(Ti 
where weather doubtlessly had driven them to more congenial sur- 
roundings with a few of the more migratory birds. This variety of 
Redstart must be well-known in Europe. In size it is about 5} 
inches, above, body ashy brown ; wings darker ; tail coverts below 
and above, with the tail are bright ferruginous red, except the centre 
feathers which are brown ; lower parts of body whitish, breast above 
black, also, sides of the head (ear-coverts and lores) ; it has a white 
line over the eyes ; a narrow black frontal band on the head, be- 
hind which is a broader white patch. Amongst birds of this family 
will be often observed this prominent frontal band on the forehead ; 
which mark is more conspicuous among Forktails and Wagtails. 
(497) RUTICILLA RUFIVENTRIS, Indian Redstart, you are, how- 
ever, more likely to meet this species, both in Darjeeling and about 
the district or on the plains in the cold weather. It is slightly big- 
ger than phenicura. Usually observed like all members of this 
family, more on the land, feeding on the ground, where it is quite 
at’: home, in its persuit for insects, or search after hard seeds by way 
of variety or triturators in form of gravel. These Redstarts like 
rest . ce 
most of the Rufticilline, are usually observed on bare, “danga,” 
rocky or stony lands or near old neglected buildings. At times you 
find them, hunting about for insects in gardens and near the house. 
It is 6 inches in length ; bill black ; irides brown. In colour, rufous 
seems to predominate ; wings dusky brown, primaries margined with 
rufous or bright cinnamon colour which is also found below the 
wing coverts and underparts of the body plumage, upper and _ lower- 
tail coverts, belly and tail, with slight variations of brown; it has a 
fairly conspicuous patch of dull grey on the secondaries, which is more 
easily made out when the bird opens out its wings to fly ; top of 
the head is ashy-grey ; black on ear-coverts, neck and breast. In 
Darjeeling and the district we have a number of different species. 
Some of them are rare, and few opportunities are had of meeting 
them. Others again are usually found in outlandish places and on 
high altitudes. 
(499) RUTICILLA ERYTHROGASTRA, JVhite-winged Redstart, is 
one of the rarest we have in the district. It is seldom seen below 
10,000 feet elevation. I saw it occasionally at Sandakphu foraging 
about among rocky portions of the summit. It is 7 inches in length, 
larger than foregoing species. Bill and legs are black. Male is dark 
rufous, underparts of the body, upper and lower tail coverts, lower 
back (rump) and tail feathers are rufous ; sides of the head, frontal 
band fore-part of the breast, back, wing-coverts and part of pri- 
maries and secondaries are black ; crown of the heady neck and 
remaining portions of the wings are white ; head silvery white. 
