THE BABBLERS. 19 



green eggs with reddish spots. Sihja is its name among 

 the Nepaulese. 



The Liothrix (Liothrix luteus) is figured on Plate V 

 (Fig. 4). It is about the size of a Sparrow, and differs 

 strikingly from other members of its family in havinc^ 

 a strongly forked tail and particularly smooth and sleek 

 plumage. In addition to the colours mentioned on the 

 plate, the beautiful orange-streaked wings, coral-red 

 bill and black eye make it very easy to recognize. 



The males are brighter than the females, sufficiently so 

 to make it no very difficult matter to pick out a pair. 

 This charming little bird is the best known of all Babblers 

 in captivity ; many are sold in Calcutta everv winter, 

 and many more sent to England ; in both cases the birds 

 are usually obtained from China, though the bird is also 

 common all along our hills at 8,000 feet or lower. It is 

 one of the commonest birds about Darjeeling, where 

 its peculiar five-noted call " tee-tee-tee-tee-tee " will 

 probably be heard before the bird is seen, as it is de- 

 cidedly a skulker. 



Dealers usually know it as the China Robin, but 

 although it certainly looks like a Robin, it has a very 

 different disposition and habits. It is a timid, harm- 

 less bird, very sociable even with other species and re- 

 markably intelligent. In a cage it is decidedly nervous, 

 but in an aviary becomes very much at home, and shows 

 great inquisitiveness. Many specimens become so tame 

 that they will take food from the fingers when led to 

 the aviary wires. The cock has a very sweet song, very 

 strong for the size of the bird, and altogether it is the 



