ASSAM, SYLHET AND CACHAR. 61 



clearly be absurd to make a new species out of differences 

 of this nature. 



We have this species from N.-E. Cachar and the Khasi 

 hills, but from nowhere else as yet in Assam, Cachar or 

 Sylhet. Throughout British Burmah it is universally dis- 

 tributed. 



1656is. — Hemicercus canente, Less. 



I found this species not very rare in the low forests lying 

 between the Jhiri and Noongzai-ban, but I never met with it 

 elsewhere in Manipur. 



We have this also from N.-E. Cachar, but from no other 

 place in Assam, Sylhet or Cachar. It is widely and generally 

 distributed throughout British Burmah. 



166.— Ohrysocolaptes sultaneus, Hodgs. 



I saw, but failed to obtain, a specimen of this 

 species in the Eerung valley. I shot the bird, but it fell 

 far below and was not to be found when ten minutes 

 later I got down to the place. It was against the trunk 

 of a tree overhanging a small precipice 50 or 60 feet 

 high in the midst of dense forest. It was not 20 yards distant, 

 back to me when I first saw it, sideways when I fired, and 

 I could not only make sure of the species but also see that 

 it was not one of the huge Himalayan race, but one such as 

 we get in Cachar and Thyetmyo, too big for strictus, too 

 small for sultaneus, but yet nearer the latter and so classed 

 by me as such. 



This was the only time I saw this species in Manipur, 

 but I heard a Woodpecker very busy at work in the East- 

 ern hills, which I believe by the sound may have been this. 

 I went after it at once, but it must have seen me before I 

 could catch a glimpse of it, and the sound ceased, and I heard 

 the whirr of its wings, but never saw it. 



In Assam it is found throughout the valley in suitable 

 localities right up to Tippook ; in the Garo and Khasi hills 

 and in Northern Sylhet, and apparently both Northern and 

 Southern Cachar. Varying slightly in size, smaller to the 

 south, larger to the north, it is found throughout British Burmah. 



I may remark that God win- Austen received 168. — Muelleri- 

 picus pulverulentus, Tem., from the Garo hills, but I have 

 as yet never heard of it from any other part of Assam, Sylhet 

 or Cachar (though it probably occurs in all), nor did I ever 

 meet with it in Manipur. It is generally, though sparingly, 

 distributed throughout British Burmah in suitable localities 

 and will probably turn up in Manipur. 



