( 35 ) 



The Babblers (Crateropodidaa) of Ceylon are remarkable for the 

 large nuuiber of endemic species, namely, the Ceylonese Rufous 

 Babbler (Grateropus rufescens), the Ashy-headed Babbler (0. 

 cinereifrons), the Ceylonese Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhimis 

 melanurus), the Ceylon Yellow-eyed, black-billed Babbler 

 (JPyctorhis nasalis), the Brown-capped or Quaker Babbler 

 {PeUorneumfuscicapillum) occurring between 5,000 and 6,000 feet 

 elevation, the Ceylon Black-fronted Wren Babbler (Rhopocichta 

 nigrifrons), the Ceylon Arrenga or Whistling Thrush (Arrenga 

 hlighi), rare at 4,000 feet, the Ceylon Shortwing or Ant Thrush 

 (Elaphrornis palliseri)^ and the Ceylon White-eye (Zosterops 

 ceylonensis) occurring above 1,500 feet. 



The Bulbuls also belong to the Crateropodidae, of which they 

 form a sub-family, Brachypodinae. They are shown at the bottom 

 and continued on the top shelf of the front side of the case. The 

 Yellow-eared Bulbul {Kelaartia penicillata) is endemic. 



Next follow the Drongos or King Crows (Dicrurid^), so called 

 because of their remarkable habit of persecuting the crows, Avhich 

 are double their size. They pursue and chivvy the crows on the 

 wing with no other apparent object than pure love of mischief : 

 they also frequently perch upon the backs of cattle. The species 

 which is especially tyrannical with regard to the crows is the 

 Black Drongo {Dicruru^ ater). Another exhibited species (D. 

 leucopygialis) is confined to Ceylon,while the Racket-tailed Drongo 

 (Dissemurus paradiseus) is distinguished by the great elongation 

 of the lateral tail feathers with their spatulate tips. 



The Warblers (Sylviidse) represent another extensive family of 

 small birds, the most remarkable of those which occur in Ceylon 

 being the Indian Tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius), a nest of 

 which with the leaf -edges sewn together is exhibited. 



Lastly, the Shrikes and Minivets (Laniidse) complete the display 

 in this case. The Orange Mini vet (Pericrocotus /lammeus) bears a 

 strong resemblance to the oriole in the general colour-pattern of 

 the plumage. 



BIRD CASES VII. AND VIII. 



These cases contain groups of birds arranged according to habits 

 and distribution, but without reference to their position in classi- 

 fication. One of them consists of a selection of birds from the 

 Vanni District of the Northern Province, that portion of the 

 Province which stretches between the settlements of Mullaittivu 

 and Vavuniya. The other is a group of Waders and Divers, com- 

 prising Flamingoes, Stilts, Herons, Darter, &c.* The Flamingo 



* The Cormorants (exhibited in the adjoining' case and also in Bird Case XII.. see 

 below) of the genus Phnlacroooran- are allied to the Dartcrj^. and form with the 

 latter the family Phalacrocoracidrp. divinjr and fishin? birds. 



