MINIVETS 21 



in order to reach a tiny victim hidden away on the 

 under surface of a leaf, the minivet will hang by its 

 feet, like a titmouse, from the slender branch that bears 

 the leaf. At times the minivet will indulge in a Uttle 

 zigzag flight among the green branches, and it is on 

 such occasions that the cock utters his feeble but 

 pleasing little warble. 



Fifteen species of minivet adorn India. Unfortu- 

 nately, most of them are of comparatively restricted 

 range, being confined to the Himalayas. Two species 

 only, I beheve, are common in South India, namely, 

 the small minivet {Pericrocotus peregrinus) and the 

 orange minivet (P. fiammeus). The former is the only 

 one likely to be seen in Madras city. If we would see 

 the orange species we must go to the Nilgiris or the 

 Western Ghauts. 



Both sexes of Pericrocotus peregrinus are handsome 

 without being showy. They are about the size of 

 sparrows, but have a much longer tail. The head, nape, 

 and upper part of the back of the cock are of a rich 

 slaty-grey tint, which deepens into black on the sides 

 of the head, and on the throat, wings, and tail. There 

 is an orange bar in the wing, and the tail feathers are 

 tipped with that colour. The breast and lower portion 

 of the back are of the richest scarlet. The female is 

 less showily attired than the cock ; she lacks his scarlet 

 trimmings and wears yellow in place of his patches of 

 orange. 



The orange ipinivet is a still more beautiful bird. 

 The head and the back of the cock are black. His wings 

 are black and flame-coloured red, the red being so 



