TIMALIN^. 13 



383. Thamnocataphus picatus, Tickell. 



J. A. S., XVIII.— Blytu, Cat. 866. 



The White-winged SiiKiKE-TnRusn. 



Descr. — Above dull greyish-black, deeper on the crowiij and 

 blackest on the lores and ear-coverts ; a narrow white bar on the 

 wing-coverts, continued along the margin of two of the first row; 

 beneath, uniform rufesccnt-white, tinged with ferruginous on the 

 flanks and lower tail-coverts. 



Bill dusky; legs apparently plumbeous. Length 9 inches; 

 wing 3|; tail 3f ; tarsus 1;^; bill at front |th, depth at the 

 base f . 



This remarkable form differs from all the other members of this 

 family (except Sihia and Gampsorhynchus) by its white wing-spot, 

 assimilating it still further to the Shrikes, and indeed it is very 

 similar, in its mode of coloration, to some of the African Shrikes. 

 The general character of its plumage, however, combined with its 

 elevated and strong tarsi and feet, its habitat in a region rich in 

 varied forms of this family, and its near affinity for Gampsorliijn- 

 chus, have influenced me in placing it here. 



It has only been procured near Darjeeling by Major Tickell, 

 and the specimen in the Museum of the Asiatic Society at 

 Calcutta is, I believe, unique. Nothing is recorded of its habits. 



Gen. Gampsorhynchus, Blyth. 



Char. — Bill of moderate length, nearly equal to the head, rather 

 wide at the base, deep, moderately compressed ; cuhnen curved, 

 strongly hooked at the tip, and notched ; gape conspicuously armed 

 with straight vibrissoe ; nostrils oval, pierced in the front of the 

 membrane; wings moderate, much rounded, 5th, 6th, and 7th 

 quills about equal and longest ; tail rather long, graduated ; tarsus 

 moderately long, strong ; claws tolerably curved. 



Major Tickell considered this form congeneric with the last, 

 from which it differs chiefly by its shorter bill, graduated tall, 

 and colours. Its mode of coloration allies it to some of the next 

 group, and the Lepchas give it the same name as they apply to 

 the species of Paradoxornis and ChUuasicus, 



