42 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



same manner as the more familiar " Seven Sisters." The 

 breeding season appears to last from March to May. The nest 

 resembles that of the preceeding species. It is placed among 

 creepers surrounding tree trunks, or in a low fork, and is very 

 carefully concealed. According to Legge, the eggs are pointed 

 ovals in shape, deep greenish-blue in colour, and measure about 

 •95 by -75. 



Cratbropus cinereifrons. 

 The Ashy-headed Babbler. 



Crateropus cinereifrons (Gates, Vol. I., p. 114); Garrulax 

 cinereifrons (Legge, p. 499). 



Description. — Forehead, crown, and sides of head ashy-gray 

 with a bluish tinge in some lights, shading on the nape into 

 the deep rufous-brown of the upper plumage, wings, and tail ; 

 the outer webs of the first few primaries are slightly paler, and 

 the tail rather deeper in colour ; chin whitish, shading into 

 the tawny rufous-brown of the rest of the lower parts ; flanks 

 and under tail coverts rather darker. 



Bill black ; iris white ; eyelids lead colour ; legs and feet 

 plumbeous -brown. 



Length 10; Aving 4-5; tail 4-25; tarsus 1-5; bill from 

 gape 1 '2. 



This bird is not a true Crateropus, and its generic status is 

 uncertain. In general its plumage resembles that of a 

 Garrulax, but the feathers of the forehead are short and 

 rounded, as in Crateropus. The eggs are not known with 

 certainty, and their authentication may clear up the situation. 



Distribution. — Confined to the heavy jungles in the districts 

 west and south-west of the Adam's Peak range, which it 

 ascends to a height of about 3,500 feet. It does not occur 

 outside Ceylon. 



Habits. — Found in small troops in the heart of the jungle. 

 It is said to breed about April, but nothing is definitely known 

 regarding its nidification. Legge was informed by natives 

 that the eggs were blue, but they may possibly be white. 

 Further information on this point is badly required. 



