Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 421 



thighs dull brown ; wings dark brown ; tail underneath black. 

 Its note is a low piping call. 



234. Arachnechthra asiatica. Purple Honey-sucker. 



The following are the dimensions taken of two females in 

 their ashy-grey or breeding-plumage, killed in Maunbhoom on 

 the 27th of March, 1865, with their nests : — 



Length. "Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill from front. 



4 2-125 1-25 -5 -75 



4-25 2-125 1-375 -5 -75 



They had black bills, and legs nearly of the same colour, but 

 with a bluish tinge ; and there was no white on the throat ; so 

 that at first I thought that they were females of Leptocoma zey- 

 lonica (Jerd. no. 232) ; but after a careful comparison I 

 assigned them to this species. 



Some specimens shot at Umballah, October 31st, 1866, where 

 the species is abundant, were in the plumage of the Cinnyris 

 currucaria, Sykes, which 1 am not aware that I observed be- 

 fore in Maunbhoom. In it there is no trace of an axillary 

 streak. The wings, tail, and ventral stripe are glossy purple, 

 which appears to be all that is left of the breeding-plumage of 

 the male. I noticed the species breeding in gardens at Um- 

 ballah — I think, in February 1865. 



236. Dictum coccineum. Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker. 



Moulmein seems to be the head quarters of this species ; for I 

 found it abundant there in 1865, and in July and August I 

 procured several. Of three of these I subjoin the measurements 

 in the flesh. It is very difficult to obtain good specimens of this 

 species, as it is almost impossible to see it, among the foliage of 

 the thick trees it frequents, without the aid of glasses. When 

 starting in flight it utters a quick chuckling call, something like 

 the ticking of a clock, but of course not so regular, and at times 

 repeated more quickly. The ordinary note is " tee-tee-tee.'* 



In both the males the side of the neck is brownish ; and they 



