MECISTURA GLAUCOGULARIS, Gowda.

Silvery-throated Tit.

Parus glaucogularis, Gould MS., Moore in Proc. of Zool. Soc., June 27, 1854.

 

Every ornithologist is familiar with the elegant Long-tailed Tit (Mecistura caudata) of the British Islands and
the continent of Europe, and every schoolboy is equally acquainted with the charming bottle-shaped nest it
constructs. This well-known species is represented in Japan by the Mecistura trivirgata, and I have now
great pleasure in recording a third typical species of the same form from China, under the name of Mecistura
glaucogularis. The ornithology of the latter country has hitherto been almost unknown, but, from the
somewhat greater facilities for investigation we now possess, it 1s gradually becoming unfolded to us; and we
find that while it comprises numerous forms peculiar to itself, many others also occur which are very similar
to those with which we are surrounded in our own island; in some cases the species are strictly identical,
while in others, as in the present instance, though nearly allied they are quite distinct. I believe the
specimen in my collection, from which the figure was taken, was shot at Shanghai; of its habits and
economy I am unable to give any account whatever, but they doubtless closely assimilate to those of its
European and Japanese representatives.

Lores and a narrow band across the forehead buffy-white ; crown of the head black, with a patch of vinous-
grey from the centre to the occiput ; ear-coverts light brown ; upper surface dark grey ; rump rich vinous-
grey ; wings blackish-brown, margined externally with hoary ; tail Wes the outer feather margimed externally
and tipped with white; the three next on each side are obliquely tipped with white, the white becoming less
extensive as the feathers approach the centre; in the middle of the throat a round patch of silvery-grey ;
remainder of the under surface pale vinous-grey, becoming richer on the flanks ; bill and feet black.

The figures are of the natural size.