an? ILLUSTRATIONS INDIAN ORNITHOLOGY, CONTAINING PUELY wLGURIES OF NEW, UNFIGURED AND INTERESTING SPECIES OF BIRDS, CHIEFLY FROM THE SOUTH OF INDIA. BY T. C. JERDON, ESQ. MADRAS MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT. MADRAS: PRINTED BY P. R. HUNT, AMERICAN MISSION PRESS. 1847. ay TAT LA TOOLOMTIATO AKITM uy re 4 ten) | - Bama TO. BOL, ALT En RITE GA INTEODU GYION Ir is with much satisfaction that the Author has brought _ this work to a conclusion, though so long delayed by various obstacles. Forty-seven distinct species of Birds are represented in the fifty plates. The great majority of them are figured here for the first time, and either improved figures, or different states of plumage, compose the remainder of the drawings. Three of the birds are from the Hima- layas, and one from Ceylon—all the rest inhabit the peninsula of India. Domtaiips adbum civ @ Thee + ~' yon) dominos oO oF #10" ‘ To eaipsem. iouifeth nataeUNO'L vm nar. To” Pheroizor apr, ane 7 ” i) 7 “2 io” saretas Jearattibd a) ; 7 io §6eatinnt Leveerry (ae tint i . : bid Oh, io. ool : edviveyly off) Ws 1ObilAqeTy ae 3 a) He—nolye ate. ane. Gein earn ee a / . Nisaetus Bonelli. . Leucocirca Albofrontata. . Zanclostomus Viridirostris. . Accipiter Besra. . Picus Hodgsonii. . Prinia Cursitans. . Muscipeta Paradisea. . Turdus Wardii. . Scolopax Nemoricola. . Pterocles Quadricinctus. . Phenicornis Flammeus. . Falco Peregrinator. . Crateropus Delesserti. . Muscicapa Albicaudata. . Oriolus Indicus. . Ardea Flavicollis. . Lanius Nigriceps. . Palzornis Columboides. . Malacocircus Griseus. . Petrocincla Pandoo. . Vinago Bicincta. . Pastor Blythii. . Dendrocygna Major. . Caprimulgus Indicus. . Ceyx Tridactyla. CONTENTS. Plate 26 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. . Bucco Viridis. Buteo Rufiventer. Falco Peregrinator. Accipiter Besra. Strix Candidus. Brachypus Poioicephalus. Muscicapula Sapphira. Otis Aurita. Anas Caryophyllacea. Pycnonotus Xantholemus. Pterocles Quadricinctus. Brachypus Rubineus. Mirafra Erythroptera. Diceum Concolor. Picus Cordatus. Scops Sunia. Francolinus Benulasa. Phyllornis Jerdoni. Falco Luggur. Anthus Similis. Parus Nuchalis. Picus Ceylonus. Columba Elphinstonii. Xiphoramphus Superciliaris. Indicator Xanthonotus. i Mb 14 4 Mi 7 bala wel eith sctlgn a 4 ol faey any or si nt wr meth en eA! ig weal oh wi 4 tela? div 4 evel saqhew itl 5, Pits Siew Yt aviv. A = = o ota rt Bd Vasa x Toast wiihew gd Murer te. song eS F Jha aotgorrd ole ac, iV@e etd « aqgenyy Ae ; sais Aone lt i 7 ne wise’ woth) jm a stot oAY oe bi eo hainey Pk, D inteled iy Res alg SL i doahowel i tus sb og Give %- Uioite T a a 12 sagied ; fal cog imiy 4 fond itv 2 “a % a » er : wie Jglev. 9D wh T o> A 4 G ‘ iv te INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. Tue first part of the ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN ORNITHOLOGY is at length presented to the Public, after a greater delay in the publication than the Author was led to expect. The ground-work and branches are from the pencil of a highly talented amateur Artist, and the Author here begs leave to tender his most grateful acknowledgments for his very valuable aid, which has contributed not a little to set off the drawings and embellish the work. Several of the plates, however, viz. Nos., 1, 2, 3, 4,5,6 and 12 were printed off before the Author became acquainted with that gentleman. Thirty additional copies of these plates being afterwards found necessary to meet the increasing list of Subscribers, the same Officer added a ground-work to these. The colourists were instructed to paint in to those first printed similar to that of the additional lithographs ; but, as might have been expected, they have not executed this part so well as the Author could have wished, and they were not allowed to finish all the copies. In consequence of this a difference, more marked in some than others, will be found among the plates mentioned above ; and I trust that this explanation may prove sufficient to those who have the opportunity of comparing the two sets. The 2d No. being entirely printed and partially coloured, will appear at no very distant interval, and the nature of its contents will probably make it more attractive than the present number. Should the publication of the present series of fifty birds be, as there is every reason to anticipate, successful enough to repay the Author for the heavy expenses he has incurred, it will, immediately on completion, be followed by a second set of fifty more birds, and the two series will then include a very considerable number of the unfigured species of Peninsular India. A classified Index will be given with the concluding No. which will notice any corrections of nomenclature that may be required. NE Lore : Wovember 3d, 1843. i TOOIOMTIAAO KA AT 40 edOrrastaOLIE audh wo dees dota odd cad! cottmaldiy od hi yadab iatnory « tolte oildlat sid o ? - _ re - P ; ty - =I qralente bolted qidget & lo inanonp il —— aria ievd box Avaw-i -janosg, of Fe a sa! a 4, 4 Ae. ait mot etimcebolyvorslos; Inteiey reba ate te) avs ab ag ga on ved todtod alt Bate dei ui el « be flailfodwts fine egaiwosl silt o, Soaks ¢ abi ae. sinc 3 it douby bi are: atw Si J hae a6 beak bo at ees anelg cult Yo fewnvae Haire tae: 3 ap if tir holdisapor srcaeu sodord. | § asote t S90 Ta crorbbe dat f h a sly sradimaedid to teil gaiteevoth 51 i¥'te pais Wosson sn aliswraditn oe salads ve : ot Gi fain oF hstorrrietd, stow etait ‘ethos Ser aes soit wr Prow-haroig 8 , shive “¥en! RO secu <—¥ bakin wae Led 4 ange marhiel aston thhe od % Sash oy TH fivecte ‘batairg esti oso f hooliem. orods sonerstich 6 sino 0p ext a eal oath he bo Heit ot howolls . aoe rp: > ent tndt Jers T fire 5 oro is rE sidan aadeley ack: tc bitasot od the einer 5 At 6 wise ows S01 srecency orice a > PILATUS sift aver oy orn! fj gl cathe avo Gy 1 ra nat aes f : ry : ra Voy om Je TAs fire ennai a hing Bina fs Tete eiasit a3 otth eae vi i 1 sal di : ; ae a ‘ oi outlet ovitoetita atoos if oduas tldadorg tie stitein wy athe couten adt fine bert: na jamal - RQ wedinun ined . 7 = Prag £ » eb yori ae oth Sheet, yak ‘to eoited “faneony ode Ms apni: vido welt blaod ee 1 - @ ; ‘ 5 iy P : _ fail eonsqate “yraod gIG tot ronitel adit niger ol tgwoms: Iteanoaue potacioitan Q = Leb atone vith Ya ie burowaee vf howolloh och out akg 70.4) ey i ye ; A= 7 coum of = i : ” a tier doider off sorbuinnoy of) Mie nner xf tiiesbbeX Boftions pet 90 Fen Bic! gaitalan alt onl 7 we ee | a & bay Wott 5 ae ors a ‘ifatrr ored fylaoo tof A oglt 2h hy oe Jing etl holimaxe toa ‘otek nit Boloogxe 0 ff 7 d hag v Bn soa: De a \ S LA ACHAA ORD. RAPTORES. TRIBE—FALCONIDE. FAM. AQUILINE. GENUS NIS AT U S—Hodgson. PLATE I. NISATUS GRANDIS-—Hodgson. YOUNG FEMALE. LARGE HAWK-EAGLE. Synon.— Nisetus niveus, Jerdon—Madras Journal of Literature and Science, No. 24. Mhorunghee, in Hindustani—Salwa, in Teloogoo—Ryalee, in Tamool. THE group of rapacious birds to which this fine Eagle belongs, was first separated by Mr. Hodgson, in a paper published in the 6th volume of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, and the genus is there characterized as follows :—“ Bill short, at base as high as broad, distinguished by compression without feebleness, strongly festooned, nares large, vertical, elliptic, angulated and wholly lateral in expose wings short, firm, fifth quill longest—taillong, firm and square —tarsi elevate, but not feeble, wholly feathered— digits elongated, nervous, the inner fore and the hind highly developed—acropodia reticu- late with three or four scales next each talon—talons immense, very unequal, strong and acute—head usually crested.”—Mr. Blyth, the zealous and able Curator of the Museum of the Asiatic Society at Calcutta seems to think that this genusis not separable from Spezetus of authors. Not having had an opportunity of examining any of the African and South American Eagles classed in that genus, I cannot attempt to decide the point, but I think it likely there will be found some shades of difference, warranting at all events a sub-ge- neric distinction. This I consider to be the more likely as the genus is not one of universal A Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology ; occurrence. Moreover, Swainson has separated the Fulco cristatellus, an undoubted member of this group, from the African crested Eagles, retaining however Spizetus for the Indian Bird, and classing the others under the genus Harpyia. Sir W. Jardine too in a letter to me writing of the present subject says ‘ modified characters will receive both this, and cristatellus.’ I therefore prefer for the present retaining Hodgson’s excellent name as being more appropriate to the habits as well as structure of the birds of this group than the name Spizetus—Mr. G. R. Gray, in his Genera of Birds has put Nisetus as a synonym of Limnetus. ‘This is of course a grievous error, this latter genus being described as having all the claws nearly egual and small. The present species or large Hawk-Eagle was first described and named by Mr. Hodgson in the 5th volume of the Journal of the Asiatic Society. When I drew up the Catalogue of Peninsular Birds in the Madras Journal, I was unaware of Hodgson’s paper, and referred this bird to the Falco niveus of authors, with the meagre descriptions of which in the books of reference I had access to, it indeed sufficiently agrees. I have however since ascertained it to be distinct.* I shall now give a description of the species represented here taken partly from my own obseryations, and partly from the obliging communications of Mr. Blyth. Young bird—Plumage above pale brown with the shaft and tip of each feather somewhat darker. Beneath, under wing-coverts and tibial plumes of a rusty white (in some deeply stained with ferruginous) with a very narrow mesial pale brown stripe on the feathers, almost obsolete in some.—Tail above closely and numerously barred with brown, on a pale brown ground. Adult—Aboye deep aquiline or wood brown. Beneath, pure white with a dark brown mesial line to each feather ; broader in general in the female, and most developed on the belly, on which in old birds the brown hue predominates, and takes the form of bars. Under wing-coverts dark brown—under tail-coverts white banded brown—tibial plumes deep brown, freckled whitish—tail hoary grey with seven bars and a broad subter- minal one. An intermediate state of plumage is marked by the pale edging to the feathers *Thename Strenuus, was printed on the Plate before I was aware that the specimen from which the drawing was taken was identical in species with grandis. Loy rf ol Nisetus grandis. of the back, by the less development of the mesial markings of the feathers of the lower plumage, and by the paler tint of the tibial and tarsal plumes. At all ages the feathers of the nape are margined with whitish (or pale brown in some) and their bases are conspicuously white. Bill plumbeous, black at tip—cere and feet pale greenish yellow—irides bright gamboge yellow. Dimensions—Length of a male 26 to 27 inches—wing from flexure 173 to 18 inches—tail 11—bill straight to gape 2— tarsus 34—centre digit 2;4—do. claw 13,. Length of female 29 to 30 inches—wing 204 —taii 123 to 13. The large Hawk-Eagle is dispersed over the whole continent of India from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, but cannot be said to be an abundant species, though few dis- tricts are not occasionally frequented or visited by a pair of them. It chiefly affects the more wooded and jungly districts, and especially the neighbourhood of hills and mountain ranges. It is much on the wing, sailing ata great height; and making its appearance at certain spots in the district it frequents always about the same hour. It may often be seen seated on the summit of a lofty tree, or on some overhanging rock. I have observed it chiefly on the Neilgherries, along the range of western and northern ghauts; also though more sparingly in the bare Deccan and Carnatic. ‘The individual from which the present drawing was taken was lilled in Guindy park at Madras. It preys by preference on various kinds of game—hares, jungle fowl, spur fowl and partridges, and even on pea fowl—also on ducks, herons and other water fowl, and according to the testimony of Shikarees it has been known to strike down the douk, ( Tan- talus leucocephalus.) Most native Falconers too haye stories to relate of its having carried off a favorite hawk. On one occasion on the Neilgherries, I observed it stoop successively at a spur-fowl, hare, and pea-fowl, each time unsuccessfully however, owing to the thick- ness of the jungle. A pair were also wont to resort to a village at the hills and carry off fowls. Mr. Elliot too mentions “that he once saw a pair of them nearly surprise a pea- cock, pouncing on him on the ground.” Great hayoc was committed among several pigeon- houses on the Neilgherries by a pair of these Eagles, and indeed I heard that one or two were completely devastated by them. The manner in which they captured the pigeons was described to me by two or three eye witnesses to be as follows :—On the pigeons taking flight, one of the Eagles pounced down from a yast height on the flock, but directing its swoop rather under the pigeons, than directly at them. Its mate watching the moment when, alarmed by the first swoop the pigeons rise in confusion, pounces unerringly on one of them and carries it off. The other Eagle haying risen again also makes another stoop which is Illustrations of Indian Ornithology s generally fatal. One of these birds shot in the act was presented to me by a gentleman, who had been a great sufferer by them. Ihave not yet been fortunate enough to meet with the nest of this Hawk-Eagle, but it is said by native Shikarees to build on steep and inaccessible cliffs, and to breed in January or February. The other known Indian species of this group are:—Ist, Nisetus niveus.—2d, N. pulcher, Hodgson.—3rd, N. Hierertin;—and 4th, N. cristatellus. A fifth species has been merely indicated by Hodgson as N. pallidus. I shall here give a brief descrip- tion of these four species from copious information afforded me by Mr. Blyth. Ist—NismTus NivEUs—SuscrestepD Hawxk-E acre. Syn.—Fulco niveus, Tem.—F. caligatus, Raffles ?—Nis. Nipalensis, Hodgson. Young.—Above brown, the feathers with broad pale edgings, usually has a slightly developed occipital crest, sometimes found possessed of a long drooping occipital egret-like crest of two long feathers—beneath white, nearly spotless—tibial plumes white, regularly cross- ed with pale fulvous bands—under tail-coverts white spotted with brown—tail brown with five dark bands and a subterminal one broader and more distinct,—the tipwhitish—head and nape usually light fulvous with dark mesial stripes, extending by age—quills barred with blackish. Intermediate age—Above dark aquiline brown, with pale edgings, obsolete on the interscapulars—beneath white with a dark mesial stripe down the throat and 2 lateral ones less defined—breast with brownish black drops on each plume—rest of the plumage be- neath nearly all dark brown—tibial feathers and under tail feathers barred with dark brown and white—tail brown with an ashy tinge and banded as in the young bird. Adult—Plumage entirely dusky black, dashed with ashy on the back—the under surface of the primaries anterior to their emargination and the under surface of the tail alone albescent—caudal bands only visible beneath—cere dark livid—irides light grey brown in young—bright yellow in adult—feet pale wax yellow. Length of a male about 25 inches—expanse of wings 49—wing 15—tail 11—hbill at gape 1}—tarsus 3}. Female from 26 to 293 inches—expanse 54—wing 1523—tail 11—bill 1}—tarsus 4. This species has a larger known geographical distribution than any other of the genus haying been found in Bengal, the Himalayas, and Java. Nisetus grandis. 2nd.—Nismrus PULCHER, Hodgson. Above deep brown, blackish onthe crown and occipital crest which is 4 inches | long—feathers of the nape pale at base and edges—beneath white, tinged with fulyous— chin blackish—central Ime of throat and two lateral ones also blackish—breast with broad longitudinal streaks—belly and flanks banded and mottled brown and white—under tail coyerts the same—tibial plumes distinctly banded—tarsal plumes less so—upper tail coverts and quills also banded—tail with 5 dark broad bays on a brownish grey ground. Length of male 29 inches—wing 18—tail 13. Female 32—wing 19—tail 144. 3rd.—Nisarus Krenrertt, Repd-Bpoprep Hawk-EAcre. Syn.—Astur Kienierti, De Sparre—Guerin Mag. de Zoologie, 1835.—Ms. albogularis, Tickell—Jour. As. Society, 1842. Above black with a shade of brown—an occipital crest 25 inches long—throat, neck, and breast, :pure white, the sides of the last only with black streaks—belly, flanks, under tail coyerts, legs, under surface of wings deep rufous, streaked with black on flanks —tail brown, obscurely banded—wings.and tail beneath albescent, with narrow bands— ear coveits white at base, the rest rufous, each feather streaked with black—irides dark —cere wax yellow. The specimen from which this description was taken was probably in its second or third year ; the younger bird as shown by some unmoulted feathers had the brown of the upper plumage only moderately dark. An apparently more adyanced stage is described by De Sparre as quoted above. Plumage above and occipital crest, fine black, with copper reflections, most apparent on the wings—secondaries and ridge of wing edged with clear rufous—throat white—cheeks mixed with white black and red—neck and. breast white with longitudinal medial black spots, most numerous and largest on the breast and these mixed with rufous spots—belly, abdomen and sides rufous, marked with numerous and large black medial spots—under tail coverts and legs unspotted rufous—tail black above, albescent beneath with black band. Length 22 inches—wing 16—tail 10—bill 13— tarsus 3. A single specimen was procured by Lieutenant Tickell at Chyebassa in Central India, The specimen described by De Sparre was said to be from the Himalayas and is in the collection of Prince Essling. B Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; 4th.—NIs2TUs crIsTATELLus, Elliot—Madras Journal of Literature and Science, No. 25. Syn.