Malacopteron magnirostre cinereocapillum (Salvadori): Brown-headed Babbler.—Specimens, 20: Cocoa Research Station: ♂ testis 5 × 3 mm., 20.4 gm., July 23, 1962, MCT 2647; ♂ testis 2 × 1 mm., 20.0 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2656; ♂ testis 1 × 1 mm., 20.5 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2657; ♂, 20.4 gm., July 27, 1962, MCT 2669. 12 mi. N Kalabakan: ♂, October 10, 1962, MCT 2994; ♂ testis 5 × 3 mm., October 12, 1962, MCT 3016; ♀, October 12, 1962, MCT 3017; ♂, October 13, 1962, MCT 3026; ♀, October 13, 1962, MCT 3028; ♂, October 17, 1962, MCT 3070; ♂, October 19, 1962, MCT 3083; ♂, October 19, 1962, MCT 3084; ♂ testis 5 × 4 mm., October 20, 1962, MCT 3108; ♂, October 26, 1962, MCT 3158; ♀, October 26, 1962, MCT 3159; ♂, November 11, 1962, MCT 3253; ♀, November 11, 1962, MCT 3254. 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: ♂, December 19, 1962, MCT 3462. Oil Palm Research Station: ♀, August 28, 1963, ADG 265.
This babbler inhabits the understory of primary forest, and occasionally is seen in secondary forest scrub. A specimen was taken at 4,000 feet elevation in moss forest near Tenom. The breeding season is seemingly in June and July but there is indication of gonadal activity in males in October (MCT 3108). On October 15, 1962, I observed an individual feeding on the rough bark of a large dipterocarp. The bird was clinging to the bark much as a nuthatch would, hopping along the vertical trunk upside down, laterally and straight up. Other birds of the species were feeding close by in small trees about 20 feet tall.
Pomatorhinus montanus borneensis Cabanis: Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler.—Specimens, 3: Cocoa Research Station: ♂ testis 5 × 2 mm., 33.1 gm., July 23, 1962, MCT 2643; ♂ testis 2 × 1 mm., 28.2 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2655. 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: ♂, December 22, 1962, MCT 3496.
This bird of the understory in primary forest was seen in only one other situation, 12 miles north of Kalabakan it was feeding in a clearing near our camp.
Ptilocichla leucogrammica (Bonaparte): Bornean Wren-babbler.—Specimens, 3: Ulu Balung Cocoa Estate: ♂, July 17, 1963, ADG 207: ♀ one egg in oviduct, July 19, 1963, ADG 211. Oil Palm Research Station: ♀ egg in oviduct, August 13, 1963, ADG 230.
Garcia netted three specimens in primary forest. This bird is known from Borneo only from a few specimens (Smythies, 1960:410). In North Borneo, it has been known previously only from Bettotan on the east coast (Smythies, 1960:410). The additional records published herewith also are for the east coast.
Kenopia striata (Blyth): Striped Wren-babbler.—Specimens, 11: Cocoa Research Station: ♀, 21.1 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2649; ♂ testis 4 × 3 mm., 19.6 gm., July 24, 1962, MCT 2640; ♂ testis 2 × 1 mm., 18.7 gm., July 27, 1962, MCT 2670. 12 mi. N Kalabakan: ♀, October 28, 1962, MCT 3172; ♂, October 21, 1962, MCT 3114; ♀, October 22, 1962, MCT 3123; ♂, October 26, 1962, MCT 3157; ♂, October 30, 1962, MCT 3187; ♂, November 1, 1962, MCT 3192. Ulu Balung Cocoa Estate: ♂, July 21, 1963, ADG 213. Oil Palm Research Station: ♂, August 13, 1963, ADG 229; ♀, August 19, 1963, ADG 250.
This bird of primary forest is found occasionally in adjacent secondary forest and spends about three-fourths of its time running about on the ground, only occasionally ascending to the lower branches of trees. The song may be rendered as kittle jank, the first note being trilled and a bit higher than the last, which is short and chopped off. This babbler appears to sing as it moves along the forest floor without stopping. It was observed foraging under leaves, and was common both at Quoin Hill and 12 miles north of Kalabakan, in groups of two or three birds.
Macronous gularis (Horsfield): Striped Tit-babbler.—I saw this bird at the Semporna Rest House feeding in shrubbery. It was not seen elsewhere.
Macronous ptilosus reclusus Hartert: Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler.—Specimens, 2: Kalabakan: ♂, November 15, 1962, MCT 3283. Oil Palm Research Station: sex?, August 23, 1963, ADG 254.