathers, with the ter- minal two-thirds white, also about a third of the inner web of the next one. Bill dusky, lower mandible whitish ; legs pale. Length 6 inches ; wing 2§ ; tail 2§; bill at front yL ; tarsus f. This Bunting has been found rarely in Nepal, and extending through the hill ranges of Assam and Sylhet into Tipperah. It appears to correspond better to the description of Pallas’ spodo- cephaia than to personata , which has the whole under parts yellow, but they are perhaps the same bird. The former is said to be an inhabitant of Northern Asia, the latter of Japan, and Swinhoe says that E. personata is the commonest winter Bunting in China. 718. Emberiza Stewarti, Blyth. J. A. S. XXIII. 215 — E. caniceps, Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. VI., pi. 16 — TIorsf., Cat. 736. • The White-capped Bunting. Descr. — Male, crown greyish-white ; lores, a broad line passing over the eye to the nape, and the throat, black ; cheeks and ear-coverts white ; back, scapularies, rump, and upper tail-coverts, EMB L B I Z INJE . 375 deep reddish-chesnut ; wing-coverts dark brown, edged with buffy brown ; wings brown, narrowly edged with greyish white ; the central tail feathers blackish brown ; the two outer on each side blackish brown at the base, and white for the remainder of their length, with the exception of the outer web, which is brown ; the whole under surface creamy white, crossed on the chest by abroad band of lively chesnut red. Bill and feet fleshy brown. Length 6 inches ; wing 3|- ; tail 2f ; tarsus fA. The female has -the whole upper surface, wings, and tail, pale olive-brown, with a streak of dark brown down the centre of each feather ; a slight tinge of rufous on the upper tail-coverts ; under surface pale buffy brown, streaked with dark brown. This Bunting is said by Adams to be common in Cashmere in fields, near the mountains, with the habits of the yellow Bunting. It was also found by Dr. Boyle in the N. W. Himalayas, and in the Salt range of the Punjab by Stewart. 719. Emberiza fucata, Pallas. Pallas, Zoog. Boss. As. pi. 46 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 178 — Blytii, Cat. 717 — Horsf., Cat. 741 — E. lesbia, apud Temminck— E. cia, apud Jebdon, Cat. 181 — Putthur-chirta , H. The Gbey-headed Bunting. Descr. — Above, head and neck darkish grey, with some darker mesial streaks ; scapulars, back, and rump, deep rufous or rufescent brown, also streaked with black, except on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; ear-coverts deep rufous ; a whitish supercilium ; wings and tail dark brown, broadly edged with reddish fawn colour ; and the outer feathers of the tail partly white on their inner webs ; throat, foreneck, and breast, greyish white; a narrow black streak from each corner of the gape, widening as it descends, and forming a gorget with the opposite one ; below this white ; then an interrupt- ed pectoral band of rufous ; and the belly whitish, tinged with rufous on the flanks, and sides of vent. Bill dusky reddish ; feet dirty yellow ; irides dark brown. Length 6^- inches ; wing 3£ ; extent 10 ; tail 24 ; tarsus ; bill at front barely T\j. 376 BIRDS OF INDIA. In some specimens the pectoral band is more or less imperfect, consisting chiefly of spots, and the sides of the abdomen are streaked with brown. In the cold weather the majority of birds want the mesial streaks to the feathers of the back, the black lines from the gape, and the black pectoral band ; and the lower parts are uniformly whitish-cinereous, tinged with rufous on the throat and breast, and passing into reddish-white or fulvous posteriorly. The ashy of the head and neck, too, has a fulvous tinge. The female is said by Blyth to want the cinnamon-colored band, and the colours to be generally duller. This Bunting appears to be spread sparingly through Northern and Central India, in the cold weather. It has been found in Bengal, near Calcutta occasionally, in some seasons occurring rather plentifully; also in Nepal, and the Dehra Dhoon; and not uncommon about Simla and iMussooree. I have seen it at Jalna in the Deccan, at Mhow and Saugor, and also near Nagpore. In most of these cases it was frequenting rocky and bushy hills in small parties ; and I occasionally saw it in the fields, near hedges and trees. Its Hindustani name, which means stone-grazer, is given from being seen so much about rocks and stones ; and I see that Buch. Hamilton applies the same name to another Bunting. Out of India it appears to be an inhabitant of Central Asia, visiting the south of Europe occasionally, and common in Greece and the Crimea. Swinhoe records it as frequenting standing cornfields in China. The next bird, the last of our true Buntings, differs somewhat from the others, and lias received distinct generic rank from Hodgson. It has the bill very acute and perfectly conic, culmen and gonys being equally straight, and there is no palatal knob. It somewhat resembles Emb. schceniclus , of Europe, the type of Cynchramus , Ivaup. 720. Emberiza pusilla, Pallas. Zool. Ross. Asiat. 2, pi. 47* f. 1. — E. sordida, Hodgs., J. A. S. XIII. p. 958. — Ocyris oinopus, Hodgson. — Blyth, Cat. 718 — Horsp., Cat. 742. EMBERIZIN2E. 377 The Dwarf Bunting. Descr. — Male, above streaked with black, rufous, and grey- brown, most rufous on the back and scapulars, supercilium pale rufescent, with a broad black line above ; ears, and spot on the nape, rufous ; wings dusky, edged with ruddy olive; tail dusky, with a broad oblique white line on the outer feathers, and a narrower one on the penultimate ; beneath, whitish, with a dusky throat-band, dusky streaks on the breast and flanks, and two dusky lines on the chin, which meet the throat-band. Bill horny ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides brown. Length inches ; wing 2§ ; tail 2^ ; bill at front § ; tarsus f. The female is dull olive greenish, with a rufous tinge; wing-coverts tipped whitish ; beneath whitish-yellow, sullied on the breast, and streaked on the flanks and sides of the foreneck. This small Bunting is found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas, during the winter. I procured it at Darjeeling; Hodgson in Nepal ; and Adams in the N. W. It frequents bare spots of ground with low bushes, in small flocks. Adams says that it has the habits of a Bedpole. Quite recently I shot one near Kolassee, in the Purneah district, frequenting grass and bushes near a small river, and, as it is not a bird likely to be remarked, it will probably be found in similar places throughout the plains in the North of India, during the cold weather. It is an inhabitant, in summer, of Northern and Central Asia, and has been killed in Europe. Swinhoe saw it in occasional flocks in China, during winter. 2nd. — -Y ellow Corn-buntings. Gen. Euspiza, Bonap. Char.— Bill strong, sub-conic, with the mandibles about equal, and scarcely a trace of a palatal knob ; wings and tail rather long, firm. These Buntings visit various parts of India in large flocks, during the winter, and are very destructive to the crops of grain. The two most typical species have no white on the outer tail- feathers. 3 E 378 BIRDS OF INDIA. 721. Euspiza. melanocephala, Gmelin. Emberiza, apud Gmelin — Sykes, Cat. 101 — Jerdon, Cat, 179 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 172 — E. simillima, Blyth, J. A. S. XVIII. 811 — Blyth, Cat. 708 and 709 — Horsf., Cat. 737 — Gandam , H. The Black-headed Bunting. Descr. — Whole head, including the ear-coverts, black, the feathers generally (i. e. in winter) edged light brown, this dis- appearing towards spring ; back and scapulars rich chesnut, passing to yellowish on the rump and upper tail-covert, the feathers being edged with bright yellow ; wings and tail brown, with pale edgings to all the feathers; beneath, from the chin to the vent, bright yellow, passing behind the ear-coverts to the nape ; the side of breast chesnut, continuous with the color of the back. Length 74 to 8 inches ; wing oTfto to 4 ; tail 3 ; bill at front ytj ; tarsus -j9^. The black-headed Bunting is found in India, only in the North-western Provinces, most abundant in the Deccan, and thence extending to the Upper Provinces of Hindustan. It makes its appearance in the Deccan usually about the end of November ; is found in immense flocks, and is very destructive to the crops of Jowaree, and other grains. It leaves early in March, and certainly does not breed in any part of India. It is a well known bird in Asia Minor, and the South-east of Europe, and is occasionally killed in France and Germany. Tristram states that it breeds in Corfu, frequenting brushwood on hill sides, and has an agreeable song. Drummond remarks that it builds often in the stump of an old vine, and that, in Crete, they seem to be confined to certain localities where they breed. Blyth was misled by a small specimen to separate it from the European species, and Horsfield has followed Blyth in making it distinct. This latter naturalist now admits its identity with the European bird. 722. Euspiza luteola, Sparkman. Blyth, Cat. 710— Horsf., Cat. 738— E. icterica, Evers- Gen. Bir ds, pi. 91 — E. brunniceps, Brandt — E. EMBERIZUSL&. 379 personata, apud Blyth (olim)~ Gandam, H. in Central India. — Dalchidi, Sindh — Pacha jinuwayi , Tel. The Red-headed Bunting. Descr. — The whole head, neck, and breast, rich chesnut; back and scapulars yellowish or greenish-yellow, with dark brown striae ; rump and upper tail-coverts deep yellow, faintly streaked ; quills and tail brown, the coverts and secondaries broadly edged with pale whity-brown ; quills and rectrices narrowly edged with the same; beneath, from the breast, including the sides of the neck, rich yellow. Bill pale fleshy yellow ; legs brown ; irides brown. Length nearly 7 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail barely 3. The young, and perhaps the females also, want the rich chesnut head and breast of the adult male ; the general colour is brownish above, fulvous beneath, passing to yellowish on the rump, and on both upper and lower tail-coverts. The Red-headed Bunting is found in various parts of India, but locally distributed. Beginning from the South, I have seen it rarely in Coimbatore, in Mysore, Cuddapah, and the edges of the Eastern Ghats. Mr. Elliot obtained it abundant at Dharwar ; I saw it near Nagpore, and tolerably abundant at Mhow and Saugor ; but I never obtained it, nor saw it, that I am aware of, among the thousands of E. melanocephala , that yearly visit the corn-fields about Jalna. Mr. Blyth has obtained it from Central India, and from the Upper Provinces, and it occurs also in Scinde and the Punjab, during the harvest season, but never in the Himalayas. Out of India it has been found in Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia, but not in Western Asia, nor in Europe. Like the last, it is only a cold weather visitant to India, but does not, in general, appear in the vast numbers that E. melanocephala does in the Deccan ; yet I have observed considerable flocks near Saugor, and seen them netted there. This Bunting prefers cultivated land, with bush jungle near, to which it can retreat during the middle of the day, and it is also frequently seen about hedges. It appears to breed in Afghanistan, for Hutton says — It arrives at Candahar the beginning of April, and departs in autumn. Adams states that it has a sweet and melodious song. 380 BIRDS OF INDIA. The next species differs from the type of the preceding two by having the outer tail-feathers marked conspicuously with white, and perhaps might be ranked with the true Buntings ; but, in its mode of coloration, and its more extensive migrations, as well as in the strong beak, it resembles the last two, which it thus appears to represent in Eastern India. Horsfield and Bonaparte both class it in Euspiza ; Cabanis separates it as Hypocentor. 723. Euspiza aureola, Pallas. Emberiza, apud Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. pi. 50 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 174 — Blytii, Cat. 711 — E. flavogularis, McLelland, P. Z. S. 1839 — Blytii, Cat, 712, the female — Passerina collaris, Vieillot. The Brown-headed Bunting. Descr. — In winter plumage, above dark maronne -brown, blackish on the head and interscapulars ; the feathers edged lighter on the back, rump, wings, and tail ; ear-coverts mixed yellow and grey ; eyebrow, chin, throat, breast, and belly yellow ; primaries, and tail, dark brown ; a large white spot on the lesser wing-coverts, and a white edging to the lower wing-coverts ; the two outer tail- feathers, with a wide oblique patch of white, occupying the greater part of feathers ; the next with a narrow patch on the inner web close to the shaft. In summer there is a dark brown collar round the throat and upper part of the breast, and the flanks are brownish ; the forehead, face, ear-coverts and chin also become black. The female is light rufescent-brown above, the eye-brows and plumage beneath fulvous yellow, paling posteriorly. Length about 6 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 24. This Bunting, an inhabitant of Siberia and Central Asia, in winter straggles sparingly into Nepal and the S. E. Himalayas, but is more abundant in Assam, Tippera, and Burmah. It avoids Bengal and the plains of India. It is occasionally found in Europe. Swinhoe found it in China in flocks, in autumn, feeding on the ripening corn. Emb. rutila, Pallas, of Northern Asia, was lately found by Mr. Blanford in Upper Burmah ; and these two appear to be the only Buntings found in Burmah. EMBERIZINiE. 381 3rd. — Crested Buntings. The next and last Bunting differs remarkably in its black plumage, and crested head. Gen. Melophus, Swainson. Char. — Bill compressed, with the upper mandible slightly notched near the tip ; wings rather short ; tail even ; hind claw slightly lengthened ; head with an erectile frontal crest ; otherwise as in Euspiza. This genus differs but slightly in structure from Euspiza , but the coloration is so remarkable, that I shall here keep it as a distinct type. In its habits, too, it differs, never associating in large flocks, and chiefly frequenting hills and ravines. Bonaparte places it among the crested Buntings of America, as does Gray in his List of Genera. 