559. Hemichelidon ferruginea.
The Ferruginous Flycatcher.
Hemichelidon ferruginea, Hodgs. P. Z. S. 1845, p. 32; Blyth, Cat. p. 175; Horsf. & M. Cat. i, p. 137; Hume, N. & E. p. 207; Sharpe, Cat. B. 31. iv, p. 122; Oates, B. B. i, p. 276; id. In Hume's N. & E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 2. Alseonax ferrugineus (Hodgs.), Jerd. B. I. i, p. 460; Hume, Cat. no. 299; id. S. F. xi, p. 106.
Dang-chim-pa-pho, Lepch.
Coloration. Forehead and crown of head dark brown; back, scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts reddish brown, changing to chestnut on the latter two parts ; median and greater coverts brown, edged and tipped with chestnut; quills dark brown, the later secondaries and tertiaries edged with reddish brown ; tail reddish brown ; a distinct ring of feathers round the eye whitish or pale buff; lores and ear-coverts mixed rufous and brown ; lower plumage pale rufous, deepening to chestnut on the abdomen, under tail-coverts, and flanks, the breast infuscated, the lower part of the throat whitish, and the sides of the throat mottled with brown.
The young have the forehead, crown, and nape black, boldly streaked with fulvous ; the upper plumage chestnut, mottled with black; wings and tail more rufous than in the adult; chin and throat white ; lower plumage uniform pale chestnut.
Bill dusky, fleshy-yellow at the base beneath ; legs pale whitish-fleshy ; iris dark brown (Jerdon).
Length about 5; tail 2; wing 2.7; tarsus .5; bill from gape .65.
Distribution. A permanent resident in the Himalayas from Nepal to the extreme east of Assam, from about 4000 to 8000 feet. This species has been procured in winter at Shillong, in the Khasi hills ; in Pegu and in Tenasserim. Hume obtained it in April in Manipur, where he is of opinion that it breeds. This Flycatcher extends to China.
Habits, &c. Hodgson figures the nest, made of moss and lichens and placed upon the surface of an old stump of a tree. The eggs of this bird appear to be buff freckled with reddish, and to measure .69 by .5.
Add new comment