GAEBULA.X. 145 



(127) Dryonastes galbanus. 



AUSTEN'S 



Garrulax galbanus Godw.-Aust., P. Z. S., 1874, p. 44 (Manipur). 

 Dryonastes galbanus. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 68. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. A narrow ashy- white superciliivm; crown and nape 

 ashy-brown ; rest of head and chin black ; upper plumage, wing- 

 coverts and outer webs of secondaries ochraceous brown ; the 

 outer webs of primaries ashy-olive; inner webs of all quills 

 brown ; tail greenish-ashy, the four middle feathers broadly tipped 

 with black and sub-tipped whitish, the others broadly tipped with 

 white preceded by blackish ; lower plumage yellow washed with 

 olive on the sides ; under tail-coverts white. 



Colours of soft parts. Bill black; legs ash-grey; iris red 

 brown (Godiv.- Austen). 



Measurements. Length about 240 to 250 mm.; wing 92 to 96 

 mm.; tail about 105 to 110 mm. ; tarsus about 35 mm. ; culmen 

 about 20 to 22 mm. 



Distribution. Manipur and Chin Hills. 



Nidiflcation. In all respects like that of the last bird. Thirty 

 eggs average 24 - 3 x 18 - 5 mm. and cannot be distinguished from 

 those of that Laughing-Thrush, except that they are a trifle smaller 

 and perhaps rather less glossy. 



Habits. Similar to those of ruficollis, but found principally 

 between 2,500 and 5,000 feet. It is said also to be more of a 

 forest bird in the Chin Hills and less restricted to scrub and 

 bush -jungle, though Hume found it frequenting grass-lands in 

 very large flocks, 50 to 80 in number, in Manipur. 



Genus GARRULAX Lesson, 1831. 



The genus Garrulax differs from Dryonastes in having fewer 

 bristles and hairs covering the nostrils, which are clearly visible. 

 The feathers of the head are in most species long and ample, and 

 in some are developed into long crests. 



At first sight the White-headed Laughing-Thrushes appear to 

 be divided from the rest of the genus by their fine crests and by the 

 fact that they lay eggs of a totally different character to those of the 

 other genera. Now, however, that Mr. J. Stewart has taken many 

 nests of G. delesserti in Travancore, ifc is found that this bird, 

 though in other respects like the species which lay blue eggs, lays 

 round white eggs, exact miniatures of those of G. leucolophus. 

 All the species within Indian limits lay unspotted eggs, either 

 blue or white. 



