420 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIIL. 



GROUP II. 



Pyctorhis. 



This consists of two well-marked species, and their sub-species, which 

 appear to form connecting links with the ParadoxornitJiidcs. 



They also have a tail much longer than the wings ; and a short deep bill 

 with no notch at the tip. 



One species (P. sinensis) consists of birds inhabiting the o]3en country,, 

 and having a flight rather reminding one of a " Butcher-bird ; " the other 

 (P. altirostris) are birds only found in high grass along river banks. The 

 eo'O's of the former are well known, and are some of our most beautiful Indian 

 eo'o's, those of the latter, I believe, have not yet been described. 



GROUP III. 

 Elaphrornis. 



This group consists of one species, peculiar to the Island of Ceylon, which 

 in my opinion is undoubtedly a Warbler, showing some affinities to the 

 African Cisticola ; and has only been temporarily included in my list. 



It has the wing and tail about equal in length, the latter being greatly, 

 t^raduated ; a slender longish bill, and the plumage very soft and dense. 



GROUP IV. 



TiMBLIIA. 



In this I have placed Timeliia which consists of one species and its- 

 geographical races, and Dumetia, the last being peculiar to the Peninsula of 

 India, and consists of three sub-species. 



The characteristics of this group are, tail much longer than the wing, and 

 greatly graduated; the shafts of the feathers of the crown rigid. In Timeliia 

 the bill is very stout and massive, and intensely black ; whilst Dumetia, has 

 a more slender bill, which is pale in colour. Both species build dome-shaped 

 nests, which are placed near the ground, and their eggs are white covered 

 with numerous spots. 



GROUP V. 

 Pellornexjm. 



I have grouped the following together, Pellomeum, Scotocichla, Drymocata- 

 2yhus, and Rhopocichla, they are all thoroughly Timeliine in habits ; diff'ering 

 from the last group, in having a shorter tail ; and the shafts of the feathers 

 of the crown soft. The type of eggs of this group, vnth one exception, are 

 very like those of the last, in Drijmocataphus the eggs are of a totally 

 difterent type, being either a very bi-ight pinkish-red, or dark greenish with 

 dark brown spots. 



GROUP VI. 



Gypsophila. 

 This group also contains only one species, the habits and nidification of 

 which nothing appears to be knowft. Its chief peculiarity is, as in Gampsor- 

 liynchus and Acanthojytila, that the adult has a considerable amount of 

 white on the head, otherwise in structure it appears to be allied to the 

 Pellomeum group. 



GROUP VII. 



Malacocincia (Turdinus). 

 This is only represented by one genus within Indian limits, others are 

 found in the Malay Peninsula and Islands. It is thoroughly Timeliine in 

 appearance and habits, and is characterised by its short tail and oval and 

 exposed nostrils. The eggs of our only Indian species are very handsome- 

 and approach in colour some of the Alcippe. 



