BLACK-HEADED BUSHCHAT. 281 



coverts are also brownish-black, edged with red ; those of the 

 tail similar, but the outer margined with brownish -white. 

 There is a patch of white tinged with light red on each side 

 of the neck, and another of pure white on the wing, includ- 

 ing the inner secondary coverts, and the bases of some of the 

 secondary quills. The upper tail-coverts are of the same 

 colour, but tipped with red and having a dusky spot. The fore 

 part of the neck and breast is of a deep brownish- red ; the rest 

 of the lower parts of the same colour but paler, excepting the 

 axillar feathers, which are dusky, tipped with white. 



Length to end of tail oi inches ; extent of wings 9 ; wing 

 from flexure 2j'| ; tail If ; bill along the ridge j^^, along the 

 edge of lower mandible -^^ ; tarsus j§ ; hind toe j*j, its claw 

 ^-^ ; second toe {%, its claw {% ; third toe /g, its claw |t ; 

 fourth toe ^-g, its claw ^-j. 



Female. — The bill, mouth, iris, and feet as in the male. 

 The head, hind-neck and back are streaked with dusky and 

 brownish-red, the margins of each feather being of the latter 

 colour, the tail-coverts without any white, being yellowish- 

 red with a dusky streak. The quills and tail-feathers are as 

 in the male, but of a browner tint ; the white spot on the 

 wing is of much smaller extent. The throat is light greyish- 

 brown ; the cheeks of the same colour, but more dusky ; the 

 fore-neck and breast yellowish-brown, the rest of the lower 

 parts of a paler and duller tint. 



Length to end of tail 5^ inches ; extent of wings 9. 



Variations. — I have not observed any remarkable variations 

 in this species. 



Changes. — The above descriptions are from individuals in 

 perfect plumage in November, when the moult is completed. 

 The colours remain unchanged until the beginning of spring, 

 after which they gradually alter, so that by the middle of sum- 

 mer the male has the head pure black, the upper parts less 

 variegated with red, the white on the neck pure, and the lower 

 parts of a much lighter red ; the quills and tail more tinged 



