538 Mr. F. Lewis on the Land-birds of 



116. Pellorneum fuscicapillum (Legge, B. of C. p. 509, 

 pi. xxiii. fig. 3). 



A common little bird, but owing to its habits rarely seen. 

 I have obtained specimens at 4000 feet, and observed it 

 in the wet forests and waste land on the confines of the 

 north-west. It builds a nest much like that of Alcippe 

 nigrifrons, selecting a low bush for the situation. The eggs 

 are two in number, pale soft white and dotted over with 

 brownish-red spots, rather sparingly scattered. Indigenous. 



117. Pyctorhis nasalis (Legge, B. of C. p. 512, pi. xxiv. 

 fig. 1). 



Not uncommon in swampy lands and abandoned paddi- 

 fields. I have procured it in the grass-lands of the Balangoda 

 district, but have not observed it at higher altitudes than 

 2500 feet. Indigenous. 



118. Elaphrornis palliseri (Legge, B. of C. p. 514, 

 pi. xxiv. fig. 2). 



I have obtained this bird only in the " patina "-lauds of the 

 Horton Plains at 7000 feet, and in a similar grassy land on 

 the Central-Province side of the dividing range. Peculiar 

 to Ceylon. 



119. Orthotomus suTORius (Legge, B. of C. p. 517). 

 Very common up to 6000 feet. 



It breeds in March and on to about November, using 

 generally some broad-leafed plant for its nest to be built in. 

 I have found the nest constructed out of a single leaf of an 

 ornamental caladium, and again out of a number of leaves 

 of the common Trema orientalis, and often in cinchona-leaves. 

 The beautiful structure of the nest is too well known to need 

 description here, but I may say that I believe the statement 

 made by the natives that a firefly is often found stuck with 

 mud as a sort of lamp to illuminate the nest is purely an 

 invention, as I have had frequent opportunities of watching 

 the habits of the Tailor-bird and never found indications 

 of fireflies or of mud. The eggs are three or four in 

 number, of a pale greenish-white ground-colour, faintly 

 washed with splashes of dull red, often forming broad patches 



