SAXIC0LIN2E. 119 



frequents dense underwood, or very thick forest, perching low, 

 and seeking its food chiefly on the ground. I have found only 

 insects of various kinds in its stomach. Hodgson, indeed, 

 says that it feeds equally on pulpy berries. It is very shy, and 

 from the density of the cover it frequents, it is difficult to observe 

 closely. 



From its tone of coloring, the white neck spot, and especially 

 the mode of coloration of the female, it appears to me to be 

 somewhat allied to Niltava, and the Lepchas brought me a nest 

 and eggs, alleged to belong to this bird, exactly resembling those 

 of Niltava sundara, but they may have been mistaken in the 

 identity of the bird, the females being so like each other. 



A somewhat allied species is found in Pegu, Notodela diana, of 

 Lesson, in Belanger's voyage, and Eupetes cosrulescens, Temm., 

 P. C. 574, from New Guinea, appears to me also related. 



The next bird noticed is a somewhat anomalous form, albeit 

 having some distant affinities for the last species. 



Gen. Grandala, Hodgson. 



Char. — Bill moderate, slender, straight, phoenicuran, but slightly 

 depressed at the base ; nostrils oval, free, in the front of a large 

 fossa; gape perfectly smooth; wings long, ample and firm, 1st 

 quill spurious, 2nd longest ; the tertials only half the length of the 

 primaries ; tail moderate, firm, slightly emarginate ; tarsus longish, 

 entire ; toes long, slender, suitable for progression on the ground ; 

 hind toe rather short. 



This is a very peculiar genus. Hodgson says that " it has the 

 general structure of a Thrush with the wings greatly enlarged, and 

 a sylvian bill." Blyth says that it is allied to the Wheat-ears. It 

 differs from all the other members of this family by its excessively 

 long wings. I was at one time inclined to class it not far from 

 Hartlaubius, Bonaparte, an African genus of Sturnida:, judging 

 from the brief characters given by the Prince, and the long wings 

 and sturnideous habits of the only species, as noticed by some 

 observers. 



478. Grandala ccelicolor, Hodgson. 



J. A. S., XII., 447, with fig.— Blyth, Cat. 972— IIorsf., Cat. 

 427 — G. schistacea, Hodgson, the young female. 



