Genus SIPHIA

Siphia Hodgs., Ind. Rev., i, p. 651 (1837). Type, S. strophiata.

The genus Siphia contains two species which occur in India and which have been placed in various genera, but which appear to constitute a perfectly good genus, differing from Muscicapa, Cyornis, etc, in many obvious characteristics.

In Siphia the sexes are differently coloured, the base of the tail in both sexes is white, the upper tail-coverts black and the back brown or rufous. The bill is small and the rictal bristles moderate ; the wing is of moderate length, sharply pointed and the first primary is shorter than half the second ; the tail is square.

Key to Species.

A. Breast chestnut, not extending to the chin or
throat S. strophiata, p. 208.
B. Chin and throat chestnut S. parva, p. 210.
C. No chestnut on lower plumage S. parva, p. 210.