6Q Brooks on Melizophilus striates. [Aphil, 



It was very pretty to see how distinctly the striped bird passed to the 

 old black one, and to see how decidedly distinct each specimen of A. lifas- 

 ciata was from all those of A. crassipes. 



In size, the two birds are much the same. 



A living specimen of the young striped bird, from China, has been re- 

 cently added to the Zoological Society's collection ; and Dr. Sclater has had 

 a drawing made of this bird, to see what it will turn to. Mr. Hodgson has 

 two drawings of the striped bird which he terms " Aquila crassipes.'^ These 

 drawings are very accurate. 



On a neiv Indian Sylvia, — hy W. E. Brooks, C. E., EtdwaTi. 

 (Reed. 24t]i February, 1872.) 

 Melizophilus striatus, sp. nov. 



Description. Above light brownish grey, streaked on the head, as far 

 as the shoulders, with dark brown narrow streaks. A pale rufous-brown 

 broad supercilium ; the cheeks and ear coverts are also of this colom% which 

 extends down the sides of the neck and breast, becoming very pale and 

 diluted mider the wings, and on the flanks. Wings light brown ; the edges 

 of quills and coverts greyish. Tail a very much darker, or blackish brown ; 

 the outer feather on each side is rather lighter, and is tipped with white. 

 The tail feathers are cross-rayed, particularly the outer ones. 



Lower surface of body, except sides of neck, breast and flanks, white, 

 with narrow brown streaks from chin to upper breast. These streaks are 

 well-defined in one specimen, and faint in another. Lining of wing, and 

 ridge of the same, reddish white. Bill dark brown, except basal half of 

 lower mandible, which is dull brownish orange. Legs and feet yellowish 

 brown ; claws brown. Length 4'55 to 4-8 inch ; wing 1'93 to 1-95 ; tail 2*14 

 to 2-33 ; tarsus '77 to '82 ; bill at front -35 ; from gape -46. The bill is 

 excessively like that of Melizophilus provincialis ; the wing also resembles 

 that bird, except that the first primary is larger in proportion. Tail of 

 similar form, but proportionately shorter ; the outer feathers are "35 shorter 

 than the central ones. 



Notwithstanding the dijfferences I have noted, the general resemblance 

 is so strong to Melizophilus, that I have placed it in that genus. The 

 head is streaked and so are the throat and breast, but I have a Dartford 

 Warbler with small white streaks on the throat. It would not be advisable, 

 therefore, to create a generic term, merely because in mode of coloration it 

 differs somewhat from Melizophilus. 



It was discovered by Captain Cock, 30th P. N. Infantry, at Nausherah, 

 in the Panjab, who says of the bird : " They are found in pairs among low 

 stony hills, and are very restless, active little birds, and proportionately diffi- 

 cult to shoot." 



The specimens T have from Captain Cock were killed in the beginning 

 of February. 



