72 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



441. Chaetornis striatus, Jerdon. 



Megalurus, apud Jerdon, Suppl. Cat. 88 bis— Blyth, Cat. 782 

 — Horsf., Cat. 513— Dasyornis locustelloicles, Blyth — Genta- 

 pitta, Tel, i. e., Grass-bird. 



The Grass-babbler. 



Descr. — Above olive or yellowish brown, the feathers all centred 

 with deep brown ; tail brownish, banded with dusky externally, 

 and dusky along the centre of each feather, which is tipped 

 fulvous white, and the outer feathers have further a dark brown 

 subterminal band ; beneath, the color is white, tinged with earthy- 

 brown on the breast, and with a few dark specks. 



Bill dusky-brown above, fleshy-brown beneath ; legs brownish 

 fleshy; irides yellow-brown or dull grey in some. Length of male 

 85 inches ; extent 11 ; wing 3^ ; tail 3| ; bill at front not quite \ ; 

 tarsus l-jj ; extent of the foot If. The female is 7 inches long 

 and the wing 3. 



I first obtained this bird on the Neilgherries in sw T ampy ground, 

 but afterwards found it not rare at Nellore, during the cold season, 

 in long grass and rice fields ; and I again found it in Central India, 

 during the rains, in grass meadows. It is also abundant all over 

 Lower Bengal in high grass, though not frequenting such dense 

 thickets of reeds as Merjalnrus, or Chatarrhcca Earlei. It most 

 probably will be found in all suitable localities through the greater 

 part of India. 



It has similar habits to Megalurus, soaring into the air like a 

 lark, with a fine clear song. I have not procured the nest, but 

 Mr. Blyth mentions that it nearly accords with that of Malacocir- 

 cus, and that the eggs are blue. It feeds chiefly, if not entirely, 

 on insects. The great difference of size between the sexes at one 

 time led Mr. Blyth to believe them to be distinct species. 



Mr. Frith suggests that the very remarkable outer orbital 

 bristles of this bird are admirably adapted to protect its eyes 

 when it is forcing its way through dense tufts of grass and 

 reeds. 



Near these two birds probably should be placed the African 

 genera Sphenceacus mdSphenura; and the Australian Cincloramphus, 



