178 



ORNITHOLOGY OF JSEPAL. 



Remarks. This species differs from Paleornis by a heavier and more 

 entire bill, as well as by the narrowing and pointedness of the three prime 

 quills, in the manner of Vinago Blilitaris 



2nd Species. Schisticeps slaty headed, nobis. 



Form. Entirely typical, (Pal(Sornis) except that I do not perceive 

 any widening of the outer vanes of the 2d, 3d, and 4th quills towards their 

 middle. The 1 st is longer than the 3d ; the former being but ^, and the 

 latter above f of an inch less the 2d ; and all three have obtuse points. 

 The central rectrices are 3^ to 4 inches longer than the next pair. The 

 tomiae are very scarpt, trenchant, and, as well as the hook, crenulated 

 internally. 



Colour and Size. Brilliant green, paler and flavescent below ; entire 

 cap saturate slaty blue, confined below by a narrow band of black, which 

 widens as it approaches the black throat ; two central rectrices green at 

 the base, blue in the middle, and yellow at the points ; the rest, green on 

 the outer vane, bright yellow on the inner, and at the tips ; wholly yellow 

 on the inferior surface ; a narrow subtransverse dark blood bar on the 

 shoulders. Bill, above, coral red ; its cutting edge, hook and the whole of 

 the lower mandible, yellow. Iris, straw ; orbitar skin, slaty ; legs, dusky 

 green. Size, 15 to ] 6 inches long by 18 to 19 wide ; and 4|^ oz. in weight. 



Female rather less ; her tail less gradated ; no blood spot on her shoul- 

 ders. Young, at first, wholly green, and taking the colours of maturity 

 slowly and gradually. 



Remark. This species inhabits the central, as well as lower, region ; 

 and is constantly tamed. 



The other Psitticine Birds of Nepal are, Rodocephalus, 3Ii/staceus and 

 Alexandri ; all belonging to the Genus Palaornis and confined, for the 

 most part, to the lower region, where (by the way) the tiny Latkan is also 

 found. Mystaceus is distinguished for the flatness of the ridge of its bill, 

 and for the shortness of its tail. Two or three species have been manufac- 

 tured out of this one. 



August 29lh, 1836. 



