Common Birds of Western Himalayas 



interrupted in front, marks the junction of 

 the throat and the breast. Neither of these 

 bulbuls ascends the hills very high, but I have 

 seen the former at the Brev^ery below Naini Tal. 



The common bulbul of the Himalayas is 

 the white-cheeked species {Molfastes leucogenys). 

 This bird, which is very common at Almora, 

 has the habits of its brethren in the plains. 

 Its crest is pointed and its cheeks are white 

 like those of an Otocompsa bulbul. But it 

 has rather a weedy appearance and lacks the 

 red feathers on the sides of the head. The 

 patch of feathers under the tail is bright sulphur- 

 yellow instead of crimson. 



The only other species of bulbul commonly 

 seen in the hills is a very different bird. It 

 is known as the black bulbul (Hypifetes 

 par aides). 



The bulbuls that we have been considering 

 are inoffensive little birds which lead quiet 

 and respectable lives. Not so the black bul- 

 buls. These are aggressive, disreputable-look- 

 ing creatures which go about in disorderly, 

 rowdy gangs. 



The song of most bulbuls is a medley of 

 pleasant tinkling notes ; the cries of the black 

 bulbuls are harsh and unlovely. 



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