438 CITTOCINCLA MACRUEA. 



trace of the black, which demonstrates that this is merely a local race, and somewhat uncertain in its distinctive 

 character. 



Distribution. — In the west of the island the Shama is very common from the Maha and Deduru oyas 

 northward, and throughout the whole of the low country to the east and south-east of the hill-zone. Its 

 charming notes are everywhere to be heard in the forests round Trincomalie, and it is nowhere more plentiful 

 than on the Fort-Ostenburgh hills. In the jungles of the south-west it is much less common ; but is, notwith- 

 standing, found close to Galle ; the same may be said of the Western Province generally, in which part it is 

 chiefly located in the ranges stretching from the Three and Four Korales northward to Kurunegala; but here 

 it frequents the densest underwood in the forests and impenetrable bamboo-jungle, and thus almost entirely 

 escapes notice. From the low country it ranges through the sub-alpine forests to an altitude of about 3500 feet, 

 being tolerably common in Dumbara, Hewahette, Maturata, and Uva generally, affecting chiefly the patna- 

 woods which line the many streams and rivulets flowing into the tributaries of the Mahawelliganga. In the 

 latter district and in Haputale it is found up to 4000 feet elevation. Layard first met with it in Lady Horton's 

 walk at Kandy. 



Of the distribution of the " Nightingale " in India, Jcrdon writes :—" It is common in all Malabar, 

 especially in the upland districts, as in the Wynaad, more rare in the Eastern Ghats, and not unfrcquent in 

 all the jungles of Central India to Midnapore and Cuttock. It also frequents all the sub-IIimalayan forests, 

 and extends to the hill-tracts of Assam, Sylhet, Burmah, and Malacca." Mr. Hume more clearly defines its 

 northern range when he says it is a permanent resident of the warm and well-watered jungles of the " sub- 

 Himalayan region as far west as the Ganges, Southern and Eastern Bengal, Assam, Cachar, and Burmah." 

 In all these regions it is evidently local, occupying those districts only which are well covered with jungle. 

 Referring to the observations of late writers in ' Stray Feathers/ we find that in the Palanis it is recorded from 

 the eastern base of the range, and from the Travancore hills is not mentioned at all by Mr. Bourdillon ; in 

 Ivhandala it is said to inhabit the thick woods along the hills. From the jungles of Central India it extends 

 through Chota Nagpur to Eastern Bengal and the base of the Himalayas; but Mr. Ball observes that it is 

 extremely rare in the first-named locality, and occurs sparingly in the Rajmehal hills. It appears to be 

 resident in this part of India, for Capt. Beavan records that it breeds in Manbhum. To the east of the Bay 

 of Bengal it is more common than in the district last under consideration ; in Cachar it appears, however, to 

 be only a winter visitor. In Pegu it is, says Mr. Oates, very common on the hills, but in the more southern 

 province of Tcnasserim, though found throughout its wooded portions, does not ascend the hills; beyond this 

 limit it extends through Malacca to the islands of Java and Sumatra. Its range, however, is continued equally 

 far towards the cast, for it is an inhabitant of China, Swinhoe (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 359) recording it from Hainan. 



Habits. — This showy bird is perhaps the best songster in Ceylon, its fine notes acquiring for it, with those 

 who have made its acquaintance in the forests, a reputation equal to that which it has obtained in India. It 

 frequents thick jungle, underwood in forest, and bamboo-scrub in portions of the island where this tree grows ; 

 ii passes its time near the ground, seldom mounting to any height, but perching on some low branch or stick, 

 and there warbling forth its song. There is no doubt that in such localities as these the notes of the Shama, 

 swelling forth from the impenetrable thickets, while the bird is hidden from view, naturally tend to inspire the 

 listener with a stronger idea of their perfection than they perhaps really deserve. Far be it from me to wish 

 m detract from its merits as a songster; for though the power of its notes may perhaps be exaggerated, never- 

 theless their absence from the wilds of Ceylon would be much missed, by the naturalist at any rate. Among 

 those who have descanted on its melodious voice, none, perhaps, have riaid the Shama a greater tribute of 

 praise than Tickcll. He writes, in the ' Journal of the Asiatic Society ' : — "In the mornings and evenings the 

 notes are heard through the valleys, ceasing with twilight. The strains sweep with a gush of sweetness through 

 the enchanting solitudes which this bird makes its favourite resort, at times when other birds are silent in rest ; 

 and in unison with the surrounding scenery, in which nature seems to have lavished every fantastic invention 

 (if beauty, the effect produced on the mind and ear can alone be appreciated by those who have witnessed the 

 magnificence of a tropical forest." Besides the notes which make up its song, described again by Jerdon as 

 " a most gushing melody, of great power," this bird has others of a most varied character, among them being 



