

TROCHALOPTERON CINERACEUM, Godwin-Austen. 



Cinereous Trochalopteron. 



Trochalopteron cineraceum, Godwin- Austen, P. Z. S., 1874, p. 45, pi. xi. 



In the absence of any information respecting this bird, either with regard to its actions or its habitat, I 

 have really nothing to say respecting it beyond drawing attention to its varied markings and generally 

 pleasing contour. When we shall come to an end of these scrub-loving birds, such as Trochalopteron, 

 Garrulax, and others, no one can tell ; for they increase upon us yearly, and to monograph them would not 

 only be a task of much labour, but would occupy a large volume ; and they will do so, if the author of the 

 ' Birds of Asia ' is spared to complete his work. Every new district and almost every additional thousand 

 feet of elevation afford situations for a new species, each of which has its own peculiar locality. 



The habitat of the present bird is the Naga Hills, where it represents the Trochalopteron variegatum of 

 the Himalayas. In size and colouring they are very much alike ; but, as Major Godwin-Austen observes, 

 its " yellow bill and much smaller and weaker legs and feet make it a very marked form of this genus." 



I copy the following description from the last-mentioned gentleman : — 



" Above pale ashy olivaceous, greyer on the tail, which is black for 07" at the terminal end, then tipped 

 broadly white. Wing : quills pale black, edged hoary grey; the secondaries tipped black, and their square 

 tips edged white, in keeping with the tail. Primary coverts near the bastard wing black, forming a wing- 

 spot. Top of head black, extending in a narrow line down back of neck ; lores and a broad band over eyes 

 and ear-coverts dingy white ; a few pure white feathers below eyes merging into ear-coverts ; a narrow 

 black line extends from posterior corner of eye over the ear-coverts, and a moustachial streak of the same 

 colour merges into indistinct spots. Chin white, with a few hairy black streaks ; breast and underparts 

 sullied white, with a slight vinous tinge on the former, and a dash of ruddy rufous on side of neck ; 

 ochraceous on belly and under tail-coverts. 



" Bill pale yellow, shaded dark above ; legs fleshy brown ; irides pale ruddy ochre. 



" Length 875 inches, wing 3-22, tail 4, tarsus 1-25, bill at front 0-68." 



The figures are life-size, and are taken from the typical example. 





