ARGYA, 201 
the outer webs whitish, the others pale brown, the central one 
ross-rayed; wings dark brown, the earlier primaries horny- 
brown on the outer webs, the others edged with the colours of 
the back; entire lower plumage, cheeks and sides of neck 
fulvescent, the throat and breast darker and washed with 
glaucous. 
Colours of soft parts. Iris bright yellow; upper mandible dark 
brown; lower mandible, legs and feet fleshy or fleshy-yellow, 
sometimes tinged with bluish. 
Measurements. Length about 280 mm.; wing about 112 to 
119 mm.; tail about 135 to 145 mm.; tarsus about 30 mm. ; 
culmen about 19 mm. 
Distribution. The greater portion of the peninsula of India, 
South to the Nilgiris and Mysore, common in Central West India 
and rare in the North-West. To the East it 1s found as far as 
Allahabad, and further South I have had specimens sent me 
from Surguja. 
Nidification. hese birds breed more or less throughout the 
year, but possibly more regularly in the early rains. The nest 
cannot be distinguished from that of Z’wrdoides terricolor and may 
be placed in a bush, cactus hedge or mango-tree, often at con- 
siderable heights from the ground. The eggs are usually four in 
number, of the usual shape, colour and texture and one hundred 
average 25:2 x 19-4 mm. 
Habits. Like the Common Babbler this bird frequents both the 
wilder and more jungly tracts, where it is a wild, shy bird, and 
the vicinity of towns, villages and houses, where it is as tame and 
confiding as it is possible to be. It is very gregarious, keeping in 
parties even during the breeding season and whatever is the 
business of one bird is the interest of the whole party. If one 
member is attacked by hawk, snake or other enemy the rest of the 
flock combine to attack and not infrequently will succeed in 
driving it off. It is very noisy and very excitable like the Jungle- 
Babbler and, like that bird, active on its legs, feeble on its 
wings. They eat both insects, seeds and fruit but principally the 
first. 
(196) Argya subrufa. 
Ture Rurous BABBLER. 
Timalia subrufa Jerdon, Madr. Journ. L.5., p. 259 (1844) (Wynaad). 
Argya subrufa. Blanf. & Oates, 1, p. 109. 
Vernacular names. Jungli-Khur (Hind.). 
Description. Foreliead deep grey with black shatts ; whole 
upper plumage, tail and exposed portions of the wings olive- 
brown with a rufous tinge, especially strong on the outer edge ot 
