MBELANOCHLORA. 101 
Genus MELANOCHLORA Lesson, 1839. 
This genus was placed by Oates amongst his Liotrichine, with 
which, however, it appears to have nothing in common. It is 
undoubtedly, a very aberrant form of Titmouse and might possibly 
be well placed in a Family or Sub-family by itself. The wing is 
long and pointed and the nostrils are slightly exposed, both 
features unlike any other of the Paridw. .On the other hand 
bill, feet, habits and nidification all point strongly to its affinity 
with these birds. 
There is only one species extending from Nepal to the Malay 
Peninsula. 
Melanochlora sultanea. 
Key to Subspecies. 
A. Yellow very brilliant and strong; rather 
TREO CTamIOME TIN oe No och, S ce tee ose ahs M. s. sultanea, p. 101. 
B. Yellow paler and less bright; rather 
Siig Were geist. Oy ha yidenesns M., s. flavocristata, p. 102. 
+ (87) Melanochlora sultanea sultanea. 
THe Inpran Sutran Tir, 
Parus sultaneus Hodgs., Ind. Rev., 1836, p. 31 (Nepal). 
Melanochlora sultanea. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 241. 
Vernacular names. Bon-tylia-pho (Lepcha) ; Dao-rajah-gatang- 
lili (Cachar1). 
Description. Adult male——Forehead, crown and crest brilliant 
yellow; the rest of the head, whole upper plumage, wings and 
breast deep black, with a metallic lustre on wings and back; tail 
the same with outermost feathers tipped with white; remainder 
of lower plumage deep bright yellow, the thighs mixed with some 
white. : 
Colours of soft parts. Bill black; mouth dark fleshy ; eyelids 
plumbeous; irides dark brown or red-brown; legs dark slaty, 
claws dark horny. 
Measurements. Total length about 200 mm.; wing 110-5 to 
115mm.; tail about 85 to95mm.; tarsus about 24 mm.; culmen 
about 17 mm. 
Adult female and young. The black of the male is replaced 
with greenish brown, the yellow is paler and duller, and the chin 
and throat are yellowish brown. 
Distribution. The Lower Himalayas from Nepal, through Assam, 
North and South of the Brahmaputra to the Kachin and Shan 
Hills and to Arrakan. Birds from Karenni and North Siam 
are of this race. 
