Sabaragamuwa Province, Ceylon, 539 



of colour. Tlie colours fade rapidly, aud so fresh eggs 

 unblown look very different from those that have been col- 

 lected for some time. 



120. Prinia socialis (Legge, B. of C. p. 520). 



Not uncommon up to 4000 feet. It is often met with 

 in grass-fields and paddi-lands, and not unfrequently in 

 patina-lands. 



I have obtained the eggs from a high altitude in a grass- 

 land. They were of a fine terra-cotta colour and very 

 glossy. The breeding-season is generally about the beginning 

 of the S.W. monsoon. 



121. Drymceca valida (Legge^ B. of C. p. 525, pi. xxv. 



fig- 2). 



A widely-distributed species, affecting the grass-lands of 

 the province at low altitudes. I have found it in swampy 

 lands about Kukulu Korah, the Kuruwiti Korah, and in the 

 drier country towards the North-western Province. 



122. Dryjiceca ixsularis (Legge, B. of C. p. 529, pi. xxv. 

 fig. 1). 



Fairly common in grass-lands and swampy or reedy lands 

 in the province. I have obtained specimens at 3000 feet in 

 the eastern parts of the country towards Uva, and again in 

 the dry zone, where, however, it does not appear to be 

 abundant. It breeds in grass-lands through the greater 

 part of the year, laying four eggs, which are of a beautiful 

 glossy blue, with large blots and blotches of red-brown. 



123. CisTicoLA cuRsiTANs (Leggc, B. of C. p. 531). 

 This little Grass-Warbler has about the widest distribution 



of any bird in the province, being equally common from the 

 tank-country in the dry zone to the cold bleak plains at 

 7000 feet. It breeds equally at all altitudes, and, I think, 

 twice a year, as its nest may be found in May ""as well as 

 November. The nest is a beautiful structure, placed close 

 to the ground, and contains three or four eggs, of a white 

 ground-colour faintly tinged with very pale green and dotted 

 with brown spots, that are more or less " zoned "" at the 

 broad end. 



