GARRULAX DELESSERTI, vera.

Delessert’s Garrulax.

Crateropus Delesserti, Jerd. Madras Journ. of Lit. and Sci., vol. x. p. 256.—Id. Ind Orn, pi am

————  griseiceps, Deless. Rev. Zool. 1840, p. 101.—Id. Souv. d’un Voy, dans I’Inde, tom. i. pt. ii. p. 29.
Garrulax Delesserti, Jerd. Birds of India, vol. ii. part tp 37

 

Lixe the Garrulavy gularis, this species Is rarely to be found in the museums of Kurope—a circumstance
somewhat surprising, since it inhabits a country which has long been known to Kuropeans and from which
numerous collections have from time to time been sent. It appears to evince a preference for hills of
moderate elevation to living in the neighbouring dense forests, and, like the Pomatorhini, moves about in
small troops, composed probably of the brood of the year and their parents. I believe that it is more shy
and retiring than the members of the genus Pomatorhinus, whose habit it is to show themselves in the more
open glades of the forest, and to attract attention by their peculiar actions. Its food doubtless consists of
worms, insects, and probably of animals of a higher order. Neither Mr. Jerdon nor Viscount Walden, who
shot it on the Coonoor Ghaut of the Neilgherries, have given us any account of its habits.

In his ‘ Birds of India’ Mr. Jerdon says :—‘‘ This is a somewhat rare bird. _I first saw it in the possession
of M. Delessert, who got it in the slopes of the Neilgherries ; and I afterwards procured it in the same
locality at an elevation of about 3000 feet. I also saw it several times in the Wynaad, associating in large
flocks, wandering about the underwood and bamboos, and occasionally uttering a chorus of peculiar, but
clear, chattering notes.”

I suspect that the sexes are very similar in plumage; but even this has not been stated ; and it is much
to be regretted that so little has been recorded respecting the bird, its habits, and economy.

Head and nape dark greyish brown, inclining to black; upper surface generally dark reddish brown,
becoming brighter or more rufous on the rump and upper tail-coverts, and darker on the primaries and
secondaries ; tail very dark or blackish brown ; chin, throat, neck, and breast white, gradually blending into
the grey of the upper part of the abdomen and flanks; lower part of the abdomen, vent, thighs, and under
tail-coverts deep rusty red; upper mandible dark brown; under mandible yellow; irides dull red; legs
flesh-colour.

The figures are of the natural size; the plant is the Spherostema propinquum.