14 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



384. Gampsorhynchus rufulus, Blyth. 



J. A. S., XII., 370— Garrulax, apud Gray— Blyth, Cat. 865— 

 HoRSF., Cat. 225 — Tharanocataphus senilis, Tickell — Choncjto- 

 phep-pho, Lepch. 



The White headed Shrike-thrush. 



Descr. — Above uniform olive-brown ; head in adults wliitc, in 

 tlie young bright ferruginous ; beneath, white in adults, and more 

 or less ferruginous in younger specimens ; shoulder of the wings 

 more or less white ; under surface of the wings pale fulvescent ; 

 the tail-feathers narrowly tipped with pale fulvescent or 

 whitish. 



Bill dusky horny above, pale beneath ; legs reddish horny ; irides 

 orange yellow in some, straw yellow in others. Length 9 inches ; 

 extent 11^ ; wing 3^ ; tail 4f ; tarsus ly^- 



This curious bird is found from Nepal through Sikhim and the 

 Khasia hills to Arrakan. In Sikhim it frequents the warmer valleys 

 up to 3,000 feet of elevation. I had not an opportunity of observ- 

 ing it myself, though I procured several specimens ; but the 

 Shikarees assured me that it was found in small flocks in thick 

 bushy places. Those which I have examined had eaten grass- 

 hoppers and other insects. 



The next group consists of the Quaker-thrushes and Wren- 

 babblers : a great many of them are clad in grey and russet 

 plumage, with more or less of white, and many of them 

 resemble each other so closely that they are only distinguished 

 specifically by the form of the bill, and the size. It is more deve- 

 loped in Malayana than in India, and appears to correspond to a 

 certain extent with the section Cacopittcce of Bonaparte. Some of 

 this series approach the Paradoxornis group ; others the Shrike- 

 thrushes ; and a few are close to the Timalice, with which, indeed, 

 most of them are usually placed; but I think that they form a 

 peculiar section, distinguished as well structurally, as by a parti- 

 cular mode of coloration. 



I shall begin with one formerly alluded to, which is, however, by 

 no means a typical member of the group. 



