194 TIMALIIDili;. 



a tliird from Mysore and j^et another from the Wyuaad show 

 similar but less red markings. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris creamy or yellowish white; orbital 

 sldn, bill, legs and feet yellowish white to almost chrome-yellow. 



Measurements. Length about 230 to 235 mm. ; wing about 

 98 to 104 mm. ; tail about 100 mm. ; tarsus about. 32 mm. ; eulmen 

 about 17 mm. 



Distribution. Southern India up to a line from Ellore, Secun- 

 derabad and Belgaum. 



Nidification. Breeds all over South India in the ]dains and 

 lower hills up to some 2,000 feet, having two broods, the first in 

 Apinl to June and the second in September to jSToveuiber, odd 

 birds laying at other times throughout the year. Nest and eggs 

 are typical of the genus, the latter numbering three or four, whilst 

 sixty eggs average 24--0 x 18"8 mm. 



Habits. Those oF the genus. 



(187) Turdoides griseus striatus. 



The Ceyi.(jn Babblek. 



Mulacocercvs striatus Swains., Zool. 111., p. lL'7 (18.31) (Ceylon). 

 Crateropus (jrisc'us. ]}lanf. & Oates, i, p. 112. 



Vernacular names. VemeUtcha {Ceylon) -^ Punil (Tarn.). 



Description. The Ceylon Babbler differs from T. g. griseus in 

 having ihe head coiicolorous with the back ; the dark and light 

 streaks to the back are less well-defined. 



Colours of soft parts as in the White=-headed Babbler. 



Measurements. Wing about 110 mm. 



Distribution. Ceylon only. Individuals are obtained in South 

 India which approach this race in colour, but they are all, possibly, 

 young birds and should be referred to the former rather than to 

 the present race. 



Nidification. This Babbler breeds in great nunibers in parts of 

 Ceylon, laying normally three eggs, often only two and very 

 rarely four. Neither nest nor eggs can be distinguished from those 

 of T. g. qr'iseus, and a line series of fifty eggs collected for me by 

 Messrs. W. E. AVait and W. W. A. Phillips averagfe 23-8 X 

 18-4 mm. 



Habits. Those of the genus. 



(188) Turdoides somervillei. 



The Bombay Babbler. 



Timalia somervillei Sykes, P. Z. S., 1832, p. 88 (Bombay). 

 Crateropus somerrillii. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 113. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Forehead, crowu and nape dark brown, the feathers 



