The Common Birds of the Nilgiris 



yellow, except the crown, crest, a broad streak 

 behind the eye, and a band running from the 

 chin to the abdomen, which are black. It is 

 impossible to mistake this sprightly little bird, 

 which is like the English tom-tit in shape. 

 Tits are arboreal in habits ; they seldom descend 

 to the ground. Sometimes they go about in 

 small flocks. They are supposed to live chiefly 

 on insects, but most of them feed on fruit and 

 seeds also, and the grey tit, alas, eats peas, 

 among which it works sad havoc. The inhabi- 

 tants of the Nilgiris call this last Puttani kurivi, 

 which, I understand, means the pea-bird. 



THE CRATEROPODID^ OR BABBLER 

 FAMILY 



This heterogeneous family is well represented 

 in the Nilgiris. 



The Madras seven sisters {Craterofus griseus) 

 do not ascend the hills to any considerable 

 height. But, of course there are seven sisters 

 in the hills. Every part of India has its flocks 

 of babblers. The Nilgiri babbler is a shy bird ; 

 it seems to dislike being watched. One might 

 think it is aware that it is not so beautiful as it 

 mieht be. But this cannot be the reason, be- 



^ 187 



