^H 



DUMETIA ALBOGULARIS, Blyth. 



White-throated Dumetia. 



Malacocercus alhogularis, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xvi. p. 453. 



Dumetia alhogularis, Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 140. — Layard in Ann. and Mag. Nat. 



Hist., 2nd. ser. vol. xii. p. 272. — Horsf. and Moore, Cat. of Birds in Mus. East Ind. Comp., vol. i. p. 403. 

 Timalia hyperythra, Jerd. in Madras Journ. of Lit. and ScL, vol. x. p. 261.— Id. 111. Ind. Orn., 7th page of text to 



pi. 19. 

 Pellorneum albogulare, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. xxi. p. 357. 

 Timalia alhogularis, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. App. p. 10, app. to p. 228. 

 Shah Dumri of the Hindoos, Jerdon. 

 Pundi jitta (i. e. ' Pig-bird') in Telugu, Jerdon. 



To see this bird in a state of nature, one must pay a visit to the southern portion of the peninsula of 

 India ; if looked for in the north, it would not be found. Like many other of the species inhabiting the 

 Madras Presidency, this bird is also found in Ceylon, but, I believe, not very abundantly, and it is somewhat 

 local there. We are indebted to Messrs. Jerdon, Blyth, and Layard for all we know of the habits and 

 manners of this bird ; and it is only justice to those gentlemen to give their observations in their own words. 



" This bird," remarks Mr. Jerdon, " I have seen but very seldom ; once at the top of the Tapoor Pass in 

 thick jungle, and in the neighbourhood of Jaulnah in jungly district, in thick hedges and thickly wooded 

 nullahs. From the dense nature of the bushes it frequents, it is with difficulty observed and obtained. I 

 have generally seen it in parties of five or six, occasionally giving out a low and indistinct sort of chattering. 

 Fragments of various insects were found in the stomachs of those I procured. It is called Pundi jitta, or 

 Pig-bird, in Telugu, — a name given from its habit of making its way under the bushes, never showing itself 

 above." 



Mr. Blyth states : " Its note considerably resembles that of Malacocercus caudatus, except in being pro- 

 portionally weaker." 



" In Ceylon," says Mr. Layard, " it is confined to the vicinity of Colombo, and is not uncommon ; it is 

 generally found in small flocks about the cinnamon and other low bushes, creeping about in search of 

 insects." 



There appears to be little or no difference in the colouring of the sexes, the numerous examples that 

 have come under my notice being all similarly coloured. 



Forehead pale rust-colour, faintly striated with a lighter hue ; all the upper surface, wings, and tail very 

 pale brown, the inner webs of the primaries somewhat darker, and the tail-feathers crossed by indistinct 

 bars of the same tint, only seen in certain lights ; chin and centre of the throat buffy white, remainder of 

 the under surface deep fawn-colour. 



The figures are of the natural size. 



