TIMALIA, 227 
Colours of soft parts. Iris deep, bright red ; eyelids blue-grey ; 
legs dark blackish or purplish brown, claws horn-colour; bill 
black. 
Measurements. Total length about 170 to 180 mm.; wing 55 to 
64 mm. ; tail about 80mm.; eculmen about 15 mm. 
Distribution. Lower hills and sub-montane tracts from Nepal 
to Eastern Assam. 
Nidification. These little Babblers breed from April to July, 
probably often having two broods. They build either on the 
ground, or very close to it, in grass-land, cane-jungle and in low 
scrub and mixed jungle. The nest is domed and measures about 
7x4" with an entrance near the top about 2” in diameter ; it is 
composed of bamboo leaves or grass, according to whichever is the 
most easily obtained and is lined with grass or, occasionally, a 
few fine roots. The eggs, which number either three or four, 
rarely five, in a clutch, are broad, obtuse ovals in shape and with 
stout, glossy texture. The ground-colour is generally a pure 
china-white, rarely pinkish, and they are densely covered all over 
with spots and blotches of umber and reddish brown. Forty 
egas average 18°3 x 13:2 um. 
Habits. The Red-capped Babbler frequents plains and low hills 
of grass, reeds or bush-jungle, rarely, if ever, entering forest-land. 
It goes about in pairs, creeping about the lower cover and every 
now and then taking little flutters to the top branches or longest 
grasses, and then dropping down again after uttering a few sweet 
notes. They call constantly to one another but are not noisy 
birds. They are found from the plains up to about 3,000 feet, 
but more often below 1,000 feet than over. 
+ (228) Timalia pileata jerdoni. = 
Tue BurMEsE Rep-caprpeD BABBLER. 
Timalia jerdoni Walden, A. M.N.H., (4) x, p. 61 (1872) (Pegu). 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
Description. The whole plumage more ferruginous than in 
T. p. bengalensis; the sides of the breast and flanks are more 
olive, but there is more white in the centre. 
Colours of soft parts as in the preceding race. 
Measurements. On an average this is a larger bird than the 
Bengal form, the wing measuring from 60 to 68 mm. and the other 
parts in proportion. 
Distribution. Practically the whole of Burma in suitable 
localities from the plains up to some 2,000 or even 3,000 feet ; 
Siam to 8S. China. 
Nidification. Breeds from May to July, making a nest similar 
to that of the last bird, placed in the same kind of situation. The 
Q2Z 
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