on the Ru/ojis- bellied Niltava.



25



of Flycatchers remarkable for the brilliant plumage of the

males. The sexes differ in colour, but both may be recognised

by the presence of a bright spot or mark on the side of the neck.

The Niltavas frequent thick jungle and are less typical in their

habits than the species of Cyornis , and they are said to eat

berries. They appear to be resident on the Himalayas.


“ I11 Niltava the bill is somewhat compressed laterally and

narrow, and the base is covered by a multitude of dense plume¬

lets, which conceal the nostrils : the rictal bristles are moderate

in number and in length ; the first primary is large, being quite

half the length of the second, and the tail is rounded.”


He describes the male as follows : “ Forehead, lores, sides

of the head, chin and throat deep black ; crown of the head,

nape, rump, upper tail-coverts, a spot on either side of the neck,

and the lesser wing-coverts glistening blue ; the remaining

coverts and quills dark brown edged with purplish black ; tail

black, the outer webs edged with bright blue ; the whole lower

plumage and the under wing-coverts chestnut ; bill black, legs

brown, iris dark brown ; length about 6-5 inches. Distribution :

the Himalayas from Simla to Assam, from 5,000 to 8,000 feet

elevation ; the Khasi Hills; Karennee at 4,000 feet. Blytli

records this species from Arrakan and Tenasserim. It extends

into Western China.”


This beautiful Flycatcher is, I have reason to believe, the

first of its species to reach this country alive. It was in

excellent condition on arrival, perfectly healthy, in verjr good

feather and quite tame, illustrating how much can be accom¬

plished in the way of importing delicate insectivorous birds by

those who are fortunate enough to be able to afford the necessary

time and trouble. The bird on arrival was placed in a roomy

box cage and fed on the usual soft food ; a few mealworms and

a little ripe fruit are given daily, a partiality being shown for

over ripe pears and greengages ; oranges or bananas are hardly

touched. In addition to the soft-food mixture, a small quantity

of dry ants’ cocoons are placed in a separate dish, and are

invariably finished before a start is made on the moistened food.

Any insects that are procurable are highly appreciated.



