1065. Propasser ripponi

(1065) Propasser ripponi.

Sharpens Rose-Finch.

Carpodacus ripponi Sharpe, Bull. B. O. C., xiii, p. 10 (1902) (W. Yunnan).

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. - Adult male. Abroad supercilium glistening pink, the feathers tipped almost white; head, back and upper tail-coverts very deep rich crimson-brown; the feathers of the back and scapulars with blackish centres and rosy-pink streaks; rump rosy-pink; tail brown edged with dull crimson-brown; wing-coverts dark brown, all but the primary-coverts edged with dull crimson-brown; innermost secondaries edged with rosy-pink; lores and a broad line below and behind the eye crimson-brown; ear-coverts, cheeks, chin and throat glistening pink, the crimson bases often showing through ; the whole lower parts crimson-pink, tinged wit h purple; axillaries and under wing-coverts white, tinged with pink.

Colours of soft parts. Iris brown; bill horny or greyish brown, lower mandible paler; legs and feet brown (Forrest).

Measurements. Total length about 150 mm.; wing 72 to 75 mm.; tail 68 to 71 mm.; tarsus about 21 mm.; culmen about 10 mm.

Female. Upper parts fulvous-brown, each feather dark-centred; wing-feathers black with rufous-brown edges, the innermost secondaries with paler, more conspicuous buff outer webs; a broad pale buff supercilium; lores and a broad line through the eye dark brown; cheeks, ear-coverts and lower plumage warm ochre-buff, boldly streaked with black, the broad streaks decreasing to narrow shaft-lines on the abdomen.

Distribution. Shan States and Yunnan.

Nidification and Habits. Nothing recorded. Forrest obtained it both in Pine-forests and open scrub between 8,000 and 14,000 feet in Yunnan.