Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Ornithology. 301 



63. SuYA STRIATA, Swiuhoe, Journal N. C. B. Asiatic Society 

 at Shanghai, 1858. 



d, shot Dec. 24: — Length Sj^^in. ; wing 1^^,^; tail 3^. 

 Upper mandible and apical half of lower dark purplish brown. 

 Basal edge of upper and half of lower dingy flesh-colour. Tongue 

 long, sagittate, deeply concave, and split at the end, ochreous 

 flesh-coloured. Skin round the eye light yellowish brown ; iris 

 orange. Ear yellowish brown, oval ; outer half crescent-shaped, 

 forming an operculum. Legs orange-ochre, with flesh-coloured 

 joints and toes ; claws light yellowish brown, blackish at their tips. 



This appears to be the largest known form of this Nepalese 

 genus of Long-tailed Grass-warblers. I have not as yet noted 

 any species of it on the hills of China. Its range in Formosa 

 appears to be very limited, for 1 have only found it on the hilly 

 country extending from the south of the Tamsuy River to the 

 plains beyond Hongsan on the west coast (lat, 24° 35'), in 

 which it generally occurs among the copse-clad ravines about 

 1000 feet above the sea. In these places it soon makes itself 

 observed by its constant habit of springing up to the tops of 

 long grasses, frisking about, and thi'owing up perpendicularly 

 its long tail, uttering the while a curious jingling note very 

 unlike that of any bird I know. It boasts of no short, pleasant 

 song like Ptinia sonitans ; but the series of somewhat varied 

 notes it gives forth from the eminence of a tall twig, while its 

 tail hangs down perpendicularly and its body remains motionless, 

 may have some claim to wild melody. I came across the species 

 three or four times in my rambles up the hills, but its nest I was 

 never able to find. 



The sexes of this bird are similarly coloured ; but they differ 

 greatly in size, the female being every way much smaller. This 

 is not the case with the allied Priniee or Drymoscce • but strikingly 

 so in the Megaluri, to which our species further approximates in 

 having a very long tail. 



$ , shot in February : — Length 5^ in. ; wing 2 ; tail 3 ; tarsi 

 •75. Bill pale yellowish, washed on culmen and apical portion 

 of lower mandible with brown. 



S in adult plumage, shot in March 1856 : — Length 8 in. ; 

 wing 2^q; tail 4^; tarsi "87. Bill black, with a pale tip. 



