MUSICAPID^. 145 



273. Tchitrea Cristata, Linn. ; pi., En., 37^3, 2 ; 



Le Tchitrec ; Le Vail., PI. 142, 3 ; Cuvier, Vol. 1, p. 



328 and 330. 

 Head and neck, brilliant blue-black ; the former crested 

 in the male ; less so in the female ; back and tail red ; the 

 two centre feathers of the latter being greatly prolonged 

 in the male ; under parts, slate colour, darkest on the breast. 

 Length, 14^"; wing, Sf ; tail, lOi". 



This bird has a great range in South Africa. We have received speci- 

 mens from most of our correspondents. It is found not far from Cape 

 Town, at Somerset West, and in Drakenstein. It forms a deep 

 nest, in the fork of some small branch of a tree, and generally in the 

 neighbourhood of water. It is composed of fibres and dead leaves, 

 stuck over with bits of bark, cobwebs, and lichens, to resemble a knot 

 in the tree. I have not seen the eggs. 



It is a thicket-loving bird, frequenting trees, and feeding on insects* 

 darting at them from some favourite bough, to which it returns after 

 making a capture. 



274. Tchitrea Paradisii, L; pi. Eni., 234. 



f. 2 ; M. Paradisii, Lath. ; Todus Paradisiacus, 

 Gmel; Le Tchitrebec, Le Vail., PI. 144, 145, 146; 

 Cuv., Vol. 1, p. 330 ; M. Castanea, Temm. 



This bird resembles M. Cristata, but is whiter beneath. In 

 the second or third year it assumes a beautiful white garb, 

 each feather having a black quill. I have shot them in 

 Ceylon, putting on this livery, which is effected not by a 

 renewal of the feathers, but by the loss of colour. I have 

 observed this same loss of colour in many cage birds ; and in 

 none more plainly than in a male Loxia Capensis, wliich 

 is at this moment changing his fine black velvet jacket for 

 the sombre grey of winter. 



I introduce this species on the authority of Cuvier and others ; but 

 Le Vaillant denies its being found in South Africa. I agree with him. 



275. TcMtrea Rufa; Musdpeta Rufa, Swain.; 



Le 8chet Roux, Le Vail., PI. 147. 



Much resembles Cristata. The head is dark steel-blue, or 

 green, according to the light in v/hich it is held ; throat, 

 body, above and below, and tail, red ; the two middle- 

 feathers of the latter much elongated, and slightly spatulate 

 at the end; wings black and white 



Le Vaillant says he found this species " Sur la cote ]N"atal, vers 

 le pays de Caffres ;" but it is a Madagascar bird, and must be «nume- 



S * 



