Cage-Birds of Calcutta. 429 



The species of Chloropsis are often called Green Bulbuls, 

 but they cannot be placed far from Mgithina tiphia, obvi- 

 ously a small Babbler, which is sometimes kept here (but 

 rarely, being a delicate species). It is locally known as 

 "Tofik/^ Another small Timeliiiie form occasionally on sale 

 is the Gulab-Chasm (red-eye) {Pyctorhis sinensis) — a most 

 amusing little bird, very impudent, and mischievous when 

 in company with others. 



Of the true Bulbuls, the common Molpastes bengalensis is 

 by far the most popular captive. It is not so often caged, 

 however, as tethered to an iron J-shaped perch padded with 

 cloth, the cord being fastened to a soft string round its body. 

 This is to further its employment as a fighting-bird, that 

 being the purpose for which it is commonly kept. Two 

 individuals are made hungry, and then their jealousy is ex- 

 cited by offering food to one only, which of course provokes 

 a fight. The sport is carried on during the winter, after 

 which the birds are released, with the exception of such as 

 have proved worthy of maintenance for the future. 



This is the only species employed in such a way, but 

 several other Bulbuls may be seen caged, especially the 

 almost equally abundant Otocompsa emeria. O. flaviventris 

 comes to hand occasionally in small numbers, and some- 

 times considerable supplies of Molpastes leucotis, M. leuco- 

 gemjs, and the Chinese Pycnonotus sinensis arrive, but these 

 cannot be reckoned on. A few examples of Hypsipetes 

 psaroides, Hemixus flavala, and H. macclellandi have been 

 brought down in the winter of late years. 



Before leaving the Crateropodidse, I should mention that 

 a few specimens of the splendid Myioplioneus temmincki 

 have passed through Mr. Rutledge's hands, and that lately my 

 friend Mr. E. W. Harper secured from him a fine imported 

 specimen of the Chinese M. cceruleus, which he has sent to the 

 London Zoological Gardens. But undoubtedly the members 

 of this fine genus are wrongly placed in this family, being 

 certainly true Thrashes. The distinction between them and 

 the Babblers is perfectly obvious to any bird-keeper or field- 

 naturalist, however hard it may be to make out from skins. 



