NOTi:S ON INDIAN TIMELIIDES AND THEIR ALLIES. 51 



great stretch of imagination to place the " Crow-Tits " amongst the 

 Crows (Oorvidce), and they differ from the Tits (Paridce) in many 

 important particulars. 



Acantlwptila nepalensis, Hodgson. — This little known bird is 

 undoubtedly very closelj^ related to Argya and Bahax, and possibly 

 forms a connecting link between these two genera. It shows this, 

 in the formation of its bill and description of plumage, but chiefly in 

 the colouration of its eggs, which are described as a " verditei'-blue," 

 this exactly applies to the colour of the eggs of Babblers, such as 

 Argya and Crateroptis, and a colour, I believe, quite unknown 

 amongst the Warblers (Sylvidce). Very little still appears to be known 

 about this species. Mr. Gates' reasons for placing it amongst the 

 Sylvidce seem to have been that he considered it had both a summer 

 and winter plumage. If A. pellotis, (Hodgs.) and A. leucotis, 

 (Hodgs.), are one and the same species, which the}^ undoubtedly are, 

 it, therefore, has two phases of plumage, one of which shows a con- 

 siderable amount of white. This is similar to Gyyso'pMla crvpsijrons 

 (Blyth) and Gamfsorhynchus rufulus (Blj^th.), in which species the 

 adults of both have a considerable amount of white, which is only 

 assumed by slow degrees. 



Omissions. 



Braehypteryginm. — With the exception of Elafhronis falliseri 

 (Blyth), the position of which is still uncertain, I have omitted the 

 whole of this sub-family, as they undoubtedly belong to the Turdidce, 

 many species of which appear to have been refused admission to that 

 family, solely because their young have advanced in a stage of evolu- 

 tion and have discarded their distinctive juvenile garb. 



Zosterops. — Dr. Sharpe in his " Hand List " has given the " White- 

 eyes " family rank under the title of Zosteropodce. They have a very 

 wide distribution ; and their pointed wings and migratory habits at 

 once removes them from the Timeliides. 



j^thorhynchus and JEgitliina, (loras). — Have been placed by Dr, 

 Sharpe in the Fycnonotidoi. Both these genera have a summer and 

 winter plumage, which at once separates them from the Timeliides. 



Chloropsis and Irena. — Have both been placed in the Fycnonotidce 

 by Dr. Sharpe. They have remarkably short tarsi and fairly long- 

 wings, which removes them from amongst the Babblers. 



Brachypodinoi. — The Bulbuls have rightly been removed from 

 amongst the Timeliides and given family rank with the title of 

 Fycnonotidce,. 



MelanocMorasultanea, (Hodgson). — Mr. Stuart Baker has shown 

 that both by its nidification and the colour of its eggs, the Sultan-Bird 

 is a true Tit, and Hodgson was originally right, when he placed it 

 amongst the Paridce, to which family it has again been relegated hj 

 Dr. Sharpe. 



