( 98 >) 
On the wing this bird displays richer colours. This species prefers 
a lower elevation. It is usually found on Tukdar Spur. I saw a 
number, frequently, where Rungli Rungli Hat Road leaves the out- 
skirts of the forest. 
(420) TROCHALOPTERON SQUAMATUM,  Blue-winged  Laughing- 
Thrush, is generally made out by blue on the edges of first prima- 
ries, and black half-moon shaped marks on olive-brown on the head, 
neck and upper plumage; tertiaries are black, coverts ashy, also 
remaining quills; tail black with a greenish gloss; lower plumage 
olive ; irides reddish brown. This bird is 10% inches. Wings short, 
and rounded, which effect is produced by tertiary quills and prima- 
ries being equal or nearly so. In habits most of these thrushes differ 
but slightly. 
(422) TROCHALOPTERON PHCENICEUM, Crimson-winged Laughing- 
Thrush, is perhaps the most beautiful species of this group which 
occupy the unmeritted distinction of being garrulous owing to the 
characteristics of a few of their members, who ungrudgingly offer 
protection to small birds. By the time we reach pheniceum this 
family trait is absent. Crimson-winged Thrush is found in Sikkim, 
and the outskirts of Darjeeling, seldom over 6,000 feet elevation. 
This species is frequently met with in the forest ; on road to Kalim- 
pong. It is easily distinguished from other species, by its bright 
crimson wings (outer-edges of the primaries and terminal portions 
of secondaries and tertiaries) also -ear-coverts, sides of the neck 
and a streak on side of the head; plumage above is rich olive-brown, 
some white showing itself more prominently when the bird opens 
its wings to fly. Phenicewm is 84 inches; bill black; irides red- 
brown. Eggs of this species are artistically marked with dots and 
hair-lines, a sort of hicroglyphics, on a blue grounding more of the 
style of a bunting’s egg, only much bigger, generally elongated oval 
in shape. Nests are generally found in undergrowth, about 10 feet 
from the ground, firmly fixed to a cluster of lateral branches. The 
nest is constructed of dry bamboo leaves, twigs and lined with soft 
fibre and black hair-like moss-roots. 
GENUS ACTINODURA, Bar-wings 
Introduce us to the short-legged thrushes. Their plumage is 
dense, fluffy, soft and silky. They have prominent crests. Birds, 
smaller in size than the foregoing thrushes. Wings have a barred 
appearance, tail slightly so; this is caused by broadish white lines 
across the wings (primaries) in a lateral position and black lines, 
on a reddish ground, reminding one, a little of the Wood-cock’s, 
(Scolopax rusticola 867) wing. These lines give them a_ typical 
