MUSCICAPA HIRUNDINACEA. 



M. viridi-chalybeo nigra, subtus uropygioque albis. 



Muscicapa obscura, liorsf. Syst Arrangement of Birds from Java, Linn. Trans. 



Vol. XIII. p. 146. 

 Obscure Fly-catcher, Lath. Gen. Hist, of Birds, 2rf Ed. Vol. VI. p. 205, n. 79- 

 Muscicapa hirundinacea, Reinw. in Temm. PI. coloriees, 20™ Livr. PI. 119- 

 Gobe mouche veloce, Temm. PI. coloriees, 20™' Livr. PI. 119, Fig- 1, male; Fig. 2, 

 Jemelle. 



The Muscicapa hirundinacea is one of those birds which, like the M. Banyu- 

 mas, is rarely observed in the central parts of Java ; and I have therefore equally 

 to regret my want of opportunity for observing its habits, and the imperfection of 

 my materials for description. It was first indicated concisely in the Systematic 

 Arrangement of Birds above cited, with the name of Muscicapa obscura ; but this 

 name having previously been appUed to a species essentially different, I have adopted 

 the appropriate denomination of Professor Reinwardt, as it is given in M. Tem- 

 minck's Work. 



Our bird has the true character of the Fly-catchers : the bill, in proportion to 

 the size of the body, is long, elevated, and of great strength, but the vibrissse are 

 not numerous. Our figure gives a faithful representation of the female. In the 

 male the distribution of colours is the same ; but the tint above is dark blackish blue, 

 with a greenish cast, as originally stated in our specific character. In the female 

 the upper parts and the wings are brown, with an obscvire metallic lustre in certain 

 positions towards the light. Underneath, our bird is white, and this colour also 

 covers the uropygium, and a band on the exterior tail feathers. The separation of 

 colours between the upper and lower parts, along the neck, is formed by a curved 

 line, which, from the middle of the neck, passes obliquely towards the shoulder. 

 In the male, a very faint brownish tint is observed on the breast. 



In the form of the tail, and the proportional length of the wings, our bird 

 agrees with the Muscicapa Banyumas. 



