RIMATOR MALACOPTILUS, Biyth. 



Long'-billed Wren. 



Rimator malacoptilus, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xvi. pp. 154, 864, 878.— Ann. Nat. Hist., n. s., vol. xx. 



p. 317.— Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 338.— Horsf. & Moore, Cat. of Birds in 



Mus. East-Ind. Comp., vol. ii. p. 717.— Jerd. Birds of India, vol. i. p. 493. 

 Caulodromus Gracei, G. R. Gray, Proc. of Zool. Soc, part xv., 1847, p. 6. — Id. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 144, 



pi. 44. fig. 2. — Ann. Nat. Hist., n. s., vol. xix. p. 352. — Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., torn. i. p. 225. 

 Merva Jerdoni, Hodgs. Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist., 1847, p. 96. 

 Karriak tungbrek-pho of the Lepchas. 



The bird figured on the accompanying Plate must be regarded as one of the most curious and highly 

 interesting species comprised in the Indian avifauna. It appears to be as scarce as it is singular in 

 structure (for at present it is only known to us from the few skins that have been collected by Mr. Hodgson 

 and one or two other observers); and a great length of time will probably elapse before we become acquainted 

 with its habits and economy. Its proper situation in our systems is very questionable ; Mr. Jerdon places it 

 near Troglodytes, assigns to it the trivial name of the Long-billed Wren, and has little doubt of the propriety 

 of the position he has given it. " Mr. Blyth," says he, " calls it a Myiotherine bird, approaching the Wrens. 

 Gray puts it in his family Certhince, as does Prince Bonaparte, but quite erroneously, I think." Its very short, 

 almost an apology for a tail, its rounded wings, long bill, stout tarsi, lengthened hind toes and claws, and 

 brown plumage, all indicate that it habitually resorts to the ground, or that the boles of fallen trees and 

 moss-covered stones in the humid forests are the places it usually frequents. We should like to know the 

 character and shape of its nest, whether open or domed, like that of Troglodytes, the colour and number 

 of its eggs, the nature of its song, if any, and if the sexes assimilate in form and size and in the colouring 

 of their plumage : with respect to this latter point the probability is that there is no visible difference. 



Trusting I may live to read a more full account of the history of this highly curious bird from the 

 pens of some of the young and rising ornithologists of our Indian Empire, I must now content myself with 

 subjoining Mr. Jerdon's brief note respecting it. He says : — 



" I procured two or three specimens of this remarkable bird at Darjeeling, but regret that I did not 

 observe it myself. It was said to be chiefly a feeder on the ground, among brushwood and fallen trees ; and 

 I found the remains of insects in its stomach." 



Upper surface deep brown, with fulvous shafts ; scapularies and interscapularies mingled black and brown ; 

 primaries and tail deep brown, slightly tinged with rufous ; under surface pale brown, striated with a darker 

 tint ; a black streak on each side of the throat ; flanks ferruginous olive ; under tail-coverts dark rust-red ; 

 bill fleshy at the base, dark horn-colour at the tip ; legs brownish flesh-colour ; irides light brown. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



