118 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



recently been described by Sclater, P. Z. S., 18G1, p. 187, Copsy- 

 chus suavis from Borneo, which has the tail of a Copsy cJms, and 

 the colours and form of Kittacincla. 



Gen. Myiomela, Hodgson. 



Syn. Muscisylvia, Hodgs. — Notodela, Lesson, apud Blyth. 



Char. — Bill short, tolerably slender, compressed, slightly bend- 

 ing at the tip and notched ; rictus very feebly bristled ; wings 

 rather long, ample, reaching half way down the tail ; 5th quill 

 longest ; tail moderate, broad, very slightly rounded ; tarsi rather 

 long, smooth ; toes moderate, slender ; claws gracile, longish. 



This genus has the general structure of Copsychus, but less 

 robust in form, with a more even tail, a smaller bill, and larger feet. 

 Blyth considers this form barely distinct from Ruticilla, to which 

 it certainly has affinities ; but its general structure, coloration, 

 and sylvan habits, induce me to consider it as more nearly allied to 

 the present group. 



477. Myiomela leucura, Hodgson. 



Muscisylvia, apud Hodgson, Ann. Nat. Hist., 1845 — J. A. S., 

 XHI.,138 — Blyth, Cat. 971 — HoRSF.,Cat.426 — Mangshia,Lepch. 



The White-tailed Blue-chat. 



Descr. — General color dark blackish indigo-blue ; forehead, 

 over the eyes, and shoulder, bright smalt-blue ; alars and caudals 

 dull black, with the base of the outer web of the three tail feathers 

 on each side, next the outer ones, white, this white increasing out- 

 wardly ; a concealed Avhite spot on the sides of the neck, formed 

 by part of the outer webs of some of the feathers. The female is 

 rufescent brown, paler beneath ; the quills dusky, edged with deep 

 ferruginous ; tail the same ; the base of the feathers white, as in 

 the male. 



Bill black ; feet brown-black ; irides dark brown. Length 7^ 

 inches ; extent 12 ; wing 3| ; tail 3^ ; bill at front j^^ ; tarsus 1^. 

 The wingsreach to within 1;^ inches or so from the end of the tail. 



The White-tailed Blue chat is found throughout the Himalayas, 

 from Mussoorce to Sikhim, and also in the Khasia hills. It aifects 

 high altitudes, being found from 5,000 to nearly 9,000 feet. It 



