1 1 G BIRDS OF INDTA, 



bluish, with pale brown spots and blotches. Layard says that the 

 eggs are bright blue, and Hutton that they are carneous cream 

 color, but these observers must, I think, have been mistaken in 

 the identity of the owner of the nest. 



The Dayal is often caged, as well for its song, as for its pugna- 

 cious qualities, which, according to Hodgson, are made use of to 

 capture others. " Fighting these tame birds," says Hodgson, " is 

 a favorite amusement with the rich (in Nepal), nor can any race of 

 game-cocks combat with more energy and resolution than do these 

 birds. Latham called it the Dial bird from its native name, and 

 Linnaeus, apparently thinking that it had some connection with a sun- 

 dial, called it Solaris, by lapsus pennce, saularis. I may here state that 

 in my Catalogue published in 1839, I called it the Magpie-robin, 

 by which name Mr. Layard says it is now known in Ceylon. 



A nearly allied race is found in Ceylon, C. ceylonensis, Sclater, 

 P. Z. S., 1861, p. 186 (brevirostris, apud Blyth) ; C. mindanensis, in 

 Malacca, Siam and China ; and C. amcenus, Horsf. (brevirostris, 

 Swains.) in Java ; and these are all representatives of our Indian 

 species ; besides which there are C. luzoniensis, Kittlitz, in the 

 Philippines, and C. pluto, Teinm., in Borneo. 



Gen. Kittacincla, Gould. 



Char. — Bill more slender than in the last; tail very long, 

 graduated ; wings slightly more rounded ; tarsus slender, pale ; 

 lateral toes very short. 



This form is considered by some not to be distinct from the last, 

 but the few structural points noted above, its more slender form, 

 retired habits, and the fact of there being several species, exhibiting 

 all these characters, from various parts of the Indian region, lead 

 me to keep it distinct. 



476. Kittacincla macroura, Gmel. 



Turdus, apud Gmelin — Blyth, Cat. 968— Horsf., Cat. 425— 

 Sykes, Cat. 61 — Gryllivora longicauda, Swainson — Jerdon, Cat. 

 102 — Shama, H. — Poda nalanchi, Tel., also Tonka nalanchi. 



The Shama. 

 Descr. — Head, neck, back, wing-coverts, breast, and tail, glossy 

 black ; rump white ; wings dull black ; outer tail feathers broadly 



