26 



COKV1DJE. 



A feature which is also of some use in distinguishing goo- 

 graphical races is the colour of the bases of the feathers. In 

 southern birds these are nearly always very dark, in Central Indian 

 birds they vary a great deal from pale dirty white to dark, whilst 

 in the northern mountain birds when fully adult they are 

 generally pale and often pure white. Andaman birds seein 

 invariably to have the bases to their feathers a very pure white, 

 and differ in this respect from their nearest allies in Assam and 



Fig. 5. Foot of C. coronoides. 



Burma, from which it may be found necessary to separate them ; 

 they agree with these, however, in their very heavy bills. 



As so much of the material for examination in museums is 

 unsexed, it has been very difficult to draw conclusions from 

 measurements. It must be remembered, however, that females 

 on the whole run smaller than males and certainly have smaller, 

 slighter bills. Although non-migratory birds and in their wilder 



