BULBULS. 



491 



pounds, cinnamon plantations, the vicinity of roads, low jungle, open scrubby land, 

 and the edges of forest. It is a fearless and very sprightly bird, most active and 

 animated in its manners, erecting its conspicuous crest to full height as it sits on the 

 top of a bush chirping to its companions. It locates itself in dose proximity to 

 houses, and not unfrequently builds its nest in verandaJis, and is conseipieiitly a uni- 

 versal favorite with Eurojieans, who rate its attempts at singing so highly that it is 

 styled by many the > Ceylon nightingale.' As a matter of fact, however, its notes 

 have but little music in them, but it is constantly uttering its quick chirruping warble, 

 which, in tlie breeding season, is to a certain extent more melodious than at other 

 times. Its food consists of insects, as well as fruit and seeds of all kinds, the berry 



Fig. 239. — Accentor modularit, hedge-sparrow ; A. coltaris, Alpine .iccentor. 



of the Lantana j.laiit being a favorite diet, a fact which conduces to the propagation 

 and spreading of this horticultural pest. In the evening little parties of bulbuls .as- 

 semble, and after a great deal of excitement and chattering they choose a roosting- 

 place in some thick bush or umbrageous shrub." 



Of somewhat doubtful relation to the Tinialiidaj are the African Eremomelina', 

 nearly fifty species of win-blcr-like birds, which may jierhaps be better jilaced among 

 the Sylviuhe. Still more uncert.iin is the jiosition of another group, which is often 

 recognized as a sej>arate f.unily nnder the name of LEioTRiriiiD.t:. The 'hill-tits,' 

 comprising nearly sixty si.ecies, |.eculiar to the Himalayas and the oriental region, 

 h.ave a varied plumage, often brightly colored, and with iironiinent markings on the 

 wmg. They feed especially on berries and insects. The best known species is the 



