(476) Tesia castaneocoronata castaneocoronata.
The Chestnut-Headed Wren.
- Sylvia castaneocoronata Burton, P. Z. S., 1835, p. 152 (152).
- Oligura castaneicoronata. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 193.
Vernacular names. Tisi (Nepal); Samtit-pho (Lechi).
_511.jpg)
Fig. 93.—Head of T. c. castaneocoronata.
Description. Foreheatl, crown, nape, lores, ear-coverts and a line under the eyes bright chestnut; a small patch of white leatliers at the posterior corner of the eye; cheeks, chin, throat breast and abdomen bright yellow, the breast suffused with cHva- ceoiis and mottled with a few indistinct brown bars; sides ol breast, abdomen and under tail-co erts olivaceous; upper plumao-e wings and lail dark olive-green.
Colours of soft parts. Iris brown to red; bill yellowish-horny or brownish-yellow; legs fleshy-yellow.
Measurements. Length about 100 mm.; wing 43 to 48 mm.- tail about lo mm.; tarsus 28 mm.; culmen about 10 to 11 mn).
Distribution. Himalayas from Garhwal to the extreme East of Assam; the Khasia, Xaga and Cacliar Hills South of the Brahmaputra but not recorded from Manipur or farther South and East.
Nidification. The Chestnut-headed Wren breeds between 6 COO and 8,000 feet in the raontlis of June and July, building a nest much like that of the last bird but less well put together and lined with feathers instead of roots. During the breeding season it haunts oak and other forests where there is an)ple Tinder- growth and where the moss and pnrasitie plants are luxuriant. The nest is placed either in a bush or low branch of a tree and no attempt seems to be made at concealment, though in appearance it is so like the numerous clumps of moss which are to be seen in every direction that it would never attract attention. Occasionally a nest may be found in amongst the moss on a tree-trunk or hano-ino- from a branch and in such cases they are very difficult to detect. The eggs number three or, less often, four and are like those of the Slaty-bellied Wren but usually much darker and richer in colouring. Fifteen eggs aver.age 17-4 x 12-9 mm. and the ex- tremes are : maxima, 18'3x 13'4mm. and minima, 16-8 x 12*4 mm. A larger series would probably give a smaller averatje. YOL, I. 2 H
