264 TIMALIIDyE. 



(270) Stachyris nigriceps nigriceps. 

 THE BLACK-THUOATED BABBLER. 



Stachyris nigiiceps Hodgs., Blyth, J. A. S. B., xiii, p. 378 (1884) 

 (Nepal) ; Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 162. 



Vernacular names. Sangriam-pho (Lepcha). 



Description. Forehead, crown and nape black ; the feathers 

 edged with white, giving a streaked appearance to these parts ; 

 round the eye white ; ear-coverts golden-brown ; cheeks white ; a 

 conspicuous deep brown or black supercilium ; chiii and throat 

 deep blackish grey, the feathers edged with white ; whole upper 

 plumage rich olive-brown, the quills of wings and tail edged 

 rufous ; lower plumage bright fulvous, the flanks, abdomen and 

 under tail-coverts tinged with olivaceous. 



Fig. 50. Head of S. n. nigriceps. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris reddish- or orange-brown ; eyelids 

 slaty ; bill horny-brown, the lower mandible fleshy-horny in winter ; 

 in summer the bill becomes much darker, blackish-horny above 

 and slaty below ; legs and feet fleshy-brown, greenish brown or 

 more rarely yellowish. 



Measurements. Total length about; 140 mm.; wing 58 to 62 mm.; 

 tail about 55 mm.; tarsus about 21 mm. ; culmen about 15 mm. 



Distribution. Nepal, Sikldm and hills North of the Brahma- 

 putra to the Miri Hills. 



Nidification. The Black-throated Babbler breeds in May and 

 June at all elevations from a few hundred feet up to at least 

 10,000, making a cup-shaped or domed nest of bamboo leaves and 

 pieces of bracken, mixed and lined with grass. It measures 6" to 

 8'' in height by some 4" to 6" in breadth and is always placed on 

 the ground but generally on a bank so that it keeps well drained. 

 It may be situated in almost any kind of cover. The eggs are 

 pure white, broad, blunt ovals, they are stout in texture and have 

 a fair gloss and number four or, more rarely, three. Fifty eggs 

 average 19*2 x 14*7 mm. 



Habits. This is a typical little Babbler in its habits, skulking 

 about in thick undergrowth, in bamboo-jungle or mixed scrub and 

 grass. It is found in small parties in winter which keep close 

 together, seldom uttering any call beyond an occasional sweet, low 



