Cs een) 
(501) RuTiciLLA scuHisticErs, Slaty-headed Redstart, is even 
rarer than white-winged species. It is occasionally met with in 
north Sikkim, at a fair altitude. In size itis about 6 inches ; 
colour beneath is reddish chesnut, on lower parts of the breast and 
abdomen it has a large white patch, also white on the throat ; 
wings and tail black ; top of the head slaty blue ; sides of neck and 
head black. 
(503) RUTICILLA FRONTALIS, Blue-fronted Redstart, this species, 
like most of the family, breeds on high altitudes. I found it far 
north in spring, beyond Jongri. In winter it is common in Darjeel- 
ing, and takes the place of Nilfava sundara Fairy Blue Chat, in robin 
like qualities, being tame and friendly, usually solitary in habits. 
It is frequently seen on bushes or on the ground. It is 64 inches in 
length ; bill black ; irides brown. In colour it is dusky blue and 
rufous ; more a lazuline blue on the forehead and above the eyes; 
wings blackish, lower parts of the body are bright rufous also upper- 
tail-coverts, and tail-feathers which are tipped black, central tail- 
feathers black. 
(505) RUTICILLA FULIGINOSA, Plumbeous JVater-robin, is a dain- 
ty little bird found in Darjeeling. It takes up its abode permanen- 
tly in our jhoras and beside hill streams, living a fairly solitary life 
in company with its pair, and the next species, with occasional visits 
from Yellow-billed Whistling Thrush (343). An interesting pair of 
this species can at any time of the year be seen on low, cob-stones 
in Kagjhora. This bird is known to descend a thousand feet or so 
elevation in mid winter; but this couple, never leaves 
us even in the coldest weather, hard frost or snow. Early in spring 
they build their nest in a hole high up, just under Kagjhora rail- 
way bridge. They have reared and successfully launched into the 
world, season after season, several batches of young full-fledged Water 
Robins. ‘These young hopefuls remain with their parents, till able 
to look after themselves, then they go in search of other hill streams 
or take up their permanent abode a little way up or lower down the 
same jhora. They seldom seem to trespass on the parent’s preserves. 
You might easily while away, a worse half hour than watching this 
interesting pair in Kagjhora. Plumbeous Water-Robin is 54 inches 
in length ; bill black ; irides brown; wings dusky, margined dark 
ashy blue ; tail coverts dark ferruginous. Female is paler in colour 
ashy blue with a good deal of white on the tail and _ tail coverts. 
It is a pretty sight to see, the hen bird in early spring, cling to the 
perpendicular stone bridge, adding a fresh straw or two to its old 
home, whilst in this position, its white tail opens and closses fan- 
like, with a pretty wavy motion, not met with in other birds, or any 
