Orthotomus cinereiceps Sharpe, Ibis (1877), 113, pl. 2, fig. 2;
Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d ser. Zool. (1877), 1, 337; Cat. Birds
Brit. Mus. (1883), 7, 222; Hand-List (1903), 4, 192; McGregor
and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 88.
Basilan (Steere, Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester,
McGregor); Mindanao (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester).
Adult.--Entire top of head, lores, and hind neck dark ashy gray; a
large white patch on ear-coverts; remainder of upper parts olive-green,
lighter on tail-coverts; wing-feathers blackish, edged with green;
rectrices olive-brown, edged with green; cheeks, chin, and throat
black; fore breast ashy gray; center of lower breast and abdomen
white; sides, flanks, thighs, and crissum washed with yellow. A male
from Basilan measures: Wing, 47; tail, 55; culmen from base, 16.5;
bill from nostril, 11; tarsus, 21.
Young.--The immature bird resembles the corresponding plumage in
O. nigriceps, having more or less white on the chin and throat.
"Very common in Basilan. Eight from Basilan measure: Length, 126; wing,
47; tail, 76; culmen, 18.5; tarsus, 21; middle toe with claw, 17.5. Six
females, length, 111; wing, 45; tail, 41; tarsus, 19.5; middle toe
with claw, 16. Iris brown; legs, feet, and nails very light brown,
in some cases almost white; upper mandible nearly white, lower very
light brown. Breeding in Basilan in August." (Bourns and Worcester MS.)