timalin^;. 33 



Pomatorhini have been recently separated as Pomatostomus ; their 

 habits appear very similar, but the nidification differs. 



Gen. XiPHOEAMPHUS, Blyth. 



Syn. Xiphorliynchus, Blyth, olim. 



Char. — Bill still more curved and more slender than in Pomator- 

 Mnus, much compressed ; wings and tail as in that genus ; claws 

 longer, more slender, and very slightly curved. 



This is simply 'an exaggerated form of Pomatorkinus. 



406. Xiphoramphus super ciliar is, Blyth. 



J. A. S., XL, 175— Blyth, Cat. 856— LIorsf., Cat. 353— 

 Jeedon, 111. Ind. Orn., PL 49 — Karriok-tamveep, Lepch. 



The Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler. 



Descr. — Above uniform reddish brown ; quills and tail dusky ; 

 crown, occiput, and sides of head, dark cinereous, with a narrow 

 superciliary white line ; under-parts dull rufo-ferruginous ; throat 

 whitish, streaked with dusky grey ; the breast fainter rufous than 

 the belly, and obscurely spotted with dusky ; shoulders of wings 

 and tibial feathers dark cinereous. 



Bill dusky black, plumbeous at the tip ; legs leaden brown ; 

 irides red-brown. Length 9 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 4J ; bill at 

 front If ; tarsus 1^. 



This very curious bird has hitherto been only procured in Sikhim. 

 It is rare, and is found from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, and upwards. I 

 know nothing of its habits, but I doubt its being known to any 

 one as a pleasing songster, as Mr. Blyth was informed. 



The next group, that of the Laughing Thrushes, Garrulacinae, 

 Bonaparte, is peculiarly a Himalayan and mountain tribe, only three 

 having been found in Southern India ; one or two in Ceylon ; and 

 a few more on the Khasia hills, and the upland forests of Burmah, 

 extending northwards to China, but sparingly into Malayana. They 

 have received several names. Swainson formed of them his genus 

 Crateropus, which was formerly used by myself, but that name is 

 now restricted to a peculiar African type ; and Gould formed his 

 Ianthocincla for some. Garrulax of Lesson is now generally 

 adopted, but it has been sub-divided. 



E 



