STACHYKIUOPSIS. 260^ 



Habits. In wintei- the Eed-headed Babbler may be found 

 anywhere between the foot-hills iind (i,0()0 feet or even liigher, fre- 

 quenting fairly thic-k undeigrowth, scrub- or bamboo-jungle. It 

 consorts in small Hocks and feeds low down in whatever cover it 

 may happen to be in, but does not descend to the ground. Its 

 note is a soft, low whistle, seldom used, and a little chattering 

 twitter occasionally uttered as the birds tlit about the bushes. 



(278) Stachyridopsis ruficeps bhamoensis. 

 The Bhamo Red-headed Babbler. 



Sfac/iyridopsis nijiceps bhamoensis Harington, A. M, N. PI., ii, p. 245- 

 (1908) (Bhamo Hills). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Diffei's from the last in having the light chestnut 

 of the head confined to the crown ; the throat and lower parts are 

 a more greyish-yellow. Erom S. r. sinensis, the Chinese form, it 

 differs in having black streaks to the feathers of the forehead and 

 a much more massive bill. 



Colours of soft parts like those of the last bird. 



Measurements. A trifle smaller than S. r. rujlceps, wing about 

 52 to 50 mm. 



Distribution. The Bhamo Hill Tracts and S. Shan States. 



Nidification. " A very noisy little bird in the breeding season, 

 drawing attention to itself if anyone invades its particular bit of 

 jungle. It builds an untidy, retort-shaped nest entirely of bam- 

 boo leaves, which it places in clumps of long, overhanging grass. 

 It is always well concealed and can only be found by seeing the 

 bird &y out." {Harington.) 



The eggs, tiiree or four in num.ber, are indistinguishable from 

 those of the last bird. Thirty eggs average 16-3 x 12-7 mm. A 

 good many odd eggs of this bird are pure unspotted white and 

 two clutches taken by Mr. F. Grant are all without any markings. 



Habits simi]p,r to those of tie last bird. 



(279) Stachyridopsis rufifrons rufifrons 

 Hume's Babblbk. 



StacJij/n's rufifrons Hume, S. F., i, p. 479 (1873) (Pegu). 

 iStachyrhidopsis ruffrons. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 1(35. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. This species differs from the last in having the 

 rufous of the head much duller and confined to tlie anterior crown ; 

 the upi^er plumage is more grey. In /S'. r. rvjifrons the stria) both 

 on head and tliroat are inconspicuous or obsolete and the chin 

 itself is white ; the lower plumage is a tawny buff. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris deep red ; hill bluish plumbeous- 

 black {fJ((rin<jto)i) ; legs and feet pale fleshy-horn. 



