Muscipeta paradisi

Muscipeta paradisi, Lin.

288. :- Tchitrea paradisi, Lin. :- Jerdon's Birds of India, Vol. I, p. 445 ; Butler, Guzerat; Stray Feathers, Vol. III, p. 466 ; Deccan, Stray Feathers, Vol. IX, p. 395 ; Tersiphoni paradisi, Lin. ; Murray's Vertebrate Zoology of Sind, p. 127; Swinhoe and Barnes, Central India ; Ibis, 1885, p. 66.

THE PARADISE FLY-CATCHER.

Dood-raj and Shah Bulbul, Hin. The white bird.. Sultana Bulbul, Hin. The red bird.

Dimensions.

Sex. Plumage. Length. Expanse. Wing, Tail from vent. Tarsus. Bill from
gape. Bill at front,
? Chesnut 8.2 10.2 3.41 3.7 0.62 1 058
" 8.6 10.6 3.66 6.4 0.62 0.98 0.5
" 8.56 10.58 3.66 6.1 0.6 1.04 0.66
" 8.68 10.25 3.44 4.98 0.66 1.04 0.64
" 18.12 10.8 3.8 13.5 0.62 1.18 0.68
" 17.78 11.1 3.81 13.5 0.62 1.08 0.62

19.1 10.5 3.55 14.6 0.62 1.06 0.64
White ... 21.75. 11.25 3.75 17 0.66 1.2 0.7

Bill cobalt-blue ; irides deep brown; eyelids cobalt-blue; legs pale lavender-blue.

Adult male. :- Whole head with the full crest, neck and throat, glossy green-black, the rest of the plumage white, .the feathers more or less black shafted; primaries and secondaries black, with the outer webs white, and also the edge of inner webs of the innermost quills; head with a full crest of elongated feathers; two central tail-feathers greatly elongated.

The adult female is similar to the male; its middle tail-feathers are only slightly elongated.

The younger male has the head, neck, and throat, glossy black, the abdomen white, and the rest of the plumage light chesnut. The young female has the same, without the long tail.

In a still younger state, the throat, breast, upper part of abdomen, and the flanks are ashy.

The Paradise Fly-catcher is probably a permanent resident throughout the district, but is very locally distributed. It is somewhat rare in Sind. I found it breeding near Neemuch in Central India.