PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 57 



lOLE ICTERICA. 



The, Yellow-hrowed Btdbul. 



lole icterica (Gates, Vol. I., p. 283) ; Criniger ictericus (Legge, 

 p. 472). 



Description. — Upper surface yellowish-green ; inner webs 

 of wing quills brown, the basal portions edged with yeUow ; 

 tail feathers Inighter towards the outer edges, the inner edges 

 of all but the central feathers and the under surface of the 

 shafts yellow ; lores, base of nostrils, a narrow eyebrow, face, 

 entire under surface, and wing lining bright yellow. 



Bill black ; iris red or light red ; legs and feet bluish-lead 

 or dusky-slate colour. 



Length about 8 ; wing 3*5; tail 3 • 2 ; tarsus • 72 ; bill from 

 gape '82. Females are slightly smaller. 



Distribution. — Restricted to forest and high jungle through- 

 out the low-country and up to about 4,000 feet or even higher. 

 In India it is found on the west coast as far north as Maha- 

 bleshwar. 



Habits. — Essentially a jungle bird. In the low-country 

 it keeps to the large forests ; at medium elevations it occurs 

 in nearly every patch of jungle. It generally wanders about 

 in little parties, which hunt actively among the boughs and 

 in the top of the undergrowth for the insects on which they 

 chiefly feed. The call is a soft mellow whistle. The breeding 

 season is probably during the first half of the year, but eggs 

 may be found as late as August. The nest is generally 

 suspended by the rim to a fork in the top of a thin sapling. 

 It is composed of small twigs and grass and is lined with fine 

 grass. The two eggs are longish ovals ; the ground colour 

 is dull white or pinkish, thickly speckled with pale brownish- 

 red or pink markings. Average size (of Indian eggs) • 96 by • 67. 



Pycnonotxjs melanicterus. 

 The Black-capped Bulbul. 



Pycnonotus melanicterus. (Gates, Vol. I., 288) ; Rvhigula 

 melanictera (Legge, p. 477). 



Description. — Forehead, crown, nape, and sides of head 

 black ; upper plumage and wing coverts oUve-green ; wing 

 quiUs brown, the outer w'ebs olive-green ; tail feathers dark 



8 6(17)21 



