CAMPEPHAGINiE. 415 



with white ; lower breast and ahdomen pale grey, passing 

 gradually to white on the lovv^er abdomen and lower 

 tail-coverts. 



The female and the young have the head grey like the back, the 

 throat, and entire under parts, whitish, with dusky cross-rays, and 

 the rump more or less distinctly rayed. Blyth, however, states 

 that the sexes are alike, and that when adult both have the head 

 and neck black. 



Irides dark red-brown ; bill and feet black ; length about 7^ 

 inches ; wing 4 ; tail 3 ; tarsus y^ ; bill at front ^. 



Horsfield places this bird as a Lalage ; but that genus is now 

 retained for the pied species, of which L. orienfalis of Malayana 

 is the type, and which is chiefly developed in Australia and the 

 neighbouring isles. Moreover, the species of Lalage have the rump 

 feathers soft and not spinous. 



This bird is found throughout the whole of India, but is neither 

 common nor abundant. It is most plentiful in wooded countries, 

 where there are considerable tracts of low jungle, not being found 

 in the forests of Southern India. It also enters gardens, orchards, and 

 is common in hedge-rows, and among the fine avenues of old trees 

 we meet with in Southern India. It is also found about Calcutta. 

 It hunts usually in small parties, occasionally singly or in pairs, 

 flying from tree to tree, and slowly and carefully examining the 

 foliage, prying searchingiy all around and under the leaves to dis- 

 cover a suitable morsel. It continues its search, hopping and flying 

 from branch to branch, till the tree has been well inspected, when 

 the flock flies off together to another tree. Its favorite food is 

 caterpillars and other soft insects. It is usually a silent bird, but 

 has a harsh call, and on one occasion, in June, I heard the male 

 giving out a clear whistling call, as he was flying from tree to tree. 



269. Volvocivora melaschistos, Hodgson. 



Ind. Rev., 1— p. 328— Cebl lugubris, SuNDEVALL — C. fimbriata 

 apud Blytii, Cat. 1151 — HoRSr., Cat. 236 — Lanius silens, 

 Tickell. — Kahasi, Beng. 



