The Chinese Bulbul, common in China, had been illustrated before many times, but Gould was pleased to have the opportunity of depicting the bulbul's nest and young birds. The species had been known since the time of the French explorer, P. Sonnerat (1745-1814), but Robert Swinhoe, British Consul in China, supplied additional information on its habits.
In April the bulbuls start making a large, deep nest, in any bush or tree, often in exposed positions in gardens close to Chinese houses. They normally have more than one brood in the year, (according to Swinhoe three or occasionally four broods), each with three to five young. Both parents feed their young with insects. The nest in the illustration was supplied by Swinhoe.
The birds, nest and young are depicted lifesize.
P. Sonnerat, Voyage Indes Orientales, 1782, II, p.197
R. Swinhoe, The Ibis, 1861, p.39 and The Ibis, 1870, p.254
DISTRIBUTION: Southern Asia: southern and southeastern China, northern and central Vietnam, Taiwan and southern Ryukyu Islands