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ARGYA SQUAMICEPS. 
(PALESTINE BUSH-BABBLER.) 
Malurus squamiceps, Cretzschm. in Riipp. Atl. taf. 12. p. 19 (1826). 
_ Sphenura squamiceps (Cretzsch.), Ehr. Symb. Phys. fols. ce et dd (1828). 
Argya rueppelli, Less. Traité d’Orn. p. 402 (1821). 
Crateropus squamiceps (Cretzsch.), Bp. Conspectus Gen. Av. p. 278 (1850). 
Crateropus chalybeus, Bp. Compt. Rend. xlii. p. 765 (1856), 
Crateropus chalybetus (Bp.), Tristram, Ibis, 1865, p. 79, 
Crateropus chalybius (Bp.), Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 6. 
Figura unica. 
Rupp. 0. ¢. 
3 ad. corpore supra pallidé umbrino-cinereo, plumis in pileo, capitis lateribus et dorso centraliter fusco notatis : 
alis et caudd pallidé umbrino-cinereis, remigibus in pogonio interno saturatioribus: corpore subtus 
pallidiore, mento, gula et abdomine centraliter fere albis, gula: et pectoris plumis centraliter fumoso 
notatis: hypochondriis et subcaudalibus pallidé brunnescente cervino lavatis: rostro brunnescenti- 
corneo, ad basin flavicante: iride brunned: pedibus pallidé brunneis. 
mari similis. 
Adult Male (Engedi, Palestine, January). Upper parts of a peculiar greyish dust-brown, most nearly 
resembling that of the dry but unroasted coffee-bean; feathers on the crown, sides of the head, and 
back with lighter edges and dark brown centres; wings and tail greyish dust-brown, the inner webs of 
the former rather darker; underparts paler than the upper parts, the chin, the centre of the throat, and 
of the abdomen nearly pure white; feathers on the throat and breast with dark centres; flanks and 
under tail-coverts tinged with warm buff; bill horn-brown, yellowish at the base; iris reddish brown ; 
legs light brown. ‘Total length about 11°5 inches, culmen 1:0, wing 4°3, tail 5:7, tarsus 2°45, outer 
tail-feather 2 inches shorter than the central ones. 
Female (Jericho), Undistinguishable from the male in colour or markings, but, if any thing, a very trifle 
less in size. 
Young (Jericho, 14th April). Resembles the adult, except that the feathers are short, and the plumage is 
rather loose and lax. 
Tue range of this Babbler is very limited. First described by Riippell from Akabah, in Arabia, 
it was subsequently obtained in Palestine, and redescribed by Bonaparte, and has also been met 
with in Arabia Petrea; thus it only just comes within the limits of the Palearctic Region. It 
appears to be most numerous in Palestine, whence all the specimens I have examined have been 
obtained. Canon Tristram writes (Ibis, 1865, p. 80) as follows :—“ It is strictly confined to the 
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