TESLA. 465. 
(476) Tesia castaneocoronata castaneocoronata. 
THe CHESTNUT-HEADED WREN. 
Sylvia castaneocoronata Burton, P. Z. 8., 1835, p. 152 (152). 
Oligura castaneicoronata, Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 193. 
Vernacular names. isi (Nepal); Sanitit-pho (Lecha). 
Fig. 93.—Head of 7. c. castaneocoronata. 
Description. I’orehead, crown, nape, lores, ear-coverts and a 
line under the eyes bright chestnut; a small patch of white 
feathers at the posterior corner of the eye; cheeks, chin, throat, 
breast and abdomen bright yellow, the breast suffused with oliva- 
ceous and mottled with a few indistinct brown bars; sides of 
breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts olivaceous ; upper plumage, 
wings and tail dark olive-green. 
Colours of soft parts. Iris brown to red; bill yellowish-horny 
or brownish-yellow ; legs fleshy-yellow. ; 
Measurements. Length about 100 mm.; wing 43 to 48 mm.; 
tail about 15 mm.; tarsus 23 mm.; culmen about 10 to 11 mm. 
Distribution. Himalayas from Garhwal to the extreme East of 
Assam; the Khasia, Naga and Cachar Hills South of the Brah- 
inaputra but not recorded from Manipur or farther South and 
Kast. 
Nidification. The Chestnut-headed Wren breeds between 6,000 
and 8,000 feet in the months of June and July, building a nest 
much like that of the last bird but less well put together and 
lined with feathers instead of roots. During the breeding season 
it haunts oak and other forests where there is ample under- 
growth and where the moss and parasitic plants are Juxuriant. 
The nest is placed either in a bush or low branch of a treeand no 
attempt seems to be made at concealment, though in appearance itis 
so like the numerous clumps of moss which are to be seen in every 
direction that it would never attract attention. Occasionally a 
nest may befound in amongst the moss ona tree-trunk or hanging 
from a branch and in such cases they are very difficult to detect. 
The eggs number three or, less often, four and are like those of 
the Slaty-bellied Wren but usually much darker and richer in 
colouring. Fifteen eggs average 17°4x12-9 mm. and the ex- 
tremes are: maxima, 18°3 x 13°41nm. and minima, 16°8 x 12'4 mm. 
A larger series would probably give a smaller average. 
VOL. I. 2H 