724. Melophus melanicterus, Gmelin. Fringilla, apud Gmelin — Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 182— Hoesf., Cat. 743 — Euspiza Lathami, Gray — Blyth, Cat. 713 — Emb. cristata, Vigors, P. Z. S., 1831 — Sykes, Cat. 103 — E. subcristata, Sykes, Cat. 104 (the female) — E. erythroptera, Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. pi. 132 — E. nipalensis, Hodgson — Patliar chirta , H. The Crested Black Bunting. Descr. — Male — The whole body, with crest, glossy blue black ; wings and tail dark cinnamon, with dusky tips ; tail-coverts at their base black and cinnamon. Bill fleshy brown ; legs red brown ; irides dark brown. Length 6^ inches ; extent 10 ; wing 3^ ; tail 2f. The female is dusky brown above, the feathers edged light olive brownish ; beneath rufescent white, or pale brownish ful- vescent, with dusky streaks ; quills and tail dull and paler cinnamon than in the male, dusky internally, and on the central tail feathers. She is a little smaller, and the crest not so highly developed. The Crested Black Bunting is found on the Himalayas, extend- ing into Central and Southern India. I have seen it at Mhow, among the Yindhian Hills 5 at Saugor, and on the banks of the 382 BIRDS OF INDIA. Nerbuddah ; also in the Nagpore country. Sykes obtained it in the Deccan, where he found it on rocky and bushy mountains. I found it in similar places at Mhow and Saugor, but also occasion- ally on hedges and trees near cultivation, not far, however, from hilly ground. Hodgson found it on hedgerows and brushwood on the upland downs in winter ; resorting in summer to the Northern region, and it is said to be common near Simla and Mussooree. It does not, I believe, breed in the plains of India. It also inhabits Central Asia and China, and it is figured in Buffon, PI. Enl. pi. 224, f. 1 as li LeMoineau de Macao.” Swinhoe states that a few couple only breed in China, but that it is common in winter. I have had it caged, and it has a rather pleasant chirping song. Many other Buntings are found in Central and Northern Asia, and Europe, but none in the Malayan region. Among them may be noticed the E. citrinella (the yellow ammer), E. miliaria , E. provincialise E. lesbia, E. cirlus, E. schceniclus, and E. pyrrhu- loides , all from Europe ; the two last constituting the Schceniclus of Bonap., or Cynchramus of Kaup. Asia possesses in addition E. cinerea, Strickl., and E. shah, Bonap., from Western Asia, E. eleyans, T., E. chrysophrys, Pali., E. sulphur ata,T., E. cioides , Brandt, (not of Temm.,) and A1, rustica , Pallas, from Japan and Northern Asia. Gould has E. castaniceps, and Swinhoe E. canescens, both from China. The African Buntings are classed under Fringillaria ; and the American Buntings form several natural groups, very distinct from those of the Old World, and which appear to grade into the Tanagers. One species, the Gubernatrix cristatella, a beautiful crested bird, from South America, deserves especial notice. The long-clawed or Lark-heeled Buntings, forming the genus Plectrophanes , Meyer, are peculiar to the Northern portions of both Continents, and evidently grade into the Larks. The Tanagers, Tanagrinas, are a very numerous group, almost confined to South America and the more southern part of Central America. They are very richly colored, and, in general, have a notch on the upper mandible, from which Cuvier placed them in EMBEKIZIN^E. 383 the Dentirostres. The bill is more or less triangular at the base, and the culmen more or less arched. They feed on fruit and insects, build slight nests on trees, and many have a pleasing song. Sclater has published a valuable Monograph of this family, describ- ing many new species. They may be said to stand in the same relation to the rest of the Gonirostres , that the Ampelidce do towards the Dentirostres ; and, indeed, some naturalists hint that the Sylvicolince, part of our Ampelidce , join the Tanagers {vide p. 289). Sub-fam. Feingillin^. Bill varied in size and form, more or less conical and thick, short and bulged in some, slender and more elongate in others ; wing moderate or long, 1st primary wanting. The Finches, as here recognised, constitute an extensive series of birds of considerable variation as regards the form and size of the bill. They are chiefly seed-eaters, cracking small seeds be- tween their mandibles, and rejecting the husk by the joint action of the mandibles and the tongue. The male is, in general, more brightly colored than the female, and becomes still more so in the breeding season, not by a fresh moult in all, but chiefly by the shedding of the deciduary margins to the feathers, in some, perhaps, by a change of colour in the feathers themselves. The bill, too, of many becomes darker at this season. Many are colored more or less red, a few yellow. The young of most are fed with vegetable food, not with in- sects, as in the Sparrows and Buntings. Many sing pleasingly, and they have a peculiar call note. They are more or less gregarious in winter. The nest is generally neatly made, and the eggs are mostly white, with brown spots and dots, never lined as in the Buntings. They are, with a very few exceptions, confined to the temperate and colder regions of the Northern hemisphere ; and, in India, with one exception, are confined to the Himalayan region, and in many instances only wintering there. They may be divided into the following groups, distinguished chiefly by the form of their bill, and mode of coloration, but they intergrade much with each other. 384 BIRDS OF INDIA. 1st. —Grosbeaks ; 2nd. — Bull-finches ; 3rd. — Cross-bills ; 4th. — Rose finches ; 5th. — True Finches. Bonaparte classes them in FringilUnce and Loxiince , placing the Grosbeaks, true Finches, and Bull-finches in the former; while the Cross-bills and Rose-finches, with the Linnets, and the Mountain- finches are classed among the latter. 1st. — Grosbeaks — Coccothraustince of some. In these the bill is very large, thick, and conical ; the wings rather long, and the tail somewhat short ; the legs are stout and strongly scutate ; and they comprise the giants of the Finch tribe. They frequent forests, and live chiefly on stony fruit, which they crush with their powerful mandibles. There are only a few species, spread over Europe, Asia, and North America ; and, of these, four species are found in the Himalayas, belonging to two genera. Gen. HESBERirnoNA, Bonap. Char. — Bill conic, thick, half as long again as deep, slightly tumid for the basal two-thirds, with the tip of the upper mandible bent a little over that of the lower ; wings with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quills sub-equal, 1st rather shorter ; tail rather long, even or sub-furcate. This genus was founded on a bird from North America, and has a somewhat elongated form compared with other large Grosbeaks. The males are black and yellow, and the females duller. There are two species in the Himalayas. 725. Hesperiphona icterioides, Vigors. Coccothraustes, apud Vigors — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 45 — Birds of Asia, pt. Ill, pi, 13 — Blyth, Cat. 687 — Horsf., Cat. 697. The Black and yellow Grosbeak. Descr. — Male, with the head and neck, wings, thigh-coverts, the extreme tail-coverts, and tail, black ; the rest of the plumage rich yellow, inclining to orange on the nape, and paler beneath. 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. FRINGILLINiE. 385 Bill yellow ; legs fleshy. Length 9 inches ; wing ; tail nearly 4 ; hill at front 1. The female is a little smaller. This handsome Grosbeak has only been found in the N. W. Himalayas, extending into part of Nepal, but it is unknown further East. Hutton says that it is only found in the interior of the hills. Adams states that it haunts the Pine-forests of Cashmere in small flocks, and that its call-note is loud and plaintive. 726. Hesperiphona, affinis, Blyth. J. A. S. XXIV. p. 179. The Allied Grosbeak. Descr. — Very nearly allied to the last species. Differs in the male having the black portion of its plumage deep and shining instead of dull ashy, black ; the black of the head extends somewhat lower down, and the interscapulars and axillaries are also black, and the tibial feathers are yellow, whilst in icterioides, the reverse is the case. The female differs more, having the upper parts olive-green, tinged with yellowish on the collar and rump, and more brightly so on the lower plumage ; wings and tail black ; the coverts, secondaries, and tertiaries broadly margined externally with yellow green ; the 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 not quite 9 inches ; wing 4f ; tail 3|-. This is a somewhat smaller species than the last, with a slightly smaller bill ; the males resemble each other very closely, but the females are very distinct. It has only hitherto been sent from the extreme North-west, viz., the Alpine Punjab. One or two species of this genus, found in North America, are said by Bonaparte to differ in their somewhat longer wings. Gen. Mycerobas, Caban. Syn. Strobilophaga, Hodgson. Char. — Bill enormous, very thick, as deep as long, very nearly conic ; the upper mandible compressed, and slightly bent over, with a sort of tooth at its base ; commissure sinuate ; wings rather 3 c 386 BIRDS OF INDIA. long, with the first three primaries nearly equal, the second slightly longest ; tail moderate, emarginate. In this genus, the plumage of both sexes is black and yellow, but the coloring differently disposed to what it was in the last. Mr. Blyth remarks that the typical species manifests a very remarkable affinity with the diminutive and slender-billed Siskins of this sub-family, both in plumage and structure of wings and tail. 727. Mycerobas melanoxanthos, Hodgson. Coccotlnaustes, apud Hodgson — Goitld, Birds of Asia, pt. III. pi. 11 — Blyth, Cat. 685 — Horsf., Cat. 695 — C. fortirostris, Lafresn. — Maltam-pho , Lepch. The Spotted-avinged Grosbeak. Descr. — Male, with the entire parts above, including the head and neck, dull slaty black ; beneath siskin yellow ; the base of the primaries, excepting the first three or four, pure white, forming a conspicuous spot ; some of the greater coverts, the shorter prima- ries, and the secondaries and tertiaries, with an oval yellowish white spot on the outer webs at the tip. Bill and feet plumbeous ; hides brown. Length inches ; extent 15 ; wing ; tail 3 ; bill at front f ; tarsus f . 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 part of the dorsal plumage ; the cheeks, too, are yellow ; but the upper ear-coverts dark ; beneath bright yellow, spotted with black, except on the vent and under tail-coverts ; a dark line from the gape, and another from the base of the lower mandible, enclosing the chin, which is unspotted ; wings as in the male, but the pale spots larger, especially on the wing-coverts. The young resemble the female, but the lower parts are whitish, as are the feathers of the crown, nape, and interscapular region. This magnificent Grosbeak has been found both in the North- west and in the South-east Himalayas, but more common in the latter region, and chiefly at considerable elevations. In winter, a few descend to a lower region, in which season I got one or two FRINGILLINiE. 387 pairs near Darjeeling. Hodgson obtained it in Nepal, where he says they belong to the Northern region, whence they wander into the central region, even in summer, in search of ripe stony fruits. According to Captain Hutton this species “ comes to Mussooree in flocks, during March and April, and remains as long as it can find plenty of cherry stones to crack, after which it disappears. They have a curious chattering note, and love to sit on the tops of the tallest trees. When at work on a wild cherry-tree they are easily detected by the constant cracking sound of the cherry- stones, which they never break, but open most dexterously at the joining of the valves. The ground beneath the trees is strewed with the opened shells.” The next species is not a typical one, and is placed by Bonaparte under Hesperiphona , but it does not range satisfactorily with either. The sexes are alike, and the bill is much less bulged than in the last species, perfectly conic, and with the culmen straight, and it somewhat approximates, according to Mr. Blyth, an African genus, Pyrenestes of Swainson. 728. Mycerobas canxipes, Hodgson, Coccothraustes, apud Hodgson — Gould, Birds of Asia, Pt. III. pi. 12— Blyth, Cat. 686— Horsf., Cat. 696— Cocc. speculigerus, Brandt. The White-winged Grosbeak. Descr. — Whole head, neck, and breast, sooty brown ; wings and tail dusky, with yellowish edgings, and a white speculum on the wings, as in the last, but larger ; the back, wing-coverts, and terti- aries with some olive yellow spots and stripes ; the lower back and rump greenish yellow ; beneath, the abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts, greenish yellow, the last sometimes dashed with dusky. Bill and legs fleshy grey; irides brown. Length 8f inches ; wing 4§; tail 3|- to nearly 4; bill straight to front f. This species has hitherto only been procured in Nepal, within our limits; but it is known as an inhabitant of Northern Persia, and parts of Central Asia, and. it appears to occur very rarely on the south side of the Himalayas. 388 BIRDS OF INDIA. Other Grosbeaks are, the Hawfinch of Europe* Coccothraustes vulgaris , and a closely allied species or race from Japan; and two other species from China and Japan, C. melanura , and C. perso- natus , are now placed under Eophona. The genus Pyrenestes , Swainson, consists of some remarkable Grosbeaks from Africa, which are the only birds of this particular division found out of the temperate portion of the Northern hemisphere. A peculiar tribe of thick-billed Finches inhabits the Gala- pago islands, off the West Coast of South America, which may be classed near the Grosbeaks. They constitute the Ceospisince of Bonaparte, and, although some of them, by their enormous bills, approach the Grosbeaks, others have that organ lengthened, more slender, and Starling-like. They live on seeds, and much on roots, which they dig up; and they also eat portions of Cactus and other vegetables. The genus Cardinalis , containing some fine scarlet plumaged and crested Grosbeaks of North America, is usually placed in this division, but Blyth considers it more strictly to belong to the Bull-finches. 