NOTES. 273 



Molpastes hoemorrhous. — The Madras Bulbul. Occasion- 

 ally seen at Hakgala, but common just below. 



Melittophagus swinhoii. — The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater. 

 Occasionally seen in the villages below Lower Albion estate 

 during March and April, in threes and fours, but never seen 

 at Hakgala. 



Merops philippensis. — The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. Seen at 

 the beginning of the N. E. monsoon in the villages below 

 Hakgala. 



Merula kinnisi. — The Ceylonese Blackbird. Common at 

 Hakgala, especially during the N. E. monsoon. 



Mirafra affinis. — The Madras Bush Lark. Seen all the year 

 round, and breeds in February. 



Motacilla melanope. — The Grey-and-yellow Wagtail. Very 

 common during the N. E. monsoon. The lirst arrival seen 

 here this year was on August 25, just below Hakgala. 



Oreocinda imhricata. — The Buff-breasted Thrush. Occa- 

 sionally seen in the N. E. monsoon. Rather rare. 



Orthotormis sutorius. — ^The Indian Tailor Bird. Fairly 

 common. Breeds from February to August. A nest was 

 found on Lower Albion estate last April containing three 

 eggs. The nest was built in a cinchona leaf. 



Par us atriceps. — The Grey-backed Titmouse. Generally 

 seen from January to May. 



Passer domesticus. — The Common House Sparrow. Very 

 few seen at Hakgala, but common just below. 



Pericrocrotus flammeus. — The Orange Minivet Only seen 

 occasionally. 



Acanthopneuste nitidus . — The Green Willow Warbler. Com- 

 mon during the N. E. monsoon. The first arrival this year 

 was seen on September 25. 



Pomatohinus mdanurus. — The Ceylonese Scimitar Babbler. 

 Fairly common. Breeds during March, April, and May. 



Pratincola caprata. — The White-winged Black Robin. Seen 

 nearly all the year round, and breeds from January to June. 



Prinia socialis. — The Ashy Wren Warbler. Fairly common ; 

 breeds about March, April, and May. Eggs brick-red. 



Sitta frontalis. — The Indian Blue Nuthatch. Usually seen 

 during the N. E. monsoon in parties of four or five. 



