( '5 ) 



breast yellow ; it has a short yellow eye-brow, and the crown of its 

 head pale chestnut. It is very partial lo bamboo jungle and is found 

 well distributed over the whole country. It generally utters its call 

 from a tree and not from near the ground. It builds a domed nest 

 of bamboo leaves and grass placed in a bush near the ground or in 

 a clump of bamboos, and lays three or four white eggs with pink 

 spots. 



(No. 176. Mixornis rubricappillus.) 



There are a great number of small birds belonging to this group, 

 but as they are neither conspicuous in dress nor calls. I have omitted 

 them, a great many of them being hill birds with shy retiring 

 habits. 



THE BULBULS. 



The. Bulbuls are a family which contains some of our commonest and 

 most familiar birds of the East, being found both in gardens as well 

 as in the jungles. Their wings are not so small or rounded as those 

 of the babblers, as they are birds given to frequenting trees, and 

 not skulking near the ground. Their chief characteristic being 

 their extremely short leg from the knee downwards, which is never 

 longer than the middle toe. They have cheery notes and calls, 

 and go about in small parties. They all build cup-shaped nests, 

 placed generally at no great distance from the ground, and lay eggs 

 profusely covered with red and brownish spots. 



Burmese name fpr all Bulbuls. Boh-ka-lone. 



THE BURMESE RED-VENTED BULBUL. 



This is the familiar cheery brown bird, with black head and crest, 

 a white patch in the small of the back, and a scarlet seat to his 

 trousers, and is to be found in nearly every garden and bit of jungle, 

 being well distributed over the whole country. They are pugnacious 

 little birds with their fellows, and are kept by natives of India for 

 fighting purposes. I once saw a good exhibition of its vinclictiveness. 

 I happened to shoot one for identification, and as it lay dead, another 

 flew down and attacked it viciously with outspread wings and tail, 

 pecking the body and uttering unmistakeable bulbul swear words. 

 This attacking of the wounded or maimed amongst animals by those 

 of the same species is a well known fact, as most animals turn on 

 one of their number in distress, and do not come lo their aid, or 

 mourn over their fallen friends as many kind-hearted people fondly 

 imagine. 



But to return to the Bulbuls, they are almost entirely fruit-eaters, 

 and must do a great deal of damage to fruit-gardens ; but as very 



