C-EOCICHLA IMBRICATA
CEYLON GROTJND-THK.T7SH.
Zoothera imbricata, Layard, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. xiii. p.-212 (1854).
Oreodncla nilgkiriensis (nec Blyth), Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 139 ; Holdsw. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 446.
Oreocincla imbricata, Hume, Str. F. i. p. 437 (1873); Legge, B. Ceylon, p. 455, pi. xix. fig. 2
(1879); Oates, Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, ii. p. 154 (1890).
Oreocincla gregoriana, Nevil, Str. F. i. p. 437 (1873).
Geocichla imbricata, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 159 (1881).
G. suprk olivascenti-brunnea, nigro lunulata: subtus ochraceo-rufescens, nigro lunulata: rectricibus lateralibus
minimi albo terminatis.
The present species, which might well be called the Buff-breasted Ground-Thrush, was first
described by Mr. E. L. Layard in 1854, and the type is now in the British Museum. It is really
one of the most distinct of the Oreocincline group of Thrushes, and no one comparing the two birds
could confound it with G. nilgiriensis, though this has been done by Jerdon and other writers,
doubtless from lack of specimens for comparison. In 1873, Mr. Hugh Nevil proposed the name of
Oreocincla gregoriana for what appeared to him to be an undescribed species; but Mr. A. O. Hume
pointed out at the time the probable identity of the new species with G. imbricata (Layard), and this
identification was confirmed by me, in 1881, in the fifth volume of the ‘ Catalogue of Birds.’
The species is peculiar to Ceylon, and, so far as is known, appears to be confined to the
mountain-ranges of the Central Province of that island, where it is found from 3000 to 6000 feet
above the level of the sea. It probably breeds in the forests, as it makes its appearance regularly in
January and February in. the gardens of the coffee-planters.
It is nowhere very common, and is very shy and retiring in its habits, so that but little is
known of the latter. It is said to feed almost exclusively on the ground, where it scratches amongst
the fallen leaves under the trees in search of insects, and when startled it rises with a loud flutter to
seek the nearest cover (Legge, Birds of Ceylon, p. 455).
Nothing has been recorded, of the song of this bird, nor is anything known of its nest or
eggs.
Geocichla imbricata is in every respect a typical member of the Oreocincline group, though, like
0. nilgiriensis, it has a Zoqtherine bill and a comparatively large bastard-primary, which generally
extends beyond the primary-coverts. Its most striking peculiarity is that the whole of the underparts
are suffused with buff. In the general colour o f the upper parts it most closely resembles G. lunulata,
except that the pale sub-terminal bands across the feathers of the crown are more distinct. In the
atter character it exactly resembles G. nilgiriensis. It has no white at the tips of the tail-feathers,
and the outer rectrices are not more than 2 inches shorter than the longest. The second and sixth
primaries are of about the same length. The three penultimate rectrices on each side are much
arker than the rest, and the Geocichline markings on the inner webs of the primaries and
secondaries are buff.