NOTES ON THE BIRDS 01 UPPER ASSAM. 239 



19. lanthocincla rufogularis rufogularis, Gould. [80]. — Rufous-chinned 



Laughing Thrush. 

 Specimens collected in the Abor-Miri hills agree with the typical form. 

 Found in pairs in February in dense secondary growth. Approximate 

 elevation 4,000'. I. r. assamenais, Hart, is evidently the form that occurs 

 above Margherita. (S , 12-2-06, Beni. Lores white, chin merely at tip 

 rufous, breast suffused ashy, back rich fulvous, tertiaries tipped with 

 defined white. 



20. lanthocincla phcenicea -pJioenicea (Grould.) [87]. — Crimson-winged 



Laughi/Cig Thrush. 



Trochalopterum phceniceum, Gates, F. B. I, Vol. i., p. 93. 

 Abor-Miri hills. The former note applies to this species. 

 /. 2^. bakeri, Hart, is the form from the Khasi hills, which probably 

 extends into our area on the south. 



21. Grammatojptila striata austeni, Gates. [102] . — Austen's Striated 



Laughing Thrush. 



Gvaimnatoijtila austeni, Gates, F. B. I., Vol. i., p. 104. 



Abor-Miri hills, right bank, Subansiri. All my specimens were procured 

 in forest along the hillsides on the north of the watershed. Iris red brown ; 

 bill dark bluish horny ; tarsus bluish grey ; soles yellow. 

 •ii. Argya earlii (Blyth.) [104].— The Striated Babbler. 



Grenerally distributed, peculiar to heavy grass land and abundant where 

 found. A series collected at Komolabari (Bramapootra " churs " ) and 

 Hessamara (Subansiri " churs " ). Gates' notes on this bird's habits could 

 not be improved upon. Argya longirostris is recorded from Sadiya and 

 Crateropus canorus as occurring to the extreme east of Assam. Inform- 

 ation is required as to the status of both these birds in Upper Assam. I 

 was under the impression I saw a party of these latter birds in North 

 Lakhimpur, 26-12-10, but as no specimens were secured this record lacks 

 substantiation, otherwise failed to meet with either species. 



23. Pomatorhinus schisticeps, Hodgs. [116]. — Slaty-headed Scimitar 



Babbler. 

 Gccurs throughout the whole district, sparingly in the plains, more 

 plentiful along the base of the hills and hillsides at low elevations. Found 

 in scrub growth, frequently in company with lanthocincla ruficollis in the 

 plains or amongst the bamboo jungle on the hillsides with Gampsorhyn- 

 chus rufulus. Solitary instance secured at Rungagora (plains), 18-3-03, (S . 



24. Pomatorhinus ferruginosus, Blyth. [122]. — Coral-billed Scimitar 



Babbler. 

 Parties in February, Abor-Miri hills. The only Scimitar Babbler pro- 

 cured on the north side of the watershed. 



25. Pomatorhinus macclellandi, Jerd. [130]. — McClelland's Scimitar 



Babbler. 



Dinjan (plains), 18-1-02, S, $ ; Rungagora (plains). 18-3-03, §. 



The only records : the latter coincides with the only record for P. 

 schisticeps for the plains; both were secured at the same time. lam 

 inclined to think this bird is somewhat locally migratory. 



Iris salmon yellow ; orbital skin and bare space behind eye plumbeous ; 

 bill horny, lighter towards tip and lower mandible at base ; tarsus light 

 pinkish brown ; claws light horny. 



26. Pomatorhinus hypoleucus (Blyth.) [131]. — The Arrakan Scimitar 



Babbler. 

 Plentiful in the north-east corner, Margherita. Recorded for the Daphla 

 hills. Failed to meet with it in North Lakhimpur. This latter locality is 

 probably erroneous. 



