381. Conostoma oemodium, Hodgson.
J. A. S.,X., 857, with figure. - Blyth, Cat. 526 - HORSF., Cat. 309, and 612 bis - Gould, Birds of Asia, pl. 84. - Lho-ramnio-pho, Lepch.
The Red-billed Jay-thrush.
Descr. - Head, neck, and body above, dull olive-brown, clearest on the secondaries, and most rufescent on the wings ; the outer edge of the first three primaries pale rufescent or vinous; beneath paler, and passing into dusky slaty blue, all the feathers at their base being of that tint.
Bill dull orange; legs slaty grey; Iridesbrowm. Length 11 1/2 inches; wing 5 ; tail 4 7/8; tarsus 1 11/16 ; bill at front 7/8th, nearly 1/2 inch deep.
This bird has hitherto been only procured in Nepal and Sikhim, I got one specimen from Mt. Tongloo, close to the Nepal frontier. Hodgson says that its habits are terrene and rasorial.
" It is," says he, " a shy forester, adhering to the wilds, and tenanting the skirts of forests, where brush-wood as well as trees abound. Five or six of these birds arc usually found together, chattering, hopping and feeding on the ground, and resorting to the trees and shrubs for shelter. Their food is principally insects in summer, but in winter, doubtless, they take some vegetable food. They inhabit the northern region of Nepal, close to the snows." The next genus, though somewhat allied in form, differs in its longer and less deep bill, in the apert nostrils, and shorter claws. Like the last, it Is composed but of a single species, which was by some considered congeneric with a New Zealand bird, but has lately been separated from it.*
J. A. S.,X., 857, with figure. - Blyth, Cat. 526 - HORSF., Cat. 309, and 612 bis - Gould, Birds of Asia, pl. 84. - Lho-ramnio-pho, Lepch.
The Red-billed Jay-thrush.
Descr. - Head, neck, and body above, dull olive-brown, clearest on the secondaries, and most rufescent on the wings ; the outer edge of the first three primaries pale rufescent or vinous; beneath paler, and passing into dusky slaty blue, all the feathers at their base being of that tint.
Bill dull orange; legs slaty grey; Iridesbrowm. Length 11 1/2 inches; wing 5 ; tail 4 7/8; tarsus 1 11/16 ; bill at front 7/8th, nearly 1/2 inch deep.
This bird has hitherto been only procured in Nepal and Sikhim, I got one specimen from Mt. Tongloo, close to the Nepal frontier. Hodgson says that its habits are terrene and rasorial.
" It is," says he, " a shy forester, adhering to the wilds, and tenanting the skirts of forests, where brush-wood as well as trees abound. Five or six of these birds arc usually found together, chattering, hopping and feeding on the ground, and resorting to the trees and shrubs for shelter. Their food is principally insects in summer, but in winter, doubtless, they take some vegetable food. They inhabit the northern region of Nepal, close to the snows." The next genus, though somewhat allied in form, differs in its longer and less deep bill, in the apert nostrils, and shorter claws. Like the last, it Is composed but of a single species, which was by some considered congeneric with a New Zealand bird, but has lately been separated from it.*
