ASSAM, SYLHET AND CACHAR, 183 



fact I have one or two specimens, both from N.-E. Cachar 

 and the Khasi hills, that must be classed as intermedius, 

 if this latter be separated, but the great bulk of the birds are 

 pygcGUS or nearer to this than intermedius. 



[Very common in Dibrugarh. This species does not go 

 about in parties like 0. emeria. They are found all over the 

 district, and are very troublesome at times, committing sad 

 havoc with one's tomatoes and peas. — J . R. C.] 



462g'wa^.— Molpastes burmanicus, Sharpe. 



I think this new species of Mr. Sharpe's a fairly good one. 

 I described its characteristic features as long ago as 1875 

 (S. F., Ill, 126), but forebore to name it, since as a matter of 

 fact these several races all run more or less one into the other ; 

 however it may be conceded, now we know it better, that this is 

 one of the least variable and most constant within given limits 

 of all these races, and I therefore adopt Mr. Sharpe's name. 



To me none of these red-under-tail-coverts group appear 

 congeneric with capensis, the type of Pycnonotus. I would 

 have adopted Swainson's name Brachippus ,had he not 

 himself suppressed it in reference to this group and applied 

 it elsewhere. I am compelled, therefore, to retain my own 

 generic name Molpastes for this group, and I would, as at 

 present advised, apply Pycnonotus to the capensis and Ixus 

 to the barbatus group. But I have never properly worked out 

 the group and merely express my present conviction. 



Mr. Sharpe's key of the several species belonging to the 

 Molpastes group is faultless. 



, A. Ear-coverts black scarcely distinguishable from the 



crown of the head ... ... ... M. hcemorrhous. 



B. Ear-coverts lighter than the crown of the head, and 

 contrasting with the latter- 



a. Head distinctly capped in strong contrast to 



the back and mantle. 



a. Ear-coverts bronzy brown, contrasting 



with the black throat ... ... M. burmanicus. 



b. Ear-coverts light brown or ashy brown 



resembling the throat in colour ; chin 

 black. 



1. Breast mottled, the feathers being 



light ashy brown with darker brown 



centres ... ... ... M. nigripileus. 



2. Breast perfectly uniform below ... M- atricapillus. 



b. Head black as well as hinder neck, the two 



colors merging so that there is no distinct 

 cap. 



a. Mantle and back blackish brown, the black 



distinctly pronounced on the breast, and 



occupying the whole of the latter ... M.pygceus. 



b. Mantle and back brown, much lighter 



than the head, foreneck, and breast 



brown, not black ... ... ... M- intermedius. 



