434 COPSTCHUS SAITLARIS. 



black margin all along and the outer edge as well black. In specimens not fully aged there is a good deal of black 

 on this feather, though not so much apparently as in those from the eastern side of the Bay of Bengal, where this 

 nigrescent character seems to increase. Mr. Hume remarks that Thayetmyo birds have more black " on the fourth 

 feather than is usually seen in typical saularis." In the Andamans the black augments still more, although 

 specimens there vary intt r se. The same writer remarks that " the third pair always have a certain amount of dusky 

 on the inner margin, and the fourth has so much black that the white is reduced to a triangle, whose base is at the 

 tip." Lord Tweeddale speaks of specimens with the fourth pair almost entirely black. This character, therefore, is 

 not one on which any dependence can be placed : and I mention this, as the contrary idea has obtained with some 

 writers. The Andaman bird has, however, the flanks tinged with rufescent, and may, perhaps, be distinct, in 

 which case it stands as C. andamanensis, Hume. The Malaecan, Javau, and Sumatran birds belong to a different 

 species, C. musicus, Baffles, differing, as Lord Tweeddale shows (Ibis, 1876, p. 309), in having the under wing- 

 coverts white, centred with black, and the three pairs of outer tail-feathers only white, the fourth pair being black. 

 A third species is that from the Philippines (C. mindanensis), which has the under wing-coverts all black, and the 

 tail the same. 

 A.s regards the relative size of Ceylouese and continental birds, I find that a Travancore male example measures 3 - 8, 

 one from Behar 3-S5, and two from Xepal 4-0 inches respectively in the wing; the three outer tail-feathers in all 

 are wholly white, and the fourth has a black inner edge as in insular specimens. 



Distribution. — The Magpie Robin is universally distributed throughout the whole island up to an altitude 

 (if 5500 feet ; there is no spot in the low country, save the solitudes of the damp southern and western forests, 

 where it may not from time to time he ohserved ; for it is as much at home in the unfrequented groves of the 

 Park country, or along the lonely tracks through the eastern jungles, as it is iu the gardens of Colombo. 1 

 found it scarcer in the scrubs of the south-east than in any other part of the low country ; for, though it is 

 very common between Batticaloa and Madulsima, and also in barren country from that part to Trincomalie, it 

 does not seem to accommodate itself to the similar climate and vegetation of the Kattregama plains. In 

 Dumbara and in other coffee-districts of medium altitude on the Kandyside it is a common bird, and through- 

 out Uva, including the Elephant Plains and upper parts of Udu Pusselawa, it is not unfrequent ; but it does 

 not, I believe, range so high on the western side of the Nuwara-Elliya plateau. It is likewise a scarce bird 

 m the higher parts of Morowak Korale, which district lias a colder and damper climate than the same altitude 

 in the Kandy country. It is very common in the Jaffna peninsula. 



The Dayal is spread throughout India, becoming scarcer towards the north-west, but not diminishing in 

 numbers in the north-east sub-Himalayan region, Cachar, Burmah, and Tenasserim. In the Andamans it is 

 likewise common. Mr. Davison remarks that it is abundant all about Port Blair. Eastward of the kingdom 

 of P.urrnah it extends into Siam and China. Of its range in the latter country Swinhoe says, "Southern 

 China, westwards to Szechuen, and in Hainan." Returning to India to take a more complete view of its 

 localization, we find it to be very common in the lowlands of the Madras Presidency, occurring, of course, 

 in the intermediate island of Ramisserum, In the Palanis it is found from the base up to about 5000 feet, a 

 similar condition to that in Ceylon; but it is not noticed by Mr. Bourdillon in the more western hills of 

 Travancore; here, however, it has most likely been overlooked. In the Dcccan it is said to be rare (Fairbank, 

 Str. Peath. 1876, p. 259), but common along the hills. It occurs throughout Chota Nagpur, and is common 

 northwards from that to the base of the Himalayas. At Murrec it breeds, says Capt. Marshall; and between 

 Mussoori and Gangaotri it is seen at moderate elevations (Brooks). Further west, Mr. Hume remarks that the 

 climate is too arid for it in the regions bordering Sindh ; it is not common about Mount Aboo and on the 

 adjacent plains, and the same is true of the Sambbur district ; it is, however, found in Kattiawar ; and Captain 

 Butler has noticed it near Kurraehce in Sindh. From all this district, however, it departs, according to the 

 latter writer, in April, some few pairs, perhaps, remaining to breed. 



Habits. — This handsome showy bird is a universal favourite in Ceylon, frequenting alike the gardens and 

 compounds of the poor, and the grounds and lawns of the rich, in both of which its attractive black and white 

 plumage and its lively interesting habits combine to render it a pleasing ornament to the verdant face of 

 tropical nature. It does not, however, restrict itself to the society of man, for it is fouud iu all open cultivated 

 lands, as well as sparsely -timbered forest, in the scrubby wastes of the northern and eastern parts, and the 

 jrassy wilds of the "Park" country. Its chief attraction lies in its lively actions, and the great amount of 



