1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 227 



edged with cinnamon. Length 3| ; wing 1 T V ns 5 D '^ straight to 

 front T Vhs ; 



236. — C. Vigorsii, Sykes. 



I have not been lucky enough as yet to fall in with this splendid 

 species of Ci?inyris. 



Genus DICTUM, Cuv. 



237- — D. concolor. — New species ? 



Descr. — Above, brownish olive; beneath greenish white; wing and tail 

 brown. Irides brown; bill and legs brownish cenereous. Length 4 y^ths; 

 wing 2-j-Vg-ths ; tail 1 T '^th ; tarsus § inch ; bill straight to gape £ inch ; 

 to front -j-^ths. Sexes alike. 



This, if a true species of Dicaeum, differs from its congeners in the 

 plain and sober colours of its plumage. I have found it in the forests of 

 Malabar, and also on the summit of the Neilgherries. It frequents 

 the highest branches of lofty trees, hopping actively about the small 

 twigs and flower branches, and feeding on various minute insects. 



Sub Family PROMEROPID^E. 



Genus UPUPA, L.— Hoopoe. 



238. — U. minor. — Hood-hood, H., from its call. — Hoopoe. 



The Indian Hoopoe is a tolerably common bird in every part of the 

 peninsula of India ; frequenting woody places, groves, sing'e trees, 

 hedges, and about old walls and other buildings ; and to be seen in 

 almost every garden. It feeds entirely on the ground, walking along 

 with ease, and picking up various insects as it moves along. 



The Hood-hood (a name which expresses its call much better than 

 our English term) breeds, I am informed by shikarees, in the hot wea- 

 ther in holes of old walls and other buildings. 



Tribe FISSIROSTRES. 



Family MEROPIDiE, 

 Genus MEROPS, L.—Hurrial, H. 



239.— M. Indicus.—Hurrial and Putringa, H.— Common Indian Bee 

 cater, often called by Europeans Green flycatcher. 



