PELLORNEUM. 247 
(252) Pellorneum tickelli tickelli. 
TIcKELL’s BABBLER. 
Pellorneum tickelli Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxviii, p. 414 (1859) (Tenas- 
serim). 
Drymocataphus tickelli. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 146, 
Vernacular names. Dao-busha (Cachari). 
Description. Whole upper plumage olive-brown ; the fore- 
head more fulvous; the feathers of the crown pale-shafted ; 
tail rather more rufous than the back; lores, eyebrow and 
Fig. 44.—Head of P. ¢. tickelli. 
feathers round the eye pale fulvous ; ear-coverts fulvous-brown 
with pale shafts; sides of the neck similar to the back but paler ; 
cheeks and entire lower plumage fulvous, with indications of 
stripes on throat and breast; centre of abdomen and sometimes 
chin and throat albescent. 
Colours of soft parts. Bill bluish or dusky-horny above, paler 
below and more fleshy ; iris reddish brown to Indian red; eyelids 
livid or dull greenish flesh-colour; legs, feet and claws fleshy- 
white. 
Measurements. Total length about 150 to 160 mm.; wing 60 to 
66mm.; tail 52 to55 mm.; tarsus about 27 mm.; culmen 17 to 
18 mm. 
Distribution. Assam South of the Brahmaputra, but not East 
of the Naga Hills, through West Burma and Karenni to Ten- 
asserim and Malay Peninsula, Siam to Annam. S 
Nidification. Tickell’s Babbler breeds from early April to the 
end of May and also, possibly a second brood, in late June and 
July. It may be found at this season at all heights between 3,000 
and 7,000 feet, more often over 4,0UV0 feet than under that height. 
The nest is sometimes globular, frequently a deep cup made 
principally of fine grasses but with a few leaves, bamboo-spathes 
or even a scrap or two of dried moss or bracken leaves added to 
the outer fabric. The lining is always of fine grasses only. It 
is never placed actually on the ground though often within a 
few inches of it but is built in some low bush, tangle of creepers 
or raspberry-vines, or occasionally, in a bamboo clump. Scrub 
near to openings forms the favourite site, but 1 have taken nests 
in fairly deep forest. 
