F UL VETTA. 289 



'Measurements. Total length about 115 to 120 mm.; wing 53 

 {Jlaringto)i) to 67 mm.; tiiil about 45 mm.; tarsus about 22 to 

 23 mm.; culmeu 9 mm. 



Distribution. Sikkim, Nepal, Assam North of the Br;i,hma- 

 putra, Lakliimpur, Chin and Kachin Hills, 81iaa States and hills 

 of Central East Burma to Tenasserim. 



Specimens from N. Assam are perhaps a little more rufous or 

 fulvous than those from the Shan States South to Tenasserim, 

 but the average difference is so little that it seems hardly enough 

 for the purposes of subspecific rank. Individual specimens 

 vary greatly. 



Nidification. The nests, though similar in shape and site to 

 those of the last, differ in constructiou in having a great deal of 

 moss mixetl with the other material. Davison describes nests as 

 made wholly of this material and worked beautifully into the 

 living moss growing on trees. The eggs are very like those of 

 the last bird and twenty measure on an average 18' 1 x 13'6 mm. 



Habits. Those of the genus, but Stevens says that this bird is 

 more arboreal in its habits than the last. It is found from almost 

 the level of the plains up to 7,000 feet. 



(303) Pseudominla castaneiceps brunneicauda. 



The Shillong Chestnui-headeu Babblek. 

 Minla brunneicauda Sharpe, Cat. B. M., vii, p. 609 (188.3) (Shillong). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from the last in having the head much 

 paler and more rufous, the chestnut on the wings paler; the tail 

 brownish. 



Colours of soft parts as in the last. 



Measurements. Wing 58 to 62 mm. ; tail about 45 mm. ; tarsus 

 22 mm. ; rulmen 9 to 10 mm. 



Distribution. Khasia Hills, Cachar Hills and probably Manipur, 



Nidification. Nests in the Xha«ia Hills in April, May and 

 June. The nest is like that of the last but with less moss and 

 more grass and bamboo leaves both in the lining and the outer 

 part. Forty eggs average 17*9 x 13*4 mm. 



Habits similar to those of the last two. 



Genus FUL VETTA David & Oust., 1877. 

 The name Proparus having been lirst applied to a species of 

 Minla is only a synonym of that geiuis and cannot be used for 

 this. David and Oustalet's name, originally given to a Chinese 

 species, is therefore available. In Fidvetta the nostrils are 

 covered by a membrane and are overhung by numerous hairs but 

 the rictal bristles are short. The hind claw is very long and 

 thick, equal in length to the hind toe. The wing and tail are 



VOL. I. F 



