266 Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 



as I could. So employed, I remarked that one of the songs 

 which so charmed me was new ; it came from a dark part of the 

 jungle, and regardless of the tormenting leeches, I crept in on 

 hands and knees, and peering about discovered a lovely bird, 

 with two long and broad tail-feathers, piping most sweetly. 

 Poor thing ! its melody caused its destruction, and as its bright 

 eye became dim, I thought there were many kinds of blood-seek- 

 ing land leeches in this world. 



Often since, but only in dense jungles and at early morn, or 

 amid the lengthening shadows of evening, have I heard the clear 

 note of the Copsychus, and that lovely scene has recurred to me 

 in vivid distinctness. 



81. Pratincola caprata, Blyth. 



I procured specimens of this bird at Ambegamoa, and Dr. Ke- 

 laart includes it in his list as " found in the lower parts of the 

 Kandian country." 



82. Pratincola atrata, Kelaart. 



Of this species Dr. Kelaart writes, — " Confined to the high- 

 lands ; we have not met with it on lower hills than Rambodde. 

 It is very numerous on the plains of Nuwera Elia, sometimes 

 seen in pairs and often singly. The male bird perches on a twig 

 of a small plant, or on a reed, and the female on the ground not 

 far off; but rarely more than two or three pairs are seen in the 

 same locality. They frequent gardens and flower-beds in search 

 of insects.'^ 



I procured a pair at the foot of Adam's Peak. 



83. Calliope cyana, Blyth. 



A few specimens procured at Pt. Pedro, in passage, about the 

 middle of October 1851. 



84. Thamnobia fulicata, Linn. Cary cooroovi, Mai. ; lit. Black 

 Bird. 



This is another of our household favourites, frequenting equally 

 the Governor's palace and the native hut. It is never seen in the 

 unfrequented jungle, but like the cocoa-nut tree, which the Cin- 

 galese assert will only flourish within the sound of the human 

 voice, is found about the habitation of man. It feeds on in- 

 sects of all kinds, and like its congener the magpie robin, sits 

 much upon house-tops or fences, with its tail elevated, and utters 

 a pleasing song. I have procured their nests, which are composed 

 of hair, mosses and dry grasses, in the months of June and July 



