ARGYA. 201 



the outer webs whitish, the others pale brown, the central one 

 cross-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 145mm.; tarsus about 30mm.; 

 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 is found as far as 

 Allahabad, and further South I have had specimens sent me 

 from Surguja. 



Nidification. These birds breed more or less throughout the 

 year, but possibly more regularly in the early rains. The nest 

 cannot be distinguished from that of Turdoides 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. 



THE BUFOUS BABBLER. 



TimaKa subrufa Jerdon, Madr. Journ. L. S., p. 259 (1844) (Wynaad). 

 Argya subrufa. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 109. 



Vernacular names. Jungli-Khyr (Hind.). 



Description. Forehead deep grey with black shafts ; whole 

 upper plumage, tail and exposed portions of the wings olive- 

 brown with a rufous tinge, especially strong on the outer edge of 



