TIMALIN^. 63 



which corresponds with Sykes' description. Col. Sykes doubtless 

 obtained both species, and probably mixed them up under one 

 name, for Horsfield declares that one of Sykes' own specimens 

 is identical with one of the present species, transmitted from 

 rayself through the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



I have always found this species of Babbler either in dense and 

 hilly forest, or in hiidily-wooded districts, such as Malabar. 

 There I found it not uncommon even in my own compound at 

 Tcllicherry, but, in general, it avoids dwellings. In other respects 

 it is similar in habits to M. grisens, but its voice is very different, 

 much more like that of M. terricolor. In my * Illustrations,* I 

 V separated those from the Eastern ghats under the name of ili> 

 oricntalis. This race, however, has not been considered distinct 

 from Malabaricus, and I have accordingly for the present merged 

 it in that species, Malabar specimens appeared to me to have 

 more rufous ; those from the Eastern ghats more grey. 



435. Malacocircus Somerviilei, Sykes. 



Cat. 68. 



The Rufous-tailed Babbler. 



Descr. — Above ashy brown, the feathers of the back barely lighter 

 shafted, passing into rufescent on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; 

 quills dark brown on both webs ; tail rufous brown, obsoletely 

 banded ; beneath, the chin, and throat are mixed dark brown and 

 ashy as in griseus ; the upper part of the breast pale whitey -brown, 

 the feathers dark at their base ; the lower breast, belly, vent, and 

 under tail-coverts, rufescent. 



Bill horny yellow ; legs dirty yellow ; irides pale yellow. Length 

 9^ inches ; wing A:\ ; tail 4 ; bill at front | ; tarsus 1^. 



This is a very distinct species, and, if it be not Sykes' M. 

 Somerviilei, is new, and may have the name of M. Sykesii; but 

 I feel certain that Sykes had this species in view when he de- 

 scribed M. Somerviilei, and I append a translation of his description 

 for reference : — " Reddish brown ; abdomen, vent, lower back, and 

 tail, pale rufous; the tall obsoletely banded with darker ; quills 

 brown ; feathers of the throat and breast bluish in the middle. 

 Bill and feet yellow. Length 9^ inches ; tail 4|." 



