1872.] MR. E. W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. 447 



not say where he discovered it ; but it is abundant in the central and 

 probably in the southern districts. It is, however, somewhat migra- 

 tory within the island, and it is difficult to say to what cause its 

 irregular movements are due. I have shot it both near Colombo and 

 at Nuwara Eliya in January, and have fonnd it abundant at the latter 

 place in July, August, and September ; then it has entirely dis- 

 appeared. It is an amusing little bird, usually found in small parties 

 and frequenting underwood and low thick bushes, or creeping among 

 the stems of the taller jungle-plants, occasionally coining to the edge 

 of a path and betraying its presence by an angry hissing note, evi- 

 dently intended to warn off intruders. 



Bill dusky above, pale flesh-colour beneath ; irides golden ; feet 

 purplish flesh. 



Ceylon. 



138. DUMETIA ALBOGULARIS, Blyth. 



This species is said by Layard to be confined to the vicinity of 

 Colombo ; and although it is unlikely to be so purely local, I certainly 

 never saw the bird alive until I became a resident close to the cin- 

 namon-gardens in which he observed it. Like the following species 

 it will probably be found in bush jungle in the interior as well as 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of Colombo. 



Ceylon, S. India. 



139. Drymocataphus fuscicapillus, Blyth. 



Peculiar to Ceylon and rarely met with. I only know of three* 

 specimens having been obtained — two of them by Layard in Colombo 

 and in the central road leading from Kandy northwards, and one (a 

 male) by myself also from the latter part of the island. I found this 

 bird among thick underwood in forest-jungle by the side of the road 

 on which I was travelling ; and it was perched within two feet of the 

 ground when I had my first fair view of it as with outstretched neck 

 and swelling throat it poured forth a torrent of babbling notes. 



I have restored this bird to its original position in the genus Dry- 

 mocataphus, as its bill does not agree in form with that of Pellomeum, 

 and the fifth quill-feather is the longest, the fourth and sixth being 

 equal and slightly shorter. The colour of the back, wings, and tail 

 dark olive-brown, the last tipped rufous ; wings and tail in some lights 

 showing distinct transverse striae ; crown rich dark brown, the 

 feathers slightly pale-shafted ; lores, cheeks, sides of neck, and all 

 the underparts pale rufous brown, the breast being rather darker. 



Bill dusky above, flesh-colour below ; irides red ; orbits yellow ; 

 feet pale flesh. 



Ceylon. 



140. POMATORHINUS MELANURUS, Blyth. 



Peculiar to Ceylon 5 rather local in its distribution, but generally 

 numerous where it is found. It is very abundant at all times of the 



* I have since seen a fourth, which was procured a few years ago by Mr. 

 Bligh from the hills. 



