M. Sundevall on the Birds of Calcutta, 107 



interrupted strophes, like our thrush, so that a continuation of 

 singing is seldom heard. It is said that it sings remarkably well 

 even in a cage about evening ; also that when in a free state it 

 continues to sing through the whole month of June. Its com- 

 mon note is a warbling like that of the Thrushes, and sounds are 

 sometimes heard resembling those of the human voice, and it is 

 possible that its name is derived from this circumstance, for Bolla 

 signifies in the Bengal language ( to speak/ f to tell/ The singing 

 was heard already in February. The Turdus cafer is stationary 

 and numerous about Calcutta. No information about their pro- 

 pagation could be obtained. Their food is mixed : the above-de- 

 scribed male had its stomach full of blossoms of the mango (Man* 

 gifera) ; the hen-bird had, on the contrary, only eaten insects. 

 They were" seen singly or by pairs in the trees, their movements 

 did not seem to be very quick, and their flight was hopping, 

 like our Warblers. The feathers of its head rose often to a tuft, 

 both by the wind and by the bird itself. 



This bird is found throughout India, and according to Levail- 

 lant, Brisson and others, in South Africa, most probably even in 

 Persia and the middle of Africa. According to Pallas, it is the 

 Sylvia luscinia, which the Armenians call Boulboul, and the Crim 

 Tartars Bylbyli ; but in the Persian language it is called Ganda- 

 lip, I do not know which kind is meant by the Bo.elb.el of the 

 Arabians. 



3. Turdus jocosus. — Merula sinensis cristatus minor, Briss. Orn, 

 vol. ii. p. 255. tab. 21. f. 2 ; Buff. PI. Enl. 508 (fig. mala). Lanius 

 jocosus, Linn. Lanius emeria, Linn. sec. Albin et Edw. 190. 



Cristatus griseo-fuscus, subtus cum gula albus, genis albis, linea 

 tenui nigra cinctis, plumisque quibusdam longissimis, coccineis ; 

 crisso rubro. Fascia pectoris interrupta nigra, Iris fere nigro-fusca. 

 Priori paullo minor. 



$ (Calcutta, Feb. 9, testic. tumidis), Ala 88 millim., tarsus 22£, 

 cauda 82. Crissum fulvo-rubicundum, rectrices plerseque apice late 

 nivei. ? (Calcutta, Mar. 12) similis, colore paullo sordido sed crisso 

 fere coccineo. Rectrices apice sordide albidse. Ala 82 mill., tar- 

 sus 22, cauda 70. Crista vix minor quam maris. 



In the Bengal language this bird is called Sonna. It is con- 

 sidered to be stationary, and was not scarce. Its movements are 

 not easy, but of a proud bearing, and it seemed to be very re- 

 markable for its great strength. This bird has likewise the most 

 perfect and firm muscular frame I have ever seen among singing- 

 birds. The same is the case in a less degree with those before 

 described, and most probably with all kinds of the very natural 

 subgenus Pycnonotus (Ixos, Temm.) to which they belong. A 

 part of this group has even been classified among the genus 

 Lanius, which in the above respect resembles them ; but it is 



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