XXXIX 

 BABBLER BROTHERHOODS 



THE Crateropus babblers, known variously 

 as the Sath Bhai, seven sisters, or dirt 

 birds, furnish perfect examples of com- 

 munal life. So highly developed are their 

 social instincts that a solitary babbler, or even a pair, 

 is a very unusual sight. They do not congregate in 

 large flocks ; from six to fourteen usually constitute 

 a brotherhood, eight, nine, or ten being, perhaps, the 

 commonest numbers. There is no truth in the popular 

 idea that they always go about in flocks of seven. Sir 

 Edwin Arnold recognised this when he wrote of " the 

 nine brown sisters chattering in the thorn." 



Notwithstanding the fact that babblers are among 

 the commonest birds in India, there is much to be 

 discovered regarding the nature of their flocks. The 

 raison d'etre of these flocks is not far to seek. One has 

 but to observe the laboured flight of a babbler to 

 appreciate how easy a mark he is to a bird of prey. 

 The strength of the babbler lies in his clan. Eight or 

 ten pairs of eyes are superior to one. A party of seven 

 sisters is not often caught napping. The incessant 

 squeaking, and screeching, and wheezing indulged in 



