from the Andaman Islands. 299 



My examples from different parts of India, north and south, 

 do not differ in plumage, unless the transverse striations of 

 the pectoral plumage form a constant feature peculiar to the 

 northern bird. This character I have found only in examples 

 from the north and in those which inhabit the Indo-Chinese 

 countries. 



6. Spilornis elgini (Tytler), J. A. S. B. 1863, p. 87, " An- 

 damans;" Blyth, Ibis, 1863, p. 118. 



Spilornis spilorj aster, pt. Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 243. 



Hcematornis elgini, Tytler : Beavan, Ibis, 1867, p. 314, 

 no. 2. 



" S. Andaman : $ , Jan. 15th; total length in the flesh 22 

 inches." 



A perfectly distinct species, of a deep rich brown. Chin 

 and cheeks almost black. Upper breast and throat almost 

 uniform ; three or four of the feathers only with one, two, or 

 three white spots irregularly placed. Lower breast-feathers 

 with three pairs of pure white almost round spots placed at 

 regular intervals on each side of the shaft. Ventral plumage 

 and thigh-coverts with four pairs of similar spots of a smaller 

 size. Under tail-coverts traversed with three or four white 

 bars almost, but not quite, running through, except the ter- 

 minal white band, which is much narrower. Head and crest 

 as in S. cheela and S. bacha, the black crest-plumes being nar- 

 rowly fringed with bright ferruginous brown. Interscapular 

 region and back uniform brown. Most of the scapulars with 

 two small irregularly shaped white terminal dots. Secon- 

 daries narrowly and partially friuged with albescent. Upper 

 tail-coverts somewhat irregularly spotted with white. Shoul- 

 der-coverts spotted as in S. bacha. Quills very deep brown, 

 almost black. First quill with a narrow white bar on the in- 

 ner web near insertion ; a second and broader transverse mark 

 an inch and a half lower down. The next three primaries 

 with three or four narrow transverse grey or grey and brown 

 marks. The remaining primaries with only two transverse 

 marks ; the upper very narrow, irregularly formed, and white ; 

 the lower about half an inch deep, and of a clouded grey- 



ser. in. — vol. in. ■ Y 



