TIMALTN^. 17 



Plumage full and lax, with the coronal feathers slightly 

 elongated. 



This genus appears to have some affinities for Pyctorhis, but 

 differs in its longer bill, shorter, nearly-even tail, and shorter 

 tarsus. 



387. Trichastoma Abbotti, Blyth. 



Malacocincla, apud Blyth, J. A. S., XIV., 601— Blyth, 

 Cat. 838 — Horsf., Cat. 662 — Malacopteron, apud Gray. 



The Brown-backed Tit-babbler. 



Descr. — Above, plain olive-brown, tinged with rufous on the 

 rump and tail ; under parts paler ; the throat and the middle of the 

 belly white ; ear-coverts, sides of breast, and flanks, rufescent ; 

 lower tail-coverts pale ferruginous. 



Bill horny, pale beneath. Length 6 inches ; wing 3 ; tail 2|- ; 

 bill at front ji. 



This bird has been sent from Nepal by Hogdson, from Dacca 

 by Tytler, and also from Arrakan. I have not had an opportunity 

 of observing it. 



Other recorded species of Trichastoma are T. hicolor, Less. 

 (ferrvc/inosum, Bl.) ; T. rostratum, Blyth ; and T. olivaceum, 

 Strickland, all from Malacca. 



Gen. Alcippe, Blyth. 



Syn. — Setaria, Blyth — Siva, postea Ioropus, Hodgs. 



Char. — Bill short, moderately stout and compressed ; culmen 

 slightly curved, hooked and notched ; nostrils slightly impended 

 by some seta ; rictal bristles moderate ; wings moderate, rounded, 

 4th and 5th quills equal ; tail moderate or rather short, very 

 slightly rounded ; tarsus stout, moderate ; lateral toes unequal ; 

 claws tolerably curved. 



The birds of this genus are of small size, with plain colors, and, 

 mostly, undefined markings ; and, in their habit are less social, 

 perhaps, and more silent, than most of the Timalias, with which 

 however, they have undoubted affinities ; and they exhibit distant 

 relationship to some of the Leiotrichince ; more than one species, 

 now referred to this genus, having been described as Brachypteryx. 



c 



