FROM NORTH-WEST CEYLON. 479 



a length of four miles and a width of a quarter of a mile I 

 found them breeding in great numbers in January, some nest- 

 holes being only three or four feet from the ground. I succeeded 

 in tracing the birds to their feeding-ground in the forest, 20 

 miles away, but probably they range further. 



181 Us.— Brachypternus intermedins, Legge. 



This Woodpecker is not uncommon in the low open jungle a 

 few miles from the sea. The habitats of this and B. puncticollis 

 overlap here for certainly 15 miles. 



257 bis.— Lanius caniceps, Bly. 



February to April. — Twenty eggs average , 91' / % O66". A 

 pair of these Shrikes reared three clutches of young in my com- 

 pound (two of them out of one nest) from December to May, 

 inclusive, but this must be abnormal breeding. 



These birds are particularly fond of frogs, which they 

 impale after the Shrikish fashion, but they are no respecters 

 of " vested interests " in them, and do not hesitate to carry 

 them off as soon as the impaler's back is turned. They have 

 a low but pleasing song, something like the English Robin's, 

 and are good mimics. Those in my compound incorporated 

 the squeaks of a captured frog in their song ; kuowing their 

 favourite food one can understand their considering this an 

 attractive noise. On very rare occasions they hover above an 

 insect, like a Kestrel. 



432 bis.— Malacocercus striatus, Swains. 



Every one knows the affectionate disposition of these birds. 

 Audi alteram partem. When riding along the road one day in 

 October 1880, I heard the voices of many mud-birds engaged 

 in a most violent altercation in a large open bush in the fence. 

 On stopping to ascertain the cause, I found two parties of the 

 birds, each 14 or 15 strong, in a state of the greatest possible 

 excitement, gradually edging towards the centre of the bush 

 from opposite sides. They took no notice of me, though I was 

 but a few feet from them. Suddenly, so quickly that I could 

 hardly make out how it came about, the whole 28 or 30 birds 

 were engaged in a combat, which, for either ludicrousness or 

 ferocity, it would be difficult to equal. The bush was soon aban- 

 doned, and the whole party adjourned to the ground, as affording 

 more scope. There the birds at once separated into pairs, aud 

 actually sat down on their hams, in order to be able to make use 

 of their feet as well as their bills. Those composing each pair 

 seated themselves opposite each other at very close 

 quarters, — the tail being extended behind, and acting as a 

 support, — and while pecking with might and main at the head, 



