Chattering Thrush. 



Timalia Malcolmi, Sykes, Proc. of the Comm. Sci. & Corr. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. 88. 



The accompanying figure was taken from one of Colonel Sykes' specimens, at present form- 

 ing part of his own collection, and which has been most kindly lent to me, together with every 

 other specimen, at the command of that Gentleman, that can assist me in the continuation of 

 the present publication. 



Of this bird Colonel Sykes remarks ; — " It is called by the Mahrattas 'Kokuttee : ' it congre- 

 gates in flocks of ten or a dozen; flies low, slowly, and with difficulty; never ceases chattering 

 simultaneously. Tongue deeply bifid. Liver of two lobes, fleshy and angular, one thrice the 

 length of the other. Intestines varying from eight to twelve inches long, very wide. Duodenum 

 not wider than intestine. Caeca minute, three-twentieths to two-tenths of an inch long. Colon 

 seven-tenths to eight-tenths of an inch long. Spleen one inch long. Gall-bladder very small. 

 Digastric muscle very strong, two-tenths to three-tenths of an inch thick. Stomach oval and 

 compressed. In the stomach were found grasshoppers, minute insects, and seeds of Holms 

 Lorghum." 



Colonel Sykes has dedicated this species to Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B., who zealously aided 

 his researches in India. 



Habitat, Dukhun. 



The general colour is pale grey-brown : rump, paler : the wing and central tail-feathers are 

 marked with indistinct brown bars : the under parts of the bird are dirty whitish, with a faint 

 rose tint : the frontal plumes are bluish, striated with white in the centre : irides, golden- 

 yellow : the lower mandible, at the base, yellowish. 



Total length, eleven and a half inches. 



