496 



198. Pycnonotus barbatus, Desfontaines (P.leucotis, Gould). 



199. Pycnonotus leucogenys (Gray). 



The Bulbuls have obtained more praise for their musical powers 

 than they really deserve ; their notes are generally harsh, short, and 

 often repeated ; they often imitate the songs of other birds. They 

 are frequently domesticated, and taught a variety of tricks. In some 

 parts of the Punjab I observed the natives were very fond of carrying 

 the hcemorrhous and leucogenys about with them, tethered to the hand 

 by a string. The hcemorrhous is the most widely distributed ; it is 

 found all over the Deccan (but not in Scinde), and the cultivated 

 districts of the lower Himalayan Ranges. Bengalensis and leucogenys 

 are common on the lower Himalayas ; and although the former is 

 abundant on the ranges around Cashmere, I never saw it in the 

 valley. The latter is the only one of the genus found in the valley, 

 and is very common ; its habits are domestic ; it frequents gardens 

 and orchards. I have often, when sailing in an open boat on the river 

 Jhelum at Serinuggar, been visited by this species ; it would perch 

 itself on the side of my boat within an arm's length, quite regardless 

 of the oarsmen and the splash of their paddles. 



The leucotis I saw nowhere out of Scinde ; at Kurrachee and on 

 the banks of the Indus it is common. Insects constitute the fa- 

 vourite food of the Bulbuls ; but they are likewise partial to fruit, 

 and give a preference to mulberries. The call-note is a loud clang- 

 ing chirp, uttered at short intervals. The vents of the young birds 

 are light brown ; they have no crests until after the first moult. 



Pycnonotus jocosus is a common cage bird in the Deccan and 

 Punjab ; but I have not seen it in a wild state. It is certainly rare 

 in the Punjab and "Western Himalayas. 



200. Iora zeylanica, Gmelin. 



Deccan, abundant all over the wooded districts. Habits like the 

 Tits ; frequents the densest foliage of fruit trees : food, insects. Not 

 seen on the Western Himalayas or Punjab. 



201. Oriolus kundoo, Sykes. 



Deccan, Scinde, lower Himalayan Ranges. Abundant during sum- 

 mer in the Vale of Cashmere. Call-note loud and harsh ; the song 

 resembles that of the Blackbird. Iris red. 



202. Zosterops palpebrosus, Temminck. 



Very common in the woods and jungle of the lower ranges of the 

 Western Himalayas. In habits closely resembling the Tits ; very 

 tame, and will often approach within a few feet of one, when 

 searching for insects. 



203. iETHOPYGA miles (Hodgson). 

 Syn. Nectarinia goalpariensis, Jerdon. 



Strictly Himalayan, not seen by me in the plains of India ; fre- 



