of the Pemnsula of India, 



13 



Genus MUSCICAPA, Auct. 



Sub Genus CRYPTOLOPHA, Sw. 



145.— C. poioicephala, Swains. Nat. Libr. vol. 21, PI. 23.— Gret/* 

 headed Flycatcher, 



The only locality in the more southern part of India, where I have 

 met this curious little bird, is the summit of the Neilgherries, in the 

 dense woods of which it is not very uncommon. In the northern 

 part of the Deccan, however, it is occasionally to be met with, only 

 in the cold season however, in large topes of trees, and it increases 

 in number towards the north, and in the jungly valleys and nul- 

 lahs of the northern ghauts, it is by no means rare, always frequent- 

 ing by preference the deepest thickets. Though not so lively as 

 the Fantails, it is yet more so than many of the Flycatchers : it fre- 

 quently sallies forth from its perch on a twig after passing insects, and 

 does not always return to the same branch, and often changes its perch, 

 though it remains for some time in the same locality. It has a plea- 

 sant but feeble chirping note. Irides deep brown ; bill brown above, 

 pale beneath; legs reddish. Length rather better than 4^ inches > 

 wing 2 VV'^s ; tail 2 y^ths ; tarsus | inch. 



Sub Genus MUSCIPETA, Cuv., Swains. 



146.— Paradisi, Auct. — Sykes' Cat.— Houssenee Bullul, H.— 

 Long tailed white Flycatcher. 



This most lively and elegant bird, is far from being common in any 

 part ©f the peninsula, but is to be found in greatest plenty in the ex- 

 tensive woods of the western coast. Occasionally it is met with in 

 the Carnatic, in the more wooded parts, and even in gardens, as also, 

 though more rarely, on the table land. It feeds chiefly on insects 

 caught on the wing, now and then snapping a caterpillar or other in- 

 sect off a branch. 



I never saw it feed on the ground, as mentioned by Colonel Sykes, 

 nor have I usually found its food to consist of very minute insects, hav- 

 ing on several occasions seen this as well as the next species, feasting 

 on good sized caterpillars, but my opportunities of observing it have 

 hitherto beei few. This, as well as the Sultana Bvlbul, are certainly 



