242 TIMALIID A. 
more brown and the black markings on the nape even more highly 
developed. 
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandellu ; wing 
74 mm. 
Distribution. Kalka, Bhagat State, N.W. Himalayas ; Garhwal. 
Nidification unknown. 
Habits. Shot by Mr. A. E. Jones in thick undergrowth of 
forest. 
+- (245) Pellorneum ruficeps minus. 
SHapen’s Sporrrp BABBLER. 
_ or Fee] ; 
Pellorneum minus Hime, 8. F., i, p. 298 (1873) (Thayetmyo) ; 
Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 141. 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
Description. Intermediate between mandellit and subochraceum, 
having the hind neck streaked but no dark markings on the back 
as in the former. 
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandellit. 
Distribution. Constant in character in the Chindwin, Chin 
Hills, Myingyan, Meiktila districts, and Central Burma to 
Thayetmyo. Individuals quite inseparable from this form occur 
threughout the range of P. r. mandelli, and are quite common in 
Assam, south of the Brahmaputra. The distribution is most 
puzzling, the more so as now and then specimens of this form 
are also met with in the area occupied by subochraceum. It is 
rather doubtful whether it should be given the status of a sub- 
species. 
Nidification and Habits similar to those of mandellit. Forty 
eges average about 21°5 x 16-4 mm. 
(246) Pellorneum palustre. 
Tur Marsu Srorrep BABBLER. 
Pellorneum palustre Jerdon, Ibis, 1872, p. 800 (Cherrapunji, Assam) ; 
Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 143. 4 
Vernacular names. Dao-priti-pit kashiba (Cachari). 
Description. Upper plumage olive-brown, the forehead and a 
line over the lores bright rufous ; tail and exposed parts of wing 
rufous ; lores white ; cheeks white barred with brown ; ear-coverts 
rufous mottled with brown and with pale shafts; chin, throat 
and centre of breast and abdomen white; the remainder of the 
lower plumage rich ochraceous buff; the whole breast and sides 
of the body with heavy, dark brown streaks. 
Colours of soft parts. ‘‘ Iris bright brown; bill horny-brown; 
base of lower mandible tinged blue; tarsus pale horny-blue” 
(H. Stevens). 
