( 19 7) 
sounds not unlike derisive laughter, more so when a number are 
congregated together. Bill is longish, fairly strong, slightly hooked 
and notched, tip curved; legs and feet strong; claws long; middle 
toe lengthened, rictal bristles longish ; wings moderate 5th and 6th 
quills longish ; tail rounded at the end and longish. 
(407) GARRULAX LEUCOLOPHUS, /hite-crested Laughina-Thrush, 
is a fairly typical bird of this interesting and varied group of Tima- 
line (Dentirostres) which has a big number of representatives in 
the district and in Sikkim. Some with plain and sombre plumage 
others again beautifully coloured and marked. They are found at 
various altitudes. Leucolophus favors from 5,000 to 6,000 feet 
where this species, in fairly big numbers, associates with other 
birds. Its whistle and song in spring we might call fairly melodious, 
generally proceeding from some thicket or jungle-cover close by. 
The noisy discordant cackle, referred to, is invariably indulged in 
to drive away intruders in the shape of human beings; eagles and 
other members of their rapacious family ; usually all those who are 
held as the hereditary enemies of more defenceless birds. White- 
crested Laughing-Thrush, carries off the palm in effectively driving 
away those who approach too close to their charge. It is an inter- 
esting bird to watch and is typical in several respects. Little 
difticulty need be experienced in distinguishing it. This species has 
a big prominent white-crest, which it elevates in a rigid manner 
when either alarmed or annoyed. Leucolophus is 12 inches in length ; 
head, neck and breast are pure white. It has a conspicuous black 
streak from the nostrils to ear-coverts; the remaining plumage Is 
rich olive-brown, tinged with chesnut, dark on tail and quills. 
These thrushes feed chiefly on berries, insects and caterpillars, at 
times on the ground when greater facilities for food present them- 
selves. I frequently saw these birds below Darjeeling quite at 
home about 4,000 feet elevation. They are found in big numbers 
on the Singla Spur. Leucolophus is supposed to now and then make 
a breakfast off a small bird—may be,—one can’t account for tastes. 
I am inclined to think that this is an overhasty accusation, for small 
birds, generally hold Jeucolophus in high esteem and invariably . 
appreciate its presence at their social gatherings. When you find 
yourself in a colony composed of warblers, tits and flowerpeckers, 
happily feeding and improving each golden hour, these thrushes set 
up a note of alarm, at your approach. I should call them the 
policemen of Jnsessores. A hereditary distinction held in Darjeeling 
by Sibia Capistrata (429). Over and above the wild chatter they 
kick up on these occasions, they have been supplied by nature with 
strong bills, legs and feet together with fairly sharp claws, which 
they can turn to good account, as weapous of defence, also, in the 
more harmless occupation of digging up the ground for grubs; or 
