TURD US MILAN JEN SIS
TURDUS MILANJENSIS, Shelley.
MILANJI THRUSH.
Turdus milanjemis, Shelley, His, 1S93, p. 1 2 ; 1894, p. 9 ; 1896, p. 231; 1897, p. 540.
T. similis T. cabanisi, sed ubiqiie saturatior: rostro et pedibus 11 avis: pectore et hypochondriis saturate cineraceis,
olivaceo tinctis, et gutture latius nigro striato distinguendus.
T his is a dark mountain form of T. cabanisi, but is easily recognizable. It was discovered by
Mr. Alexander Whyte on Mount Milanji in Nyasa Land, at a height of 6000 feet, in September,
October, and November. Mr. Whyte says that it is the common Thrush of the Milanji Plateau
and has a sweet song (Shelley, Ibis, 1893, p. 12). . Mr. Whyte has also met with the species on the
Nyika Plateau in Northern Nyasa Land in June (Shelley, Ibis, 1897, p. 540). He has also procured
it at Zomba, whence a specimen has also been sent by Consul Alfred Sharpe (Shelley, Ibis, 1896,
p. 231). In Mr. Whyte s last collection there is also an example of this species procured on
Mount M’losa, at 5600 feet, on the 22nd of November, 1896.
Admit. Very similar to T. cabanisi, but much darker. Above dusky slaty-brown; the throat
with coarse and broad rows of black spots; the fore-neck, chest, and sides of the body dark
ashy-brown tinged with olive: "bill and feet red; eyelid reddish-orange, very prominent”
(A.. Whyte). Total length 8'5 inches, culmen 0-95, wing 4-7, tail 3-3, tarsus 1-2.
There is no difference in the colour of the sexes. The female measures in total length 9 inches,
culmen 0'95, wing 4'6, tail 3'3, tarsus 1-2.
The figure in the Plate is taken from the type specimen in the British Museum
[R. B. S.]