1-LNCATCHERS. 49 



the same as is described by David under the title Xanthopygia 

 Narcissus, I cannot say, but I am incHned to thinlc that the 

 two are distinct. Xaiifhopygia has more black about it than 

 a golden oriole, whilst the bird which I understand to be the 

 Narcissus is far more purely yellow. They are, however, of 

 about the same size, and as Xanthopygia is confined in this 

 part of the world to the coast districts, it may be that they 

 are mere varieties of the same species, or the same bird in 

 different suits. In either case there are few things in nature 

 which dare claim a greater daintiness. Another claimant 

 to admiration may perhaps be mentioned here, a little bird 

 of an allied group, Erythrosterna albicilla, a robin-like little 

 fellow who, though not a fly-falcon like the grey flycatcher 

 is still a hunter of insects. I have seen him but once this 

 year in Shanghai. In form he looks so much like the English 

 robin as to lead the uninitiated to dub him robin at once. 

 The recognition is helped by a dash of red and orange on the 

 upper chest and throat, and altogether the little fellow is a 

 most interesting addition to our gardens. But apparently 

 he is shy, and not very common. On the one occasion when 

 I saw him, I was fortunately in possession of a binocular, and 

 so studied him thoroughly without his feeling alarmed. Like 

 his Paradise cousin he searches the branches and twigs if he 

 does not succeed in his winged attack. Possibly during the 

 summer there may be opportunities of making his closer 

 acquaintance. It may be, however, that he was merely passing 

 through on his way farther north. Then the most we can hope 

 for is a glimpse of him when he goes back again. In size and 

 shape he is a reproduction of the winter robin blue-tail. 



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