Birds of the Philippine Islands 231 



more uniform and devoid of dark margins to the feathers, 

 but taken altogether the differences are small and may be 

 due to age. The type of P. mindanensis was procured at 

 Ayala, Southern Mindanao. 



[This bird is always found on the ground ; when moving 

 it does not hop like the Thrush-tribe, but has a must decided 

 walk like the Starlings. Its note is a " chic, chic, chic " ; 

 it is most shy and very difficult to obtain. Iris dark brown, 

 tip of upper mandible black, lower light grey ; feet brown. 

 —J. W.] 



29. Macronus mindanensis, Steere, List Birds & Mamm. 

 Philippines, p. 17 (1890). 



There are numerous examples of the Hairy-backed Babbler 

 from both islands. It seems curious that the birds from 

 Mindanao should resemble those from Samar and Leite, and 

 differ from the Basilan species {M. striaticeps). Neverthe- 

 less this is the case. Prof. Steere describes the type of 

 M. mindanensis as having the ground-colour of the head and 

 nape " brown," but in reality it is deep black. 



[Frequents the low growths in small parties, probably 

 families of four or five in number. Iris yellowish white ; 

 upper mandible black, lower dull whitish; feet greyish 

 brow^n. — J. W.] 



Key to the Species of the Genus Macronus /ownc? in 

 the Philippines. 



I. Whole crown of the head deep black, with white 



shaft-stripes. 



a. Chest-feathers mostly rufous buflf M, mindaiiensis. 



b. Chest-feathers white, edged with grey M- striaticeps. 



II. Forehead with white shaft-stripes ; crown 

 brown, like the back ; underparts nearly uni- 

 form pale buff M. kettlewclli. 



Macronus mindanensis. Samar, Leite, Panaon, Dinagat, 

 and Mindanao. 

 „ striaticeps. Basilan. 

 „ kettlewelli. Sulu, Tawi Tawi, and Bongao. 



