The habits, which are now well known, agree well with those of the more arboreal Timaliidæ, but their nidification would seem to link them with the genus Volvocivora and its allies. Its position is extremely doubtful, but for the present I retain the genus in the position given it by Oates.
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Fig. 41.—Head of G. r. rufulus.
Gampsorhynchus rufulus. Key to Subspecies. A. Upper plumage golden-brown G. r. rufulus, p. 231. B. Upper plumage rufous-brown G. r. torquatus, p. 232.
(232) Gampsorhynchus rufulus rufulus.
The White-headed Shrike-Babbler.
- Gampsorhynchus ru/ulus Blyth, J. A. S. B., xiii, p. 371 (1844) (Darjiliug); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 135.
Vernacular names. Chongto-phep-pho (Lepcha); Daophlantu- tiba (Caehari).
Description. The whole head, neck and breast white; rictal bristles black and white in front, pure white behind; upper plumage, tail and wings golden brown; lower and median coverts and edge of wing white; quills dark brown; tail edged interiorly and tipped with yellowish buff; lower plumage pale fulvous.
Colours of soft parts. Iris pale lemon-white to deep golden yellow; bill pale fleshy-horny, darker at base and on culmen; legs reddish brown.
Measurements. Total length about 250 to 260 mm.; wing 90 to 100 mm.; tail 110 to 120 mm.; tarsus about 26 to 28 mm.; culmen about 20 to 21 mm. The young bird has the white of the head and breast replaced with light chestnut, the fulvous of the abdomen extending on to the lower breast; there is no white on the wing and the upper parts are more rufous. The adult plumage probably takes two years for completion, as the male has been found breeding in semi-mature dress.
Distribution. The lower hills of Sikkim and Bhutan, Assam North and South of the Brahmaputra, Chin Hills and Arrakan.
