BABBLER BROTHERHOODS 221 



by each member keep them all in touch with one 

 another. Then, in time of danger, it is good to see how 

 they combine to drive off the hawk-cuckoo {Hierococcyx 

 varius) which victimises them, and which they un- 

 doubtedly mistake for a species of raptorial bird. 



But their clannishness does not shelter them from 

 all tribulation. They are the dupes of the hawk- 

 cuckoo, and they sometimes fall victims to birds of 

 prey. A few weeks ago I had occasion to visit a friend, 

 who was unwell and confined to his bungalow. I found 

 him sitting in the verandah. While greeting him I 

 heard a great clamour of scolding babblers (Crateropus 

 canorus) emanating from a neem tree hard by. I had 

 come just too late to witness a little jungle tragedy. 

 There was a babbler's nest containing young in that 

 tree. A pair of rascally crows had discovered the nest, 

 and one of them attacked it ; the babbler in charge, 

 with splendid courage, went out to meet his big 

 antagonist, who promptly turned tail and fled, pursued 

 by the screeching babbler. This left the nest open to 

 the other crow, who carried off a young bird. When I 

 arrived, the victims of the outrage were swearing as 

 only babblers and bargees can, and making feints at 

 the crows. 



It is thus obvious why these clubs, or brotherhoods, 

 have been formed, but we are almost altogether in the 

 dark as to how they are formed, as to their nature and 

 constitution. We do not even know what it is that 

 keeps them apparently so constant in size. It is even 

 a disputed point whether these little companies persist 

 throughout the year, or disband at the nesting season. 



