eggs also resemble those of the western form, but measure about 18·7 × 14·9 mm.
Habits. Do not differ from those of the last bird. Harington states that he only found the bird in damp low-lying places in Upper Burma, whilst Oates speaks of its frequenting gardens in Lower Burma.
Genus DUMETIA Blyth, 1849.
This genus, which contains two common species, resembles Timalia very closely in structure, especially in the stiffness of the feathers of the forehend and crown. The essential difference between the two genera is that in Demetia the bill is much smaller, more slender and of a pale colour, whereas in Timalia it is larger, deeper and black.
Key to Species and Subspecies.
| A. |
Chin and throat rufous
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
D. hyperythra, p. 228. |
| B. |
Chin and throat white.
|
| a. |
Forehead only pale rufous
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
D. albigularis albigularis, p. 229. |
| b. |
Whole crown rufous with pale shafts
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
D. a. abuensis, p. 230. |
(229) Dumetia hyperythra.
The Rufous-Bellied Babbler.
- Timalia hyperythra Frankl., P. Z. S., 1831, p. 118 (Ganges near Benares).
- Dumetia hyperythra. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 133.
Vernacular names. None recorded.
Description. Forehead and anterior half of crown reddish brown, the feathers of the former rigid and pointed, with large fulvous streaks and with the shafts black when viewed in certain lights; feathers round the eye white; upper plumage, tail and exposed wing olive-brown, the tail cross-rayed; cheeks fulvous with pale shafts; ear-coverts like the upper piuuuvge but paler and with still paler shafts; entire lower plumage pale fulvous.
Colours of soft parts. Iris light to dark brown; bill pale horny or pale livid brown; legs pale fleshy-white to fleshy-grey.
Measurements. Total length about 135 to 145 mm.; wing 53 to 56 mm.: tail about 65 mm.; tarsus about 18 to 20 mm.; culmen about 12 to 13 mm.
Distribution. This little Babbler is found South as far as Khandala on the West and the Godaveri Valley on the East. Thence it is found throughout the Central Provinces, Central India, Chota Nagpur, the dry western portions of Bengal, Orissa and Behar, and thence to the Lower Himalayas from Sikkim to Kumaon. To the West it occurs as far as longitude 75°.
