72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIII. 



Stactocichla mebulina (Blyth). 

 The Spotted-breasted Laughing Thrush. 



Garrulax merulinus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. XX., p. 521. (1851.) 



Stactocichla merulina, Sharpe, Cat. B. M. VII., p. 449 ; Gates, F. B. I., i., 

 p. 104. 



Description and Distribution as in Gates, F. B. I. 



Nesting. — Stuart Baker says it breeds all over the N. Cachar and Mani- 

 pur hills above 3,000 ft. Building a compact shallow cup, and lays from 

 2 to 3 eggs. These are a beautiful blue-green, similar in colour to eggs of 

 G. moniliger, but with a totally different texture. In shape broad ovals 

 which average l-18"x -83" to 1-14" x -82". 



Gkammatoptila (Reichenb.), 1850. 

 Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 102. 



" The two birds of this genus may be recognised by their stout, short, 

 deep bill, striated plumage, and by the long frontal hairs which reach over 

 the nostrils." — (Gates). 



Key to sub-species. 

 {a) Feathers of crest streaked with white, no brown 



band on the sides of the head . . . . . . O. striata striata. 



(b) Feathers of crest not streaked with white, a brown 



band on the sides of the head . . . . . . G. striata austeni. 



Grammatoptila striata stp.iata (Vigors), 1830. 



The Striated Laughing Thrush 



and 



Grammatoptila striata austeni (Gates), 1889. 



Austen's Striated Laughing Thrush. 



Description and Distribution as in Gates, F. B. I. 



It appears to be doubtful whether this species lays spotted eggs or not. 

 Mr. Stuart Baker says he has never seen any spotted eggs of this species. 



[The nest and eggs of austeni do not differ in any way from those of 

 striata. The breeding season is April and May in the Khasia Hills. — 

 E. C. S. B.] 



Garrulax cinereiprons, Blyth. 



This species which is peculiar to the Island of Ceylon, is quite distinct 

 from any other Laughing Thrushes in having the feathers of the forehead 

 rounded and short, and for this reason was placed by Gates in Crateropus. 

 In style of plumage it is Garrulacine, and approaches G. delesserti in 

 coloration, and I consider it should be placed in a sub-genus by itself. 

 I have carefully examined all the numerous " Laughing Thrushes" from the 

 Griental region and can find none approaching it. 



Its characteristics are, a slighty curved bill with oval exposed nostrils, 

 with no overhanging hairs or bristles ; and the feathers of the forehead, 

 short and rounded. 



Garrulax cinereifrons, Blyth. 

 The Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush. 



Garrulax cinereifrons, Blyth, J. A. S. B. XX., p. 176 (1851) ; Sharpe, Cat. 

 B. M. VII., p. 447. 



Cratheropus cinereifrons, Gates, F. B. I. i., p. 114. 



Description as in Gates, F. B. I. 



Distribution. — The Island of Ceylon. Nothing appears to be known about 

 the nesting or habits of this species [though the eggs have been described as 

 white, a most unlikely colour for them to be if the bird is considered 

 a Crateropus. — E. C. S. B.] 



( To he continioed. ) 



