264 Mr. H. Seebohm on 



Mr. Styan's skius and those in the Swinhoe collection, which 

 include examples collected by VAbbe David in Moupin and 

 Sechuen, with a large series from Nepal and Sikkim, he 

 endorses my subdivision of this 'species into three, all of 

 which have white throats and white margins to the feathers 

 of the breast ; but 



P. ruficollis has the breast-streaks and the underparts below 

 the breast russet-brown ; 



P. stridulus has the breast-streaks rich chestnut, contrast- 

 ing with the russet-brown underparts below the breast ; and 



P. styani has the breast-streaks and the underparts below 

 the breast olive-brown. 



There is little or no difference in the colour of the upper 

 parts (except that P. styani is slightly more olive (less russet) 

 on the rump and upper tail- coverts) ; but P. ruficollis has 

 much larger feet than the other two species, the hinder toe 

 and claw varying in length from 1*0 to 0'8 inch in this 

 species, from 0*85 to O7 inch in P. stridulus , and from 0*75 

 to 07 inch in P. styani. 



P. ruficollis appears to be a resident in Nepal, Sikkim, and 

 Assam. 



P. stridulus appears to be confined to South China from 

 Sechuen to Tokien. 



P. styani is at present only known from the valley of the 

 Yang-tse-kiang and the adjoining district of Eastern Thibet, 

 but may possibly also occur in Assam. Mr. Styan describes 

 it as common on the Lushan hills behind Kiukiang, where it 

 frequents the thick cover of the lower slopes. It is a shy 

 skulking bird, creeping through the cover, and only occa- 

 sional glimpses o it can be obtained as it flits from bush to 

 bush. In spring it is seen in pairs, but in autumn flocks of 

 twenty or more are found together. From March to No- 

 vember they sing incessantly, more especially in spring and 

 autumn. Mr. Styan describes the song as very similar to 

 that of the so-called " Chinese Thrush " (Trochalopterum 

 canorum], a nearly allied bird, which is kept in thousands by 

 the Chinese on account of its wonderful singing powers. He 

 further adds, "the song is very sweet and musical, and 



