460 TROGLODYTID^;. 



Description. Differs from P. s. squamata, sex for sex, in being 

 decidedly smaller and in having the upper plumage less marked 

 with fulvous spots, these being both fewer and less distinct. On 

 the other hand the median and greater coverts and innermost 

 secondaries are more plentifully and more regularly spotted than 

 they are in that bird. 



The young are like those of P. s. squamata ; the whole upper parts 

 and wings unspotted rich rufous-brown and the lower parts dusky 

 brown. 



Colours of soft parts. Iris hazel to deep brown ; bill dark, 

 blackish-horny above, fleshy-horny below ; legs fleshy-brown or 

 pale horny-brown. 



Measurements. Wing 40 to 52 mm. ; tail about 12 mm. ; tarsus 

 18 to 20 mm. ; culmen 10 to 11 mm. 



Distribution. Nepal, Sikkim, Assam North and South of the 

 Brahmaputra to the extreme East ; Chin Hills, Kachin Hills, Burma 

 East through the Shan States to Karenni. Geographical races have 

 been described from Sumatra (hpida), South Annam (annamensis), 

 Malay Peninsula (harterti) and West Java (rufa). 



Nidification. Except that the nests, whether of the ball type or 

 built in amongst the moss on trees, average rather smaller than 

 do those of the Scaly-breasted Wren, there is nothing one can add 

 to the descriptions already given for the nests of that bird. The 

 two breed together over much the same range at the same elevations 

 and at the same time of year. 



The eggs are exactly like those of the last bird in colour, shape 

 and texture but fifty average smaller, 17'lxl3'l mm., whilst the 

 extremes are as follows : maxima, 18'9 x 13'0 and 18-3 x 14'0 mm . ; 

 minima, 15'4 X 12-6 and 17'9 x 12'1 mm. 



Habits. The same as those of P. s. squamata. Stevens found 

 this Wren plentiful in the Plains during winter, obtaining it both 

 North and South of the Brahmaputra in the undergrowth of forest. 

 He observes that it is by no means difficult of approach at this 



Genus SPHENOCICHLA Godwin-Austen & Walden, 1875. 



The genus Sphenociclda contains two remarkable and but little- 

 known birds. They are in appearance stout, rather squat and 

 heavy-looking birds with very powerful feet and legs. The bill is 

 perfectly conical and sharp-pointed when viewed laterally and is 

 about the length of the head or a little shorter ; there areuorictal 

 bristles; the wing is short and rounded; the tail is of twelve 

 feathers and greatly rounded, the outer feathers being about two- 

 thirds the length of the central. The sexes are alike but the young 

 are still unknown. 



