Basilan (Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Celestino).

Adult.—Above dark or reddish brown, most of the feathers with lighter shafts, feathers of head darker and with blackish brown margins; lores white, some of the feathers tipped with black; line under eye white; line over eye extending to nape white; ear-coverts brown with light shafts, bordered below by a narrow white line which is separated from the white chin and throat by a black line; feathers of breast, abdomen, and tail-coverts with wide median white stripes and black edges; sides and flanks reddish brown with lighter shafts; thighs brown; primaries, secondaries, and rectrices blackish brown, their shafts black, and outer edges reddish brown; wing-coverts reddish brown with light shafts. A male measures: Wing, 70; tail, 47; culmen from base, 19; bill from nostril, 11; tarsus, 27. A female, wing, 70; tail, 46; culmen from base, 20; bill from nostril, 11; tarsus, 27.

“Common in Basilan. Lives on the ground, or near it, and sometimes perches on stones, fallen trees, or roots. Note not in the least like that of P. falcata. Ptilocichla basilanica always seems loth to take flight, and one can readily secure it by following it carefully as it runs along the ground, uttering its complaining note at frequent intervals. Sooner or later one is sure to catch sight of it in some little open place, though the protective coloring makes it hard to see.

“Twenty-two males average: Length, 155; wing, 73; tail, 48; culmen, 20; tarsus, 27; middle toe with claw, 26. Fifteen females, length, 150; wing, 71; tail, 45; culmen, 20; tarsus, 26; middle toe with claw, 25. Iris chocolate-brown; legs, feet, and nails light brown; upper mandible black, lower ashy gray.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)

501. PTILOCICHLA MINDANENSIS Steere.
MINDANAO GROUND BABBLER.

Mindanao (Steere Exp., Platen, Bourns & Worcester, Celestino).

“Above fulvous-brown; feathers of head narrowly edged with black; feathers of back showing indistinct shaft-stripes; below much as in P. basilanica which it equals in size also. It is readily separated by the fulvous-brown of the head and the uniform fulvous of the back.” (Steere.)