2nd. — Bull-finches, Pyrrhulince (in part) of some, Pyrrlmlece , Bonap. The Bull-finches have the bill smaller than in the Grosbeaks, shorter, deeper, and more tumid, with the ridge convex ; the wings are more rounded ; the tarsi are short, with the lateral toes unequal, and they are tolerably arboreal in their habits. They feed much on the buds of trees, especially in winter. They do not associate in general in large flocks, and they have peculiar and plaintive call-notes. There are very few species known. Bona- parte places them as a sub-division of his Fring Mince , and Gray joins them with the Hose-finches to make a distinct sub-family. Gen. Pyrrhula, Cuvier. Char.- — Bill short, as high and broad as long, tumid ; the tip slightly compressed and overhanging ; wings with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries sub-equal and longest, the 1st and 5th shorter; feet formed for perching, rather broad in the sole ; tail truncate, emarginate, rather long. FRINGILLINiB. 389 The plumage of the Bull-finches is soft and puffy, the feathers of open texture, and the colors distinct and massed, in this respect approximating the Grosbeaks. Four species are known from the Himalayas. 729. Pyrrhula erytlirocephaia, Vigors. P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 32 — Birds of Asia, pt. IV. pi. 12 — Blyth, Cat. 667 — Horsf., Cat. 683. The Red-headed Bull-finch. Descr. — Male, with the head dull crimson, continued round the sides of the neck,- and more or less on the ear-coverts ; a narrow band on the forehead, and round the base of the bill fflack, set off with whitish, passing into the red of the cheeks ; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, dull reddish ashy ; rump and upper tail-coverts pure white, the outermost feathers of the latter black ; median coverts, wings, and tail, glossy black ; the greater coverts ashy, tipped with white ; chin whitish ; throat, breast, and upper part and sides of abdomen, the same red as the head, but somewhat paler, and tinged with orange ; lower part of abdomen pale greyish fawn, passing into white on the lower tail-coverts. 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 about 6 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 2f. This Bull-finch has much the form of the European bird, but the tail is slightly longer and more forked. It is found through- out the Himalayas, more common in the North-west, somewhat rare in the South-east. I procured it at Darjeeling, but it is rare there, and only a winter visitant ; and Mr. Blyth had not previously seen specimens from Sikim. At Mussooree, Hutton states it to be common in winter, feeding on the ground, as well as on berry- bearing bushes, and it perches high on the top of trees. 730. Pyrrhula erythaca, Blyth. J. A. S., 1863. The Red-breasted Bull-finch. Descr. — A narrow band round the base of the bill, black, edged with white ; the whole head, neck, back, and wing-coverts, 390 BIRDS OF INDIA. pure ashy grey, paler on the chin and throat, and edged with black where it joins the pure white of the rump ; wings and tail glossy black, the 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. Bill black ; feet fleshy— Length about 6 inches ; wing of ; tail 3. This handsome Bull-finch was found by Lieutenant Beavan on Mount Tonglo in Sikim. The female has not yet been observed. 731. Pyrrhula Nipalensis, Hodgson. As. Kes. XIX. 155 — Blyth, Cat. 664 — Horsf., Cat. 684 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. V. pi. 13. The Brown Bull-fincii. Descr. — Above pale ashy brown, smeared Avith slaty cinereous ; rump, upper tail-coverts, wings, and tail, glossy black, the former Avith a Avhite band ; the outer Aveb of the last tertiary crimson ; and a pale, broad Aving-band formed by the greater-coverts ; top of the head slightly marked with dusky brown ; and a narroAv band of the same round the base of the bill ; a small Avhite spot under the eye ; lower plumage as above, but paler, and passing to Avhite on the lower abdomen, vent, and under tail-coverts. Bill greenish horny, Avith a black tip ; legs fleshy brown ; irides broAvn. Length 6£ inches ; extent 10| ; Aving 3§ ; tail 3^ ; the middle feather § inch shorter. The female resembles the male, except in being a trifle smaller, and the small tertiary is dull saffron-yellow instead of red. This plain-colored Bull-finch differs from the typical species by its firmer plumage, longer and more forked tail, the feathers of Avhich are slightly truncated. It has been procured only in the South-east Himalayas, in Nepal, and Sikim, where it is not very rare in Avinter, in summer seeking the higher elevations. 732. Pyrrhula aurantiaca, Gould. P. Z. S. 1857 — Adams, Birds of Cashmere — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. X. pi. 2. FRINGILLINiE. 391 The Orange Bull-finch. Descr .> — Male, face, wings, and tail, deep purplish black ; rump, upper and under tail-coverts white ; the rest of the plumage rich reddish orange ; apical half of the innermost of the greater wing-coverts also orange ; the outer ones slightly tipped with huffy white. Bill black ; feet fleshy ; irides dark brown. Length 5^ inches ; wing 3|- ; tail 2§ ; tarsus f . The female has a circle round the bill black ; head and neck ash-colour ; back ashy, tinged with orange red ; the lower parts as in the male, but less brilliantly colored. This Bull-finch was found by Dr. Adams in Cashmere, in the lesser ranges of hills, in thick bushy places, in small societies. Its call is like the chirrup of the Green-finch. There are two Bull-finches in Europe, differing only in size, P. vulgaris , and P. coccinea. The former, which is the smaller race, is the only one found in Britain. A nearly allied species occurs in Japan, P. orientalis, Temm. and Schlegel. Bull-finches in Europe are taught to whistle whole airs, and fetch a considerable price. These piping Bull-finches, as they are called, are taught by a flute or a bird-organ. Only a few appear to possess a sufficiently fine ear to whistle perfectly in tune. The following bird is as uniquely coloured in this sub-family, as the crested Bunting is in its own group. Gen. Pyeehoplectes, Hodgson. Syn. Pyrrhuloides , Blyth. Char. Bill bulged as in Pgrrhula, but not so short nor so broad ; tip of upper mandible slightly overhanging ; lower man- dible very thick ; wings moderate, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries sub-equal and longest ; tail even, or very slightly divaricate ; legs more slender than in Pgrrhula , and more suited for the ground ; claws not much curved. This genus, which was characterized almost at the same time by Hodgson and Blyth, consists but of one species, a remarkably colored and very handsome bird. “ Its bill,” s ays Blyth, as 392 BIRDS OF INDIA. viewed from above, is that of a Pyrrhula , whilst viewed laterally, it is like that of a stout Emberiza. It appears to lead through Pyrrhula striolata, Rupp., to Sennits, and thence to Chrysomitris .” 733. Pyrrhoplectes epauietta, Hodgson. Pyrrhula, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX. 156 — Horsf., Cat. 685 — Pyrrhuloides, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XIII. 951 and XXIV. 257 — Llio samprek-pho , Lepch. The Gold-headed Black Bull-finch. Descr. — Male, with the top of the head and occiput bright golden orange ; the rest of the body brownish black, except a tuft of golden yellow feathers on the axillaries, and the inner webs of the uppermost tertiaries are 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 the white on the tertiaries, as in the male. Bill dusky horny ; legs brown ; irides brown. Length 5f inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2£; bill at front T7F ; tarsus This remarkably colored Bull-finch has only been found in Nepal and Sikim, and is very rare. I got one pair near Darjeeling in the winter. Hodgson says, “ inhabits the Northern and Central regions of Nepal, shy, adhering to the forests.” 3rd. — Cross-bills — ( Loxiince of some.) These are a very remarkable group of Finches, somewhat allied to the Bull-finches, with the colors of the Rose-finches, but well distinguished from both by the peculiar structure of their bill. They are stout birds with large heads and strong bills, with the mandibles crossed and overlapping, and they are generally distri- buted over the northern parts of both Continents, one species only having been found in the Himalayas. Bonaparte, as before mentioned, does not separate them from the Rose-finches. Gen. Loxia, Linn, (restricted.) Char. — Bill somewhat lengthened, strong, compressed towards the tip ; the culmen keeled strongly, hooked at the tip, and both PRINGrILLINiE. 393 mandibles produced, so that the tips cross each other ; wings moderately long, the 1st and 2nd quills sub-equal and longest ; tail short, forked; feet fitted for perching, the lateral toes unequal, the hind toe long, and all the flaws well curved. The peculiar structure of the bill of these Finches enables them to extract the seeds from the hard woody cones of Pines, and the ease and rapidity with which they do this, is said to be very wonderful. They are stated also to eat apples and other fruit. They nidificate high up on Pine trees, making a nest of twigs and grass, lined with hair, i They somewhat approach the Parrots in the form of their bill, and also in the way in which they climb by the aid of that organ. Pallas, who remarked this, states that were it not for the form of their feet, they could not be distinguished from Parrots. 734. Loxia Himalayas, Hodgson. J. A. S. XIII. 952 — Blyth, Cat. 671 — Horsf., Cat. 680 — Bonap. and Schlegel, Mon. Lox. pi. 7. — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. XII. pi. 13. The Himalayan Cross-bill. Bescr . — The greater part of the head and neck, and the whole body beneath, red, of a hue between roseate and blood-red, and more or less tinged with dusky brown ; the 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 brownish beneath, tinged on the breast and abdomen with olive yellow. Length of inches ; wing 3f ; tail 2f ; bill at front The Himalayan Cross-bill is only found in the higher regions of the Himalayas, not far from the snows; and even there, says Hodgson, it is rare. It is much smaller than the European species, with the colors somewhat deeper. We have no record of its habitat elsewhere, but it will probably be found in Tibet, and other regions of Central Asia. It does not appear to have been observed in the N. W. Himalayas. The European species of Cross-bill are L. curvirostra, the common Cross-bill ; L. leucoptera, the white winged Cross-bill ; and L. pityopsittacus , or the Parrot C., all of which have been 3 D 394 BIRDS OF INDIA. observed in Britain ; and a fourth species from Eastern Europe is recorded by Bonaparte. Another species, is common in North America, L. Americana. A remarkable bird, Psittirostra psittacea , from the Sandwich Islands, is placed next Loxia by some systematists. It is green, with the head and neck yellow, thus still more approximating some of the Parrots ; and Bonaparte latterly placed near this bird the Fringilla coccinea , of the Sandwich Isles, the type of the genus Hypoloxias , Lichtenst. The next two genera might either be placed with the Cross- bills, or the Hose-finches. Bonaparte puts them next the Cross- bills ; Gray with the Rose-finches. The coloration of the males is common to both groups, whilst that of the females more ap- proximates the tints of the Cross-bills by its yellow tone. The first noticed has more brilliant red plumage than any of the group. Gen. Hzematospiza, Blyth. Char. — Bill large, longer than deep, moderately bulged ; the upper mandible distinctly curved and over-hanging, with a slight subterminal notch ; wings with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries sub-equal and longest, the oth slightly shorter, and the 1st shorter than the 5th; tail nearty even. This form, says the founder of the genus, leads from the Grosbeaks to the Bull-finches; its coloring is distinctive and remarkable. Only one species is known. 735. Haematospiza sipahi, Hodgson. Cory thus, apud Hodgson, As. Res. XIX. 151 — Horsf., Cat. 681 — H. boetonensis, Blyth, Cat. 663 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. IY. pi. 12 — Plianying-pho bin , Lepch. — Labbia ma-phoo, Bhot. The Scarlet Grosbeak. Descr. — Male, brilliant scarlet, with the wings and tail dusky brown, more or less scarlet edged ; the tibial feathers dark brown, and the lower tail-coverts dashed with dusky. The female is dusky brown ; the feathers broadly margined with dull greenish- yellow; rump bright yellow; beneath pale olivaceous yellow, FRINGrILLINiE. 395 with dusky crescentic marks, becoming more albescent on the lower abdomen. Bill yellow; legs brown; irides hazel brown. Length 7^ inches; extent 12^; flung 4^-; tail 24; bill at front ; tarsus f. This magnificent bird has chiefly been found in the S. E. Hima- layas, in Nepal and Sikim ; and is unknown in the North-west. It is by no means rare about Darjeeling, and haunts elevations from 5,000 to 10,000 feet, according to the season. I have generally seen it in pairs. It frequents both forest and bushy-ground, feeds on fruits and seeds of various kinds, and has a loud whist- ling note. Pr. Bonaparte and Schlegel, as quoted by Gould, state that this bird sings very agreeably, and plays a great part in the mythology of the Hindoos. This of course is quite erroneous, and the common Tuti of India, Carpodacus eryihrinus, was probably intended. Bonaparte places next this bird a remarkable species from Japan, Chaunoproctus papa , which appears to be coloured some- what like Pyrrhospiza punicea . Gen. Propyeehula, Hodgson. Syn. Spermopipes, Caban. Char. — Bill as in Pyrrhida , but somewhat longer, and the tip of the upper mandible less distinctly prolonged and overhanging ; wings shorter and more rounded ; plumage as in Loxia or Strobilophaga. This form, says Blyth, can only be arranged satisfactorily as a separate division, especially intermediate to Pyrrhula and Carpodacus. As previously observed, by the coloration of the female, it ranks very naturally in the present group. Bonaparte places it with Corythus , the type of the European Pine Gros- beak, C. enuclsator, L., but states that it approximates the Car- podaci. Blyth first applied Hodgson’s Manuscript generic name to this species, which Hodgson afterwards gave to another bird, the Pyrrhospiza punicea, Bl., (vide p. 406 ). 396 BIRDS OF INDIA. 