It is convenient to retain Hodgson's generic name Abrornis for the Flycatcher-Warblers with ten tail-feathers, inasmuch as he included one of these birds in it, when first introducing the name. Hodgson did not apparently fix on any type for the genus, but this course was not unusual in his day, and we may therefore, I think, retain the genus; and in so doing I shall make Abrornis schisticeps the type.
Abrornis resembles Cryptolopha in everything except the tail, which has ten feathers instead of twelve. It contains four Indian species. Abrornis lays spotted eggs, whereas Cryptolopha lays pure white eggs, and it is very remarkable that a difference in the number of tail-feathers should be accompanied by so marked a difference in the colour of the eggs.
Key to the Species.
a. Back and scapulars greenish or yellowish.
a1. Chin and throat white…………….. A. superciliaris, p. 429.
b1. Chin and throat bright yellow…………….. A. schisticeps, p. 430.
c1. Chin and throat white, hut with the bases of the feathers black, both colours exhibited in equal quantities…………….. A. albigularis, p. 430.
b. Back and scapulars ashy grey…………….. A. flavigularis, p. 431.
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