668 The Sparrow-like Birds 



of the Redstart (Ruticilla), but otherwise the habits are like those of its relatives. 

 The eggs, however, are more numerous, sometimes numbering as many as eight, 

 and they are pale, usually unspotted blue. Of similar habits but differing in 

 having a white collar is the White-collared Flycatcher (M. collaris] of central 

 and southern Europe, but of quite different appearance is the Red-breasted 

 Flycatcher (M. parva), which has the chin, throat, and upper breast rusty orange. 

 This little species is usually found in "groves and woods, especially when beech 

 and fir trees are intermingled," and is much shyer than the others, spending 

 most of the time among the higher branches of the trees. It is said to have a 

 clear, rather sweet song which resembles that of the Wood W r ren; it is very 

 persistently uttered. The nest is almost always placed in a hollow tree and at 

 no great distance above the ground, the five to seven eggs being white closely 

 spotted with reddish. 



Narcissus Flycatcher. Of quite different appearance is the handsome little 

 Narcissus Flycatcher (Xanthopygia narcissina) of Japan and China, the male 

 of which has the upper parts deep black with a large patch of white on the 

 wing-coverts, and the rump, lores, and a broad stripe over the eye bright lemon- 

 yellow, while the chin, throat, and breast are bright orange-yellow, and the re- 

 mainder of the lower parts pure white; the female is olive-brown above and 

 yellowish white below. They are shy, retiring birds, frequenting dense forests, 

 and are said to have a short but pleasing song. The nesting habits are similar 

 to those of the species last mentioned, though the eggs are greenish white spar- 

 ingly spotted with reddish. 



Paradise Flycatchers. Among the handsomest, and it may be added the 

 most typical, members of the group are the Paradise Flycatchers (Terpsiphone), 

 the twenty-five species of which are widely spread over Africa and southern 

 Asia. They have an extremely large, depressed, and swollen bill, and numer- 

 ous long, coarse, rictal bristles, while the two central tail-feathers in the mature 

 male are enormously lengthened, indeed far exceeding the length of the body, 

 and the head is provided with a crest. During the first two years the sexes in 

 the Indian species are practically similar, the prevailing color being chestnut, 

 and this the female never drops; but after the autumn moult of the third year 

 the male assumes the long median tail-feathers and white under parts, though 

 still retaining the chestnut upper parts. The full plumage is attained in the 

 fourth year, when the entire body plumage is pure white, and this is retained 

 through life; it is common, however, for them to mate while both are in the 

 chestnut plumage. One of the best-known species is the Indian Paradise Fly- 

 catcher (T. parodist), which ranges from Turkestan through the Himalayas 

 and India to Ceylon, being resident where found, though it may move down to 

 the plains from the higher mountains in winter. It is of solitary habits, fre- 

 quenting forests and well-wooded districts, being especially fond of bamboo 

 jungle. Mr. Dresser states that it is "restless and continually on the move 

 from tree to tree. Its flight is undulating and it has a curious appearance on 

 the wing, its long tail moving in jerks. Its note is a harsh, grating cry. It 

 feeds on small flies and Cicadella, which it generally captures on the wing, 



