Birds of Celebes: Timeliidae. 501 



of exploration through the almost impassible virgin-forest and gorges of the in- 

 terior between Manado and Gorontalo. 



The Drs. Sarasin made the following notes on this bird. In the stomach 

 of the first specimen : "insects, beetles". "In certain high regions of the Mantinang 

 chain (whence came the second example) Malia is one of the most plentiful 

 birds. Its powerful cry resounds on all sides, bringing to mind certain notes 

 of our Blackbird, and one often sees them clinging like Woodpeckers to stems". 



The genus Malia is peculiar to Celebes, and its nearest allies are not 

 readily to be found. 



The next genus, Androphilus , has much in common with it — very similar 

 wings, legs, rictus, and distribution of colours, but it has 10 rectrices only in 

 its still more graduated tail. Dr. Sharp e speaks of Malia as nearly allied to 

 Mystacornis and as thus shewing a link between the Avifaunae of Celebes and 

 Madagascar, but, with all respect for the judgment of this eminent ornithologist, 

 we must say Mystacornis differs greatly in coloration, in shape of bill, in tarsus, 

 in form of tail, which is hardly graduated — indeed we do not know what can 

 be said for the affinity of the two birds, except that they belong to the same 

 family. Malia is a highly interesting Celebesian type, which must take equal 

 rank with Meropogon, Scissirostrum etc.; 



GENUS ANDROPHILUS Sliarpe. 



These birds are of about the size of a Sparrow, and the olivaceous of the 

 upper surface extends over the sides, flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts below. 

 They are best characterized by the strongly graduated tail of 10 feathers, and 

 by the almost complete absence of rictal bristles, about three minute bristles 

 being found, if looked for. Culmen shorter than the cranium, nearly straight, 

 the tip overlapping, a small denticulation ; nostril oval, the feathers of the forehead 

 covering the nasal membrane, but not the nostril; wing short, blunt, and curved 

 to fit the body, the quill- formula as in Malia; tarsus and toes large, the tarsus 

 slightly longer than the middle toe and claw. 



In wing, legs, the absence of rictal bristles, and the distribution of its colours 

 this genus agrees with Malia; it differs by its graduated tail of 10 feathers and 

 its straight bill with the decurved tip overlapping from the notch; the anterior 

 toes are also relatively a little longer. It is also allied to Mr. Ogilvie Grant's 

 Pseudotharrhaleus , which is like it in general appearance, but has twelve tail- 

 feathers. 



Androphilus is at present known from the highlands of Celebes and from 

 Mt. Kini Balu, Borneo, c^-^^^-v^^ /.^^c-.- 'i" O'^' '•' '^ - -'"^ -i^w— -^ 



