HTPOTHYMIS CEYLONENSIS. 409 



north- east of Kandy, where I have seen it between 2000 and 3000 feet. It is common enough in its sylvan 

 haunts ; but I doubt if it is a familiar bird to any but those who frequent the jungle. In the low thorny 

 scrubs bounding the sea-board on the dry portions of the island it is not found, nor did I observe it anywhere 

 in the Jaffna peninsula. In the Western Province it may be seen close to the shore, frequenting the woods 

 at the back of the cocoanut-plantations which border the sea, while further inland, as well as in the south-west 

 hill-region, it is tolerably numerous. 



Habits.- — This species is found, either singly or in pairs, affecting forest, shady jungle, and bamboo-thickets, 

 and is also met with in small groves or detached woods in cultivated districts. It usually keeps to underwood, 

 or dwells in the lower branches of forest trees, generally selecting those spots which are enlivened with a gleam 

 of sunshine, where it may be seen actively darting on small flies and insects, while it utters its sharp little note, 

 resembling the word tchreet. After the breeding-season young birds associate in small troops ; and at such 

 times I have noticed them following each other about among the upper branches of tall trees. 



Nidification. — In the Western Province this Flycatcher breeds from April to July, or during the south- 

 west monsoon rains, building a beautiful little nest in the fork of a sapling or shrub at about 4 feet from the 

 oround ; it is constructed of moss and fine strips of bark, very neatly finished off at the edge, decorated with 

 cobwebs on the exterior, and lined with very fine creeper-tendrils, the interior forming a deep cup of about 

 If inch in diameter. The eggs are either two or three, round in form, of a buff -white ground-colour, spotted 

 openly, chiefly at the obtuse end, with light sienna-red, mingled with darker specks of red. They measure 

 0-66 by 0-55 inch. 



The centre figure in the Plate accompanying my article on Alseonax muttui (p. 417) represents a male bird 

 of the present species from Ackmimina, near Galle. 



Genus CULICICAPA. 

 Bill more compressed towards the tip and the culinen more raised than in the last ; rictal 

 bristles very long. Wings long, the 4th quill the longest, and the 2nd equal to the 8th. Tail 

 even. Legs and feet very small. Tarsus feathered at the top. 



ofi 



