Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/232

194 a third from Mysore and yet another from the Wyuaad show similar but less red markings.

Colours of soft parts. Iris creamy or yellowish white; orbital sldn, bill, legs and feet yellowish white to almost chrome-yellow.

Measurements. Length about 230 to 235 mm.; wing about 98 to 104 mm.; tail about 100 mm.; tarsus about. 32 mm.; culmen about 17 mm.

Distribution. Southern India up to a line from Ellore, Secunderabad and Belgaum.

Nidification. Breeds all over South India in the plains and lower hills up to some 2,000 feet, having two broods, the first in April to June and the second in September to November, odd birds laying at other times throughout the year. Nest and eggs are typical of the genus, the latter numbering three or four, whilst sixty eggs average 24·0 × 18·8 mm.

Habits. Those of the genus.


 * Malacocercus striatus Swains., Zool. Ill., p. 127 (1831) (Ceylon).
 * Crateropus griseus. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 112.

Vernacular names. Demelitcha (Ceylon); Punil (Tam.).

Description. The Ceylon Babbler differs from T. g. griseus in having the head concolorous with the back; the dark and light streaks to the back are less well-defined.

Colours of soft parts as in the White-headed Babbler.

Measurements. Wing about 110 mm.

Distribution. Ceylon only. Individuals are obtained in South India which approach this race in colour, but they are all, possibly, young birds and should be referred to the former rather than to the present race.

Nidification. This Babbler breeds in great nunibers in parts of Ceylon, laying normally three eggs, often only two and very rarely four. Neither nest nor eggs can be distinguished from those of T. g. griseus, and a line series of fifty eggs collected for me by Messrs. W. E. Wait and W. W. A. Phillips average 23·8 × 18·4 mm.

Habits. Those of the genus.


 * Timalia somervillei Sykes, P. Z. S., 1832, p. 88 (Bombay).
 * Crateropus somervillii. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 113.

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. Forehead, crown and nape dark brown, the feathers