THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACHAR. 127 



so that it requires most careful examination to discern the ground- 

 colour at all. 



The five eggs measure -68" X '52", "67" X *54", '67" x -51", 

 •68" X -52", -63" X '51". The next was taken on the 1st of May, 1891. 

 (252) Culicicapa ceylonensis.— The Grey-headed Fly-catcher. 



Oates, No. 592 ; Hume, No. 295. 

 Very fairly common up to about 2,500 feet, above which very few 

 seem to wander. 



(253) Niltava grandis.— The Large Niltava. 

 Oates, No. 593 ; Hume, No. 316. 

 Common to the east above 3,500 feet, breeding everywhere above 

 this height, but most commonly on the high peaks to the east of the 

 sub-division. 



(254) N. sundara.— The Rufous-bellied Niltava. 

 Oates, No. 594; Hume, No. 314. 

 Much the rarest of the three niltavas in these hills; the distribution 

 being the same as that of the last, i. «<?., everywhere and anywhere 

 during the cold weather, but confined to the higher ranges after March. 

 (255) N. macgrigori^;.— The Small Niltava. 

 Oates, No. 595 ; Hume, No. 315. 

 This little niltava is very common on the Hangrum and Leri 

 ranges, breeding in great numbers on all the peaks over 4,000 feet. 

 The nest here is generally placed in amongst the stones which lie all 

 over the hills of these two ranges, often forming regular banks or 

 walls. The eggs vary very much, some I have being just like those 

 of Microcichla scouleri, others miniature facsimiles of the eggs of 

 N. grandis, stoparola, etc. 

 (256) Terpsiphonb affinis.— The Burmese Paradise Fly-catcher. 



Oates, No. 599; Hume, No. 289. 

 It may be as well to put on record here the changes of plumage 

 undergone by a young bird I kept in captivity in a large wire aviary 

 for over two years. It was brought to me in the autumn, being 

 then in its first plumage. 



Forehead and crown black, fading into dark ashy on the chin, 

 throat and upper breast ; the nape is a darker shade of the same colour 

 and is slightly glossed ; the back, rump, upper tail coverts, tail and 

 wing coverts bright, dark chestnut ; primaries chestnut-brown, edged 



