1'f.inliapfc imp.
MER U LA PROTOMOMELJSNA {Cab.\
ASSAMESE OUZEL.
Turdus dissimilis (nec Blyth), Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. xvi. p. 144 (1847, 6 ) ; Godwin-Austen,
J. A. S. B. xli. pt. 2, p. 142 (1872); Seebohm, Str. F. viii. p. 437 (1879); id. P. Z. S. 1879,
p. 805, pi. lxiv.
Geocichla dissimilis, Blyth, Cat. B. Mus. As. Soc. p. 163 (1849, <5 ) ; Jerd. Ibis, 1872, p. 136,
pi. v i.; Hume, Str. F. ix. p. 103 (1880), xi. p. 126 (1888).
Turdulus cardis (nec Temm.), Jerd. B. Ind. i. p. 521 (1862).
Turdus protomomelas, Cab. J. f. 0 . 1867, p. 286.
Geocichla tricolor, Hume, Ibis, 1871, p. 411; id. Str. F. iii. p. 409 (1875).
Merula protomomelama, Seebohm, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. v. p. 265 (1881); Oates, Faun. Brit. Ind.,
Birds, ii. p. 133 (18.90); Stuart Baker, Journ. Bomb. N. H. Soc. ix. p. 137 (1894) ; Rippon,
Ibis, 1897, p. 104, 1901, p. 544.
. M. rostro et pedibus flavis: axillaribus e t subalaribus aurantiacis, corporis lateribus concoloribus: pileo,
gutture et prsepectore n igris: dorso cinereo. ? prsepectore saturate cinereo, latfe nigro striolato: pectore
summo et corporis lateribus aurantiaco-castaneis.
T h e name of Merula dissimilis (Blyth) has sometimes been employed for this species, hut there
can be no doubt that under this title Blyth had confounded two species, the male of his Turdus
dissimilis being the present bird, and the female Merula unicolor. Following the conclusions
of Mr, Seebohm (Cat. B. v. p. 265) and Mr. Oates (Faun. Brit. Ind., Birds, ii. p. 134), I also
think that the name of M. dissimilis had better be dropped altogether, and the more assured one of
M. protomomelcena adopted.
Blyth records this Ouzel from the neighbourhood of Calcutta, where it may very possibly occur
as a visitor in the cold season. Mr. Hume has recorded it from Hill Tippera (Ibis, 1871, p. 411),
and specimens from this locality are in the Hume Collection, as well as from the neighbourhood of
Dibrugarh, obtained by Mr. Cripps, who says (Str. F. xi. p. 128) that it is rare and evidently
only an occasional visitant, three birds having been shot in January 1880. Mr. Stuart Baker, in
his paper on the “ Birds of North Cachar ” (Journ. Bomb. Soc. N. H. ix. p. 137), writes:—“ The
only bird I have seen of this species was one shot by my taxidermist on the 20th of February,
1893. This was a female, and. was obtained on a hill over 3000 feet high, feeding high up in
a large tree.” Mr. Hume met with it in Manipur (Str. F. xi. p. 126); he writes:—“ In April
and May Thrushes were very numerous in the eastern hills, but withal very wild and difficult
to get at. The present species was the only one at all obtainable. Like the rest, it was always
to be found on the ground, rummaging and feeding amongst the fallen leaves; but whereas
Turdus obscurusy T. pallidus, &c. were always off like a flash of lightning at the slightest crackle of
a twig within fifty yards of where they were, the present species would often only fly up a few
feet on to a bare branch and wait there.”
Colonel Godwin-Austen met with it in the Garo Hills (J. A. S. Beng. xli. p. 142).