MUSCICAPA INDIGO. 



and underneath is black with a deep brownish lustre. This colour also appears with 

 greater intensity on the two intermediate tail-feathers throughout, and on the others 

 partially. The base of the tail-feathers, with the exception of the two intermediate 

 ones, the abdomen, the vent, and the axillae are white with an obscure grayish tint, 

 varying in its degree of intensity. In a lateral view of the bird the white colour of 

 the base of the tail is nearly concealed: the belt which crosses the feathers, is narrow 

 in the exterior ones, and gradually increases in breadth towards the middle, passing 

 by an obliqvle line to the black of the extremity. The coverts of the wings as well 

 as the plumes of the head and neck are black at the base, and bordered with blue at 

 the extremity, in consequence of which these parts appear slightly undulated. The 

 bin is black, the feet very dark brown, and the irides have an obscure tint. 



This bird lives solitarily on the most elevated mountain-peaks of Java. It is 

 very rarely observed. Its retu-ed habits lead it into the thickest forests, where the 

 uniformity of its plumage tends most effectually to conceal it. I became acquainted 

 with it at a late period of my ornithological researches. During one of my excur- 

 sions on Mount Prahu, I discovered a few individuals, perched on the branches of a 

 tree exteiiding across the road. A greater degree of light than usual, admitted on a 

 clear day, into a small opening in the gloomy forest, brought these into view. Being 

 . thus directed to the bird, the assistance of the natives procured me several indivi- 

 duals, which are now in the Honourable East India Company's Museum. At a later 

 period I also observed it on the declivities of the Mountain Merbaboo. It emits a 

 feeble plantive sound in short frequently repeated notes. 



The Muscicapa Indigo agrees in manners with the Fly-catchers of Europe. It 

 resembles several of them, even in the distribution of the colours of its plumage. 

 In the figure it is accurately represented of natural size. 



