Hypothymis superciliaris Sharpe,
Trans. Linn. Soc. Zool. 2d. ser. (1877), 1, 236; Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus. (1879), 4, 278; Hand-List (1901), 3, 248; McGregor
and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 73.
Basilan (Steere, Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester,
McGregor); Mindanao (Steere Exp., Platen, Bourns & Worcester,
Goodfellow, Celestino).
Male.--Above dark verditer-blue, top of head darker; forehead and a
line over each eye silvery cobalt; wings and tail black, the exposed
portions of webs mostly bright cobalt; chin, throat, breast, and
thighs dull smoky blue; lower breast and abdomen white, washed with
blue-gray. Bill, legs, and nails black; iris brown. Length, about
165; wing, 78; tail, 78; culmen from base, 15; bill from nostril, 9;
tarsus, 14.5.
Female.--Similar to the male, but with the blue lighter and more
verditer. Wing, 72; tail, 79; bill from nostril, 8.5.
"Very common in the forests of Basilan; a strictly deep woods
form. Seven males average: Length, 164; wing, 78; tail, 82; culmen,
15; tarsus, 15; middle toe with claw, 14. Two females, length, 151;
wing, 76; tail, 75; tarsus, 15; middle toe with claw, 14. Iris dark
brown; bill black; legs, feet, and nails nearly black. Breeding in
August in Mindanao and Basilan." (Bourns and Worcester MS.)