106 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



wing coverts and lower parts are glossed on the margins with 

 green, and those of the side of the breast with bronze and 

 purple ; a patch of white on the first eight primary quills. 



The wattling consists of a stripe of bare yellow skin running 

 backwards from the eye to the side of the nape, Avhere it 

 coalesces with a similar stripe from the side of the crown to 

 form a broad lappet ; there is also a square, naked patch 

 just under the eye. 



In young birds the lappets are only slightly developed and 

 the plumage is more or less devoid of gloss. 



Bill orange -yellow ; iris brown, the outer edge white with 

 darker mottlings ; legs and feet lemon-^-ello^'. 



Length about 9 • 75 ; wing 5 • 7 ; tail 2 ' 8 ; tarsus 1*2; bill 

 from gape 1 • 4. 



Distribution. — 'Found rather locall}^ through the wet and 

 medium zones up to about 1,500 feet. It occurs in the 

 hilly and well-wooded portions of South India. 



Habits. — This species is found in weU-wooded country, on 

 the borders of open spaces, round tanks, by river banks, &c., 

 but is absent from the heart of heavy forest. It is rather 

 capricious in its distribution, and seldom wanders from its 

 usual haunts. The cry is a shriU whistle, higher and more 

 metallic than that of the next species. It is generally seen 

 in pairs or small parties in the tops of tall trees, where it feeds 

 on fruit and berries. The breeding season appears to be 

 from June till about August. The nest is placed in a natural 

 cavity in a tree, or in the old nest hole of a Barbet or Wood- 

 pecker. The bottom is scantily lined with a few dead leaves, 

 &c. The two eggs are of light greenish-blue blotched with 

 purple and chocolate brown. Average size (of South Indian 

 eggs) 1-3 by -88. 



EULABES PTILOGENYS. 



The Ceylon Grackle. 



Eulabes ptilogenys (Gates, Vol. I., p. 513 ; Legge, p. 685). 



Description. — Whole plumage black, glossed mainly with 

 purple ; a patch of white at the base of the first six or seven 