—Ffuleo. cristatellus, Tem. Judging from analogy with other species of this genus what is apparent- ly the young state of this bird is thus described by Jardine. Above and occi- pital crest amber brown with pale margins to each feather, forehead white, head and nape yellowish brown, mixed with amber brown. ‘Tail above brown, with seven narrow black bars, and white tip. Beneath, feathers of tarsi, and ridge of the wings white. Apparently the second plumage is thus described by Lesson. Above brown tinted with rufous—head and neck rufous streaked with brown, beneath white streaked with bright rufous, deepening in the flanks, inferior coverts and legs. Tail brownish rayed with dark brown. A still more advanced age (Mr. Elliot’s specimen) has the plumage above and occipital crest, fine deep brown, the latter nearly black, quills banded with dark brown. Tail with five bands. Beneath white, each feather with a large blackish brown drop, which occupies nearly the whole feather, flanks and lower part of abdomen nearly all brown. Tarsal feathers of a fawn tinge, spotted with brown. Cere and orbits dark livid or plumbeous. Length, of male 24 inches—wing 16—- tail 11,—bill to gape 1-7,—1tarsus 4. The specimen described by Jardine was said to have been taken on the coast of England. M. Lesson’s specimen was from Ceylon, and Mr. Elliot’s was procured at the foot of the Eastern Ghauts inland from Nellore. I may add that the description of this latter specimen has been taken partly from Mr. Elhot’s, and partly from a drawing which that gentleman had taken of his specimen. In comparing the descriptions of this bird with those of Nisetus niveus, it is impossible I think to avoid the supposition that they are identical. They are about the same ‘sine and relative dimensions. The deseription of the young state of each is nearly identical, and the more advanced state as described by Mr. Blyth of NV. niveus only differ from that of Mr. Elliot’s specimen in such a degree. as we should expect in a bird of one less moult. The cere of both is described as being livid. It is represented very short in Mr. Elliot’s drawing thus further corresponding. with niveus, and lastly the geographical distribution of ziveus being comparatively so extensive, Nisetus grandis. we have every reason to expect its occurrence in Southern India. I may here state that I observed a bird apparently of this species im high jungle at the foot of the Neilgher- ries. It was seated on the summit of a high tree and had its crest raised. I was unfor- tunately unable to procure it. In a future part of this publication I hope to be able to give a figure of the adult plumage of NMisetus grandis. 7 ; Awe acidity Malicge nl cfete-ones! ence uth Bentlinoe ii vdorst9de ott viene okt madlivVl at to de db olf 3m, sigun(, dau at ra to yams bere abort i , eva ane 2 .beaier feos ae Sota eine sinvustsre ‘od no iii We tt LBP af oleinnts sae vt “tu iluhe sd} ie osu sa ovigeod ada adhade Goeth netobioefabther ¢ ry ait PT ee ee poe Seopa Se diate’ tat eee { - lo ” ) oh Peet Sh pay rer gmck: Gowt win bed “om - a i. aos “Collec t ° ayer) th) eather boc n {Saat CRE : a4 od teres ame ite tip eevee hem ‘ot miadianelian tl te 7 7 - - wt Sma more @Mh toa iti Iwovewe on a r as ¥ i imm © ane a ¥ nakth Mac: exe te alia 7 ; we omni inthy. din Q sediray - a hae) - Sins ' iv tream: ' : va ; - one oe mr. . ors pwerwn wf this birt’ we ch, theme ots 1 es - W-eyeed pment inn meas i AOI OCEAN LLELOCLOPD OF7AL ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE—DENTIROSTRES. FUA ME MAUS CIC A PAD ZE: GEN. LEUCOCIRCA. PLATE Tf. LEUCOCIRCA ALBOFRONTATA. WHITE-BROWED FANTAIL. Synon.—Rhipidura albofrontata, Franklin—Proc. Zool. Soc. 1831, page 116. Muchurrea, Hindustani. In the excellent volume on flycatchers by Swainson, m the Naturalist’s Library, this genus was first proposed to be separated from Rhipidura; the chief distinctions being the bill more lengthened, broader at the base, and less compressed towards the tip, the bristles not quite so long, and the legs and feet more deve- loped. It appears restricted to the tropics of the old world, more especially to India and its Islands. The subject of our present plate was first described by Major Franklin, in his useful Catalogue of Birds procured by him on the banks of the Ganges and the Vindhian range of mountains, which was published in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1831. It was also included by Colonel Sykes in his Catalogue of the Birds of the Dukhun, published in the same work, and I gave a brief account of its habits in my Catalogue of Birds of the Peninsula of India, published in the Madras Journal of Literature and Science. It would accordingly appear to haye a tolerably extensive distribution over the continent of India, though it has not been found in Bengal, its place there being taken by the Rhipidura fuscoventris of Franklin, which I haye not yet obseryed in the Peninsula, C Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology ; though it is included in Colonel Sykes’ list. Towards the South of the Peninsula, the White-browed Fantail is only found at all common in those districts abounding in wood, and it is of frequent occurrence all along the Western coast, though not found, that I am aware, in the depths of the forests, preferring chiefly avenues of large trees, gardens, and the more open portions of the jungle. In the bare Carnatic, it is only met with now and then in large topes or groyes of trees, and extensive gardens, and still more sparingly in some of the patches of low jungle found in the more hilly portions of this district. Towards the more Northern part of the Peninsula however, as [had an opportunity of observing at Jaulnah, N. Lat. 20°, it is much more common and diffused, and may be seen in eyery clump of trees or garden. In its habits it appears to be the most active and restless of the whole family, con- tinually flitting about from branch to branch, snapping up an insect on the wing every now and then, and raising its outspread tail, and lowering its wings, whenever it reseats itself on a twig. It hardly ever flies beyond a few feet after an insect, and seldom re- turns to the same perch, traversing in succession most of the branches of the tree, and not resting during even the heat of the day. I have usually seen it solitary, occasionally two or three in company. I haye seyeral times seen it alight on the ground, and on one or two occasions observed it seated on the back of a cow, and pursuing insects from this unusual perch. Its chief food consists of mosquitoes and other small dipterous imsects, whence its Hindustani name. It has a pleasing little song, which it warbles forth every now and then, consisting of several notes following each other in a regularly descending scale. Colonel Sykes speak- ing togetherof this bird, and L. fuscoventris, says, “ The male has a very sweet note. He spreads and raises his tail over his head in hopping from bough to bough.” Its popular name in Teloogoo is Dasharee pitta, a name which refers to the conspicuous white forehead and eyebrows, Dasharee being the Teloogoo name for the white stripe, with which certain of the Hindoos adorn their foreheads. I was informed that its name in Malayalum is Manatee, or Washerman, given from the continual upraising of its tail, the washermen in this country raising their clothes high above their heads and beating them on a stone. I am ignorant of any facts as to its nidification. The species is figured here for the first time I believe. Ishall add a brief description of it, and a synopsis of the other Indian species. Description.—Plumage aboye and neck in front, dusky black, darkest on head and Leucocirca albofrontata. neck, and palest on the tail—forehead, eyebrows extending to the nape, plumage beneath, afew spots on the wing coverts, and the tips of the tail feathers (except the two centre ones) white—chin and throat white mottled with black—irides dark brown—bill and legs blackish —length about 7 inches or 7}—extent of wings 10—wing from flexure 3;*°,—bill at gape ~o—at front about is—tarsusy’;—tail 37,—weight 6} drachms. The other ascertained Indian species of this group are as follows :— 1.—L. fuscoventris—Rhipidura fuscoventris of Franklin, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1831, and Sykes—mentioned above. 2.—TL. pectoralis, Jerdon—New species. Description—head and cheeks black —rest of plumage above dusky black -—band across the breast black white spotted, chin blackish—throat white—abdomen and under tail coyerts whitish, tinged with fulvous— feathers of the tail light dusky, all, except the centre ones, tipped lghter—bill and legs blackish—irides dark brown—length 6? mches—wing 3—tail 3;—tarsus ~7,—bill at front yo—at gape ;,—weight 6} drachms. In my Catalogue of Birds previously referred to, I mention under the head of LZ. fuscoventris, that I had observed that species on the Neilgherries, though I had not pro- cured it. Since that time I obtained this bird and found it to be distinct and apparently undescribed, so I have accordingly characterized it as above. It frequents chiefly the warmer valleys at the edges of woods, and occasionally hedges and thickets. Its habits are much the same as those of its congeners. 3.—L. hypoxantha, Blyth. Description—Abovye of the usual dusky colour—eyestreak, and entire under parts brilliant-yellow—tail conspicuously white shafted with white interior edges to the feathers for their terminal half—length 44 inches. Hab. Darjeeling. eiapeed penntay ong lf of pines, ono aah 99 ond ath squoxes) simbbest fk oul ft al teniooh anal fos kid — asec rr aren dw 200° Ogey a liid— £,8 siozal aoe anes di es eprtait: - a ; mode se teee ‘ee * 4 i —_—— Tu ahh daesatnioesnenarcl das tea} — —_— ereabld a 4 i) ays ae @orsi sgh auth mma yak <7 Pe er) ee re eee | a lca gti > 4 uk Lok —-vediiagig ct Ais ‘9820s +) aie ; - —.* 7 a tire ft ake: twat diss 5 heme Luald ‘cen vrodhi vygurest . ssaptit shaticlnty eft ¥en divs ruling bindable x : enol fir Uid—tatilail b ms ; ae tard k ers. Whe gaan aAl uae \, — — ae . ‘ ah Ot ire, 48 hates ; 9 - asafiin _ 7 _ & A& te Dead) oft hee aptioom I ot foraieteln cep aed lo oupoletn Ort e . t ’ as 7 (eg ove bol b duwedt woltmdeliox off) 0.208 pvr ada _ -¢fhmcer urate has * nab a ob 4h nary, Dera fet ers ainsi fe lye rin i ray dey i etikey pret rye fa ie as fue Fifi Fegactt taamsw if or Vipitilhv yom jetta a KT iat Thole chaith feniss. oit to vend, ae eribiest odf 0) aoele sobteatit otiiw dtiw Lestnaday otialy, ofes — atiO sot.) Ge. 7 ieeley Ul “ Ze geloihoniid Viudersditd , Printed by. hha. ll Kidtrewnajeo ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE—SCANSORES. FAM. CUCULIDZ. GEN. ZANCLOSTOMUS—Swainson. PAE ele ZANCLOSTOMUS VIRIDIROSTRIS—Jerdon. GREEN-BILLED CUCKOO. Synon.— Phenicopheus Jerdont, Blyth—J. A. 8. 1842—page 1095—not Ph. viridirostris,. Hyton—P. Z. 8. 1839. I described this bird as apparently new in my Catalogue of Birds of the Indian: Peninsula already referred to, and Mr. Blyth to whom I sent specimens so far assents to this that he has given it a new name, but he says, “ In most particulars this bird agrees with Dr. Latham’s description of his Madagascar Cuckoo the Serisomus cristatus of Swainson, or Coucou Huppé de Madagascar of Button, which Leyaillant states is also found in some parts of India, Dr. Latham adding, that ‘I find a similar one among the drawings of Mr. Daniell, found in Ceylon, and there called Handee Kootah.? No doubt the present species is alluded to in both cases.” That the species found in Ceylon and figured by Daniell may be identical with our bird, I have very little doubt, but that the Madagascar Cuckoo, referred by Swainson to his genus Serisomus (which indeed appears to have been created purposely for it) be the same as the species here figured, no one,, who compares the structure of the bill of the Green-billed Cuckoo with that of Serisomus cristatus (as given. by Swainson in his Synopsis, evidently from nature) can for a moment imagine; and I presume that Mr. Blyth has drawn this hasty conclusion without referring to the figure here alluded to; Mr. Blyth moreoyer has included this bird.in the genus Phenicopheus of Vicillot, though he D Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology ; says of it, and a nearly allied species, Melias tristis of Lesson, “ the bill is still more com- pressed and proportionally smaller, assuming nearly the same form as in Zanclostomus, wherein Mr. Jerdon has even placed one of them.” On referring to Swainson’s definition of the two genera I am still inclined to place our present bird in the genus Zanclostomus, it may be as a somewhat aberrant species. The Green-billed Cuckoo is dispersed over a great portion of the Peninsula of In- dia, though by no means common except in some few localities. It has not as yet been procured in Bengal, but I haye little doubt that it extends into Central India. In the bare Carnatic and the Deccan it is chiefly to be met with in those districts where the land is much enclosed, as in part of the Zillah of Coimbatore, where large tracts of country are enclosed by thick and in many cases lofty hedges of various species of Euphorbia, which afford shelter and abundance of food to this bird. It is also to be found in patches of low and thorny jungle, more especially if, asis the case with many of the low ranges of hills in the Carnatic, bushes of Euphorbia form a prominent portion of the jungle. Throughout the West Coast where jungles and forests abound, it is much more com- mon, especially in those parts where bamboos occur, and where numberless creepers entwine themselyes and hang in luxuriant festoons from almost every tree. Such is the peculiarly appropriate haunt of our Cuckoo, which diligently searches the foliage for various species of mantis, grasshopper and locust, whose green colours and odd forms though assimilating so strongly to the plants on which they rest, are of but little avail against its keen and searching eye. It is usually found single, and when observed but seldom takes to flight, making its way most adroitly through the most tangled breakes or hedges, and concealing itself on the opposite side. I was informed that its Hindustani name is ‘ Kuppra Popeya, and in Teloogoo it is called by some Wamanah Kakee. 1 neyer heard its cry, and know nothing of its nidification. Description.—General colour above dark greenish grey, the wings and tail glossy green, tail feathers tipped white ; beneath light dusky greyish, tinged with ferruginous on breast, and the feathers of the throat and neck dark at their bases. Length about 15 inches —of which the tail is nearly 10—wing 51—bill to forehead 1 inch—at gape 1}—tarsus 1,ths—weighs 2 oz. 12 drachms. A closely allied species to this is the Zanclostomus tristis, Melias tristis of Lesson, and the Phenicopheus longicandatus of Blyth’s Monograph of the Indian Cuculide, which that gentleman informs me he considers identical. ‘This species inhabits Nepal and the Zanclostomus viridirostris. Tenasserim provinces. It bears a yery close resemblance in colour to our Peninsular bird, but ismuch larger, being 23 inches long, of which the tail is 163. The only other ascer- tained Indian species of this genus is Zanclostomus Sirkeer, the Eudynamys Sirkee of Gray and Hardwick, and Strkee Cuckoo of Latham, which I have found, though much more rarely, in the same localities as the last. ahs ba rh sali T tes oF Gtoled ati: wrt pow « ‘ 1 esoes raddto ela od” Apt ei bees onl acalers to tl ik QAO) to ani? aymanenyile ult poombo wasn aie ston oun dfyirasll bnget ae abit «reer Yo aa $7 Pal a shal it Berd 3 ORD. RAPTORES. TRIBE—FALCONIDE. FAM. ACCIPITRINZ. GEN. ACCIPITER. PLATE IP, ACCIPITER BESRA—Jerdon. THE BESRA HAWK, Synon.— Accip. minutus, Auct.’—Acc. Dussumiertt of Sykes’ Catalogue ?—Ace. fringilla- rius, Jerdon—Catalogue No. 35?—Acc. Besra do., No. 34, Madras Journal, No. xxiv. Besra, (the female.) Dhotee, (the male,)in Hindustani. Vaishtapa Dyaga, in Teloogoo. Oor chitlee, Canarese of the Halapyk caste. At No. 34 of my Catalogue of Birds of Southern India, I very briefly indicated this species, from Mr. Elliot’s notes, never having to my knowledge at that time seen the Besra, while under No. 35, I described a Hawk procured by me on the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries in thick forest, which, if not identical with the Besra, is a very closely allied species. Since that Catalogue was published I have seen two living specimens of the Besra, and have procured the skin of another, and am thus enabled to present to the scientific world the accompanying figure and description, which latter, however, is much less complete, than I could have wished, asI am at present unable to give an account of the changes of plumage of this Hawk, so necessary to a full knowledge of the species. I trust however to be enabled to do so before this publication is finished. Although I suspect that the Besra may be the Accipiter minutus of authors, which though originally described from Malta, is said by Lesson to have been received from Ceylon and the Coromandel coast, yet as there is another small species of Sparrow Hawk (the Khandesra) also found here, I E Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology ; have placed it as a distinct species for the present, till specimens have been compared with those named Ace. menutus in European collections, unless the present figure and description be sufficient to guide Naturalists at Home in deciding the point. I think it very probable that the Ace. Dussumierti of Sykes’ Catalogue be no other than this species, as it agrees in size, whilst his Acc. Dukhunensis is apparently the F. Dussumierii of Temminck. The Besra is a comparatively rare Hawk, though well known, by name at least, to every native who takes an interest in hawking. Its permanent resorts are the large and lofty forests of Western India, and it is only after the breeding season is over, about July, that a few birds, usually young ones, straggle to various portions of the Eastern parts of the Peninsula, and there only to districts more than usually wooded or jungly. Here they remain a few months, and return again to the Western forests for the purpose of breeding. Mr. Elliot says that “he has only met with it in the Soonda jungles (in Canara) where it is taken young by a caste called Halapyks, and sold to falconers from Hyderabad.” Ihave reason to believe that several individuals are annually captured on certain districts on the Eastern coast, where from time immemorial they have been known to resort to on migrating from the Western coast. The Besra and other short winged Hawks, as well as occasionally the Luggur and some of the Falcons, are usually caught by what is called among Falconers the Do Guz. This is a small thin net from four to five feet long, and about three fect broad, stained of a dark colour, and fixed between two thin pieces of bamboo, by a cord on which it runs. The bamboos are fixed lightly in the ground, and a living bird is picketed about the middle of the net and not quite a foot distant from it. The Hawk makes a dash at the bird, which it sees struggling at its tether, and in the keenness of its rush, either not observing the net from its dark colour, or not heeding it, dashes into it, the two side sticks give way, and the net folds round the bird so effectually as to keep it almost from fluttering. The Besra is said to be somewhat more difficult to train than most of the Hawks, and it is a delicate bird, and requires great care and attention, especially during the hot season. It is highly esteemed among Native Falconers, and sells for a considerable price. It is very speedy, and particularly active and clever in jungle, whichits