PYCNONOTIN^. 77 



chirruping call or warble, which seldom could be called a song ; 

 and the name of Bulbul, by which the most connnon species are 

 known in India, being the Persian name for the Nigiitingale, has 

 led to many misconceptions about their powers of voice and son"-. 

 The few known to the older authors were classed in Linmts, 

 Muscicapa, and Turdus. 



Gen. Hypsipetes, Vigors. 



Char. — Bill moderately strong, lengthened, nearly straight ; cul- 

 men very slightly arched ; nostrils long, with some short tufts and 

 a few hairs at their base ; wings long, 4th and 5th longest, 3rd 

 nearly as long ; tail rather long, square or emarginate ; feet and 

 legs very short. The head is sub-crested, the feathers being 

 lanceolate, and the rictal bristles are very few and weak. 



This is one of the best marked forms in this division, and 

 comprises two types, the one with red bills, more or less black 

 plumage, and the tail distinctly emarginate ; the other, with more 

 normal family colouring, the bill dark, and the tail square. 



With red bill. 



444. Hypsipetes psaroides, Vigors. 



P. Z. S., 1831— Gould, Cent. II. Birds, pi. 10— Blytii, Cat. 

 1246 — HoKSF., Cat. 388 — Ban hahra, at Mussooree, i. e., Junfde 

 Goat — Fhakki-pho, Lepch. 



The Himalayan Black Bulbul/ 



Descr. — Head subcrested, black ; body and wings dark ashy or 

 iron grey ; tips of the quills and the tail black ; beneath dull grey, 

 as above, the lower part of the abdomen and vent paler ; under 

 tail-coverts edged white. 



Bill bright red ; irides red-brown ; legs red. Length 11 inches ; 

 wing 5 ; tail 4;^ ; bill at front ^ ; tarsus f . 



This bird is found throughout the whole extent of the Hima- 

 layas, from Simla to Bootan. It is not common about Darjeeling, 

 and I have found it usually at from 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation. 

 Like the others, it is gregarious generally, and its flight strong 

 and rapid. Dr. Adams says that it is very noisy, and imitates 

 the songs of other birds. Hutton says " that it is exceedingly 



