T a b . X X X I I .
P Y R R H Ü L A E R Y TH RO C E PH A L A .
P ijr r . c a p ite su p rà , n u ch â , p e c to r eq u e r u fis ; dorso, s capiduribiis, g u tiu r e , abdomineque imo
c iñe re is ; f r o n t e , reg io n e r ic ta li, g u lâ , r em ig ib u s , a la rum te c tr ic ib u s , r e c tric ibusque in tense
a tr is ; f a s c i a a la rum , u ro p y g io , crissoque albis.
L o n g itu d o corporis, 6 u u c .
T h is entirely new and undescribed species of P y n Jm la , to which the name of E ry th ro ccp lia la has been
given, possesses tbe general characteristics of the common Bulfinch of Europe, o.xcept in the form of the
tail, which is decidedly forked, while in onr bird it is even ; and in the colour o f tbe bead, which is bright
rufous inclining to scarlet, instead of being black as in our native species.
The occurrence of the species in the collections of Eurojie is very rare. At the time of the publication
o f the “ Century” one specimen only was known, from which the figure and description are taken, and whicli
belonged to the Addisonian Museum o f Glasgow. Since that period two specimens have arrived iu England,
o f which one is to be found in tlie British Museum, the other in the Museum o f the Zoological Society.
These three are the only specimens which we know to have been brought to Europe.
No positive account has yet reached us respecting the habits and manners of this species ; nor indeed are
we aware o f the jirecise limit o f its habitat, though wc have every reason to believe it not to extend beyond
the mountain districts of continental India.
A black band encircles the base of the beak ; the top of the head, occiput, and back o f the neck, are bright
rufous with a tinge o f scarlet ; the back olive grey, as arc also the shoulders with a band of black ; the quills
and tail are bright je t black, with blueish green reflections ; the rumj) white ; the under parts white with a
wash o f bright rufous ; the bill black ; the tarsi brown.
The Plate rei»reseiits the bird of the natural size.
L -lJ ' l!fl ' 'ii il’L
P Y B R H I r L A E » Y T 33 K . O i; E I ” H .A L A .