Malacoctrcus Griseus. 



the Mahratta portion of the Nizam's dominions, not extending further than the boundaries 

 of the trap formation, which curiously enough divides the Mahratta and the Telinga races, 

 the latter commencing nearly with the granite formation which extends through the eastern 

 part of the Nizam's dominions. In all the district mentioned above the M. Malcohni is as 

 common as the M. griseus is in the Carnatic, being found near every village, and in every 

 clump of trees. It is much more noisy than its congeners, and flies generally in larger flocks, 

 twelve and fifteen being a common number. I have found the nest and eggs which closely 

 resemble those oi griseus. It is called Ghoghoye in Hindustani, Gowa Seeda in Teloogoo, 

 and sometimes Verree cheenda, or mad Babbler. 



3rd M. Somermllei, Thimalia Somercillei, Sykes P. Z. S. 1832, not of Jerdon 

 Cat. No. 91. Thus described by Colonel Sykes. Eeddish brown ; abdomen, vent, lower 

 back and tail, light rufous, the latter obsoletely banded with darker ; quills brown ; 

 the feathers of the throat and breast marked in the middle with blueish, Bill and feet 

 yellow. Length 9^- Tail 4i, Irides bright yellow. Found in the ghauts only (viz : in the 

 more Northern portion about N. L. 17" to 20"). 



4th. M. malaharicus new species? M. Somercillei Jerdon Cat. No. 91. Now 

 that I am better acquainted with the birds of this genus, and know how closely they 

 approximate, I have little hesitation in separating the bird which I formerly referred to 

 Somervillei. It differs from that species, as described by Sykes, in having the back of a 

 cinereous brown instead of a reddish brown, and in the lower part of the back and tail not 

 being rufous. In this respect Sykes' bird approaches somewhat to M. Earhi of Biyth, 

 the only one I have seen with a rufous tail. Should however the description of Somervillei 

 be faulty, mine may yet prove to be identical with it, as they both inhabit the western ghauts, 

 though in different latitudes. My species is found in the forests of Malabar, and on the 

 sides of the Neilgherries up to the very edge of the hills. I add its dimentions. Length 

 9.i or so Wing i^o'^h. Tail ^. Tarsus lr„ths. Hind toe and claw fjths. Bill (at front) 

 nearly roths, at gape 1 inch. 



5. M. orientalis, new species ? Another species referred by me to the Somervillei 

 of my Catalogue is found in the jungles of the Carnatic, and more especially among those of 

 the Eastern ghauts, where it is very abundant, whence the name I have proposed. It 

 diff'ers from the last, malabaricus, in the prevalent lighter tint of the plumage, especially 

 beneath, where it is almost white, contrasting strongly with the rufous tint of the other 



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