TROCHALOPTERON VIRGATUM, Gadwin-Amtm. 



White-eyebrowed Trochalopteron. 



Trochalopteron virgatum, Godwin- Austen, P. Z. S., 1874, p. 46. 



Here, again, ornithology is indebted to Major Godwin-Austen for presenting to our notice this new species, 

 which is marked by sufficient differences to admit of no doubt as to its specific distinctness. It belongs to 

 the plain-coloured section of the genus, and does not exhibit those striking contrasts of colour which are to 

 be noticed in Trochalopteron variegatum, T. erythrocephalmn, and their allies. I cannot help reiterating my 

 wish that we may soon come to an end of these " Laughing-Thrushes," as Dr. Jerdon calls them ; but at 

 present there seems no likelihood of it, for species are discovered faster than I can figure them in my yearly 

 issue of the present work. With their discovery unfortunately we get little or no information respecting 

 their habits ; and all that we know respecting the present bird is the following observation by its original 

 discoverer : — " I obtained a single specimen near the village of Razami, Naga Hills, under the Kopamedza 

 ridge, 5000 feet." 



The following is the description given by Major Godwin-Austen : — 



" Head dark rufous brown, olivaceous on back, paler and greyer on rump ; tail olive-brown, with a slight 

 tinge of rusty on basal half, finely and indistinctly barred ; wing, first three quills grey on outer web, 

 the rest and secondaries pale ferruginous, merging into rich chestnut at their base; coverts of the latter 

 colour, narrowly tipped ochre; feathers of winglet conspicuously white-centred, and lores chestnut, a white 

 supercilium ; ear-coverts pale rusty ; chin and throat rich dark chestnut ; breast and abdomen bright 

 ochraceous ; under tail-coverts darker brown. As viewed from below, the tail is grey-brown, each feather 

 faintly tipped with white. 



"All the feathers of the head, upper back, flanks, and breast are centred white or pale ochre, and those 

 of the head and neck are rigid. 



" Bill black ; legs pinky grey; irides pale brown/' 



The single figure in the Plate is taken from the type specimen kindly lent to me by Major Godwin- 

 Austen, and represents the bird of the natural size. 





ISM 



^S 



