(ame) 
(314) NILrAVA SUNDARA, Lufous-bellied Fairy Blue-Chat, this 
beautiful bird is about 64 inches in length; wing extent 10 inches. 
In,general characteristics it takes the place in Darjeeling, the English 
- Robin does in the homeland, more than any other bird we have here 
does, in spring and during the rains. In winter one of the red- 
starts is more in evidence, Luticilla frontalis (503) Bluetronted Red- 
start chiefly. The male is bright smalt-blue, above, head, nape, 
shoulders lower back and upper tail-coverts; wings black, edge with 
a little blue ; tail dark blue, feathers black on the inner web; breast 
and lower parts bright ferruginous; rest of the plumage is deep 
black ; irides dark brown. Female is light olive brown, with a few 
lavender blue feathers on sides of the neck. 
(315) NILYAVA MACGRIGORLE, Small Fairy Blue-Chat, is much 
rarer and difficult to find. It is timid and seclusive in its habits. 
It is now, seldom seen in Darjeeling owing partly to the systematic 
clearing away of jungle undergrowth, which used to be valuable 
cover for small birds, also the ruthless shooting of inoffensive little 
birds. One would have a better chance of falling in with the small 
Fairy Blue-Chat, in some of the seclusive retreat in Ghoom forest, 
or on birch hill. It is 5 inches in length. Black predominates 
the plumage of the male; colour above is rich violet purple ; fore- 
head and neck spots are brilliant ultramarine ; wings and tail black, 
feathers edged blue; breast violet-blue; lower parts of the body 
are dusky ash in colour. 
(316) NILvAVA GRANDIS, Large Fairy Blue-Chat, is the giant 
or large species of Nilfaca genus. This bird is a little more accom- 
modating than the Small Blue-Chat; but it does not show itself on 
such a liberal scale as Swadura. Its bright and beautiful colours 
come as a surprise when least expected. Whilst the hill track you 
are taking leads through some dense forest glade. This biggish 
bird silently rises for a minute or two to settle on a bush before 
you, startled at your approach, out of a dark recess or corner of the 
hill and forest, where a spring gushes out of the side of the bank. 
Its flight on such occasions is light, easy and butterfly-like, as 
it alights on a perch. It is usually found near springs, water- 
courses, and dark recesses where it as a rule feeds, on the ground 
as Niltavas frequently do. The prevailing colour of Grandis is 
black ; but it has a brilliant display of lazuline or azure or turquoise 
blue, whichever colour you please, on the crown of the head, large 
neck spot and patch on the shoulders and lower back ; rest of the 
plumage is deep black; above, glossed dark purple. It is 8? inches 
in length; bill black; legs a reddish tinge; irides dark brown: 
Wing expause about 124 inches. In habits this bird reminds us not 
a little of the Yellow-billed Whistling Thrush (343). 