habits, as adenizen of the forests in its wild state, peculiarly fit it for. It is chiefly flown at the partridge, which it seizes in general with great ease and certainty ; also occasionally at quails, snipes and doves. The male or dhotee is but seldom trained and is then flown at sparrows, brahminy mynas, (pastor pagodarum ) and other small birds, I shall now give a description of this Hawk. Male, 1st year—Plumage above clear wood or hair brown, darkest on the head— The Besra Hawk. a few of the feathers at the bend of the wing faintly edged with rufous—ear coverts cinereous —throat white with a longitudinal dusky streak in the centre—plumage beneath white, with large brown marks, long, oval, and somewhat lanceolate on the breast, more rounded on the abdomen, and forming broad bars on the sides—tail with four dark brown bars on a pale ashy brown ground—leg teathers white, closely marked with small roundish brown marks— under tail-coverts pure white—bill blueish, black at tip—cere and orbitur skin pale greenish yellow—legs and feet pale yellowish green with a glaucous tinge—irides golden yellow, with an exterior circle of black—tarsus long, thin and compressed of apparently two long plates, one before and one behind. Length 10 inches—wing from flexure 6—tail 5—tarsus 2. The second quillis longer than other species of this genus—the third is equal to the fifth, and but slightly shorter than the fourth, which is longest. There are eight scutella on the posterior toe next the claw, seven on the internal, twenty-five on the centre, and seventeen on the external toe. The specimen from which the accompanying figure was taken (as well two liy- ing birds] have seen) was beginning to moult, and the new feathers were of a dark cinere- ous or slaty hue, and Native Falconers assure me that such is the colour of the upper plu- mage of the Besra after its first moult and whichit is said not again to change. If this be _ the case, the specimen I procured on the side of the Neilgherries formerly alluded to cannot well be this species, as it has the upper plumage of dark clove brown, whilst the under fea- thers have the usual barred character of the Hawks after their first moult. It has the lower plumage white, numerously and broadly barred with rufous brown, mixed with dusky brown. The length of this bird was about 14 inches—wing 7i—tail 5;,—1tarsus 2;°>—middle toe with claw 1;4,—tarsus thin, pale yellow, with the anterior and posterior scales each of one entire piece, and no lateral scales. In this specimen too the head and back of neck are dark- est, almost black indeed, and the tail light grey with four broad dark bars on the centre feathers and six on the external ones, face and ears dusky, throat white, with longitudinal medial stripe—and under tail-coverts pure white. I possess a drawing of this bird, but am at present unwilling to separate it from the Besra till I am more thoroughly certified of the changes of plumage the latter undergoes, and especially the style of the mark- ings of the lower plumage. Native Falconers enumerate several varieties of the Besra, some of which may be distinct species, others perhaps only varieties of colour. ‘These I shall allude to presently. Two other well ascertained species of Sparrow Hawk are found in the South of India, one the Accip. Dussumierii F. Dussumierti of Temminck, the Acc. Dukhunensis of Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; Sykes, and probably also F. badius figured most wretchedly in Brown’s Illustrations of Zoology from Ceylon. This is the Shékra of the Natives, is well known and extremely common, and is more frequently trained than any other bird of prey in India. It is a bold, though not a very speedy bird, yet will seize partridges or quails, and strike down a crow or even a larger bird. I see that Mr. Blyth proposes placing it in the genus Astur, rather than in Accipiter, owing to the shortness of its toes, but though this charac- ter certainly makes it an aberrant species of the latter genus, its superior length of tarsus would equally make it an aberrant Astur. The other Hawk is closely allied to the European Ace. fringillarius. It is the Basa of Indian Falconry, and has been named Ace. nisosimilis by Lieut. Tickell of the Bengal Army. The Khandesra is another small species which I have hitherto in vain endeavoured to procure, though the concurrent testimony of many Shikaries from all parts of the country gives me every reason to conclude that it is a distinct and well marked species. It was described to me as having a shade of plu- mage more resembling the Basha than the Besra, with the markings small and ill defined, a small head and eye, and a short tail—and is about the size of the Besra. It is said to be the speediest of all the Sparrow Hawks. I trust to be enabled to procure one before very long. In a Native work on Falconry, I saw at Aurungabad, the Besra is enumerated, and four varieties are mentioned—Ilst, The Ahandesra—2nd, The Chateesrah—8rd, The Sakhurtah, and 4th, The Besra proper—of these I have already mentioned the Besra and the Khandesra. I have also heard Falconers speak of the Chateesrah but it appears little known at present, and the Sukhurtah appears unknown now. In another work sent to me by Mr. Blyth for perusal, the Besra is thus divided.—Ist, The Khund Besra proba- bly the same as the Khandesra.—2nd, Khura Besra, perhaps the Besra proper.—3rd, The Jutesura, most likely the Chateesrah.—4th, Bhagureena—this I never heard of—it may be a native synonym of the Sukhurtah—5th, Khéd—b6th, Khur Besra.—ith, Manik Besra. 1 strongly suspect that these three names are only different appellations for the same hawk which from the description given of the Manik Besra is undoubtedly the re Wath. AOS ea Aaayea' th sdad® Tghfes cr 3 1 ee ipo: bof ead dowia soieinbao: Tn boat dodhst ita in ena am@yeed jo yoid od) uniitionix < nereiti aew T sales bet fT > f weit. Vad An Me _ -_ pri it a et free 7 mii witty = mt! a ub = M4, “wid [ie N. Wa ad 2 y Plan yp Vill rs ¥ ap 6 Cory @ ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE—DENTIROSTRES. FAM. MERULIDE. GENUS TURDUS. PLATE VIII. TURDUS WARDII—Jerdon. PIED THRUSH. I am indebted to my friend S. N. Ward, Esq. M. C. S., for the only specimen of this curious Thrush, [have yetseen. It was procured by him in the table-land of Mysore immediately below the Segoor pass of the Neilgherries, during the cool season—I regret that I know nothing of its habits. T have dedicated it to Mr. Ward a keen and zealous Naturalist to whose researches I am already indebted for several novelties, and from whom I hope to receive shortly a still further accession to the Peninsular Fauna. Mr. Blyth to whom I forwarded for in- spection the unique specimen I possess of this Thrush, thus speaks of it in his Museum report for September 1842. “ A remarkably coloured species from Mysore, connecting the Black- bird group with the Oreocincle of Gould.” Description—General colour black—eye-streak and lower parts from the breast white—upper tail coyerts banded black and white, all the wing feathers tipped white, forming a conspicuous patch on the lesser wing coverts, a streak on the edge of the greater coverts, and another on the end of the smaller wing feathers. Sides of the body banded with dusky black—tail feathers black, white tipped and edged, most so on the external feathers, diminishing to the medial tail feathers—irides dark brown —hbill yellow, dusky at the base aboye—legs, feet and claws yellow. Length 9 H Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology ; inches—extent 144—wing from flexure 4,5,—tail 34,—tarsus 1, to sole—bill at gape 17;—to forehead Siths. Weighed nearly 23 oz.—third quill longest—second equal to the fifth—first rudimentary—fourth yery slightly shorter than the third. Ix AM cota fet Juammoncol , Pisrttad Ay L, tthe OU fistnonayee ORD. GRALLATORES. FAM. SCOLOPACID. GENUS SCOLOPAX. IZA), JO SCOLOPAX NEMORICOLA—Hodgson. WOOD SNIPE—Do. Tus bird, the solitary Snipe of Sportsmen on the Neilgherries, is a cold wea- ther visitant to those hills, and probably also to other of the elevated table-lands of South- ern India, as well asto the summit of the wooded ghauts. I have been informed that several large or ‘ solitary snipe’ have been shot at times in different parts of the low country, which most likely were of this species. Mr. Hodgson first described* this Snipe asa winter resident in Nepal. Of its geographical range out of India we have at present no information, but it probably extends far North, and likewise towards the East. On the Neilgherries the solitary Snipe is by no means abundant, seldom more than two or three dozens being in general shot during the whole season. It frequents the skirts of the dense woods on the hills, generally near aswamp or marshy ground, or a run- ning stream, and is neyer flushed in the open ground, and when driven from a wood always seeks the shelter of a bush if no other wood be at hand. It seldom flies to any distance, taking advantage of the nearest available place of refuge. Its flight is not very rapid and indeed rather heayy. ‘Though so little larger than the common Snipe, its broad wings give it more the appearance of a Woodcock on the wing, for which it is invariably mistaken by a beginner. * Gleanings of Science, No. 32—and Journal Asiatic Society, Vol. vi, page 490. Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; Description—1I shall here content myself with saying that it differs in coloring from the common Snipe chiefly in the whole of the under surface being barred. Other shades of difference will be better appreciated by comparing a common Snipe with the figure here given, than by the most elaborate description. Dimensions — Length about 124 to 13 inches long—extent 19—of wing 5}— T. 23—bill 2;%—tarsus 15—I have generally found them about 5} ounces heavy ; Mr. Hodgson says, weight 7 oz. I shall here transcribe part of Mr. Hodgson’s remarks on this bird. “ This in- teresting species forms by its size, its manners, and some points of its structure, a link between the genera Scolopax, and Gallinago, but deviates from both towards Rhynchea, by the feebleness of its soft, bowed and sub-gradated wings which have the second quill longest. Its general structure is that of a Snipe, but its bill is a Woodcock’s, and the legs and feet are larger than in Gallinago. It is shy, non-gregarious, avoids the open cultivated country, and is only found in the haunts of the Woodcock, with this difference in its manners, as compared with those of Scolopar, that it is ayerse from the interior of woods. The wings are usually from 2 to 1 inch less than the tail, and the prime and tertial quills are equal. The tarsi differ from those of the common Snipe in that the scales, posteally are broken on the mesial line, whereas they are entire in that bird.” Vtneocles quad: picémettld Feantad by. Litho lll Fis lnger GLP'5 7 2 ORD. RASORES. FAM. TETRAONIDE. GEN.| PTEROCLES. PLATE, X. PTEROCLES QUADRICINCTUS. PAINTED ROCK GROUSE. MALE, Synon,—Prerocles quadricinctus, Temminck, Pig. et Gall? Gelinote des Indes—Sonnerat —Tetrao Indicus, Gmelin—Perdiz Indica, Latham —Anas Indicus and AG. bicinetus of Vieillot (according to Lesson and Wagler.) If the Péerocles quadricinetus of Temminck, an inhabitant of Senegambia, be identical with our Indian painted Rock-grouse, as is asserted in all the systematic works I have access to, which give both Africa and India as its habitat, than the specific name Indicus, jong ago employed, has the priority ; but, on comparing specimens lately with Wagler’s description, I found several points of difference, and Wagler himself says, ‘Is the bird des- cribed by Sonnerat really to be referred to this?’ Had I noted this sooner, and before the Plate was printed, I would have been inclined to have substituted the old term Indicus, but as our Indian bird had been referred without any hesitation to guadricinctus by Colonel Sykes, as well as by all systematists, 1 omitted previously to compare it more accurately. As it is, I am now inclined to consider our present Rock-grouse a distinct species from Quadricinctus, and it will of course bear the name of Pterocles Indicus. This handsomely plumaged Rock-grouse is to be found in suitable localities throughout India, but is by no means a common or abundant species. Unlike the Pterocles exustus, which delights in the bare and rocky plains, this bird is only to be seen in bushy and I Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; jungly ground, and prefers the neighbourhood of low hills. It is always met with in pairs, and when flushed, rises with a low chuckling call, takes a very short flight and alights. It sometimes, if followed, runs a short distance, and it is raised again with great difficulty. Its food consists of various hard seeds, and the Nativesinvariably assert that both this and the common Rock-grouse feed on gravel alone. It breeds during the hot weather laying two or three eggs of an olive colour, speckled with spots of olive brown and dusky, and of a long cylindrical shape, equally rounded at both ends. Its flesh is delicate and well flavoured. Though it does not occur in sufficient numbers to induce the Sportsman to follow it alone, yet in beating the low jungles for other game, a pair or two are occasionally flushed and shot. This bird and the Pterocles ecustus are known to Sportsmen in India by the name of Rock-pigeon, our present species being distinguished by the epithet painted, as indicative of the beauty of its markings. In Hindustani they are named Burteetur, the subject of our Plate being called by some Hundeyree. In Teloogoo, they are called Pcolunkar, and in Tamool, Kul Koudaree or Rock-partridge. Description—Male—Forehead and sinciput pure white, with a broad black band between. Back of head rufous yellow with black stripes—neck, breast and lesser wing coverts of a pale tawny yellow, shaded with a greenish hue. Three bands on the breast, the first marroon, the second pale yellowish, and the last dark chocolate—the feathers of the rest of the lower plumage banded dark chocolate brown and pale yellowish—plumage above banded dark brown and rufous yellow ; the larger wing coverts rufous yellow at the tip, then with a band of a dusky or inky hue, next a white one, and then another fainter inky one ona pale dusky yellow ground, this last inky band being sometimes edged by another narrow white one. Quills dusky, edged with yellow—tail banded brown and yellow—bill red—orbitar skin pale lemon yellow—irides deep brown—legs and feet ochre- ous yellow. Length about 10 inches—wing 7}—tail 3—extent of wings nearly 21 inches— weight about 7 ounces. I intend to give a figure of the Female bird in a futwre number of the Illustrations. XI J 4 ae Ge Sa o 4, Y Gage TCO) 708 fo LITA LLL, Bint by L do, Cl fainaryfoe ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE—DENTIROSTRES. FAM. LANIAD A. SUB-FAM. CEBPLEP YRINE. GEN. PHANICORNIS. PLATE,Xel, PHANICORNIS FLAMMEUS. FIERY-RED BIRD. MALE AND FEMALE. Synon.—Muscicapa flammea, Temm. P. C. 263—M. Subflava, Vieillot? Gobe mouche oranor de UIsle de Ceylon, Leyaillant? Sayelee—Hindustani. The genus Phenicornis was separated by Swainson, and is a very distinct and well characterized group of birds. Isee, however, that Mr. Gray, in his Genera of Birds, considers Boie’s genus Pericrocotus to be synonymous and to have the priority. As how- eyer Swainson’s name has now been in considerable use in this country, and as there are still some doubts as to the exact identity of several of these supposed synonymous genera, I have for the present retained our countryman’s name till a Committee of Ornitholo- gists has finally fixed on the name and limits of each genus, and till the names imposed by our own Naturalists, when they have a prior claim, are fully acknowledged by Foreigners. This handsome bird isa denizen of all the large forests of Southern India. I Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; have seen it in 'l'ravancore, Malabar, the Wynaad, and the forest skirting the base of the Neilgherries on its Eastern face, but not in the Carnatic or Deccan, there being no forests in these districts, except here and there on the slope, and at the base of the Eastern ghauts, and in the places where I have traversed these hills, I have looked in vain for it. ‘Towards the North of the Peninsula, in the jungles of Goomsoor, its place is occupied by the Phenicornis princeps and P. brevirostris of Vigors, which two species appear to extend through Central India to the Himalayas. The Phenicornis flammeus, though often to be seen in the more open and cleared spaces of the jungles, is never, that I have observed met with away from the woods. It ascends the sides of mountain ranges to a considerable height, and I fancied was more numerous in the elevated region of Wynaad,than in most other localities. I saw it though rarely in woods on the summit of the Neilgherries, but only at their Northern face. It is a tolerably common and abundant species in its appro- priate haunts, and, from its bright and showy colours, attracts the notice of most travellers through the lofty forests of Western India. It keeps chiefly to the tops of high trees, where it may be seen usually in small flocks, frisking about, picking an insect offa branch or leaf, or occasionally catching one in the air. The males keep up a continual whistling call. Its food seems to consist chiefly of coleopterous insects. The Gobe mouche oranor de l’Isle de Ceylon figured by Leyaillant in his Oiseaux d’ Afrique, Plate 155, and named Subflava by Vieillot, appears to me to be very probably this species, though I see that Lesson refers it to his genus Muscylva, and makes it synonymous with Gmelin’s Rufiventer, while M. miniata, and M. flammea are referred to his genus Acis which is the same I believe as Phenicornis. Should this conjecture be correct, Subflava , would have the priority of #ammea I suppose, unless indeed the Ph. flammeus of Swain- son, or Temminck’s M. flammea prove distinct from the species of Southern India, figured here, which I suspect may be the case, as Mr. Blyth informs me that the P. flammeus figured in Swainson’s Zoological Illustrations, appears to differ somewhat from my specimens of presumed flammeus. I can add nothing to the knowledge to be gained from an examination of the accompanying Plate, except by giving the dimensions of the bird which are as follows. Length 8 to 8} inches,—wing 3;5—tail 4,—tarsus a - _ no wets dqabzonymoqy balls sommaruiyrol aad to veasil: velit, oid alesis its Bio otohte¢mosed /svoda vegentaly eT ae vailbs gk bus. concen aid, : pa a 6Bndes orld saniiicones sedan) dtiwetemaggecib wantinsed fae aisle bas « sunt bes 2 iPeattad aypatdiane, ald “oulel yates £ tifiene roidyil {lien ane mgdoad),, p cruloigaaincnad tanansd os toe tach, vane wre ail ein Ree : adit’ ree Khramuh sare tel bad dbus duit a mio! cisvlagenw, op aeons oat vet Tek : \ ‘ 4 ? _ > : | ais - - or an i. _- ’ stg n A 2 : — _ ‘ : 7 4 J : ei , i, ae: om : ? Je Agate af tac om /~ aA i Ad a x ——— . - vce AT Se - - ay > . : : ‘ bar ’ <3 ; " ae . 