1839 J of the Peninsula of India. 255 



Gen. PELLORNEUM, Swains. 



86.-P. olivaceum?—New species.— P. ruficeps, S\v. N.Z ?— Red 

 headed Babbler. 



Deserip.— Above and sides of a dark brownish olive ; head, and back 

 part of neck, rusty red: chin white ; breast and bellv white; many of 

 the feathers, of the breast especially, broadly centred with olive. Irides 

 brick red ; bill above dusky ;below dirty yellow; legs yellow with a 

 tinge of flesh colour. Length 6£ inches; wing 2fj tail 2- 4 ths • 

 tarsus l T Vth. 



I have not met with any description of this bird, but as the species 

 given as type of this genus has been called ruficeps by its talented 

 founder, I strongly suspect, that, as the name is applicable to this 

 species, it may be the one intended, so have put it as a synonym, till 

 further information is obtained. 



I have met this curious little bird in the jungles of Trichoor, Wur- 

 guncherry and Manan toddy, but it is by no means common. It asso- 

 ciates in small flocks, among the low shrubs and thickets in lofty jun- 

 gle, descending to the groumd, where it hops about in search of various 

 insects, and from thence running up and climbing the small branches, 

 keeping up a continual chattering, and every now and then one of 

 them, perched on a low bough, elevating his head and neck, and giving 

 utterance to a sort of crowing laugh, very similar to that of the Cra- 

 teropus next described. On being disturbed, they retreat through the 

 trees and underwood, at no great height from the ground, and indeed 

 they never appear to climb to any height. 



Gen. CRATEROPUS, Sw.— Xamthocincla.GouW.— GANw, A xis,Less. 



87.— C. cachinnaus.— New species ?— White browed Babbler.— Laugh- 

 ing Thrush of the Neilgherries. 



Deserip.— Above and under tail coverts of a dark olive, head dusky 

 black, eyebrows and eyelids white, lores and chin black, ears, throat 

 breast and belly bright rufous. Irides fine lake red ; bill black • legs 

 dusky greenish. Length about <J inches; wing.3^ • tail nearly 4; 

 tarsus 1 T 4 -. 



This noisy bird is to be met with in all the thick woods on the sum- 

 mit of the Neilgherries, and its loud laughing call is often heard when 

 the bird itself remains unseen. I have met it in no other locality. 



