“It is remarkable that the differences between M. striaticeps and M. mindanensis should have escaped the notice of naturalists until they were pointed out by Doctor Steere. The two species are quite distinct, and can be distinguished with absolute certainty.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
“Mr. Whitehead found a nest of this species [near Paranas, Samar, June 15, 1896] containing three eggs. These were in such an advanced stage of incubation that the young birds hatched out a few hours after the eggs were placed in his room. Eggs pure white, thickly speckled towards the larger end with dark red. The nest, a large ball of bamboo leaves and loosely constructed, was placed close to the ground in old forest.” (Grant and Whitehead.)
517. MACRONOUS MONTANUS (Mearns).
MOUNTAIN TIT BABBLER.
- Macronous mindanensis montanus Mearns, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. (1905), 18, 4.
- Macronus montanus McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 82.
Tah-gó-saa or tah-go-say′-ahn, Bagobo; tar-man′-op, Moros of Pantar and Lake Lanao.
Mindanao (Mearns).
“Adult male and female.—Similar to Macronous mindanensis mindanensis, but very much darker with heavier markings throughout; the dark shaft-streaks are increased in area and intensity; the blackish feathering of the upper side of the head occupies more of the nape; and the back and rump are prout’s brown instead of raw umber; the under parts are dark from the throat backward, the flanks being dark isabella instead of clay-color. This mountain form (from Pantar at 610 meters and Mount Apo at 1,220 meters) is slightly smaller than the subspecies mindanensis. It is still farther removed from Macronous striaticeps Sharpe from the Island of Basilan.” (Mearns.)