188 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



rump, and upper tail-coverts bright rufous ; the median tail feathers 

 bright rufous with a black band and a bluish tip; in the external 

 tail feathers the rufous portion is diminished, the black taking its 

 place ; greater wing-coverts white at the base forming a broad band ; 

 bill black; iris reddish brown; the total length of the bird is about 

 8 inches. In some specimens there is scarcely any grey tinge on the 

 back. 



Hab, — Found throughout the Himalayas from Simla to Bhutan ; 

 common about Darjeeling, and not unfrequently observed so low down 

 as 4,000 feet. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 A pair has been living in the garden for about four years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing, — It appears to do well in a large aviary in company with 

 other birds. 



Food. — Fruits, insects and satoo. 



Breeding. — They have never bred in this garden, and nothing is 

 known about their diseases. 



Observations on their habits. 



The black-headed sibia does not appear to be a sociable bird : on 

 the contrary it is rather exclusive in its habits ; it has a twittering 

 call, which it frequently utters while seated amongst plants ; it is not much 

 seen on the ground. 



(22) SWINHOE'S WHITE-EYE. 

 (ZOSTEEOPS SIMPLEX— JSw'mh.) 



Description. — The total length of this little bird is about 4 inches, 

 and its general colour above olive-yellow ; like most of the birds of this 

 genus it has a ring of silky- white feathers round the eye ; cheeks and 

 throat golden-yellow, a black spot in front of the eyes, extending in the 

 form of a streak below the eyes ; breast ashy pale, abdomen whitish ; 

 under tail- coverts golden-yellow ; bill black ; feet dark plumbeous. 



Hab. — Found throughout India from the Himalayas to Ceylon, 

 including the Laccadives ; also in Burmah, South China and in the 

 Andaman Islands. All the specimens exhibited in the garden have 

 come either from Burmah or China, or some of the islands mentioned 

 above. 



Length of life in captivity. 



These birds have not thriven well here, none having survived more 

 than five or six months. 



