213 
1872.] F. Stoliczka — Mammals and Birds inhabiting Kachh. 
025 ; from gape O' 18. Although this specimen slightly differs in size from 
others, as usually recorded, and although its upper plumage has a decided 
greenish tinge, it agrees in every other respect with the Indian tristis, and 
not with tlie European rufus ; but the difference can scarcely be made out 
without well preserved examples of the latter species, such as I had occasion 
to see in Mr. Brooks’ collection. Slightly faded specimens of rufus are 
scarcely distinguishable from tristis , but I doubt that many specimens of the 
latter occur without a trace of green tinge in the upper plumage, as represent- 
ed in Gould’s figure in 1 Birds of Asia.’ 
581. Sylvia (Adophaneits) oefiiea. Rather rare. 
The measurements of two $ specimens perfectly accord with those 
given by Jordon. Top of head black in both. The outer tail feathers are 
nearly all white on the outer webs, and also on about the terminal (not 
basal) half of the inner web. 
Gray (Hand-list, I, 214) retains for the Indian species Blyth’s name 
8. Jerdoni, as distinct from true orphea of Europe, Africa and Palestine. 
But what are the definable distinctions between these two ? 
583. Sylvia (Stebfaeola) cttrruca. Very common. 
Average measurements of four specimens : wing 2’5 to 2 65 ; tail 
225 ; tarsus 075 to 08 ; middle toe with claw O'G to 07 ; bill 036 inch. 
Comparing these measurements with those of Jordon, the bill and tarsus 
are exactly as in curruca, but the wing and tail are very nearly as large as 
in the South Indian 8. affinis* and as Blyth says (Ibis, 1867, p. 28) 
that the latter only differs from the former by a somewhat larger size, and 
not in plumage, it is, I think, after all not improbable that they represent 
only one species with slight variations in the size. The amount of white 
and its purity on the outer tail feathers varies : the latter are nearly all 
white, or with the basal half of the inner web dusky, and again in others 
the inner web is nearly to the tip dusky, but the shaft is always black. 
The white is pure in some birds, but certainly less so in others. The 
second last tail feathers are generally tipped white, but not invariably. 
Tristram gives as a ‘ constant distinction’ between the Indian and the 
European birds, ‘ the outer tail feathers are nearly all pure white, and the 
others tipped with pure white’ in the former, but these are most decidedly 
very variable characters, as far as the purity of the white is concerned. Gray 
(Hand-list, I, 213) does not allow curruca in India, but only affinis ; and 
Brooks (J. A. S. B., XLI, Pt. II, 1872, p. 81) seems to have no doubt on that 
point. Before accepting this decision, I should like to see the differences 
pointed out which exist between affinis of all India and curruca of Europe 
* One of the two original types in the old Asiatic Society’s collection has the 
wing 2'7, and the other 275, the bill is slightly larger than in any curruca I saw 
from Northern or Central India. 
32 
