I 



ALCIPPE BRUNNEA, Gould. 



Brown Alcippe* 



Alcippe brunnea, Gould, in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1862, p. 280.— Swinh. in Ibis, 1863, p. 297. 



Two species of this genus of little brown birds inhabit the Island of Formosa, both of which are considered 

 by Mr. Swinhoe to be new ; these are the Alcippe brunnea, Gould, and the A. Morrisonia, Swinhoe. Besides 

 these, we find many others named by Messrs. Horsfield and Moore in their ' Catalogue of the Birds in the 

 Museum of the East India Company.' 



In comparing A. brunnea with the A. Morrisonia, Mr. Swinhoe says, " This is a larger and browner 

 bird than the preceding, with a larger bill, but has the same black double streak on the back of the neck. 

 The sexes appear to be similar, as in that species. This is also a mountain bird, and not observed on the 

 plains. Its legs are much stronger, and its nails, especially the hind one, larger and more straightened. Its 

 tail, too, is much more graduated, the outer feather being f^ths of an inch shorter than the central, and all 

 the feathers narrowing to their tips." 



Mr. Swinhoe not having recorded any information respecting the habits and economy of this bird, I am 

 unable to give any details respecting them, which is the more to be regretted since we know nearly as little 

 respecting the species inhabiting India. 



Feathers of the crown and upper surface deep reddish brown, those of the crown slightly fringed with a 

 darker tint, giving that part a scaled appearance; a longitudinal black stripe commences above the eye and 

 passes down towards the nape, separating the brown colouring of the crown from the grey of the sides of the 

 face and ear-coverts ; throat and under surface brownish grey ; flanks wood-brown ; primaries and tail- 

 feathers uniform chestnut-brown ; thighs reddish brown ; bill horn-colour ; legs and toes flesh-white. 



The figures on the accompanying Plate are of the size of life. 





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