345. Ixulus flavicollis flavicollis

(345) Ixulus flavicollis flavicollis.

THE YELLOW-HEADED IXULUS.

Yuhina flavicollis Hodgs., As. Res., xix, p. 167 (1836) (Nepal). Ixulus flavicollis. Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 218.

Vernacular names. Srip-chong-pho (Lepcha).

Description. Forehead and crest rich brown; hinder part of crown, nape and sides of the head mouse-grey, the lower part of the ear-coverts bronze-grey; lores and moustachial streak black; a white ring round eye; a broad rusty-yellow collar round the hind neck; upper plumage olive-brown, the shafts of the feathers of the back pale; upper tail-coverts tinged with fulvous ; tail and wings like the back but less olive, the primaries narrowly edged with white; chin and cheeks white; throat white with a few narrow ochraceous streaks and with dark shafts ; middle of breast and abdomen pale fulvous; vent and under tail-coverts deep fulvous; flanks and sides of breast ochraceous, streaked with white; under wing-coverts white.

Colours of soft parts. Iris reddish brown or hazel; bill dark horny, the lower mandible paler and rather fleshy; legs and feet fleshy-brown or yellowish brown.

Measurements. Length about 130 mm.; wing 62 to 67 mm.; tail about 50 mm.; tarsus about 20 mm.; culmen about 10 to 11 mm.

Distribution. Himalayas, Sutlej to Bhutan.

Nidification. Similar to that of the preceding bird but, whereas the Chestnut-headed Ixulus generally places its nest on or almost on the ground, this bird seems to prefer to .build it amongst the moss growing on the branches and twigs. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the last and 28 average 19.81 x 14.2 mm.

Habits. Those of the genus. This Ixulus is found between 4,000 and 8,000 feet and keeps almost entirely to the greenest and most humid forests though it frequents the more open parts of these.