152 LIST OF BIRDS IN MANIPUR, 



hills. Godwin-Austen obtained it at Nenglo beyond Asalu 

 under the Burrail range, and quotes Jerdon as an authority 

 for its occurrence near Dibrugarh, whence we have never 

 procured it. though I have seen a specimen from near Sadiya. 

 This is all I know of its distribution in Assam, Cachar or Sylhet, 

 and it does not, I believe, extend to any part of British Burmah. 



405^er.— Orthorhinus inglisi, Hume. 



A great deal of discussion has taken place as to whether 

 this is a good species or not. Some hold that it is not distinct 

 from hypoleucus, Bly., from Arakan. Others admit a distinction 

 between the Arakan and Assamese forms, but hold that if 

 the latter be specifically separated it must take the name 

 of alhicollis, Horsf I have dealt with this question, IX, 253. 

 My contention has been that whether hypoleucus and alhicollis 

 are or are not distinct — and I have not the materials for 

 deciding this at present — both have large red patches down 

 the sides of the neck, entirely Avanting in inglisi. I do not 

 wish to dogmatize ; my materials, consisting of only three North 

 Cachar and one Manipur specimen, are quite insufficient 

 as a basis for any decided opinion, but all four are alike, and 

 I think it best to retain them as distinct for the present, though 

 Wardlaw Ramsay, who has examined more specimens, states, 

 if I understand rightly, that the red patch is not a constant 

 character, but occurs in some and not in others. It may 

 be so, but till I can compare a sufficient series of both forms 

 I must suspend my own opinion. 



I procured only a single specimen of this in Manipur, and 

 that in the Jhiri level, not ten miles from where my N.-E. 

 Cachar specimens were obtained. 



The following are the details of this specimen, a /emaZe; — 

 Length, 11"2 ; expanse, 130 ; tail, 40 ; wing, 4 ; tarsus, 1-4 ; 

 bill from gape, 1"4 ; weight, 2 47 ozs. 



Legs and feet pale silvery leaden ; bill pale greenish, 

 greyish horny, more leaden towards base ; irides brown. 



There were only a pair, making a great noise calling, in the 

 thickest undergrowth, and it was with great difficulty I suc- 

 ceeded in shooting one, which I at last descried scrambling 

 rapidly through the bush at the height of about three feet from 

 the ground. 



I never once saw or heard the bird again within Manipur 

 limits. 



Now, if inglisi is a good species, then I only know for certain 

 of its occurrence elsewhere in N.-E. Cachar, though I suspect 

 it is the Western Assam form. 



