PELLORNEUAK 239 



Measurements. Length about 160 to 170 mm.; wing 72 to 

 76 rnm. ; tail 64 to 67 mm. ; tarsus about 26 mm. ; cuhiien about 

 17 to 18 mm. 



Distribution. The Indian Peninsula south of Khandesh and the 

 hills of Chota Nagpur. Cachar birds formerly identified for me 

 as rujtceps are nearer minus, but the normal birds of this part of 

 Assam are mandellii. "Birds of S.W. India from Coorg, Wynaad, 

 S.W. Mysore and Travancore belong to the race called granti. 



Nidification. This bird breeds iu March, April and May, 

 making a very rough globe-shaped nest of leaves and grass, very 

 flimsy and fragile and, according to Miss Cockburn, often a mere 

 canopy for the eggs, which rest on fallen leaves and rubbish. It 

 is invariably placed on the ground and generally under shelter of 

 a stone or bush. The eggs are either two or three in number 

 and in shape broad, regular ovals. The general colour is a very 

 pale greenish or yellowish white, profusely speckled and freckled 

 all over with reddish brown and underlying spots of pale grey 

 and neutral tint. They average about 21*1 x 16*3 mm. 



Habits. The Spotted Babbler is found from about 2,000 feet up 

 to some 6,000 feet or higher, descending lower in the winter but 

 not apparently breeding. According to Miss Cockburn and 

 Jerdon it goes about in small flocks when not nesting, but other 

 observers record it as being found in pairs or singly. It haunts 

 scrub-jungle and secondary growth and also undergrowth in tree- 

 forest, not ascending into trees but, on the other hand, often 

 hopping about on the ground in search of its insect food. It 

 keeps up a constant chatter and has a wide variety of notes, 

 occasionally loud and discordant but for the most part soft and 

 often sweet and pleasing. It is a shy bird and shuns observation. 



(241) Pellorneum ruficeps subochraceum. 

 THE MALAY SPOTTED BABBLES. 



Pellorneum subochraceum Swinh., A.M.N.H., (4) vii, p. 259(1871) 

 (Rangoon) ; Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 142. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Very close to the last bird, but has the crown 

 chestnut and is smaller. 



Colours of soft parts. " Iris red ; upper mandible dark brown, 

 lower yellow at the base, changing to light brown at the tip ; 

 legs light brownish yellow " (Oates). 



Measurements. Wing Q'2 to b'8 mm., average about 64 mm. 



Distribution. Lower Burma from Toungoo and the Karen 

 Hills to the Malay Peninsula, Annam and Cochin China. 



Nidification. Apparently exactly like that of P. r. mandellii, 

 described hereafter. Breeds from March to August, probably 



