Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/466

 420 pycnonotid;e.

{{c|{{larger|(435) Pycnonotus plumosus robinsoni. Kobinson's Olive Btjlbul. Pyoionotiis robinsoni Ogilvie-Grant, Fasciculi Malaj'., p. 8-5 (1905) (Patani, Malay Pen.).

Vernacular names. None recorded.

Description. Differs from P. plumosus " by haviug more dis- tinct white shat't-streaks to the feathers of the cheeks and ear- coverts; theouter edges to the quills dull greenish, not olive-green, and the nn'ddle of the breast and belly pale yellowish white." This form is nearest to P. p. hlanfordi, from which it is separable by its much darker plumage above and below.

Colours of soft parts. Iris brown; bill brownish-horn; legs and feet blackish-lead.

Measurements. Much the same as those of P. p. plumosus. AVing 83 to 89 mm. : culmeu about 15 mm.

Distribution. From Pataiii in the extreme South of Peninsular Siam, up the East Coast, perhaps entering the borders of Tenas- serim near Tavoy, as far North as Ayuthia, Natrang and Kraben. There are also specimens in the British Museum col- lection from Annani. Nidiflcation. Messrs. Williamson and Herbert collected and examined vast numbers of nests and eggs of this Bulbul round Bangkok, where it is exceedingly common. They are quite indisiinguishable from others of this genus but when considered as a whole are very poorl}^ marked, pale eggs with none of the rich variations seen in so many Bulbuls' eggs. 100 eggs average 21-6 X 15-6 mm., the extremes being 23-0 X 16-2, 22-2 x 16-7 and 20-1 X 15-1 mm. The birds breed in light and heavy forest and also in scrub and buslies round about cultivation and villages. Out of 76 clutches examined by Mr. W. AViUiamson only four nests contained three eggs, tiie rest only two each. The breeding season is from January to July.

Habits. They are very familiar birds, far more so than the Large Olive Bulbul, and freely enter gardens, orchards and cultivated country. In winter they are found in small flocks and are restless, energetic birds, constantly flying from one tree to another in search of their food, which consists of berries and insects.

{{c|{{larger|(430) Pycnonotus plumosus blanfordi. }}

{{sc|BLANroKu's Omve Bulbul. }}}}


 * Pt/cno)iotus hlanfordi Jerdon, Ibis, 1862, p. 20 (I'egu); Blanf. & Oates, i, p. 291.

Vernacular names. Bija, Bo-sa-mioe (Burmese); Bo-sa-mive (Kachin).

Description. Differs from iJobinson's Olive Bulbul in being