Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 271 



107. PoMATORHiNUS BiELANURUS, Blyth, J. A. S. xvi. 451. 



I long considered this one of our rarest birds, and had but a 

 single specimen which I obtained from a native. However, going 

 on dutj', a few miles from Colombo, on the road to Kandy, in the 

 low, scrubby and almost impenetrable brushwood, growing on 

 the chenas which had fallen out of cultivation, I found these 

 birds in abundance in small parties of six or eight, their singular 

 churring cvj resounding in all directions. I also found it in the 

 Balcadua Pass, and Dr. Kelaart at Nuwera Elia. They creep 

 about bushes like the Certhiadce, and feed on insects. 



108. Malacocercus griseus, Gmel. 

 Included by Dr. Kelaart in his list, sed non vidi. 



109. Malacocercus Bexgalensis, Briss. M. striatus, Swains. 

 Demalichia, Cing. Punil, Mai. Pastru hragaru, Port. 

 Mud Bird, EngHsh. 



This is one of our commonest birds, frequenting the road- 

 sides and scratching among fallen leaves and the ordure of 

 animals for its insect prey. They are always seen in small parties 

 varying ft-om three to seven, according to the number of young 

 ones in a nest, which seem to remain with their parents until 

 the period of incubation again commences, when they separate 

 to form families of their own. When alarmed an old bird utters a 

 piping note, making several prodigious hops, and takes to flight ; 

 his example is followed by all the rest in succession, and the 

 whole party wing their way in a long file, alternately beating 

 the air with heavj' strokes, or sailing along on their romided 

 wings to a place of safety. Their nest is composed of fibres 

 (generally those of the cocoa-nut husk), and placed in low bushes. 

 So loosely is the structure put together that the eggs are plainly 

 visible tlu-ough it ; they are of a perfect oblong and of a lovely 

 blue verditer colour. 



110. Malacocercus rufescens, Blyth, J. A. S. xvi. 453. 

 Kalaparandal, Cing. 



This new species of Malacocercus was discovered by Dr. Tem- 

 pleton, R.A., and described loc. cit. It is peculiar to the island 

 and confined to the southern and midland districts, in thick 

 jungle only. In habits it resembles the preceding species, but 

 conceals its nest with so much care, that I never succeeded in 

 obtaining information about it, even from the natives. The iris 

 is white, and the cere round the eye, of the bill and of the legs, 

 is a bright orange-yellow. 



