(- 10Be8) 
breading grounds of insects in general. A warm humid atmosphere 
and spots unfrequented by human beings seem to suit it best. It 
appears to fatten on the malaria producing mosquitoes. 1 have occa- 
sionally seen these Marsh-Babblers aboye Sivoke, in all their glory, 
whistling, in spring, amelodious air, often heard proceeding from the 
thick reeds which grow at the water's edge. Marsh-Babbler is 1 0inches 
in length. Plumage, above, is bright olive-brown ; wing feathers 
edged with brown; a fairly prominent white streak over the eye ; 
back and scapulars olive-brown the feathers with a black stripe ; 
crown of the head rufescent with dark lines ; underparts whitish 
brown ; breast speckled, throat white. In spring these birds rise 
‘on the wing in a typical flight, somewhat after the manner of larks, 
and carol a pretty song in the air, before returning to the tall reeds 
near the edge of the water. This manner of song is wiique fora 
Timaline. It is undoubtedly a beautiful outhurst, pleasant to hear 
and witness. It is not unusual to see Flycatchers, ete., rise vertically 
after insects. The sky-larks and a few other birds rise and soar 
from an exuberance of life ; I detected no winged insect draw forth 
the Striated-Babbler. Like the Larks it appears to be more a 
buoyant out burst of joy and gladness. This bird builds, in low 
bushes, near the ground, its nest of grass, well worked together, 
with roots and hair entwined. Fges are beautifully glossy, bright 
greenish blue. 
The Reed-birds are out of our range, as they are not found in 
the district. 
FAMILY BRACHYPODID4& (Short-legged Thrushes) 
These birds, are mostly, of rich and brilant plumage.  Except- 
ing Pycnonotine which are black in colour with a patch here and 
there of bright red and yellow, as the case may be. Whilst on the 
other hand such birds as the Green bulbuls and J/renine are beauti- 
fully coloured and prettily marked. Legs and feet of birds of this 
family are typically short and more suitable for perching ; wirgs 
usually long. They comprise Bulbuls and Orioles. Many of the 
species of short-legged Thrushes are to be found in Darjeeling, more 
so in the district. They are found in most parts of India ; feed 
much on insects, and show a partiality for fruit and berries. 
This family is divided into :-— 
(1) PycnonoTiInz ... ee True Bulbuls. 
(2) PHYLLORNITHINA: es Green ,, 
(3) IRENINA is we Blue-Birds. 
(4) ORIOLINA ... _ Orioles. 
