ERYTHEOPYGIA PAENA. 



longest, the second and eighth equal in length, and about four lines shorter, 

 the first about half the length of the longest ones, narrow, particularly towards 

 the point. Tail moderately rounded : tarsi slender, faintly scutellated an- 

 teriorly, entire posteriorly ; toes of moderate strength, the middle one con- 

 siderably longer than the other three ; claws slightly curved and pointed, 

 those of the hinder toes longest and strongest. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. Lines. 



Length from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the taU 0' 



of the bill from the gape 9 



of the wings when folded 2 9 



of the tail 2 9 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe... 

 of the inner toe . . . 

 of the middle toe 

 of the hinder toe 



The colours of the female are the same as those of the male, only not quite 

 so clear. The young bird (fig. b.*) is highly variegated : the feathers of the 

 head, neck, back, and rump are dull cream-yellow, tipped with dark brown; 

 those of the under parts, pale cream-yellow, tipped with reddish brown. 



The habits and configuration of this species, as has already been observed, agrees with those 

 of -E. pectoralis ; like it, the present inhabits arid districts thinly covered with dwarf trees, 

 amons the branches of which it seeks its food. Its movements, while flitting from branch to 

 branch, are rapid, and when resting or hunting for insects it is constantly watchful, always 

 ready to take alarm and to retreat when its haunt has once been discovered. On such occa- 

 sions, however, it rarely flies far before it alights, and if not under the influence of fear, it 

 seldom passes the tree nearest to that it has abandoned. In its disposition to view every object 

 with distrust, and to watch carefully whatever attracts its attention, it resembles in a marked 

 manner the Saxicolcp. 



* The specimen figured had acquired much of tlie plumage of an adult bird, hence the colours of youth 

 are but imperfectly represented. 



