Does not appear to occur in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, Bombay, or Madras. Addicted to arid parts of India.
7-9. _The Crateropus Babblers, or "Seven Sisters."_
These are all untidy-looking, earthy-brown birds about the size of mynas. They go about in little flocks, whence the name "Seven Sisters," or "_Sath Bhai_." They feed largely on the ground, seeking for insects among dead leaves. While feeding they keep up a constant chatter which every now and then grows very loud, sounding like a combination of a squeak and the groans of a revolving axle that requires to be oiled. They continually jerk the tail, which has the appearance of being very loosely inserted. So untidy-looking are these birds that Eha likens them to "Old Jones, who spends the day in his pyjamas." Their flight is feeble and laborious. Three species are common:
7. _Crateropus canorus_: The Jungle Babbler. (F. 110), (J. 432), (III.)
This bird is abundant in Northern India, and becomes rarer in the south, where it is largely replaced in the plains by the two next species. (Illus. B. C., p. 15.)
At Allahabad the Large Grey Babbler (_Argya malcomi_) (F. 107) or _Gangai_, is more abundant even than _C. canorus_. It may be recognised by its long tail. The three outer pairs of tail feathers are white--very conspicuous during flight. The note is a loud harsh _quey, quey, quey_. The bird is commoner than I thought. It occurs in most districts of the U.P.
8. _Crateropus griseus_: The White-headed Babbler. (F. 111), (J. 433), (III.)
This is the common babbler of the Madras presidency. It is easily recognised by the greyish white crown of its head. (Illus. B. D., p. 204.)
9. _Crateropus somervillii_: The Rufous-tailed Babbler. (F. 113), (J. 435), (III.)
The common babbler of Bombay and Poona. It is the least untidy-looking of the babblers, and may be recognised by the distinctly reddish hue of its tail.
All three species of babblers build neat cup-shaped nests not far above the ground and lay beautiful blue eggs. (Illus. B. B., p. 80.)
10. _Pyctorhis sinensis_: The Yellow-eyed Babbler. (F. 139), (J. 385), (+I.)
This is considerably smaller than the other babblers described. Its general colour is cinnamon brown. The eyebrows, throat, and breast are white. The under parts are cream-coloured. The eye is bright yellow. It emits a sweet note and builds a beautiful nest. This last is in shape not unlike the hat worn by a political officer in full dress. It measures about five inches in depth and is usually slung by its broadest part on to two or more growing reeds, heads of millet, stout grass stems, or perhaps more frequently to a forked branch.