104 CEATEROPODID^;. 



102. Grammatoptila austeni. Austens Striated Laughing-Thrush. 



Gramraatoptila striata (Vigors}, Godwin- Austen, J. A. S. B. xlv, 

 pt. ii, p. 73; xlvii, pt. ii, p. 15 ; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 135. 



Coloration. Resembles 0. striata, but differs in having no white 

 shaft-stripes on the crest-feathers, and in having two broad dark 

 brown bands, one on either side of the head, nearly meeting on 

 the nape behind. The shaft-stripes on the upper plumage and 

 sides of the head are much narrower, being hardly any broader 

 than the shafts themselves, and the streaks on the lower surface 

 are also much narrower and better denned. 



Iris red-brown ; legs and feet pale grey (Godwin- Austen). 



Of the same size as G. striata. 



Distribution. The Daphla and the Eastern Naga hills. In the 

 former this species was common under Toruputu Peak at about 

 6000 feet in January. 



Habits, fyc. Godwin- Austen observes of this species that it asso- 

 ciates in large flocks, and that the note is a chatter mingled with 

 another call somewhat simulating the low quack of a duck. It 

 feeds entirely on fruits and seeds. 



Genus STACTOCICHLA, Sharpe, 1883. 



The only bird of this genus is characterized by a rather long 

 slender bill, resembling that of Garrulax, but somewhat longer 

 in proportion to the size of the head, and by having the throat 

 and breast spotted like those of a Thrush. It is very rare and 

 little is known about it. 



103. Stactocichla merulina. The Spotted-breasted 

 Laughing- Thrush. 



Garrulax merulinus, Slyth, J. A. S. S. xx, p. 521 (1851) ; Jerd. Ibis, 

 1872, p. 303 ; Godw.-Aust. J. A. 8. B. xliii, pt. ii, p. 162 ; Hume, 

 S. F. in, p. 394; id. Cat. no. 413 bis; Hume, S. F. xi, p. 161. 



Stactocichla merulina (Blyth), Sharpe, Cat. B. M. vii, p. 449. 

 Moh mepch, of the Angami Nagas. 



Coloration. Entire upper plumage, sides of the head and neck, 

 tail, and exposed part of closed wings rufescent olive-brown ; a 

 narrow white streak over the ear-coverts ; forehead mottled with 

 grey ; chin, throat, and breast yellowish buff, broadly streaked with 

 oval black stripes ; centre of abdomen yellowish buff ; sides of the 

 body rufescent olive-brown ; under tail-coverts bright ochraceous. 



Legs and feet rather pale brown; upper mandible blackish, 

 lower horny grey; iris pale pinkish buff; orbital skin pale leaden 

 (Hume). 



Length about 10'5 ; tail 3'$ ; wing 3'8 ; tarsus 1*6 ; bill from 

 gape 1-3. 



Distribution. The Khasi, Naga, and Lhota Naga hills; the 

 Eastern hills of Manipur. 



