(205) Pomatorhinus olivaceus ripponi.
Harington's Shan Scimitar-Babbler.
- Pomatorhinus ripponi Harington, Bull. B. O. C, xvii, p. 9 (1910) (Shan States).
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Differs from the Tenasserim Scimitar-Babbler in having the colour of the upper parts olive-brown instead of rufous-brown; the tail is concolorous with, instead of darker than, the back; the chestnut neck-patch is paler and the bill is perhaps more slender.
Colours of soft parts as in P. o. olivaceus.
Measurements. Total length about 210 mm.; wing 85 to 88 mm.; tail about 95 to 98 mm.; tarsus 25 mm.; culmen about 27 to 28 mm.
Distribution. Shan States and Kachin Hills.
Nidification similar to that of the last bird. Eggs taken by Messrs. J. P. Cook and Mackenzie average about 25·0 × 17·9 mm.
Habits. This bird was found by Mr. Cook frequenting grass lands rather than forest or jungle, and he even obtained it breeding in such places. It is found at all elevations between 2,500 and 5,000 feet.
Pomatorhinus horsfieldi.
Key to Subspecies.
| A. |
Sides of neck and breast blackish brown
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
P. h. horsfieldi, p. 210. |
| B. |
Sides of neck and breast brown
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
P. h. obscurus, p. 211. |
| C. |
Sides of neck rufescent like the back
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
P. h. melanurus, p. 212. |
| D. |
Sides of neck and breast broadly deep black
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
P. h. travancoriensis, p. 211. |
(206) Pomatorhinus horsfieldi horsfieldi.
The Deccan Scimitar-Babbler.
- Pomatorhinus horsfieldi Sykes, P. Z. S. 1832, p. 39 (Deccan); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 119.
Vernacular names. Namala Pitta or Damri Pitta (Tel).
Description. Upper plumage dark earthy-brown with a tinge of rufous, the head slightly darker; a white supercilium from the nostril to the nape, edged with black above; chin, throat, breast and abdomen white; lores, under the eye, the ear-coverts, the sides of the neck and a band bordering the breast and abdomen blackish brown; sides of the body, vent and under tail-coverts slaty-brown; tail and wings dark brown, washed on the outer webs with the colour of the back.
