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YUHINA DIADEMATA, J. 



White-naped Yuhin. 



Verr. 



Yuhina diademata, J. Verr. Nouv. Archiv., 1869, Bull. p. 35.— Swinh. Proc. Zool. Soc, 1871, p. 373. 



Ornithologists are indebted to Mr. Hodgson for the discovery of the beautiful Yuhina occipitalis ; and in 

 like manner they have to thank the Pere Armand David for making known to them the existence of the 

 present even more interesting species. For the loan of one of the specimens obtained by the learned 

 Abbe, from which my drawing was taken, I have to record my obligations to Mr. D. G. Elliot. I learn 

 from my friend M. Jules Verreaux, of Paris, that the native country of the bird is Moupin, in North- 

 western China ; and to this French savant is due the merit of giving the first description of the plumage, 

 and the information that the sexes are alike in colouring. 



If my representation of this species be compared with that of Yuhina occipitalis, it will be seen that 

 the Y. diademata is somewhat larger in size, and that its conspicuous occipital mark is white instead of 

 rusty red, whence the two trivial names of Rusty-napecl and White-naped Yuhin. 



Mr. G. R. Gray, in his ' Hand-list of Birds,' has mentioned two other species of this form, namely Yuhina 

 gularis and Y. nigrimentum. Not a word has been recorded respecting the habits and economy of any of 

 these birds. I believe they all frequent the high ranges of the Himalayas and their eastern continuations 

 towards China. 



" General colour earthy brown, paler beneath ; the middle of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts pure 

 white, becoming still more pure on the occipital spot, which is preceded by some long feathers forming a 

 crest; wings and tail black, with white shafts, which are most apparent on the latter" (J. Verreauw). To 

 this I may add that the irides, bill, and feet appear to have been of a yellowish hue. 



The figures are of the natural size. The plant is the Indigo/era decora. 



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