MUSCICAPIN^. 47a 



I procured two or three specimens of this, the most diminutive, as 

 it is one of the most beautiful, of the group, whilst at Darjeeling, 

 between 5,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation. 



As it has none of the characters of Nemura, it was not till the 

 figure in the Illustrated P. Z. S. was seen, that Mr. Blyth and 

 myself recognised its identity with Moore's bird. 



The next genus on the list is remarkable for the peculiar colorino- 

 of both sexes, and for the comparatively large size of one of the 

 species, so much so, that had it been the sole representative of its 

 kind, I would have hesitated classing it among the Flycatchers, 

 and, taking its very slightly depressed bill into consideration, would 

 have placed it perhaps among the Thrushes. One of the three 

 known species, however, is of small size, and has the bill more 

 depressed and Flycatcher-like. 



It is nearly confined to the Himalayan region, thouo-h two 

 of the species extend into the Burmese Provinces. 



Gen. NiLTAVA, Hodgson. 



Bill rather short, stout, very little depressed at the base, com- 

 pressed towards the tip, which is much deflected and strongly 

 notched ; nostrils concealed by the frontal plumes and a few 

 bristles ; rictal bristles small and weak ; wings moderate or rather 

 long, rounded, the first four quills unequally graduated, 5th 

 longest ; tail moderate, even, or very slightly roimded, tarsus rather 

 short or moderate ; feet moderate, lateral toes uneqvial, middle toe 

 lengthened. 



In this genus, instituted bv Hodojson, the males are black, 

 above more or less overlaid with rich blue, and have a bright 

 blue neck-spot ; whilst the females are pale brown, with the neck- 

 spot lilac. In their habits they are more terrestrial than most of 

 the Flycatchers. The three species comprising this genus form, 

 each as it were, a separate section. 



314. Niltava sundara, Hodgson. 



Ind. Rev. 1, p. 650— Blyth, Cat. 1023— IIorsf., Cat. 442— 

 Chaitaris sordidus, HoDGS. (the young) — Cyanecula fastuosa, 

 Lesson — Niltau, Nep. — Margong^ Lepch. 



3 o 



