230 



and again in June and July, but in S. India it appears to breed 

 principally in the two latter months. It is found from the level 

 of the plains up to at least 3,000 feet, making a little ball-shaped 

 nest of grass about 4 to 5 inches in diameter and without any 

 lining. It may be placed on any kind of grass, weed or scrub- 

 jungle, the first being the favourite and either on the ground or, 

 more often, wedged in amongst thorns and grass. The full 

 clutch is either three or four and the eggs are miniatures of those 

 of Timalia and hardly distinguishable from those of the last bird. 

 Fifty eggs average 17'8 x 13*5 mm. 



Habits. The White-throated Babbler may be found in almost 

 any kind of cover other than actual forest. Like the last bird, it 

 associates in small parties, which feed either on the ground or 

 low down in the bushes and grass, skulking about much in the 

 same way as Turdoides and Argyct, constantly uttering a low 

 chattering call with an occasional louder whistle or chirp. Like 

 the others of the genus, they are almost entirelv insectivorous, 

 and are peculiarly fond of ants and termites. Their flight is \veak 

 and ill-controlled. 



(231) Dumetia albigularis abuensis. 



THE MOUNT ABU BABBLEK. 



Dumetia albigularis abuensis Harington, J. B. N. H. S., xxiii, p. 429 

 (1915) (Mt. Abu). 



Vernacular names. Pandijitta(Te\.). 



Description. Differs from the last bird in having the whole 

 crown chestnut and the under parts much darker. 



Colours of soft parts as in the last, but the iris dark brown. 



Measurements the same as in the last. 



Distribution. The country round Mt. Abu, Deesa, and down to 

 Mahabaleshwar. 



Nidification and Habits as in Dumetia a. albigularis. Three 

 eggs taken by Lieut. H. E. Barnes in Deesa measure about 

 17-6x14-0 mm. 



Genus GAMPSORHYNCHUS Blyth, 1844. 



This genus contains but one species, races of which are found 

 from Sikkim to the Malay Peninsula. 



They are birds of rufous or golden-brown plumage with white 

 heads and breasts, but the young differ from the adults in having 

 the white replaced with the colour of the upper parts, a feature in 

 which they differ from nearly all the other Timaliidce. 



The tail is longer than the wing and much graduated, the outer 

 feathers being less than two-thirds the length of the central pairs. 

 The bill is about half the length of the head and very Shrike-like in 

 appearance ; the rictal bristles are very long. The tarsus is typi- 

 cally stout, but rather short in comparison to the size of the bird. 