736. Fropyrrhula subhemachala, Hodgson. Corythus, apud Hodgson, As. lies., XIX. 152 — Blyth, Cat. 668 — Horsf., Cat. 682. f The Red-headed Rose-Finci-i. Descr. — Male, the forehead and supercilia, cheeks, and more or less of the throat and breast, fine roseate, brightening to crimson in the breeding season ; crown, back, and wings, olivaceous brown, margined with the same, more or less bright, and often mingled with dull greenish orange, both purer on the rump and upper tail-cov.erts; primaries and tail hair-brown, margined with red or orange ; lower parts, below the breast, dull brownish grey, tinged with olivaceous on the flanks. The female has the forehead, and part of throat and breast, bright yellow ; the 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 to the outer webs, slight upon the tail-feathers. Bill fleshy brown ; legs pale brown ; irides hazel brown. Length about 8 inches ; wing 3f to nearly 4 ; tail 3. In winter the rosy hue is more or less wanting, or much mixed with greenish dusky. Young males have little red, except on the forehead and throat. This fine Rose-finch has only been procured in the S. E. Himalayas, in Nepal and Sikim, during winter. I obtained it near Darjeeling, frequenting the more open parts of the woods in small parties. It has not hitherto been sent from the N. W. Himalayas. The Pine Grosbeak is found in the northern portion of both Continents, and is quite intermediate in its colours and structure to the Cross-bills and the Rose-finches. 4th. The Rose-finches. These comprise a number of Finches, varying in the form of the bill, but all agreeing in the males being more or less rosy FRINGILLINiE. 397 red, and the females dusky olive, with darker streaks, in some more or less mixed with yellow. Gen. - Carpodacus, Kaup. Syn. Erythrina , Brehm, — Hcemorrhous , Swains .—Pyrrhulinota, Hodgs. Char. — Bill somewhat as in Pyrrhula , but longer, distinctly tumid and compressed at the tip ; commissure sinuated, or with a notch near its base ; wings, with the first three primaries sub-equal and longest ; tail distinctly furcate ; feet robust ; claws well curved. The members of this genus, says Blyth, have the bill midway between the true Bull-finches and the Linnets. The males are more or less tinged with roseate, becoming crimson in the breeding season, and the females are brown streaked, without any yellow. There are several species in Northern Europe, Asia, and America, and one of this genus is the only Fringilline form that extends its migrations far into the tropical regions of India. Another inhabits Northern Africa. They are distinguished from Fropasser by a brighter tone of red, and in general a thicker bill. 737. Garpodacus rubicilla, Guldenstadt. Loxia, apud Guldenstadt — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. IV. pi. 13 — Horsf., Cat. 687 — Cocc. caucasicus, Pallas. The Caucasian Rose-finch. Descr. — Male, with the crown of the head, the nape, back, wing-coverts, scapularies, and upper tail-coverts, of a beautiful pale rosy grey, the rosy tint predominating on the margin of the wing and tail-coverts ; forehead, ear-coverts, and throat, shining white, bordered with carmine red ; chin, breast, and abdomen, carmine red, with a triangular spot of shining white at the tip of each feather, giving it a spangled appearance ; under tail-coverts pale carmine red ; rump carmine red ; primaries, secondaries, and tail, brownish black, narrowly edged with reddish. The female is pale brown above, still lighter beneath : the feathers of both upper and under-surface streaked down the centre with 398 BIRDS OF INDIA. dark brown ; primaries and secondaries brown, edged with pale brown. Bill with the upper mandible dark brown, lower one fleshy horn colour; feet dark brown. Length about 84 inches; wing 4f ; tail 4 ; tarsus 1. Latham states that this fine species chiefly occurs in the colder parts of the Caucasian Mountains, feeding principally on the berries of the Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides ; that it is frequently seen in large flocks, and that its note is not unlike that of a Bull-finch. It has only been obtained, in India, in the far N. W. Himalayas, Mr. Blyth having received one from the neigh- bourhood of Bind Dad un-khan, and it has also been found in Cash- mere. It varies much in the brightness of its plumage, according to the season. It is probably this species which Adams alludes to in his Birds of Cashmere, No. 68, as being like Carp, erythrinus , but larger, and of a brighter red, and only seen in flocks, high up near the snow. 738. Oarpodacus erythrinus, Pallas. Loxia, apud Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. pi. 36 — Blyth, Cat. 658 — Horsf., Cat. 686 — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 206 — Iloemorrhous roseus, apud Jeiidon, Cat. 195 — C. roseus, apud Adams, Birds of Cashmere, No. 67 — L. totta, Gmelin — Pyrrhuli- nota roseata, Hodgson — Tati, H. — Amonga tuti , in Nepal — Chota tuti in Sylhet — Phulin-pho , Lepch. — Yedru-pichike, or Yedru-ji- nowayi , 'Pel. Thf, common Rose-fincii. Descr. — Male, in winter plumage, has the head, throat, breast, moustachial stripe, rump, and flanks of the abdomen, roseate color, deepest upon the crown, throat, and breast, and paling on the flanks ; upper plumage generally brown, more or less ruddy, brightening towards the rump and on the upper tail-coverts ; the wing-coverts tipped with ruddy brown, forming two pale bars on the wings ; tertiaries margined with pale brown ; quills and tail- feathers with ruddy edgings. In summer the crown, throat, breast, and rump become brilliant crimson. The female is pale FEINGILLIN.E. 399 olive brown with dark streaks, the tips of the greater and lesser wing-coverts whitish, forming two conspicuous bands on the wings ; below paler brown, albescent on the throat, the middle of the belly, and the under tail-coverts ; and darker and somewhat streaked on the breast and flanks. Bill yellowish brown ; feet horny brown; irides light brown. Length inches ; wing 3^; tail 2£. The Rose-finch is found as a cold weather visitant throughout the greater part of India, more rare towards the South, common in Central and Northern India, and in the Himalayas, chiefly how- ever at the foot of the hills and in the valleys ; and it extends into Assam and Arracan. Out of India it is found over great part of Central and Northern Asia and Europe. It visits the plains during October, and leaves in April. In March, many are taken in fine breeding livery. In the extreme south I have chiefly seen it in bamboo jungle, feeding on the seeds of bamboos on several occasions, and so much is this its habit that the Telugu name signifies ‘ Bamboo sparrow.’ In other parts of the country it frequents alike groves, gardens, and jungles, feeding- on various seeds and grain ; also not unfrequently on flower buds and young leaves. Adams states that in Cashmere it feeds much on the seeds of a cultivated vetch. Now and then it is seen in large flocks, but in general it associates in small parties. It breeds in Northern Asia. It is frequently caught and caged, and has rather a pleasing song. Blyth says, “ The Tati has a feeble twittering song, but soft and pleasing, being intermediate to that of the Gold- finch, and that of the small Red-pole Linnet ; the call-note much resembling that of a Canary-bird.” Perhaps the North American Red-finches, Ft. purpurea , Gm., and Fr. frontalis, Say, with three or four lately discriminated species from the same Continent, ought to be classed in this genus, rather than in Propasser. Gen. PUOFASSEB, Hodgson. Syn. PJuenicospiza, Blyth. Char. — Bill more elongated, Finch-like, or much as in the Sparrows, scarcely bulged, the culmen and gonys slightly curved, 400 BIRDS OF INDIA. and the tip faintly notched ; wings rather short ; tail slightly forked. The birds of this genus differ from those of the preceding by the more lengthened and less tumid bills, and by the general tone of the plumage, which is more of a vinous or claret colour than in Carpodacus. In some, the first four primaries are about equal ; in one species the 3rd and 4th are the longest, and the 1st and 2nd successively shorter. Most of the known species are from the Himalayas, and probably Central Asia. 739. Propasser rodopeplus, Vigors. Fringilla, apud Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 31, f. 1 — Blyth, Cat. 658 — Horse., Cat. 689 — Gulabi tuti , in Nepal. The Spotted-winged Rose-finch. Descr. — Male, above dull crimson or ruddy broAvn, with dusky or blackish median stripes, more brown on the back ; superciliary stripe pale glistening roseate ; rump, and the tips of the wing- coverts and tertiaries, vinaceous rosy pink ; the throat, breast, and body beneath, dull vinous rosy. The female is deep brown above, with paler lateral margins ; beneath 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 ; Aides brown. Length 6f inches; wing 3j ; tail 2f. Wings somewhat rounded, the 1st being; a good deal shorter, and the 2nd something shorter than the 3rd. This Rose-linch appears to be most abundant about Nepal and the Central part of the Himalayas, being found sparingly at Mussooree, according to Hutton, and it has not been procured in Sikim. Hutton states “ that it likes the brushwood best, where it often keeps company with various Accentors.” 740. Propasser tliura, Bonap. Bonaparte and Schlegel, Monog. Lox. pi. 23 — P. rodo- peplus (in part), Hodgson — Moore, P. Z. S. 1855 — IIorsf., Cat, 690. FRINGILLINiE. 401 The White-browed Rose-finch. Descr. — Very similar to rodopeplus ; differs in the male being hair brown above, centred with blackish, and only the lesser range of wing-coverts being tipped with pale crimson ; the end of the superciliary streak and the centre of the belly are pure white. The female differs from the female of rodopeplus in being paler above, with paler centres to the feathers, and in the colour of the lower parts being more uniform. It is a little smaller too than the last species, and its bill is smaller and more pyrrhuline in its form. This species was sent from Nepal by Mr. Hodgson, along with rodopeplus, and its geographic range is not accurately known. 741. Propasser rhodochlamys, Brandt. Pyrrhula, apud Brandt. — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. IV., pi. 14 — C. sophia, Bon. and Schleg. — C. grandis, Blyth, Cat. 659. * The Red-mantled Rose-finch. Descr. —Male, the feathers of the supercilium, the cheeks and throat, shining rosy white ; upper surface greyish brown, strongly tinged with rosy red ; the crown of the head washed with purplish rose colour, and a line of dark brown down the centre of each feather; under surface and rump of a deep rose red; quills and tail-feathers brownish black, margined with greyish red ; under wing-coverts rosy white. The female is brown, somewhat brighter on the lower sur- face 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 of a female 7 inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 2f . The male is somewhat larger. This species has been obtained in the Tyne range of mountains between Simla and Mussooree, and in the Pubher valley, near the snow, on the Simla side, by Hutton ; and it also inhabits Tibet and the Altai mountains. It resembles Propasser rhodochrous in its colours. 3 E 402 BIRDS OF INDIA. 742. Propasser rhodochrous, Vigors. Fringilla, apud Vigors, P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 31, f. 2 — Blyth, Cat. 661 — IIorsf., Cat. 691 — Gulabi tuti in Nepal — Cheery a by the people of the plains below Nepal. The Pink-browed Rose-finch. Descr. — Male, above brown, edged with reddish ; head and nape dusky or vinous rosy ; forehead, superciliary stripe, and rump, pale rosy ; wings unspotted ; the wing-coverts reddish brown ; beneath dull vinous rosy. The female is brown above, the feathers edged with pale olive brown ; beneath pale rufous or rufescent, with brown streaks. Compared with the female of rodopeplus, she is altogether paler, and the supercilia are therefore less distinct and contrasting. Bill pale brown. Length about 6 inches ; wing 2T8^ ; tail 2|. The bill is less pyrrhuline, and more linnet-like than in rodopeplus. This species is chiefly a denizen of the more Western Plimalayas ; it was procured by Plodgson in Nepal, but has not been observed in Sikim. Hutton states, “ that it is common at Mussooree, flying in small flocks, often mixed up with Bull-finches and Siskins. They alight on the ground in search of seeds ; and if disturbed, either fly off with a wheeling flight that brings them back to the same spot, or they rise up into a tall tree and cluster on its topmost branches. If Royle is correct, it occurs on the plains near Saharunpoor, but never far from the foot of the Mountains. 743. Propasser pulcherrinms, Hodgson. Gray, Zool. Misc. 1844 — Moore, P. Z. S. 1855 — IIorsf., Cat. 692. TnE Beautiful Rose-finch. Descr. — Similar to rlwdochroiis ; it differs in having the forehead, superciliary streak, cheeks, throat, and under parts, with FRINGILLINiE, 403 the rump, silvery crimson ; being almost silvery white about the head ; the upper parts, with the crown, are dark brown, with pale crimson edges to the feathers. The female differs from the female of rhodochrous in having the under parts dusky white, instead of rufescent, and in the colours above being less rufescent. The size is the same as that of rhodochrous, but the wing is somewhat longer. This species appears to have much the same range as the last, both having been sent from Kumaon and Nepal. 744. Propasser frontalis, Blyth. J. A. S. 1863. The Sikim Rose-finch. Descr. — Broad frontal band, and eyebrow silvery rose pink ; lores, and a narrow band round the base of the bill beneath, crimson ; top of the head, nape, and cheeks, plain dark brown ; back brown with broad central dashes ; wings brown, with the median coverts tipped with pale rosy, forming a prominent band, and the greater coverts and tertiaries narrowly edged with rosy wdiite ; tail brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts pale vinaceous rosy ; beneath, the chin, throat, neck, and breast, rosy with silvery white shafts, and the rest of the plumage of a dull rosy tint. The female has the whole upper plumage yellowish brown, with black dashes, 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. Length 6f inches ; wing- s' ; tail 3. The bill is tolerably thick, scarcely elongated, and somewhat tumid. The 3rd and 4th quills are the longest, 1st and 2nd successively shorter. This handsome species has lately been discovered in Sikim, by Lt. Beavan, at a considerable elevation, on Mount Tonglo I be- lieve. It is very near to P. pulclierrimus and P. thura, but appears to differ from both. 404 BIRDS OF INDIA. 