1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 3 



" differs from the type of Orthotonus in its short tail. Principal food 

 black ants. Length 5 ^ths ; tail 2 T , T th." 



Gen. PRINIA, Horsf.— Pil-pittee, U.— Wren Warbler. 



This genus, or sub-genus perhaps, though not admitted by Swain- 

 son, I am inclined to adopt in consequence of the well denned group 

 of Indian birds classed under it, which do not exactly correspond with 

 any of Swainson's, though they nearly approach to Drymoica (a sub- 

 genus of Malurus), and probably connect it to Orthotonus, with which 

 they are also strongly allied. All the species I have noticed, have simi- 

 lar manners and habits. In this respect they somewhat approach the 

 Thimalioe or Babblers, which they perhaps represent in this family, 

 as well in their long, indistinctly barred tail, long legs, short wings, 

 and. other structural points, as in their occasionally associating in 

 small flocks, and their incessant calling. 



116 — P. socialls, Sykes. — Ash-coloured Wren Warbler. 



This species of Piinia is unequally distributed over the peninsula, 

 being tolerably common in some localities, and rarely met with in 

 others. In the Carnatic, I have met it among reeds and long grass, 

 by the side of rivers and tanks ; on the west coast in similar situations, 

 and much more common ; while I have hitherto seen it but rarely in 

 the table land. On the Neilgherries near Coonoor and Kofagherry, it 

 is very abundant in dry bushy ground. 

 Colonel Sykes says of this species " has the same ingenious nest, and 

 has the same habits and note, and feeds in the same manner as 0. Ben- 

 nett ii." I have not verified this observation as to the nidification of this 

 bird, and have found the nest of another species to be very different. 

 Irides orange buff; bill black ; legs flesh coloured yellow. Length 5 T %ths; 

 wing rather more than 2; tail 2 T 3 7 ths; tarsus ,Vhs. 



117.— P. gracilis, Franklin. — Small Wren Warbler. 



This species much resembles the last in colour, but is much smaller, 

 white below, instead of fawn colour, and I have only hitherto found it 

 in wooded places and jungly districts (frequenting trees as well as bushes) 

 in the west coast, and northern part of the table land. 



