THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 467 



(98) Gbooiohla ctanonotus.— The White-throated Ground-thrush. 

 Oates, No. 685 ; Jerdon, No. 354. 

 This thrush frequents heavy forest from about 2,000 feet and may 

 be met with on the roads at dusk. Oates says " it appears to be resident 

 or very locally migratory." Mr. F. W. Bourdillon records it as " a 

 winter visitor." My experience bears this out, as I have not seen it 

 earlier than November nor later than the end of March. 

 (99) Petrophila cinclorhyncha. — The Blue-headed Rock-thrush. 

 Oates, No. 691 ; Jerdon, No. 353. 

 Is a winter visitor throughout the Eange from 500 to 2,500 feet in 

 the south and also at 5,000 feet on the High Range. It frequents 

 forest in the neighbourhood of cultivation. 



(100) Petrophila cyanus. — The Western Blue Rock-thrush. 

 Oates, No. 693 ; Jerdon, No. 355. 

 This also is only a winter visitor from October to April. It is a 

 solitary bird, found always in the open and never in jungle. It fre- 

 quents grass land where there are rocks. 



(101) Oreocincla nilgiriensis.— The Nilgiri Thrush. 

 Oates, No. 699 ; Jerdon, No. 372. 

 This is a rare bird. I have specimens from the High Range, and 

 it is also found sparingly in the south. I have not taken it below 

 4,000 feet elevation, but Mr. F. W. Bourdillon records it as found 

 in thick jungle from the summit of the hills down to 2,000 feet 

 elevation. 



Family PLOCEID.E. 

 Sub-family Ploceince. 

 (102) Ploceus baya. — The Baya. 

 Oates, No. 720 ; Jerdon, No. 694. 

 The weaver bird is common in the low country, but does not ascend 

 the hills. " The nest of the weaver bird is usually attached to the 

 areca nut palm at a height of 30 — 40 feet from the ground. It is 

 beautifully composed of grass and is often a foot and a half in length. 

 The cavity for the eggs is completely domed and covered in on all 

 sides, with the exception of a passage from 4 to 6 inches in length, 

 which runs in a slanting upwards direction and admits the bird. 

 Many of the nests are not used for egg receptacles, and they are 

 nearly all weighted with lumps of clay interiorly, probably to prevent 



