242 TIM ALII D.E. 



more brown and the black markings ou the nape even more highly 

 developed. 



Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandellii ; wing 

 74 mm. 



Distribution. Kalka, Bhagat State, N.W. Himalayas ; Garhwal. 



Nidificartion unknown. 



Habits. Shot by Mr. A. E. Jones in thick undergrowth of 

 forest. 



(245) Pellorneum ruficeps minus. 



Sharpe's Spoxxfd Babbler. 



Pellorneum minus Hume, S. F., i, p. 298 (1873) (Thayetmyo; ; 

 Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 141. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Intermediate between mandellii and subochraceum, 

 having the hind neck streaked but no dark markings on the back 

 as in the former. 



Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandeUii. 



Distribution. Constant in character in the Chindwin, Chin 

 Hills, Myingyan, Meiktila districts, and Central Burma to 

 Thayetmyo. Individuals quite inseparable from this form occur 

 throughout the range of P. r. mandellii, and are quite common in 

 Assam, south of the Brahmaputra. The distribution is most 

 puzzling, the more so as now and then specimens of this form 

 are also met witli in the area occupied by suhochraceitm. It is 

 rather doubtful whether it should be given the status of a sub- 

 species. 



Nidiiication and Habits similar to those of mandellii. Forty 

 eggs average about 21-5 x 16-4 mm. 



(246) Pellorneum palustre. 

 The Marsh Spotted Babbler. 



Pellorneum palustre Jerdon,Ibis, 1872, p. 300 (Cherrapunji, Assam) ; 

 . Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 143. 



Vernacular names. Dao-priti-pit kashiba (Cachari). 



Description. Ujjper plumage olive-brown, the forehead and a 

 line over the lores bright rufous ; tail and exposed parts of wing 

 rufous ; lores white ; cheeks white barred with brown ; ear-coverts 

 rufous mottled with brown and with pale shafts ; chin, throat 

 and centre of breast and abdomen white ; the remainder of the 

 lower plumage rich oclu'aceous buff ; the wliole breast and sides 

 of the body with lieavy, dark brown streaks. 



Colours of soft parts. " Iris bright brown ; bill horny-brown ; 

 base of lower mandible tinged blue ; tarsus pale horny-blue " 

 (H. Stevens). 



