lO BIRDS OF INDIA. 



mistaken for a tliick-billed Tit-mouse. Another species of this 

 genus from China has lately been figured by Gould in his Birds of 

 Asia, as S^ithora Wehhiana. 



I agree with Mr. Blyth in considering that Strutkidea of Austra- 

 lia belongs to this family, and probably to this group ; as perhaps 

 also Sphenostoma, and XeropJdla of Gould, which, indeed, I see 

 Bonaparte includes in his Timaliyice, placing them after the Para- 

 doxornis group, in a sub-family with Psophodes and Melanochlora, 

 which latter, however, I look on as a true Tit. Near this group 

 perhaps should come the genus Pi/ctorliis, but as its affinities 

 for the Alcippe and Timalia section, are perhaps stronger, I shall 

 bring it into the system along with the latter series, and go on to the 

 Jay-thrushes. 



Gen. CoNOSTOMA, Hodgson. 



Char. — Bill short, stout, compressed, arched, with the culmen 

 broad and rounded ; nostrils round, concealed ; rictus with a few 

 short bristles ; wings short, feeble, much rounded, 6th, 7th, and 8th 

 quills being about equal and longest ; tail moderately lengthened, 

 rounded, broad ; feet large and strong ; tarsus long, nearly smooth ; 

 the outer toe longer than the inner ; hind toe very large ; nails 

 long, slender, and moderately curved. 



This genus, of which there is only one representative, was con- 

 sidered by its founder to belong to the Glancopince, or Tree-crows 

 of Swainson, with analogies for the TimaUna;, and Crateropi, of the 

 lower regions; and Gray agrees with this view of its affinities. Blyth 

 classes it with the Paradoxornis group, as do Bonaparte and 

 Horsfield, who had previously placed it near the Gcirrulax series. 



Taking into consideration its short wing, strong legs, and lax 

 plumage, I have no hesitation in placing it near IJeteromorpha, 

 at the same time leading, through the next form, towards Garrulax 

 and its aifines. 



381. Conostoma cemodium, Hodgson. 



J. A. S., X., 857, with figure.-— Blyth, Cat. 526— Horsf., Cat. 

 309, and 612 bis— Gould, Birds of Asia, pi. 84. — Lho-ramnio-pho, 

 Lepcli. 



