482 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



parva in having the ferruginous coloring confined to the chin and 

 throat, instead of spreading down the breast." 



This interestino- little bird is found throuj^hout the whole of 

 India, from the base of the Himalayas to the extreme south, and 

 Ceylon ; also in Burmah, and from China to Afghanistan. It was sent 

 by Mr. Swinhoe as Muse, mugimaki of Tem. and Schl., but whether 

 identical or not with the Japanese bird, appears doubtful, 

 for that bird is described as being black above. Perhaps, how- 

 ever, Mr. Swinhoe, by a lapsus pennse, wrote mugimaki, instead of 

 akahige ; for I see a Sylvia akaliige figured, with quite the plumage 

 of an Erythrosterna. 



It is more common towards Central and Northern India than in 

 the South, and may be seen in every grove. Often a party of five 

 or six may be seen sporting about the trunk of some mango or 

 tamarind tree, now clinging to the trunk, then darting after an 

 insect in the air, or alighting on the ground to pick one up. It is, 

 however, frequently seen singly, and its manner much reminds one 

 of those of the British Robin. 



The next two species approximate the last closely in general 

 structure and colour, but want the white at the base of the tail. 



324. Erythrosterna pusilla, Blyth. 



Muse, acornaus of Central India, Blyth, J. A. S., XVI., 127. 



The Rufous-backed Flycatcher. 



Descr. — Above greyish-olive, fulvescent on the rump and upper 

 tail-coverts, and the tail-feathers with rufous-brown margins ; front 

 and lores tinged rufescent ; beneath white, pure on the throat, 

 belly, and under tail-coverts, tinged with grey on the breast and 

 flanks ; axillaries pure white ; greater wing-coverts tipped whitish, 

 forming a slender cross band. 



Bill blackish ; legs dusky brown ; irides dark brown. Length 4| ; 

 extent 6|; wing 2 j^y ; tail If; bill at front 8 mill. ; tarsus y§. 



In summer, the male assumes a bright ferruginous color on the 

 chin and throat. 



This little Flycatcher occurs in the plains of Central India during 

 the cold weather, and retires to the Himalayas during the summer 



