ORTHOTOMUS. 367 



Sutoria sutoria (Forst.), SJiarpgj Cat. B. M. vii, p. 215 ; Gates, B. B. 



i, p. 107. 



I'hutkifTL.; Tuntuni, Beng. ; Patia, Nep. ; Likku-jitta, Tel.; Tavik, 

 Cing. 



Coloration. Forehead and anterior half of crown rufous, shading 

 off into ashy on the remainder of the crown and nape ; lores 

 greyish white ; ear-coverts very pale rufescent ashy, with the shafts 

 white ; cheeks and lower plumage dull white, tinged with yellowish 

 and washed with olive-grey on the sides of the body ; back, rump, 

 scapulars, and upper tail-coverts yellowish green ; middle tail- 

 feathers coloured like the back ; the others greenish brown, each 

 feather narrowly tipped white and with a patch of brown in front 

 of the white tip ; wings and coverts brown, narrowly edged with 

 yellowish green ; thighs rufous. There is a concealed black spot 

 on each side of the neck. 



Iris reddish yellow ; eyelids plumbeous, the edges reddish yel- 

 low; upper mandible dark horny, the lower pale flesh-colour; 

 legs reddish flesh-colour ; claws pale horn. 



Length about 5 ; tail 2 : wing 1-9 : tarsus -8 ; bill from 

 gape *6. 



The above are the dimensions of the male and female in winter 

 plumage and of the female in summer plumage. In summer the 

 male acquires very elongated middle tail-feathers and the pair next 

 to them are also long. At this season the total length of the male 

 is 7*5 and the tail 4-5. 



The female differs but slightly from the male, merely having the 

 rufous on the head paler. 



Tenasserim birds are noticeably smaller, having the wing 1'5 to 

 1'7, and the nape is tinged with lilac. 



0. maculicoUis, which occurs in the Malay peninsula, may be 

 recognized by the white streaks on the ear-coverts. 



Distribution. A permanent resident throughout the Empire and 

 Ceylon, ascending the Himalayas and other hill-ranges up to 

 4000 feet of elevation. This species is no doubt rare in Sind and 

 portions of the Punjab, but it appears to be found in all parts 

 of those Provinces. In Burma its range ceases at Mergui accord- 

 ing to Davison, who failed to procure it south of that town. It 

 extends into Siam and China. 



Habits, $c. Inhabits well-wooded tracts, low jungles, gardens, 

 and also grass-lands where interspersed with bushes. Breeds from 

 May to August, constructing its nest in a receptacle formed by 

 sewing the edges of a leaf, or sometimes two leaves, together. 

 The nest is composed of cotton-down, hair, and fine grass. The 

 eggs, three or four in number, are either reddish white or bluish 

 green, boldly marked with brownish red. They measure about 

 64 by -46. 



This bird is generally found solitary or in pairs, and it has a 

 remarkably loud note for its size. When the bird utters this 

 note, the black marks on the sides of the neck become distinctly 

 visible. 



