204 Letters, Announcements, ^c. 



former were labelled Trochalopterum cachinnans, Jerd.^ the 

 latter Merula simiUima, Jerd.j but I saw at once that they 

 were not of these species^ and were to me unknown. I pointed 

 out this to Mr. Harold Ferguson, who was with me, and asked 

 him where the specimens were obtained. The specimens had 

 been purchased, together with a number of other Southern 

 Indian birds, from a native somewhere on the west coast by 

 Mr. AthoU Macgregor, when he was Resident of Travancore ; 

 and this is all that can be definitely ascertained about them ; 

 but Mr. Ferguson has promised to write to Mr. Macgregor 

 for more definite information. 



As both species are more nearly allied to Nilgiri forms, it is 

 not improbable that they were obtained on the higher ranges 

 of the Palghat Hills, a portion of the country I have not yet 

 worked, but which I hope to visit later in the year. 



The following are descriptions of both species ; I may pre- 

 mise by mentioning that the two specimens of each species 

 are identical one with the other. Both the Blackbirds are, 

 unfortunately, females ; the Laughing-Thrushes are not 

 sexed : — 



Trochalopterum cinnamomeum, sp. nov. 



Similar to T. cachinnans, Jerd., but entirely wanting the 

 black markings of head, face, and chin ; no ash-colovu* on 

 the posterior portion of the supercilia. Lower parts deep cin- 

 namon-brown ; chin darker. 



A broad superciliary stripe from base of nostril to nape,' 

 white as far as posterior angle of eye, and from thence 

 gradually shading to ochreous bufi"; lores rusty brown ; 

 cheeks and ear-coverts ochreous buff". Chin, fore part of 

 throat, and feathers at base of lower mandible very dark 

 red-brown. Lower parts cinnamon-brown, olivaceous on 

 flanks and lower tail-coverts ; lower wing-coverts and axil- 

 laries pale cinnamon-brown, this colour tinging also the 

 inner edges of the primaries ; rest of under surface of pri- 

 maries hair-brown. Top of head dark hair-brown, slightly 

 tinged with ashy on the nape ; rest of upper parts, including 

 tail, olive-brown, with a hardly perceptible greenish tinge ; 



