of the Malayan Peninsula. 407 



sina, Linn.), or pensile weaver, are both common in the peninsula, 

 and the latter is remarkable for the elegance of its plumage. The 

 nest of the former is composed of the fibres of leaves and grass, 

 and is curiously constructed in the shape of a long cylinder, 

 swelling out globosely in the centre, which portion forms the 

 apartment wlierein the eggs are laid. One end of the cylinder 

 is attached to the end of a branch, which generally either impends 

 over water, or is nearly inaccessible from some other cause ; and 

 the other, or lower extremity, is furnished with a small aperture, 

 which forms the only entrance, and effectually secures the young 

 from the depredations of the numerous snakes who would other- 

 wise prey upon them. 



There are several species of Flycatcher, amongst which may be 

 enumerated the Muscicapa atricapilla, or pied flycatcher ; the 

 Edolius malabaricus of Temm., the Lanius of Shaw, or the Ma- 

 labar shrike ; and a new and beautiful species, as it appears to 

 me, which I have ventured to term Mtiscicapa cyanea, or ultra- 

 marine flycatcher. Its body, head, wings and tail are velvet 

 glossy black ; front, crest, scapulars, back and tail-coverts are of 

 a most beautiful and brilliant ultramarine blue. Tail shortish, 

 cuneated. Legs and bill black. Length eight inches and a 

 half. Female greenish ash; head, scapulars and tail-coverts 

 sprinkled with ultramarine blue. Wings and tail brown, with 

 a slight steel-blue gloss. These birds abound in the woods of 

 Sebang, and the whole tribe enliven the solitude by their restless 

 movements and noisy cries*. 



A variety of the Coccyzus ncevius of Temm., or the brown 

 cuckoo, is a denizen of the woods. It differs only in the tail 

 having a black bar near the extremity and being tipped with 

 white. 



Few countries boast such a variety of the Pigeon tribe ; the 

 following species may be enumerated : — Columba indica, or green- 

 winged pigeon ; Columba viridis, or green turtle ; Columba malac- 

 censisj or Malacca turtle ; Columba turtur, or turtle dove ; Co- 

 lumba vemans, or green pigeon; Columba anea, or nutmeg pigeon; 

 Columba cristata, or lesser-crowned pigeon ; Columba miffratoria, 

 or passenger pigeon; Columba lacernulata; Columba striata, 

 barred turtle ; and Columba jambu, or Jamhu pigeon, which is a 

 remarkably handsome bird with a blossom-coloured head of the 

 hue of the jambu fruit, whence its name. 



There are several species of Parrots indigenous to the penin- 

 sula, but the most beautiful varieties of lories and cockatoos are 

 imported from Java and the Moluccas. The native ones are the 

 Psittacus galgulus, or sapphire parrot, which suspends itself by 



* This is the Irenapuella, Horsf.— H. E. S. 



