573. Cyornis pallidipes

573. Cyornis pallidipes.

The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher.

Muscicapa pallipes, Jerd. Madr. Journ. L. S. xi, p. 15 (1840). Cyornis pallipes (Jerd.), Blyth, Cat. p. 338; Jerd. B. I. i, p, 469 ; Hume, S. F. iv, p. 397 ; id. Cat. no. 309 ; Butler, S. F. ix, p. 397; Davison, S. F. x, p. 371; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 165. Siphia pallidipes (Jerd.), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. iv, p. 444.

Coloration. Male. Forehead and a supercilium ultramarine-blue ; lores and a space in front of the eye black ; feathers round the eye bluish black; whole upper plumage, sides of the head and neck, chin, throat, breast, and the margins of the wings and tail indigo-blue; the lesser wing-coverts brighter; abdomen, vent, and under wing-coverts white.

Female. Lores, in front of the eye, and the point of the chin white; an indistinct supercilium grey; ear-coverts greyish brown ; forehead, crown, and nape ashy brown; upper plumage and the sides of the neck rufescent olive-brown, the upper tail-coverts and the outer webs of the tail-feathers chestnut; wings brown, margined with pale rufous; throat and breast orange-chestnut remainder of the lower plumage white.

Legs and feet fleshy tinged purple ; bill black ; iris dark wood-brown (Davison).

Length about 6.5; tail 2.6; wing 3; tarsus .75 ; bill from gape .75.

Distribution. A permanent resident in the South of India on the Western Ghats, from about the latitude of Belgaum to Mynall in Travancore. This species appears to be found up to about 6000 feet.

Habits, &c. Davison calls this Flycatcher a magnificent songster.