The Birds of Gavibia. 
263 
C)ateropnsplaiyce7Cus. BROAD-TAILED BABBLER. 
Range. Seiiegaiiibia to Gold Coast. (H.L.) 
C. reinwardti. BLACK-CROWNED BABBLER. 
Range. Seiieganibia to Gold Coa.st. (H.L.) 
C. atripennis. BLACK-WINGED BABBLER. 
Range. Seneganibia. (H.L.) 
C. leucocephalus 
Range. N.E. .Africa; Seneganibia. (H.L.) 
Tliese four Babblers are probably all found in the Gambia, but only 
the first two are common ; of the third I think I have once seen a small 
party, but the last I do not know at all. The two first, platycercus and 
reimvardli are common throughout the Protectorate from the outskirts of 
Bathurst right up the river. Both species are very social in their habits 
and go about in parties of about a dozen. In June, 1907, I shot a specimen 
of each, which I was able to identify from the Catalogue descriptions, and 
in the previous January I got at Koina, our most inland town, a young bird 
of C. platycercus, which I kept for a short time on white ants and similar 
food, but it did not survive long. C. 1 einwardli, easily distinguished by 
their dark heads are perhaps more partial to the neighbourhood of the 
river or the sea and to thicker bush than their cousins, platycercus, and 
though neither species can be called silent birds, they are certainly more 
noisy than they are, and well merit their native name, " Sonka-sonka," the 
Quarrellers, as tliis they always appear to be doing, if one can judge 
from their continual scolding chatter, 
The following description of the differences between the three species 
I know, I take from the British Museum Catalogue : — 
Bill horn or blackish. Breast uniform light ashy-brown (like the rest 
of the under surface), head and ear-coverts black, forming a distinct cap, 
which contrasts with the ashy-brown back. General colour above ashy- 
olive brown, reinwardti (length 9 inches). 
Breast with rounded ashy margins to feathers, these edges still more 
distinct on the throat. General colour above brown with indistinct pale 
feather edges, platycercus (8.7 inches). 
Bill yellow. Abdomen maroon-brown, head, throat and chest pearly 
grey forming a distinct mask. General colour above purplish brown. 
atripennis (9 inches). 
( To be continued.) 
