CUBSONIA. 249 



birds in the Timarndcp In general appearance it is mucli like 

 Pellortieum, differing from that genus in having a stronger bill 

 with longer rictal bristles. The upper plumage is sciuamated, 

 eacli feather being margined with black. Unlike nearly all the 

 other members of tlie familj^ but like Gampsorliynclm^^ the adults 

 in this genus differ from the young in becoming much more white 

 oil the head and lower plumage. 



In spite of tliis peculiarity Oates appears to iiave properly 

 placed it in the Timaliince, in which I retain it. The wing and 

 tail are about equal in length, the former being short and 

 rounded. The feathers of the forehead are soft and the rictal 

 bristles highly developed ; the bill is straight and about as long 

 as liind toe and claw together ; the nostrils are exposeil and 

 without overhajiging hairs. 



Fig. 45. — Head of C. crispifrons. 



(254) Cursonia crispifrons. 

 The LiME-iiocK Babblee. 



Tnrdmus crispifrons Blyth, J. A. S.B., xxiv, p. 269 (1855) (Tenas- 



serim). 

 Gi/psophila crispifrons. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 149. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. — Adult. Whole head, neck and lower plumage 

 pure white ; upper plumage olive-brow^n, tlie feathers of the back 

 margined with black; each inner secondary of the wing-quills 

 minutely tipped with wliite. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris pale red, red, light red, deep red- 

 brown ; upper mandible dark brown, lower pale plumbeous ; legs, 

 feet and claws dark purplish green {Hume Coll.). 



Measurements. Total length about 190 mm. ; wing about 

 78 to 83 mm. ; tail about 74 to 77 mm. ; tarsus about 28 mm. ; 

 culm en about 17 to 19 nnn. 



Birdsof the first year havethe forehead to back olive-brown, each 

 feather margined with black ; the rump, upper tail-coverts, tail 

 and exposed portions of wing olive-brown; the sides of the fore- 

 head and a short supereilium are greyish white with black specks ; 

 chin, thi'oat and upper breast white, streaked with dark brown, 

 especially on the breast ; remainder of lower plumage ochraceous 

 olive-brown. 



