PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 83 



ACANTHOPNEUSTE NITIDUS NITIDUS. 



The Green Willow Warbler. 



Acanthopneusie nitidus (Gates, Vol. I., p. 413) ; Phylloscojnis 

 nitidus (Legge, p. 551). 



Description. — Upper plumage and sides of neck fairly bright 

 yellowish -green ; wing coverts, wings, and tail brown, edged 

 with the hue of the back, the greater coverts with pale yellow 

 tips, forming a slight wing bar ; lores and behind the ej^ 

 olive ; a distinct yello\^' streak from the nostrils over the eye 

 to the nape ; under parts almost primrose yelloAv ; the wing- 

 lining brighter yellow. 



Bill brown above, paler beneath ; iris dark brown ; legs 

 and feet olive -gra3^ 



Length about 5 ; wing 2 • 4 ; tail 2 ; tarsus * 8 ; bill from 

 gape '6. 



Distribution. — -A fairly common visitor during the north- 

 east monsoon over the whole Island. It is found in winter 

 throughout practically the whole of India westwards of 

 Calcutta. Its summer quarters are probably in Kashmir and 

 on the Himalaj^as. 



Habits. — Generally seen in the upper branches of leafy trees, 

 being especially fond of jak trees. It keeps up a perpetual 

 little chirrup, and like the Flycatchers, darts out from its 

 perch to capture passing insects. 



ACANTHOPNEUSTE NITIDUS VIRIDANUS. 



The Greenish Willow Warbler. 



Acanthopneitste viridanus (Gates, Vol. I., p. 414) ; Phylloscopus 

 viridanus (Legge, p. 555). 



Description. — Upper plumage dull olive-green, lighter on 

 the rump ; wing and tail quills brown, edged ^\ ith oli\'e-green : 

 the wing coverts with broader olive edges, and the greater 

 coverts with tips of the same colour, foi-ming a wing bar : 

 a yellowish stripe over the eye ; lores and behind the eye 

 brown ; ear coverts greenish-yellow ; lower plumage pale 

 grayish-yellow ; wing-lining pale yellow. In summer the 

 plumage is paler, and just before the moult the wing bar often 

 disappears owing to the abrasion of the tips of the coverts. 



