THE BIRDS OF NORTH C A CHAR. 355 



(399) Oyanops line at a. — The Lineated Barbet. 

 Hume, No. 192 ; Blanford, No. 1009. 



Even more common than C. asiatica. 



I have taken a large number of eggs of this barbet, probably more 

 of this one species than all the others put together. 



Eighty eggs average 1-20" X '92", The longest is 1-36" and the 

 shortest I'lO" , the broadest and narrowest are, respectively, 1'03" and 

 •86". Typically, I think, the shape is a broad oval, decidedly com- 

 pressed towards the small end which is rather pointed. All varieties, 

 though, occur, some long regular ovals, others long, but pointed and, 

 more rarely, broad regular ovals. 



I have heard this bird libelled as being a bird of one note ; now 

 any one who has listened to it carefully must admit that it has 

 many. Whilst feeding, it has a large variety of sounds at its 

 disposal. When pleased, it utters a sort of hoarse " chortle " ; but 

 to make this sound, it seems to be necessary to be on the move, for 

 it always utters it when hopping from one branch to another, or else 

 it gives a Httle jerk into the air at the same time that it opens its 

 mouth to give vent to its feelings. Displeasure, which seems to be 

 caused chiefly by seeing other birds feeding with it, is expressed by a 

 ridiculously feeble little sound like " pench, pench," the feebleness 

 being made up for, to some extent, by the bird's ferocious attitude 

 as he advances, with drooping wings and mouth wide open, towards 

 the object of his displeasure. The most unusual note is one it makes 

 use of only in the cold weather, at which time these birds sometimes 

 collect in small flocks, and only in the mornings and evenings, 

 seemingly for the purpose of collecting any scattered individuals. It 

 consists of a loud clear whistle, a most wild and penetrating sound, 

 but at the same time rather musical than otherwise. It is an abnor- 

 mal sort of sound for a barbet to give utterance to, and had I not 

 followed up and shot some of these birds whilst actually whistling 

 thus, I should never have imagined what had made the sound, 

 (400) Cyanops CYANOTis.^r-The Blue-eared Barbet. 

 Rume, No. 198 Ter. ; Blanford, No. 1016. 



Nearly as common all over the district as are Cyanops asiatica and 

 C. lineata^ but it is a smarter little bird, and the nest-hole is not so easy 

 to find. 



