more brown and the black markings on the nape even more highly developed.
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandellii; wing 74 mm.
Distribution. Kalka, Bhagat State, N.W. Himalayas; Garhwal.
Nidification unknown.
Habits. Shot by Mr. A. E. Jones in thick undergrowth of forest.
(245) Pellorneum ruficeps minus.
Sharpe's Spotted Babbler.
- Pellorneum minus Hume, S. F., i, p. 298 (1873) (Thayetmyo); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 141.
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Intermediate between mandellii and subochraceum, having the hind neck streaked but no dark markings on the back as in the former.
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in mandellii.
Distribution. Constant in character in the Chindwin, Chin Hills, Myingyan, Meiktila districts, and Central Burma to Thayetmyo. Individuals quite inseparable from this form occur throughout the range of P. r. mandellii, and are quite common in Assam, south of the Brahmaputra. The distribution is most puzzling, the more so as now and then specimens of this form are also met with in the area occupied by subochraceum. It is rather doubtful whether it should be given the status of a subspecies.
Nidification and Habits similar to those of mandellii. Forty eggs average about 21·5 × 16·4 mm.
(246) Pellorneum palustre.
The Marsh Spotted Babbler.
- Pellorneum palustre Jerdon, Ibis, 1872, p. 300 (Cherrapunji, Assam); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 143.
Vernacular names. Dao-priti-pit kashiba (Cachari).
Description. Upper plumage olive-brown, the forehead and a line over the lores bright rufous; tail and exposed parts of wing rufous; lores white; cheeks white barred with brown; ear-coverts rufous mottled with brown and with pale shafts; chin, throat and centre of breast and abdomen white; the remainder of the lower plumage rich oclu'aceous buff; the whole breast and sides of the body with lieavy, dark brown streaks.
Colours of soft parts. "Iris bright brown; bill horny-brown; base of lower mandible tinged blue; tarsus pale horny-blue" (H. Stevens).
