and keep much to the higher branches of firs, spruce and similar trees, using their wings far more and their feet far less than birds of the preceding sub-family at the same time their flight is dipping and slow, nothing like that of the Turdidæ. They are rather noisy birds, but their notes are very pleasing and Hutton says their "loud, ringing call titteree, titteree, tueëyo quickly repeated may be constantly heard on wooded banks during summer."
(312) Leioptila capistrata pallida.
The Pale Sibia.
- Lioptila capistrata pallida Hartert, Kat. Vög. Senckenb. Mus., p. 21 (1891) (Simla).
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Differs from L. c. capistrata in being paler every-where and in having the lower parts a pale, almost pinkish rufous.
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in the last.
Distribution. IV.W. Himalayas, Hazara to Garhwal.
Nidification. The nest and eggs cannot be distinguished from the last but Mr. A. E. Jones has taken some very beautiful erythristic clutches in Simla. Twenty -four eggs average about Z5-0xl8-lmm.
Habits. Found from 5,000 to 9,000 feet elevation in the same kind of haunts as the last bird.
(313) Leioptila gracilis.
The Grey Sibia.
- Hypsipetes gracilis McClell, P. Z. S., 1839, p. 159 (Assam).
- Lioptila gracilis. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 197.
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Forehead, crown and lores black, paling on the nape and ear-coverts anrj blending with the rich slaty-brown of the hind neck, back and scapidars; rump and upper tail-coverts ashy-grey; lesser, median and primary coverts, and outer feathers of the greater coverts black; remaining greater coverts and inner- most secondaries bluish-ashy, edged with bhick, and the basal portions more or less white; quills black, the earlier primaries edged Avith hoary-grey on the outer webs; central tail-feathers bluish-grey with subterminal black bands, the black bands and grey tips increasing in extent until the outermost feathers are entirely black with grey tips; chin, throat and cheeks white, becoming fulvous on the breast and abdomen, the sides of which are washed with lilac; vent and under tail-coverts buff.
Colours of soft parts. Iris red to bright crimson, reddish-brown in young birds; bill black; legs and feet brown to brownish-black, the feet and claws darker still.
