456 TEOGLODYTID.E. triangular tenuiniil spots of blackish brown; in some cases the lower plumage is faintly tinged with fulvous, especially on the sides; flanks brown obscurely barred with blackish; under tail- coverts rufous The white colour of the lower parts at once •distinguishes this race from all the others.
Colours of soft parts. Iris red-brown; bill dark horny-brown; legs brownish-fleshy.
Measurements. Wing 47 to 49 mm.; tail 37 to 39 mm.; tarsus 21 mm.; culmen 12 to 13 mm.
Distribution. Chin Hills above 5,000 feet.
Nidification. Major Venning and Mr. ~F. Grant found this Wren breeding iu the Chin Hills between 5,000 and 9,000 feet in March, April and May, eggs being found between the 12th March and the 24th May, two fresh eggs having been taken on the latter, date. The nest is typical of that of the genus. Venning describes one taken by him as " a large, oval, domed-shaped structure, composed of an outer layer of dead leaves, canna leaves, coarse grass, etc., inside which was a layer of grass stems, fibres and a little moss, the cup being lined up to the level of the entrance with a plaster about yL inch thick, composed, as far as I •could determine, of a substance which looked like chewed thistle stem or chewed grass. The dimensions were : exterior height 6 in,, diameters 5 in. and 4 in." Other nests taken were exactly like the one described; they were all placed on damp ground in undergrowth or grass in forest. The eggs, which number two to four in a full clutch, are not distinguishable from those of the Assam race, Eit'teen eggs average about 1 8"2 X 1 4"6 mm.
Habits. There is practically nothing on record about this bird, but it is not likely that its habits differ in any way from those of the other races. It, however, seems occasionally to be found in rather more open country.
(470) Spelaeornis caudatus.
The Tailed Wren.
- Tesia cavdata Blyth, J, A. S. B., xiv, i^. 589 (1845) (Darjiliug).
- TJrocichla caudata. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 341.
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Lores and sides of the head grey; the whole upper plumage olive-brown, the feathers with terminal black edges and faint shaft-streaks; wings and their coverts chestnut-brown; tail rufous-brown; chin and throat bright chestnut; breast paler chestnut, each feather with a black centre and tip; sides of the body the same; abdomen black, each feather with a white shaft- streak, in most cases hidden, and a large subterminal square white spot.
