OF NORTH-EASTERN CACHAR. 253 



the back, every intermediate shade of colouring- occurs. As 

 for the red on the sides of the neck and breast, it varies in 

 different specimens between the most intense maroon ferrugi- 

 nous and the brightest orange rusty, while similarly the white 

 shafting of the rufous feathers varies from absolutely nil to a 

 broad, white shaft stripe to each feather. 



It may be convenient to retain the birds under two names ; 

 but I doubt whether, in so doing, we follow nature ; and I am 

 sure that there will always be a good many birds in regard to 

 which it will be difficult to decide whether to assign them to 

 leucogaster or schisticeps. 



405 ter. — Orthorhinus inglisi, Hume. 



u I procured two specimens of this bird last cold weather. — 

 J. I." 



Since our former list was published, the entire distinctness of 

 my Orthorhinus tickelli has been universally admitted ; but in 

 regard to the present species it has been suggested, firstly, that 

 it is identical with hypoleucus of Blyth, which has a great red 

 patch down the side of the neck; and, secondly, that if really 

 distinct from this, it must be the same as P. albicollis of Horsfield 

 from Assam ; but this latter species is distinctly figured by 

 Gray, with the characteristic red patch of hypoleucus, and there 

 is no cause for surprise in this case at this bird having been 

 obtained in Assam, since the birds from the Naga Hills, 

 obtained by Major Godwin-Austen, also appear to.be hypoleucus, 

 whilst his specimen from the North Cachar Hills, like all my 

 Cachar specimens, want the rufous on the sides of the neck, and 

 are what I call inglisi. There is nothing at all contrary to 

 experience in obtaining the same species in the Arracan and Naga 

 Hills, and a distinct representative species in Sylhet and Cachar. 

 At present I still continue to believe that Orthorhinus inglisi is 

 as distinct from hypoleucus as Garrulax leucolophus is from 

 belangeri. 



440.— Megalurus palustris, Horsf. 



" Very common. — J. I." 



Two specimens of this species are remarkable as showing 

 the extent to which the colour of this class of birds varies by 

 exposure. Both were killed at Dilkhushah. The one killed 

 early in September has a rich rufous brown tint throughout 

 which has entirely disappeared from the other killed early in 

 November. 



444.— Hypsipetes psaroides, Vig. 



" I have only procured one specimen of this bird. It was 

 with a lot of common Bulbuls. — J. I." 

 A typical example of the Himalayan form. 



