92 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



460. Otocompsa jocosa, Lin. 



Lanius, apud Linnaeus — L. Emerla, Shaw — Bltth, Cat. 1260 

 — HoRSF., Cat. 354— Jerdon, Cat. 77 — Sykes, Cat. 70— Ix. 

 monticolus, McLell., P. Z. S., 1839—1. pyrrhotis, UoDOS.—Kanera 

 bulbul, H. in the north— Fhari-bulbul, H. in the south — Kara 

 bulbul, and SipaJd bulbul, Beng. — Twaka pigli-pittUi Tel. 



The Eed- Whiskered Bulbul. 



Descr. — Head, with crest, black ; ear-coverts white, with a tuft 

 of glossy hair-like crimson feathers over the ears, and reaching 

 beyond them ; a narrow line of black borders the ear-coverts 

 beneath ; plumage above light hair-brown, darker on the quills and 

 on the tail, especially towards the tip, which is white on all, except 

 the central feathers, but only on the inner web, except on the 

 outermost pair ; beneath, from the chin, white, the sides of the 

 breast dark-brown, forming an interrupted gorget. 



Length 8 inches; extent 11 ; wing 3^; tail 3y^jj ; tarsus j% . 

 bill at front ^. 



The Red-whiskered or Hill-bulbul is found throughout India, but 

 often affects particular localities. As a general rule it is most 

 common in jungly and well-wooded districts. In the Carnatic it is 

 rare, found now and then in low jungle, and periodically visiting 

 Madras and other wooded towns in large flocks. On the western 

 coast it is more generally spread, but even there you may pass 

 over considerable tracts of ground without seeinor it. On the 

 Neilgherries it is very abundant. It is rare in the central table 

 land, tolerably common on the Northern Circars, in Lower Bengal, 

 and here and there throughout the Upper Provinces, extending to 

 the Sub-Himalayan range ; but not apparently ascending the hills 

 to any height, as it does in the South. Out of our province it is 

 found in Assam and Arrakan. It is a most Kvely and active bird, 

 always on the move, and warbling its pleasant chirruping notes, 

 which are more agreeable than those of the next species. Its flight 

 is steady, but not very rapid, and its crest is always raised the 

 moment it alights. I have frequently had its nest and eggs brought 

 me on the Neilgherries. The nest was very neatly made, deep, cup- 



