NOTES ON INDIAN TIMELIIDES AND THEIR ALLIES. 437 



Ehopogichla atriceps BOUKDiLLOisri, Hume. 

 Bourdillon' s Babbler. 



AlcipiJe bourdilloni, Hume, S. F., iv., pp. 399 and 485: Sharpe, Cat., 

 B. M., vii., p. 626. ' ^ ' 



Rhopocichla bourdilloni, Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 260 ; Fero-uson J B N H S 

 XV., p. 260 ; Baker, Ibis, 106, p. 101. " ,.,•••■, 



Description,— Ks in Gates, F. B. I. 



Distribution. — Travancore. 



Its nest and eggs appear to be the same as the other two sub-species. 



Ehopocichla ate,iceps nige,ifko]s-s, Blyth. 



The Black-fronted Babbler. 



Alcippe nigrifrons, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xviii. (1849) ; Sharpe, Cat., B. M., 

 vii., p. 625. 



Rhopociclila nigrifrons, Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 160. 

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

 Distrilnition. — Ceylon. 



GKGUP VI. 



GypsoPHiLA, Gates, 1888. 



Gates, F. B. I., i., p. 149. 



" The Genus Gypsophila contains one remarkable bird which is confined to 

 certain limestone mountains in Tenasserim. Its plumage is of the most 

 extraordinary character, and even in the very large series of this bird in 

 the Hume Collection affords no clue to its changes. For the present I locate 

 this genus among the Timeliince, but I feel sure that this is not its proper 

 place. Its place in the system must remain undetermined until its plumage 

 from the young to the adult stage is properly understood. 



"In structure Gypsophila is close to Pellorneum from which it differs 

 chiefly in its longer rictal bristles and stronger bill, the upper plumage 

 is squamated in appearance, owing to the feathers being margined with 

 black" (Gates). It has the following characteristics: a short rounded wing, 

 the first four primaries graduated ; wing and tail about equal in length ; 

 feathers of the forehead soft ; rectal bristles long and well developed ; 

 bill straight and as long as hind-toe and claw ; no hairs overhanging 

 the nostrils ; in habits, however, it appears to be non-Timeliine being 

 lively, and not at all shy, in fact appears to be very Thrush-like. 

 Probably when the colour of its eggs are known its true position will be 

 determined. 



The name Gypsophila is pre-occupied in Botany, and the name Curzonia 

 has been proposed, but I believe not yet adopted. 



Gypsophila ceispiprons, Blyth. 



The Limerock Babbler. 



Turdinus crispifrons, Blyth, J. A. S. B., xxiv., p. 269 (1855). 



Gypsophila crispifrons, Sharpe, Cat., B. M., vii., p. 561 ; Gates, F. B. L, i,, 

 p. 149. 



Description. — As in Gates, F. B. I. 



Distribution. — So far has only been recorded from the central limestone 

 ranges of Tenasserim. This interesting species is well worth studying, and 

 it is hoped members station at Moulmein will try and discover its nest 

 and eggs, besides collecting a series of its skins. 



