NEOSUTIIOEA. 115 



the finest grasses but, under these, were a few scraps of bamboo 

 leaves. It was bound together with cobwebs and placed in a 

 bamboo clump growing on a grass-covered hillside. 



The single egg contained in the nest was a pale hedge-sparrow 

 blue and measured 19'5 x 15-2 mm. A nest with three eggs taken 

 by a Naga were similar but the latter measured only about 

 18-4 x 13-6 mm. 



Habit^. An inveterate little skulker in long grass and scrub- 

 jungle, never taking to flight unless actually forced, but creeping 

 in and out low down and out of sight, though its constant 

 twittering may be heard the whole time. They go about in large 

 parties numbering a dozen or more and, when they think they 

 are not being watched, every now and then one climbs to a tall 

 grass, chirps loudly and immediately descends again. They con- 

 sort frequently with both Psittiparus rufiwps and Paradoxornis 

 and it is very curious to watch these three Red-heads in company. 



The Black-browed Suthora is found in winter practically in 

 the plains and in summer breeds between 2,000 and 4,500 feet. 

 I found in the stomachs of those examined by me small grass- 

 hoppers, Coleoptera, and a few hard seeds. 



Genus NEOSUTHORA Hellmayr, 1911. 



This genus differs from Suthora in having the tail less graduated 

 and much shorter, not more than three-fourths the length of the 

 wing ; the bill is larger and much deeper in proportion ; the wing is 

 still more rounded, the 4th to the 7th being subequal. It contains 

 but one species, Neosuiliora davidiana, of.which a subspecies, N. d. 

 tJiompsoni, comes within our limits. 



(103) Neosuthora davidiana thompsoni. 

 THOMPSON'S SUTIIORA. 



Suthora thompsoni Bingham, Bull. B. 0. C., xiii, p. 63 (1903) (Kyat- 

 pyin, Shan States). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Top and sides of the head bright cinnamon-rufous; 

 hind neck, back and rump pale slate-grey, more or less washed 

 with olive ; wings and tail grey-brown, the quills edged with bright 

 rufescent brown; chin and throat black; breast grey tinged with 

 buff, more especially on the centre ; flanks, abdomen and lower 

 tail-coverts clear brownish ochraceous. 



Colours of soft parts. Bill fleshy horny ; irides hazel ; legs 

 plumbeous grey. 



Measurements. Total length about 95 to 100 mm. ; wing 

 50 to 52 mm. ; tail 36 to 38 mm. 



Distribution. Southern Shan States. 



Nidification and Habits. Not recorded. 



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