1876.] on the Expedition into the Dafla Hills, Assam. 73 



white ; flanks grey. Shoulder of wing olivaceous ; primaries black, rufous 

 at the base, forming a band, the outermost edged white ; their coverts 

 black : secondaries grey, edged rich rufous on the outer web, with a narrow 

 white edging to the inner. Irides dark brown ; legs and feet pale grey ; 

 bill neutral grey. 



" L. 3-25, W. 1-75, T. 2-10, t. 062, Bf. 0-25 inches. 



" Hob. The bamboo underwood of the forests at 5000 — 7000 feet, first 

 obtained on the slopes of Toruputii Peak in January. 



" These curious little birds associate together in large flocks, making an 

 incessant sharp twitter. They are most active, flitting rapidly about the 

 foliage of the bamboos, of which the underwood is principally composed. 

 They were the most fearless birds I ever met with, perching on twigs with- 

 in a couple of yards of one's head, so close that it was some time before I 

 could fire at one without the certainty of blowing it all to pieces, and two 

 specimens obtained I had to throw away. The bright-coloured top of the 

 head, set off with its black coronal edging, is conspicuous as they fly and 

 hop about the branches." 



*382. Grahmatoptila striata, Vigors. 



This was a bird seen and heard more than any other at about 6000 

 feet in January. It was particularly abundant under Toruputii Peak, 

 associating in large flocks, their note a chatter mingled with another call 

 somewhat simulating the low quack of a duck. On examination of several 

 birds they proved to be fruit- and seed-eaters solely, but insect life was at 

 the time very scarce. Irides red brown ; legs and feet pale grey. 



L. 10-5, W. 5-5, T. 5-75, t. 1-75, Bf. 0-95 inches. 



I have noticed in these forests that many species of gregarious babbling- 

 thrushes associate together, and I have seen as many as three in the same 

 large and numerous flock. The large and noisy white-crested babblers 

 (Garrulax leucolophus) often have other species in their train, among 

 others I once shot Pomatorhinusferruginosus. The same habit is to be 

 observed with many of the IdotricMnce : for long distances not a bird is to 

 be seen or heard, all is as silent as if no life whatever existed ; when suddenly 

 one comes upon a whole assemblage of birds, all actively feeding and an 

 incessant chirping and twittering are going on on all sides ; they pass on 

 through the forest and all is still again. 



384. Gampsorhynchtts rupultjs, Blyth. 



One specimen possesses an incipient collar, but differs in no other 

 respect. Mr. Hume has separated this phase or variety of colouration under 

 the specific title of G. torquatus, but I doubt whether so small a variation 

 however interesting and worthy of record is enough to entitle the bird to a 

 distinctive title. Lord Walden has remarked to me that the collar probably 

 denotes a full stage of plumage. 



