307 



Genus IXOPS Hodgson, 1844. 



The genus Ixops is very close to Actinodura, differing .only in 

 liaviug a comparatively shorter tail and the tail-feathers less 

 graduated. Species of this genus extend from Nepal eastwards to 

 Formosa. In the case of this genus it is not easy to decide 

 whether the different forms should be treated ao species or sub- 

 species. There are four quite distinct birds in which the 

 material at present available shows no mtergrading. These are 

 two rufous-breasted birds, one striped and one unstriped, a 

 third striped grey bird and a fourth with a grey breast with 

 brown centres. There seems, however, to be no intervening area 

 in which a half-way form occurs. At the same time no two of 

 these forms are found breeding in the same area and, therefore, 

 for the present, I keep them as geographical races, or subspecies, 

 only. 



Ixops nipaleusis. 



Key to Subspecies. 



A. Chin, throat and breast not striped; 



head with pale streaks 



B. Chin, throat and breast streaked ; 



feathers of head with pale edges. 

 . Chin, throat and breast rufous with 



darker centres. 

 a'. Upper parts rufous ; ear-coverts siL 



very-grey 



b' . Upper parts deep rufous or maroon- 

 brown ; ear-coverts dark grey .... 

 b. Chin, throat and breast grey with 

 brown centres 



[p. 307. 

 Ixops nipalensis nipalensis, 



Ixops n. waldeni, p. 308. 

 Ixops n. poliotis, p. 309. 

 J.rops n. daflaensis, p. 309. 



Fig. 56. Head of 7. n. nipalensis. 



(326) Ixops nipalensis nipalensis. 



THE HOARY BAR-WING. 



Cinclosoma nipalensis Ilodgs., As. Res., xix, p. 145 (1830) (Nepal). 

 Ixops nepulensis. 131anf. & Gates, i, p.' 203. 



Vernacular names. Ramnio-plio (Lepcha). 

 Description. Forehead and crest coffee-brown, with long pale 



x2 



