BIRDS OF UPPER PEGU. 125 



452 quat. — Microtarsus Blanfordi, Jerdon. 



This species was first discriminated by Dr. Jerdon (Ibis, 1862, 

 p. 20). 



Mr. Oates remarks : " Common in the Irrawaddy Valley as far 

 south as Prome, and easterly to the foot of the Pegu Hills. Its 

 range is chiefly north of Thayetmyo in native territory. It has 

 a harsh note, and is very irritable when approached, raising its 

 crest and chattering. It is generally found in gardens and 

 waste land, and is not uncommon in our cantonment. The sexes 

 are of much the same size. Specimens measured — 



"Length, 7"6to7 - 7; expanse, 10 - 5; tail, from vent, 3*05 to 

 3-25; wing, 3-12 to 3'15; bill, from gape, O'Sl to 0-88; 

 tarsus, 0*85 to 0*93. The fifth primary is the longest ; the fourth, 

 sixth, and seventh, sub-equal; the third 0'15, the second 0*55, 

 and the first 1*4 shorter than the fifth. The irides are pale yellowish 

 brown; eyelids, greenish plumbeous; bill, light brown, paler at the 

 base of lower mandible and gape ; inside of mouth, flesh color ; 

 legs, clear plumbeous ; claws, horny." 



I have specimens of this bird also from Bhammo in Upper 

 Burmah. 



The entire upper surface is a dull pale earth brown, with a 

 slight olive tinge, most marked upon the rump, the margins of 

 the outer webs of the quills and greater coverts, and of the outer 

 webs of the tail feathers. In some specimens the head also has 

 a decidedly olive tinge, and the feathers of the forehead and 

 crown are slightly lengthened and faintly centred darker. There 

 is no trace of this in other specimens. The lores, chin, and 

 cheeks, are dull white, slightly tinged with grey or brown. The 

 ear coverts are pale brown, conspicuously shafted with pure 

 white, and this is the most conspicuous feature in the bird's 

 plumage ; the breast and the rest of the lower parts are pale 

 brownish grey, passing on the abdomen and lower tail coverts 

 into very pale fulvous ; the upper abdomen is likewise, in some 

 specimens, streaked with pale fulvous ; the wing lining and the 

 margins of the quills on the inner webs are also pale fulvous ; 

 the lower surface of the tail, pale brownish grey, often, in fine 

 specimens, with a faintly fulvous tinge. 



Specimens vary a good deal in tint, according to the season at 

 which they were killed ; some are much more olivaceous above 

 and fulvous below. 



456.— Rubigula flaviventris, Tickell. 



This species is included in Mr. Oates's list. The only specimen 

 he sent, however, was so entirely destroyed that I cannot say 

 whether he had correctly identified it, or whether it was some 

 distinct nearly-allied species ; however, the bird has already been 



