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



To me there appear to be two distinct sub-species, one a rich rufous 

 olive-brown, and the other plain olive, and I hope some one better acquaint- 

 ed with the birds of Ceylon will name and describe them. Between sub- 

 species there must always be connecting links, and no doubt in a confined 

 area like Ceylon, these links are more noticeable and easily procurable, 

 but this is no reason why the birds at the two extremities of the chain 

 should not be held sub-specifically distinct. 



PoMATORHISrUS FEKKUGINOSXJS. 



The Coral-billed Scimitar Babblers. 



This race consists of two nearly allied sub-species. 



P. /. ferru(/inosus, Blyths, having the under parts a dark rich rusty-red, 

 and the crown of the head black. 



P. f. phayrei, Blyth, having the under parts paler, and the top of the 

 head, the same colour as the back. 



POMATOKHINUS FERKUGINOSUS FERRUGINOSUS, Blyth. 



The JSepal Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler. 



Pomatorhinus ferruginosns, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xiv., p. 597 (1845) ; Sharpe, 

 Cat. B.M., vii., p. 422; Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 120. 

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

 Distribution. — From Nepal to the Dafla Hills in Assam. 



POMATOBHINUS FEKBUGINOSXJS PHAYBEI, Blyth. 



Phayre's Scimitar Babbler. 



Pomatorhinus phayrei, Blyth, J.A.S.B., xvi., p. 452 (1847) ; Sharpe Cat. 

 B. M., vii. p. 422 ; Gates, F. B. 1., i., p. 121. 



Description. — As in Gates, F. B. 1. 



Distribution. — Shillong in the Khasia Hills to Manipur, and Naga and 

 Chin Hills (Mt. Victoria). 



Birds from this last locality have the upper plumage tinged with green 

 much more than the typical Assam birds, and the under parts ]3aler. 



POMATOHHINXTS ALBIGULAMS. 



These arg birds very nearly allied to P. ferruginosus and might be 

 almost considered a race of that species. I, however, have kept them 

 separate as the under parts are so very much paler. P. a. albigularis, Blyth, 

 has the chin and throat white, and under parts tinged with faint rufous 

 and is found in the hills of Tenasserim. 



P. a. marice, Walden, has the under parts pale buff, with no tinge of 

 rufous and is found in the hills east of Toungoo, Karennee and on Byin- 

 gyi mountain. 



Pomatorhinus albiguiakis albigularis, Blyth. 



Blyths Scimitar Babbler. 



Pomatorhinus albiyularis, Blyth, J, A. S. B., xxiv., p. 274 (1855) ; Sharpe, 

 Cat. B. M., vii., p. 423 ; Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 121. 

 Description. — As in Gates F. B. I. 

 Distribution. — The mountain ranges of Tenasserim down to Tavoy. 



Pomatorhinus albigularis mari.e, Walden. 



Walden''s Scimitar Babbler. 



Pomatorhinus marine, Walden, A. M. N. H. (4), xv., p. 403 (1875). 

 Description. — Similar to P. a. albigularis, Blyth, from. Tonasserim, but 

 paler, the under parts being a pale buff with no tinge of rufous. 



