454 Capt. R. C. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 



530. Orthotomus longicauda. Indian Tailor-Bird. 



Darjeeling collection^ 1862. Barrackpore (common), Maun- 

 bhoom (rare), and Salvveen River, Burmah, where I secured some 

 specimens in August 1865, which seem smaller than the Indian 

 race. Specimen in flesh: — Length 4^875 ; wing 1*75 ; tail 1^875 ; 

 tarsus '625; bill from front '5; extent 5. Irides brownish 

 yellow. 



536. Prinia gracilis. Franklin's Wren-Warbler. 



This elegant little bird is common in Maunbhoom, and goes 

 about in parties of seven or eight, sometimes more, frequenting 

 the low and thick bushes of Zizyphus jujuha. In watching a 

 flock of them, some are seen diligently searching every twig and 

 leaf, others on bare twigs near the ground prying intently 

 among the leaves, another, mayhap, on a fallen leaf, with his tail 

 cocked up, and whole attitude one of the gi'eatest consequence. 

 Another on the top of the bush is preening himself, twisting his 

 body and stretching his wings ; and the last, on the point of 

 flying off" to a neighbouring bush covered with scarlet flowers, 

 gives a preparatory circular sweep with his tail, and is off', soon 

 to be followed by all the rest. 



The male has a very sweet but short song. The peculiar 

 silky textui'e of the feathers of the breast is remarkable. They 

 are sometimes, but not often, seen in low trees. The whole 

 flock, when they see anything unusual, will commence their 

 chirping call of tee-tee-tee, whence the native name " Teep-tee- 

 pee." Specimen in flesh: — Length 4^625; wing 1^75 ; tail 2. 

 Claws brown. 



Prinia beavani, Waldeu, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 551. 



I shot my specimens of this new species at Schonay Goon^ on 

 the Salween River, on the 10th of August 1865. The dimen- 

 sions of a fresh specimen are as follows : — Length 4^125 ; wing 

 1"625; tail r625; tarsus ^75; bill from front scarcely "5; ex- 

 tent 5. 



