2. PRINIA. 



201 



feathers tipped with white, with a tolerably distinct subterminal 

 bar of black. 



In this stage of plumage it is P. rohusta and P. valida of authors ; 

 bnt in the series collected by Mr. Brooks at Mnddapoor, and forming 

 part of the Gates collection now in the Museum, is a bird killed on the 

 2l8t of August, 1879, which is moulting from the worn breeding- 

 plumage of P. neglecta into the winter dress. In the latter stage of 

 plumage it is also the P. siflvatica of Jerdon and P.jerdoni of Blyth, 

 specimens of both of which species are in the Museum, the former 

 still bearing labels in Jerdon's handwriting. 



The youmj bird resembles the winter plumage of the adult, and 

 has a similar tail, but is rather more ruddy on the flanks and sides 

 of breast ; the upper surface also is more rufesceut. Both the 

 young specimens collected by Mr. Brooks in November 1879 are 

 commencing to moult, and are putting on the rufous head, which 

 gives an indication of what the young bird in its first full winter 

 plumage will be like. We have no specimens identified as D. ru- 

 fescens of Hume ; but there can be little doubt from the description 

 that the latter name belongs to this stage of plumage ; and it is 

 equally certain that Suya gangetica of Jerdon also belongs here, as 

 the type was in the Gould Collection, aud is now before me. 



As in most of the Grass-Warblers, the tail is considerably longer 

 in winter plumage, and measures 3"3 inches in length. 



From an examination of Jerdon's specimens of P. sylvatica it 

 would appear that the white on the tail-feathers of the breeding 

 bird is gradually assumed by a partial change in the colour of the 

 feather ; but that some of the white tail-feathers are gained by a 

 direct moult there can be no doubt, as a Muddapoor specimen, shot 

 by Brooks on the 15th of May, is moulting its tail from the winter 

 to the summer dress. 



Hah. The whole of India south of the Himalayas and Ceylon. 



a, b. c? ad. festiv. sk 



c. c? sestiv. sk. 



d. (J sestiv. sk. 



e. (5 juv. sk. 

 f,ff- 62 juv. sk. 

 h. Ad. sk, 



i. Juv. bieni. sk. 

 /.-. Ad. aestiv. sk. 



Muddapoor, Mavl879 



( jr. E. Brooks). 

 Muddapoor, June 19, 



1880 ( W. E. B.). 

 Muddapoor, Aug. 21. 



1879 { W. E. B.). 

 Muddapoor, October 1 , 



1880([r. ^. ^.). 

 Muddapoor, Nov. 1879 



( W. E. B.). 

 Madras. 



Banks of the Ganges 



{Dr. Jerdon). 

 N. Bengal {Dr. Fal- 

 coner). 

 l,m. Ad. et juv. hioni. South India (^s. >S'oc.). 



sk. 

 n, 0. Ad. hiem. sk. Madras (Jerdon). 



Eugene W. Gates, Esq. 

 Eiigene W. Gates, Esq. 

 Eugene W. Gates, Esq. 

 Eugene W. Gates, Esq. 

 Eugene W. Gates, Esq. 



Dr. Jerdon [P.]. (S. n. 



P.jerdoni.) 

 Gould Collection. (Type 



of Siti/a gangetica.) 

 India Museum. 



India Museum. 



Gould Collection. (S.n. 

 Prinia sylvatica.) 



