THE GENUS CHLOROrSIS. 61 



sketch of M. teacofcs and others of this genus ) to that remarkable 

 bird, Track i/comux ocltroccpkalax. 



" Tkc wing is round 'd.'' A characteristic of the wing of the Bracky- 

 podiii'r in common with the other members of the C rate ropod idee. 



" The tail is short and square. " This again is a point to which not 

 the slightest importance can, to my mind, be given, in a group of 

 birds in which the type of tail graduates from the long-forked 

 tail of Sypsipetes to the short rounded one of Mieropm* 



" Tarsi arc very short." An extremely strong characteristic 

 of the Sub-family Brackypodimc. 



The absence of the nuchal hairs is not important, as they are not 

 always present in the members of the Sub-family, and again are 

 present in others separated by Oates from it, as in Irene. 



The main difference therefore lies in the fact that the sexes are 

 differently coloured, and to those who deem this in itself a sufficient 

 reason for the removal of the genus from the Sub-family 

 Brack ijpodinoi-, I would suggest that these birds be placed by them- 

 selves in a separate Sub-family coming after the bulbuls and leading 

 into Irene and Orioins. 



Having thus, I fear but indifferently, shown the weakness of the 

 reasons for separating this bird from the Sub-family, I may now 

 state reasons, which I consider to be very strong, why they should 

 be retained in it. 



First, as regards food and their manner of feeding. In this 

 I think nothing can be advanced as a reason for separating them, 

 whereas the fact that many bulbuls and Chloropsis feed on the same 

 food and feed in the same manner, is evidence to a certain extent 

 showing that they should be placed in the same group. Some time 

 ago, in an article to the Asian on some of the Ckhropsis, I men- 

 tioned the fact that I had seen them feeding on white ants which 

 they captured on the wing, and at the same time I mentioned the 

 fact that I had also noticed this trait in Molpastcs and in Otocompsa 

 (both cmeria an&ftatircnfris). 



Then their flight is that of a bulbul's, nearly approaching that of 

 Otocompsa, but less jerky and perhaps quicker. 



Voice. — It is quite true that in this respect there are certain differ- 

 ences, but to no greater extent than exist amongst bulbuls themselves. 



