TESIA. . 46." 



(47G) Tesia castaneocoronata castaneocoronata. 



The CiiESTXUT-iiEADED AVtiex. 



St/lvia castmieocoronata Burton, P. Z. S., 1835, p. 152 (152). 

 Oligura castaneicurv7iata. Blauf. ^t Gates, i, p. 11)3. 



Vernacular names. r/s(" (Nepal) ; SamUt-pho {\jQc\\Vi).. 



Fig. 93. — Head of T. c. castaneocoronata. 



Description. Foreheatl, crown, nape, lores, ear-core rts and a 

 line under the eyes bright chestnut; a small patch of white 

 leatliers at the posterior corner of the e3'e ; cheeks, chin, throat 

 breast and abdomen bright yellow, the breast suffused with cHva- 

 ceoiis and mottled with a few indistinct brown bars ; sides ol 

 breast, abdomen and under tail-co\ erts olivaceous ; upper plumao-e 

 wings and lail dark olive-green. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris brown to red; bill yellowish-hornv 

 or browiiisK-yellow ; legs tleshy-yellow. 



Measurements. Length about 100 mm. ; wing 43 to 48 mm.- 

 tail about lo mm. ; tarsus 28 mm. ; culmeu about 10 to 11 mn). 



Distribution. Himalavas from Garhwal to the extreme East of 

 Assam ; the Khasia, Xaga and Cacliar Hills South of the Brah- 

 maputra but not recorded from Manipur or farther .South and 

 East. 



Nidification. The Chestnut-headed Wren breeds between 6 COO 

 and 8,000 feet in the raontlis of June and July, building a nest 

 much like that of the last bird but less well put together and 

 lined with feathers instead of roots. During the breeding season 

 it haunts oak and other forests where there is an)ple Tinder- 

 growth and where the moss and pnrasitie plants are luxuriant. 

 The nest is placed either in a bush or low branch of a tree and no 

 attempt seems to be made at concealment, though in appeajance itis 

 so like the iiumerous clumps of moss which are to be seen in every 

 direction that it would never attract attention. Occasionally a 

 nest may be found in amongst the moss on a tree-trunk or hano-ino- 

 from a branch and in such cases they are very difficult to detect. 

 The eg^s number three or, less often, four and are like those of 

 the Slaty-beilied Wren but usually much darker and richer in 

 colouring. Fifteen eggs aver.age 17-4 x 12-9 mm. and the ex- 

 tremes are : maxima, 18'3x 13'4mm. and minima, 16-8 x 12*4 mm. 

 A larger series would probably give a smaller averatje. 



YOL, I. 2 H 