745. Propasser Murray!, Blyth. J. A. S. 1863. Murray’s Rose-fincii. Descr. — A female only of this species is known. Above earthy brown, the feathers of the head edged with white, and a white eye-brow from the eye to the nape ; back very faintly pale edged ; wings with two pale bands, and the tips of the secondaries also pale ; primaries and tail feathers very narrowly edged with pale ; beneath, the chin and throat are albescent, with a few ill- defined dusky spots on the chin, and becoming fulvescent on the throat ; the rest of the lower parts pale earthy brown, passing to rusty on the middle of the belly, vent and under tail-coverts. Bill horny brown ; legs pale brown. Length 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2^. This bird was said to have been procured somewhere in the Gwalior territories, but if so, must have been a straggler from the Himalayas. It appears to differ from the females of the other known species, sufficiently to warrant its being considered distinct. I am inclined to think that the Pyrgita ? concolor of my Cata- logue No. 178, might have belonged to the present group, and in its coloration it much resembles the females of P. githctginea and P. sinciitica ; but, as it was founded on a single specimen, shot in the Deccan along with a lot of the so-called Ortolan, I shall not record it separately. It was of a nearly uniform light brown colour, palest beneath, and albescent on the chin and vent. Length 6 inches ; wing 3| ; tail 2£. Other species of this genus are P. rosea , Pallas, from Northern Asia, occasionally visiting Europe ; P. sinaitica , Licht. ( synoica , Temm.,) from Arabia and Eastern Africa ; P. githaginea, Licht., from Northern Africa and the South of Europe. The latter is placed by Bonaparte in his genus Erytlirospiza , but its colors appear to be quite those of this group. Two other species placed under the same genus, viz., Fr. obsoleta , and F. rhodoptera, of Lichtenstein, from Central and Western Asia, perhaps belong rather to Carpodacus . Whether the remarkable, long-tailed, small Red-fiDches of North-eastern Asia, forming the genus Uragas, FRINGILLINiE. 405 should be placed with these Rose-finches, as Bonaparte has done, or elsewhere, I have no means of deciding. The next two birds have the bill more Finch-like, and may be said to grade into the true Finches. Gen. Procarduelis, Hodgson. Syn. Pyrrha, Caban. Char. — Bill longer and more slender than in Propasser , but less acutely pointed and compressed at the tip than in the Gold- finches ; wings rather long, with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th primaries sub-equal, the 1st a little shorter; general form elongated; colours as in Propasser , but deeper. 746. Procarduelis nipalensis, Hodgson. J. A. S., XII, 955 — As. Res. XIX, 157 — Blyth, Cat. 657 — Horse., Cat. 749 — Linota saturata, Blyth, J. A. S., XI. 192 — (the male) — L. fusca, Bl., (the female) — Ka-biya , Lepch. The dark Rose-finch. Descr. — Male, above, neck and breast sooty or dusky, strongly tinted with dark sanguineous blossom-red ; forehead, a line over the eye to the occiput, chin, throat, breast, and belly, pure blossom red ; quills and tail-feathers sooty brown, more or less tinged on the outer margin with the red hue of the upper surface. Bill brown ; irides red brown ; legs fleshy brown. Length 6^, to 7 inches ; extent 10| ; wing 3| ; tail 2f . The female is olive-brown above ; below, from the chin to the breast, dirty yellowish ; from breast to tail white ; wings and tail dusky brown ; wing-coverts and tertiaries externally margined and tipped with dirty yellowish. This fine Finch is found in Nepal and Sikim. Hodgson says that it inhabits the .Central and Northern hills of Nepal. It is common at Darjeeling, in the cold weather only, in moderately large flocks, feed- ing on the roads sometimes, or among the ferns and brush-wood. The next bird is a somewhat remarkable form, and is slightly allied, in its coloration, to Ilaematospiza sipahi, but its more Finch- like bill, and feet fitted for terrene habits, have influenced me in 401) BIRDS OF INDIA. placing it here as a connecting link between the Rose-linches and the true Finches. Gen. Pyrrhospiza, Ilodgson. Char. — Bill conical, elongate, with slightly curved outline both above and below, somewhat compressed, and tapering to the tip as viewed from above ; gonys arched ; wings long, reaching to more than half the length of the tail, which is also moderately long ; first four primaries sub-equal, 2nd and 3rd rather the longest ; feet adapted for ground habits ; toes rather long, with large and arched claws. 747. Pyrrhospiza punicea, Hodgson. J. A. S., XIII., 953 — Blyth, Cat. 65(3 — Hoesf., Cat. 694 — Propyrrhula rubeculoides, Hodgs., P. Z. S., 1845. The Large red-breasted Finch. Descr. — Male, ahove nearly uniform dusky brown, the feathers margined with paler ; forehead and rump, with the cheeks, ear- coverts, and under parts, except the abdominal region, roseate in winter, brightening to rich crimson in the breeding season, and varying to orange saffron ; flanks and abdomen colored like the back. Bill dark horny; feet dusky black. Length 74 to 8 inches ; wing 4^ to 4f ; tail 3§-. The female is devoid of the red, having the forehead, cheeks, fore-neck, and breast, more or less fulvescent, each feather marked with a blackish mesial streak, widening at the tip ; belly and lower tail-coverts, dingy brown. This fine Finch has hitherto only been found in the higher J O regions of the Himalayas, bordering the Snows. I did not procure it in Sikim. It is probable, however, that this and others of the cold-weather visitants to Nepal and other parts of the Himalayas, are to be met with in the interior of Sikim, towards the Snows, my researches having been limited to British Sikim. 5th. True Finches. The next bird, though somewhat allied to the preceding, is sufficiently marked to warrant its generic separation. It has been ERINGTLLINiE. 407 classed as a true Fringilla, and as a Carduelis. Its colors approxi- mate it to tlie Rose-finches as well as to the Gold-finches ; and Blyth indeed notes that “ it is a true Fringilla , allied to the Gold- finches, with affinities for the Red-finches.” Gen. Callacanthis, Reichen. Bill Finch-like, i. e. as in Fringilla , but somewhat more robust and broader, much shorter and stouter than in Carduelis ; otherwise as in Fringilla , but with a peculiar coloration. Bonaparte who adopts this genus, says “ scarcely a Fringilla , by no means a Carduelis .” 748. Callacanthis Burtoni, Gould. Carduelis, apud Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, 90 — Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. I., pi. 15 — Fringilla erythrophrys, Blyth, J. A. S. XV, 38 — Blyth, Cat. p. 337. (App., No. 6). The Red-browed Finch. Descr. — The male has the crown, ear-coverts, wings, and tail, brownish black ; the forehead, abroad supercilium, chin, and throat, crimson ; the upper plumage ruddy brown, deepest on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; wings marked with white, chiefly on the primary and greater coverts, and on the secondary quills ; the outer tail-feathers mostly white towards the tip ; all the others except the middle pair, white tipped. In summer the whole under parts appear to become more or less crimson. Bill yellow; legs light brown. Length 7 inches; wing 3| ; tail 2|. The female is plain brown above, darker on the crown, with a bright saffron eye streak, and the forehead ochreous ; the back is yellowish brown, and there is less white on the wings than in the male ; beneath pale brown, tinged with fulvous. This remarkable Finch has only hitherto been found in the North-west Himalayas, chiefly in the mountains beyond Simla. Gen. Carduelis. Cliar. — Bill lengthened, conic, compressed ; the tip attenuated and acute ; the gonys straight, ascending ; the commissure slightly sinuated ; wing lengthened, pointed ; the first three quills nearly 408 BIRDS OF INDIA. equal ; tail moderate, slightly forked ; feet short ; hind claw rather long. The Gold-finches are a very limited group of small birds, distinguished by a bright and variegated coloration; some red about the head and a golden yellow bar on the wings. They sing well, make remarkably neat nests, and the eggs are pale bluish-white, spotted with purple and brown. 749. Carduelis caniceps, Vigors. P. Z. S. 1831 — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 32, f. 1 — Boyle, 111. of Bot. Himal., pi. 8, f. 2 — Blyth, Cat. 675 — Horsf., Cat. 751 — Shir a, H. — Sciira in Cashmere. The Himalayan Gold-finch. Descr. — General color above pale whity brown ; the rump and upper tail-coverts white ; a narrow band on the forehead, continu- ing round the base of the bill to the chin, scarlet; wings black, with a golden yellow band, and a few white spots on the secon- daries ; tail black, with the inner webs of the two outer tail-feathers with a large white patch, and the four medial feathers tipped with white ; beneath whitish, tinged with brownish ashy on the breast and flanks. Bill carneous with a dusky tip ; legs pale brown ; irides brown. Length 5^ inches ; wing 3^; tail 2|; bill at front The Himalayan Gold-finch differs from the European species, in wanting the black and white of the head behind the scarlet band, and in being a somewhat smaller bird. It is only found in the N. W. Himalayas, near Simla and Mussooree, extending into Affghanistan and other parts of Central Asia. Adams says that it is common in Cashmere in winter, and that it visits the ranges next the plains. It is perhaps Pallas’ variety of the common Gold- finch, figured pi. 38 of his Zool. As. Ross., found in summer on the Jenisei river. Caged specimens are occasionally brought to Calcutta for sale, and its song is said by Adams to be exactly similar to that of its European congener. Besides the Himalayan and European Gold-finch, there is only one other species, C. orientalis, from Siberia and Northern Asia. Next the Gold-finches come the Siskins. FKINGILLIN^E. 409 Gen. Chrysomitris, Boie. Char. — Bill very short, broadish at the base, compressed at the tip and acute ; the culmen flat ; tail forked ; otherwise as in Car- due Us. The Siskins are a small group, nearly allied to the Gold-finches, but with a peculiar style of coloration and a shorter bill. Their form is short, and their plumage is black or brown and yellow. The only Indian species of the genus has been separated by Cabanis as Hypacanthis ; but apparently without much reason. This genus is remarkable for including in it several species from South America, wdfich, however, are separated by certain Orni- thologists. 750 Chrysomitris spinoides, Vigors. Carduelis, apud Vigors — Gould, Cent. Him. Birds, pi. 32, f. 2 — Blyth, Cat. 673. — Horsf., Cat. 752 — Saira in Cashmere — Phazhipho. Lepch. The Himalayan Siskin. Descr. — Male, forehead, occiput, and back of neck yellow; the rest of the body above olivaceous brown ; wings dusky black, with some yellowish spots on the wing-coverts, and a pale but bright yellow band on the primaries ; tail dusky, the lateral tail-feathers yellow, except on the shaft and tip, this color dimi- nishing in quantity towards the central feathers ; beneath yellow, dashed with olivaceous on the sides of the breast and the flanks. The female has merely the colours less deep, and both the back and abdomen are striated with dusky olive. . Bill fleshy ; legs fleshy brown ; hides light brown. Length 54 inches ; extent 9f ; wing ; tail not quite 2. This pretty little Siskin is found throughout the Himalayas. It is a somewhat larger and more brightly coloured bird than the European Siskin, and the bill is proportionally much stronger. At Darjeeling it is only a winter visitant, but then, by no means rare. It keeps to the woods, occasionally entering gardens in small parties. Adams says that it is common in the wooded 410 BIRDS OF INDIA. districts in the North-west, and that its song is very like that of the English Siskin. Hodgson says it is more common in the Central region thaii in the northern. Besides the common Siskin of Europe, C. spinus, another species from Siberia, Ch. pistacina , Eversman, is recorded by Bonaparte. The South American Siskins are numerous, and one with a red tone of color has been separated by Bonaparte as Pyrrhomitris. The smallest member of this sub-family, perhaps should be placed next the Siskins. Gen. Metoponia, Bonap. Chav. — Bill short, thick, nearly regularly conic, slightly bulging; the culmen very gently curved ; gonys almost straight ; wings * long ; tarsus moderate ; middle toe long, laterals short. This unique little Finch in some measure recalls the coloring of the Weaver-birds, and, it represents the Pyrrhuline Pyrr/wplectes among the True Finches, as also, says Bonaparte, a remarkable American bird, Catamblyvhynclius diadema. 751. Metoponia pusilla. Pallas. Passer, apud Pallas, Zool. Boss. As., 2nd vol. pi. — Horse.* Cat. 754 — Fringilla rubrifrons, Hay, J. A. S. XV. 38 — Serinus aurifrons, Blyth, Cat. 681. The Gold-headed Finch. Descr. — Forehead and top of head bright golden yellow ; occiput, cheeks, throat, and foreneck, black, passing to dusky on the nape and sides of the neck ; back dusky, with yellowish lateral margins to the feathers; rump, towards the tail, deep canary yellow ; shoulder of wing golden fulvous; margins of quills and tail feathers sallron yellow; under tail-coverts pale canary yellow ; the rest of the lower parts albescent yellow, with dusky central streaks; axillaries pure white ; a pale bar on the wing, formed by the tips ot the greater coverts, and the outer webs of the secondaries near their base. FRINGILLINiE. 