GEOCICHLA PRINCII (Share). 
USSHER'S GROUND-THRUSH. 
Chametylas princei, Sharpe, Р. Z. S. 1872, p. 625. 
Turdus bivittatus, Reichen. 7. f. О. 1874, p. 104, 1875, p. 47. 
Geocichla princei, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 164, pl. xii. (1881). 
б. tectricibus alarum mediis et majoribus albo terminatis : supercilio pallido vix evidente: pectore lutescenti- 
brunneo, immaculato. 
Ussmer's GROUND-THRUSH was discovered in the interior of the Gold Coast by a native collector 
named Aubinn, who was employed for years by Governor Ussher, who added so much to our 
knowledge of the avifauna of West Africa. Aubinn met with the species in the province of 
Denkera, and it was discovered almost at the same time by Dr. Reichenow in the mountains of 
Aburi in Aguapim, and described as Turdus bivittatus. From the Gold Coast the range of the 
species extends to Liberia, where Dr. Büttikofer obtained an immature specimen on Du Queah 
(Notes Leyden Mus. 1888, p. 77). 
Ussher's Ground-Thrush has the two broad black bands across the ear-coverts, so conspicuous 
in Geocichla guttata, G. spiloptera, and G. peroni. In the absence of spots on the underparts it 
agrees with Geocichla crossleyi, б. gurneyi, б. piaggie, and б. peroni. From the last-mentioned 
species it differs in having the breast and flanks pale dull brown, instead of rich chestnut-orange. 
The character of the white terminal spots on the median and greater wing-coverts excludes every 
other species of the genus. 
The adult may be described as follows :— 
General colour of the upper parts russet-brown, more russet on the upper tail-coverts, but 
inclining to olive on the crown; lores dirty white; eye-stripe obsolete; lesser wing-coverts russet- 
brown; median and greater wing-coverts blackish brown, with large white terminal fan-shaped spots ; 
primary-coverts dark brown; tertials russet-brown; secondaries and primaries brown, margined 
with russet-brown on the outer webs; tail-feathers russet-brown, the two outer ones with narrow 
white tips; ear-coverts buffish white, crossed by two broad black bars; underparts pale russet-brown, 
darkening on the breast and flanks and shading into white on the chin, centre of belly, and 
under tail-coverts ; axillaries nearly black, with white bases; lower primary-coverts brown; lower 
secondary-coverts white, with nearly black bases. 
Geocichline markings on inner webs of quills white. 
Bill nearly black, paler at the base of the under mandible. Second primary intermediate in 
length between the fourth and fifth. Legs, feet, and claws flesh-colour ; outer tail-feathers 0-2 inch 
shorter than the longest. 
Length of wing 4:5 to 41 inches, tail 3:02 to 8:0 inches, culmen :9 to :86 inch, tarsus 1:37 
to 1:3 inch, bastard-primary 1:0 to :95 inch. 
The seasonal changes are unknown. 
Young in the first plumage differ from adults in having pale shaft-streaks to most of the 
feathers of the upper parts and obscure dark markings across many of the feathers of the underparts. 
r2 
