Sup-FamiIty MUSCICAPIN A& 
Is the second group of Flycatchers. These birds feed on insects 
partly on the wing, or pick them off the leaves and are fairly at 
home on the ground. ‘The first few, do not often avail themselves 
of this accomplishment. Bill is depressed and moderately wide, a 
little hooked and notched at the tip; rictal bristles moderate ; wings 
more or less rounded; tarsus short. As different species are exa- 
mined, the further we proceed down the list, the tarsi are more 
lengthened and strong; feet usually small; tail not lengthened. Not 
a few of these birds grade into the Swricoline thrushes. Their young 
are spotted in plumage before they assume their full fledged livery. 
(296) HEMICHELIDON FULIGINOSUS, Sooty Flycatcher, is frequently 
seen in Darjeeling, perched on the tip of a big bush or tree. When 
on the wing, it is swallow-like in appearance, and gets mixed up 
with them, when flying about; their wings being much shorter, 
they can easily be distinguished. In size fuliginosus is 45 inches : 
plumage fuliginous-brown ; wings and tail dark; under parts of the 
body whitish. ‘This bird is more readily distinguished, when mak- 
ing a dash after a rising or passing insect, after the capture it usually 
returns to the perch, it has been sitting on. Fuliginosus has a 
shallow bill, wide at the base, narrow tip, scarcely hooked and not- 
ched ; rictals short ; wings long for a Flycatcher, 3rd quill the long- 
est; tail short ; tarsus short; feet short. 
(299) ALSEONAX FERRUGINEUS, Ferruginous Flycatcher, though 
not so plentiful as the former bird, it can occasionally be seen in 
Darjeeling. It is generally, made out by its rusty-brown colour. 
Ferrwgineus is 5 inches in length, above, plumage is brown; ferru- 
ginous upper tail-coverts; head tinged olive; tertiary quills and 
wing-coverts pale chesnut; tail feathers blackish ; also the remain- 
ing quills ; front of the neck white; beneath more yellowish; ferru- 
einous under tail coverts and flanks. This Flycatcher is seldom seen 
near frequented roads. It seems to have a preference for more 
solitary places. 
(301) EumyrAs MELANOPS, Verditer Flycatcher, as I prefer to call 
it, keeping to the old familiar name of this friendly little bird, which 
brings to mind so many fond associations of the past. This bird 
is sometimes called Spring Flycatcher, which is typical of its un- 
failing qualification of being among the first of the visitants to 
arrive in Darjecling, the first bright cheerful day after a somewhat 
dreary winter. This pretty little bird is perhaps one of the com- 
monest and best known of our Darjeeling birds. It is frequently 
seen, in spring to soar up and up, as do the sky-larks, warbling 
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