45G JOURI^AL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X, 



No, 131. PoMATORHiNUS HYPOLEUOus. — The Arrakan 

 Scimitar-Babbler (Blyth). 

 Hume, " S. F.," Vol. Ill, p. 411 ; id., Vol. IX, p. 253; id, Vol. XI, 

 p. 152 ; Inglis, « S. F.," Vol. V, p. 31. 



This Scimitar-Batfjler is comparatively rare, and is seldom seen 

 unless one is familiar with its call. It is found in dense undergrowthy 

 and seems especially partial to het (cane) jungle. Only once I saw 

 a pair in the open ; they were crossing a clearance near the cultivation. 

 Like P. schisticeps they are very difficult to shoot, being always on the 

 move. I have watched these birds carefully several times in the 

 jungle, and have found that the note of the male is lower than that of 

 the female. The notes of this species are quite different from P. schis- 

 ticeps, so that, even if the birds are not visible, it is easily told which 

 species is calling. I have never found them in numbers like P. schis- 

 ticeps, generally going about in pairs. I had intended to make a 

 diligent search for the eggs of this species, but was unfortunately 

 nnable to do so having to leave the district before the breeding 

 season. The rufous on the sides of the neck varies greatly in 

 different specimens. 



Sub-Family Timeliinm. 

 Genus Timelia (Horsf., 1821). 

 No. 134. Timelia pileata. — Red-capped Babbler (Horsf.). 

 Plume, "N. and E.," 2nd Ed., Vol. I, p. 90 ; Hume, "S. F.," 

 Vol III, p. 118 ; Hume and Dav., "S. F.," Vol. VI, p. 267 ; Gates, 

 " S. F.," Vol. V, p. 152. Timelia hengalensis : Hume, " S. F.,''" 

 Vol. IX, p. 250 ; i(/., Vol. XI, p. 143 ; Gates, " S. F.," Vol. VII, 

 p. 41 ; Cripps, " S. F.," Vol. VII, p. 277. 



This Babbler is fairly common here and seems to prefer reed and 

 long grass jungle. They go about in small flocks and have a very 

 musical note, which they keep uttering the whole time they are ou 

 the move. 



Genus Gampsorhynclms (Blyth, 1844). 

 No. 137. Gabtpsorhynchus rufulus. — The White-headed 

 Shrike-Babbler (Blyth). 

 Hume, " S. F.," Vol. XL p. 135. 



In young birds the forehead, crown, nape, ear-Coverts, and sides of 

 head and neck are light chestnut ; the lores, a rin" round the eve. 



