1842.] Notes on various Indian and Malayan Birds. 177 



tendency to curve, with strong lateral compression, is retained in the 

 much shorter bill of Timalia (in the species of which considerable 

 diversity in the form of this organ is observable, as seen by comparing 

 T. pileata with T. Horsfieldi) ; and the brevity and vertical depth 

 attain their ultimatum in Paradoxornis, Gould, (v. Temnoris, olim Suthora, 

 Hodgson, and Baihyrynchus, McClelland,) where also there is consider- 

 able lateral compression. Other genera assume the meruline and 

 warbler form of bill, as Prinia, various species of which differ in no other 

 respect from Timalia, and even Orthotomus, where the diminution of size, 

 and delicacy of general conformation are carried to the extreme. Cra- 

 ter opus (v. Ianthocincla, Gould), Cinclosoma, and their immediate allies, 

 vary from the meruline form of bill, passing from that of Pomatorhinus 

 into a corvine, as exhibited by Keropia (the Garrulus striatus of Vigors) : 

 and a meliphagidous modification occurs in Alcopus (olim Sibia), Hodg- 

 son, which in other respects borders closely upon Crateropus, while it 

 leads off to the tribe of Leiothrix, Heterornis (olim Cutia), Hodgson, Pte- 

 ruthius (with a Shrike-like bill), and others in every sort of way annec- 

 tant, which it would be tedious to enumerate further. A second exam- 

 ple of one of the most remarkable forms, I proceed to characterize as — 

 Paradoxornis ruficeps, Nobis. A rigid divider might, indeed, consti- 

 tute of this a separate division, ranging intermediate to Paradoxornis 

 and Conostoma, Hodgson {ante, X. p. 856) ; but without having a specimen 

 of Paradoxornis to compare it with, I shall provisionally refer it to 

 that genus. Length 7 in., of wing from bend 3 j-, and middle tail feathers 

 3f in., the two next on either side somewhat longer, the rest graduating, 

 and the outermost -§ in. shorter than the longest : 6th and 7th quills 

 subequal and longest, 5th a mere trifle shorter: bill to forehead ~ inch 



16 



in a straight line, and above § inch in greatest vertical depth, the ridge 

 of the upper mandible describing a considerable curve, and rising some- 

 what from its base, while the point a little overhangs that of the lower 

 mandible ; the sides are compressed, the section of the upper ridge is 

 rounded, and the general form denotes a high degree of compressive 

 power; nostrils round, lateral, and basal, and concealed by semi- 

 reflected feathers directed upwards : tarsi strong, somewhat exceeding 

 1 inch in length, and famished with stout claws suited for perching. 

 General colour olive-brown, darker and tinged with rufous on the wings ; 

 white underneath, a little sullied on the flanks and sides of the abdo- 



