THE SINGING BIRDS. 



265 



THE LONG-TAILED TAILOR BIRD. 

 The Long-tailed Tailor Bird (Orthotomus longuauda) is of a yellowish olive-green on the 

 mantle, red on the crown of the head, and greyish red upon the nape; the under surface is white with 

 faint blackish spots upon the sides of the breast. The quills are brown edged with green, the tail- 

 feathers brown shaded with green, those at -the exterior are tipped with white. In the male the two 





THE LONG-TAILED TAILOR BIRD (Ort/wtoillUS loilgicauda). 



centre tail-feathers are considerably prolonged. The length of this species is six inches and a ha!", 

 the wing measures two, and the tail three inches and a half; the female is not more than five inches 

 long, and her tail does not exceed two inches. The Tailor Birds are found throughout all parts of 

 India, from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, also in Ceylon. Bunnah, and the neighbouring countries, 

 frequenting such localities as are not entirely destitute of trees or bushes. In these situations they 

 usually live in pairs or small families, and pass their days in hopping nimbly from twig to twig in 

 search of insects, caterpillars, and larvas, upon which they subsist. When moving over the ground 

 or eating they keep the tail erect, and elevate the feathers upon the head. The manner in which 

 vol. 11. — 73 



