NOTES ON INDIAN TIMELIIDES AND THEIR ALLIES. 3S1 



of P. s. mearsi begins is very hard to deteimine, the differences being so 

 slight. 



P. nuchalis (Tvveeddale) inhabits the eastern side of Burma, being- 

 found in the Shan States, Karennee, and down to the Salween District of 

 Tenasserim, and also in the Pegu and Thayetmyo Districts. There is one 

 specimen of a Pomatorliinus from Popa Mt. in the Myingyan District, 

 which, I think, is referable to tJiis sub-species, it may possibly be distinct. 



Key. 



A. Chestnut band on each side of body streaked with white. 

 fl\ This band a dark maroon chestnut. 



a~. Size small-wing under . . . . . . P. s. pinwilli. 



6'. Size larger wing over 

 }j\ Chestnut band paler 

 B. Chestnut band not streaked 



P. s. schisticepf! . 

 P. s. mearsi. 

 P. nuchalis. 



POMATOBHINUS SCHISTICEPS SCHISTICEPS, HoclgSOn. 



Hodgson's Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler. 



P. sc?detisee2}s, Hodgson, A. Res., xix., p. 181(1836); Sharpe. Cat., 

 B. M., vii., p. 411, Gates., F. B. L, i, p. 116. 



Description.- — As in Gates, F. B. I. 



Distribution. — Nepal, Sikhim, Bhutan, Assam and Manipur. I have not 

 been able to examine any specime'ns from Arracan, whether birds from this 

 locality are this sub-species or P. s. mearsi at present cannot be determin- 

 ed. 



Mr. Stuart-Baker informs me that he has received two specimens from 

 Arracan, which he thinks are referable to P. s. mearsi, O. Grant, but that 

 the differences are so slight, that he doubts that their being of even sub- 

 specific value. 



PoMATORHiNS SCHISTICEPS PINWILLI, Sharpe. 

 Sharpens Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler. 



P. pinwilli, Sharpe, Cat B. M., vii., p. 413 (1883). 



P. schisticeps. Gates, F. B. [., i., p. 116; O. Grant Bui. B. O., cxv., p. 39. 



Description. — Similar to P. s. schisticeps. Hodgson, but much smaller. 

 Mr. Gates acknowledges that Simla birds are decidedly smaller, but says 

 the size of the wing gradually increases from 3-6 inches in the N. W. 

 Himalayas to 4-4 inches in Arracan. 



Distribution. — N. W. Himalayas. 



POMATORHINUS SCHISTICEPS MEARSI, G. Grant. 



Grant's Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler. 



P. mearsi, O. Grant, Bui. B. G. C, xv, p. 39 (1905). 



Description.—" Most nearly allied to P. schisticeps, Hodgson, but the 

 general colour above much ' paler. Crown ashy-brown, not sharply define 

 from the olive-brown upper parts, but separated in some specimens by a 

 more or less well-marked rufous collar ; the rufous stripe down the sides 

 of the neck, commencing behind the ear-coverts, is pale chestnut red 

 instead of deep chestnut maroon." (G.Grant). 



Distnbution,— The western side of Burma along the foot of the Chin 

 hills, and in the Chindwin basin. Many birds from Assam show a tenden- 

 cy to paleness, whilst others are as richly coloured as Nepal ones ; so it 

 is very difficult to decide the exact geographical distribution of these two 

 closely allied sub-species. 



