258 



Catalogue of the Birds 



[Oct 



sess but one specimen from this locality, and so am not aware whether 

 it is an accidental or permanent character. If the latter, it will, with 

 some other slight variations, constitute it a separate species; and from 

 the peculiar distribution of others of this truly Indian genus, and the 

 general similarity of colour, as remarkably shown in the likeness of this 

 to the next species, I am inclined' to think that hereafter other species 

 may be separated, closely aliipd in plumage and general structure, yet 

 differing in some permanent character, both of structure and plumage, as 

 well as in geographical distribution. This, however, deserves further in- 

 vestigation. 



92. — T. grisea. — T. griseus, Lath. — Keyr. H. — Kullee Couravee, Tarn. 

 {Hedge bird).— Dirt bird of some Europeans. — Fouille-merde of French 

 in India (Vieillot) — Common Grey Babbler. 



This species so much resembles the last in its general appearance, 

 that I was long unsatisfied of their distinctness, notwithstanding the 

 striking difference of colour of the if ides, and different localities of the 

 two. This is one of the commonest birds of the Carnatic, and may be 

 seen in every garden, and about the hedge rows, avenues, trees and topes 

 throughout that district. I have never seen it above the ghauts, nor in 

 the Northern Circars even, but it occurs sparingly in the more open por_ 

 tions of the West Coast. Like the others of its genus, it lives in nu- 

 merous families of 6, 8, 10, or more. They feed chiefly on the ground, 

 on which they may be seen to drop one after the other from the tree 

 they may have been perched on — hop briskly about, picking up various 

 seeds and insects, occasionally seeking the latter from heaps of dung 

 (whence they have received their usual denomination, as well from th e 

 Frer eh as English in India, who on this account are prejudiced against 

 them). On being driven from the ground orleaving it from choice, they fly 

 up successively as they dropped down, and hop and climb up the lar ge 

 branches of the nearest tree, seldom stopping till they have nearly reach- 

 ed the top or the other side, from which if still watched they fly off, one 

 after the other, to another tree. They often appear to pick insects off 

 the bark of trees. They have an incessant loud whispering kind of chat- 

 ter, which they all repeat at once, especially when feeding, or on being 

 observed by any one. The Keyr is a veiy familiar bird if undisturbed 

 feeding close to houses, but if closely observed or followed becomes cir- 

 cumspect and wary. It is also a very quarrelsome bird. I have seen 

 the nest of this species placed in a tree at no great height. It was made 

 of small twigs and roots most carelessly put together* and contained four 

 bluish eggs. I shall here add a description of the Carnatic bird. 



