1872.] MR. E. W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. 445 



times it is very difficult to obtain. The bird frequently perches on 

 a rock in the midst of some mountain-torrent, but is very impatient 

 of observation. On these occasions it " gives utterance to a pecu- 

 liarly long-drawn, plaintive though loud whistling note ; at the same 

 time the body is dipped and the tail slightly raised." It soon seeks 

 shelter under the dense jungle foliage. 



130. Pitta brachyura, Linn. 



Generally distributed in Ceylon during the winter months, and at 

 that time very abundant at Aripo. Although most of these birds 

 seen in Ceylon are probably visitors from India coming in October, 

 I have reason to think some of them are residents, as I have frequently 

 heard and more than once seen them at Nuwara Eliya in August. 

 My house at Aripo was surrounded by Suriya trees, the branches of 

 many of them touching the roof of the veranda ; and to these trees 

 the Pittas used to come every evening shortly before sunset, perching 

 about six or eight feet from the ground and continually repeating 

 their cry of " A-vitch-i-a" (the name given to the bird by the Sin- 

 ghalese), which was frequently followed by a low hissing scream. On 

 being alarmed by my too close approach they would fly direct to the 

 hedge about thirty yards distant and hide themselves under the 

 darkest and thickest part of it. A frequent attitude of this bird when 

 perched on a stout branch of a tree was with the head and body- 

 stretched up to the full height, the legs straight, and the tail turned 

 upwards. 



Bill orange, tip dusky ; irides brown ; feet flesh-colour. 



Ceylon, India. 



131. Geocichla layardi, Walden. 



Peculiar to Ceylon. A single example of this Thrush was sent to 

 Lord Walden in a collection of birds from the island. From what I 

 heard in Ceylon from the person who made the collection I have no 

 doubt this bird was obtained on the hills on the south-east side of the 

 island, a part of the country which has not yet been properly examined 

 and is likely to produce more novelties. This bird is described as 

 more nearly allied to G. citrina of North and Central India than to 

 G. cyanota of Malabar, with the orange colour of the underparts 

 brighter and richer than in G. citrina, but not nearly so deep as in 

 G. rubecula of Java. 



The colours of this specimen are rich orange on the head, neck, 

 and underparts, bluish grey above, and a white spot on the wing. 



Ceylon. 



132. Turdulus wardii, Jerdon. 



Generally a rare bird in Ceylon ; but Mr. Laurie tells me it is not 

 uncommon during the north-east monsoon in some of the hill-forests. 

 I have seen specimens collected by that gentleman and others from 

 the Kandy district, but have not met with the bird alive. 



Ceylon, India. 



