354 BULLETIN 18 6, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Trochalopteron melanostigma melanostigma, Riley, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 172, 

 1938, p. 322 (Doi Ang Ka, Doi Suthep). 



Birds that, though atypical, may conveniently be known by this 

 name, are numerous on Doi Ang Ka between 4,300 feet and the summit 

 (8,400 feet) , and rather less common on Doi Suthep between 4,600 and 

 5,500 feet. 



I found them always in the densest undergrowth, whether evergreen 

 or bamboo, traveling in small parties and carrying on an endless con- 

 versation of melodious notes in which one would whistle and another 

 immediately reply with a similar but different song. 



A male had the irides with a violet-brown outer ring and a chestnut 

 inner ring; the ej^elids plumbeous; the bill blackish brown; the feet, 

 toes, and claws wood brown. 



In the forest shadows it appears to be a black bird with a gray head. 

 In the hand, it proves to have the crown and center of the nape chest- 

 nut ; the remaining upperparts grayish olive ; the wings golden-olive, 

 with an orange-rufous patch near the shoulder, followed by a black 

 patch on the primary coverts; the sides of the head and nape deep 

 silvery gray, finely streaked with blackish ; the chin and sides of the 

 upper throat black, changing to maroon-chestnut on the rest of the 

 throat, which color, in turn, changes on the remaining underparts to 

 grayish olive, suffused with tawny. 



I have already shown (Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 51, 1938, 

 p. 90) that Doi Ang Ka and Doi Suthep are inhabited by distinct 

 populations, neither of which, strictly speaking, is melanostigma, but 

 I still feel that no useful purpose would be served by the erection of 

 new names for them. 



Greenway's discovery (loc. cit.) that, on Doi Ang Ka, "specimens 

 taken above 6,000 ft. have rather longer and stouter bills, (26-28 mm. 

 as against 24-25 mm.) and as a rule, have less brown on the throat 

 and upper breast than those from lower altitudes" is of especial in- 

 terest, inasmuch as it indicates that birds at the summit of this more 

 southern mountain are acquiring two characters regularly found in 

 the race {schistaceus) inhabiting peaks farther north. 



GARRULAX ERYTHROCEPHALUS SCHISTACEUS Deignan 



Southern Shan Chestnut-capped Laughing-thrush 



Oarrulax crythrocephalus schistaceus Deignan, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 

 vol. 51, 1938, pp. 89-90 (Doi Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province, North Thai- 

 land). 



The present race, in its typical form known only from Doi Chiang 

 Dao and Doi Pha Horn Pok, between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, will prob- 

 ably not be found elsewhere in Thailand. 





