374 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS COLLECTED ON TSE NILGHIRIS 
354.—Geocichla cyanotis, J. and S. The White- 
throated Ground Thrush. 
I have only met with the species in the Wynaad and the slopes 
of the Nilghiris up to about 4,000 feet elevation. A fine female, 
shot in the Peria forests, measured in the flesh :— 
Length, 7-9; expanse, 13-0; tail, 27; wing, 4:1; tarsus, 1'2; 
bill from gape, 1:0. 
Bill black ; base of lower mandible whitish; legs and _ feet 
fleshy white ; claws pale brown ; irides deep brown. 
357.—Turdulus wardi, Jerd. Ward’s Pied Blackbird, 
Rare in the South. I have only shot it a few times. I am not 
certain, but [ think it is only a winter visitant. 
360.—Merula simillima, Jerd. The Nilghiri Black- 
bird. 
Very common on the plateau of the Nilghiris, and extending 
some little way down the slopes, but in considerably decreased 
numbers. It also occurs on the Bramagherries in Coorg, a 
female I obtained there being undistinguishable from numerous 
females obtained on the Nilghiris. 
372.—Oreocincla nilghiriensis, Bly. The Nilghiri 
Thrush. | 
This fine bird, so far as I am aware, is found only on the 
higher ranges of the Nilghiris and Bramagherries, and even 
where it does occur is rare. It is usually found singly, some- 
times in pairs. It is a glorious songster, and its rich and 
varied song can be heard for nearly a mile. 
The following are the dimensions of a fine male shot on the 
Bramagherries on the 20th April 1881 :— / 
Length, 10:5; expanse, 16:0; tail, 3:7; wing, 5:3; tarsus, 1-2; 
bill from gape, 1°55; weight, 3°75 ozs. Legs, feet, and claws 
dark fleshy ; irides dark brown; upper mandible blackish ; 
lower brown, palest at base; gape yellowish. 
389.—Alcippe poiocephala, Jerd. The Nilghiri 
Quaker Thrush. 
Jerdon says that this is not a common bird. On the 
slopes of the Nilghiris, especially about Coonoor and the Ghat be- 
low it, it is, I should say, an exceedingly common bird. It ascends 
the hills to quite 6,000 feet, and is also found in the Wynaad 
and on the Bramagherries. It goes about in parties of from 
four or five to twenty or more, keeping chiefly amongst the 
undergrowth, but also not unfrequently ascending tothe tops 
