io8



before I complete this article, I may be able to find time, on a

bright day, to record more in detail the particulars of the

plumage up to date.


So far as we may venture to judge from an isolated case,

it will be seen that the moult of this species is a winter rather

than an autumnal one.


(To be continued ,)



THE YELLOW-EYED BABBLER.


(.Pyctorhis sinensis ).


By E. W. Harper, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S.


This delightful little bird was first acquired by the London

Zoo, in 1868, when four specimens were purchased; and, as it

has never since been represented there, I think we may take it for

granted that the species is not at all commonly imported into

England. Neither in India, its home, is the Yellow-eyed

Babbler a common cage bird ; although, in a state of freedom, it

extends almost all over the Empire. Probably the fadt of its being

attired in a somewhat sombre garb, and also that it is not what

can be called a “song-bird,” account for its 11011-popularity

amongst native bird-keepers. The plumage of the bird is

rufous-brown above, and white on the chin, throat and breast ; a

white streak also extends before, above and behind the eye. The

sexes are alike. The most striking part of the bird’s appearance,

however, is that from which its name is derived, namely, its eye¬

lids, which are of an intense golden-yellow colour; these give

the bird the appearance of wearing a pair of spectacles. The

“ spedtacle-bird ” proper (Zosterops) has a ring of white feathers

round each eye ; while our little friend now under discussion

has its eyelids prominently coloured, somewhat after the

manner of a Barb Pigeon, Oates gives the bird’s entire length

as “seven inches” (of which the tail measures about half) and

“ the tarsus one inch.” The extreme length of leg gives great

facility for hopping; the bird is an adept at clinging in ever}’

conceivable position.


Its prey is held under one foot, whilst it tears it to pieces

with its beak. In the case of maggots, the poor, unfortunate

insedts are literally stretched like elastic by the bird’s foot

and beak, until they break from the strain.


What the Golden-eyed Babbler lacks in beauty of plumage

and power of song, is more than balanced by his interesting and



