CYANODERMA. 271 



(281) Stachyridopsis pyrrhops. 



The Eed-billed Babblek. 



Stachyri.'< pyrrhops Blytli, J. A, S. B,, xiii, p. 379 (1844) (Nepal). 

 Stavln/rhidopxis pi/rrhop!<. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. lOo. 



Vernacular names. ]None recorded. 



Description, i'orehead and anterior half ot' crown fulvous, blend- 

 ing into the olive-brown of the upper plumage ; the feathers of the 

 forehead', crown and mantle dark-shafted ; lores and chin black, 

 the lower portion of the latter barred with white ; sides of the liead 

 fulvous ; lou er plumage rather brighter fulvous ; the sides of the 

 body, flanks, tliighs and under tail-coverts tinged with olivaceous. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris red to blood-red; upper n)aiidible 

 brown, sometimes, probably in the breeding season, tinged with 

 red, lower mandible fleshy-pink, reddish-fleshy or fleshy tinged 

 with slate ; legs, feet and claws pale brownish-fleshy. 



Measurements. Total length about 120 mm. ; wing 50 to 53 inm. ; 

 tail about 55 mm.; tarsus about 18 mm.; culmen about 10 to 

 ] 1 mm. 



Distribution. Himalayas, from Murree to Nej^al. 



Nidification. The Ked-billed Babbler breeds from 3,000 to 0,000 

 feet or higlier in Kashmir, making a nest of grass and reed leaves, 

 either cup-shaped, semi-domed or completely covered in. It is 

 nearly always placed low down in bushes in scrub-land or more or 

 less open forest. The eggs are like those of the rest of the genus, 

 three or four in number and measure on an average about 

 1(3'5 X 13"0 nun. The breeding season is from the middle of xlpril 

 to the end of .June. 



Habits. These ap[)ear to be much the same as those of the last 

 bird out they are never found below 3,000 feet and between 

 4,000 and 6,000 feet is their more usual elevation. They are said 

 in winter to mix much with flocks of other birds and to have "a 

 •clear and musical note like the ringing of a tiny bell." 



Genus CYANODERMA Salvadori, 1874. 

 This genus differs from the two preceding in having tlie orbits 

 naked and of a bright colour in life. The bill has the culmen 

 straight on the basal half and slightly curved on its terminal half. 



(282) Cyanoderma erythroptera erythroptera. 

 The Eed-wij^ged Babbleh. 



Timalia erythroptera Blytli, J. A. S. B , xi.j^. 794 (1842) (Malay). 

 Cyanoderma erythropteriim. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 166. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Forehead, supercilium, ear-coverts, sides of the 

 head and neck, chin, throat and breast clear plumbeous ; abdomen, 

 flanks, vent and under tail-coverts fulvous-brown ; upper plumage 

 rufescent brown ; wings and tail bright ferruginous. 



