462 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



Gen. OCHROMELA, Bljtll. 



Char. — Bill moderate, rather feeble, moderately wide, depressed, 

 narrowing at tip, slightly hooked and notched, the nareal and rictal 

 bristles long but weak ; wings moderate, much rounded ; 4th quill • 

 longest ; tarsus slightly lengthened ; feet moderate, lateral toes 

 sub-equal. 



Mr. Blyth, the founder of the genus, considered It nearly allied 

 to Cyornis ; but with the Flycatcher bill more pronounced : it is 

 nearly related to Siplda tricolor, the rictal vibrissas being longer 

 and the tarsi longer ; and also to Anthipes. 



300. Ochromela nigrorufa, Jerdon. 



Saxicolaapud Jerdon, Cat. 107 — Muse, rufula, Lafresnaye — 

 Blyth, Cat. 1021-'Horsf., Cat. 445. 



The Black and Orange Flycatcher. 



Descr. — Head, face, back of neck, and wings, dusky black ; the 

 rest of the body bright ferruginous or orange, somewhat paler on 

 the belly. The female has the black of the male dusky-brown, and 

 the rufous less bright. 



Bill black ; legs dirty reddish ; irides hazel-brown. Length 

 nearly 5 inches ; wing 2^ ; tail 2 ; bill at front 9 mill. ; tarsus 

 nearly f^^. 



This remarkably-plumaged Flycatcher has hitherto only been 

 found on the summit of the Neilgherries and highest mountains 

 of Ceylon. It frequents the dense woods there, preferring the 

 most retired, shady and damp, swampy spots. Here it may be 

 seen seated motionless on the low branch of a tree, or a fallen 

 stump, or some thick tangled dead branches, every now and then 

 making a short swoop at an insect in the air, or descending to the 

 ground for a second to pick one up. It is a very silent bird, and 

 I never heard its note. 



The coloration of this bird is quite unique ; and perhaps an 

 approach to it is seen (with the substitution of rich yellow for 

 orange) in Tarsiger chri/sceus of the Himalayas. 



