367. Myzornis pyrrhoura Blyth

(367) Myzornis pyrrhoura Blyth.
THE FIRE-TAILED MYZORNIS.
Myzornis pyrrhoura, Fauna B. I., Birds, 2nd ed. vol. i, p. 345.
This bird has been found only in Nepal and Sikkim, probably only breeding at great heights. Stevens says that it is locally distributed at very high elevations. “On the Singile La Ridge it occurs up to 10,160' in March and April and in all probabihty not found below 7.500 or thereabouts.”
On the Cho La Range Blanford found it common at 11,000 feet in August among brushwood and on mossy banks.
The only record of its nidification is Hume’s note in ‘Nests and Eggs’:—“ I have received a single egg said to belong to the Fire-tailed Myzornis from Native Sikkim, where it was found in May in a small nest (unfortunately mislaid), which was placed on a branch of a large tree at no great height from the ground. The place where it was found had an elevation of some 10,000 feet. Although the parent bird was sent with the egg, I cannot say that I have any great confidence in its aunthenticity and only record the matter quantum valeat.
“The egg is a very regular, rather elongated oval. The egg was never properly blown and has been consequently somewhat discoloured. It may have been pure white and it may have been fairly glossy when fresh, but now it is a dull ivory white with scarcely any gloss. It measured 0.68 in length by 0.5 in breadth.”