Celestial Grandala. 





GRANDALA CCELICOLOR, Hod*,. 



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Grandala ccelicolor, Hodgs. Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xii. p. 447, pi. at p. 450. — Gray, Cat. of Spec, and Draw, 

 of Mamm. and Birds pres. to Brit. Mus. by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., p. 69. — Gray and Miteh. Gen. of 

 Birds, vol. i. p 184, pi. 50. — Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xxi. p. 132. — Id. Cat. of Birds in 

 Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 166. — Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., torn. i. p. 289. — Horsf. and Moore, Cat. 

 of Birds in Mus. East Ind. Comp., vol. i. p. 281. 



— ; schistacea, Hodgs. (young). 







That all the operations of nature are governed by certain fixed laws is so evident, that few persons, I believe, 

 will venture to gainsay it. Thus the birds of the sandy deserts assume the colouring of the soil, the brilliant- 

 plumaged birds and gaily coloured insects of the tropics are surrounded with plants and flowers equally 

 gorgeous in their hues, and the spotless Ptarmigan is a denizen of the snow-clad hills. At the same time we 

 do not fail to observe that these laws, like all others, have their exceptions ; and thus we occasionally find 

 brilliantly coloured birds inhabiting regions so elevated that they are almost perpetually clothed with snow. 

 As cases in point, we may cite the bird here represented ; the Lophophorus Impeyanus, among the Gallmacece ; 

 and the Oreotrochili, among the Trochilidce. Who for a moment would suppose that this beautiful bird is an 

 inhabitant of the lofty snow-clad ranges of the Himalayas, and that it never leaves these icy regions, 

 neither the temperate valleys nor the hot terri having any temptation for it ? In its habits it is truly Saxi- 

 coline, and, like the Rock Thrushes (Pelrocinclince) and Stone Chats {SaocicoUnce), frequents the most rocky 

 and sterile places ; consequently it is never seen in a state of nature, except by those who traverse the lofty 

 passes, or ascend the alpine districts, of the magnificent range of mountains which afford it a congenial 

 habitat. The sexes present a marked difference in their colouring, in which respect they also resemble the 

 Rock Thrushes and Stone Chats : these differences will be readily seen on reference to the accompanying- 

 drawing ; I need not, therefore, trouble my readers with a lengthened description of what the eye will at once 

 detect. I am indebted to the brothers Robert and Hermann de Schlagintweit (whose scientific reputation, 

 acquired among the lofty alpine regions of Europe and Asia, is too well known to need any comment from 

 me) for the fine specimens from which my figures were taken. 



Mr. Hodgson states that " this most remarkable and (the male) most splendidly coloured bird inhabits 

 the northern region, or Cachar, of Nepaul, in under-spots near snows, is solitary ; insects and gravel 

 found in the stomach." Mr. Blyth states that it occurs in Simla, and probably frequents the whole of the 

 elevated portions of the Himalayas, from east to west. 



I find a figure of this bird among the drawings of the late Hon. F. J. Shore, and the following brief note 

 respecting it : — "Taken from a specimen killed at Kidarnath, on the borders of the perpetual snow of the 

 Himalaya, in June 1827, when the snow was still on the ground. Kidarnath is covered with impenetrable 

 snow for six months of the year." 



The whole of the body-plumage of the male is rich, shining, lazuline blue ; the wings, tail, bill and feet 

 being black, and the eyes dark or blackish brown. 



In the female the entire plumage is brown, striated with white on the head, neck, upper part of the back, 

 chin, throat, and under surface; a broad band of white crosses the primaries and secondaries, near their 

 bases ; the bill, legs, and eyes are the same as in the male. 



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









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