NILTAVA SUNDARA, Hodgs.
Sundara Niltava.
Niltava Sundara, Hodgs. Ind. Rev. 1837, p. 650—Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 264.—Blyth, Cat. of
Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 174.—Cat. of Spec, and Draw, of Mamm. and Birds, presented
to Brit. Mus. by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., p. 92.
sordida, Hodgs.—Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 84.
Smallest Shamah, of Europeans (Capt. Boys).
J u d g i n g from the many examples o f this bird I have observed in large collections from Upper India, and
from the information communicated to me by Mr. Grace, the present species would seem to be far more
numerous than the Niltava Grandis, to have a wider range, and to be more generally diffused. I t is also said
to be much quicker in its actions, more busy among the foliage, and to frequent alike the higher and lower
branches o f the trees ; its food consists of insects generally, to which berries and fruits are occasionally
added.
The great stronghold o f this beautiful species may be said to be the temperate and warmer regions of the
southern slopes o f the Himalaya; the countries of Nepaul and Bhotan are those from which I have received
specimens : many beautiful examples were obtained at Bumourie and Bliurthal by Captain Boys; and Mr.
Blyth states that it also inhabits Assam.
The male bird, as will be seen by the accompanying Plate, is very beautiful, and must, both on that
account and from the liveliness o f its actions, be a most conspicuous and attractive object among the tre e s ; on
the other hand, nothing can be more quiet and unobtrusive than the colouring of the female, which, indeed,
offers so strong a contrast, that were it not for the beautiful liliaceous markings o f the sides of the neck, I
should hesitate before pronouncing them to be the two sexes of one and the same species; the party-coloured
males of the year however at once set the matter at rest.
The male has the crown of the head, shoulders, rump, a narrow mark on either side of the neck and the
margins o f the basal three-fourths o f the tail-feathers beautiful lazuline-blue; remainder of the upper
surface, wings and tail blackish blue ; throat black; forehead and lores deep velvety b lack; breast, abdomen
and under surface of the shoulder tawny buff; bill black; feet dark brown.
The female has the forehead, lores and throat pale reddish brown, all the upper surface olive-brown; tail
reddish brown; on either side of the neck a small liliaceous mark; on the breast a crescent of greyish
white; and all the under surface pale greyish brown.
The Plate represents a male and a female of the natural size.