74 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



short rictal setee ; wings short, rounded ; 4th and 5th quills longest ; 

 tall long, graduated, the feathers very broad and soft ; tarsus long ; 

 middle toe elongated, lateral toes unequal, hind toe rather short. 



This curious bird has so much the aspect of a Drymoica that it 

 would by some be placed in that genus, but its more compressed 

 bill, broad tail, and, to a certain extent, its coloration, all evince a 

 tendency to this present family. It differs from the last type by 

 its lengthened tail and streaked plumage. 



Blyth notices its affinity for Chatornis, of which says he "it has 

 the general form, but a weaker and more compressed bill, feebler 

 vibrissa, shorter feet, and the tail much broader." 



443. Eurycercus Burnesii, Blyth. 



J. A. S., XIII., 374— Blytu, Cat. ISQ—Hidela, Sindh. 

 The Long-tailed Reed-bird. 



Descr. — Above brownish grey, with dark central streaks, mostly 

 on the scapulars and back ; tail faintly barred; under parts whitish, 

 tinoed with fulvescent on the flanks, and a shade of the same on 



to 



the sides of the neck, where also a few mesial streaks are distinct; 

 under tail-coverts ferruginous. 



Bill liorny above, yel!ov»4sh beneath ; legs yellow-brown ; irides 

 brownish yellow. Length Q^ inches ; wing 2^ ; tail 3| ; bill at 

 front f ; tarsus i%. 



This bird was originally sent from Sindh by Sir A. Burnes, and 

 a drawing of it is also among his collection in the Asiatic Society's 

 Library. Quite recently I found it at Monghyr on the Ganges in 

 March, frequenting grass mixed Avith Jhow bushes. When flushed, 

 it flew close to the ground, and endeavoured to escape observation, 

 hiding itself in the grass, and with more of the aspect of a Chat- 

 arrhcsa than of a Drymoica. It will probably be found in suitable 

 spots all along the Gangetic valley. In its rufous under tail-coverts, 

 and slightly spotted breast, it recalls the coloring of the African 

 genus Parisoma* 



The MimiiKB or Mocking Thrushes of America are the only group, 

 not Asiatic, included by Bonaparte in this family, Toxostoma, 



* Salicaria leucoptera, lluppell, appears to me to belong to this division of the 

 Timalince. 



