186 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



It appears very similar to Malurus gracilis, of Riippell ; and 

 M. damans, Riippell, may be another species of the same group. 

 Mr. Blyth pointed out to me that it was very possibly this species 

 noticed on the Indus by Lieut. Wood* in the month of July, 

 'nestling on the half-drowned islands, hanging its neatly con- 

 structed little nest to the top of a flexile grass stalk, and 

 rearing its young in security, where all is flooded beneath and 

 around it.' 



The next species belongs to a different type, and has been named 

 Franklinia by Mr. Blyth. 



Gen Franklinia, Blyth. 



Char. — Bill stout, compressed, deep ; culmen moderately curved 

 towards, the tip; wings short; tail broad, moderately lengthened, 

 and graduated, of twelve feathers, white-tipped ; tarsi and feet stout. 



This small group, composed of one Indian, and perhaps one Afri- 

 can species, has much the habits and make of a small Malacocercus, 

 or Chatarvluea. 



551. Franklinia Buchanani, Blyth. 



Prima, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XIII., 376 — P. ruflfrons, 

 Jerdon, Cat. 121— Blyth, Cat. 806 — Pr. brunnifrons, Hodgson. 



The Rufous-fronted Wren- Warbler. 



Descr. — Forehead and head pale rufous ; plumage above green- 

 ish ashy ; beneath white ; tail brown, all the feathers except the 

 two central ones, broadly terminated by white, more broaldy 

 so on the outermost feathers. 



Bill brown above, yellowish beneath ; legs fleshy ; hides pale 

 orange buff. Length 5 £ inches ; wing 2 t 2 q ; tail 2 T a <j ; bill at front 

 10 mill. ; tarsus T 9 ^. 



This little Wren- Warbler, of all the group, has most of the 

 manners of the Malacocerci. It is always in flocks of six, eight, 

 or more, is wary, and flies before you from bush to bush with a 

 low chirping whistle. I have found it in low thorny jungle in the 



* Journey to the Source of the Oxus, p. 10L 



