224 Mr. J. Whitehead on Birds 



several specimens were obtained in the mountain-forests at 

 an altitude of 1000 feet. This bird is, as might be expected, 

 a frequenter of the ground and low growth. In Samar and 

 Leite the forests are often thickly covered below with broad- 

 leaved plants, making a secure retreat for Ptilocichla. In 

 Leite we devoted several mornings to its pursuit, and bagged 

 five adult specimens. Its note is a sharp " chick-chick. '^ 

 The birds have a distinct walk like some other Timeliines. 

 (Cy. Ibis, 1898, p. 231.) 



128. Parus elegans Less. (Grant, Ibis, 1894<, pp. 408, 

 511 ; 1895, pp. 254, 449; 1896, pp. 467, 549.) 



In those islands from which this pretty Titmouse has 

 been recorded it is such a common bird that I should be 

 inclined to doubt its existence in Samar and Leite, islands 

 which have been visited by numerous collectors, and from 

 which, according to Dr. Worcester, no fewer than 150 species 

 are known. If the species does not occur in Samar, it is 

 probably absent from Mindanao, though its presence in 

 several of the Sulu Islands is interesting. The birds from 

 the various islands are almost exactly the same, though 

 several of my Negros specimens have a good deal more 

 yellow on the back. In Luzon this Titmouse has a very 

 extended range, being as common in the forests on the sea- 

 coast as it is on the top of Monte Data at 8000 feet ; in 

 Mindoro and Negros it also ranges from the sea-level to the 

 tops of the highest mountains. In the highlands of Luzon 

 it joins the hunting-parties formed by many different genera 

 of birds which search the pine-forests. Tliough I saw a pair 

 evidently building a nest in February, I was unable to find 

 one completed, and we never succeeded in taking the eggs. 



Iris dark brown ; bill black ; feet lead- blue. 



129. Parus semilarvatus (Salvad.). (Grant, Ibis, 1894, 

 p. 408 ; 1895, p. Ill ; 1896, p. 119.) 



This very distinct Titmouse is probably confined to Luzon, 

 perhaps to the north and central districts of that island. In 

 North Luzon we met with it at Cape Engano and in Isabella, 

 in Central Lvizon oa Monte Arayat ; it seemed to be absent 



