424 Rev. J. Sibree^ Jr.^ on the 



time the back and throat take the same tints as the head, 

 and the belly and breast become white. This bird is found 

 all over the island ; it is always in motion, flitting from 

 branch to branch in search of its insect food. Every time 

 it moves it straightens its long tail and utters a peculiar 

 little cry. 



Of the third species (Pseudobias wardi), M. Grandidier 

 says that its song is agreeable, resembling that of the 

 Warblers. It hardly quits the summits of the highest trees'^. 

 The native names, at least with our present knowledge, 

 or rather ignorance, throw no light on the habits of these 

 Flycatchers. 



We now come to the singing birds of Madagascar, those 

 belonging to the families of the Thrushes (Turdidse) and the 

 Babbling Thrushes (Timeliidje) , with their twelve or thirteen 

 species each. 



Of the White-browed Warbler [Copsychus albospecularis) , 

 M. Pollen remarks : " This songster par excellence bears 

 among the Antankarana the name of Slkitlly, but among the 

 Sakalava that of Todiana. Its song is so powerful, varied, 

 and agreeable that it might rival the best singing birds of 

 Europe. This bird may be seen hopping lightly and briskly 

 from branch to branch, all the time keeping a sharp look-out 

 on what passes around. After assuring himself that no one 

 is watching him, he perches perfectly erect on a branch and 

 gives forth in a full volume of sound his melodious song, 

 beating at the same time with his tail. This song much 

 resembles that of the Nightingale, but it is more varied and 

 shorter. The hen bird is very rarely seen.'^ So again, of 

 Newton's Warbler, M. Pollen says that its song resembles 

 that of the Nightingale, but is less varied; while of the 

 Delicate Warbler, he notes that its whistling song is sweet 

 and agreeable. 



The native names of these singing birds do not throw much 

 light upon their habits. Three or four species are called 

 Tekiteky, probably a name imitative of their cry. One of 



* Mr. Wills remarks on this, " I have seen them in the bushes hy the 

 side of the forest streams. I doubt their frequenting hi(/h tree tops." 



