STACHYKIDOPSIS. 



Habits. In winter the Bed-headed Babbler may be found 

 anywhere between the foot-hills and 65,000 -feet or even higher, fre- 

 quenting fairly thick undergrowth, scrub- or bamboo-jungle. It 

 consorts in small flocks and feeds low down in whatever cover it 

 may happen to be in, but does not descend to the ground. Its 

 note is a soft, low whistle, seldom -used, and a little chattering 

 twitter occasionally uttered as the birds flit about the bushes. 



(278) Stachyridopsis ruficeps bhamoensis. 

 THE BHAMO RED-HEADED BABBLEE. 



Stachyridopsis ruficeps bhamoensis Harington, A. M. N. H., ii, p. 245- 

 (1908) (Bhamo Hills). 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from the last in having the light chestnut 

 of the head confined to the crown ; the throat and lower parts are 

 a more greyish-yellow. Eroni S. r. sineusis, the Chinese form, it 

 differs in having black streaks to the feathers of the forehead and 

 a much more massive bill. 



Colours of soft parts like those of the last bird. 



Measurements. A trifle smaller than S. r. ruficeps, wing about 

 52 to 56 mm. 



Distribution. The Bhamo Hill Tracts and S. Shau States. 



Nidification. "A very noisy little bird in the breeding season, 

 drawing attention to itself if anyone invades its particular bit of 

 jungle. It builds an untidy, retort-shaped nest entirely of bam- 

 boo leaves, which it places in clumps of long, overhanging grass.. 

 It is always well concealed and can only be found by seeing the 

 bird fly out." (Harington.} 



The eggs, three or four in number, are indistinguishable from 

 those of the last bird. Thirty eggs average 16-3x12-7 mm. A 

 good many odd eggs of this bird are pure unspotted white and 

 two clutches taken by Mr. F. Grant are all without any markings. 



Habits similar to those of tl.e last bird. 



(279) Stachyridopsis rufifrons rufifrons 

 HUME'S BABBLER. 



Stachyris rufifrons Hume, S. F., i, p. 479 (1873) (Pegu). 

 Stacliyrhidopsis ritfifrons. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 165. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. This species differs from the last in having the- 

 rufous of the head much duller and confined to the anterior crown ; 

 the upper plumage is more grey. In S. r. rtififrons the stria? both 

 on head and throat are inconspicuous or obsolete and the chin 

 itself is white ; the lower plumage is a tawny buff. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris deep red; bill bluish plumbeous- 

 black ( Harington) legs and feet pale fleshy-horn. 



