28 Mv. A. Hume on Indian Ornithologrj. 



European. Some observers, with typical examples of the smaller 

 race before them, have contended for the distinctness of the 

 Indian bird, while others, whose experience has lain chiefly 

 amongst the larger race, equally energetically hold the opposite 

 view. It is the old story of the Chameleon ; both parties are 

 right, and also to a certain extent wrong. That two different 

 types are met with in India, the one identical with the European 

 form, the other differing, as pointed out by Mr. Blyth, from any 

 specimens to be met with in Northern Europe, at any rate, 

 hardly, I think, admits of a doubt ; but at the same time, with 

 a very large series from all parts of India before me, I am very 

 doubtful whether this latter form is entitled to specific rank. 

 Every possible gradation in size and colour between it and the 

 typical P. rubicola is met with. As a rule, I have noticed that, 

 while both races are to be found in the breeding-season through- 

 out the Himalayas, the cold-weather visitants to the plains of 

 India belong chiefly to the smaller or P. indica type. I do not 

 mean to say that the larger does not occur even in Central India; 

 but more than nine-tenths of the series belonging to the larger 

 form that I possess were obtained in the Himalayas. I sent M. 

 Verreaux home two of the Himalayan birds ; and the following 

 are his remarks on the subject : — '' With the best inclination to 

 do so, I find amongst the large number of specimens before me 

 so many differences in particular birds, and so many gradations 

 to your two specimens, that I cannot make up my mind to con- 

 sider them different from our P. rubicola of Europe. We have 

 here, nevertheless, specimens from India which bear the name of 

 P. indica, which are really different ; but yours are not like these." 

 Doubtless these different ones belong to the smaller race. 



485 bis. PRA.TINCOLA RUBETRA. 



In regard to the specimen of this species which I sent him, 

 M. Verreaux remarks, "Your bird, while appearing to be un- 

 doubtedly P. rubetra, is in all respects similar to specimens from 

 Africa, which (especially those from Senegal) always appear to 

 be paler than the European ones. In this, as in many other 

 species, one must make allowances for climate : you could not 

 separate your Indian birds as a distinct species ; but if the pale 



