154 TIMALIID/E. 



(138) Garrulax albognlaris whistleri. 

 THE WESTERN WHITE-THROATED LAUGHING-THRUSH. 



Garrulax alboyularis whistleri Stuart Baker, Bull. B. O. C.. xlii, 

 p. 29(1921) (Simla). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from true alboyularis in having the upper 

 parts paler, more grey and less red, in having the red of the under 

 parts paler and duller, and in being distinctly bigger. 



Colours of soft parts as in the last bird. 



Measurements. Wing 132 (very abraded) to ] 44, average 139 

 mm. ; other measurements in proportion. 



Distribution. Himalayas from the Hazara country to Garhwal. 



Nidification. Breeds at all ranges between 4,000 and 9,000 feet 

 in May and June, making a cup-shaped nest of grass, leaves, roots, 

 tendrils, etc., rather loosely put together and generally bound with 

 reed stems. Sometimes there is no .lining, at other times it is well 

 lined with moss and fern roots. They are usually built in small, 

 fairly thick bushes in dense forest, less often in small trees and 

 rarely in scrub or secondary growth. The eggs number three, 

 seldom two and even more seldom four, and are of a beautiful 

 glossy dark blue, darker than that of any other egg except 

 Hodgsonius pJicenicuroides. In shape they are fairly long ovals, and 

 the average of 50 eggs is 29-0 x 21-1 mm. 



Habits. These birds are as gregarious and almost as noisy as 

 the White-crested Laughing-Thrushes, remaining in flocks even 

 during the breeding season. They are birds of high elevations 

 and do not seem to wander down much below 3,000 feet, though 

 they may be found a little lower in winter. They keep much to 

 forest, feeding on the ground and on low undergrowth. Though 

 from their habits difficult to watch, they are not shy birds. 



(139) Grarrulax strepitans. 

 TICKELL'S LAUGHING-THRUSH. 



Garrulax strepitans Blyth, J. A. 8. B., xxiv, p. 268 (1858) (Mt. 

 Muleyit, Tenasserirn) ; Blanf . & Gates, i, p. 83. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Forehead, crown and nape reddish brown ; face 

 black; hinder portion of ear-coverts ferruginous; a spot on either 

 side of the neck white ; hind neck, sides of neck and upper back 

 ashy, paler and whiter in front, darker behind, and blending with 

 the olive-brown of the upper plumage and wings ; tail blackish, 

 marked with olive-brown on the outer webs ; throat and breast 

 chocolate-brown, the latter bordered by ashy blending with the 

 olive-brown of the remainder of the plumage. 



