THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



97 



They are not a well-known group, but some species 

 attract attention by their barred plumage, like that 

 figured, the largest of the group (Batara cinerea). 



Babblers (Crater opodince) are widely spread over the 

 warm parts of the Old World. Except for their soft 

 loose plumage, short wings, and coarser bill and feet, 

 they much resemble the Thrushes and Warblers, but 

 differ much in some habits, especially in frequently 

 using one foot to hold food, and in being exceedingly 

 sociable and affectionate, and often very noisy. The 



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Outline of Babbler. 



most familiar to European eyes is the pretty little 

 cage-bird from China and the Himalayas commonly 

 sold as the Pekin Robin or Japanese Nightingale 

 [Liothrix luteus) ; but it appears probable that the 

 Bearded Reedling {Panurus biarmicus), a European 

 and even British bird, is really an outlying member of 

 this family, as is also the Wren-tit {Chamcea fasciata) 

 of California. It is agreed that neither of these birds 

 really are Tits. Babblers usually build open nests, and 

 often lay imspotted blue eggs, like our Hedge-Sparrow 

 {Accentor modularis), which may perhaps properly be 

 classed here, though usually placed among the 

 Thrushes. 



The only three-toed Passerine bird {Cholornis 



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