MERULA РКОТОМОМЕГЕХА (Сађ.. 
ASSAMESE OUZEL, 
Turdus dissimilis (пес Blyth), Blyth, J. А. S. Beng. xvi. p. 144 (1847, 8); Godwin-Austen, 
J. A, S. B. xli. pt, 2, p. 142 (1872); Seebohm, Str. F, viii. p. 437 (1879) ; id. P. Z. S. 1879, 
р. 805, pl. lxiv. 
Geocichla dissimilis, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 163 (1849, 3); Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 136, 
_ plvi.; Hume, Str. F. ix. p. 103 (1880), xi. p. 126 (1888). 
Turdulus cardis (nec Temm.), Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 521 (1862). 
Turdus protomomelas, Cab. J. f. O. 1867, p. 286. 
Geocichla tricolor, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 411; id. Str. F. iii. p. 409 (1875). К 
Merula protomomelena, Seebohm, Cat. В. Brit. Mus. у. р. 265 (1881); Oates, Faun. Brit. Ind, 
Birds, ii. p. 133 (1890); Stuart Baker, Journ. Bomb. N. H, Soc. ix. p. 137 (1894); Rippon, 
Ibis, 1897, p. 104, 1901, p. 544. 
d. M. rostro et pedibus flavis: axillaribus et subalaribus aurantiacis, corporis lateribus concoloribus : pileo, 
gutture et prepectore nigris: dorso cinereo. $ preepectore saturaté cinereo, latè nigro striolato : pectore 
summo et corporis lateribus aurantiaco-castaneis, 
Tur name of Merula dissimilis (Blyth) has sometimes been employed for this species, but there 
can be no doubt that under this title Blyth had confounded two species, the male of his Turdus 
dissimilis being the present bird, and the female Merula unicolor. Following the conclusions 
of Mr, Seebohm (Cat. B. v. p. 265) and Mr. Oates (Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, ii, p. 134), I also 
think that the name of M. dissimilis had better be dropped altogether, and the more assured one of 
М. protomomelena adopted. e 
Blyth records this Ouzel from the neighbourhood of Calcutta, where it may very possibly occur 
ава visitor in the cold season. Mr. Hume has recorded it from Hill Tippera (Ibis, 1871, p. 411), 
and specimens from this locality are in the Hume Collection, as well as from the neighbourhood of 
Dibrugarh, obtained by Mr. Cripps, who says (Str. F. xi. p. 128) that it is rare and evidently 
only an occasional visitant, three birds having been shot in January 1880. Mr. Stuart Baker, in 
his paper on the * Birds of North Cachar” (Journ. Bomb. Soc. N. Н. ix. p. 187), writes :—“ The 
only bird I have seen of this species was one shot by my taxidermist on the 20th of February, 
1893. This was a female, and was obtained on a hill over 3000 feet high, feeding high up in 
a large tree,” Mr. Hume met with it in Manipur (Str. Е. xi. p. 126); he writes :—*“ In April 
and May Thrushes were very numerous in the eastern hills, but withal very wild and difficult 
to get at. Тһе present species was the only one at all obtainable. Like the rest, it was always 
to be found on the ground, rummaging and feeding amongst the fallen leaves; but whereas 
Turdus obscurus, T. pallidus, &c. were always off like a flash of lightning at the slighest crackle of 
a twig within fifty yards of where they were, the present species would often only fly up a few 
feet on to a bare branch and wait there." 
Colonel Godwin-Austen met with it in the Garo Hills (J. A. S. Beng. xli, p. 142). 
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