TROCHALOPTERON CINERACEUM,• Godwin. Ausun,-.
JGmU't/PJhrt <M * bt/i
TROCHALOPTERON CINERACEUM, G odwin-Austen.
Cinereous Trochalopteron.
Trochalopteron cineraceum, Godwin-Austen, P. Z. S., 1874, p. 45, pi. xi.
In the absence o f any information respecting this bird, either with regard to its actions or its habitat, I
have really nothing to say respecting it beyond drawing attention to its varied markings and generally
pleasing contour. When we shall come to an end o f these scrub-loving birds, such as Trochalopteron,
Garrulax, and others, no one can te ll; for they increase upon us yearly, and to monograph them would not
only be a task o f much labour, but would occupy a large volume; and they will do so, if the author of the
‘ Birds of Asia ’ is spared to complete his work. Every new district and almost every additional thousand
feet of elevation afford situations for a new species, each of which has its own peculiar locality.
The habitat o f the present bird is the Nágá Hills, where it represents the Trochalopteron variegatum of
the Himalayas. In size and colouring they are very much alik e; but, as Major Godwin-Austen observes,
its “ yellow bill and much smaller and weaker legs and feet make it a very marked form of this genus.”
I copy the following description from the last-mentioned gentleman:—
“ Above pale ashy olivaceous, greyer on the tail, which is black for 0'7" at the terminal end, then tipped
broadly white. Wing : quills pale black, edged hoary g rey ; the secondaries tipped black, and their square
tips edged white, in keeping with the tail. Primary coverts near the bastard wing black, forming a wing-
spot. Top of head black, extending in a narrow line down back of n eck; lores and a broad band over eyes
and ear-coverts dingy white; a few pure white feathers below eyes merging into ear-coverts; a narrow
black line extends from posterior corner of eye over the ear-coverts, and a moustachial streak of the same
colour merges into indistinct spots. Chin white, with a few hairy black streaks; breast and underparts
sullied white, with a slight vinous tinge on the former, and a dash of ruddy rufous on side of neck ;
ochraceous on belly and under tail-coverts.
“ Bill pale yellow, shaded dark above ; legs fleshy brown ; irides pale ruddy ochre.
“ Length 8‘75 inches, wing 3,22, tail 4, tarsus U25, bill at front 0'68.”
The figures are life-size, and are taken from the typical example.