TIMALINJE. 55 



and on the upper tail-coverts ; tail rufous, black at the base (except 

 the central feathers, which are rufous grey), with a subterminal 

 broad band of black, tipped grey ; the inner webs rufous ; neck 

 in front, breast, and upper part of the abdomen, pale rufous ; the 

 rest deep rufous. 



Bill black ; legs yellowish brown ; hides brown. Length 9 to 

 10 inches ; extent 11 ; wing 4 ; tail 5 ; bill at front -^ ; tarsus 1|-. 



The black-headed Sibia is found throughout the whole Hima- 

 layas, from Simla to Bootan, and is one of the most abundant birds 

 about Darjeeling. It is found from 4,000 feet to 8,000 feet, but 

 most common about 7,000 feet. It frequents the highest trees, 

 climbing up the larger branches, and clinging round and below the 

 smaller branches, almost like a Wood-pecker, or Nuthatch. 



It is often seen alone, or in pairs, but occasionally in small 

 parties ; and is constantly uttering its twittering call, which Hutton 

 syllabizes as titteeree, titteree, ticeeyo, often answered by one 

 at some little distance. It is very fond of concealing itself in 

 the thick masses of Epiphytic plants found on all lofty trees in 

 Sikhim, and its favorite food is the fruit of the Epiphytic Andro- 

 meda? so abundant about Darjeeling; it occasionally, however, 

 picks insects from moss, or crevices of the bark. 



I on one occasion saw it at Kursion, 4,500 feet high, in winter, 

 climbing up and down the thatched roof of a bungalow. 

 Hutton procured the nest at Mussooree, made of coarse grass, 

 moss, wool, and roots ; and the one egg he got was pale bluish- 

 white, with rufous freckles. 



430. Sibia picaoides, Hodgson. 



J. A. S., VOL, 38— Bltth, Cat. 508— Horsjf., Cat. 312— 

 Heterophasia cuculopsis, Bltth — Malcheo-pho, Lepch. 



The Long-tailed Sibia. 



Descr. — Above greenish fuscous, slightly darker on the fore- 

 head ; lores black ; wings dusky, with a large white wing-spot 

 formed by the middle third of the outer webs of four of the 

 secondaries ; tail dusky, with broad white tip ; beneath dark ashy, 

 paler on the belly. 



