Birds of the Indian Hills 



chestnut-red, as is a patch under the tail. 

 The chin and throat and the median portion 

 of the breast and abdomen are white with 

 faint grey stripes. Scimitar-babblers have 

 habits similar to those of laughing-thrushes. 

 They go about in pairs, seeking for insects 

 among fallen leaves. The call is a loud 

 whistle. 



Very different in habits and appearance from 

 any of the babblers mentioned above is the 

 famous Himalayan whistling-thrush (Myiopho- 

 neous temmincki). To see this bird it is neces- 

 sary to repair to some mountain stream. It is 

 always in evidence in the neighbourhood of 

 the dhobi's ghat at Naini Tal, and is particu- 

 larly abundant on the banks of the Kosi river 

 round about Khairna. At first sight the Him- 

 alayan whistling-thrush looks very like a cock 

 blackbird. His yellow bill adds to the 

 similitude. It is only when he is seen with 

 the sun shining upon him that the cobalt blue 

 patches in his plumage are noticed. His habit 

 is to perch on the boulders which are washed 

 by the foaming waters of a mountain torrent. 

 On these he finds plenty of insects and snails, 

 which constitute the chief items on his menu. 



He pursues the elusive insect in much the 



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