290 On the Birds of South-eastern Ceylon. 



the month of July ; it was most commonly to be seen round 

 tanks and in the forest near the rivers. I visited this region 

 for the purpose of searching for several birds which disappear 

 at this season from the west and south-west ; and this was one 

 among the number. Nearly all the birds I saw were in the 

 red stage. I traced it no nearer to the sea-board than fif- 

 teen miles at this monsoon^ but found it near the coast in the 

 other. 



56. Leucocerca aureola^ Less. 



This Flycatcher, which is tolerably rare on the western side 

 of the island, and not often to be seen in the northern inte- 

 rior of the island, was plentiful in July in the Wcllaway Korle. 

 It extends as far west as Matara, near Dondra Head, at this 

 season. The only birds I have seen in the south-west have 

 occurred there during the north-east monsoon. 



57. Pitta brachycerca, Linn. 



As abundant in the scrubs of the maritime district — Ham- 

 bantotta to Kattregama — as it is in the north of Ceylon. It 

 is also very numerous in the south-west {Ibis_, 1874, p. 18). 



58. Pyctorhis sinensis (Gm.). 



This incorrigible little skulker, so rare in most parts of 

 Ceylon, has, I think, its headquarters in the dry jungles of 

 the sea-board and inland for some 20 miles. It abides 

 throughout the day in silence in the dense scrubs, and 

 comes out in the morning and evening into clearings in the 

 jungle, or on to the bushy flats round the leways, and gives 

 a long loud whistle from the top of a bush ; but it is off" like 

 a shot when it sees you. It is a most difficult bird to kill, 

 fighting and scratching when taken up wounded, and, if 

 winged, makes off into the densest dead wood and grass with 

 as much speed as a rat. 



59. DUMETIA ALBOGULARIS, Blyth. 



Numerous in suitable spots in the interior, and breeds in 

 June and July. I found one nest, a large ball of dry soft 

 grass, fixed in a low bush close to the ground, containing 

 three young. 



[To bo cuntiiiued.] 



