THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 257 



Family— CRATEROPODID^. 



Sub-family Crateropodince. 



(7) Garrtjlax dklesserti. — The Wynaad Laughing Thrush. 



Oates, No. 75 ; Jerdon, No. 409. 

 Flocks of these birds may be found in thick underwood at all 

 elevations throughout the range. They are a noisy crew. Mr. F. W. 

 Bourdiilon says of them : — " A flock sometimes numbers as many a8 

 twenty individuals, which feed a good deal on the ground, and when 

 disturbed utter loud shrill chattering notes of alarm." Mr. T. F. 

 Bourdiilon writes : — " I once found the nest of this bird placed in a tuft 

 of grass at a height of four feet from the ground, and composed of 

 grass roots and fine stems of grass. It was rather a deep cup and 

 contained three very glossy blue eggs indistinguishable from those 

 of Crateropus griseus. Unfortunately I left the nest intending to 

 bring my gun and shoot the bird next day, but on coming to the 

 spot on the following morning the nest was empty." The bird breeds 



in June. 



(8) Trochalopterum fairbanki. — The Palni Laughing Thrush. 



Oates, No. 96. 



Oates gives the distribution of this bird as " The Palni and 

 Anamallai Hills in South Travancore above 3,000 feet." As I have 

 already pointed out, the Palni and Anamallai Hills are altogether in 

 British territory. The bird is however found in Travancore, but in 

 the north and not in the south. It is common at 5,000 feet and above 

 on the Kanan Devan Hills, or high range, the highest peak of which, 

 Anaimudi, is the centre from which spring the Anamallai on the north 

 and the Palni Hills on the east. Elsewhere in Travancore it is not found. 

 (9) Trochalopterum meridionale. — Blanford's Laughing Thrush. 



Oates j No. 97. 



This bird is found only in South Travancore at the summits of the 

 hills above 3,500 feet. I have not taken it north of the Achankovil 

 Gap where it occurs. It is found in numbers going about in small 

 scattered parties. It is by no means a shy bird, and may be seen 

 climbing about the trees searching the leaves for food, and often 

 descends to the ground. In addition to the usually chattering notes 

 it utters when disturbed, it has a clear whistle of some ten notes which 

 may be heard ail day. Its nest has not been taken, but as 1 shot a 

 young bird in March just out of the nestling plumage, I conclude 

 that the breeding season is about May and June. 



