This bird was seen only at Kalabakan, in dense secondary growth. My specimen was in heavy molt.
Stachyris nigriceps hartleyi Chasen: Gray-throated Tree Babbler.—Specimens, 16: 5.5 mi. SW Tenom: ♂, December 17, 1962, MCT 3451; ♀, December 18, 1962, MCT 3456; ♂ testis 7 × 5 mm., December 18, 1962, MCT 3457; ♂ testis 6 × 3 mm., December 18, 1962, MCT 3458; ♀, December 18, 1962, MCT 3459; ♀ old brood patch, December 19, 1962, MCT 3471; ♂ testis 9 × 5 mm., December 19, 1962, MCT 3472; ♀ several collapsed follicles, December 19, 1962, MCT 3473; ♂ testis 6 × 4 mm., December 20, 1962, MCT 3480; ♂ testis enlarged, December 20, 1962, MCT 3481; ♀ imm., December 20, 1962, MCT 3482; ♂ testis 7 × 5 mm., December 20, 1962, MCT 3486; ♀, December 21, 1962, MCT 3493; ♂ testis 7 × 5 mm., December 21, 1962, MCT 3494; ♀ imm., December 21, 1962, MCT 3495; ♀ imm., December 22, 1962, MCT 3506.
This babbler was abundant in the moss forest above Tenom and appeared to be at the height of its breeding season in December.
The specimens were compared with material at the American Museum of Natural History and proved to be S. n. hartleyi, which has not previously been reported from North Borneo.
Stachyris poliocephala (Temminck): Gray-headed Tree Babbler.—Specimens, 8: Cocoa Research Station: ♂ testis 3 × 2 mm., 24.0 gm., July 28, 1962, MCT 2674; ♂, December 1, 1962, MCT 3414; ♀, December 1, 1962, MCT 3415. 12 mi. N Kalabakan: ♀, October 18, 1962, MCT 3072; sex?, October 29, 1962, MCT 3181; ♀, November 2, 1962, MCT 3202. Oil Palm Research Station: ♂, August 16, 1963, ADG 248; ♀, August 15, 1962, ADG 239.
This species of the secondary forest usually was associated with piles of brush or heavy growth of fern. I never saw it higher than three feet above the ground.
Stachyris nigricollis (Temminck): Black-necked Tree Babbler.—Specimens, 4: Cocoa Research Station: ♂, June 15, 1963, ADG 144. Ulu Balung Cocoa Estate: ♀, July 15, 1963, ADG 201. Oil Palm Research Station: ♂, August 12, 1963, ADG 224; ♀, August 19, 1963, ADG 251.
Although I worked in the same area and at the same time of year as did Garcia, I did not see this species.
Stachyris leucotis obscurata Mayr: White-necked Tree Babbler.—Specimen, 1: Oil Palm Research Station: ♂, September 5, 1963, ADG 274.
Garcia's specimen was taken in primary forest. Smythies (1960:418) states that most records come from submontane localities, except for those from Bettotan; the specimen is from an altitude of 40 feet, near Bettotan.
Stachyris maculata maculata (Temminck): Red-rumped Tree Babbler.—Specimens, 12: Cocoa Research Station: ♀ largest ova 2 mm., brood patch, July 10, 1962, MCT 2613; ♂, 25.8 gm., August 5, 1962, MCT 2731; ♂, 28.0 gm., August 5, 1962, MCT 2732. 12 mi. N Kalabakan: ♂ testis 3 × 3 mm., October 12, 1962, MCT 3006; ♀, October 12, 1962, MCT 3007; ♀, October 12, 1962, MCT 3008; ♂, October 12, 1962, MCT 3009. Cocoa Research Station: ♀, June 11, 1963, ADG 121; ♀, June 13, 1963, ADG 133; ♂, June 14, 1963, ADG 134. Oil Palm Research Station: ♀, August 14, 1963, ADG 235; ♀, August 15, 1963, ADG 237.