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PARADOXORNIS RUFICEPS, myth. 



Red-headed Paradoxornis. 



Paradoxornis ruficeps, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xi. p. 177, and vol. xii. p. 1010, with a figure. — Tickell, 

 Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xvi. p. 446.— Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 389, Paradoxomis, 

 sp. 2, pi. xciv. fig. 1.— Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. p. 500, Paradoxomis, sp. 4.— Moore, Cat. of Birds 

 in Mus. East Ind. Comp. 



Heteromorpha ruficeps, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xiv. p. 578. — lb. Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. 

 Calcutta, p. 102. 



This species may be at once distinguished from its congeners by the rich rufous colouring of its head and 

 cheeks. Like the other members of the genus, it inhabits the eastern parts of the great Himalayan range, 

 Nepaul, Sikim and Bhotan constituting its native habitat, and like them also is extremely rare in our 

 collections. 



Captain Tickell remarks, "I have killed several specimens of this bird, and often watched its actions in a 

 wild state at Geeng near Darjiling, and I cannot agree in opinion with those who class the group to which 

 it belongs with the Crater opodines. It is a great devourer of grain, maize, rice and buck-wheat, which latter 

 is common in Nepaul ; it perches on the tops of high trees as well as bushes when off its feed, and in fact 

 in none of its manners does it resemble the thicket-loving, skulking habits of the Crateropodinm" 



The female appears to resemble the male in colouring; at least the examples I have seen, which I believe 

 to be of that sex, do not offer any difference in appearance. 



The specimens in the British Museum were sent to this country by Mr. Hodgson ; those in the Museum 

 of the East India Company by Mr. Pemberton. 



Head and cheeks rich rusty red ; back, wings and tail pale reddish brown ; chin, breast and abdomen 

 cream-white, washed with buff on the flanks ; bill orange-yellow ; feet greenish. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



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