POMATORHINUS. 223 
rufous on the tail and exposed parts of closed wing ; ear-coverts 
and cheeks greyish brown ; lores grey; a line commencing above 
the eye, passing over the ear- -coverts and terminiting in a broad 
patch behind them bright rusty; chin, throat, breast, ‘and abdomen 
white ; sides of breast deep slaty streaked with w hite, the breast 
with a few small spots of slaty-grey; sides of body and thighs 
rufous-ashy ; under tail-coverts ferruginous. 
Colours of soft parts. Iris brown to deep red-brown ; the 
naked patch behind the eye is a dull livid, or bluish flesh-colour ; 
bill pale horny with a yeliow, grey or green tinge in it; legs and 
feet pale plumbeous or slaty-grey. 
Measurements. Length about 300 mm.; wing 105 to 112 mm.; 
tail about 110 to 120 mm.; tarsus about 388 mm.; culmen about 
40 nm. 
Fig. 36.—Head of P. h. hypoleucus. 
Distribution. Assam, North and South of the Brahmaputra, 
Chittagong, Manipur, Lushai, Arrakan and the Chin Hills. 
Nidification. This Babbler breeds principally at quite low 
levels throughout its range, but may be found nearly up to 
4,000 feet. It breeds in the end of March to early May, making 
a huge oval nest about a foot or more in length by nearly as 
much in breadth. It is composed of leaves, grass and bamboo 
spathes very roughiy and loosely put together, nearly always on 
the ground, rarely on a bush or tangle of creepers. Twelve 
eggs average 30°6 x 22:1 mm. . 
Habits. The Arrakan Scimitar-Babbler is always found in 
pairs, hopping about on the ground in the thickest of under- 
growth, and it is particularly partial to the most impenetrable 
cane-brakes im swampy places. Its voice is the triple ‘ hoot” of 
the genus, but can be distinguished from that of the previous 
birds by its deep mellowness, Inglis says that the male has a 
deeper hoot than the female. This species eats small shells, 
snails, ete., as well as the usual insect food of the other species. 
(225) Pomatorhinus hypoleucus tickelli. 
TICKELL’S SCIMITAR- BABBLER. 
Pomatorhinus tickelli Blyth, J. A.S. B., xxiv, p. 273 (1875) (Tenas- 
serim); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 127 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
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