268 



Catalogue of the Birds 



[Oct. 



I conclude they may be so, if indeed it is not the species referred to in 

 Swainson's Synopsis as P. melanocephula, a description of which I have 

 not seen. This bird is found during the cold weather in hedges, thic- 

 kets, large trees and gardens, and even on the low bashes on the plains. 

 It is active and restless, moving about from branch to branch, clinging 

 to the twigs, and feeding on various insects, grubs, caterpillars, also on 

 flower buds. I have seen it alone, and also two or three together. It is 

 rather an uncommon bird. I have seen it occasionally in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Jaulnah, and on one occasion only in the Carnatic. 



I shall here add a brief description. Head, face and back of neck, 

 black in the male ; dark slaty in the female ; back and wings brownish 

 ash grey ; quills dusky brown ; tail greyish black ; external feathers 

 white, with black shaft, and edged internally with blackish; next three 

 feathers tipped with white ; beneath white, with a reddish tinge on 

 breast and belly; bill blackish horn colour ; legs reddish brown, Irides 

 dull greenish yellow. Length 6$ to 7 inches; bill £ inch to front 

 wing. 



Genus CURRUCA, Swains. — Phoolareea, H. — i. e. Flower eater or 

 Flower pecker. 



111. — C. cinerea, Selby. — S. cinerea, Temm. — While-throat. 



Though I have the same uncertainty with regard to this species as 

 the last, I shall refer it at once to the European bird, giving a brief 

 description to determine it more exactly. This is more common than 

 the last species, but like it is only found during the cold season, re- 

 maining till March. It frequents similar situations, and has similar 

 habits and food. I have sometimes seen them feeding on the same tree. 

 On one occasion I observed it in the month of March very numerous in 

 a hedge row in the Carnatic, and found it had been feeding on the pupae 

 of some ants, to seize which it hopped down on the ground ; feeds also 

 much on flower buds, I frequently have heard its pleasant warbling 

 song. Irides of a reddish brown yellow. 



Description. — Head and neck cinereous; ears dark; rest of outer 

 tail feather nearly all white ; rest tipped with white only ; the plumage 

 above reddish cinereous ; wings and tail brownish; throat white; rest 

 beneath white, with a tinge of reddish; bill and legs brown. Irides 

 brownish yellow. Length 5£ to 6 inches. 



