108 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on the Genus Orthotomus. 



rather shorter. Eighth and ninth each considerably 

 shorter than the preceding. Second equal to about the 

 tenth. 



Bastard primary proportionately large^ the exposed part mea- 

 suring '5. 



Two very distinct yellow bars across the wing. 



Length of wing 2"0 to 1'8. 



Lengthof tail 1-6 to 1-35. 



Legs and claws brown. 



Very little is known of the geographical distribution of 

 this small but beautifully coloured bird. The only skins I 

 have seen are from Sikkim or the neighbourhood. Nothing 

 is known of its nidification or migration. 



VII. — A Note on the Genus Orthotomus. By R. Bowdler 

 Sharpe, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



(Plate II.) 



The two beautiful new species of Tailorbird described and 

 figured in the present paper were obtained by my excellent 

 friend Dr. J. B. Steere during his recent expedition to the 

 Philippine Islands ; and it seems a fitting occasion to give a 

 short review of the geographical distribution of the genus. 

 I recognize twelve species of Tailorbirds, of which the fol- 

 lowing is a synoptical table ; but there are still a few species 

 which I am unable to determine. These are almost the same 

 as those left undetermined by Mr. F. Moore in 1854, when he 

 gave a careful revision of the genus Orthotomus (P. Z, S. 

 1854, p. 81) . The following is my proposed rearrangement 

 of the species : — 



a. abdomine albido vel pallide fulvesceute. 

 a', mento albido vel fiilvescenti-albo. 

 a", interscapulio viridi. 



a'", macula gutturali nigra nulla. 



a*, fronte rufescente : vertice et nuchS, 

 brunnescentibus : pileo interdum om- 

 nino rufescente : rectricibus baud nigro 

 subterminaliter raaculatis \ ^^*°^^^''- 



