DIC^INiE. 373 



differs conspicuously in its much longer and more arched bill, also 

 in the green play of colours in the upper part of the plumage. 



It is common along the Malabar coast, and also tolerably so in 

 the more wooded parts of the Carnatic, as about Madras and other 

 large to^vns. It frequents both jungles and gardens. Layard, 

 who observed it in Ceylon, states that its nest exactly resembles that 

 of A^. Asiatica. At Tellicherry I have seen it frequently enter 

 my verandah to feed upon spiders. I have not observed it else- 

 where in India. Sykcs does not include it in his Catalogue ; but 

 Horsfield, in his Catalogue, records a specimen from Col. Sykes's 

 collection. 



Sub-fam. DiCyEIN^. 



Bill short, usually depressed at the base, thick in some ; tail 

 short ; wings rather long ; of very small size. 



The birds of this division are chiefly found in Malayana, 

 extending on the one side to Australia, on the other to India. 



There are three or four distinct types of form in this sub-family. 



Gen. Dictum, Cuvier. 



Char. — Bill short, broad at the base, suddenly compressed 

 beyond; tip entire; culmen curved; nostrils triangular; wings 

 lengthened, with nine primaries ; the first three about equal, the 

 2nd slightly the longest ; tail short, even ; feet with the lateral toes 

 unequal, the outer toe a good deal syndactyle. 



This genus contains some of the smallest birds in India. It 

 is much developed in JMalayana, extending through the islands 

 to Australia. There are two types of color ; the one plain-colour- 

 ed, peculiar to India proper, the other with gayer tints, common to 

 this country and jMalayana. 



236. Dic38um coccineum, Scopoli. 



Ccrthia, apud Scopoli — HoRsr., Cat. 1088 — D. cruentatum, 

 Lin. — Blyth, Cat. 1371 — D. erythronotum, Cuv., and McLell. 

 — D. rubricapillum, Lesson — Edwards, pi. 81. 



The Scarlet-backed FLOWER-rECKER. 

 Descr. — Male — Above, the head, hind-neck, back and upper tall- 

 covcrts, bright crhnson-scarlet, or vermilion ; sides of the head and 



