Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 1).djvu/404

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360
PYCNONOTIDÆ.

The wing is more pointed and longer than in the typical Timaliidæ and the bill varies from the short Finch-like bill of Spizixus to the long, slender bill of Microscelis.


Fig. 70.—Foot of Microscelis p. psaroides.

Many Bulbuls are amongst the most common and familiar birds in the gardens and towns of India, whilst others are purely forest birds.

It would be difficult to improve on Oates's key to the genera of Bulbuls, which is given below, practically unaltered.


Key to Genera.

A.
Hairs from nape numerous and at least as long as tarsus.
a.
Crest long and pointed
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Chiniger, p. 361.
b.
Crest absent or inconspicuous.
a'.
Long hairs springing from back and nape.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Tricholestes, p. 366.
b'.
Long hairs springing from nape only
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Alophoixus, p. 367.
B.
Hairs springing from nape short and few, sometimes almost hidden.
c.
Feathers of crown and over ear-coverts all similar in shape.
c'.
A distinct crest.
a''.
Nostrils not covered by plumelets.
a'''.
Wing pointed; secondaries falling short of tip of wing by not less than length of tarsus.
a4.
Tail forked; the outer feathers curved outwards.
a5.
Plumage all black, grey and white or some combination of these.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Microscelis, p. 368.
b5.
Plumage of several colours.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Cerasophila, p. 373.
b4.
Tail square or rounded; outer feathers not curved outwards.
c5.
Crest-feathers shorter than tarsus and pointed
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Hemixus, p. 374.
d5.
Crest-feathers longer than tarsus and rounded
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Alcurus, p. 379.
b'''.
Wing more rounded; secondaries falling short of tip of wing by less than length of tarsus.