The TSCHAGRA (_Telephonus erythropterus_)--the species we have selected
for description--is brownish grey upon the upper part of the body, and
light grey beneath. A broad black line passes over the head, and another,
somewhat narrower, crosses the region of the eye. These lines are
separated by a light streak, which is white upon the face, but becomes of
a yellow tinge towards the sides. The outer web of the quills is grey,
but is so broadly bordered with reddish brown that when the wings are
closed they appear to be almost entirely of the latter hue. The upper
secondaries are edged with reddish grey; the two centre tail-feathers are
grey, marked with dark stripes; the rest are black, tipped with white,
those of the exterior have also a light border to the outer web. The
eye is reddish brown, the beak black, and the feet lead-colour, with a
greenish shade. In length the Tschagra does not exceed eight inches, its
breadth is ten inches, the wing measures three inches and the tail three
and a half. It is, at present, uncertain whether the very similar birds
inhabiting Eastern and Western Africa are identical with this species. In
colour they are closely alike, but differ somewhat in size.
[Illustration: _Plate 14, Cassell's Book of Birds_