MEL ANOCIILOBA. 101 



Genus MELANOCHLOKA Lesson, 1839. 



This genus was placed by Gates amongst his LiotricliincK, with 

 which, however, it appears to have nothing in common. It is 

 undoubtedly, a very aberrant form of Titmouse and might possibly 

 be well placed in a Family or Sub-family by itself. The wing is 

 long and pointed and the nostrils are slightly exposed, both 

 features unlike any other of the Paridce. On the other hand 

 bill, feet, habits and nidification all point strongly to its affinity 

 with these birds. 



There is only one species extending from Nepal to the Malay 

 Peninsula. 



Melanochlora sultanea. 



Key to Subspecies. 



A. Yellow very brilliant and strong ; rather 



larger M. s. sultanea, p. 101. 



B. Yellow paler and less bright; rather 



smaller M. s.flavocristata, p. 102. 



(87) Melanochlora sultanea sultanea. 

 THE INDIAN SULTAN TIT. 



Pants sultaneus Hodgs., Ind. llev., 1836, p. 31 (Nepal). 

 Melanochlora sultanea. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 241 . 



Vernacular names. Bon-tylia-pho (Lepcha) ; Dao-rajah-gatany- 

 lili (Caehari). 



Description. Adult male. Forehead, crown, and crest brilliant 

 yellow ; the rest of the head, whole upper plumage, wings and 

 breast deep black, with a metallic lustre on wings and back ; tail 

 the same with outermost feathers tipped with white ; remainder 

 of lower plumage deep bright yellow, the thighs mixed with some 

 white. 



Colours of soft parts. Bill black ; mouth dark fleshy ; eyelids 

 plumbeous; irides dark brown or red-brown; legs dark slaty, 

 claws dark horny. 



Measurements. Total length about 200mm.; wing 110-5 to 

 115 mm. ; tail about 85 to 95 mm. ; tarsus about 24 mm. ; culrnen 

 about ] 7 mm. 



Adult female and young. The black of the male is replaced 

 with greenish brown, the yellow is paler and duller, and the chin 

 and throat are yellowish brown. 



Distribution. The Lower Himalayas from Nepal, through Assam, 

 North and South of the Brahmaputra to the Kachin and Shan 

 Hills and to Arrakan. Birds from Karenni and North Siam 

 are of this race. 



