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On the Black-headed Bulbul, etc.



The Black-headed Bulbul, Rubigula melanidera, with

the entire head black, is a trifle smaller than the foregoing, and

generally like them, but has the throat yellow like the rest of the

under surface. Sexes alike, but with the female the smaller. It

is said of the iris of the adults— male, dull red ; female , dark

brown ; and also of the legs and feet— male , blackish ; female,

deep plumbeous or blackish blue. The British Museum Catalogue

(VI., 168) says further:—“The Black-headed Bulbul is peculiar

to the island of Ceylon, inhabiting the forest tracts in most

parts of the island, and, in the Kandyan province, attaining a

height of 5,000 feet.”


When we consider what a vast number of steamers of all

kinds touch at Colombo, it seems strange that this species also

should be unknown in this country except as a skin.*


The Black-crested Yellow-Bulbul, Otocompsa flavi-

ventris (Mus. Cat. VI., 161), the Rubigula flaviventris of Jerdon

(II, 88), was brought to this country in 1906, two examples being

deposited at the Zoological Gardens in April of that year by one

of our members. The likeness between this species and my bird

is only general, and the two may be distinguished at a glance by

any observant person. For instance, the Black-crested Yellow-

Bulbul has a real and conspicuous crest, instead of a mere knob,

and a black instead of a red throat; moreover, it is not nearly so

yellow as either of the Ruby-throated Bulbuls.


This species has a wide range. The Museum Catalogue

tells us that—“The Black-crested Yellow-Bulbul inhabits the

Himalayas, and also occurs in the forests of Central India.

Eastwards it extends through the Burmese countries into Cochin

China ; ” and the more recent Hand-Eist—“ Himalayas (Sutlej

Valley to Assam); Indian Peninsula; Indo-Chinese Provinces;

Malay Peninsula.” Although so comparatively common, the

two birds mentioned above seem to be the only two that have so

far reached this country alive ; and the dealer in Bombay from

whom they were purchased, who called them “ Nepal Bulbuls, ’

stated that they were rare, and charged a higher price for them

than for a pair of Silver-eared Mesias.



* According to my experience, hardly any birds are to be picked up in Colombo,

the only noteworthy species X have seen on sale there is the Ceylonese Bat-parrot (Loriculus

indiczis). —Ed.





