244 -  TIMALIID A. 
Distribution. Assam south of the Brahmaputra and in the 
extreme north-east, where it has been observedin Sadiya. Stevens 
also obtained it in N. Lakhimpur, west of the Subansiri, so it may 
extend a good deal further west than hitherto recorded. 
Nidification. The Assamese Babbler breeds from 3,000 feet up 
to at least 5,500, and possibly much higher, the breeding season 
commencing in May and lasting until the end of July. The nest 
is made of grasses and bamboo leaves, lined with the former. It 
is smaller, better and more compactly made than most nests of 
this genus and very often is a deep cup in shape, rather than 
domed. It also differs from the nest of other species of Pellorneum 
in being placed well above the ground, in bamboo clumps, tangles of 
vines or in bushes, and never on hs) eround. The eggs number 
three or four, sometimes two only, aud are pale pink im ground- 
colour, say. freckles of rather dark brownish red profusely 
scattered over the whole surface, but sometimes even more 
numerous at the larger end, where they may form a cap or ill- 
defined zone. In shape they are regular ovals and the texture 
is fairly close and smooth, there is but little gloss and the shell is 
rather fragile in comparison with the size. Two hundred eggs 
average 20°0 x 15°1 mm. ; maxima 22°8 X 15°5 and 21:1X15°9 mm. ; 
minima 18°2x14:1 mm. 
Habits. This is a shy, quiet little bird, found either in small 
flocks or in pairs. Its notes are low and soft, and its alarm and 
eall-note is a low, rippling whistle. It is most common between 
3,000 and 5,000 feet, but wanders much higher in summer and 
descends practically to the plains in winter. In this latter 
season if shows a marked fondness for bamboo-jungle, especially 
such as has a little undergrowth, but in summer it keeps more to 
thin serub and brushw ood and even to thicker forest. It is an 
extraordinarily close sitter and will remain blinking at one from 
its nest until almost touched. 
(248) Pellorneum ignotum cinnamomeum. 
Rippon’s Bapeier. 
Drymocataphus cinnamomeus Rippon, Bull. B. O. C., xi, p. 12 (1900) 
(Loi Mai, 8. Shan States). 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
Description. Differs from the last bird in having, the upper 
parts olive-brown and not rufescent, the breast more rufous and 
the chin and throat whitish with arrow-shaped tips. 
Colours of soft parts. Iris orange-red; bill dark horn, the 
lower mandible paler ; legs pale horn eruason), 
Measurements. Wing 51 to 57 mmn.; tail about 50 to 55 mm. 
tarsus about 24 mm.; camer about 1? mm. 
Distribution, Shan States and Bhamo Hills above 5,000 feet 
to S. Annam. 
Nidification. Similar to that of the Assamese Babbler but the 
