208 BIRDS OF INDIA, 



and 4th, which are about equal; secondaries broad ; tail slightly 

 rounded ; tarsus moderate or short, stout and scutate ; feet strong, 

 short; lateral toes unequal, hind toe moderate ; claws moderately 

 curved. 



These birds are in some parts of the country called Phularia, 

 i. e., quasi ' Flower-peckers.' The first noticed is placed by Gray 

 under Ad<>pho?ieus, Kaup., and is distinguished by its somewhat 

 large size, and stronger bill, but Bonaparte ranks it under Adopho- 

 neus, and gives S. nisoria as the type. 



581. Sylvia orphea, Temminck. 



Philomela, apud Jerdon, Cat. 110 — Blyth, Cat. 1121 and 

 1122— Curruca Jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. S., XVI., 439— Gould, 

 Birds of Europe, pi. 119 — Pedda nulla kampa-jitta, Tel. 



The Large Black-capped Warbler. 



Descr. — Above brownish ashy, tolerably pure ashy on the nape 

 and rump ; cap, lores, and ear-coverts, black in the male, dusky or 

 blackish grey in the female ; beneath whitish, pure white on the 

 throat and middle of the belly, tinged albescent on the breast ; tail 

 blackish, the outer feathers externally white, for the basal two- 

 thirds, and the next four successively less broadly tipped white ; 

 quills dusky brown, with pale edgings. 



Bill blackish horny ; legs reddish brown ; irides dull greenish 

 yellow. Length 7 inches; wing 3 r ^; tail 2| ; bill at front T 6 & ; 

 tarsus T ^. 



This bird was at first thought by Blyth to be distinct from 

 S. orphea of Southern Europe, with which I had identified it, but 

 he has lately united them. It is not rare in Southern India 

 during the cold weather. I have seen it at Trichinopoly, Madras, 

 and Nellore ; also at Jaulnah, and Mhow in Central India, whence 

 it appears to extend through the Upper Provinces, for Blyth has 

 received it from Delhi ; but it does not extend far to the Eastwards, 

 for I did not see it at Saugor, and it is unknown in Bengal. It 

 frequents groves, gardens, hedges, single trees, and even low 

 bushes on the plains; is very active and restless, incessantly 

 moving about from bianch to branch, clinging to the twigs and 