7 4 _ : ee. ad —- a 7 - . ; - - _ 7 > " hoor aie ns: a me oe | ADDENDUM. Tur Falco guitatus of G. R. Gray, recently* described in the Annals and Maga- zine of Natural History, vol. 11, page 371, appears to me to be identical with, or at all eyents yery closely allied to, my Falco Shaheen. Itis from the Phillipine Islands. * May 1843. ee ee ih tke ie et lie ella aD i Pde ie 7 " a can _ } / cto @nipiiengs 1 hit (aokiohi od ot our of drnogge ITS. ogaee LE fox eee I we oral hoofal ocietititt. salt mot st FL ~ .vevelokes ont Nae, o} hailfa bs ike intat t 0 ee Xl Cratlerofited Lela Ce . ORD. IVSESSORES. FAM. CRATEROPODINA GEN. CRATEROPUS. PLATE XIII. CRATEROPUS DELESSERTI. WHITE BREASTED BABBLER. Synon.—C. Delesserti, Jerdon—Madras Journal Literature and Science, No. 25 Catal. No. 88. C. Griseiceps—Delessert. THE genus Crateropus of Swainson appears to have been first defined by M. Lesson as Garrulaz*, and has also, though subsequently to Swainson’s definition, received the name of Xanthocincla from Mr. Gould.—In my catalogue of Indian Birds published in the Madras Journal I ventured to join these three synonyms, and I see that they have been generally recognised as identical ; but the name given by Lesson has been preferred, having been bestowed prior to the others, and the late rules acted on by Gray, Strickland and others have enforced this has the first law of Zoological nomenclature. The white breasted Babbler was first named by myself in the Catalogue before alluded to from asingle specimen obtained by M. Delessert whilst collecting on the Neil- gherries, and which that Gentleman kindly lent me for inspection. Mr. Blyth informs me that in the Revue Zoologique, 1840—and in the ‘Souvenirs de voyage dans L’ Inde’ published by M. Delessert, subsequently to the appearance of my Catalogue, this species is described as C. Griseiceps.—I have never myself been fortunate enough to procure a specimen, but Lord Arthur Hay, a most zealous and enthusiastic naturalist has very recently obtained one, which he shot on the Coonoor Ghaut of the Neilgherries. The species of this genus appear to be chiefly confined to the wooded regions of Northern India, and the countries to the Eastward, and no less than 30 species are recorded * Traite d’ Ornithologie—1831—page 647. A Mlustration of Indian Ornithology. by Vigors, Gould, Hodgson, Blyth and others, as inhabitants of the Himalayas and neigh- bouring countries, whilst this and my Crateropus Cachinnans are the only hitherto recorded species of Southern India.—Mr. Blyth remarks the close affinity of our present subject to C. Gularis. The manners of the C. Cachinnans, the only member of this group I have myself observed, are something smilar to those of the other genera of this family, but much less social than the Malacocirci, which are apparently the most typical of the group. The Laughing Thrush is sometimes seen in small flocks, but often wanders about alone, though at no great distance from some of its species, with whom it continually keeps up a noisy com- munication as signal of the direction it is going, or of the abundance of food obtained. It inhabits the densest woods on the summits of the Neilgherries, keeping chiefly to the lower branches of trees and brushwood, and feeds principally on fruit especially on the pleasant fruit of the Brazil cherry (Physalis tomentosa), now so abundant in most of the woods in the neighbourhood of Ootacamund.—It also occasionally feeds on caterpillars and other soft bodied insects. T have no doubt that our present species has some what similar manners, indeed Lord A. Hay informs me “ that it has much the same skulling habits as the C. Cachinnans.”” The nidification of any of the Crateropi has not that I am aware been yet record- ed. On one occasion only I found the nest of C. Cachinnans on a bank overhanging the road on the top of the Nediwuttum Ghaut of the Neilgherries—It was made of roots, grass and moss, and contained 4 long oval pure white eggs. I shall now adda description of the C. Delesserti. Description.—Head and nape dusky black—rest of the plumage above dark rufous, growing brighter on the upper tail coverts—chin, throat and breast white, edged with grey— belly and vent bright rufous—Tail brownish black, brown at the base of the feathers— Bill dusky above—yellow beneath—legs pale reddish—Length 10:—11 inch—wing 4;;— ‘Tail 4>—Bill (front) 1—Tarsus 1+.—Irides red. Iced cbcerfoe ACA XIV AP ee. 7 AAALMALEO, Frinted) by, Litho ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. MUSCICAPID.. GEN. MUSCICAPA. PLATE XIV. MUSCICAPA ALBICAUDATA. Jerdon. NEILGHERRY BLUE FLYCATCHER. Synon.—M. albicaudata Jerdon, Catal. No. 152. The genus Muscicapa, even as restricted by Cuvier, has of late been considerably subdivided, and when we consider the varied nature of its contents, apparently with bene- fit to science. There are in India several Flycatchers, whose prevailing tint is blue, of various shades and intensity, among which more or less structural differences exist. These Mr. Blyth divides into several groups, each of which has one or more representative in South - ern India. Muscicapa banyumas of Horsfield, together with my M. pallipes, Cat. No. 149, and three or four species from Northern India, Mr. B. classes under the name of Cyornis :* my MM. superciliaris Cat. No. 155, together with one or two more very pretty diminutive species he classes as Muscicapula ;* whilst the subject of the acccompanying plate with M. Melanops, and 1 think also M Indigo of Horsfield, constitute his genus Stoparola. hey differ generally from the other blue Flycatchers of India in their more stout and robust habit, stronger legs and feet, and in their bill being shorter, wider at the base, and more depressed, and perhaps also a little more hooked at the tip. The Neilgherry blue Flycatcher is, as far as it is yet known, confined to the woods on the summit of the Neilgherries, and the forests on the edges of these hills. It occurs in considerable number here,frequenting the higher branches of trees,occasionally seen single, * Joun. As. Soc. Vol. XII. p. 939. H Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. but not unfrequently in small parties. It is much more restless and active in its habits than the Indian members of the genus Dutalis, the most fixed and sedentary of all, or of Cyornis, flitting about constantly, and changing in its position more frequently than these, indeed more like the Muscipete, Leucocirce and Muscicapa cerulea, which last has much of the ha- bits of the Fan-tailed Flycatchers. None of these however are seen in groups like the present one,except perhaps now and then the Leucocirce. I do not remember to have ever heard the note of the Neilgherry blue Flycatcher. I discovered its nest twice, built in a slight hole on asteep earthern bank on a road side, but did not procure the eggs, both birds having for- saken their nests. Its food consists of various insects which it usually takes on the wing, but now and then snaps off a branch. Description. Of a deep Indigo blue colour, paler on the lower part of the back, and inclining to lazuline on the forehead, and shoulders ;_ belly ashy blue mingled with whitish ; under tail-coverts whitish, barred with dusky blue; wings and tail dusky black, the feathers edged with blue, and those of the tail, centre feathers excepted, white at the base ; bill and legs black ; Irides deep brown. Length 6—63 inches Wing 3% expanse of do 94, Tail 2= Tar- sus jth Bill at front ;th. Weighs from 12 to 14 drams,4th and 5th quills equal and longest. The female differs from the male in the more sombre and ashy tint of the plumage, and the young male is spotted throughout with pale rufous. xv OLAAG ELE TAPlLl PAS4S Printed by Litho Ci) Kiustn wagers} ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. MERULIDA. SUB-FAM. ORIOLINA. GEN. ORIOLUS. PLATE XV. ORIOLUS INDICUS. INDIAN BLACK NAPED ORIOLE. When I first compiled my Catalogue of Indian Birds I inserted Oriolus chinensis of authors as a peninsular species on the Authority of Mr. Elliot, that Gentleman having obtained specimens answering the description of that species in the Southern Mahratta country. Ihave since procured specimens from Malabar and Travancore, and had a drawing of one executed for the present work under the nameof O. sénensis. I have however lately seen specimens from China and Manilla inthe valuable collection of Lord Arthur Hay, and have also compared the description of Vigors’ O. acrorhynchus , and Swainson’s O. coronatus, and 1am now compelled to conclude that our peninsular species is distinct from both these, and that moreover acrorhynchus refers to the true chinensis, and coronatus to Wagler’s, hippocrepis. I have therefore given it the appellation of Indicus, partly because I consider that the O. Indicus of Brisson and others may possibly refer to this though faultily described. Specimens from Manilla now before me correspond exactly with Vigors’ des- cription of his acrorhynehus, as well as with the original description of chinensis and that by Buffon of ‘ Le Conliav an, and the figure in the Planches Enlumineés. I am therefore led to believe that Mr. Vigors had compared his Manilla bird with specimens from peninsular India, or from some of the isles, which he had considered at the time as true c Illustration of Indian Ornithology. chinensis. Our peninsular species differs from the Chinese one in the following particulars. It has a smaller bill, the secondaries are broadly margined with yellow on their external webs, the innermost of these and the tertiaries having the outer web entirely yellow, whilst in chinensis these are almost entirely black. ‘The centre tail feathers in our bird are black to their tip, being only faintly margined with yellow, whilst the Chinese one has a broad yellow tip; and the remaining rectrices have the black extending corres- pondingly further than in chinensis ; the black ocular mark extends in our bird to the nares, whilst in the Chinese specimens it only extends a little beyond the angle of the mouth ; the band too is much narrower on the nape in the Indian bird ; the feathers of the back have usually a greenish tinge, and the yellow throughout is less pure and bright than in the Chinese bird; and lastly the tail is considerably shorter. Swainson’s 0. coronatus from Java (as described) differs from our peninsular bird, and also from true chinensis, in its smaller size, shorter wings, tail, and tarsus, and in the narrowness of the black nuchal band. Its bill appears to be somewhat larger than in ours, but shorter than in chinensis. Wagler’s description of O. hippocrepis, which he considers the same as chinensis auct., corresponds with it in the yellow tips of the centre tail feathers, and with our peninsular bird in having the black ocular band extending to the nares, and in other points. As how- ever his specimens were obtained chiefly from Java and Sumatra, it is most probably Swainson’s coronatus, with which indeed it agrees in dimensions pretty nearly, as will be seen in the accompanying table I give for the sake of comparison. NAME Acie Wing. | Tail. ( as, TaredativA ©. Chinensis—verus eieeetneheree ih pea 102 | 6 . 4° | 15 | above 1 7 O. Indicus—apud Jerdon...............-| 104 63 4 | 13 | barely I Ox i@oronatus)Swis «225.5 eee Bi Ceci £ 5s oe 15 i < ths. QO. Hippocrepis— Wagler (german. meas.). . . z on : | «th The three black naped species will then stand thus. 1. O. chinensis L., O. cochinsinensis Brisson., Le Conliavan Buffon P. E. 570., O. acror- hynchus Vigors. Hab. China, Manilla, Cochinchina &c. 2. O. coronatus Swainson, O. hippocrepis Wagler (synon. except.), Hab. Java Sumatra, Malayana. Mlustration of Indian Ornithology. 3 O. Indicus Jerdon Ill. Ind. Orn. pl. xv. (O. sinensis on the plate) O. Indicus Brisson. Hab. Continental India. The habits of this Oriole do not I presume differ much from those of its congeners, except that itappears to be more especially a denizen of the depths of the forests. It is certainly a rare bird. Mr Blyth has not I believe obtained it from northern India as yet, and I do not know how far itmay extend out of the peninsula. Ineed scarcely add anything more descriptive of this bird than what has already been said in comparing it with the allied species. Its bill appears to have been, like the others of its genus, ofa lake red colour, and the feet and legs plumbeous. The female appears to differ chiefly in the less vivid tint of the yellow, in the greenish tinge of the back extending further, and in the wings and tail being of a less pure black. The other peninsular species of Oriole are as follows. Ist O. Kundoo, Sykes, (the female), and probably O. galbula of the same,O. galbula var. A., Latham, O. aureus apud Jerdon Cat, No. 97, and of Blyth, probably also O. galbu- loides, Gould, of a list of Birds from the Punjaub and Cashmere. Common Indian Oriole, Mango bird of Residents in India. This oriole is very common, inhabits the open country in groves, gardens, avenues, &c. It has a loud mellow note and lives chiefly on fruit, and also on soft bodied insects. I once found the nest of this species, it consisted of a cup shaped nest slightly made with fine grass and roots, and suspended from a rather high branch by a few long fibres of the same material apparently as the nest itself ; these did not surround the nest but only supported it on two sides. It contained three eggs, white, spotted chiefly at the larger end with large purplish blotches. 2d O. Melanocephalus, auct.(O. Maderaspatensis auct., and O. Mc. Gosh, Tickell are young birds,) Black headed Indian Oriole, chiefly found in Southern India in and about forests, but also occasionally in open country, in avenues, gardens, &c. The orioles are called in Hindustani ‘ Peeluk,’ a name merely signifying yellow bird. In Teloogoo they ara called ‘ Vanga pandoo,’ or Brinjal fruit, the black headed species being sometimes distinguished by the epithet “ Konda,’ or Hill, Latham I see gives this name, somewhat misspelt, as that of his 0. Maderaspatensis. The Malyalum name is Magna- kee, which I see Latham calls Magnalhz. Swainson describes another black headed Oriole from India as 0. Hodsoni, but neither Mr. Blyth nor myself have yet met with it. eye Gian O, nein) \y sesh : 7 ‘ 7 &. - eG comoel 4), alelin alt oo mart 0) 98 i « as jhab Ahn sal es & ee Mbal let iene) al sinTA sy, (mt!, pm f 7 Z a - : wood aad Atta vsinl mrassye f Hh Oy ahi) ei ise i ry Wirt 4 sy ier act fod 1 to osiroh ws Wibeorrpem sores lh anes per ( tet tg ital sindivnn coord 4 twrnidids sealed Jove vas eying ml Wy tea, hw vg y oni(s aed fede. odin: ’ > : Cen te ‘ i. ‘ats mm = - : « WIAD ag» ri 7 rae, “ ~ afei ean ta dha a iMa4 J fv har y ’ ; ~~, ta ah “e he Poe fod. « i \s tom wi -. ahaa re. i? ii des *? Saad ie lie < sail “ * ‘ are x & 7 ~* | GT Sia: " er ‘ual . me J fo ' ' oonep ay ad? soiled aia at camcatet af oe yeni rantti erita in tanpenany dite 18 Ase) 44 a . : e hooa Uhm rey a ee reli 5 ld ¢ = xv! ORD. GRALLATORES. FAM. ARDEADZ. GEN. ARDEA. PLATE XVI. ARDEA FLAVICOLLIS. Lath. YELLOW NECKED BLACK HERON. Synon.—A. nigra Viewl—A. picta Rafll.? When I procured the only specimen of this handsome Heron that I have as yet obtained, I referred it to A. nigra of Vieillot, (without any hesitation) and had a drawing of it lithographed under that name. I did not then imagine that it could have been Latham’s fiavicollis, either from his description, in which it is said to be of a purple brown colour, or from the figure in Gray and Hardwicke, where it is represented as being of a blue colour. Mr. Blyth however assures me that such is the case, and Wagler I see also gives these name as synonyms. The specimen from which the accompanying figure was taken was procured at Madras. I haye never since got another, but Shikarees have told me that they know the bird, and that it is very rare. Mr. Blyth informs me that it has been obtained at Calcutta, and that he has received it from Arracan, China, and other places to the eastward, where it ap- pears to be much more common than here. Horsfield gives it as Javanese, and Mr. Blyth tells me that he considers A. picta of Raffles to be the same. Wagler also gives New Holland as its habitat. I know nothing ifits habits. It is said to frequent the more grassy and weedy tanks, and to shun observation. It is too little known here to have a distinct local appellation. Mr. Blyth considers it as forming a subdivision of Butor, or the Bitterns, which conclusion he came to after seeing a fresh specimen. M Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. Description. Top of head, back of neck, body above, and wings,bright glossy green black ; beneath dull sooty black, some of the centre feathers of the abdomen partially tinged with buff; a stripe of golden yellow rns from the lower mandible to the back of the neck about the lower third, where it is gradually lost; chin, throat, and neck beneath, white, vari- gated with deep chesnut and black, the feathers short at first but gradually lengthening and becoming lanceolate ; each feather has the outer barb and tip black, edged with creamy white, and the inner barb chesnut ; the chin and throat want the black, and the white is of a purer tinge. A narrow stripe of close set feathers run from the base of the lower mandible to the ear-coverts, black and chesnut coloured, the bases of the feathers being white; the long fea- thers of the breast are black, edged with white on both sides. Length 24—25 inches Wing 8} Tail 2?, Tarsus 22 Middle toe 23, Bill (at front) 35, at gape nearly 4. Bill appears to have been of a dusky reddish brown—Legs dark green. The plumage of the young bird is described as being of a saturate blue, and in a further stage, I presume, it gets the purplish brown tinge described by Latham. The smo- ky tinge described by Horsfield, with the tail deep blue, must be a bird in transition plumage. Boca xXvil ORD. IVSESSORES. FAM. LANIAD. GEN. LANIUS. EAC SGV: LANIUS NIGRICEPS. BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE. Synon.