Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



white spots in the wing. The tail feathers are 

 tipped with white, and as the bird continually 

 spreads its tail into a fan the white is very 

 conspicuous. The lower plumage is white. 

 These birds have a striking and very cheery 

 song of about six notes, which they utter 

 constantly. They are easily recognised by 

 their " tinkling " song and by the manner in 

 which they continually fan the tail, drop the 

 wings, and dance ; or, to use Eha's words, 

 " waltz and pirouette among the lower 

 branches of a shady mango tree." Three species 

 are common, and have similar manners and 

 appearance. The nest is either a neat cup 

 or an inverted cone, built largely of cobweb 

 on one of the lower branches of a tree. When 

 they have a nest these flycatchers are very 

 bold. They will set upon and drive away 

 birds much larger than themselves, and will 

 even offer to attack an intruding human being. 

 The three species are distinguished as follows : 

 58. Rhipidura albifrontata : The white- 

 browed Fantail Flycatcher. (F. 604), (J. 292), 



( + 1;) 



Distinguished by its very broad white eye- 

 brow and forehead. The common species of 

 N. India. Nest a cup. 



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