LE VAILLANT'S GREY BIRD (_Pycnonotus Vaillantii_) is a very similar
but larger species, met with in Arabia and the Cape of Good Hope. The
body of this bird, which we have named after the celebrated traveller
Le Vaillant, is of a somewhat lighter grey, and the under side of the
wing and rump of a beautiful sulphur-yellow. It has been asserted that a
third member of this group has been seen in Spain, but all our attempts
to discover it have proved unavailing. Africa and Southern Asia must
unquestionably be regarded as forming the almost exclusive habitat of the
Grey Birds, from whence they but very rarely wander as far as Europe,
or even Arabia. They are first met with in any considerable numbers at
about twenty-five degrees north latitude. In the north of Nubia they
are to be seen on every mimosa hedge, and in Eastern Soudan are more
commonly met with than almost any other bird; in the latter country they
alike frequent forests and gardens, mountains or plains, but usually seem
to prefer such spots as afford a shelter from the sun; for this reason
they are constantly found under the leafy branches of the sycamores that
abound on the banks of the Lower Nile. Towards man they exhibit no fear,
but trustingly take up their abode close to the huts of the natives.
Their temperament is cheerful and restless, and their movements upon
the ground and among the branches sprightly and active. Their flight,
on the contrary, is by no means elegant, and usually consists of a kind
of hovering, fluttering motion. From early morning till late in the
evening their loud, clear, and often beautiful voices are to be heard
almost incessantly, as they hop busily to and fro, gleaning caterpillars
or insects from the leaves, pausing ever and anon to expand or elevate
the long feathers that decorate the back of the head, and, with body
erect, to cast a keen investigating glance on the surrounding buds and
blossoms. Whilst the mimosa is in bloom, they are constantly to be seen
upon its branches, diving their beaks amidst the yellow petals, in order
to obtain the tiny beetles that lurk within, and thereby smearing their
heads all over in the most ludicrous manner with the bright golden pollen
that is profusely scattered over the stamens of the flowers. During the
period of incubation, which in Soudan commences with the rainy season,
and, in more northern latitudes, in the months that correspond with our
spring, not only the couples, but the settlements of couples that often
build upon the same tree live together in the utmost harmony. The nests
are always carefully concealed under the foliage, though so slenderly
constructed as to be permeable to light; their sides are composed of fine
grass and roots, woven together with spiders' webs, and smoothly lined
with delicate fibres. The eggs are small, of a reddish white colour,
and marked with dark brown and blueish grey spots, some of which form a
wreath at the broad end. We were unable to obtain further particulars
respecting the breeding of either this or the preceding species. The
natives of Northern Africa are far too indolent to attempt to tame these
interesting birds, but in India they are much prized, and frequently
reared in cages, not, however, on account of their song, but owing to
the sport they afford as combatants; indeed, they are regularly trained
for the cruel purpose of making them fight. In Ceylon the _Pycnonotus
hæmorrhous_ is taken young from the nest, and secured by a string to
its perch; it is taught to come at its master's call, and when it has
learnt the necessary obedience, is confronted with another bird similarly
fastened, and the two are then incited to attack each other with such
fury as would certainly end in the death of one or both, did not the
spectators take care to separate them at the proper moment by means of
the strings.
* * * * *
The TRUE BABBLERS (_Timalia_) inhabit Southern Asia, and are
distinguishable by their powerful beak, which is decidedly arched and
much compressed at its sides, as well as by their strong feet and claws,
long hinder toes, short rounded wings, in which the fifth and sixth
quills exceed the rest in length, and moderately long, rounded tail. At
the base of the beak there is a growth of well-developed bristles.