218 BIRDS OF TENASSERIM. 



282 bis.— Chaptia malayensis, Blyth. (8). 



Amherst, Meeta Myo ; Pabyin ; Pukchan ; Bankasoon. 



If distinct from the preceding, whose range it overlaps, con- 

 fined to the southern half of the province. 



Although specimens from Malacca on the one hand, and Sikirn 

 or the Nilgheris on the other, are readily separable, the 

 Malayan bird being brighter and somewhat smaller, and the 

 Indian birds being somewhat larger, with a perceptible grey 

 dulness on the rump, and grey tinge on the abdomen, still in 

 Tenasserim, forms so entirely intermediate occur that I for one 

 have considerable doubts as to the real value of these two 

 generally accepted species. Under the present species I have 

 entered only those specimens in which the abdomen is black, 

 and the glittering feathers continue unbroken over back, rump 

 and upper tail-coverts. Under cenea I have entered not only those 

 specimens from Northern Tenasserim, which agree fairly well 

 with Indian examples, but also the more or less intermediate 

 forms which occur in Central Tenasserim. 



^jEnea, as above defined, does not occur at or south of Mergui ; 

 both forms occur at Tavoy, Meeta Myo, Amherst, but the Ma- 

 layan form does not appear to get north of this. More or less 

 intermediate forms seem to occur, so far as we can judge, every- 

 where from Moulmein southwards to some point intermediate 

 between Tavoy and Mergui. 



283.— Bhringa remifer, Tem. (8). 



(Totiffhoo, Karen Hills, Bams.) Pahpoon ; Kaukaryifc, Houngthraw R. ; 

 Mooleyit ; Amherst. 



Sparingly distributed throughout the province, but only as far 

 south as Amherst. Rarer even in the plains than in the hills. 



This is of course purely a forest species, never coming into 

 gardens or cultivated lands ; moving about singly and catching 

 insects on the wing like other Drongo Shrikes, turning rapidly 

 and returning to the same perch. It is very odd to see this 

 bird, as we both often have, passing high over head. You see 

 the black bird and apparently two large black bees steadily 

 pursuing it, never losing, never gaining ground, always main- 

 taining the same relative position. 



The following are the dimensions recorded in the flesh : — 



Males. — Length, 10*1 to 10'5, to end of central tail feathers ; 

 24 to end of long lateral feathers; expanse, 16'25 to 17-0 ; 

 tail from vent, 4 - 9 to 5-72, to end of central tail feathers ; wing, 

 5*25 to 5*6 ; tarsus, 0'6 ; bill from gape, U9 to 1*15 ; weight, 2 oz. 



Bill, legs, feet and claws black ; irides deep brown. 



284— Dissemurus malabaroides, Hodgs. (l). 



Kollidoo. 



