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NOTES ON THE INDIAN TIMELIIDES AND THEIR 



ALLIES 



(LAUGHING THRUSHES, BABBLERS, &c.) 



BY 



Major H. H. Harington, Indian Army. 



Part II. 



GROUP I — (continued). 



Laughing^ ThrusTies, 



Trochalopterum, Hodgson, 1843. 



Jerdon, B.I., ii., p. 42 ; Gates, F.B.I., i., p. 87. 



" The following birds differ considerably from Garrulax, in their 

 smaller size, more variegated plumage, more rounded wings, and also 

 in habits ; for, though still associating in flocks, they do not keep 

 close together, but scatter through the brushwood." (Jerdon.) 



" The genus Trochalcypterwrn, merely differs from the three preced- 

 ing genera (JDrijonastes, Garrulax and Ianthoc%ncla~) in having the base 

 of the bill quite free from all bristles and hairs, the nostrils and 

 their membrane being free and exposed." 



" The wing is not more rounded nor is it shorter in those 

 genera when compared with other parts of the body." 



" The majority of the Laughing-Thrushes of this genus have a 

 bright pattern on the wing ; but this character is not of much use 

 apparently as a guide in tracing the affinities with other genera." 

 (Oates.) 



Mr. Oates also draws particular attention to the fact, that whilst 

 the majority of Laughing-Thrushes all lay spotless blue or white 

 eggs, a few of the Trochalopterum lay spotted eggs, and thought 

 that when the nidification of all were known, those laying spotted 

 eggs would most probably have to be removed. 



Whilst working through this section of the Laughing-Thrushes, I 

 was struck with the fact, that the bill and shape of the nostril varied 

 greatly. Some birds having very stout, short, straight bills, with 

 oval and exposed nostrils, others a more delicate and slightly curved 

 one, with long naiTOw curved nostrils. When I made out a list of 

 the latter, I found that all those, whose nidification is known, lay 

 spotted eggs, whilst those having short straight bills and oval nostrils 

 lay spotless blue eggs. I have therefore come to the conclusion that 

 this group of the Laughing-Thrushes should be divided up into two 

 or more genera or sub-genera. 



Further, I find that Gray in his " Genera of Birds," i., p. 225, has 

 already divided up to the Trochalopterum into two groups. His 

 'Pterocyclus," of which I give his definition, practically agrees with my 

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