294 GAME-BIBDS OF INDIA 



of the interscapulary region the same as the rest of the back, but 

 darker and changing into ochreous-buff or buff at the ends, which 

 are margined with brown at the tips. Inner lesser coverts Hke the 

 back, gradually changing to buff, or ochreous, on the other lesser, 

 median and inner greater coverts which are margined with brown ; 

 greater secondary-coverts and inner secondaries buff, or ochreous- 

 buff, the latter shaded with olive on the inner web and inside of the 

 outer web. Edge of shoulder of wing, bastard-wing, primary-coverts 

 and primaries dark-brown, the five inner primaries with broad 

 oblique bands of white at the end; outer secondaries brown. 



The yellow-ochre of the throat and fore-neck changes into vinous- 

 buff on the upper breast, which is divided from the lower breast by 

 a narrow band of black, above which is an indefinite and still more 

 narrow band of white, caused by the white of the black-tipped 

 feathers showing through ; lower breast dull yellow-buff changing 

 gradually into the chocolate of the rest of the lower plumage and 

 flanks, which itself becomes black in the centre of the abdomen ; 

 feathers of the tarsus and under tail-coverts creamy-buff ; central 

 tail-feathers like the back, darkening towards the narrow prolonged 

 portions, which are quite black at the ends ; the other rectrices are 

 tipped with pale-buff and the outermost also mottled with dark- 

 rufous next this pale tip. 



On the upper plumage the colour shows most variation on the 

 wings, where it runs from a beautiful pale vinous-buff' or cream dove- 

 colour to a bright chrome-yellow. In the great majority of birds 

 the general tone is a vinaceous-buff, with sandy-yellow predominating 

 on the softer feathers of the wing. 



The amount of black on the abdomen also differs greatly in 

 different individuals, but African birds, on an average, seem darker 

 and more richly-coloured here than are Indian specimens. 



The yellow of the throat varies from pale, rather dull chrome- 

 yellow, to a bright almost deep-chrome. 



Measurements. — " In this species the males average rather larger 

 and heavier and have decidedly longer tails. The following is a 

 resume of many measurements recorded in the flesh : — 



Males.—" Length ll'TS to 13-75 ; expanse 21-13 to 22-5 ; wing 

 6-7 to 7-5 ; tail from vent 4-38 to 5-87 ; tarsus 0-9 to l-Q; bill from 

 gape -62 to -7. Weight 8 to nearly 10 ozs." (Hume.) 



