42 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



grey alar band ; the lower wlng-coverts variegated with red, 

 black, and white ; beneath, the breast whitish rufous with black 

 bands; abdomen pale rufous. 



Bill yellowish, dusky on the ridge and tip ; legs dull yellow ; 

 irides yellow-brown. Length 14 inches; wing 5; tail 7 ; bill at 

 front 1 ; tarsus 1/^. 



I have seen no record of this handsome bird having been 

 procured elsewhere than in Nepal and Sikhim. About Darjeeling 

 it is not found below 8,000 feet, and is most abundant between that 

 elevation and 10,000 feet. I saw it between Darjeeling and 

 Tongloo in large flocks, with a fine loud clear call, which, when 

 begun by one, was immediately answered on all sides. It was 

 feeding on various fruit and seeds. 



Crocias guttatus, Temm., P. C. 592, from Java, judging from the 

 figure, appears to me allied to this species ; and Bonaparte 

 places near these birds Timalia palliata and T. liiyuhris, Miiller, 

 both from Sumatra. 



The following birds differ considerably from Garrulax, as restrict- 

 ed, in their smaller size, more variegated plumage, more rounded 

 wings, and also in habits ; for, though still associating in flocks, 

 they do not keep so close together, but scatter through the 

 brushwood. They have all peculiar calls, which, however, in 

 general, they do not utter in such full chorus as Garrulasb. They 

 have of late been divided into two genera, which, however, differ 

 but very slightly from each other, and chiefly in the more complete 

 rounding of the wings. I shall not separate them, but class them, 

 both under Hodgson's genus Trochalopteron ; Pterocyclos, in which 

 Gray places them, being pre-occupied in Malacology. 



Gen. Trochalopteron, Hodgson. 



Syn. Garrulax (in part) Auct. — Pterocyclos, Gray. 



Char. — Bill moderate or short, nearly straight, very slightly 

 hooked at the tip, distinctly notched ; nostrils impended 

 at their base by the frontal plumes ; wings short, much 

 rounded, the tertiaries being as long as the primaries; tail 

 moderately long, broad ; tarsus and feet moderately strong; hind 

 claw large. 



