YUHINA DIADEMATA, v. Perr.

White-naped Yuhin.

Yuhina diademata, J. Verr. Nouv. Archiv., 1869, Bull. p. 35.—Swinh. Proc. Zool. Soc., 1871, p. 373.

 

OrnirHoLoaists are indebted to Mr. Hodgson for the discovery of the beautiful Yuhina occipitalis ; and in
like manner they have to thank the Pére Armand David for making known to them the existence of the
present even more interesting species. For the loan of one of the specimens obtained by the learned
Abbé, from which my drawing was taken, I have to record my obligations to Mr. D. G. Elliot. I learn
from my friend M. Jules Verreaux, of Paris, that the native country of the bird is Moupin, in North-
western China; and to this French savant is due the merit of giving the first description of the plumage,
and the information that the sexes are alike in colouring.

If my representation of this species be compared with that of Yuhina occipitalis, it will be seen that
the Y. diademata is somewhat larger in size, and that its conspicuous occipital mark is white instead of
rusty red, whence the two trivial names of Rusty-naped and White-naped Yuhin. —

Mr. G. R. Gray, in his ‘ Hand-list of Birds,’ has mentioned two other species of this form, namely Ywhena

gularis and Y. nigrimentum. Not a word has been recorded respecting the habits and economy of any of

° ° oy ae ° ol, ° ce S rT ‘ ° e 5
these birds. I believe they all frequent the high ranges of the Himalayas and their eastern continuation

towards China.

‘General colour earthy brown, paler beneath ;
white, becoming still more pure on the occipital spot, which is prec |
crest ; wings and tail black, with white shafts, which are most apparent on the latter

this I may add that the irides, bill, and feet appear to have been of a yellowish hue.
The plant is the Zndigofera decora.

the middle of the abdomen and the under tail-coverts pure
eded by some long feathers forming a

CS Verreua). wo

The figures are of the natural size.