with other small birds, our gardens, trees and bushes, near the 
house, searching for insects usually on the wing. <A pretty sight it 
is to see, this graceful little Fantail Flycatcher, come waltzing along 
at every turn and twist it takes, opening and closing its fan, as 
though it took a pride in possessing such an accomplishment. Un- 
like the True Flycatchers it often lands on the ground, by the road 
side and deitly, with a graceful, scarcely a few inches off the sur- 
face, in a semicircular flight and sweep of its wings, secures an 
insect, just rising from off the gravel path, the audible snap of its 
mandibles can be distinctly heard. From a short distance, the plum- 
age of this Fantail appears black; but a closer scrutiny proves it 
to be sooty-brownish black. It has a white chin and throat, also 
white tipped tail feathers, which are easily made out. In size fus- 
coventris is Ty inches long; extent of wings 10 inches; irides are 
deep brown. This bird is called chak-dil or “Wheel Dyal.” Male 
has a sweet, clear, merry song, bright and cheerful, often heard in 
spring, uttered whilst it gaily waltzes from branch to branch or 
bush to bush. Usually the song is of four or five notes, running 
down the scale, incomplete, ending abruptly, which produces an irri- 
tating effect on the listener, owing to the sudden break, now and 
then it relieves you by completing the broken scale. This fantail, 
like Vchitrea has light airy movements as though half in play and 
fun, even when it has a more serious project on hand, of nest con- 
struction, which production is a work of art, few birds could make 
aneater job. <A beautiful little cup shaped nest attached to ¢ 
single green twig, prettily finished off outside, by winding cobwebs 
tight (?) round it, leaving a frayed out bunch of moss and roots 
below, to make you think, that, it was merely a tangled stray bit 
of herbage caught by the branches. Should you have the good for- 
tune of discovering this fantail’s nest, you will see that an expert, 
and master builder has been at work. 
(294) CHELIDORHYNX HYPOXANTHA, Vellow-bellied Fantail, is a 
pretty little bright yellow coloured bird, which is readily made out, 
when in Darjeeling, restlessly fluttering among the branches of tall 
trees by side of the road, which passes through the well wooded 
parts. This fantail has a light gossamer-like flight, when seen, it 
either makes short sallies in the air after insects, or prettily opens and 
closes its fanlike tail. It is a smaller bird than fuscoventris and 
perhaps does not come up to its bigger congener in waltzing accom- 
plishments, nevertheless, its a good second best, any way, in the 
district ; but it has a much lighter tread and all its movements are 
graceful. This little Fantail is found in most places at a high eleva- 
tion, in spring. On the road to Tongloo, in Ghoom forest in par- 
ticular it is frequently observed. Hyporantha is 4% inches in length ; 
extent of wings 6 inches; plumage is bright yellow, on lower parts, 
