(& 10es 4 
deep and curved, commissures partially curved, gonys ascending, 
which give these birds a somewhat “down in the month” appear- 
ance ; wings like true Viimaline, short and much rounded ; tail 
broad and ample ; tarsus short, strong and protected by shield like 
scales ; claws serviceable. The colour of these birds is much like 
the ground they are generally found on, which offers them protec- 
tion from assaults of their rougher neighbours. 
(536) MabLacocircus Matcotmi, Large Grey Babbler,, is found 
as a rule a little further up our hill sides ; but seldom advances over 
1,000 or 2,0000 feet elevation. These birds can generally be seen on 
the paths, say, preferably north east of Muthigara Road, feeding in 
companies of sixes and sevens, where [ have more frequently ob- 
served them ; alighting off trees or bushes one after another and 
keeping up a constant chatter. They are bigger than the Bengal 
Babbler. They have similar habits and peculiarities. Like most 
birds of this group they are weak on the wing. Their flight is 
generally laboured. They usually forage within easy distance of 
undergrowth or road-side hedges, into which they dash on approach 
of danger. Nevertheless should a hawk seize any member of their 
company, or a friendly bird close by, the rest of the babblers, go for 
the offending hawk, with a will and tenacity, which invariably 
makes it let go. I have seen this done on more than one occasion 
and feel sure that the hawk, which usually darts from a long lead, 
off branch of a tree, a good distance away has mistaken its quarry— 
a large grey babbler for some other family more helpless in protect- 
ing its members, I have noticed a sparrow-hawk in its rapid descent, 
on more than one occasion, change its mind, as it were, in its head 
long dive ; when it neared the object of its quest ; which feat 
appears surprising, considering the blind velocity it gathered for the 
stroke. The usual vocation of babblers, appears to be, to turn and 
return, toss up in the air dead leaves lying in heaps in jungle or by 
sides of the road. In size this bird is about 11 inches. Legs dull yellow; 
irides light yellow. It feeds on beetles, grasshoppers and_ insects. 
In spring it has a pleasant song, resembling “gue, que, que, quho, 
quho.” Colour is pale brownish grey ; head feathers with white 
shafts ; a little yellowish about the quills ; a reddish tinge on breast, 
underparts are whitish grey. 
(440) MrGALurus pALusTRis, Sériafed Marsh Babbler, might 
perhaps, be a good typical bird to halt at and examine brietly. Like 
the true babblers it seldom ascends over afew hundred feet in 
elevation, in the district. In the terai these birds are more plenti- 
ful. Palustris prefers marshy ground, beside water-courses and 
rivers. Usually at such places, where hill rivers drop down to the 
plains, forming wide sandy churs and water logged marshes ; fertile 
