385. Pyctorhis sinensis, Gmelin.
Parus, apud Gmelin - Blyth, Cat. 860 - Horsf., Cat. 339 - Timalia hypoleuca, Franklin - Jerdon, Cat. 95 - T. Horsfieldii, Jard. and Selby, III. Orn., pl. 111 - Tim. bicolor, Lafresn., Mag. Zool., pl. 39 - Gal-chasm or Bulal-chasm, II. in the south. - Bara-podna, H. in the N. W. P. - Yerra kali-jitta Tel. - Mullala, Sindh.
The Yellow-eyed Babbler.
Descr. - Above clear red brown, rufous or cinnamon color on the wings, and the tail obsoletely banded with dusky ; lores, and all the lower plumage, white; lower surface of wings and tail dusky cinereous.
Bill black, with the nostrils deep yellow ; legs orpiment yellow; irides dark brown, with an outer circle of buff; orbits bright orange. Length 6 1/2 inches; wing 2 8/10 ; tail 3 1/2; bill at front not quite 1/2 ; tarsus 1 1/10.
This species of Babbler is universally spread throughout India, extending to Burmah, and, from the name, perhaps to China. It has been sent from Nepal by Hodgson; is not rare in Bengal and the N. W. P.; is said to be common in Sindh, and I have seen it in every part of the South of India. It is also found in Ceylon, and it is very common in Upper Burmah. It frequents low jungles, or the skirts of forests, long grass, hedge-rows, and even comes occasionally into gardens. Though sometimes to be met with singly, it is generally seen in small parties of five or six, flying from bush to bush before you, and trying to conceal itself in some thick clump. It has a low chattering note when at rest, and when flying from bush to bush, a loud sibilant whistle. I have, on several occasions, heard one, perched conspicuously on a high bush or hedge-row, pour forth a remarkably sweet song. It feeds mostly on insects, often on ants and small coleoptera. Mr. Blyth remarks, that he possessed some of these birds alive, and noticed that they frequently placed one foot upon their food, while they pecked with the bill. Mr. Philipps states that, in the N. W. Provinces, this is the bird said by the natives " to support the heavens by its legs, lest they fall." In Southern India this is related of the common Plover, Pluvianus Goernsis. The same observer also says, that it generally builds on Banyan trees. I wish that he had described the eggs, which I have never been able to procure.
Parus, apud Gmelin - Blyth, Cat. 860 - Horsf., Cat. 339 - Timalia hypoleuca, Franklin - Jerdon, Cat. 95 - T. Horsfieldii, Jard. and Selby, III. Orn., pl. 111 - Tim. bicolor, Lafresn., Mag. Zool., pl. 39 - Gal-chasm or Bulal-chasm, II. in the south. - Bara-podna, H. in the N. W. P. - Yerra kali-jitta Tel. - Mullala, Sindh.
The Yellow-eyed Babbler.
Descr. - Above clear red brown, rufous or cinnamon color on the wings, and the tail obsoletely banded with dusky ; lores, and all the lower plumage, white; lower surface of wings and tail dusky cinereous.
Bill black, with the nostrils deep yellow ; legs orpiment yellow; irides dark brown, with an outer circle of buff; orbits bright orange. Length 6 1/2 inches; wing 2 8/10 ; tail 3 1/2; bill at front not quite 1/2 ; tarsus 1 1/10.
This species of Babbler is universally spread throughout India, extending to Burmah, and, from the name, perhaps to China. It has been sent from Nepal by Hodgson; is not rare in Bengal and the N. W. P.; is said to be common in Sindh, and I have seen it in every part of the South of India. It is also found in Ceylon, and it is very common in Upper Burmah. It frequents low jungles, or the skirts of forests, long grass, hedge-rows, and even comes occasionally into gardens. Though sometimes to be met with singly, it is generally seen in small parties of five or six, flying from bush to bush before you, and trying to conceal itself in some thick clump. It has a low chattering note when at rest, and when flying from bush to bush, a loud sibilant whistle. I have, on several occasions, heard one, perched conspicuously on a high bush or hedge-row, pour forth a remarkably sweet song. It feeds mostly on insects, often on ants and small coleoptera. Mr. Blyth remarks, that he possessed some of these birds alive, and noticed that they frequently placed one foot upon their food, while they pecked with the bill. Mr. Philipps states that, in the N. W. Provinces, this is the bird said by the natives " to support the heavens by its legs, lest they fall." In Southern India this is related of the common Plover, Pluvianus Goernsis. The same observer also says, that it generally builds on Banyan trees. I wish that he had described the eggs, which I have never been able to procure.
