3i 



PTERUTHIUS RUFIVENTER, Blyth. 



Rufous-bellied Pteruthius. 



Pteruthius rufiventer, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xi. p. 183, and vol. xii. p. 954. — lb. Cat. of Birds in 

 Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 98.— Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 270, Pteruthius, sp. 4. 

 pi. lxvi. — Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. p. 362, Pteruthius, sp. 5.— Horsf. Cat. of Birds in Mus. East Ind. 

 Comp. vol. i. p. 173. 



Mh. Blyth of Calcutta appears to have been the first to describe and give a name to this fine species of 

 Pteruthius : it was afterwards figured in the " Genera of Birds " by Messrs. Gray and Mitchell. It is very 

 rarely to be seen in collections, which circumstance is a sufficient proof that its native habitat has been as 

 yet but little frequented by the collector. 



In its larger size, lengthened tail, and in the truncate form of the feathers of that organ, it differs from 

 the other known members of the genus, as it also does in the chestnut colouring of its back, the delicate 

 grey of its breast, and the yellow colour of its flank feathers. 



The sexes, although presenting a general resemblance, differ considerably in their colouring, the female 

 having the back green instead of chestnut, and her tail-feathers margined with green. A glance at the 

 accompanying Plate, or a perusal of the following descriptions of the two sexes, will render the difference 

 between them sufficiently apparent. The native habitats of this fine bird are Nepaul and Bootan. The speci- 

 mens in my own collection and that of the Honourable East India Company have the locality of " Darjiling " 

 written upon their labels. 



The male has the head, wings and tail steel black ; the secondaries and tail-feathers slightly tipped with 

 dark red ; back, scapularies and upper tail-coverts rich deep chestnut-red ; throat and breast grey ; under 

 surface vinaceous, washed with yellow on the flanks ; upper mandible black ; lower mandible leaden grey ; 

 feet flesh-colour. 



The female differs in having the back olive-green instead of chestnut-red, and the tail-feathers margined 

 with olive-green ; the under surface is also of a deeper tint than in the male. 



The Plate represents the two sexes of the size of life. 







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