338. Brachypteryx cruralis, Blyth.

J. A. S., XII., 933 - Larvivora' homochroa, Hodgs., Gray's Zool. Misc., 1844 - Blyth, Cat. 1056 - Horsf., Cat. App. 646. B. aurifrons, Jerdon and Blyth, the female.

The White-browed Short-wing.

Descr. - Male, color above a deep cyaneous, or dusky greyish- blue, paler and more dingy on the belly, and with a conspicuous white superciliary streak.

The female is olivaceous-brown above; the forehead, lores and throat, ferruginous, or ferruginous-white; wings and tail rusty- brown; beneath, paler or more dusky ferruginous, passing to sullied white.

Bill black; legs pale brownish. Length 5 1/4 inches; wing 2 5/8 ; tail 1 3/4; bill at front 5/8 ; tarsus 1 1/4.

This Short-wing very nearly approaches B. montana of Java, but differs by its slightly smaller size, shorter tail, and much feebler feet. It is found in Nepal and Sikhim, but appears to be rare. I did not myself procure it at Darjeeling. Horsfield states, of its near congener of Java, that it is chiefly found in the mountainous  districts, on low branches, or on the ground, on which it makes its nest, feeding on larvae of insects, worms, &c. Its common note is a quiet reiterated babbling, but it has also a protracted plaintive note.

Other recorded species of Brachypteryx are B. Palisseri, Kelaart, from Ceylon; B. montana, of Java, already alluded to; and B. albifrons, Boie, apud Bon., also from Java. B. leucophrys, T., B. leptura, Kuhl, B. superciliaris, Verreaux, apud Bonaparte, and perhaps several of the Myiotherea of Temminck, may perhaps belong to this group, rather than to the Timaline series. Muscicapa longipes of Lesson, Voyage de Coquille, pl. 19, appears, both from  form and coloration, to be a Brachypteryx.