1847.] or Little Known Species of Birds. 135 



species, with less firm plumage and rounder wings and tail, is C.pecto- 

 raiis, Gould, figured by that naturalist in his Icones Avium : from the 

 Himalaya. A third, referred by Mr. Jerdon and myself to this group, 

 is C. cyana, v. Larvivora cyana, Hodgson, and Phmnicura supercili- 

 aris, Jerdon. Also from the Himalaya ; and once obtained by Mr. 

 Jerdon in the Neilgherries, and once by myself near Calcutta. In the 

 Himalaya I am informed that it is common. 



Larvivora brunnea, Hodgson, VI, 102, is probably but the female 

 of C, camtschatkensis ; and C. cruralis, nobis, XII, 933, is a typical 

 Brachypteryx. 



Tarsiger ckrysceus, Hodgson, Ann. Mag. N. H. 1845, p. 198, 

 and doubtfully referred to Sericornis of Gould, in XIV, 549, comes 

 next in order: — and then the Cyanecula suecica (?J, or Blue- breast, 

 common in most parts of India; but whether absolutely identical 

 with the European bird, I have some doubt, as its pectoral spot 

 is always rufous instead of white. Can it be the species nearly 

 allied to suecica mentioned by the Prince of Canino, in Lin. Trans. 

 XIV, 754 ? Cyanecula has been merged in Ruticilla (v. PhcenicuraJ 

 by many authors, though it has little in common with that genus 

 beyond the rufous on its tail. The typical Redstarts are sylvan 

 birds, frequenting high trees, especially in rocky places or about 

 buildings, and fond of singing from the topmost sprays ; but which 

 occasionally descend to the ground to feed, hopping about in the 

 manner of a Robin. The Blue-breasts, on the contrary, affect 

 the open country, where there are no trees, and especially reedy 

 places, or plantations of sugar-cane, or growing corn or high grass, 

 or ground covered with the broad leaves of cucurbitaceous plants ; 

 and there they are seen generally on the ground, running with 

 alternate steps like a Pipit or Wagtail, and occasionally spread- 

 ing wide the tail, displaying its rufous base to advantage; seldom 

 perching, but flitting before you as you advance, and disappear- 

 ing among the low cover ; but soon coming forth when all is still, yet 

 without absolutely quitting the shelter of the herbage by going more 

 than a few paces from it. In Lower Bengal, these birds are extremely 

 common in suitable situations. The Indian species is the Blue- 

 necked Warbler of Latham, and his Sylvia sperata, var. A, is pro- 

 bably the female. 