411 The female, or perhaps the young only, has the forehead narrowly reddish, wants the black of the head and throat, and is altogether less brightly colored. Bill and feet dark. Length 4f to 5 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2^. The Gold-headed Finch has been found occasionally in the N. W. Himalayas, not, it appears, as a regular visitor, for Hutton says, he “observed this bird in 1854-5, at Mussoorec, after an interval of many years. It appeared to be always in pairs, and, like our Siskin and Gold-finch, is very fond of alighting upon the tall coarse nettles which abound there.” It was found by Speke in Spiti and Ladakh, in summer ; and in AfFghanistan by Griffith, who observed it “ in flocks about cultivation, rather shy ; feeds on thistles on which they cling.” Adams found it very common in Ladakh, in flocks, with the habits and call note like those of the European Eedpole. According to Pallas it is common on the Caucasus, and near the Caspian Sea ; and it occurs in Eastern Europe. Pallas’ figure is unrecognisable. Next should come the Linnets and Canary birds. The former comprise a number of small Finches with slender conical bills, which, during the breeding season, acquire more or less a red color on the head and breast, and thus evince an affinity for the Rose-finches. One species, Linota brevirostris , Gould, P. Z. S. 1855, has been found in Ladakh, and may occur within our limits. The Canary birds, Serinus , with somewhat thick bills, are chiefly from Africa, and the neighbouring islands ; and the Lutinos (as Blyth calls them) of S. canaria, are the well known song birds. The Canary bird, as is well known, will inter-breed both with the Gold-finch and Siskin. Some other African Finches are placed in the genera Alario, Auripcisser , Citrinello and Buserinus. Crithagra , a South American group, with somewhat thick bills, and more or less yellow plumage, ought also to be placed along with the Serins. The true Finches are chiefly Northern birds, two species occur- ring in the most Northern portion of our province, belonging to different genera. 412 BIRDS OF INDIA. Gen. Fringilla, Linn, (as restricted.) Char. — Bill forming a perfect and somewhat lengthened cone, both mandibles being of nearly equal thickness, the upper one slightly notched near the tip; commissure about straight; wings lengthened, pointed, with the first four primaries sub-equal, the first rather shorter ; tail moderate, forked ; legs slender ; feet adapted for perching. The common Chaffinch of Britain, Fr. Calebs , L., is the type of this form. 752. Fringilla, montifrmgilla, Linnaeus. Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 188 — Blyth, Cat. G53 — IIorsf., Cat. 746. The Mountain Finch. Uescr. — In summer, the male has the head, lores, cheeks, sides of neck, back, and rump, blackish, with pale white edges to the feathers of the rump; the shoulders and lesser-coverts rufous, edged with white; secondary coverts also margined with whitish, and a white spot on some of the quills ; these and the tail black, edged with brownish yellow ; the outer tail-feathers margined at their base with white ; beneath, from the chin to the breast, and the flanks, rufous, passing into pale cinereous on the belly. In winter the upper parts are black, the head and back edged with rufous, and the rump pure white ; the sides of the head and the nape much tinged with grey. The female differs, in having the head grey, and less rufous on the breast. Length 6 inches ; wing 3f ; tail 24. This Finch, chiefly an inhabitant of the temperate and northern parts of Europe and Asia, has been occasionally found in the N. YVk Himalayas during the cold weather. It was sent from Afghanistan by Griffith, and Blyth has seen specimens from Simla and Cashmere. At Mussooree, Hutton observed it as inches ; extent 114 ; wing 3f ; tail 2f. This curious Lark-like Finch is found throughout the Hima- layas, most common towards the North-west. Hodgson states that its Habits are very like those of the arboreal Larks ; and that it feeds on the skirts of the forests. Adams says that they are seen in large Hocks feeding round the margin of the melted snow, and coining to the lower ranges in winter. “Their stomach,” says Hodgson, “ is a powerful gizzard, and their food consists of kernels and hard seeds, which they digest by means of trituration with gravel.” 1 did not obtain this bird in Sikim, but it is noted in Horsfield’s Catalogue as having been procured at Darjeeling by Dr. Pearson. Those remarkable birds, the Plant-cutters of South America, Phytotoma, are placed among the Finches by Gray and others as a separate/sub-fatnily, but they perhaps belong to the great group of the Tanagers. They have the margins of tire bill serrated. ALAUDIN2E. 415 Sub-fam.^ x\laui)IN/E, Larks. Bill typically longer and more slender than in mos t Fringillidce, short and thick in many ; wings broad ; tertiaries elongated, pointed ; claws slightly curved ; hind toe and claw typically long ; plumage brown, more or less striated. The Larks form a very distinct group of small ground-birds, chiefly frequenting open lands, and which rise singing into the air. Their form is robust, their wings are large and very broad, to sustain them in their hovering flight, whilst singing ; and the tertiaries are usually much developed, as in the Motacillidce , and in some other tribes, viz. , the Plovers and Snipes, among the Waders. The bill varies much in thickness, from that of a stout, short and Finch-like bill, to a long, slender, and slightly curved beak ; the culmen is generally more or less curved, and the tip blunt, not notched. Their feet are fitted for running on the ground, which they do with alternate steps, not hopping, and they rarely perch on trees. In some, the hind claw is very greatly elongated and nearly straight. The tail is short or moderate, nearly even, or very slightly forked. The plumage is plain colored, usually brown, with medial dark streaks more or less developed ; and the sexes, in most, resemble each other. In a few there is some black on the lower surface. The young have pale margins to the feathers of the upper surface. Most have the coronal feathers more or less lengthened, and some are crested. They moult once a year, but the general tone of colour alters somewhat according to season, by the abrasion of the feathers ; in some, by a natural shedding of the tips of the feathers. The Larks do not wash, but dust them- selves, like the Gallinaceous birds. They feed partly on grains, and much on grasshoppers and insects ; nidificate on the ground, and their eggs are dusky greenish with numerous speckles. Many sing well, and are highly imitative. They are almost confined to the Old World, one form only occurring in North America, and they are very sparingly represented in Malayana and Australia. The Larks may be said to grade to the Finches on the one hand, through MontiJrinfjilla and Pieclrophanes ; and, on the other, into the Pipits through Cvrydalla. BIRDS OF INDIA. 41(5 The Larks may be sub-divided into the Bush-larks, the true Larks, and the long-billed or Desert-larks. / O 9 1st. Bush-Larks. These have the bill stout, with the nostrils not concealed by feathers; the wings more or less rounded, and the tail short. They are squat, heavy looking birds, which prefer more bushy places than the true Larks, and seek concealment. Gen. Mirafea, Horsfield. Char. — Bill stout, thick, compressed ; the culmen curved and convex ; the tip slightly deflected ; commissure gently curving ; wings rather short, 1st quill short, 2nd shorter than the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, which are nearly equal ; tail very short, even ; legs rather long ; hind claw moderately long. The Bush-larks, as they may be called, are distinguished by their rounded wings, short tail, and they have usually more or less ferruginous on their wings. The edges of the mandibles are often worn away about or beyond the middle. They arc found in India, including Malayana, Australia, and in Africa. 754. Mirafra assamica, McLelland. P. Z. S. 1839 — Blytii, Cat. 746 — IIoesf., Cat. 720 — Ploce- alauda typica, IIodgs. — Aggia 11. — ( Bhatal at Muttra?) — Bhiriri at Bhagulporc. Tiib Bengal Bush-lark. Descr. — Above ashy brown, with an olive tinge ; feathers of the crown, interscapulars, and scapulars, with dusky brown centres; wings and tail dusky, the outer webs of the primaries, and the edo-es of the secondaries, with the whole under surface, bright ferruginous, fainter beneath; under-parts fulvesccnt white, whiter on the throat, and spotted on the breast ; a light superciliary streak, and the car-coverts Speckled with dusky ; outer tail-feather, with the exterior web, ferruginous, the others edged with the same. Bill dusky above, lleshy whitish beneath ; legs pale fleshy brown ; irides hazel brown. Length 5^ to 5$ inches; extent 104; wing 34; tail 1|; bill at front ^ ; tarsus not quite 1. ALATJDXN/E. 417 This species, which may be at once distinguished from the others by the prevalent ashy hue, has a very thick, stout form ; the bill is very thick, and is often much worn away at the edges ; the 2nd primary is about equal to the 6th ; and the tail is very- short. The Bengal Bush-lark is found throughout all Northern India to the Nerbudda, extending eastwards into Assam. It is stated also to occur in the N. W. Provinces, and in the Deyra Boon, but I think that doubtful. Gray states this to be the same as Javanica of Horsfield, but the description of that bird is very different, and more like that of another Indian species, M. erythroptera. It is a tolerably familiar bird, feeding'' in gardens and bushy places, squatting when watched, and then taking a short flight ; and it appears to have the propensity to hide itself more than any of the other Indian species. It frequently perches on bushes. Mr. Philipps, as quoted by Plorsfield, says that ie in the morning and evening, it may be observed, perched on a naked bank, and there pouring out its song, which consists of about eight notes, the first six quickly repeated, the last two slowly ; ” but, as before stated, I am inclined to doubt if this bird really occurs in the N. W. Provinces, and I imagine that Philipps’ re- marks apply to another species. Mr. Blyth says that ‘ in captivity it is a heavy inactive bird, prone to hide itself from observation, and that its song is pleasing, but of no power.’ It appears to be more common in long grass than in bushy ground ; and I have only observed it myself in lower Bengal, Dacca, and Svlhet. The nest is described by Tickell as like that of Ammomanes plusnicura ; but one which I obtained in Dacca in June, was distinctly domed, or covered in by turning the stems of grass over, and was very artfully concealed. The eggs are dull greenish white, with numerous grey $ind brown spots. 7 55. Mirafra affinis, Jerbon. 111. Ind. Orn. (under M. erythroptera, PI. 38) — 2nd Suppl. Cat. 189 — Blyth, Cat. 743 — Horsf., Cat. 718 — Eeli-jit.ta , Tel. — Ltepee in Central India — Cidrchiro, II. 418 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Madras Bush-lark. Descr. - — Plumage above dusky brown, with pale rufous edges to the feathers, and a pale supercilium; ear-coverts pale rufous, tipped with dusky ; beneath white, faintly tinged with fulvous, and with the breast marked with large oval brown drops ; quills dusky brown, rufous on the outer web of all (except the first two) to near the tip, and with the inner webs rufous at the base, that color obliquely margining them to near the tip ; the four central feathers of the tail pale brown, the others darkish brown, the two outermost edged with yellowish white on their outer webs. Bill dusky, fleshy beneath ; legs fleshy ; hides brown. Length 5f to G inches ; wing 3^ ; tail If ; bill at front T7^ ; tarsus T9^ ; hind toe and claw f . 1st quill above 1 inch long, 2nd about shorter than the next three ; tail very short ; bill moderately thick. This Bush-lark is found on the Malabar Coast, in the Carnatic, in Mysore, and the southern part of the table-land, extending North to Goomsoor and Midnapore. Col. Tytler states that it occurs at Barrackpore, but it is certainly very rare in Bengal. It is also found in Ceylon, and I lately found it abundant at Thayet-myo in Upper Burmah. It is a tolerably familiar bird, entering gardens, and coming close to houses, and does not care so much, as some others of the genus, to conceal itself from observation, for it simply squats, in general, close to the ground, and does not hide itself. It frequent- ly perches on shrubs or even on trees, and takes short flights in the air, descending again with outspread wings. It breeds on the ground, making a loose nest of grass, under the shelter of a bush or tuft of grass, and lays three or four eggs, greenish grey, with spots and * stains of brown and dusky. It has a pleasant little song which it utters during its short flights, or occasionally from the ground. Specimens from the Carnatic have a redder tinge than others from Midnapore and Ceylon. 756. Mirafra erythroptera, Jerdon. Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn. pi. 38— Blytii, Cat. 744 — IIorsf., Cat. 717 — M. Javanica, apud Jerdon, Cat. lSV—Jungli aggia , II. — Chinna eeli-jitta, Tel. ALAUDINAE. 419 The Red-winged Bush-lark. Descr. — Upper parts streaked, the centres of the feathers being dusky brown, and the edges light fulvous brown, rufescent on the head; coronal feathers lengthened; a whitish eyestreak ; ear feathers rufescent-brown ; beneath, the throat is pure white, and the rest of the plumage pale fulvescent- whitish ; the breast marked with large oval blackish spots ; primaries and secondaries ferrugi- nous on both webs, except towards the tip, the dusky portion gradually increasing to the outermost feather ; tail blackish, the four middle feathers brown and the outermost only whitish on its outer web. Bill horny fleshy ; feet fleshy ; irides dark brown, Length 54 inches ; wing 3t^j ; tail 2 ; bill at front -—■ ; tarsus ; hind claw j3^ ; the bill is thick ; the 1st quill §■ inch long ; the 2nd ^ of an inch shorter than the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, which are about equal. This species, though very similar to the last, is readily distin- guished from it by its smaller size, and by the rufous colour extend- ing over the whole of the primary quills ; also by the longer tail. The Red-winged Bush-lark is found in the table-land of the Deccan, extending south to the edges of the Carnatic, and it is found also in the hilly district of Monghyr, where I lately procured it, but I did not observe it in the intermediate Saugor district, nor at Mhow in Central India. Buch. Hamilton appears to have observed it, for it is figured among his drawings. It is very common about Jaulnah, in low jungle. I saw it once only in the Carnatic, at the foot of the Eastern Ghats, inland from Nellore ; and here I found it within a mile or so of the preceding species, M. offinis , but neither encroaching on the other’s ground. It never frequents the open plains, nor does it enter gardens and enclosures like the last one, but it keeps almost exclusively to low scattered jungle. It frequently perches on shrubs, whence it occasionally rises a short distance in the air, and descends again with outspread wings, its bright rufous quills glittering in the sun. Like the others, it is found single or in pairs, never congre- gating ; is a shy and wary bird, and, when observed, hides itself behind a bush ; and, if followed, soon contrives to conceal itself. 