774 Additions to the Ornithology of Ndpal. [Dec. 



the species, and in the structure of their stomachs. On the other 

 hand, the harder, blunter, more solid, and uniformly compressed bill 

 of Cutia, associated as it is with a subtriturating stomach and a diet 

 consisting of hard insects and seeds, seems to affine our bird to 

 Pomatorhinus and its allies. 



In Lamprotornis spilopterus the nares are still short and round, 

 though there be somewhat more approach to a nude membranous 

 tect than in Pastor roseus. 



In Lamprotornis spilopterus the tarsi are rather low, and the feet 

 suited more to perching than to walking, the soles being fiattish and 

 the nails very acute. The lateral fores (of which the outer one only 

 has a basal connexion) are shorter in proportion to the central, and- 

 longer in relation to the hind, than in our bird, which, by its longer 

 legs, and full soled stout toes, provided with straighter and blunter 

 nails, proclaims its more terrestrial habits, notwithstanding the basal 

 connexion of the fore toes. Lastly, the pointed and burnished fea- 

 thers upon the head of Spilopterus are wholly wanting in our bird. 



In Spilopterus they seem to intimate relationship with the Stares : 

 nor is the intimation unrequired ; for tbe habits and essential struc- 

 ture of this species*, when viewed in relation to whatever hath been, 

 or can be justly, alleged of the Sturnidte, savour more of contrast 

 than of similitude. As for our Cutia, amidst all its anomalies (so to 

 speak) of external structure, there is certainly something Sturnine in 

 its aspect ; and, by the formation of its feet and wings, as well as by 

 its variegated plumage, it bears some resemblance to Sturnella ; a 

 genus " leading directly to the true starlings." 



Species new. Nipalensis nobis. Nipalese Cutia, nobis. 



Habitat, central and northern regions : adheres to the wilds, and 

 feeds on hard seeds and hard ground insects. 



Colour and Size. Male. Above, brilliant rusty yellow, with jet 

 black remiges and rectrices : cap, and a large apert central portion 

 of the wings, slaty ; the former, confined all round by a black band 



* Quod est, structure of the chylopoetic viscera of the bill, and of the 

 tongue, taken collectively. 



In all these respects there is a strong tendency towards Ixos, Chloropsis, 

 Hypsipetes, aud others of the frugivorous arboreal and short-legged section of 

 those n:osr anomalous thrushes, the other or long-legged division of which seem 

 to make soDie such approximation to the Conirostres, as the short-legged section 

 does to the Tenuirostres. Cuvier's Philedones, of which our Sibia may be 

 takeu as a perfect type — appear to unite these two very opposite sections. 

 Sibia Picaoides has the tail and feet of Pica ; and the bill and tongue of Chlo- 

 ropsis t But these are mysteries for the amply stored Museum and Library to 

 solve ! 