—L. antiguanus Gmel. ‘ Piegrieche d’ Antigue’ Sonnerat voyage, t. 70. Indian Shrike of Latham, No. $1. JZ. nigriceps Franklin. L. tricolor Hodgs., Jerdon Catal. No. 51. When in Goomsoor some years ago I obtained a single specimen of this Shrike, and Mr. Blyth and Lord Arthur Hay have since procured examples from the same locality. At one time Mr. B. was doubtful whether the Himalayan bird was identical with this, as most of the specimens from Northern India had more rufous on the back than those from central India. but he has recently informed me that he now considers them the same. i have not obtained it myself, nor have I seen specimens, from any other part of the peninsula, and I suspect thatit does not occur further South than about N. L. 20°. From thence it extends to the Himalayas, and Eastward to Arracan, and probably still further, as Sonnerat’s specimens were procured, he alleges, from the Phillippine isles. The name ‘ Antiguanus, (derived from Antigue, a province of Panay, one of these islands) being liable to lead to error, I have retained Franklin’s very appropriate name. The black headed Shrike appears to be a more forest haunting species than its congeners, but does not otherwise, that I am aware of, differ in its habits. Like the other Shrikes it de- scends to the ground for its food, which consists almost wholly of grasshoppers and their larve. I have not observed in any of the Indian species the reputed habit of impaling in- sects on thorns. Illustration of Indian Ornithology. Description, Head and hind neck black, middle of back grey ; lower back and rump rufous, which sometimes extends over the greater portion of the back; wings and tail black, the secondaries and tail feathers (except the centre ones) edged and tipped wih reddish white. Beneath white; sides of body, and under tail coverts, rufous. Bill and legs black. Irides deep brown. Length about 9 to10 inches, wing 3; Tail 5, Rareilcr. ; The other peninsular species of Lanius are as follows : 1. L. lahtora Sykes, L. excubitor var C. Lath., Doodeea latora, Hind. ‘This large Shrike is an inhabitant of open low jungles throughout the country, and towards the more northern parts of the peninsula is found frequenting bushes and low trees in the open plains. It never approaches villages, and is ashy, wary bird and difficult of approach, and perhaps is the least numerous of any of the species. 2. L. Erythronotus, Vigors. Rufous backed Shrike. This, though occasionally found in the more wooded parts of the country in the Carnatic is only at all common in the neighbourhood of the jungles of the west coast, and is very abundant on the top of the Neilgherries. 3. L. Hardwickii Vigors. Bay backed Shrike of Latham. This enters gardens and is the most generally spread of all the Indian Shrikes. 4. L. cristatus L. after Edwards pl. 74., L. rutilus var. A., and L. superciliosus var. A. of Latham; L. melanotis Valenc; perhaps also white cheeked S$. of Latham, and L. phenicurus of Pallas (apud Latham.) This species, only lately accurately defined, escaped my notice when writing the Catalogue of Birds of Southern India, having over- looked it as the young of L. Hardwickii. It is found chiefly about hedge rows, and de- tached trees inthe more cultivated parts of the country, andJam inclined to believe is migratory in the South of India. The L. tephronotus of Vigors, grey backed Strike of Latham, L. nipalensis ot Hodgson, is not found in the South of India. XVI 3 Pr Mee rtd CO Lit pibrt Als, Pumited by Litho OU Heatncnajos ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE SCANSORES. FAM. PSITTACIDA. GEN. PALZORNIS. PLATE XVIII. PALAORNIS COLUMBOIDES Vigors. BLUE WINGED PARROQUET. Synon.—P. melanorhyncha Sykes, (the female,) Jerdon Cat. No. 203. This elegantly coloured Parroquet belongs to the division long ago characterised by Vigors, which seems peculiar to the Asiatic province, more especially to the continent of India, and which is, with the exception of Pstttaculus, the only form of this family known in India, and comprises several well marked species. Previously to obtaining this bird; Thad heard from several sportsmen of a blue parroquet said to be common in the depths of the forests of Malabar. I first procured it at Trichoor, and afterwards in various other localities on the West coast, and on the sides of the Neilgherries up to a height of 5000 feet. As Colonel Sykes has it in his Catalogue, it probably extends along the range of western ghauts for some distance, but Ihave not heard of its having been procured in any other locality. It keeps entirely to the depths of the forests, and frequents only the loftiest trees. Its flight is very rapid aud elegant, and it associates in small flocks. Its cry, though similar in character to the harsh call of the common Parroquet, is much more mellow, subdued, and agreeable. Ihave only once seen this bird in captivity ; it would however be avery de- sirable addition to our aviaries. I have not seen the description of P. Columboides by Vigors,which is in the Zoologi- cal Journal, but from Sykes’ comparative description of his melanorhyncha, I haye no doubt K Mlustrations of Indian Ornithology. that ours is that species, Sykes’ bird being the female, which appears always to retain the black bill, and Mr. Blyth informs me that the adult female of P. ponticerianus also has the beak black. The Hindustani name Muddengour Totah, was applied to a specimen of this bird by one Shikaree, but in Latham’s work I see that the P. ponticerianus is known by that name, and I presume it was incorrectly applied in my case, as the columbordes is a species of such comparative local distribution. Description. Male. Plumage generally of a light dove colour ; a black collar extends round the neck, widest beneath and reaching to the base of the lower mandible, and bordered posteriorly by a light blucish green collar; face pale green ; lower part of back, rump and upper tail coverts also light green; wing coverts dark green edged with yellowish white ; shoulders blackish green ; lower part of abdomen and under tail coverts very pale yellow green; quills and centre tail feathers blue, the latter tipped with yellowish white ; the rest of the tail feathers green on the outer side, yellow on the inner side of the shaft, those next the centre feathers almost blue on the outer side. Bill coral red above, dusky beneath. Irides pale yellow, Legs and feet plumbeous. Length 15 to 16 inches, Wing 53 to 6, Tail 8} to 9. The Female differs in haying a dusky black bill, and in the plumage generally being more tinged with green. The other Indian species of Paleornis are, Ist P. Alexandri, Raee Totah H. Rare in Southern India—Common in Ceylon—I obtained a specimen in Travancore which was struck by a Shaheen (Falco Shaheen) and was dropped on my firing at it. I also found it breeding in the hole of a large tree in the north of the Deccan. 2d P. Torguatus, Lyber Totah H. Abundant over all India, feeding not only on fruit, but also very destructive to grain. 3d P. cyanocephalus L., P. bengalensis, erythrocephalus, and gingianus Auct. Tooeeah Totah H. An inhabitant of all the jungly districts of India, and also found about well wooded towns. It visits the open country in large flocks from July to September. Other species found in the Himalayas are P. schistaceus, Hodgson, and P. ponticerianus Auct. XTX = , VRAAACOAMCM GAS CLAS , y ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. CRATEROPODIN. GEN. MALACOCIRCUS. PLATE XIX. MALACOCIRCUS GRISEUS. WHITE HEADED BABBLER. Synon.— Turdus griseus Latham. Thimalia grisea Jerdon Cat. No. 92. Among the many birds peculiar to this vast continent, there are none, inmy opinion, so peculiarly characteristic of it, as that genus of which the species here figured, is by no means an inconspicuous member. The Mynas, it is true, the Parroquets, and the Drongo Shrikes, are spread over the same extent at least, but none of these exclusively inhabit India, as these birds are at present believed todo. I have often amused myself in imagining that they are not inapt representatives of the Hindoos; certainly as far as their frequent congregating together, and their incessant noisy chattering and gabbling, they agree; and were I disposed to carry on the similitude further, it would not I think bea difficult task. It is not a little remarkable too that in Southern India there are several kinds which in some measure correspond in geographical distribution with the principal Hindoo races of this part of the country. We have the J. Malcolmi in the country of the Mahrattas; the subject of the present plate nearly confined to, and at all events most abundant in the Carnatic, the country of the Tamools; a very closely allied species inhabits Travancore and Cochin, the province of the Malyalum race; it is probable that a fourth species is to be found in the Canarese districts ; one or perhaps two species dwell in the forests bordering the western ghauts; another prefers the eastern ghauts, and jungles of the northern circars, among the Gentoos ; Ceylon possesses a distinct kind; Bengal has at least N Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; one or two more ; and the elevated forests of the Wynaad, and the edges of the higher mountains of the Western ghauts, are the habitat of avery distinct species, somewhat allied in colouring to the Crateropi, which curiously enough at a higher level inhabit the same regions, to the exclusion of the Malacocirc?, though in very limited number, whilst in the North of India species of the former genus abound, and descend I believe, nearly to the plains. The genus Malacocircus was first defined by Swainson, in his Zoological Illustrations, and was founded ona species from Ceylon. It is distinguished by its high and compressed bill, gradually arching from the base, soft bowed wings, large broad and soft tail, strong legs and feet, light coloured irides, usually white or pale yellow, and sombre and uninviting plumage. The white headed Babbler is found throughout the Carnatic, extending on the one side into the Northern Circars, and on the West into the neighbouring portions of the table land, to a greater or less distance. 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 italways associates in families of six, seven, eight or more; even in the breeding season the parent birds feeding in company with their former companions. One may be seen suddenly 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 ona hedge side, never venturing to any distance from cover, being aware of their tardy powers of flight. ‘They are occasionally seen secking insects or grain, from heaps of dung, whence they have received their common denomination as well from the French, (Touille- 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 unfrequently 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 Malucocircus Griseus. the branches of trees. They are familiar, if undisturbed, 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 with- out any apparent object atall. They have no song. The flight is slow and laborious, performed by a few rapid strokes of the wings alternating with a sailing with outspread pinions. I have often found the nest of this bird, which is composed of small twigs and roots carelessely 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 knowif they ever have two broodsinthe year. ‘The black and white crested Cuckoo, (ozylophus edolius) appears to select this bird to act as foster parent toher own progeny, andshe laysa greenish blue egg. ‘They are readily caught bya spring trap baited with grain, with one of their kind put in the centre asa lure. The Shikra or Chipka, ( Accipiter badius is sometimes flown at them, and causes a 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. mal- colmi) come tothe rescue of their unfortunte companion. ‘This latter species often mobs the Shikra. The white headed Babbler is called Keyr in Hindustani, Cheenda or Seeda in Teloogoo, in Tamool ‘ Kullee Kooravee’ or ‘ hedge bird, and in Malyalum the allied species is called ‘ Kooleyan.’ Tadd a brief description. General shade of plumage light brownish grey, head and nape yellowish white, more marked in some than in others,—feathers of the back dark, lightest on the shaft and the edges, rump feathers pale fawn, feathers of the chin and throat darkin the centre, with the base and extremity blueish white, forming aband very distinct from the surrounding plumage. Breast, abdomen, and under tail coverts pale yellowish fawn colour. Most of the feathers especially the back andrump, are much decomposed, and are blueish white at their base. Quills and tail brown obsoletely barred with darker bands, central tail feathers light at their base. Length 9 to 94 inches, Wing 4<, Tail 44, Tarsus 13, Hind toe and claw Zths. Bill (at front) {th. at gape about 2ths. Trides pale yellow white. Bill and legs pale yellowish with a tinge of flesh color. The other species of Malacocircus found in the peninsula are as follows lst JZ. Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; affinis, new species. This is the one before alluded to, as being very closely allied to griseus. It differs most remarkably in the form of the bill, which is shorter, higher at the base, and if any thing more compressed. With regard to coloration it is very similar indeed to the Carnatic one. ‘The white on the head is perhaps less pure, and the band on the throat less dark, but these are the chief points of difference. ‘The feet and claws are however some- what larger in this, more especially the hind foot and claw, which is about one tenth of an inch longer than griseus. Length 9 to 9}, Wing 4;;, Tail 4}, Tarsus 13, Hind toe and claw Sths, Bill at front hardly {, at gape 8 “ths, height at base nearly 3. I have at present two specimens of this bird from Travancore, but they agree with each other very closely in the form of the bill and in the structure of the legs, the most essential points of difference from griseus. This may be the same as the Canarese variety which [long ago pointed out from Mr. Elliot’s M. 8. S. notes as being probably distinct from griseus, but there are certain points of difference in the description, and it is possible that this may constitute another species. Mr. Elliot describes the species as follows. Plumage above, chin, and throat brown cinereous, shaft of the feathers lighter; head and nape whitish; rump cinereous; tail brown with indistinct darker bars; belly whitish like the head. Irides silver white, Bill and legs white, Length 9} inches. Should it prove distinct I would propose the name of Elliott. Qnd M. Malcomi, Thimalia Maleomi Sykes, Jerdon Cat. No. 90. Garrulus albi- frons, Gray and Hardwicke. On my pointing out to Mr. Blyth that the figure under the above name in Gray and Hardwicke was probably that of a Malacocircus, that gentleman at once agreed with me, and morcover pointed out its probable identity with M. Malcomi of which I had sent him specimens. It is possible however that the drawing may represent an allied species of Northern India.* ‘This large babbler is found, though rarely and only in jungles, in the Carnatic, and here chiefly towards the range of Eastern ghauts ; I saw it at Coonoor on the Neilgherries, and M. Delessert showed me specimens from the Shervaroy hills near Salem, butits chief metropolis is the North western portion of the Deccan or Table land, including the Southern Mahratta country, the Deccan of Sykes, and generally * I may here remark that the late excellent rules for Nomenclature drawn up by Gray Strickland and others do not provide for a case like the present, viz. whether the name attached to a published figurehold precedence or otherwise, of a name attached to a published description. On this point depends the correct specific name of many of the birds figured in Gray and Hardwicke, and J beg to draw the attention of the above named Zoologists to it. Malacoctreus Griseus. the Mahratta portion of the Nizam’s dominions, not extending further than the boundaries of the trap formation, which curiously enough divides the Mahratta and the Telinga races, the latter commencing nearly with the granite formation which extends through the eastern part of the Nizam’s dominions. In all the district mentioned above the Mf. Malcolmi is as common as the Af. griseus is in the Carnatic, being found near every village, and in every clump of trees. It is much more noisy than its congeners, and flies generally in larger flocks, twelve and fifteen being a common number. I have found the nest and eggs which closely resemble those of griseus. It is called Ghoghoye in Hindustani, Gowa Seeda in Teloogoo, and sometimes Verree cheenda, or mad Babbler. 3rd M. Somervillet, Thimalia Somervillei, Sykes P. Z.S. 1832, not of Jerdon Cat. No. 91. Thus described by Colonel Sykes. Reddish brown ; abdomen, vent, lower back and tail, light rufous, the latter obsoletely banded with darker; quills brown ; the feathers of the throat and breast marked in the middle with blueish, Billand feet yellow. Length 9; Tail 4}, Irides bright yellow. Found in the ghauts only (viz: in the more Northern portion about N. L. 17° to 20°). 4th. M. malabaricus new species? M. Somerviilet Jerdon Cat. No. 91. Now that I am better acquainted with the birds of this genus, and know how closely they approximate, I have little hesitation in separating the bird which I formerly referred to Somervillez. It differs from that species, as described by Sykes, in haying the back of a cinereous brown instead of a reddish brown, and in the lower part of the back and tail not being rufous. In this respect Sykes’ bird approaches somewhat to M. Harle: of Blyth, the only one I have seen witha rufous tail. Should however the description of Somerville be faulty, mine may yet prove to be identical with it, as they both inhabit the western ghauts, though in different latitudes. My species is foundin the forests of Malabar, and on the sides of the Neilgherries up to the very edge of the hills. I add its dimentions. Length 9; orso Wing 4;th. Tail 4}. Tarsus 1‘ths. Hind toe and claw “ths. Bill (at front) nearly tab Windy j . . : oundodd 14) wet es of baba ops rt] } ost Coe ORD. RAPTORES. FAM. ACCIPITRIN 4. GEN. ACCIPITER. PLATE XXIX. ACCIPITER BESRA: THE ADULT BESRA HAWK. For Synon.—vide Plate IV. The accompanying is another representation of a bird previously figured, but in a differ- ent state of plumage, and has moreover the advantage of having been figured from the li- ing bird, a female, after her first moult. Shikarees state that it does not vary except in intensity of shade from the plumage exhibited in future moults. I am confident that it will prove to be a distinct and well marked species. The specific name minutus of Latham, I believe, was originally given to a species killed in Malta, most probably an African one; and the Malayan virgatus, with which it is supposed identical by Strickland, is a very distinct, though nearly allied species. For an account of dimensions, habits, &c. see Plate LV. of the present Illustrations, PAHOTIAR 10 PAROTIAH OHO MVLATAAVDOOS. PAVAEV II, ORS ASTITLIGA MAL MAA Witt P } ina PT elt ‘/PASBU Ee AATL" aoa ls ‘ ~ iy A V10GA AT rei A aT Cet! 4 AA rei tas Ls oak 4 By ete were wal a ao see at wartaaea i onty bite . | apes b yep's ae Lae 5 Sige Wi aAre f ue ie Mk wok VEN > wt di ee voueioby Rf abit" at ha j rive, sheer | if kt Aiea tal Jecatn atta oi 7 ita ¥ dived. °Ga yi Leaedenatie fi Neeia eb it to! Hie opt ruiail odd Ban’ bd ‘th a yh scokeeeerits to bryan a ue Fo), | at cha dt fie oe Bo neds eo nh erty’ nal Be iz ai ey iH ¥3*9 wi x ee a IO ARR BOS nie. *s me | res) . ats & ‘ é ° . i€ 7 roe 5 ER ie i ats Bie 4 i“ Whi ORD, RAPTORES. FAMILY STRIGIDZ. GENUS STRIX. PLATE XXX. STRIX CANDIDA, LONGLEGGED GRASS OWL. Synon.