66 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



If this is found to be the case, I would then accord the generic 

 rank proposed by Blyth. 



The following bird has also been lately separated from Mala- 

 coclrcus by Blyth, and as its distinguishing features are more pro- 

 minent, I shall adopt it. 



Gen. Layardia, Blyth. 



Similar to Malacocircus, but of more decided colors, the bill 

 shorter and deeper, the wings shorter and more rounded; the 

 frontal plumes hispid, but of open texture, and monticolous in its 

 habits. In its coloration, as in its habitat, it makes an approach to 

 the Garridax series. But two species are known, one from 

 Southern India, the other, a somewhat aberrant species, from 

 Ceylon ; but Blyth thinks it probable that Crateropus rubiginosus, 

 Kuppell, of E. Africa, may belong to it. 



437. Layardia subrufa, Jerdon. 



Timalia, apud Jerdon, Cat. 93 — Blyth, Cat. 795 — Horsf., 

 Cat. 315 — Tim. poecilorhyncha, Lafresnaye — Jungli hhyr, H. 



The Rufous Babbler. 



Descr. — Above darkish brown olive ; forehead pale bluish ash- 

 the frontal feathers somewhat rigid ; beneath deep rufous, paler on 

 the chin. 



Bill dusky above, yellow beneath ; legs dull yellow ; irides light 

 yellow. Length 9£ inches ; wing 3 T 7 n ; tail 4£ ; bill at front T 7 n ; 

 tarsus lj 3 ^. 



The Rufous Babbler is found in the higher wooded regions of 

 Malabar, the Wynaad, Coorg, and all along the crest of the 

 Western Ghats, as far as the Southern Mahratta country. I have 

 seen it, though rarely, below the Ghats in Malabar. 



It always frequents thick jungles, more especially bamboos ; has 

 similar habits to the Malacocirci, feeding chiefly on the ground 

 in parties of eight or ten ; and, on being disturbed, retreating 

 through the thick clumps of Bamboos, and concealing themselves 

 from view, chattering all the time. Their note, though similar 

 in character to that of the Malacocirci, is quite distinct, clearer, 

 and less harsh. 



