244 



Catalogue of tlie Birds 



[Oct. 



The short billed red bird has been most justly separated from P. 

 flammeus, as well from its deeper shade of plumage as from various 

 structural points of difference. The female does not differ from that of 

 P. flammeus, except in the structural points, and a somewhat duller 

 shade of yellow. The young male I possess has the grey upper plu- 

 mage of the female — beneath white with a reddish tinge, and the red 

 marks on the wings and tail nearly developed. 



Length 8 inches; tail 4; wing 3h; tarsus less than of an 

 inch; feet much smaller than P. flamyieus. I see that Swainson sup- 

 poses this species to be synonymous with P. miniata. 



65. P. flammeus. — Muse. Jlammea, Auct. — Pharee Boolal Chusni 

 H. — Common red bird. 



This species of red bird is tolerably abundant in most of the lofty 

 jungles of the Western Coast — both above and below the ghauts ; and I 

 hare seen it as high as 5900 feet on the Coonoor ghaut of the Neil- 

 gherries. It is, I think, more abundant on the table land of the Wynaad, 

 than in most other places I have observed it in. It is a restless bird, 

 wandering from tree to tree, examining the loftiest branches in search of 

 various insects and their larvse, which constitute its favourite food. It is 

 either found singly or in small parties of three or four, and the sexes 

 are generally seen apart from each other. 



Irides dark brown; length 8 to 8^ inches; of wing, 3 W; tail 

 ?4 to 4; tarsus not quite T \. 



fi6. Phanicornis peregrinus, Vig. — Gould Cent. — Parus peregrinus, 

 Auct. — Boolal Chusm, H. — Small red bird. 



This pretty and lively little bird is more numerously and extensively 

 spread than any of its congeners, and is to be found in most woody 

 situations even in the dry Carnatic, in jungle and in thick hedges and 

 avenues occasionally, and in some of the larger topes in the Deccan it 

 may also be occasionally seen. It is, however, most abundant on the 

 West Coast. It is a restless and active little creature, ever engaged in 

 diligently examining the extreme branches of trees, gleaning among the 

 foliage, and hanging from the slender twigs like a titmouse. It feeds 

 npon various larvae (which are its favourite food) and small insects. 

 Irides brown ; length G inches ; of tail 3. 