—S. Longimembris—Jerdon, Cat. No. 38, S. Candida, Tickell,S. Javanica apud Blyth. When I named this Owl as new, I had only met with a single specimen, which was shot onthe Neilgherries near Coonoor. Since that time Ihave obtained other specimens, in the Nellore district, once in long grass when hunting for florikin, and again among long reeds in the dry bed of the tank af Yeroor, which had been fired to drive out some wild hog we were in search of. On comparing it again with Tickell’s description I find it agrees well enough, except as to the tarsi, which are said to be ‘ denuded,’ but I imagine that he only meant it as com- paratively so with flammeus, and as he especially mentions the fact of its being found only in long grass, I have now little doubt that they are identical, and have accordingly adopted hisname. Mr. Blyth appears to think it may have been the species mentioned by Latham as S. Javanica, Gm. and de Wurmb, but I doubt much if it be the original species from Jaya. It was known to Buchanan, but Mr. Blyth has not obtained it from Bengal as yet, The present figure was taken from a living specimen. Tadd a description. Upper plumage generally brown, mixed with yellow, and spotted with white. Beneath white, tinged with ochreous, and spotted with brown. Face white, with a dark spot at the inner angle of the eye. Quills and tail barred with buff and brown ; some of the secondaries blotched with white; bill pink, legs reddish brown. Irides dark brown, lower part of the tarsus nearly denuded of feathers. Length about 17 inches, of wing 14, tail 5}, tars. d:%, middle toe 24, extent of wings 46. The species of Owl figured by Dr. A Smith in his Zoology of South Africa as S, Capen- sig much resembles this in colours and structure. LAHORURA (ALO MAVOLATS CUA a Sabin, SW ¢ psit cal ied) Jalil ahs Ld 1 at mugs og wn a ull oe te py! va iy id fl i! «y ate ae ve aay oy a a if lie ; tee it 0) ‘oie f ah ond aa: ee oe orga * 4 a ee, .% » ¢ re bu bhe m4 fi: ‘ ati Aly biel ‘ [6 ep 4 em fT wnae.’ I) digend Hie! - | is ths ree Pu oie > Merce ‘ RAW Feit en ie ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. MERULIDE SUB..FAM. BRACHYPODIN&. GEN, BRACHYPODIUS—BL. PLATE XAXXI1, BRACHYPODIUS POIOICEPHALUS. WHITE-EYED BULBUL. Synon—Brachypus Poitoicephalus.—Jerdon, Cat. No. 70. I only once procured this species of Bulbul in forest at the foot of the Persia pass lead- ing from Malabar into Wynaad.—It was feeding in small flocks on the tops of high trees, and I found had been eating berries. Lord A. Hay procured one specimen at the foot of the Coonoor pass, and Captain Roberts of the 36th N. I. showed me a drawing of this bird, which he had procured on the West coast. It is somewhat allied in colours to the Brachypus eutilotus of Jardine and Selby, which it further resembles in the copiousness of its rump feathers, and Mr. Blyth has classed them in the same genus. Description.—Crown of head, occiput, and throat, bluish grey, forehead siskin green ; back, wings, and lower plumage oil green, lighter towards the vent; rump feathers light yellowish green, broadly barred with black; tail with the centre feathers greenish grey, lateral feathers black at base terminated with grey ; under tail coverts light grey. Irides bluish white; bill and legs greenish. Length 7 inches, wing 3, tail 2 Yo tars. 3 inch, bill (at front) zsths. Mr. Blyth, in a paper in the Journal Asiatic Society for 1845, page 546, has reviewed all the Indian Brachipodine, and has formed the genus Brachipodius (p. 576) for this and 4. or 5 other species. BAROS ata L 0. RAVAASM WAX BAWIOAVTRORAR Sle." CLOG RAE AUS u dulaté . in pel “ ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. MUSCICAPIDE. GEN. MUSCICAPULA. PLATE XXXII. MUSCICAPULA SAPPHIRA. SAPPHIRE HEADED FLYCATCHER. Tur vast addition to the species of Muscicapid@ made of late, especially in India, having required a revision of the whole group, Mr. Blyth has recently* adopted several new genera, to one of which the subject of the present plate appertains. Mr. Blyth approximates it to the Siphya of Hodgson, from which, says he, it differs in its small size, and feeble legs and toes. I consider that its nearest aflinity is with the group Cyornis of Blyth. I add Mr. Blyth’s description of the present bird, which was procured from the hill station of Darjeeling. Colour of the upper parts rich dark purplish blue, inclineing to ultramarine on the rump and upper tail coverts; forehead and crown vivid smalt blue; the lores black; foreneck and breast rich purple, with a broad median line of deep and bright ferruginous; flanks greyish, the belly and forepart of the wings underneath, with the axillaries, white; alars and tail black, edged with blue externally ; bill and feet black. Length 5 inch—wing 24—tail 1{ths—bill to gape °;ths—tarsus gths. * Journ. As. Soc. 1843, page 239, &e. _ ‘ _ : " = —_ he | a ae ALAVAAR AML GAO ome) i @ ) es F RAUNT MAA AA 4q i 1) wi a Vi a’ 7 = 49 ‘a FVAWYSROLEY GAQRSM. SNM es . Pat anihbe B ay iad : , . a Yd bwin id i : i> ofake diserng adh Yo ‘wite Vier ang al tyme ved lefevre ‘Big eal eel 3 » % ade ob 2 esheaieorate dell a : ai) = oll oa 1? shalt ed wt bon “is ibere . * diva! 0s weeds Fee wt . ey P noalei' oi ode afl hay beso iM poling lh: Vp dolled Wed ce all qe canisiiy iit @ ahianllog ft ‘ t wi! at ia m : iy ib ete qrath eat ; ; cr Snaiiwe sill Lie Avance i drialh & iv stam vi at ; jaa i] ‘ iss ge ' ; te x + Y . yt OES ORD. RASORES. GEN. OTIS. PLATE XXXIII. OTIS AURITA. THE BLACK FLORIKIN. Synon.—Otis Awrita—Passarage Bustard—Latham, No. 13, perhaps O. Indica ?— O. fulvua—Sykes—O. Bengalensis, apud Lesson—but not of older Authors—O. Gularis—Do. Masor Franklin and Colonel Sykes in their Catalogues of the birds of Central India and the Deccan, having pronounced the common Florikin of India to be a distinct species from the Black one, I entered at some length, in my Catalogue of the birds of Southern India, into the reasons which led me to conclude that the views entertained by these writers were erroneous, and showed that the Black Florikin was nothing more than the cock-bird in the summer or breeding plumage. Since that article was written, I have had considerable additional experience, and every thing has tended to corroborate that opinion, and I may state, not only in my own estimation, but in that of almost every sportsman of experience with whom I have conversed on the subject. Some gentlemen were at first inclined to doubt this change, fancying it an anomaly, but when I pointed out that many of the birds of England underwent a similar periodical change, and that the Golden Plover assumed every summer a plumage nearly identical with that of the Black Florikin, they no longer hesitated to concur in my views. My reasons for believing the Black and the common Florikin to be one and the same bird, may be here briefly recapitulated. Istly. All Black Florikin hitherto examined have been male birds. 2ndly. The Black Florikin agrees exactly in size, and comparative dimensions, with the male of the common Florikin, as described fully by Colonel Sykes, but more especially in the length of wing, and acumination of the primary quills, the points insisted on by him, and most correctly so, as the essential points of difference from the female. Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. running or feeding. Its flesh is very delicate, and of excellent flavour, and it is the most esteemed here of all the game birds. Its pursuit is consequently a favorite sport, and from the open nature of the ground it frequents, it is well adapted for being hawked. I have killed it occasionally with the Luggur, but generally with the Shaheen, and have already (at Plate xii) given an account of the manner of hunting it. Should the Shaheen miss her first stoop, I have seen the Florikin accelerate its speed so greatly, that the faleon was unable to come up with it again under 600 yards or so. I have seen one struck dead by the Wokhab, Aquila Vindhiana; 1 had slipped a Luggur at it, which was in hot pursuit, though at some little distance behind, when two of these Eagles came down from a vast height, and joined in the chase. One of them made a headlong swoop at it, which the Florikin most skilfully avoided, only however to fall a victim to the talons of the other, which stooped almost immediately after its confederate, and dashed the poor bird lifeless to the ground. It had not, however, time to pick it up, for I rode up, and the Eagles soared off most unwillingly, and circled in the air long above me. The Florikin had its back laid open the whole length. The Luggur on seeing the Eagles join the chase, gave up at once and returned to the falconer’s fist. The Florikin is occasionally snared by some of the bird-catchers, but as this ig a very uncertain process for catching a bird of such wandering habits, the gun is had resort to in general, and considerable numbers are brought into the markets in the districts where they abound—and fetch from half a rupee to a rupee each. The Florikin is called by the Mussulmans of Southern India Churz. Latham I see gives this name, calling it Churrus and Cirris, which indeed is much the pronoun- ciation of the word. In the Telinga language it is sometimes called, I am informed, Kami-lédi-pitta, but generally mela-nemili, or ground Peacock; the Mahratta name, Tun-mor, having exactly the same meaning, and in Hardwicke’s notes (says Latham) the Otis Bengalensis, also called Florikin in Bengal, and Churz in Hindustani, is called in Sanserit 7'r?ma mayara, (properly Trina mayura) which means grass Peacock. Its Tamool name I have already given. Its name in Canarese is Kum-nowl, which has much the same signification. It appears that the Bengal sportsmen apply the word Florikin only to the large O. Bengalensis, since named deliciosa by Gray, and Himalayanus by Vigors; and they call our bird the leek, or lesser Florikin. The origin of the word Florikin is not exactly known, but I have heard that either it, or Planderkin, was the old English name for the little bustard of Europe. Latham gives, on the authority of various drawings, the Native name Oorail, which I have not heard; Chulla Churx, Ab- Iilustrations of Indian Ornithology. luk-cherui, which means Pied bird, and Flercher in English. This latter is, I think, evi- dently of the same origin as Florikin. Others (says he) call it the Passarage Plover, which is the name applied to it in Pennant’s Hindostan, where there is a figure of it. In one drawing it was called Tok-dar ; which, however, is the name of the Bustard, O. Nigriceps. An indifferent figure of the Black Florikin,in a state of change, is given at Plate X. of the Zoology of the Voyage of Belanger. Lesson, the author of the article, says that he does not know a figure of the adult O. Awrita, (though it had been previ- ously I believe figured in Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of Ornithology) and that a specimen did not exist in the public collections of Paris. He also asserts its identity with O. Gwlaris and Bengalensis of the French Museum, and of some modern authors, and then says, ‘Thus the Otis Bengalensis is evidently only the O. Aurita without its ear tufts (palettes). It is the Like of the Hindoos.” I know not on what authority he alleges this. On referring to Latham’s account of O. Bengalensis, he gives its height 22 inches, and weight 12 to 14lb, &c. &e., so there can, I think, be very little doubt that the O. Auwrita is not intended. Buffon too ealls it (the Ben- galensis,) the Churge or L’Outarde Moyenne des Indes, expressly because it is in- termediate in size between the great and little Bustard of Europe—Latham’s Black Headed Bustard, No. 6, is perhaps meant for our bird. I shall now give a short description of both male and female. Length of the male bird from 18 to 19 inches—wing about 8—tail 4—tarsus barely 4—bill (at front) 1,3,ths—-weight 16 to 18 oz. When in full breeding plumage, the head ear-tufts, neck, medial wing coverts, and lower plumage are deep black; chin, lower part of hind neck, and a large patch on the wing, white; the rest of the plumage dark brown, mottled with fulvous; the first three quills dusky brown, the remainder light fulvous yellow, barred and mottled with brown. The ear-tufts usually three in number on each side, and four inches long, rise from the lower portion of the ear coverts. Trides pale yellowish, clouded with dusky. Bill dusky above, with the edges of the upper and all the lower mandible yellowish. Legs and feet dirty whitish yellow. The female measures from 193 to 21 inches—wing 9;—tail nearly 5—tarsus 43—bill (at front) 13—weighs 20 to 24 oz. The prevalent color of her plumage is pale fulvous yellow, the feathers on the head, back, wings and tail, clouded and barred with deep brown—those on the head almost quite brown; foreneck with two irregular interrupted streaks, increasing on lower neck, and breast, lower plumage thence being unspotted and almost white ; Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. hind neck finely speckled with brown; chin and throat white. First three quills almost entirely dark brown, the subsequent ones fulvous, barred with brown; wing coverts with only a few small bars of brown. The male in winter plumage differs from the female only in always (I believe) having the shoulders and part of the wing coverts partially white, and in the under wing coverts being dark brown, whilst in the female they are pale fulvous, some lengthened feathers of the sides alone being brown in her. The down at the base of all the feathers is pale pink, and the feather of the wing when freshly moulted, bave a beautiful bloom on them, partly pink, and partly greenish. The quills are much narrowed, and in the male exceedingly acuminated, sometimes ending in a point almost as fine as that of a needle, as Colonel Sykes first pointed out; and this, with the smaller dimensions of wing, tarsus, &c., will always point out to the sportsman the sex of the bird he has shot. Colonel Sykes also men- tions that the feathers of the baek and scapulars are triangular at the point. The Florikin of Southern India has, I see, been lately placed in a new sub- genus of Ofis, named Sypheotides by Lesson, a division, which the smaller size of the male, its ear-tufts, and other peculiarities perhaps would warrant us in adopting. 1 have not seen any account of a similar difference between the sexes of any of the African small Bustards, and in the European little Bustard as well as in the large Bustards of Europe and India, the male bird is much the largest of the two. I see it mentioned in Yarrell’s British Birds, that the little Bustard of Europe also undergoes a periodical change in the breeding season, assuming a black collar on the neck, with a white gorget and ring. we De ny ORD. NATATORES. FAM. ANATIDE. GENUS ANAS. PLATE XXXIV. ANAS CARYOPHYLLACEA. PINK HEADED DUCK. Syn.—-4. Caryophyllacea, Latham Ind. Orn.—Ze Millowin a cou rose—Lesson, Traité, No. 40. I inserted this Duck in my Catalogue of Indian Birds on the authority of some Shikarees at Jalnah, who described it accurately as being a rare visitant to that neighbour- hood. Lesson inserts it in his ‘ Traité’ as existing in the Paris Museum, though Swainson* says he had never heard of a specimen dead or alive in England. Since my Catalogue was published I have obtamed two specimens, one from the Nellore district, and the other (in imperfect plumage) in the Madras Market. It must however be cousidered a very rare kind, even in the North of India, as Mr. Blyth has but seldom procured it. Latham says that it is common in Oude, and lives generally in pairs, is often kept tame, and becomes tolerably familiar. I should be glad if any Sportsmen would communicate to me instances of its oceurrence here. I add a description—head, cheeks, sides, and hind neck, pate pink or rose colour ; the rest of the plumage of a glossy reddish brown, somewhat paler beneath; speculum and inner webs of quills pale reddish fawn; edge of the wing white ; some of the tertiaries lengthened and glossy green—bill red—tegs leaden. Length about 24 inches—Wing 103-—Tail 4—Tarsus 1s,'"—Bill at gape 25. * Animals in Menageries, p. 277. ee Saar “nate pad - ene Ra ds “i e as ee a whi ae sy eX Roe 3 on As a md A® Gl Ayer ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. BRACHYPODINE. GEN. PYCNONOTUS. LAME SOW PYCNONOTUS XANTHOLAZMUS: YELLOW THROATED BULBUL. In the second Supplement to my Catalogue of Indian Birds just published, I have described this Bird, which was brought me from the Eastern range of Ghauts dividing Cuddapah fromthe Nellore district, by some excellent hill Shikarees to whom I am indebted for more than one novelty. They describe it as frequenting the densest woods in elevated valleys, and assert that it lives chiefly on fruit of various kinds. The name they apply to it is Konda poda pigli, ev hill bush bulbul, the name poda pigli being always applied to Pyc- nonotus flavirictus (my Tricophorus virescens). I have not seen specimens from any other part of the country. Description—crown of head yellowish green; throat and fore-neck pale yellow; upper plumage ashy, tinged with green, especially on wings and tail; beneath pale ashy, under tail coverts and lower tibial plumes, yellow; tail feathers, except the centre ones, tipped with whitish, the external most broadly so—Bill black; legs and feet dark plumbe- ous; irides said to be red. Length nearly 8 inches—wing 3.,°—Tail 3:—Tarsus .s*—Bill at front ""—at ORD. RASORES. FAM. TETRAONIDA. GEN. PTEROCLES. PLATE XXXVI. PTEROCLES QUADRICINCTUS. PAINTED ROCK-GROUSE. FEMALE. A Figure of the male bird, with a full account of its habits, having already appeared at Plate X. of the present work, I can only add here, that it is said to be identical with the bird from Western Africa. I have had this bird in confinement for a few days, and its call when alarmed was very grouse-like. Description.—Plumage generally ochreous yellow, (the feathers when fresh moulted having a strong tinge of pink) spotted and barred with dark brown; beneath pale ashey, finely barred with brown; quills as in the male bird. PAAOARA GAO WV SSC SRA ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. BRACHYPODIN. GEN. BRACHYPUS. PLATE XXXVII. BRACHYPUS RUBINEUS. RUBY THROATED BULBUL. Synon.—Brachypus Gularis—Gould, Proc. Zoo. Soc.—1835. I wave only found the Ruby Throated Bulbul in Malabar, generally in open glades of the forest, and in the neighbourhood of water, frequenting trees and bushes in small flocks, and feeding on various fruits and berries. It is certainly a rare bird, though I have seen it in one or two collections made in Malabar and Tra- yancore. Sometime ago I suggested to Mr. Blyth that it may have been Gould’s species Gularis, described from Travancore, but the description of the throat is omitted, probably through mistake, as the specific name is derived therefrom. Mr. Blyth in his synopsis of the Brachypedine, before alluded to,* has made a new genus for this and Horsfield’s T’urdus dispar, (which closely resembles our bird) under the name of Rubigula. Description.