THE BIRDS OF TRAVANGORE. 457 



(47) Franklinia gracilis. — Franklin's Wren-warbler. 

 Oates, No. 382 ; Jerdon, A T o. 538. 

 Common in the plains and throughout the hill range at all elevations, 

 sometimes goes about in flocks, sometimes singly, frequenting grass- 

 land and open ti*ee jungle. In one locality I found numbers of them 

 in the reeds all round the shores of a fresh water lake. 



Mr. T. F. Bourdillon writes : — " The nest of this bird is a neat struc- 

 ture of fine grass resting on a leaf as a foundation which is stitched to 

 the nest after the fashion of Tailor-bird's nests. The number of eggs, 

 is 3 — 4, and their colour is a delicate blue, sometimes plain and some- 

 times spotted with brick red which often runs into a zone at the larger 

 end. The bird builds in May, June and July, and the nest is placed at 

 a height of 3 — 4 feet from the ground in a bush. It does not ascend 

 the hills to breed, but prefers elevations about 300 to 800 or 1,000 feet 

 above sea-level." 



(48) Schcenicola flatyura. — The Broad-tailed Grass-warbler. 



Oates, No. '390 ; Jerdon, No. 442. 

 This grass-warbler is to be found in grass-lands on the summits of 

 the hills in South Travancore. I have not met with it either at 

 Pijmerd nor on the High Range. It is not a shy bird, but may often 

 be seen perched on the top of a bush or tuft of grass. It has a habit 

 of soaring a few feet up into the air, while it gives vent to a feeble little 

 song. If it is disturbed or flushed, ifat once seeks shelter in the grass 

 and will rarely rise a second time. I have not taken the nest. 

 (49) Arundinax ^EDON. — The Thick-billed Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 393; Jerdon, No. 518. 

 This is a very occasional winter visitor. I have only one specimen 

 shot at the foot of the hills. 



(50) Hypolais rama. — Sykes' Tree Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 391 ; Jerdon, No. 553. 

 This bird is also only a winter visitor, and I have only obtained one 

 specimen at Cape Comorin in December, 1901 ; I have not met with it 

 in North Travancore though it is found in the Nilgiris. 



(51) Phylloscopds affinis. — Tickeli's Willow-warbler. 

 Oates, No. 405 ; Jerdon, No. 561. 

 Oates describes this bird as " a winter visitor to the plains of India 

 extending down to the Falni Hills." I have taken itonlv in the Hi-di 

 Range at 6,000 feet during the winter months and never in the plains. 