420 BIRDS OF INDIA. 757. Mirafra cantillans, Jerdon. J. A. S. XIII. 960, and 2nd Suppl. Cat. 185 — Blyth, Cat. 745 — Horsf., Cat. 719 — Alauda cliendoola, apud Jerdon, Cat. 185 — Aghun or Aghin, H. — Burutta pitta, Tel., also Ayldn pitta , Tel. The Singing Bush-lark. Descr. — Above dusky brown, the feathers laterally margined with rufescent brown ; wings and their coverts strongly margined with rufous brown ; a pale eyestreak ; throat and below the ear- coverts white, and the rest of the under parts pale rufescent, darker on the breast, with a few indistinct small breast spots ; outer tail feathers nearly all white, the penultimate white on the outer web only. Bill dusky horny, lleshy beneath ; legs fleshy brown ; irides dark brown. Length 5 ^ inches; extent 10; wing2|; tail 2 ; bill at front, T7g ; 1st primary f inch ; the four next equal, or the 2nd and 5th a trifle shorter ; bill not very thick ; feathers of head elongated. This species is distinguished from the other Bush-larks by the less amount of rufous on the wings, and this, with its more slender bill, led me, from seeing a caged specimen, to consider it a true Lark. It is very closely allied to M. Horsfieldi , Gould, from Xew South Wales. The Aggun Bush -lark is generally spread throughout India, but not very common, except in some localities. It is most abundant in the Carnatic, the Northern Circars, and in some parts of Mysore ; more rare in the table-land. It is found in Bengal also, but rare ; common in Behar, according to Buch. Hamilton, and in Central India, according to Tickell. It chiefly frequents meadows and grass land near cultivation ; and it is said to rise higher in the air than other Mirafra; thus, in its colours, habits, haunts, and song, it is more Lark-like than any other Mirafra. It is often caged, and much prized by the natives for its pleasant little song, which is very sweet. It also imitates the notes of other birds, though perhaps not so well as the Chandul, Gulerida cristata. ALAUDINiE. 421 M. Javanica is found in Java, and in some of the other islands of Malayana, and appears to be the only species of this group known throughout the Malayan Archipelago. M. Horsfieldi , Gould, from Australia, has been already alluded to. There are, perhaps, several of this genus found in Africa, but some that are referred to it by Dr. Smith, appear to belong to the genus Mega- lophonus of Gray ( Bracltonyx , Swains), as well as some of the Alauda of Smith. This merely differs from Mira fra in having weaker bills. 2nd The True Larks. These have the nostrils covered with a tuft of incumbent bristle-like feathers. They frequent more open ground than the Bush-larks, and do not endeavour to conceal themselves further than by squatting close to the ground. There are several forms among the true Larks, some of them having their bills nearly as strong as in Mirafra. The first two genera have their plumage nearly uniform, and, scarcely, if at all, striated ; their bills are thick and Finch-like, and were it not for their tufted nostrils, they might be ranked with the Mirafra; and, indeed, two of them were described under that generic appellation. Gen. Ammomanes, Cabanis. Char. — Bill short, thick, compressed, arched at culmen, acute at the tip, which is slightly bent over ; gonys ascending ; wings long, straight, 1st quill minute, 2nd not so long as the 3rd and 4th, which are the longest, and 5th is nearly equal ; tertiaries not elonga- ted beyond the secondaries ; tail rather long, slightly emarginate ; tarsus and feet moderate ; hind claw large. These birds have a remarkable rufous coloration on the back, tail, and under parts ; frequent open bare fields and plains, and do not congregate. 758. Ammomanes phsenicura, Franklin. Mirafra, apud Franklin, P. Z. S. 1831 — Sykes, Cat. 100 — Jerdon, Cat. 188 — Blyth, Cat. 747 — Horse., Cat. 7 22 — Aggiyu, H. — Iitytal , II., of some — Ambal i-jori -gadu, Tel., sometimes Dowa- pitla, i. e. Koad bird. 422 BIRDS OP INDIA Tub Rufous-tailed Finch-lark. Descr. — Plumage above ashy brown with a rufescent tinge ; rump, base of tail, the inner webs of the quills, and the tail-feathers, dark rufous or dull ferruginous ; the quills and tip of the tail dark brown ; lower parts the same ferruginous hue, but paler on the throat and lower tail-coverts, and with a few dusky streaks on the breast ; extremity of the lower tail-coverts with a dusky spot. Bill horny brown above, fleshy at the base beneath ; legs fleshy ; irides brown. Length 64 inches ; wing 4T2^ ; tail 2— ; bill at front ; tarsus T5^ ; hind toe and claw jT). The Rufous-tailed Lark is found throughout the southern part of India, as far North, at all events, as the Nerbudda on the West, more rare however towards the North. I have seen it North of the Ner- budda, at Mhow and Saugor, but rare ; and Tickell appears to have met with it in Central India. It is unknown on the Malabar Coast, in Bengal and in the N. W. Provinces. It is most abun- dant in the bare table-land of the Deccan, frequenting open plains, ploughed lands, stubble fields, and dry beds of rivers. It frequent- ly ascends suddenly in the air by a few interrupted strokes of its wings, and uttering at the same time a pleasant loud whistling- note, something like too-ichee ; it then descends with a sudden fall, changing its note to a low lark-like warbling ; when close to the ground, it again repeats this, and so on for several times. It occasionally, though very rarely, perches on low trees or bushes. It feeds on seeds of various kinds, and hard insects ; and it makes its nest on the ground, of grass and other light material, generally under the shelter of a clod of earth, or tuft of grass, laying three or four eggs, dirty greenish- white, with numerous small brown spots. It breeds about Jaulnah in February and March. Tickell found it breeding in Central India in June. 759. Ammomanes lusitanica, Gmelin. Alauda, apud Gmelin — A. deserti, Lichten. — A. isabellina, Temm, PI. Col. 244. f. 2.— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 163 — Mirafra phaenicuroides, Blyth. — IIorsf., Cat. 723. ALAUDISLE. 423 The Pale-rufous Finch-lark. JDescr. — Affined to A . phcenicura, but the general hue is less rufescent ; upper parts dull sandy grey-brown ; the wing-coverts dark-shafted ; the under parts fulvous grey, or isabelline, albescent on the throat, and with a few faint dusky streaks on the breast; tail brown, faintly rufescent at its extreme base, and on the outer web of the outermost feather; broad margins to the inner webs of the primaries and secondaries, rvith the axillaries, also pale rufescent. Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath; feet pale yellow-brown. Length about 6 inches ; wing 4; tail 2| ; tarsus § ; hind claw above T5^. This species inhabits Afghanistan and Central Asia, but spreads into Cashmere and the Punjab Salt range, where procured by Mr. Theobald. Griffith states that it frequents rocks and stony places, and that the claws are usually much worn. It is chiefly an inhabitant of Arabia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe, especially in the south of Spain and Portugal. It is much paler and less rufous than the last; of which it may be supposed to have the habits. Tristram found its nest in Africa, and describes the eggs as cream colour, blotched with red and brown. Other species of this Finch-lark are A. cinnamomm , Bonap., and A. pallida of Ehrenberg. It does not seem that the Indian examples have been accurately compared with lusitanica, and Horsfield, in his Catalogue, gives both these last species with a query, as perhaps the same as our bird. The next genus is chiefly developed in Africa, one species only occurring in India. Gen. Pyrriiulauda, A. Smith. Char. — Bill short, very stout, sides compressed; tip entire; culmen strongly arched ; commissure straight ; wings moderately long, broad, and well developed, and the tertiaries lengthened ; first quill very small, the four next equal and longest ; tail moderate, slightly forked ; tarsus short ; toes small ; hind claw slightly length- ened and curved. 424 BIRDS OF INDIA. This genus of small Larks was formerly classed among the Finches by some naturalists. With much of the structure of the true Larks, it differs remarkably by its short stout bill ; and the sexes differ in colour, the males having some large patches of black on their under parts. 760. Pyrrhuladida grisea, Scopoli. Alauda, apud Scopoli — Blyth, Cat. 748 — Horsf., Cat. 724— P. crucigera, Temm. PL Col. 269-1 — Sykes, Cat. 108 — Jerdon, Cat. 194 — Alauda gingica, Gmel. — Diyora, H. Duri, H. of some, commonly called Dabhak churi , i. e.. Squat Sparrow — Jolliauli, of Hindu bird-dealers (Buch. Ham.) — Chat-bharai , and Dhula chata , Beng. — Poti-pichihe or Piyada pichike , Tel., i. e., Short Sparrow or Ground Sparrow. Ortolan of some Europeans in the south of India. Tiie Black-bellied Finch-lark. Descr. — Male, above pale brownish grey, the feathers slightly centred darker, somewhat rufescent on the back ; forehead and cheeks whitish; wings and tail brown, the feathers all pale edged; and a deep brown or black band from the base of bill through the eyes, continued to the occiput ; chin and throat, sides of neck (extending at right angles behind the ear-coverts, and thus taking the form of a cross, whence Temminck's specific name), breast, and lower parts deep chocolate brown or black ; sides of breast, of abdomen, and the flanks, whitish, bordering the dark colour. Bill pale; legs fleshy ; irides dark brown. Length about 5 inches ; extent 10 ; wing o ; tail nearly 2 ; bill at front not §. The female wants the black on the lower parts, the plumage is darker, and more rufescent above ; the breast faintly streaked with brown, and earthy on the flanks, sides of breast, and neck. She is a smaller bird, measuring about 4f inches This curious little bird is common throughout all India, from Ceylon to the foot of the Himalayas, except on the Malabar Coast, and it does not ascend the Himalayas at all. It is especially abundant in Western India, in Sindh, and the Pun- jab, and extends thence to Arabia. It frequents the open plains, and ploughed or fallow fields, and prefers the barest spots, ALAUDINiE. 425 and especially roads, where it may often be seen dusting itself* It is remarkble for the sudden ascents and descents of its flight, mounting up some height by a few flappings of its wings, and then descending almost perpendicularly, till it nearly reaches the ground, when it again rises as before, and repeats this several times. In general, it takes but a short flight, and, on alighting, squats close to the ground, and will almost allow itself to be ridden over before it rises. It occasionally may be seen seated on the house-top, but I never saw it perch on a tree except on one occasion, when I observed about twelve or fifteen of them perched on a low tree close to cantonment in the hot weather. It makes its nest, from January to March, in the Deccan, later further north, on the ground in a slight hollow, with grass, thread, pieces of cloth, &c., and lays two or three eggs of a light greenish grey tint, with small brown spots, chiefly at the larger end. The young birds are plumaged like the true larks. Sundevall says that he heard it singing in the air like a lark, with expanded wings. This* I have not witnessed. It remains the whole year in India, and, in the cold season, sometimes collects in large flocks, and is then often shot for table as the s Ortolan .’ Layard says, that it visits Ceylon in flocks, in the cold weather, but does not breed there. Several species of this genus occur in Africa, and have been figured in Dr. Smith’s Zoology of South Africa. In the next group, the wings are much lengthened, the 1st primary rudimentary, or even wanting in some. To this belongs the Calandra Larks, and Calandrella, in which the bill is still thick and short, and the plumage plain, not strongly streaked ; and, in Calandra thbre is a patch of black on the breast, assimilating them to the preceding birds. Gen. Calandrella, Kaup. Syn. Coryphidea, Blyth. Char. — Bill short, sub-conic, moderately compressed ; wings long, straight ; first primary minute, the next three primaries about equal ; tertiaries elongated ; feet small, with shortish toes, and moderately short, but straight hind claw. This form has more the aspect of a Bunting than a Lark. 3 h 426 BIRDS OF INDIA. 761. Calandreila brachydactyla, Temminck. Alauda, apud Temminck — Horsf., Cat. 714 — Al. calandreila, Bonelli — Blyth, Cat. 736 — Alauda dukhunensis, Sykes, Cat. 99 — Jerdon, Cat. 187 —A. arenaria, Stephens — Emberiza bag- haira, Franklin — E. olivacea, Tickell — Baghaira , or Bag- lieyri or Bcighoda , II. — Ortolan of Europeans in India. The Short-toed or Social Lark. Descr. — Upper parts pale rufescent sandy, streaked with dusky; a stripe over the eye, and the whole under parts, fulvous -white, tinged with earthy brown on the breast, which is spotless in some, in a few slightly spotted ; wings dusky brown, with fulvous edg- ings, broader and deeper-colored on the tertiaries, and on the tips of the coverts, and with a whitish edge to the first developed primary ; tail dusky, the penultimate feather having the outer web white-edged, and the outermost feather with the outer web wholly white to near the base, and also some of the inner web. In old or worn plumage the dusky tinge prevails on the back, the breast has some narrow dusky streaks, and a patch of the same appears on each side of the lower part of the foreneck ; this is also slightly observable in newly moulted specimens. Bill whitish horny, dusky on the ridge of upper mandible ; legs brownish, darker at the joints ; irides dark brown. Length 65 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 2^ ; tarsus T8^ ; hind toe with claw about —j. This species is widely distributed throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa, and has even been once killed in Britain. It is found throughout India, more rare to the extreme south, and it has not been observed in Ceylon, but numerous in the Deccan, and thence northwards to the foot of the Himalayas, but not in the countries to the eastward. The short-toed Lark appears in India in October and November, in flocks, frequenting the bare grass downs, frequently damp spots near tanks, also grain fields and ploughed land, and it almost always retires to cornfields or grass for shelter during the heat of the day, whence it does not in general issue again till next morn- ing, for they are seldom seen flying about or feeding in the afternoon or evening. It feeds almost entirely on seeds ; both ALAUDINuE. 