THE 5HAMA 
Kiti&cincla fnalabarica incolor {Vieili.) 
Malay name: — Miirai batu. 
Dcscrlfition : — The shama k a striking and handsome bird, 
very like the mag^t^'t^-roljin in shape but with a much longer tail. 
The male has the headj neck, back and wings shining 
black, the rump pure white and the breast and abdomen deep 
chestnut. The tail is black and white. The colours do not 
merge into each other but join in sharply defined lines. A 
straight line across the lower throat marks the black and chest- 
nut zones and another line on the lower back separates the 
white rump from the black back. 
Females are not so bright as the males ; the chestnut of the 
underparts being replaced by rich yellowish-brown. The tail 
is also shorter. 
The iris is brown, the bill black and the feet pale fleshy 
colour. 
In the male, the total length is about ii inches and the 
wing 3} inches, 
Pistribiitioft : — The shama is foimd in India, the Indo- 
Chinese countries, the Malay Peninsula and thence throughout 
the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, etc. Other members of 
the genus occur in the Philippines, 
StahfS in Singtiparc: — The shama is not nncommon in 
Singapore, but it is much more retiring in its habits than the 
magpie- robin, being found in the thick woods rather than the 
open country. Birds may often be seen in the Botanic Gardens 
but even in this limited environment they display their natural 
preference for seclusion, sulking among the undergrowth or in 
the jungle rather (haji appearing on the paths and lawns. 
Their presence is usually betrayed by their most beautiful voice. 
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