1873.] 



Notes on the CEETHiiNiE or India, — ly "VV. E. Brooks, Esq., C. E., 



Dina'pore. 



(Received September 8th, read November 5th, 1873.) 



With a good series of about thirty to work with, it appears to me that 

 we have decidedly five species in India. 



I. — Ceuthia himalatana, Vigors. 



A well-known species which need not he described here, and which is 

 distinguished from the others by its well-barred tail, the other species having 

 the tail only occasionally obscurely rayed. 



II. — Certhia Hodgsoni, Brooks. 



The differences between this bird and the European G. familiaris have 

 been already pointed out.* 



I regard the four outer plain or unspotted primaries of G. Hodgsoni 

 versus the three plain ones of the English bird, as conclusive evidence of 

 the distinctness of the two species. The much longer and straighter bill, 

 with the white lower mandible ; and the greyer and less rufous tone of 

 plumage, with much whiter spotting on the back and head, should also be 

 taken into account. The legs and feet of the English bird are also, as a rule, 

 darker. The voices of the two birds differ ; that of the English one beino* 

 much louder and somewhat different in tone. The Indian species is much 

 more silent. I have before noted the conspicuous difference in the eggs. 



This species is the G. familiaris of some Indian ornithologists. 



III. — Ceethia nipalensis, Hodgson. 



Gerihia discolor, Blyth. 



Any one who has examined Mr. Hodgson's drawing of G. Nipalensis, 

 must have seen at a glance that it represents the earthy brown breasted 

 bird ; and I have therefore no hesitation in uniting both species under 

 Hodgson's term. 



The supposition that the brown-breasted bird could be identical with 

 either of the two species next to be described, is a great mistake, as a good 

 series at once shews. As far as my own observation goes, the sexes of the 

 GerthiincB are alike in plumage. Even the young and old are very similar. 

 The earth-brown tint of G. Nipalensis commences from the base of the 

 lower mandible ; and the chin and throat, which are generally protected 

 from getting soiled in most birds, are in this species as dark as any part of 

 the breast. The idea that the brown lower surface is merely produced by 

 the feathers being soiled, is against the rule with regard to Creepers, which 

 preserve the purity of their plumage in a remarkable manner, even near 

 large manufacturing towns. The colour on the breast of G. Nipalensis is, as 

 Mr. Blyth observed, a fast colour. 



* Journ. A. S. Soc. Beng. Vol. XLI, Part II, p. 73. 



