240 F. Stoliczka — Mammals and Birds inhabiting Kachh. No. 3, 
I perfectly remember African specimens of S. deserti which I repeatedly 
compared in 1SG7 ; they were no doubt on the whole a little smaller (on the 
average, I find in a note : wing 3'5, tail 2'5, bill at front 0'45, tarsus 0'95), 
than most of Indian specimens, but there was not the least difference in 
structure and colour between the two. Now, as Indian specimens occasion- 
ally equal in size African ones, and as the former, which undoubtedly 
represent one species, differ in the size of the wing from 3'5 to 4 inches, I 
do not see, — with all respect due to the opinions of Messrs. Gould, Blyth 
and other eminent ornithologists — any reason in regarding the Indian birds 
as specifically distinct from the African deserti. All we can say is, that 
African specimens are as a rule lighter and smaller, while Indian specimens 
are as a rule slightly heavier and larger, but I do assert that there are to be 
found specimens perfectly equal in size from both countries. 
494. Cercomela fusca. 
I have only seen solitary specimens in the hilly districts, between low 
bushes. The birds have much of the habit of a Betrocossy phus. 
497. ItUTICILLA RUFIVEXTRIS. 
This is the only redstart which has been observed ; it was tolerably 
abundant from November until the end of February. 
I shot 3 males and two females, and the measurements of all are con- 
siderably smaller than those given by Jerdon : $ , wing 3'2 to 3’3 ; tail 
2 '4 to 2 G, tarsus 0'9, bill at front 0'1 inch. The females are a little 
smaller. 
530. Orthotomtts longtcaudus. Common. 
Lores and eyelids white. Tibial feathers pale rufous. I shot a specimen 
while hunting for insects between large stones of an old embankment at 
the Sir-talao in the south-western part of Kachh. It looked in every crevice 
or hole, disappearing and emerging again from among the stones, just like 
a wren. Other specimens I often saw hunting on the ground in Euphorbia 
bushes. 
536. P iiT.vrA gracilis. Not common. 
Lores extending on the supraciliary edge white, tibial feathers pale 
rufous. 
544 bis. Drtmoipus Jerdoxt, (Blyth). 
P. ? n. sp , Journ. A. S. B., xi, p. 883 and xiii, 376. 
P. Jerdoni, Blyth, J. A. S. B,, xvi, p. 459. 
Upper plumage entirely, and more or less distinctly, rufescent brown ; 
margins of wing coverts, tertials and upper tail coverts slightly more tinged 
with rufescent, primaries on the edges of the outer webs pale rufescent ; 
shoulder edge of wing, lower wing coverts and all wing feathers about the 
edges of the inner webs (not quite extending to the tip) rufescent whitish. 
Lores, supereilium and round the eye white ; ear coverts white at the base, 
