166 The Great-hilled Fhjeatclier. 



W. Oates, in the Fauna of British India— Birds. Vol. TI., 

 gives its distribution as follows : — 



"Sikliim; Cachar; the Khasi hills; the extreme south 

 of Tenasserim. The distril)ution of this species as known 

 (1890) is very 'incomplete, and it Avill probably be found 

 spread over the greater part of Assam and Burma. It is 

 resident in Sikhim; occurs in Cachar in May, and in T^nas- 

 serim from December to March." 



In the books at my command when writing, no des- 

 criptions are given of habits, nest, or eggs. 



Description: Male. Whole of upper plumage, sides of 

 face, neck, and breast, and wing coverts blue, much brighter 

 on the forehead and above the eyes; chin, throat, and breast 

 yellowish-chestnut; abdomen, fulvous at the sides, white in the 

 middle; greater wing-coverts, quills, and tail feathers dark 

 brown, suffused with blue on the outer Avebs, and dull blue 

 margins; legs -and feet pale flesh colour. Total length 6 inches. 

 tail 21. 



Female: Above olive-brown, Avith the upper tail- 

 coverts rufous -brown, and the tail feathers brown, suffused Avith 

 rufous; lores and eye region fulvous; beloAv orange-tawny; 

 abdomen and under tail -coverts white, washed with ochraceous 

 on the flanks. 



Treatment in Captivity: Whether kept in a roomy 

 cage, or during the summer months given semi-liberty in the 

 outdoor aviary, its requirements are very simple, viz.: In- 

 sectile mixture and a few rnealworms, spiders and any other 

 insects that can be obtained; green-food and water for drinking 

 and bathing. 



If any Flycatchers appear on the market in the near 

 future my readers will do well to secure pairs if possible, 

 if not odd birds — they will soon number them among the most 

 fascinating birds they have kept — their confiding clemeanour is 

 very similar to that of our indigenous Robin. 



The Purple Sunbird and Great-billed Flycatcher, 



By C. T. Maxwell. 

 I much regret being unable to respond to the Editor's 

 request earlier, and even now though both birds are favourites of 

 mine, feel that I have very little to say about them, 



