456 
OEEOCINCLA IMBEICATA. 
members differ from true Turdus in the bill and vary in the number of their tail-feathers. Their wings are 
those of a typical Thrush and so are their habits. The present species is a typical example of this group. 
It w'as united by Jerdon (‘Ibis,’ 1872) with the above-named Kilghiri species, inasmuch as he states, in Ms supple- 
mentary notes to the ‘ Birds of India,’ that the “ Zoothera imhricata of Layard turns out to be Oreocincla nil- 
ghiriensis.” On what evidence this statement was made 1 am not aware, but it is certain that 0. nilghiriensis is 
a very distinct species. Mr. Hume avers this, loc. eit., and gives the testimony of Mr. Davison, who is acquainted 
with the bird in all its stages, concerning the tvhite under surface which is characteristic of it. It is very rare in 
European collections; but the magnificent collection of that distinguished ornithologist the late lamented 
Lord Tweeddale contains a fine example which I have lately had the opportunity of examining. Its measure- 
ments are : — wing 5’4 inches ; tail 3‘7; tarsus I‘2 ; middle toe and claw 1-2 ; bill to gape 1-42. It is paler 
than 0. imhricata on the upper surface, particularly as regards the lower back and rump, and the feathers have 
their dark tips pervaded by a pale fulvous ray or patch, wMch is particvdarly noticeable on the head, hind neck, 
and rump ; the pale tips of the median and greater wing-coverts are lighter than in our bird and much larger ; 
the imder surface, together with the throat and fore neck, is white, slightly tinted with buff on the sides of the 
throat and on the lower part of the fore neck ; but the bi’east and lower parts are pure white ; the terminal 
marldngs of the feathers of the chest, upper breast, and flanks ai’e very bold and deep, and the belly is almost 
unmarked. 
With regard to the specific name of this Thrush, it is evident, from Layard's description of his S{>ecimeu, that it was 
no other than the present species ; he writes : — “ On the breast the colours are pale rufous-yellow, darkening into 
deep rufous with very dark brown edge ; vent and under tail- coverts rufous.” A specimen was sent some years 
ago by Mr. IT. Nevill, of the Ceylon Civil Service, to Mr. Hume, and the name 0. gregoriana (after Sir Wm. 
Gregory, late Governor of Ceylon) proposed for it, from which I conclude that the fact of its having been 
already named by Layard was overlooked. 
Distribution. — This fine Thrush was first noticed and described hy Layard, loc. cit., from a specimen that 
he discriminated in the collection of Mr. Thwaites, who was, therefore, its discoverer. Where this gentleman 
l)rocured it Layard docs not mention, but, as a matter of fact, it is found throughout the main range and in 
the uncleared portions of most of the coffee-districts ; it is decidedly an uncommon bird, and, being very shy 
and retiring, almost entirely escapes observation. It is most frequently met with in the high land round 
Nuwara EUiya and in the wilderness of the Peak ; but I have seen it in Maturata, and procured it in a small 
wood on Allegalla mountain, where it is not unfrequent, and where Mr. Earr likewise has obtained several 
examples. Mr. Thwaites informs me that it makes its appearance at the beginning of every year from the 
surrounding jungle in the Hakgala Gardens, in which the open though secluded ground and the ample shelter 
of shady conifers afford it a favourite feeding-place. I do not think it descends below an altitude of 3000 feet, 
at which I procured it at Allegalla, and also observed it in the forest on the Peak above Gillymallv. 
Habits. — ^The Buff-breasted Thrush dwells almost exclusively on the ground, from which it rises, when 
startled, with a loud flutter, and taking a short irregular flight, suddenly drops again. I have always observed 
it alone, and have met with it in openly timbered forest and in thick willow-scrub. It appeai-s to feed on 
insects, w'hicb it procures beneath fallen leaves ; and Mr. Thwaites informs me that it scratches much in 
rubbish thrown out at the borders of his plantation, and when flushed betakes itself to a low branch and then 
disappears into the adjacent forest. 
I can give no particulars as to its nidification. 
The figure in the Plate accompanying my article on Turdus spiloptera is that of a female shot in jungle 
at the summit of Allegalla peak. 
