CUBSOXIA. 249 



birds in the Timaliidce In general appearance it is much like 

 Pellorneum, differing from that genus in having a stronger bill 

 with longer rtctal bristles. The upper plumage is squamated, 

 each feather being margined with black. Unlike nearly all the 

 other members of the family, but like Gampsorhynclms, the adults 

 in this genus differ from the young in becoming much more white 

 on the head and lower plumage. 



In spite of this peculiarity Gates appears to have properly 

 placed it in the Timaliinas, in which I retain it. The wing and 

 tail are about equal in length, the former being short and 

 rounded. The feathers of the forehead are soft and the rictal 

 bristles highly developed ; the bill is straight and about as long 

 as hind toe and claw together ; the nostrils are exposed and 

 without overhanging hairs. 



Fig. 45. Head of C. crispifrons. 



(254) Cursonia crispifrons. 



THE LIME-HOCK BABBLEB, 



Turdinus o-ispifrons Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxiv, p. 269 (1855) (Tenas- 



serim). 

 Gypsophila crispifrons. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 149. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Adult. Whole head, neck and lower plumage 

 pure white ; upper plumage olive-brown, the feathers of the back 

 margined with black ; each inner secondary of the wing-quills 

 minutely tipped with white. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris pale red, red, light red, deep red- 

 brown ; upper mandible dark brown, lower pale plumbeous ; legs, 

 feet and claws dark purplish green (Hume Coll.}. 



Measurements. Total length about 190 mm. ; wing about 

 78 to 83 mm. ; tail about 74 to 77 mm. ; tarsus about 28 mm. ; 

 culm en about 17 to 19 mm. 



Birds o f the first year have the forehead to back olive-brown, each 

 feather margined with black; the rump, upper tail-coverts, tail 

 and exposed portions of wing olive-brown ; the sides of the fore- 

 head and a short supercilium are greyish white with black specks ; 

 chin, throat and upper breast white, streaked with dark brown, 

 especially on the breast ; remainder of lower plumage ochraceous 

 olive-brown. 



