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FA 31. CRATEROPODINJE. 

 GEN. MALACOCmCVS. 



PLATE XIX. 



MALACOCIRCUS GRISEUS. 

 WHITE HEADED BABBLER. 



Synon. — Tardus griseus Latham. Thimalia grisea Jerdon Cat. No. 93. 



Among the many birds peculiar to this vast continent, there are none, in my 

 opinion, so peculiarly characteristic of it, as that genus of which the species here figured, 

 is by no means an inconspicuous member. The Mynas, it is true, the Parroquets, and the 

 Drongo Shrikes, are spread over the same extent at least, but none of these exclusively 

 Inhabit India, as these birds are at present believed to do. I have often amused myself 

 in imagining that they are not inapt representatives of the Hindoos ; certainly as far as 

 their frequent congregating together, and their incessant noisy chattering and gabbling, 

 they agree ; and were I disposed to carry on the similitude further, it would not I think 

 be a difficult task. It is not a little remarkable too that in Southern India there are several 

 kinds which in some measure correspond in geographical distribution with the principal 

 Hindoo races of this part of the country. We have the M. Malcobni in the country of the 

 Mahrattas; the subject of the present plate nearly confined to, and at all events most 

 abundant in the Carnatic, the country of the Tamools ; a very closely allied species inhabits 

 Travancore and Cochin, the province of the Malyalum race ; it is probable that a fourth 

 species is to be found in the Canarese districts ; one or perhaps two species dwell in the forests 

 bordering the western ghauts ; another prefers the eastern ghauts, and jungles of the 

 northern circars, among the Gentoos ; Ceylon possesses a distinct kind ; Bengal has at least 



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