(214) Pomatorhinus ruficollis ruficollis.
THE NEPAL RUFOUS-NECKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER.
Pomatorhinus ruficollis Hodgs., As. Bes., xix,p. 182(1836) (Nepal); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 122.
Vernacular names. Bhiakuroh (Parbuttiahs).
Description. Upper plumage, tail and closed wing ruddy brown; a broad white supercilium from the nostrils to the nape; lores, under the eyes and ear-coverts black; sides of the neck bright ferruginous, extending to the hind neck and forming a collar; chin, cheeks and throat white; lower throat, breast and centre of abdomen white streaked with olive-brown; sides of abdomen and breast, vent and under tail-coverts olive-brown.
Colours of soft parts. Bill yellow, pale at the tip and with three-quarters of the culmen nearly black; iris pale red to crimson ; eyelid plumbeous; feet pale brownish plumbeous, pale greyish or greenish plumbeous ; claws brownish horny.
Measurements. Length about 195 to 205 mm.; wing 78 to 84 mm.; tail about 83 mm.; tarsus about 27 mm.; culmen about 20 mm.
Young nestlings have the whole breast rusty red. The bill is entirely yellow.
Distribution. Himalayas, Nepal to Eastern Assam, North of the Brahmaputra.
Nidification. This Scimitar-Babbler breeds from the end of April to June from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, making the usual ball-shaped nest of grass, bracken and fern fronds, etc., placed on the aground in grass, weeds or bush undergrowth. The eggs vary from three to five and are white like all other Scimitar- Babblers but have very little gloss. Fifty eggs average about 23.6 x 18.0 mm.
Habits. The Rufous-necked - Scimitar-Babbler frequents elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, being found still lower in winter and higher in summer. It keeps much to forest with plentiful undergrowth, but, also may be sometimes found on hillsides covered mainly with long grass and bushes.
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