Macronus striaticeps Sharpe,
Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d. ser. Zool. (1877), 1, 331; Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus. (1883), 7, 584; Hand-List (1903), 4, 53; Oates and Reid,
Cat. Birds' Eggs (1905), 4, 50; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List
(1906), 82.
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.)