SIPHIA KUBECTJLOIDES. 427 



parts of its Himalayan habitat. It does not appear to have been procured in the south of India by Messrs. 

 Bourdillon and Fairbank ; but Jerdon obtained it both on the eastern and western coasts of that part. 



Habits. — This species is exceedingly active and restless ; it delights in dense low jungle growing beneath 

 lofty trees, and appears to remain much in the same spot throughout the day. I have more than once found 

 it in the low tangled wood which always grows on the upper or yearly inundated side of village tanks in the 

 Northern Province. It perches on low branches, and darts very quickly on its prey, constantly changing its 

 position. It has a very lively whistle, more varied and continued longer than that of the last species ; and I 

 have seen it flying in an excited manner backwards and forwards in a thicket, repeatedly uttering its song. 

 Mr. Brooks styles its note "sweet and Robin-like;" and Hutton remarks that the male has a "very pleasing 

 song, which it warbles forth from the midst of some thick bush, seldom exposing himself to view." I have 

 found small caterpillars, as well as flies and minute insects, in its stomach. 



Nidification. — From what has been said above, it will be seen that this Flycatcher may perhaps occasionally 

 breed in Ceylon during the north-east monsoon ; but it cannot be its habit to nest at that season. In the 

 Himalayan districts it was observed by Capt. Hutton to breed in June, while Hodgson affirms that it begins 

 to nest in April. It builds in a cavity in the trunk of a decayed tree or in the side of a rock, constructing its 

 nest of moss, moss-roots, grass, and dry leaves, and lines it with black, fibrous moss-roots or hair-like lichens. 

 The eggs are said to be dull pale olive-green, faintly or indistinctly clouded with dull rufous or clay-colour. 

 Mr. Hume says the average size of the eggs he has seen is 073 by 062 inch. 



Genus MUSCICAPA. 

 Bill small, not very wide at the base, and compressed towards the tip, which is scarcely 

 decurved. Nostrils concealed by their plumes. Wings with the 1st primary shorter than in 

 Siphia, the 2nd equal to the 7th, and the 4th the longest, slightly exceeding the 3rd. Tail 

 rather broad, emarginate or even at the tip. Tarsus moderately long, exceeding the middle toe 

 with its claw. 



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