418 ALSEONAX MTJTTUI. 



but it is much more rufous, particularly on the back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and edgings of the wing-coverts, 

 and the lower pans are also much more rufescent. 



Distribution. — This rare Flycatcher was discovered by Layard at Pt. Pedro, the extreme north of the 

 island; be writes thus of it, after describing the specimen brought to him : — " I name this new species after 

 my old and attached servant Muttu, to whose patient perseverance and hunting skill I owe so many of my best 

 birds. This one he brought to me one morning at Pt. Pedro during the month of June." I am not aware 

 that it was again met with until rediscovered by myself in January 1875, when I obtained one of two 

 specimens seen in forest a few miles from Trincomalic. After that date I did not notice it until February 

 1877, when I met with several individuals in the forest of Ikkade Barawe, in the Hewagam Korale, and 

 procured three or four of them. It is not improbable that it may inhabit other forests in the south and east 

 of the island ; for after I had obtained the above examples I came to the conclusion that Flycatchers which 

 T had not unfrequently seen in heavy forest in the last-named district and taken for the foregoing species, 

 which really does not commonly affect such localities, may possibly have been no other than this interesting 

 and little-known bird. I therefore commend the subject of a further acquaintance with it to such of my 

 readers who have the opportunity of ornithologically examining the low-country forests of the island. It is 

 singular that I have only met with it in the north-east monsoon, which would lead to the idea that it was 

 migratory ; and the late discovery by Mr. Bourdillon of A. mandelH in Travancore would tend to strengthen 

 this suspicion did Mr. Hume make any mention of these southern specimens being white on the breast; he, 

 however, appears to consider them identical with the dark Sikhim examples, as he does not speak of any 

 di ffcrence in the under surface. I must add that Layard procured his specimen in June, which goes far to 

 prove that the species is resident in, and peculiar to, Ceylon. 



Habits. — This little bird has all the modest and retiring habits of its ally already noticed in the last 

 article. I have always noticed it frequenting the lateral and rather low outspreading branches of forest trees 

 by the sides of tracks, paths, or little open glades. It leads a sedentary life, sitting upright and motionless, 

 and now and then waking into action by darting out at some passing fly. In the stomach of one example 

 I found much larger insects (moderately sized Colcoptera) than I expected to find captured by so small a bird. 

 It is the reverse of shy, not objecting to a close scrutiny, under which I found it would sit motionless until 

 roused into flight by the sight of its prey, which to it was evidently much more worthy of attention than 

 myself and the fatal weapon which was destined to put an end to its quiet existence. 



The upper figure in the Plate accompanying the present article represents a male of this species shot in the 

 Tkkade-Barawe forest, near Hanwella. 



Genus STOPAEOLA. 

 Bill very similar to Alseonax, equally broad, but slightly more robust, and the nostrils more 

 basal ; rictal bristles long and fine. Wings with the 2nd quill much shorter than in the last 

 genus, about equal to the 8th ; the 4th and 5th the longest. Tail shorter than the wings, even 

 at the tip. Legs and feet rather stout. Tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw. 