—Head and cheeks pure glossy black; plumage above, yellowish green; chin spot black; throat of a beautiful shining ruby red, the feathers divided, and somewhat bristly; rest of the plumage beneath, yellow; quills with their_inner webs dusky, bill black, legs greenish dusky, irides light yellow. Length about 63;—wing 3—tail 23—tarsus ths. «TJ. A. S, 1845, p. 576. BK ALALS + ARS CA : > ae 8 i as ag & 3. j oar | ‘ ' } LA Hida ‘bare, pdt t a o i i f yilest ‘ove # ue : 7 v rs raid : ; et i (ri : y +. eal bs byl v ° Se we ord j \ ¥ shri lca Talat om i é iy wn olny 106 ya) 7 i dat? ia —_ - ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE CONIROSTRES. FAM, ALAUDINE. GEN. MIRAFRA. PLATE XXXVIII. MIRAFRA ERYTHROPTERA. RED WINGED LARK. Synon.—Mirafra Javanica? Jerdon, Cat. No. 189. WueEn I compiled my Catalogue I placed this Lark, though with doubt, as the M. Javanica of Horsfield, that bird having been included in Franklin’s Catalogue, and as it answered tolerably well to the brief description. I think it is probably the variety of Latham’s Aggia Lark, No. 49, described after a drawing of Hardwicke’s, and said to weigh 93 drachms. Since that time, however, I have thought it advise- able to separate it as a new species, and Mr. Blyth fully agrees with me in doing so, and has already described it under that name in the Journ. Asiat. Soc.* The Red Winged Lark is tolerably common in low jungles in the neighbour- hood of Jalnah, and generally through the Deccan. I never saw it south of Bellary nor on the West Coast, nor in the Carnatic, until a short time ago, when I observed it in some low jungle at the very base of the Eastern Ghats, and my Shikarees have procured me specimens from the hilly regions, where they say it abounds. It is never, that I am aware of, found in the open plains, nor does it frequent gardens, like the more common species, M. Affinis. I may remark here, that I found this latter the common species, within a mile or less of the spot where I first observed Erythroptera in the Carnatic, but not one did I see encroaching on the ground of the other. The Red Winged Lark perches frequently on shrubs, whence it occasionally rises a short distance, and descends again with outspread wings, its bright rufous quills glittering * For 1844—Page 958. Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. in the sun. When observed it hides itself behind a bush, and if followed, soon contrives to conceal itself from the sportsman. Description—Above dusky reddish brown, the feathers edged with fulvous ; beneath fulvous white, the breast spotted with brown; feathers of the head lengthened and rufous; chin, throat, and superciliary streak, white; quills bright ferruginous on both webs, except at the tip, which is dusky brown; tail dark brown, the feathers edged with lighter, and the outermost one white on its external web. Bill horny brown— irides brown——legs and feet fleshy yellow. Length about 53 inches—wing 3,%;ths—tail 24,ths—tarsus ?ths, bill at front + ths. This and another species are called in Teloogoo Keli jitta, the present one, distinguished by its smaller size, being called chinna eeli jitta. The name is derived from their note, which in both species is a kind of prolonged whistle. The nearly allied species, M. Affinis, differs in having the quills rufous on the outer web, and the basal half only with a deep margin of the same, in its shorter tail, and dif- ferently formed bill. It is exceedingly abundant in the West Coast, and throughout the Carnatic, frequenting open spaces in the jungles, gardens, &c. &c. Mr. Strickland considers that this may be the Alawda Malabarica of the older authors, described from Sonnerat’s voyage, plate 113, fig. 1; and I accordingly inserted it in the 2d supplement to my Catalogue just published,* under that name; but having again compared the description, I agree with Mr. Blyth in applying this term to the crested lark, Alauda- deva of Sykes, which is not uncommon on the Malabar Coast, and shall retain the name of Affinis, already indeed published by Mr. Blyth. * Madras Journal of Literature and Science, No. 31. ORD. INSESSORES. TRIBE TENUIROSTRES. GEN. DICEZUM. PLATE XXXIX. DIC4UM CONCOLOR. OLIVE FLOWER PECKER. Tuts plain coloured little bird is found in great abundance on the Neilgherries, frequenting mostly high trees in small flocks, and feeding chiefly on the minute insects. that infest flowers, occasionally receiving a portion of honey along with the insects. I have also found it not uncommon in the more open parts of the forests of Malabar, and also occasionally in jungles in the Carnatic, when a little more high and dense than usual. It keeps up an incessant feeble twittering, whilst feeding. It appears to be replaced towards the North of India by another species, Diceum erythrorhynchum, the Nectarinia Minima of Tickell, and Diceum Tickellie olim of Blyth; of which, however, I have recently obtained specimens from Canara. My Shikarees call this little bird chitloo jitta, a name which they also apply to that curious bird the Parisoma Vireoides of my Cat. No. 138; the Fringilla Agilis of Tickell, and Pipra Squalida of Burton, now made into a new genus, Piprisoma,* by Mr. Blyth, and placed in the Diceum group by him; thus confirming the view of its affinities held by my Shikarees, which I confess it was some time before I could recognise. I add a description of the Dicewm Concolor. Above brownish olive, wings and tail darker, beneath greenish white, irides brown. Bill dark plumbeous, legs and feet brown. Length about 4 inches—wing 2—tail 1,—tarsus 3—bill (front) zths, at gape +;ths. The bird is figured on the branch of a tree well known on the Neilgherries under the name of the pink arbutus, which is I believe a species of T’hibaudia. * Journ. As. Soc. 1844, page 394. ARAODBAM SKY Cee - ee AGW TA0ORAS VY, WAAL i mage "ial a tn he na aan ail at won ale un = ho +f hath i ; : fr cs dred fia if) os oe wr, ne, - alive io wr heellge. 4 eee” qe. siolee dot afl te ar ae Kal + Flate, XL. GRD. FNSESSORES. TRIBE. SCANSORES. Ea M. PICIDZE: GEN. HEMICIRCUS: PLATE Xt. GESTS CORDATUS: HEART-SPO FTED IVOODPECKER. = Syn.—Picus audits Jerden Cat. No: 206.—P. canente, Lesson, Centurie Zoologique Pl 732 Lean hardly bring myself to believe that the Woodpecker figured in the plate, is the same as the one deseribed by Lesson as follews—‘“* This Weodpecker has neither red nor green in its plumage; two celours only, black and white form its plumage ; erest, head and hind’ neck,. deep blue-black.-—Throat and foreneek ashy grey, relieved on each: side by two broad white marks, reaching’ from the commissure of the bill to the upper part of the thorax. All the lewer part of thebody frem: the breast ef a deep smoky brown.” The uncolowred figure which accompanies my copy of Lesson’s- * Centurie,’ certainly shows a decided similarity in the appearance of the bird, and character of the markings, but as~ suming Lesson’s deseription of the plumage to be correct, and taking into consideration the very different locality of hiebird,. I am inelined to the opinion that the Picus canente from Pegu is a distinct species from my P. cordatus- from the forests of Malabar and Travan- core. ‘Che attention now bestowed’ on the diserimination of species has had the result of showing that several Woodpeckers previously considered identical from different parts of fudia and Malayana, are im.reality only representatives of each other in different districts. Situstrations of Indian Ornithology: Wor example three species, formerly considered the same, have been found te form the group of which the Malay Pieus. badius was-the first described --viz.. P. badius verus, front! Malayana, P. phaioceps, from Bengal, and P. gularis, mihi, from Southern India. In like’ roanner the group to which the Malayan P. tiga belongs bas at least two representatives in: Gontinental Indiay viz. P. shorii and intermedius. Two additional species have been added to the Bengalnsis group, viz. Micropus from Southern India, and another-from Scinde, as» Ehave lately learned from Mr. Blyth, and other instances might readily be-addueed. Now’ in all these cases: the distinctions though constant, are apparently very trifling, and only ap-- preciable after a-close examination, in some cases being merely structural Iam therefore: ted to conclude: in the absence of actual compgrison,of specimens from Pegu that my P. cordatus ts the continental representative of canente, and a distinct species. A nearly allied species has quite recently been precured by Mr. Blyth from Arracan which he has named- jugularis. The heart-spotted Woodpecker. is found only in the highest forests of Malabar, Travancore, and Canara, frequenting high trees, usually in pairs, or single. Like Woo-- peckers generally it is a wary bird, and bemg constantly in motion, oeeasionally eludes the pursuit of the naturatist. Though generally spread through the forests of Western India, it isarare bird. Collections made on the West-Coast however usually include it. IT have not seen it myself frony anyother part ofthe country, but Mr. Blyth, 1 think, has obtained: specimens from Assam or Arracan. Description—Male—forehead aud crown, chin, throat and cheeks, back, stripe along the wings, and_tertiaries yellowish white, the latter terminated with a Dlack heart- shaped spot. Hind head and long. occipital crest, nape, seapulars, quills, upper'and under tail coverts, vent and tad deep black. Beneath from throat to the vent dull green. On the eentre of the hack isa brush of dark sap green feathers, rough and bristly, and usually smeared with a viscid secretion, ill blackish—legs.and feet greenish black—irides brown red, The female ditfers only in-having the forehead and’ erown black, dotted with yet- lowish white. Length under 6 inches— Wing 33—Tail 1 44—Tarsus yth—Bill (at front) 7th ta sth—Crest long ;. form peculiarly robust; feet large; wings long. ORD. RAPTORES. FAM. STRIGIDA. GEN. SCOPS. PLATE XLI. SCOPS SUNIA. RED SCOPS OWL. Synon.—Scops swnia—Hodgson, As. Res. xix.174. Se. pennata H., apud Jerdon, 2d Suppl. Cat. WueEn I referred this bird to S. pennata of Hodgson, I did so on the ground of the great similarity of one of the states of plumage of this beautiful little Owl to an imperfect specimen of pennata kindly lent me by Mr. Blyth. Mr. Gray of the British Museum now refers pennata to the European Scops Owl, S. xorea, though he previously placed it as distinct; and on again examining this species I recognise many points of distinction between the two birds, viz., swnia and zerca. Mr. Blyth has obtained several specimens in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, all in the red state of plumage, and naturally doubts any change taking place, at least normally. The fact of this change is well established I believe in the American Scops Owl, figured by Wilson, and as the majority of specimens I have obtained were in the grey plumage, and some much more rufous than others, I am myself confident of the identity of the two birds. Whether, however, the red be the young plumage, as in the American species, or the adult, I cannot determine satisfactorily, but I suggest that it may be a seasonal garb, and shall endeavour to ascertain this. This Owl appears to be widely distributed through India. The first specimen I procured was found dead in my compound at Madras. I have since seen specimens from Malabar and Travancore, and obtained several others from the Hastern Ghats near Nellore. Mr. Blyth has got it at Calcutta, and Mr. Hodgson in Nepal, but it has not yet I believe been sent from any of the Malay Countries. It is stated to be quite nocturnal in its habits, and to live chiefly on insects. Myr. Hodgson’s specific Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. name is derived from the native, meaning golden, and Telinga Shikarees called it Chitta Gooba. I shall now give descriptions of the different states of plumage—Ist. The uniform rufous as figured. In this the whole of the upper parts are bright ferruginous, a few only of the feathers with black shafts. Scapulars white, tipped with black— feathers of the ruff also edged with black—beneath white, much tinged with rufous on the breast, least so on the under tail coverts, the feathers with a black central stripe, and cross markings—quills and tail obscurely dark banded. 2d. Another state differs from this in having the central black streak and cross markings fully developed on all the feathers, and the quills and tail darker banded. A third state has the ground colour of a beautiful pale grey, but with the markings as in the last, here and there generally a little rufous still discernible, especially on the wings and tail— as also on the aigrettes and ruff. Length 63 inches to 7—the wing is 5-2,ths, and the tail is 2,4,ths—tarsus ,§,ths. I shall notice here that this old established generic name Scops has been lately changed at home for Ephialtes, the former being now applied to the crowned Cranes. Maller th. Reeve (London) imp ORD. RASORES. FAM. TETRAONIDE. GEN. FRANCOLINUS. PLATE XLII. FRANCOLINUS HARDWICKII—FEMALE. FEMALE PAINTED SPUR-FOWL. Synon.—Perdix benulasa, Val., P. Hardwickii, Gray, Hardw. Ill. Ind. Zool. F. nivosus, Ad. Delessert, Curria Partridge; Latham—Jitta Kodee, Teloogoo. Tue male of this very handsome Spur-fowl has been figured twice, firstly by Gray in Hardwicke’s Illustrations of Indian Zoology, and afterwards by Delessert in the Magasin de Zoologie—but the hen-bird has, I believe, not yet been described. Mr. Blyth I see gives benulasa Val. as the prior specific appellation. In Southern India I have only found it in the Jungles of the Eastern Ghats, and in some of the spurs that jut out from the Ghats, both above and below. M. Delessert got it from the neighbourhood of Pondicherry. I got many specimens from the Ghats inland from Nellore, and I have been told that it is found near Bellary, Cuddapah and Hydrabad. Further north I never saw it from Goomsoor, and it is unknown in Bengal and the Himalayas. General Hardwicke procured it in the North West of India I believe. It associates in small flocks, keeping to the low shrubs and brushwood, and seeking its food among fallen leaves and low herbage. I kept several individuals of this species alive for some time, and found that it is a most pugnacious and quarrel- some bird. It carries its tail erect like the Jungle fowl, to which the natives invaria- bly assert its affinity, as well as that of F. spadicews; and Mr. Blyth places them in his genus Gallo perdix, retaining Francolinus for the common Partridge of India, F. ponticerianus, and the Black Partridge of Bengal, F. communis, which are much more allied to Partridges, and in which the hens are not usually spurred as in Gallo perdix. Iilustrations of Indian Ornithology. I have found that both the spotted and common Spur-fowl feed much on insect food in the wild state, especially on the larve of two or three kinds of wood bug (Reduvius) so abundant in most of our Jungles. Description.—Plumage generally of a dusky greenish brown, paling beneath, and inclining to fulvescent on the breast and abdomen. Top of head dark brown, with deep ferruginous streaks, of which latter colour are the face, superciliary stripe and chin, some of the feathers of this portion being centred with pale buff, which colour forms a marked streak extending from the base of the lower mandible to the ear. Bill horny brown. Legs cinereous. Length about 123 inches—wing 6—tail 5—tarsus 13. The Cock-bird differs in having the whole head and neck black with numerous white spots, the back and feathers of thes leg fine chesnut also white spotted, each spot surrounded with glossy black, lower part of breast and abdomen buff, black spotted, lower tail coverts, wings, and tail brownish, the former slightly streaked white. Miller lith Reeve | London) imy (CHAM ONRUONE Slt). AeA IRAP ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. BRACHYPODINAA. GEN. CHLOROPSIS. PLATE XLII. CHLOROPSIS JERDONI. COMMON GREEN BULBUL. Synon.—C. cochinsinensis, apud Jerdon, Cat. No. 72. Phyllornis Jerdoni, Blyth Jour. As. Bengal 1844, page 392, and 1845, page 564. Ir is somewhat remarkable that a species so extensively distributed, and by no means uncommon, and of which specimens must have been frequently taken home, should only within the last three years have been discriminated from its congeners. The cause of this is to be found partly in the great similarity of plumage of the birds of this very natural genus, and partly in the carelessness (till of late years) of Naturalists in unravelling synonyms. As Dr. Roxburgh received from some Critic on his magnificent work on Indian Plants most unmerited censure for figuring the Roxburghia gloriosoides, which name the ignorant writer attributed to Roxburgh himself, I beg to observe that I am indebted to Mr. Blyth for the honor of having this bird named after myself. The genus was first defined (@n England) and the known species recorded in Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of Ornithology. It appears, however, that Phyllornis of Miller has the priority, and must therefore hereafter be adopted. The genus is peculiar to India and the Malayan provinces, and has been the cause of some discussion as to its place in the natural system. Mr. Blyth, among others, places it, along with Jora, as a particular sub-family of Weliphagide, peculiar to Southern Asia and its Islands, and Mr. Gray places it in his Meliphagine. Mr. Blyth, however, allows that it conducts to the Bulbuls, Brachypodine, in which family it is placed by erator and it will be seen from the heading of this article, that I adopt this view, to which I am led partly by the habits of the bird, and partly by the geographical distribution. Its possession of a pencilled or brushed tongue, of Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. which it does not make typical use, appears to me rather an analogical character, and its other alliances being confessedly with the Brachypodine, I have preferred placing it there. The subject of the present article is spread over great part of the Continent of India, wherever there is a sufficiency of woodland. It is extremely common in all the Western provinces, and in the Jungles of the Eastern Ghats, but is rarely met with in the open country of the Carnatic, Mysore or Hydrabad, and there only in the vicinity of well wooded towns. It is usually to be met with in pairs, flitting about the extreme branches of trees, examining the leayes for various insects, after which it occasionally takes a short flight of a foot or two, or searching for some suitable fruit. It has a somewhat varied note, its usual call being, as Mr. Blyth remarks, not unlike that of the King Crow (Dicrwrus macrocercus,) though softened down and mellowed, and occasionally is very agreeable. I have seen a nest and eggs of this species in possession of 8. N. Ward, Esq. It is a neat but slight, cup-shaped nest composed chiefly of fine grass, and was placed near the extremity of a branch, some of the nearest leaves being, it was said, brought down and loosely surrounding it. It contained two eggs, white with a few claret-coloured blotches. Its nest and eggs, I may remark, show an analogy to that of the Orioles as mentioned in a previous article, Plate XV., which is also a representative among the true Thrushes of the Meliphagous or Tenuirostral tribes. The Orioles being by some, though not so generally, assigned to the Meliphaghide, this may seem an additional proof of the correctness of those who would place our bird in the same group, but I only see in it another proof of the universality of the principle of Representation, which pervades every tribe throughout the animated world. Description.