699. Oreocincla nilgiriensis.
The Nilgiri Thrush.
Oreocincla nilgiriensis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 141 (1847); id. Cut. p. 160; Jerd. B. I. i, p. 534; Hume, 8. F. iv, p. 399; id. Cat. no. 372 ; Davison, S. F. x, p. 374 ; Terry, S. F. x, p. 474 ; Oates in Hume's N. & E. 2nd ed. ii, p. 107. Geocichla nilgiriensis (Blyth), Seebohm, Cat. B. M. v, p. 157.
Coloration. Resembles O. dauma in general appearance, but has the wing shorter and more rounded, the third, fourth, and fifth quills being about equal and longest, the second rather shorter than the sixth ; has a much larger bill, resembling that of Zoothera; has the upper plumage more rufous, with the subterminal pale patches hardly indicated, and the lower plumage less tinged with fulvous and whiter throughout.
Legs, feet, and claws dark fleshy; iris dark brown; upper mandible blackish; lower mandible brown, palest at base ; gape yellow (Davison).
Length about 10.5; tail 3.6 ; wing 5.2; tarsus 1.2 ; bill from gape 1.5.
Distribution. The hill-ranges of Southern India, from the Nilgiris to Travancore, above 2000 feet, where this Thrush appears to be a permanent resident.
Habits, &c. Represented to be a very fine songster. Breeds from March to June, constructing a nest of green moss in trees, and laying three eggs, which are greenish blue speckled with rusty brown, and measure 1.21 by .82.
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