427 runs and hops on the ground, and has a call note like that of the real Larks. Towards the end of March in the south, April in the north of India, different flocks often unite into vast troops, con- taining many thousand birds, and quite darkening the air, so close do they keep together, even when flying. Great numbers are netted in some parts of the country, or taken by bird-lime, or shot ; for when feeding, they keep close to each other. On one occasion, on the cavalry parade-ground at Kamptee, I bagged twelve dozen birds after discharging both barrels, and many wound- ed birds escaped. They get quite fat about this time, and are really very excellent eating, and they are always called Ortolan by Europeans in India. They leave the north of India about the end of April, or beginning of May, and they breed in the steppes of Central Asia, Eastern Russia, and also in Northern Africa, placing their nest on the ground at the edge of a scrub or bush, and laying four to six eggs, usually marked with grey and rufous spots, but sometimes, it is said, unspotted yellow brown. Alauda leucoptera, Pallas, from North Asia, is placed as a Calcm- drella by Bonaparte. The Calandre Larks ( Melanocorypha , Boie) are large species, with very thick convex bills ; wings with the first primary very minute or wanting, and the tertiaries not elongated. The hind claw is straight and of moderate length. They are chiefly inhabitants of Northern and Central Asia, the South and East of Europe, and of Africa. Their habits are said to be that of the last bird, and of Alauda , but that they keep aloof from cultivation. One species, ill. torguata, Blyth, M. limaculata of Menetries, is the Bokhara Lark of some Europeans in the North-west, the Jull of the natives. It is a favorite song bird of the Affghans, and is often brought to the Punjab, Cashmere, and even to Calcutta. It is very like M. calandra, but is considered generically distinct by Blyth, and named Calandrina, having a longer and less robust bill. Its general color is, much as in Cal. brachydactgla , but with a large blackish patch on each side of the breast above, tending to meet across ; beneath whitish, upper parts dusky, with pale sandy edgings. Length about 74 inches; wing ; tail 2£. It is quite possible that this Lark may yet be found in the extreme North-west Provinces, it being 428 BIRDS OF INDIA. common in Affghanistan. To this genus also belong Al. tartarica, Pallas, of North Asia, almost entirely black in summer dress, (occasionally killed in Europe) ; and A. mongolica , Pallas. Al. clot-bey , Temminck and Bonaparte, belongs to the same group ; but, from its very thick and deeply notched bill, has been separated as Ramphocoris , Bonap. The next form is not unlike the preceding one, but smaller, and less social in its habits. Gen. Alaudala, Blyth. Char. — Bill more lengthened and slender than in the preceding genera, but still rather short and thick, and slightly curved ; wings moderate, with no rudimentary first primary, and the first three quills longest ; tail even ; feet very small ; hind claw about the length of the toe, nearly straight. Of small size. This genus may be said to combine the general form (including the bill) of Alauda , with the feet and plumage of Calandrella. There is only one species known, the smallest of all the Indian Larks. 762. Alaudala raytal, Buch. Hamilton. Alauda, apud B. Hamilton — Horsf., Cat. 773 — Cal. raytal, Blyth, Cat. 737 — Al. pispoletta, Pallas? — Retal, II., i. e. Sand- bird. TnE Indian Sand-lark. JDescr. — General hue of the upper parts light brownish-ashy, with narrow dark centres to the feathers ; lower parts white, faintly tinged with fulvous on the breast, where obscurely marked with small spots ; wing-coverts and tertiaries margined with pale fulvescent or whitish ; the outermost tail-feathers white, except the inner half of the inner web, and the next one is white along the marginal half of its outer web only ; a whitish line through the eyes. Bill pale horny ; legs fleshy yellowish ; irides brown. Length 5f inches; extent 8 ; wing 3 ; tail If to 2 ; tarsus ^ ; hind toe and claw not ; bill at front § ; spread of foot 1. ALAUDINJS. 429 This little Sand-lark is found on the banks of the Hooghly, Gan- ges, Indus, and Bramapootra; also, as I lately had the opportunity of observing, abundant on the banks of the Irrawaddy in Upper Burmah. It frequents the sand dunes, the colour of which its own plumage strongly approximates. During the height of the flood of the Irrawaddy, I observed it feeding on the roads and plains in the station at Thayet-myo in small parties. “It occasion- ally,” says Blyth, “ventures short snatches of song, frequently without rising from the ground, and I never saw it mount high.” It is also found in Central Asia, and has been considered the same as A. pispoletta of Pallas, which name will stand, if it be identified with that bird. The description applies pretty fairly, but the measurements given do not correspond, the wing being given as 3.8^ inches, and the tail as 2 '3. Blyth has seen specimens from Ladakh. The birds next noticed comprise a very distinct form, and it is the only one which has been observed in the American Continent. They are easily recognised by their sincipital crests, and a peculiar coloration. They are mostly inhabitants of cold or temperate regions, and the following species are probably confined, in India, to the Himalayas. Gen. Otocoris, Bonap. — Crested-Larks. Syn. Phileremos. Brehm. Char . — Bill moderately short, slender, somewhat conical ; the culmen distinctly arched ; wings moderately long ; no minute primary, and the first three sub-equal and longest ; tail long, even ; toes short ; claws rather long and nearly straight ; head with a double, erectile, sincipital crest. The crested Larks differ from the two last forms, in their shorter wings and longer tail, as well as in the double crest, and there is always some black on the head and breast. 763. Otocoris penicillata, Gould. Alauda, apud Gould, P. Z. S. 1837 — Blyth, Cat. Appendix, p. 337 — IioRSr., Cat. 709 — 0. scriba, Bon. — Gray. Gen. Birds, pi. 92. 430 BIRDS OF INDIA. The Horned-lark. Descr. — Head, neck, and back, streakless vinaceons ashy, passing to purer grey on the wings ; narrow frontal band, lores, ear-coverts, and the sides of the neck, meeting as a gorget across the breast, purple black; the crown and the pointed sincipital tufts also black ; forehead, supercilia, continued round the ear-coverts posteriorly, throat, and below the breast, wdiite, the latter tinged with yellow ; primaries fuscous-ashy, the first, externally, wdrite ; the tail blackish, except the medial feathers, which are colored like the back, and the outermost and penultimate, which have white margins. Bill and feet black. Length about 8 inches ; wing 4b ; tail 3 ; bill at gape | ; tarsus 1 . This is the description of the summer dress ; in winter, probably, judging from the analogy of 0. alpestris, the colors would be much concealed by deciduarv grey edgings, and the black would be less intense and not so deep. The males differ from the females in being of a brighter colour, and in having the black feathers on the top of the head much more distinctly marked. The yellow gorget in winter is bright, and in summer remarkably faint, while the black on the nape is vice versa. The Horned-lark is an inhabitant of the cold regions of Northern Asia, in winter descending to the plains, and coming South. It has been found in Nepal, Kumaon, and other parts of the Hima- layas ; also in Cashmere. Either this, or the next species, was observed by Adams on the lower Himalayan range (Birds of India, under No. 111). Messrs. Dickson and Ross, who observed it in W estern Asia, say, that they are driven to the plains in winter in search of food, which consists of the grain found in the dung of cattle. They fly in companies of from three to twelve birds ; are very familiar, especially in winter, when they may be killed easily with an ordinary whip. They run on the snow with surprising rapidity, and, as soon as the snow has melted on the plains, they return to the mountains. This Lark is said to sing well, mounting into the air, like a true Alauda. ALAUDINZE. 431 764. Otocoris longirostris. Gould. Moore, P. Z. S., 1855, with, figure — Horsf., Cat. 710. The Long-billed Horned-lark. Descr. — Allied in colour and in the black markings of the head and breast to 0. penicillatci, but differs in its larger size, considerably more lengthened bill, wings, and tail, in the thicker toes, and in the feathers of the back being broadly centred with brown. Length 7f inches ; wing 5 ; tail of ; bill at front T6y ; tarsus ; hind toe and claw t7q. This species has lately been described, and is said to have been procured in the neighbourhood of Agra, but most probably was from the Himalayas. Judging solely from the figure in the P. Z. S., it appears very close to the last, of which perhaps it is only a large specimen. The black on the neck is not continuous with the band from the eye, as in penicillata , but the resemblance is very close. Nevertheless, as Mr. Gould is familiar with the previous one, J shall, for the present, give it a place as a distinct species. Otocoris alpestris is found in Europe, frequenting the sea shores, and has been killed on the English coast ; and O. bilopha, Temm., PI. Col. 241, f. 1, much smaller than the preceding, is found in North Africa, and Arabia Petrrea, and may occur in the extreme west of Sindh and the Punjab. Several species occur in America, being the only Larks found in the New Continent, and some of these have been separated by Sclater as JSeocorys. Gen. Spizalauda, Blyth. J. A. S. XIV. 258. Char. — Bill as in Alaadci , i. e.> with the nostrils protected by bristles, but thicker and Mirafra-like in its form ; wings long, with the 1st quill minute, the next four about equal and longest, as in the true Larks ; tertiaries lengthened ; hind toe and claw moderately developed ; claws longer than in Mirafra ; coronal feathers length- ened, and forming a pointed crest. This is simply a thick-billed and highly crested Alauda. 432 BIRDS OF INDIA. 765. Spizaiauda deva, Sykes. Alauda, apud Sykes, Cat. 98— Mirafra Hayi, Jerdon, 2nd Suppl. Cat. 188 bis.— J. A. S. XIII. 959— Blytii, Cat. 742— Horsf., Cat. 721 — Chinna cliandul , Tel. The Small Crested Lark. Descr. — Upper part, including the crest, isabelline or rufous brown, with black mesial streaks ; upper tail-coverts rufescent without streaks; the first long primary broadly edged with rufes- cent, and the outermost tail-feather and most of the penultimate of the same hue ; superciliary streak continued round the back of the head, and lower parts of a similar or isabelline hue, with a few dusky striffi on the breast, and paling on the throat. Bill horny brown, yellowish below ; feet fleshy brown ; irides dark-brown. Length 5^ to of inches; wing 3§ ; tail about 2, a trifle longer ; bill at front T7^ ; tarsus f ; hind toe and claw The short first primary is about an inch long ; the crest has its longest feathers about f inch long ; and the mesial dark streak of each is strong and contrasting. This small crested Lark is found throughout Southern India, chiefly on the table-land, rare in the Carnatic. Sykes procured it in the Deccan, where also I observed it, at Jaulnah, and I obtained examples from the top of the Eastern Ghats, and from Mysore. It frequents grass-land, and has quite the habits of a true Lark, and not at all those of a Mirafra, with which, from its thicker bill, 1 at first classed it. It is frequently caged in the Deccan and in the south of India, sings well, and is an excellent mocking bird. We next come to the restricted Larks, with a comparatively slender bill. Gen. Alauda, Linnaeus (as restricted.) Char . — Bill moderate, nearly straight, conical or subulate, slender ; wings long, the first primary exceedingly minute, and the next four sub-equal, the fifth in some decidedly shorter ; tips of the lesser quills emarginated ; tail short or moderate, forked ; ALAUDINvE. 433 tarsus somewhat lengthened ; feet large ; hind claw very long ; coronal feathers elongated, forming a full crest. 766. Alanda trifeorhyncha, Hodgson. Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 84 — Alauda dulcivox, Hodgson, apud Blyth, MSS. Mus. As. Soc. — A. arvensis, Auct., apud Blytit, Cat. 732 — Hor.sf., Cat. 705 — A. coelipeta, Pallas?- — A. japonica, Temm., and Schl. F. J. pi. 47 ? The Himalayan Sky-lark. .Descr. — Above deep brown, the feathers edged with rufous, broadly so on back of neck ; beneath, and ejm-brow, pale fulves- cent, or earthy white, rufescent on the breast, and with a few brown streaks ; tail with the outer feathers nearly all white, and the penultimate with the outer web also white. Length 7 inches ; wing 4 to 4^ ; tail 2f ; bill at front not ^ ; tarsus 1 ; hind toe and claw Ij^. This Sky-lark has been found in Nepal by Hodgson. Blyth was latterly induced to separate the Himalayan birds, under Hodgson’s name dulcivox (under which name he states that he received specimens from Mr. Hodgson), from the European bird, . with which he formerly classed dulcivox , on the grounds that the form of the wing was distinct, the fourth developed primary in sup- posed dulcivox being barely T7i inch shorter than the third, whereas in arvensis , it is at least ^ shorter. The wing of the European Lark is given as 4|- inches, which is longer than in any Indian examples of the present bird. Moreover, the colors of dulcivox are said to be brighter, and the contrast more marked. In other respects the two birds are alike, except that the throat and ear-coverts are less spotted in the Himalayan bird, and there is a stronger rufous tinge on the wings. It is certainly the A. triborliyncha of Hodgson, in Horsfield’s Catalogue, No. 705, where it is described as follows: — “ Very like A. gulgula; differs in being somewhat larger, and the bill smaller ; the ferruginous colors brighter, especially on the wings. Length 64 inches ; wing 4/ Hj&Lgfe* .p^v v i~ Cp-pCPp g22®i: ‘IjaxjS^jy ^ySfSti^i jjMP'Q '>& llip „\V .xlS^x P fPip i, p^jte p@m l&xSwfc / £u>. fpi W&