208 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



and 4tb, which are about equal ; secondaries broad ; tail slightly 

 rounded ; tarsus moderate or short, stout and scutate ; feet strong, 

 short; lateral toes unequal, hind toe moderate ; claws moderately 

 curved. 



These birds are in some parts of the country called Pliularia, 

 i. e., quasi ' Flower-peckers.' TJie first noticed is placed by Gray 

 under Adophoneus, Kaup., and is distinguished by its somewhat 

 large size, and stronger bill, but Bonaparte ranks it under Adopho- 

 neus, and gives S. nisoria as the type. 



581. Sylvia orphea, Temminck. 



Philomela, apud Jerdon, Cat. HO — Blyth, Cat. 1121 and 

 1122— Curruca Jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. S., XVI., 439— Gould, 

 Birds of Europe, pi. 119 — Pedda nulla hampa-jitta, Tel. 



The Large Black-capped Warblee. 



Descr. — Above brownish ashy, tolerably pure ashy on the nape 

 and rump ; cap, lores, and ear-coverts, black in the male, dusky or 

 blackish grey in the female ; beneath whitish, pure white on the 

 throat and middle of the belly, tinged albescent on the breast ; tail 

 blackish, the outer feathers externally wliite, for the basal two- 

 thirds, and the next four successively less broadly tipped white ; 

 quills dusky brown, with pale edgings. 



Bill blackish horny ; legs reddish brown ; irides dull greenish 

 yellow. Length 7 inches ; wing 3 j% ; tail 2| ; bill at front j'^^ ; 

 tarsus y^. 



This bird was at first thought by Blyth to be distinct from 

 S. orphea of Southern Europe, with which I had identified it, but 

 he has lately united them. It is not rare in Southern India 

 during the cold weather. I have seen it at Trichinopoly, i\radras, 

 and Nellore ; also at Jaulnah, and Mhow in Central India, whence 

 it appears to extend tlirough the Upper Provinces, for Blyth has 

 received it from Delhi ; but it docs not extend far to tlie Eastwards, 

 for 1 did not see it at Saugor, and it is unknown in Bengal. It 

 frequents groves, gardens, hedges, single trees, and even low 

 buslies on the plains; is very active and restless, incessantly 

 moving about from branch to branch, clinging to the twigs and 



