llhisfratioiis of Indian Ornitholog]/ ; 



and especinlly their notes, that this aiul the M. Iiidica rcl casfuiiea Auctoium, are but 

 different states of phimage of the same species, both sexes of which attain tlic white garb 

 vith full maturity, thougli breeding before they assume this livery. In the present specimen, 

 a male, which is sent for inspection and exhibition by Mr. Jerdon, the whole under parts, 

 some of the upper tail-coverts, and the upper tcrtiaries of tlie wings are i)ure white, the 

 last displajing the usual black markings, while the rest of tlie plumage is bright chesnut, ex- 

 cept the head and neck, which are glossy green-black as usual, and it moreover docs not 

 appear that this bird was moulting, but that tlie individual had thrown out this interme- 

 diate garb at the last renewal of its feathers, a few of these (among the interscapularies) 

 being partly white, and partly of tire chesnut hue of reputed M. castaneu. One of our 

 taxidermists assures me, however, tliat he has shot a male of this species during its moult, 

 in wliich the chesnut feathers were aU being replaced by white ones, and mentions particu- 

 larly that one only of its long chesnut middle tail-feathers had been cast ; and that a new 

 Avhite one was growing in its place. I may further add that Mr. Hodgson has akeady 

 presented the Museum with white and chesnut specimens, referring both to 31. paradisea ; 

 and that I have seen a ■\\lute male jiaired ^^ith a chesnut female, though more frequently 

 jiairs of the same colour associate. This bird is not uncommon in the vicinity of Calcutta 

 at aU seasons ; and I have seen a nest of yoimg ones which were dull chesnut, with merely 

 a slight indication of the black hood."* On writing to my friend S. N. "Ward, Esrp M. 

 C. S. on this subject he seems to think (and he has had good opportunity of observing 

 these bu'ds) that the whiteplumagcd birds, are males in theu' breeding plumage only, and 

 that they change back to their usual chesnut hue afterwards, also that the females arc al- 

 ways red. That this latter is the case I have alwa}'s been led to believe (never having shot 

 a wliite female) in opposition to j\Ir. Bh'th's idea that " both sexes attain the white garb 

 '^^'ith fuU mati.u'ity." Fiuther investigations are still wanting to enable us to come at the 

 %^'hole truth. 



This elegant Flycatcher is dispersed over the whole continent of India, but is only 

 at all common in the most Avooded portions of the country, preferring dense bamboo jungle. 

 It however occasionally visits gardens and groves of trees in all jiarts of the Peninsula. In 

 its habits it is restless and wandering, Hitting continually from branch to branch, and often 

 Avandering fi-om tree to tree. It feeds on various insects wluch it captures in the air, or oc- 

 casionally snaps off a branch. Colonel Sykes says, it feeds in the ground, and chiefly on Aerv 

 minute insects. This I ha\'e not i'ound to be the case as far as my opportunities of ob- 



* Jounml .^siitif Society, No, 129, page SSi. 



