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cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) and the White-browed Bulbul
(Pycnonotus luteolus) are less common than the foregoing species, while
the Yellow-browed Bulbul (Hypsipetes indicus) is found in the hilly areas
like Mahabaleshwar and Matheran and is not uncommon in its restricted
habitats. The Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes madagascariensis) likewise is
found only in the hilly portions of the State.
Family Muscicapidae: This is a large family containing about 400
species. They have short flat bills with bristles of the base and in India
there are the following five sub-families Timaliinae, Muscicapinae,
Pachycephalinae, Sylviinae and Turdinae. Pachycephalinae is not
represented in Maharashtra.
Sub-family Timaliinae: Babblers are dull coloured birds which move
about in small parties of seven to ten birds. They have short rounded
wings which is the cause of their feeble flight. They look for insects
amongst the fallen leaves on the ground, and they are rather noisy birds.
Of the 121 species of this subfamily found in India, 10 are found in
Maharashtra State. The Common Babbler (Turdoides caudatus) is a typical
member of this subfamily inhabiting scrub country. The spotted Babbler
(Pellorneum ruficeps) frequents light jungle and has an extremely
attractive long-drawn whistling song. The Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler
(Pomatorhinus schisticeps) is partial to bamboos and dry deciduous forests
and its bubbling call can be heard from a long distance. The Rufousbellied
Babbler (Dumetia hypery-thra) and the Yellow-eyed Babbler
(Chrysomma sinensis), both found in light jungle and scrub country, are
the smallest members of this subfamily. The large Grey Babbler
(Turdoides malcolmi) and the Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striatus) are
widely distributed. The other Babblers in the State are: the Rufous Babbler
(T. subrufus) and the Quaker Babbler (Alcippe poioicephala).
Sub-family Muscicapinae: Flycatchers are small thrushlike birds
which are confined to the old world. They feed on insects captured on the
wing. The Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa latirostris) is common around
Ratnagiri and occurs sparingly at some places in the Deccan. The
Rufoustailed Flycatcher (M. ruficauda) is a very rare cold weather visitor
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