OMl). INSESSOMES. 



FA 31. MUSCICAPIBjE. 



GEN. MU SCI CAP A. 



PLATE XIV. 



MUSCICAPA ALBICAUDATA. Jerdon. 



NEIL GHERR Y BL UE FL YCA TCIIER . 



Synon. — M. albicaudata Jerdon, Catal. No. 152. 



The genus Muscicapa, even as restricted by Cuvier, has of late been considerably 

 subdivided, and when we consider the varied nature of its contents, apparently with bene- 

 fit to science. 



There are in India several Flycatchers, whose prevailing tint is blue, of various 

 shades and intensity, among which more or less structural differences exist. These Mr. 

 Blyth divides into several groups, each of which has one or more representative in South - 

 ern India. Muscicapa hanyumas of Horsfield, together with my M. pallipes. Cat. No. 149, 



and three or four species from Northern India, Mr. B. classes under the name of Cyornis f 

 my M. superciliaris Cat. No. 153, together with one or two more very pretty diminutive 

 species he classes as Muscicapula ;* whilst the subject of the acccompanying plate with 

 M. Mela7iops, and I think also M Indigo of Horsfield, constitute his genus Stoparola. They 

 differ generally from the other blue Flycatchers of India in their more stout and robust habit, 

 stronger legs and feet, and in their bill being shorter, wider at the base, and more depressed, 

 and perhaps also a little more hooked at the tip. 



The Neilgherry blue Flycatcher is, as tar as it is yet known, confined to the woods 

 on the summit of the Neilgherries, and the forests on the edges of these hills. It occurs 

 in considerable number here,frequenting the higher branches of tree3,occasionally seen single, 



• Joun. As. Soc. Vol. XH. p. 9.19. 

 H 



