Ptiocichla (?) basilanica Steere, List Birds and Mams. Steere
Exped. (1890), 18 (error).
Ptilocichla basilanica Steere, Ibis, (1891), 312, pl. 7; Sharpe,
Hand-List (1903), 4, 40; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List
(1906), 81.
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.)