CAGE BIRDS 175 



only unhappy trait is quarrelsomeness. They are usually 

 quite safe, however, in a mixed lot of birds of their own size, 

 toward which they seldom exhibit pugnacity. Two cocks, 

 however, and sometimes even a pair, cannot be placed to- 

 gether, as they will fight to the death. 



Green Bulbuls are chiefly f rugivorous in habit and should 

 be fed on soft food, with an abundant supply of such fruit 

 as bananas, oranges, grapes, pears, etc. Insects should be 

 furnished as freely as possible. 



The only species generally obtainable is the Golden- 

 fronted Green Bulbul (Chloropsis aurifrons), of the 

 sub-Himalayan region. It is bright green in color, with 

 blue shoulders. The forehead is rich orange and the cheeks 

 and throat are covered by a black patch centered with blue, 

 which extends to the beak. 



Babblers 



The Babblers and Jay-thrushes (Timeliid^) form a 

 heterogeneous family of more than six hundred species, 

 found chiefly in Asia and more sparsely in Africa and the 

 Australian region. The members of this group are exceed- 

 ingly diverse in appearance, but have at least one trait in 

 common — great longevity in captivity. The number of 

 species regularly kept by dealers is limited, although some 

 are very common. 



The Jay-thrushes, or Laughing Jays, are large birds, and 

 some are very handsomely marked. Many are hardy and 

 able to endure low temperatures if well sheltered. They 

 are too active for cage life, and should be kept in a roomy 

 aviary. Although not inclined to pugnacity among them- 

 selves, they may not safely be kept with smaller species. 

 There is a curious habit of tickling among most of the birds 

 of this group, two birds, often of the same sex, sitting side 



