ixops. 307 



Genus IXOPS Hodgson, 1844. 

 The genus /.cops is very close to Actiiwdura, differing only in 

 having a comparatively shorter tail and the tail-feathers less 

 graduated. Species of tliis genus extend from Nepal eastwards to 

 Porniosa. In the case of this genus it is not easy to decide 

 whether the different tonus sliould be treated as species or sub- 

 species. There are four quite distinct birds in which the 

 material at present available shows no intergrading. These are 

 two rufous-breasted birds, one striped and one unstriped, a 

 third striped grey bird and a fourth with a grey breast with 

 brown centres. There seems, however, to be no intervening area 

 in which a half-way form occurs. At the same time no two of 

 these forms are found breeding in the same area and, therefore, 

 for tlie present, I keep them as geograpliical races, or subspecies, 

 only. 



Ixops nipalensis. 



Kei/ io Huhsiiecics. 



A. Cliiu, throat aud breast not striped; [p. 307. 



head with pale streaks Ixops nipalensis nipalensis, 



B. Ohiu, throat and hrea.st streaked ; 



feathers ot" bead with pale edges. 

 a. Chin, throat and breast rufous with 

 darker centres. 

 a. Upper parts rufous ; ear-coverts sil- 

 very-grey I.vups n. ivaldeni, p. 3(j8. 



b'. Upper parts deep rufous cr maroon- 

 brown ; ear-coverts darlv grey .... Ixops n. poliotis, p. 309. 

 h. Chin, throat and breast grey with 



brown centres Ixops n. dajlacnsis, p. 309. 



Fig. 5{). — Head of/, n. vipalaisis. 



(320) Ixops nipalensis nipalensis. 

 Tub Hoaht Bar-wing. 

 Cinclvsoma nipalensis Ilodgs., As. Res., xix, p. 145 (183(i) (Nepal). 

 Ixops nepalensis. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 203. 



Vernacular names. liu)jin{o-pJio (Lepcha). 

 Description. Forehead and crest coft'ee-brown, with long pale 



x2 



