12-4 THRUSHES. 



tricks. One species is kept for the purpose of fighting, and is 

 trained with this object, as gamecocks were formerly trained, for 

 the amusement of their cruel owners. In a wild state, they are 

 generally found in the woods and jungles, but are in the habit of 

 visiting gardens for the sake of feeding upon the ripened fruits 

 and insects. They are all exotic birds, and are all natives of the 

 eastern hemisphere. 



Fig. 66.— The Yellow Pycnonotus {Pycnonotus Jlavnhr). 



The Jocose Bulbul {Pycnonotus jocosus) is an Indian species, a constant 

 visitor both in woods and gardens : it is active and hvely, always on the move, 

 and continually warbhng its pleasant notes, which are possessed of consider- 

 able sweetness. The food of these birds consists principally of fruits and 

 seeds, but they also eat insects. They are great favourites with the Hindoos, 

 who train them to sit upon the hand, and carry t.icm to their bazaars and 

 other places of resort. A remarkable group {Criniger) is peculiar to the woody 

 districts of Africa and Asia, where they may be noticed flying from bush to 

 bush, examining the branches in quest of food. These live chiefly upon fruits 

 and berries, and only occasionally upon insects. If alarmed, they usually 

 hide themselves in the thickest parts of a bush, where they remain perfectly 

 still until the supposed danger is past. Some of them occasionally pour forth 

 a series of loud, clear, thrush-like notes. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Yellow Pycnonotus {Pycnonotus Jlavula). 



