102 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



In non-breeding plumage, and in males not fully adult, the 

 black of the upper plumage is less in extent, and more mixed 

 with green ; the white of the quills are faintly edged with pale 

 yellow externally, and the innermost ones are white internally, 

 near the tip ; and the pale tips to the tail feathers are more distinct. 

 I believe that the black plumage is mostly seasonal, and that 

 the change takes place either by a partial moult, or by a change 

 in the feathers. One specimen .in the Museum, Asiatic Society, 

 from Southern India, has the central tail feathers partly green and 

 partly black. In the cold weather we generally find the males 

 having more or less green mixed with the black. 



The female is entirely grass-green above, pale yellow beneath ; 

 the wings blackish, with whitish bars and yellow edges ; and the 

 tail green, pale tipped. 



Bill light plumbeous, darker on the ridge ; irides greyish white ; 

 legs dusky plumbeous. Length 5^ inches ; extent 8 ; wing 

 2\ ; tail 2 ; bill at front i ; tarsus f. 



This is one of the most common birds in Southern India. It 

 extends up to 16° or 17° N. L. if not further, and it is possible 

 that it may be met with in the N. W. Provinces, for Blyth gives 

 one, though with a query, from Dehra Doon. In Bengal and in 

 the north of India generally, it is replaced by the next species. 



It may be seen in almost every garden in the south of India. Its 

 habits are more active and restless than those of any other member 

 of this family, being much like those of the Tits. It may be seen 

 diligently and carefully searching the smaller branches and twigs 

 of trees, climbing actively among them, poring under the leaves, 

 and occasionally clinging like a titmouse from a slender twig ; all 

 the while keeping up a loud warbling strain, or a low querulous 

 sort of note, very different from each other. It is not confined to 

 cultivated ground, but i^ also a denizen of the open spaces of 

 jungles. Its flight is performed by a succession of quick vibrations 

 of the wing, and causes a loud whirring sound. Its food consists 

 of various insects and larvaj, spiders, &c. 



The male, at the breeding season, now and then takes a short 

 flight from one tree to another, slowly, and in a fluttering manner, 

 with his black tail spread, and the white feathers of the flanks 



