All rights reserved]. [December, 1908. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



ftwo SnDian Babblers- 



The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus eryhrogenys). 



The Slatky-headkd Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus schislir.eps). 



By O. Millsum. 



Our worthy Editor seeing these two new additions to my collection 

 very kindly suggested having them sketched for our Magazine, and in 

 common with his usual promptitude, Mr. Goodchild was down sketching 

 them within a week. The sketching done, I am requested to write a few 

 notes concerning them, a somewhat difficult problem, as not only the birds 

 but their habits are entirely new to me. A few words first as to how they 

 came into my possession will not be out of place here. Some few weeks 

 ago, I had a letter from the Continent saying that a rare bird, East Indian, 

 was being sent to me, as it would no doubt please me (a very easy matter 

 if at all rare or uncommon). Upon his arrival " Rusty," as I have since 

 dubbed him, was a great surprise to me, and being pleased I was tempted to 

 send for " another two rare Babblers " offered me, and great was my 

 pleasure to find not just Two, but a true pair of the Slatey-headed. 

 Amongst the many foreign birds that have passed through my hands, and 

 their number is far too great for me to think of now, none have been more 

 interesting than these taking and curious birds from East India. Although 

 so vastly dissimilar in appearance, and the contrast is strikingly great, their 

 mannerisms quickly betoken them to belong to the same family. 



* * * 



The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. 

 As aforesaid, " Rusty " was the first to come into my possession, and 

 the first thing that strikes those who see him is the curious long curved 

 beak apparently out of all proportion to the bird. I knew that the bird 

 was an insectivorous one and accordingly placed soft food, same as I 

 give to all my Tanagers, &c, in his cage and offered him a mealworm. 

 Without the slightest hesitation, or the faintest sign of fear, he quickly- 

 sidled along the perch, took it from my hands and very soon disposed of it. 

 Looking at him again the thought struck me that this long beak, which a 

 friend of mine likened to a piece of macaroni, may be used for either 

 digging in the ground, or else to obtain the nectar and pollen from flowers, 



