342 TIMALIID ®. 
well as the fringe of forests and serub-jungle. In the breeding 
season it performs wonderful acrobatic feats, darting up into the 
air and then with all its feathers, especially those of the rump, 
puffed out, it comes spinning down in a spiral to the perch it has 
left. Arrived there it spreads and flirts its tail like a little Pea- 
cock, drooping its wings and uttering all the time a protracted, 
sibilant whistle or chirrup. It has a great variety of notes, the 
most striking of which is a prolonged “ we-e-e-e-tu,” a long, drawn- 
out wail with the last note dropping suddenly. This seems never 
to be uttered except in the rains, and when constantly repeated to 
the accompaniment of the splash of rain and the sough of the 
wind, is one of the saddest little bird-notes imaginable. It is 
generally found in pairs and is not gregarious, though, where it is 
common, three or four may be seen together on the same tree, 
hunting actively for the insects which form its food. 
(363) Aggithina tiphia zeylonica. 
THE Cryton [ora. 
Motacilla zeylonica Gmel., 8. N., i, p. 964 (1788) (Ceylon). 
Vernacular names. Patra jitta (Tel.). 
Description.—Male breeding. Above from crown to ramp much 
blacker than in the last bird and where the bases of the feathers 
show through these are much narrower, especially on the extreme 
upper back. 
The non-breeding male and female are a much darker green 
above than 2. t. tiphia. 
The other differences which have often been dwelt upon, such 
as the absence of white on the wing, the depth of yellow below, 
ete. are of little help in distinguishing one race from another, 
but the dark tint at once suffices to separate Ceylon and S. Travan- 
core birds from all but those of the Malay Peninsula, which 
undoubtedly come extraordinarily close to them. 
Colours of soft parts and Measurements as in the other races. 
Distribution. Ceylon and 8. Travancore only. 
Nidification and Habits as in the last. 
free! (3864) Aigithina tiphia humei, subsp. noy. 
Tue Cenrrat InpIAN JoRa. 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
Description.—Adult male breeding. Varies littie from the last ; 
there may be rather more yellow showing on the nape as a rule 
and the lower parts are perhaps brighter. 
Female is much paler and duller than either of the other races, 
the yellow-green of the back having a faint grey tinge whilst the 
