8 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
The Crateropodide—sa large family, which includes the 
Babblers and Bulbuls—are mainly short-flight birds, and 
include a good many of our peculiar species. 
In the sub-family Crateropodine—the Laughing Thrushes— 
out of four species three are found only in the Kandyan districts 
of the Island. Crateropus rufescens—the Ceylonese Babbler— 
occursin the damp forests of the Western and Central Provinces, 
the Province of Sabaragamuwa, and the Galle District. 
Crateropus cinereifrons—the Ashy-headed Babbler—is even 
more circumscribed, being found only in the deep forests of 
the wettest zone. On the other hand, we have Crateropus 
striatus—the ubiquitous Seven Sisters—occurring all over the 
Island up to 3,000 feet. It is found in India from Madras 
southwards, but is especially common on the mainland 
opposite Mannar and in the north-west of Ceylon, so that it 
appears to be an invader from the Carnatic. 
Pomatorhinus melanurus—the Scimitar Babbler—again, is 
peculiar to Ceylon. Its headquarters are in the Kandyan 
districts, but its range extends towards a part of the northern 
forest tract. An allied species—P. horsfieldi—is found in 
the Malabar tract, but the genus is wanting in the Carnatic. 
In the sub-family Timeliine—the Quaker Thrushes—out of 
four species three are peculiar to Ceylon, and only one, Dumetia 
albigularis—the Small White-throated Babbler—also occurs 
in India, where it is noted only from the western part of the 
peninsula. Itis a bird found on the ragged edges of civilization 
and scrub jungle, not in deep forest. It is more common in 
the south of the Island than in the north, and is apparently 
unknown, in that part of the Carnatic which lies opposite to 
Ceylon. 
Of our three peculiar species, Pyctorhis nasalis—the Ceylon: 
Yellow-eyed Babbler—is closely allied to another species— 
P. sinensis—found all over India. Its range in Ceylon 
approximates to that of Dumetia albigularis. Pellornewm 
fuscicapillum—the Brown-capped Babbler—has spread all 
over the Island, except in the Jaffna Peninsula and on the 
Mannar coast. One species of the genus—P. ruficeps—is 
found on the mainland of South India, both in the Carnatic 
and Malabar tracts. . 
