The RED-HEADED BABBLER (_Timalia pileata_) is olive-brown on the wings
and tail; the sides of the head and nape are dark grey; the brow and
region of the ear white; the top of the head is brilliant rust-red; the
throat and breast pure white, the former delicately marked with black;
the belly is of a pale reddish hue, shaded with olive-brown upon its
sides; the eye is dull red, beak black, and the feet flesh-pink; the
body measures six inches and three-quarters, the wing two inches and
three-eighths, and the tail two inches and four-fifths. Horsfield, who
discovered this species, saw it first in Java, and tells us that its
song consists of the five first notes of the gamut, _c_, _d_, _e_, _f_,
_g_, repeated in their proper succession with great regularity. More
recent travellers have found it on the continent of India, and from them
we learn that the Red-headed Babblers principally frequent tracts of
underwood that mark the places where the ancient forests once stood, or
districts thickly overgrown with shrubs and bushes, and that they are
more numerously met with in highland than lowland regions. Everywhere
they live in pairs, and, though they rarely venture forth into the open
country, are often to be seen in the early morning, perching on the
branches of their leafy retreats, whilst they preen their feathers or dry
their wet plumage. Even during the breeding season the male frequently
adopts this position, and sits with drooping wings, apparently entirely
forgetful, not only that his mate is left solitary, but of everything
around him. At other times the somewhat neglectful spouse endeavours to
cheer his hard-working partner with his song, accompanying his notes
by spreading the long feathers at the back of his head and brandishing
his tail aloft. The nest of these birds, which is deep, cup-shaped, and
very fragile, is usually formed of leaves woven neatly together, and
is placed in a bush at a considerable height from the ground. The eggs,
from two to three in number, are white, thickly covered with reddish
brown markings of various shades, largest and most numerous at the broad
end, and often intermixed with a few dark grey patches, that appear to
penetrate deep into the shell.
* * * * *
The HOOK-CLAWED BABBLERS (_Crateropus_), another group of the same
family, are recognisable by their strongly-built body, rather long,
powerful, and slightly arched beak, which is compressed at its sides;
moderate sized, strong feet, armed with formidable hooked and pointed
claws; short wings, in which the fourth quill exceeds the rest in length;
and long tail, formed of large feathers, and slightly graduated at the
sides. The plumage is thick, harsh, and rarely very brightly coloured.