484 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



S. E. Himalayas, extending through Arakan and Tenasserim 

 into Western Malasia ; and also in Central India, perhaps only 

 during the cold weather. Tickell obtained it in the forests of 

 Central India, stating that it is rare ; and Blyth procured it in the 

 IMidnapore district, where not rare; but I have only myself observed 

 it in the Sikhim Himalayas. It is tolerably abundant near Darjeel- 

 ino-, at from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, most common perhaps at from 4,000 

 to 5,000 feet. I saw it in pairs, but generally in small parties, active 

 and restless, capturing insects entirely on the wing, and wandering 

 about a good deal. It has a pleasing little song or chirp, which 

 the Lepchas imitate by the name they give it. 



Bonaparte, in his Conspectus, gives two additional species of 

 Erythrosterna, E. solitaria, Mull., from Sumatra, and E. rujigula, 

 Kuhl, from Java, one of which is possibly Blyth's E. erythaca, 

 from Penang. 



The only other forms placed by the Prince of Canino in this 

 division of the Flycatchers are Choredhyla, founded on a Japanese 

 bird, Muse, hylocharis of Temminck ; and Micrcvca of Australia. 

 This last genus, both in appearance and habits, appears quite to 

 represent our plain-colored Flycatchers, Alseonux or Hemichelidon. 

 Muscitrea cinerea of Blyth, from Arrakan. belongs to this group. 



The next division of the Flycatchers, Melanornitheoe or Monar- 

 chincB comprises a few African birds, but the majority are from Ma- 

 layana and the Oceanic province. 



The sub-fam. Tyrannince of America comprise a large number 

 of birds, many with green and yellow plumage, whose habits are 

 more or less like those of the Flycatchers. Some of the larger-sized 

 ones, as already remarked, possibly belonging to the Shrikes. Their 

 bill is straight, depressed, short, or of moderate length, and the 

 tip abruptly hooked ; the nostrils and gape are both defended by 

 bristles ; and their feet are short and slender. They live on insects, 

 which they capture in the air, or pick off the ground or trees. 



The sub-fam AlectrurincB, Gray, or the Water-chats of S. America, 

 pass, it is stated, into the lesser Tyrants by imperceptible degrees. 

 They have lengthened tarsi and feet, and are the most aberrant and 

 o-vound-frequenting birds of the family ; many of them have black 

 and white plumage. 



