S H J T H 0 R A . I I IU J I P U M E H 'S I S , &,cb,mAmtm.
SUTHORA MUNI PU REN SIS, G.-Austen Sf Walden.
Munipur Suthora.
Suthora munipurensis, Godwin-Austen & Walden, Ibis, 1875, p. 250.
dajlaensis, Godwin-Austen, Ann. Nat. Hist. 4th series, xvii. p. 32.
T h e species of the genus Suthora divide themselves naturally into two groups—those whose plumage is
parti-coloured, and those whose plumage is more or less uniform. To the latter belong several species, such
as Suthora brunnea, S . webbiana, and others already figured by me in the present work; while to the particoloured
group, which, moreover, invariably have a black throat, belong the present bird and its allies.
The Suthora munipurensis is very closely allied to S. nipalensis, but is distinguished by the ear-coverts being
grey instead of tawny-coloured, by the white eyebrow and narrow line of black along the sides of the crown.
The typical specimen was obtained by Mr. William Robert near Karakhul, Munipur hills.
Major Godwin-Austen is generally so correct in his discrimination of species that I regret to have to differ
from him in any way; hut I cannot allow that his recently described Suthora dajlaensis from the Dafla hills
is really specifically distinct from S. munipurensis. He w r i t e s “ The difference between them is most
marked on the undersides, the chin being grey in the Dafla bird, paling on the upper breast and belly to dull
yellowish white, while in the Munipur and Naga species the chin and throat are deep black, fading to grey
on the breast, into the white of the lower tail-coverts. There is also a marked difference in size, this new
form being the smallest of the genus now known. I t was met with in the bamboo underwood of the forests
at 5000 to 7000 feet, Dafla hills, and first obtained on the slopes of Toruputu Peak in January.” As Major
Godwin-Austen was so kind as to submit his typical specimen of S. dajlaensis to me, I can only say that I
regard the slight differences above noted as due to age or seasonal plumage.
The following is the original description of the species, published (I. c.) by the authors quoted: “ Crown
of head cinnamon-brown, becoming more olivaceous or fulvous green on back ; shoulder o f wing greenish
umber; primaries- black, the first four edged white, the rest crossed with a bright fulvous bar on the outer
webs; the secondaries edged broadly with fulvous, and a few of the last tipped white on inner web; tail
ruddy fulvous a t base, paling towards the end, which is dusky and indistinctly barred ; a broad supercilium
black; lores and a narrow circle round the eye pure white; ear-coverts and side of neck g rey ; chin and
throat black, merging into pearly grey and white on the breast; under tail-coverts pure white. Length
4-5 inches, wing 1*8, tail 2-4, tarsus '77, bill at front -28.
On the eve of going to press, and before his starting for India, I received Major Godwin-Austen’s sanction
to place his S. dajlaensis as a synonym to the prior-named species S . munipurensis, which I have accordingly
done.
The birds in the Plate are drawn from Major Godwin-Austen’s typical specimens, and of the natural
size, for the loan of which I am much indebted.