—Male, of the beautiful pale green colour prevalent throughout the genus. Face, chin, throat and gorge black, surrounded with a zone of pale yellowish green, Moustache, shining smalt blue. Shoulder-spot, shining azure blue. The female differs in having the parts that are black in the male of a light bluish green, and the moustachial streak azure blue. Length from 7 to 73 inches—wing 3}—tail 2?—tarsus nearly ;4ths. Ivides pale brown. Bill dusky. Legs cinereous. The only other species met with on the Peninsula of India is the C. Malabar- tcus, (Lath.,) C. caesmarhynchos, apud Tickell, C. awrifrons of my Cat. This species is much more rare than the last, preferring the vicinity of lofty Jungles, and is only to be found about the Western Coast, and some of the denser portions of the Jungles Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. of the Eastern Ghats. It is nearly allied to the C. aurifrons of Northern India. A fourth very beautiful species, C. Hardwickii, J. and §8., C. Curvirostris, Sw., C. eyanopterus, Hodgs., C. chrysogaster, MchL. and H., and C. auriventris, Deless., is found in the Himalayas and Hastern India. Three species are found in the Malay Peninsula and isles, viz., C. Sonneratii, 3. and §., C. eyanopogon, T., and C. cochinsinensis, Lath. ORD. RAPTORES. FAM. FALCONINE. GEN. FALCO. PLATE XLIV. FALCO LUGGUR. THE LUGGUR FALCON. Synon.—F. juggur—Gray—Hardwicke’s Ill. Ind. Zool. 2—26. F. thermophilus, Hodgs., Gray’s Zool. Mise. I nave already in these Illustrations figured two states of plumage of a fine Falcon, (the Shaheen,) and I now give a drawing of another equally large, much more common, and held in less estimation by the Natives. Whilst the Bhyree (F. peregrinus,) prefers the sea coast and the neighbourhood of lakes, rivers, and wet cultivation, and the Shaheen (F. peregrinator) delights in hilly and wooded regions, the Luggur, on the contrary, frequents open dry plains, and vicinity of cultivation. It makes its nest in some lofty tree, generally one standing alone among some grain fields, and lays four eggs. In a wild state it preys on a great variety of small birds, often snatching up a chicken, even in the midst of a Cantonment. It is trained to hunt Crows, Paddy-birds, Partridges and Florikin; and, it is said, has been trained to kill the Heron, A. cinerea. In hawking Crows, C. culminatus chiefly, it is slipped from the hand; and the Crow, when aware of its danger, uses every artifice to escape, taking refuge among cattle, horses, vehicles, and even entering houses. I once had a Luggur whose wing- feathers were burnt off by a washerman’s fire, close to which the Crow was attempting to take refuge when it was struck. After Paddy-birds (Ardea bubuleus) it is also slipped from the hand, and as this bird is always found on the plains feeding among herds of cattle, it affords considerable sport by its dexterity in diving among and under the cattle, and the venturots Hawk is occasionally trodden under the feet of the cattle. When the quarry is a Partridge or a Florikin the standing gait is used as described Flate XLIV Miller ith Reeve (London) imp agit AX ai aah salt oe a6 bi gueels % ed tiiecaieg tal x » SOIT én. Jor tenet “Fos be! a ir etic ATTN. et ae ore 9 i ode ni dias . Span toys kat laste (Biota Ri nity went lt ates ntvond AE race Wosrae sft : Bee sae iWitewub oa vie age sat at 2 eee 2 ell Pa ek ink aw «eee ee eal Raa RC aE i Coplee | ee | ioe ee ee ee eran, opin abe Br ove te . eres oan ppese 258 etthelt Svcd ee , f ate AS die ah ae Rake SA am » 4, a ie te AM ek oe. Aa Sea i, ‘ome a At Bills o ees al p Tatty at ab, en ere» cae % cortged agra: “i tale aon Mee a ] y i - ra a ae 4 > ~~? a. = dix Eee heed on ere Y cr or) cee rome Rid ne iw » dewilen, et hee ee a SN a 7 fe ee spect Sr et RE ee ee a ee oe : + ke ss ey BD sia = jedan al eels 2 ee es govt 28 Se oe ee. ern ot ian a ks: = P 5 ee aad t bows 1S ot eee ~ Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. under the head of the Shaheen, (Plate XII.) Luggurs, as well as Shaheens, are always caught after they have left the nest and have had. some instruction by their parents, our native Falconers considering them better than when taken from the nest, contrary I believe to the opinion of our English Adam Woodcocks. The Luggur appears to inhabit the whole continent of India—and is enumerated among the Hawks used in Scinde by the late Sir A. Burnes. I add a description of the Luggur and of its changes of plumage. The young bird, as represented in the accompanying Plate, is throughout of an earth-brown colour, except the superciliary stripe, cheeks, chin, throat, and under- tail coverts, which are of a pale yellowish white colour, more marked in some individuals than in others, and in some of a purer white. The quills are darker than the rest of the plumage, and the tail has sometimes an ashy tinge. The head is usually, though not always, paler, sometimes quite rufous, and the feathers edged with creamy white, and the forehead is generally of this latter tinge. Inthe second year the brown feathers of the upper plumage are paler and with more of an ashy tinge throughout; beneath, the feathers of the neck and breast are snow white, with a central brown mark. In the third year still more of the breast, and part of the abdominal feathers become white, with a brown spot, this mark on the upper portion of the breast being now nearly obliterated; the feathers of the back too are now quite cinereous. In the fourth year the breast becomes quite white unspotted, a few brown spots still remaining on the abdomen—which disappear nearly with the next moult. In all the head is paler, sometimes rufous with a few dark lines. The leg feathers also always remain brown. The upper plumage is pale cinereous, usually edged with light brown, and the nape and hind neck always continue brown. The quills have at all ages their inner webs studded with large white spots. In the young bird the cere orbits and legs are light einereous blue, which afterwards changes to yellow, pale at first, brighter with age. Trides deep brown. Length of a female 19 inches—wing 15{—tail 8—tarsus 2—centre toe with claw 2?—weight tb14. The male bird is considerably smaller, but there is not such a difference between the sexes as in the Peregrine and the Shaheen. The Hindustani name of this Falcon is Luggur for the female, and Juggur for the male. In Teloogoo it is called Luggadoo evidently the same word. Besides the Shaheen, Luggur and Besra, already figured in the present Illustra- tions, the following Hawks are known to, and used by native Falconers. Ist. The Bhyree, Falco peregrinus. An abundant yisitant to our coasts during the cold season. Cc Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. 2d. The Turoomtee, F. chicquera, a permanent resident. 3d. The Bay, Astur palum- barius, rare in the South of India. 4th. The Gorbesra, Astur indicus, also rare. 5th. The Basha, Accipiter fringillarius, a cold weather visitant, to hilly regions. 6th. The Shikra, Acc. Dussumierii, abundant throughout India—and lastly, the Khandesra, pro- bably the Acc. virgatuse—very rare, and said only to be found on the East coast. ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. MOTACILLINE. GEN. ANTHUS. PLATE XLV. ANTHUS SIMILIS—JERDON. MOUNTAIN TITLARK. ‘ TuHE group of Larks, and Titlarks, is one of the most difficult to define of all the feathered tribes, their plumage being in general so extremely similar, that without accurate measurements and comparisons of allied species, numerous mistakes are unavoidable. Mr. Blyth has lately, in one of his excellent papers in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, revised all the Indian species; and Mr. Gray, in his list of Hodgson’s birds, has also enumerated several. The subject of our present article is certainly one of the rarest of all. It is not enumerated among Hodgson’s birds, but I see that Lord A. Hay has lately obtained it at Jummoo in the North West Himalayas. My first specimens were procured at Jalna, in the neighbourhood of low hills on a bare plain. I have since, on several occasions, seen it on the Segoor Pass of the Neelgherries, among rocky ground about 4,000 feet high, and have little doubt that it will eventually be found to frequent rocky hills throughout the table land of India. I presume that it is a resident here, for I lately procured a specimen in what is evidently its nestling plumage on the Segoor Ghat. Description.—Plumage above generally of a dusky olive brown, the feathers edged with pale ferruginous, darkest on the margins of the wing feathers; beneath, and superciliary stripe also pale ferruginous, streaked on the neck and breast with brown; outermost tail-feather with the outer web and tip rusty white, and the next tipped with the same only. Irides brown. Length 8 inches—wing 3,8,ths—tail 3}—tarsus rather more than an inch—bill to forehead ~;ths<-hind claw nearly ;4ths. Illustrations of Indian Ornithology. This species differs abundantly both in habits and structure from A. Richardi, (which equals it in size,) and is one of the best marked species of the group. Richard's Pipit frequents chiefly marshy ground, and wet paddy-fields, and in such localities is more abundant in Southern India than I previously imagined. Other Pipits found in the Peninsula are as follows—A. maculatus, Hodgs.; 4. arboreus, of Indian writers, very abundant as a cold weather visitant; 4. striolatus, Blyth, placed by Mr. Gray in his list as a synonym of A. rufescens of Europe. This species appears also to be only a cold weather visitant. I found it abundant on plains near Nellore sprinkled with bushes of Euphorbia, on which the Pipit frequently perched. 4. malayensis, Eyton, A. agilis, Sykes, and Jerdon Cat., A. pallescens, apud Sundeval]. A most abundant and common species throughout all India. A. rufulus of apud Jerdon, Cat. No. 192., lately obtained by Mr. Blyth near Calcutta—and lastly, 4. montana, Jerdon, olim A. rufescens, Cat. No. 191—only seen on the Neelgherries, where tolerably common. ORD. IVNSESSORES. FAM. PARINA. GEN. PARUS. PLATE XLVI. PARUS NUCHALIS. WHITE NAPED TITMOUSE. T osTAINED this unexpected addition to the fauna of Southern India from the Jungles of the Eastern Ghats, and the Shikarees who brought it to me stated that it inhabits the highest portion of the hills in thick forest, and lives in pairs. They said it was very rare, and I have not succeeded in obtaining any other specimens beyond the pair first procured. Description—Above, and a broad mesial stripe from throat to vent, black; cheeks, sides of neck, of breast, and of belly, under-tail coverts, spot on nape and band across wing, white; tertials broadly margined externally and tipped with white; outermost tail-feather white, except its inner border, the next with the outer web and portion of inner web white, and the third with the outer web white at tip and for most of its basal half. Bill black. Legs plumbeous. Length 5 inches—wing 23ths—tail 2—tarsus jths—bill 3 inch nearly to gape. The other Pari of Southern India are P. cinereus, V., P. atriceps, T., abundant on the Neelgherries; and P. aplonotus, Blyth, P. xanthogenys, apud Sykes and Jerdon— only lately discriminated from the allied P. wanthogenys of the Himalayas. This is abundant in Coorg, on the slopes of the Neelgherries, and indeed all along the range of the Western Ghats. P. melanolophus I have only seen in Goomsoor. D ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. PICIDA. GEN. PICUS. PLATE XLVII. PICUS CEYLONUS. RED WOODPECKER. Synon.—P. ceylonus, Forst., P. neglectus, Wagler. I nave figured this interesting species of Woodpecker from the island of Ceylon, where it was procured by Lord A. Hay, and where it appears to be not uncom- mon, replacing (says Mr. Blyth) the common P. bengalensis of the Indian continent, to which it assimilates in structure, belonging to the same division Brachypternus. Description.—Above of a dull crimson colour, brighter on the head and crest —beneath white, with brown markings; streak from the eye and two narrow stripes, one from above the gape, and the other from the edge of the lower mandible, dark brown. Bill yellow. Legs cinereous. Plate XLVIL Reeve (London) amp ORD. RASORES. FAM. COLUMBIDA. GEN. COLUMBA. PLATE XLVI, COLUMBA ELPHINSTONII. NEELGHERRY WOOD PIGEON. Synon.—Ptilinopus Elphinstonti—Sykes—C. pulchricollis, Hodgs. ? ? Tuts handsome Pigeon I have only hitherto found in the dense woods on the summit of the Neelgherries, but as Sykes found it in the woods of the Western Ghats, I have no doubt that hereafter it will be ascertained to inhabit all the higher parts of that range of mountains. It is found single, or in small parties of four or five. It in general keeps to the woods, living on various fruit and berries, but occasionally it descends to the ground to procure various seeds and shells (Bulimi) which I have frequently found in its crop. JI am unacquainted with its call and nidification, though it certainly breeds on the Neelgherries. Colonel Sykes, its original describer, makes it a Pétlinopus, but it is clearly (as Mr. Blyth ingeniously imagined from its mode of coloration alone, for he had not seen a specimen) a true Columba of the subdivision Palwmbus or Cushat. Myr. Gray in his list of Hodgson’s specimens presented to the British Museum, makes the C. pulchricollis of that gentleman a synonym of this Pigeon, which however I cannot assent to, on comparing the bird now before me with Mr. Blyth’s copious description of pulchricollis. I add a description of Elphinstonii, which name I may mention was given in honor of the Governor of Bombay, the Hon. Mounstuart Elphinstone. Head, neck and plumage beneath ashy, the neck and breast glossed with green; a large nuchal mark black, the feathers tipped white; plumage above of a copper colour glossed slightly with purple and green. Quills and tail dusky black. Bill red, yellowish at the tip. Feet lake coloured. Ivides yellow. Length about 15 inches—wing 8i—tail 6. . D* ORD. INSESSORES. FAM. CRATEROPODIN. GEN. XIPHORHAMPHUS. PLATE XLIX. XIPHORHAMPHUS SUPERCILIARIS. SCIMITAR BILLED BABBLER. Synon.—Aiphirhynchus superciliaris—Blyth, J. A. S., 1842, p. 175. Mr. Brytu defines his genus Xiphirhynchus, afterwards changed to Xipho- rhamphus on account of the first being preoccupied, as follows—Allied to Poma- torhinus, but the bill much longer and more slender, and very thinly compressed throughout its length, widening only at the extreme base, and describing a considerable incuryation. Plumage, wings, and tail as in Pomatorhinus, but the toes and claws rather more slender and elongated. I think that these characters hardly allow its separation from Pomatorhinus, being merely more finely expressed. This bird is “yeported to be a pleasing Songster,” but this is at variance with the known habits of most of the family. It inhabits Darjeeling. Description—Above uniform brown, the quills and tail dusky; beneath rufo-ferruginous; crown, occiput, and sides of the head, dark cinereous with a narrow superciliary white line extending to the occiput; throat whitish, streaked with grey ; breast obscurely spotted with dusky; shoulders and tibial feathers dark grey; bill dusky; legs brown. Length 83 inches—wing 2g—tail 33—bill 1 in a straight line—tarsus 1— hind toe and claw 1. The female differs in being slightly smaller, and in the colouring of the under parts being not so bright. | Llate XL1X. xp. 4 ran Rez sie Flate, L, ORD. INSHSSORES. FAM. PI CIDR. GEN. INDICATOR. PLATE L. INDICATOR XANTHONOTUS—BLYTH. YELLOW BACKED HONEY GUIDE. I constwEr the discovery of this bird at Darjeeling as one of the most interesting among the numerous novelties Mr. Blyth has had occasion to describe during his sojourn in India.* The only recorded species belong to Africa, and the interest attached to their peculiar habits has been recorded by several travellers in that country, and has I believe been confirmed by recent writers. For the informa- tion of such as have not had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with these peculiarities, I may here mention, that the common African Honey Guide (Indicator ) is said to direct the negroes by a peculiar cry or whistle to the tree where the bees have taken up their residence, advancing before them by longer or shorter flights according to the greater or less distance of the object of pursuit. As it approaches the tree, its flights become more limited, its whistle is repeated at shorter intervals, and at last, having brought its associates to the desired spot, it hovers over it for a moment as if to mark it out distinctly, and then quietly takes up a station at a little distance, waiting the result, and expecting its share of the booty, which it never fails to obtain. It would be interesting to know if our Indian Honey Guide has similar habits with its African congeners, and it is hoped that some resident at Darjeeling will endeavour to obtain some information on this subject. I add a description of our bird. Plumage generally of a dusky brown, tinged with green on the crown and back of the neck; forehead and throat pale yellow; rump fine golden yellow; beneath ashy with dark streaks; the lower tail-coverts blackish; tertiaries margined with white. Bill horny brown. Legs dusky. Length 6 inches—wing 3gths—tail 2;—tarsus 2. * Vide J. A. S., Bengal, 1842, page 166. 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Lanius Nigriceps, —- = Phenicornis Flammeus, - Brachypus Rubineus, - Brachypus Poioicephalus, Pycnonotus Xantholemus, Phyllornis Jerdoni, - - Oriolus Indicus, - - Petrocincla Pandoo, - - Turdus Wardii, - - Crateropus Delesserti, - - Malacocircus Griseus, - Xiphoramphus Superciliaris, Parus Nuchalis, - - Prinia Cursitans, - = Muscipeta Paradisea, - Leucocirea Albofrontata, - Muscicapa Albicaudata, - Muscicapula Sapphira, Pastor Blythii, - = e Plate 1)|Mirafra Erythroptera, - - 27| Anthus Similis, 56 6 «a 12, 28| Paleornis Columboides, = 44 | Picus Hodgsonii, 5 6 4, 29| Picus Cordatus, Bet 30) Picus Ceylonus, oo) 6 41 | Bucco Viridis, = : Zanclostomus Viridirostris, = 17) Indicator Xanthonotus, = 11 | Diceum Concolor, - - 37| Ceyx Tridactyla, - = 31 | Caprimulgus Indicus, = o 35) 43. 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