Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/220

182 Habits. This Laughing-Thrush is one of the most common birds about nearly all our North-West hill-stations in every kind of forest and jungle where there is sufficient undergrowth. It wanders about in pairs or small parties of four or five, constantly chattering and calling but, though not shy or wild, keeping much out of view in the thick undergrowth, where it hunts for seeds and insects. It is loth to take to flight but when forced to do so, the flock takes wing one by one, fluttering feebbly to the next piece of cover much in the same way as do the birds of the genera Argya and Turdoides.


 * Ianthocincla lineatum gilgit Hartert, Vög. Pal., i, p. 636 (1910) (Gilgit).

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. This race is still paler than the last, and more grey, less rufous, in tint both on the upper and lower plumage.

Distribution. Gilgit, Chitral and N. Kashmir.

Nidification and Habits similar to those of the last bird. Two clutches of eggs average 24·9 × 18·5 mm.


 * Ianthocincla lineatum ziaratensis Ticehurst, Bull. B. O. C, xli, p. 55 (1920) (Ziarat).

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. Differs from "T. l. gilgit in having much paler rusty, not chestnut, ear-coverts; grey, not olive-brown, rump and tail-coverts, and grey, not grey-brown, belly; the markings on the breast paler and yellower, not red-brown; the golden-brown edges to the wings and tail are also somewhat paler. It lacks the white-ticked throat which I. l. gilgit has."

Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in T. l. lineatum.

Nidification. Two eggs from Quetta measure 26·1 × 18·7 mm. The nest was said to have been placed in scrub growing in a ravine on an otherwise bare and stony hill.

Habits. Apparently is often found in the low scrub-jungle which grows here and there in the ravines in the hills, as well as in the better wooded parts.