222 
CATALOGUE. 
and climbing up the larger branches, and if you happen to be 
watching them, they do not stop till they have reached the top, or 
the opposite side, whence they fly off" in single and extended file as 
before. They often appear to pick insects off the branches of trees. 
They are familiar, if undisturbed, feeding often close to houses, but 
if watched or followed, they become circumspect, disperse, and hide 
themselves. Their cry is a loud sibilous or whispering sort of 
chatter, which they repeat all at once, sometimes when feeding, or 
when any unusual sight attracts their attention, and often without 
any apparent object at all. They have no song. Their flight is slow 
and laborious, performed by a few rapid strokes of the wings, alter- 
nating with a sailing with outspread pinions. I have often found 
the nest of this bird, which is composed of small twigs and roots 
carelessly and loosely put together, in general at no great height 
from the ground : it lays three or four blue eggs. I have found them 
breeding at all times from January to July, and even later, but do 
not know if they ever have two broods in the year. The Black and 
White Cuckoo {Oxyloplius edolius) appears to select this bird to act 
as foster-parent to her own progeny, and she lays a greenish-blue 
egg. They are readily caught by a spring trap, baited with grain, 
with one of their kind put in the centre as a lure. The Shikra or 
Chipka {Micronisus hadius) is sometimes flown at them, and causes 
a general consternation ; after the first burst of alarm and gabbling, 
they cease their chattering, separate, and disperse, and do not, like 
the bolder Mahratta Babbler (Jf. Malcolmi), come to the rescue of 
their unfortunate companion." — (Jerd. 111. Ind. Orn.) 
320. MALACOCIRCUS NIPALENSIS, Hodgs. 
Timalia nipalensis, Hodgs., As, Bes. XIX. p. 182. 
Malacocircus nipalensis, BlytJi, Journ. A. S. Beng. XIII. 
p. 370 ; Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 140. Bonap., 
a G. Av. p. 373. 
Timalia pellotis. As. Bes. XIX. p. 182. 
Timalia leucotis, Hodgs. Gray's Zool.Misc. (1844), j9. 83. 
The Nepal Babbler. 
a. {T. leucotis, Hodgs.) Nepal. Presented by B. H. 
Hodgson, Esq. 
321. MALACOCIRCUS EARLEI, Blyth. 
Malacocircus Earlei, Blyth, Journ. A. S. Beng. XIII. 
p. 369 ; Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 141. G. B, 
