Basilan (Steere, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, McGregor).
Adult (male and female).—Entire top and sides of head and neck black, streaked with white; lores white; remainder of upper parts, including exposed edges of wing- and tail-feathers, rusty tan-brown; feathers of mantle and back with lighter shafts; chin and throat white; feathers of breast and abdomen white with gray or brown edges, slightly olivaceous on fore breast; flanks and tail-coverts ocherous buff with lighter shafts; thighs ocherous buff; wing-lining and inner edges of quills dark buff. Length, 140 to 144. A male measures: Wing, 60; tail, 54; culmen from base, 16; bill from nostril, 10; tarsus, 20. A female, wing, 60; tail, 54; culmen from base, 15.5; bill from nostril, 10; tarsus, 21.
“The sexes are alike in size and color. Young birds are rather more rufescent below and have the streaks on the head tinged with rufous. Both specimens collected by Doctor Steere had the iris hazel, but Mr. Everett gives the iris as white in all those obtained by him.” (Sharpe.)
“This species seems to be confined to the Island of Basilan, where it is extremely common in the forest and second growth. It works about the dense tangle of vines, and usually keeps within five to ten meters of the ground. Thirteen males average: Length, 134; wing, 60; tail, 54; culmen, 16; tarsus, 18; middle toe with claw, 18. Eight females, length, 130; wing, 58; tail, 53.5; tarsus, 18; middle toe with claw, 17.5. Iris very dark brown; upper mandible black, lower drab; legs and feet drab.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
516. MACRONOUS MINDANENSIS Steere.
MINDANAO TIT BABBLER.
- Macronus mindanensis Steere, List Birds and Mams. Steere Exped. (1890), 17; Grant and Whitehead, Ibis (1898), 240 (eggs); Whitehead, Ibis (1899), 223 (habits); Sharpe, Hand-List (1903), 4, 54; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 82.
Bohol (McGregor); Dinagat (Everett); Leyte (Steere Exp., Whitehead); Mindanao (Everett, Koch & Schadenberg, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Goodfellow, Celestino, Clemens); Samar (Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead).
Adult.—Similar to Macronous striaticeps, but throat, breast, and sides of head washed with ocherous buff or fulvous giving these parts a soiled appearance. A male from Bohol measures: Wing, 60; tail, 53; culmen from base, 16; bill from nostril, 10; tarsus, 20. A female from Bohol, wing, 59; tail, 53; culmen from base, 15; bill from nostril, 9; tarsus, 19.
“Common in Mindanao and Samar. Habits exactly like those of M. striaticeps. Four males average: Length, 144; wing, 60; tail, 56; culmen, 16.5; tarsus, 18.5; middle toe with claw, 19. Four females, length, 135; wing, 55; tail, 54; culmen, 14.7; tarsus, 19; middle toe with claw, 18.5. Iris light yellow-white; legs, feet, and nails drab; bill nearly black, the lower mandible slightly lighter than upper.