532 BULLETIN 186, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Chalcoparia singalensis interposita [partim], de Schatjensee, Proc. Acad. Nat. 



Sci. Philadelphia, 1934, p. 240 (Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao).— Riley, U. S. 



Nat. Mus. Bull. 172, 1938, p. 512 (Doi Ang Ka, Chiang Mai, Muang Pai). 

 Chalcoparia singalensis interposita, Deignan, Journ. Siam Soe. Nat. Hist. Suppl., 



1936, p. 125 (Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep). — Gbeenway, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 



1940, p. 191 (Chiang Dao). 



The northern race of the rubycheek, not previously recognized from 

 Thailand, occurs as an uncommon and rather local permanent resi- 

 dent in every one of our provinces: in addition to localities listed 

 above, I have it from Ban Hai Huai Som, Doi San Pa Bong, Ban 

 Mae Mo, and Wiang Pa Pao. It is normally a species of the plains, 

 but Smith took it at 2,000 feet on Doi Ang Ka and I have found it in 

 small numbers on Doi Suthep between 2,000 and 3,300 feet. 



In the lowlands, although this bird is sometimes seen in fruit gar- 

 dens, its real home is the dense growth of bamboos, brambles, and 

 creepers that succeeds the cleared forest or springs up along the 

 secondary roads; on Doi Suthep it was noted in similar vegetation 

 beside the broader trails. I have never observed it in flocks of its 

 own kind, perhaps because it is not a very common bird with us, 

 but it regularly accompanies such forms as Mixomis and Erpornis. 

 In notes and actions, it resembles these species and the white-eyes, 

 rather than the other sunbirds. 



Postnuptial molt is shown by specimens taken between June 6 

 and October 25. I have collected examples in full juvenal dress 

 July 24 and 25 and August 29, while young males acquiring the first 

 nuptial plumage were found December 27 (Smith) and February 

 10 (Gyldenstolpe). 



An adult male had the irides crimson; the bill black, whitish at 

 the base of the mandible; the interior of the mouth orange-yellow; 

 the feet and toes yellowish green ; the claws greenish horn. 



The old male has the entire upperparts metallic green, with bronzy 

 reflections; the lesser wing coverts metallic green, the median and 

 greater coverts black, outwardly edged with metallic peacock blue, 

 the remiges black, faintly and narrowly edged with metallic blue ; the 

 rectrices black, narrowly edged with metallic peacock blue; the ear 

 coverts metallic copper red, posteriorly edged below by a streak of 

 metallic violet; the chin, throat, and breast ferruginous, this color (on 

 the lower breast) passing into bright greenish yellow. Certain speci- 

 mens appear to be adult, but younger, males : their plumage differs from 

 that just described in having the rump unglossed olive-green and the 

 remiges very narrowly edged along the outer web with rufescent- 

 yellow. The adult female has the entire upperparts dull olive-green ; 

 the remiges and rectrices blackish, edged rufescent olive-green; the 

 ear coverts grayish olive-green; the chin, throat, and breast pale rufes- 





