MUSCICAPINJS. 459 



habits, darting on insects from a fixed perch on a low branch. I 

 never saw it descend to the ground to feed. It extends also to 

 China, Mr. Swinhoe remarking that it *' straggles to Amoy in its 

 vernal migrations." This makes it the more probable that the 

 following bird of Pallas is the same.* 



The next two species have usually been classed under Hemiclie- 

 lidon ; but have of late been separated as Alseonax, Cabanis, and 

 I think with some reason, so shall adopt that name. 



Gen. Alseonax, Cabanis. 



Somewhat resembling Hemichelidon, but the bill is more 

 lengthened and narrower in front, less Swallow-like, and much 

 deeper vertically; the 1st primary is proportionally larger, and 

 the wing is less pointed; the 3rd and 4th quills about sub-equal, the 

 quills diminishing in length less rapidly ; the rictal bristles are 

 perhaps longer and stouter. 



297. Alseonax latirostris, Raffles. 



Muscicapa apud Raffles — M. poonensis, Sykes, Cat. 42— 

 Jerdon, Cat. 154 — Blyth, Cat. 1033 (in part) — and Horsf., Cat. 

 177 (in part) — Butalis ponticeriana, Gmel, apud Light, and 

 BoNAP. — Zakki, H. 



The Southern Brown Flycatcher. 



Descr. Above light brownish-grey, beneath white, tinged 

 with very pale ashy on the breast, sides of throat, and flanks ; eyelids 

 conspicuously white. 



Bill dusky-yellow at the gape and at the base beneath ; irides 

 deep brown ; legs brown. Length 5^ inches ; wing 2| to 3 ; tail 2 ; 

 bill at front 11 mill. ; tarsus j^^^ths. 



This and the next species have usually been considered the 

 same ; but I think that they differ in species, and our bird is most 

 probably B. ponticeriana, as quoted above, which is given next to 

 and distinct from Hodgson's bird in Bonaparte's Conspectus. In 

 this case ponticeriana would stand as the specific name. 



* Muscicapa fuscedulci of Pallas is undoubtedly a second species of this 

 genus, as restricted, if indeed it be not the same. The coloring appears to be idea- 

 tical ; but tlie meusuronieiits given make it a rather larger bird. 



