THE SEVEN SISTERS 207 



excited twittering and screaming. Then the various 

 members of the little company take cover, and remain 

 silently in hiding until the danger is passed. Some 

 babblers will unite and boldly beat off a bird which 

 attacks them. The Madras ones are not so brave; 

 they hold discretion to be the better part of valour. 



So, for the sake of safety, the members of each little 

 company keep together, hopping about and rummaging 

 among fallen leaves for the minute insects upon which 

 they feed. 



The tiny community has no leader. All the members 

 are equal. Any one may take the lead, and the rest 

 seem to follow as a matter of course. As they saunter 

 along together, the babblers keep up a constant flow of 

 small talk. Their voices are not beautiful, and those 

 not familiar with the birds are apt to mistake pleasant 

 conversation for squabbling. 



" Fighting ? " says Phil Robinson, " not at all ; do 

 not be misled by the tone of voice. That heptachord 

 clamour is not the expression of strong feeUngs. It is 

 only a way they have." 



Dick says : " Well, Bill, what luck ? " "A bit of all 

 right," replies Bill, with his mouth full. " Going strong, 

 Jane?" asks Harry, as he discovers an insect on the 

 under side of a decayed leaf "What do you think?" 

 squeaks Jane. " Old Bob's having a fine blow out ! " 

 remarks Tom, casually. Jack suddenly calls out: " My 

 eye ! here's a find," and then the whole Club rushes to 

 see what he has found, each member chattering at the 

 top of his voice. 



It is wonderful how rare fights among babblers are. 



