ERYTHROPYGIA PAENA.
longest, the second and eighth equal in length, and about four lines shorter,
the first about half the length of the longest ones, narrow, particularly towards
the point. Tail moderately rounded; tarsi slender, faintly scutellated anteriorly,
entire posteriorly ; toes of moderate strength, the middle one considerably
longer than the other three; claws slightly curved and pointed,
those of the hinder toes longest and strongest.
DIMENSIONS.
Length from the point of the bill
Inches.
to
lines.
Length of the tarsus...............
Inches.
........ 1 0
the tip of the tail......... 6 0 of the outer toe............ ........ 0 4
of the bill from the gape .. 0 9 of the inner toe............ ......... 0 6
of the wings when folded .. 2 9 of the middle to e ........ ........ 0
of the ta il........................ ... 2 9 of the hinder toe ........ ......... 0 3
The colours of the female are the same as those of the male, only not quite
so clear. The young bird (fig. 1.*) is highly variegated : the feathers of the
head, neck, hack, and rump are dull cream-yellow, tipped with dark brown ;
those of the under parts, pale cream-yellow, tipped with reddish brown.
The habits and configuration of this species, as has already been observed, agrees with those
of E . p e c to ra lis ; like it, the present inhabits arid districts thinly covered with dwarf trees,
among the branches of which it seeks its food. Its movements, while flitting from branch to
branch, are rapid, and when resting or hunting for insects it is constantly watchful, always
ready to take alarm and to retreat when its haunt has once been discovered. On such occasions,
however, it rarely flies far before it alights, and if not under the influence of fear, it
seldom passes the tree nearest to that it has abandoned. In its disposition to view every object
with distrust, and to watch carefully whatever attracts its attention, it resembles in a marked
manner the Saxicolce.
* The specimen figured had acquired much of the plumage of an adult bird, hence the colours of youth
are but imperfectly represented.