188 TIMALIIDJB. 



fulvous white, a few indistinct dark striae on the latter ; sides of 

 breast and flanks pale fulvous with broad brown and chestnut 

 streaks, disappearing on the abdomen and centre of breast ; under 

 tail-coverts and thighs earthy-brown. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris white to bright orange ; bill horn- 

 coloured ; legs paler horny-brown. 



Measurements. Wing 93 tol!5 min.; tail 125 to 140 mm.; tarsus 

 about 38 mm.; culmen 27 to 28 mm. The largest and smallest 

 birds come from the same place. Hartert gives the wing up to 

 110 mm. 



Distribution. I cannot distinguish between lanceolatus, yun- 

 nanensis and bonvaloti; the range therefore of this Babax is 

 E. Tibet, W. China, Yunnan, Kachin Hills and N. Shan States. 



Nidification. This bird was found breeding by Haringtou, 

 Pershouseand others in the Bhamo Hills between 5,000 and 6,000 

 feet, making a cup-shaped nest of dead leaves, grass, bits of 

 bracken, etc., lined with roots and placed in low bushes in thin 

 scrub-jungle or mixed bracken and bush. The breeding season 

 appears to be April to June. The eggs number from two to four, 

 generally three, and are rather long, pointed ovals in shape, 

 rather dark spotless blue in colour, and with a fine, close 

 texture and surface but no gloss. 15 eggs average about 27 -3 x 

 20-3 mm. 



Habits. This Babax is said to haunt thin scattered forest or 

 " the more open hillsides, which are covered with bracken and 

 bramble bushes, and never enters the dense secondary growth 

 which springs up after cultivation " (Harington). They go about 

 either in pairs or small parties and keep up a continuous flow of 

 soft and musical notes, varied occasionally by a harsher outburst. 

 They are no better fliers than the rest of the family, and are 

 equally strong and active on their legs. 



(181) Babax lanceolatus victoria. 

 THE MOUNT VICTOEIA BABAX. 



Babax victoria Puppon, Bull. B. 0. C., xv, p. 97 (1905) (Mt. Victoria, 

 Chin Hills). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from lanceolatus in having the throat and 

 upper breast a purer white and the black shaft-stripes extending 

 right up to the chin, whereas in typical lanceolatus there are uo 

 stripes on chin or throat and often not on the upper breast. In 

 this bird also the moustachial stripe is very black and broad. 



Colours of soft parts. " Irides yellow ; bill dark horny ; legs 

 and feet lighter" (Rippori). 



Measurements. Wing 100 mm. ; tail 140 mm. ; tarsus 35 mm. ; 

 culmen 25 mm. 



