460 TROGLODYTID2. 
Description. Differs from P. s. sgwamata, sex for sex, in being 
decidedly smaller and in having the upper plumage less marked 
with fulvous spots, these being both fewer and less distinct. On 
the other hand the median and greater coverts and innermost 
secondaries are more plentifully and more regularly spotted than 
they are in that bird. 
The young are like those of P. s. squamata ; the whole upper parts 
and wings unspotted rich rufous-brown and the lower parts dusky 
brown. 
Colours of soft parts. Iris hazel to deep brown; bill dark, 
blackish-horny above, fleshy-horny below; legs fleshy-brown or 
pale horny-brown. 
Measurements. Wing 40 to 52 mm.; tailabout 12 mm.; tarsus 
18 to 20 mm.; culmen 10 to 11 mm. 
Distribution. Nepal, Sikkim, Assam North and South of the 
Brahmaputra to the extreme Hast ; Chin Hills, Kachin Hills, Burma 
East through the Shan States to Karenni. Geographical races have 
been described from Sumatra (depida), South Annam (annamensis), 
Malay Peninsula (hartert) and West Java (rufa). 
Nidification. Except that the nests, whether of the ball type or 
built in amongst the moss on trees, average rather smaller than 
do those of the Scaly-breasted Wren, there is nothing one can add 
to the descriptions already given for the nests of that bird. The 
two breed together over much the same range at the same elevations 
and at the same time of year. 
The eggs are exactly like those of the last bird in colour, shape 
and texture but fifty average smaller, 17-1X13:1 mm., whilst the 
extremes are as follows: maxima, 18°9 x 13:0 and 18°3 x 14:0 mm.; 
minima, 15°4 x 12-6 and 17:9 12:1 mm. 
Habits. The same as those of P. s. squamata. Stevens found 
this Wren plentiful in the Plains during winter, obtaining it both 
North and South of the Brahmaputra in the undergrowth of forest. 
He observes that it is by no means difticult of approach at this 
season, 
Genus SPHENOCICHLA Godwin-Austen & Walden, 1875. 
The genus Sphenocichla contains two remarkable and but little- 
known birds. They are in appearance stout, rather squat and 
heavy-looking birds with very powerful feet and legs. The bill is 
perfectly conical and sharp-pointed when viewed laterally and is 
about the length of the head or a little shorter ; there are no rictal 
bristles; the wing is short and rounded; the tail is of twelve 
feathers and greatly rounded, the outer feathers being about two- 
thirds the length of the central. The sexes are alike but the young 
are still unknown. 
