TROCHALOPTERON CINERACEUM, Godwin-Austen.

Cinereous Trochalopteron.

Trochalopteron cineraceum, Godwin-Austen, P. Z.S., 1874, p. 45, pl. xi.

 

In the absence of 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 of these scrub-loving birds, such as Trochalopteron,
Garrulax, and others, no one can tell; for they increase upon us yearly, and to monograph them would not
only be a task of 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 of the present bird is the Naga Hills, where it represents the Zrochalopteron variegatum of
the Himalayas. In size and colouring they are very much alike; 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 grey; 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 neck; 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 1°25, bill at front 0°68.”

The figures are life-size, and are taken from the typical example.