5. SITTOEIA. 



217 



In Ceylonese birds the soft parts are given by Capt. Vincent 

 Legge as follows: — "Iris pale reddish; ej'elid rufescent yellow; 

 bill fleshy, with dusky culmen ; legs and feet fleshy reddish or 

 flesh-colour.'' Dr. Jerdou had an idea that the Tailorbirds from 

 Ceylon were diff'erent from Indian specimens ; but Capt. Legge 

 carefully went into the subject in his 'Birds of Ceylon,' and found 

 certain slight difi'erences, but not enough to constitute specific 

 characters. See his remarks (t. c. p. 518). 



Adult fimalc. Very similar to the male in plumage, but smaller 

 and with a shorter tail, the two centre taU-feathers not being 

 produced. Total length 3-8 inches, culmen 0-55, wing 1-65, tail 

 1'25, tarsus 0*75. 



Young. Very like the adult female, but with the head entirely 

 dull rufous, the general plumage more fluffy, the upper tatl-coverts 

 rufescent. 



Hah. Occurs throughout India and Ce3'lon, both on the hills and in 

 the plains, breeding in both situations and ranging as high as from 

 3000 to 4000 feet. Westwards it extends into Sciude, and eastwards 

 through the Burmese countries to South China, where it occurs 

 from Canton to Foochow, as well as in the Chinese islands of 

 Formosa and Hainan. Mr. Blyth also gave the range of this bird 

 as extending to Singapore ; but this wants confirmation, and the 

 Malayan species is no doubt 0. macuUcollis. 



Salvin, Esqrs. [P.J. 



