244 TIMALTID^. 



Distribution. Assam south of the Brahmaputra and in the 

 extreme north-east, where it has been observed in Sadiya. Stevens 

 also obtained it in N. Lakhirapur, west of the Subansiri, so it may 

 extend a good deal further west than hitherto recorded. 



Nidification. The Assamese Babbler breeds from 3,000 feet up 

 to at least 5,500, and possibly much higher, the breeding season 

 commencing in May and lasting until the end of July. The nest 

 is made of grasses and bamboo leaves, lined with the former. It 

 is smaller, better and more compactly made than most nests of 

 this genus and very often is a deep cup in shape, rather than 

 domed. It also differs from the nest of other species of Pellomeum 

 in being placed well above the ground, in bamboo clumps, tangles of 

 vines or in bushes, and never on the ground. The eggs number 

 three or four, sometimes two only, and are pale pink in ground- 

 colour, with freckles of rather dark brownish red profusely 

 scattered over the whole surface, but sometimes even more 

 numerous at the larger end, where they may form a cap or ill- 

 defined zone. In shape they are regular ovals and the texture 

 is fairly close and smooth, there is but little gloss and the shell is 

 rather fragile in comparison with the size. Two hundred eggs 

 average 20-0 x 15*1 mm. ; maxima 22'8xl5-5 and 21-lxl5'9 mm. ; 

 minima 18*2 x 14*1 mm. 



Habits. This is a shy, quiet little bird, found either in small 

 flocks or in pairs. Its notes are low and soft, and its alarm and 

 call-note is a low, rippling whistle. It is most common between 

 3,000 and 5,000 feet, but wanders much higher in summer and 

 descends practically to the plains in winter. In this latter 

 season it shows a marked fondness for bamboo-jungle, especially 

 such as has a little undergrowth, but in summer it keeps more to 

 thin scrub and brushwood and even to thicker forest. It is an 

 extraordinarily close sitter and will remain blinking at one from 

 its nest until almost touched. 



(218) Pellomeum ignotum cinnamomeum. 



EIPPON'S BABBLER. 



Drymocalaphus ciimumomeus Rippon, Bull. B. O. C., xi, p. 12 (1900) 

 (Loi Mai, S. Shan States). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from the last bird in having the upper 

 parts olive-brown and not rufescent, the breast more rufous and 

 the chin and throat whitish with arrow-shaped tips. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris orange- red ; bill dark horn, the 

 lower mandible paler ; legs pale horn (Harinr/ton). 



Measurements. Wing 51 to 57 mm. ; tail about 50 to 55 mm. ; 

 tarsus about 24 mm. ; culraen about 12 mm. 



Distribution. Shan States and Bhamo Hills above 5,000 feet 

 to S. Annam. 



Nidification. Similar to that of the Assamese Babbler but tlui 



