342 -TIMALIIDjE. 



well as the fringe of forests arid scrub-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) JEgithina tiphia zeylonica. 

 THE CEYLON IORA. 



Motaiilla zeylonica Grnel., S. N., i, p. 964 (1788) (Ceylon). 



Vernacular names. Patrajitta (Tel.). 



Description. Male breeding. Above from crown to rump 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 sE. 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, 

 etc. 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 S. Travancore only. 

 Nidiflcation and Habits as in the last. 



(364) JEgithina tiphia humei, subsp. nov. 

 THE CENTRAL INDIAN IORA. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Adult male breeding. Varies little 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 



