Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/453

Rh were taken in May well inside thin jungle of mixed bamboo and secondary growth, thin forest or deserted cultivation patches inside deep forest and all were placed over or close to game-tracks.

The eggs are in type like those of icterica but darker and more handsome, some closely approaching speckled eggs of Molpastes in general appearance. They measure about 22.6 × 16.3 mm.

Habits. This Bulbul seems to be nowhere common; I never saw it but in pairs or singly, a rather secretive, quiet bird, feeding on the higher bushes and thin tree-tops but not, apparently, frequenting the more dense and humid tree-forest. It is said to be more often met with in flocks in Pegu, where it does sometimes enter quite heavy forest. Beyond the jarring "chir" made by the birds caught in nooses, I have not heard it utter any call.

It is found from the level of the plains up to some 2,000 feet.

(421) Iole olivacea cinnamomeoventris.

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Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. This race differs from the last in being darker and more ruddy and less green above; it is also duller and less yellow below, the throat and fore-neck being grey, only faintly tinged with yellow; the under tail-coverts are cinnamon, this colour often extending on to the belly.

Colours of soft parts. "Iris dark; maxilla blackish, mandible grey; feet fleshy-brown" (E. G. Herbert). "Irides clear grey, dark slaty, salmon-pink or golden-brown" (Davison).

Measurements. About the same as in the last; wing 73 to 80 mm., in one 82 mm.

Distribution. Peninsular Burma and Siam extending as far North as Karenni and Central West Siam. Robinson and Kloss identify birds from Cochin China and Annam as belonging to this subspecies. One of their specimens, a male from Annam, is as much as 84 mm. in wing measurement.

Nidification unknown.

Habits. According to Davison "This is a forest bird but occurring also in thin tree-jungle and even entering well-wooded gardens. It is met with singly or in pairs, foraging about the trees and living chiefly on berries, and never, I believe, descending to the ground. They are rather lively birds, moving about a great deal and having a pleasant soft whistling note, something like that of Ixos finlaysoni, but distinguishable at once."