470 HYPSIPETES GANEESA. 



The dimensions of an example shot by Mr. Eairbank in the Palanis are : — Length 9 - 5 inches ; wing 4-6, expanse 



14-0 ; tail 4-0 ; tarsus 0-75 ; bill to gape 1*1. Iris hazel, dyed with lake-red. 

 This species is allied to the northern form, H. psaroides, which differs in being generally paler, and more particularly 



as regards the lower parts and outer webs of the wing-feathers ; the under tail-coverts are very broadly margined 



with white, and it is likewise a larger bird. The wings of 7 specimens in the national collection vary from 4-8 



to 5*1. It inhabits Bengal and the sub-Himalayan region. 

 Mr. Hume has lately described an allied species to this latter, which inhabits the Tenasserim hills, as IT. subnitjer. It 



is smaller and everywhere much darker, with the interscapular region black. Males — length 8-5 to 8-9 inches, 



wing 4 - 5 to 4*85. 



Distribution. — The Black Bulbul is found throughout all the low country of the southern half of the 

 island, wherever there is forest or wild secondary jungle, particularly that growing on the sides of moderately- 

 sized hills. It is especially abundant in the interior of the Western Province, where the hills are well wooded, 

 as in many parts of the Raygam and Hewagam Korales ; in Saffragam it is extraordinarily numei-ous, swarming 

 in the Peak forests and ascending to the highest elevations in it. In the Pasdun Korale and the south- 

 western hilly districts it is very common, extending into the Morowak and Kolomia Korales. It is also found 

 throughout the Kaudyan districts, and in the dry season frequents the upper forests in the main range and 

 c-n the Nuwara-Elliya plateau. In the higher parts of Uva it is always stationary. As regards the forests of 

 the northern half of the island, it may be said to wander about in them, being found here and there when 

 perhaps little expected. I have seen it near Trincomalie during the north-east monsoon, and also in other 

 localities between that station and Anaradjapura. From this latter place, and also from the forests near 

 Puttalam, it is not recorded by Mr. Parker in the lists furnished to me by him, but it probably occurs in both. 



This species docs not enjoy a wide distribution on the mainland, though it is very numerous in the 

 southern hilly portions of the peninsula. It abounds, says Jerdon, on the summit of the Nilghiris from 

 6000 to 8000 feet, and likewise frequents the district of Coorg. It extends along the Western Ghats to the 

 Mahabalcshwar hills, where Col. Sykes first procured it, the dense woods of that region being given by him 

 as its habitat. Mr. Fairbank remarks that it is rarely found on the Mahabalcshwar plateau, though it is 

 abundant on the Goa frontier; he found it on the tops of the Palanis and on the lower hills, and Mr. Bour- 

 dillon speaks of it as being very abundant at higher elevations on the Travancore hills, but less so at their base. 

 It is likewise found on the Assamboo hills. 



Habits. — This large Bulbul frequents forest, jungly ravines, steep woods, and most places in which there 

 arc large trees. It is a sociable and very restless bird, extremely noisy and lively in its movements, and 

 possessing, for a Bulbul, very varied notes. Out of the breeding-season it congregates in vast flocks to feed 

 on certain fruits, and, dashing about from tree to tree with loud notes, and with apparently no other object 

 than that of chasing its companions for amusement, it fills the forest with a ceaseless din, completely drowning 

 the voices of all other birds. Among its various notes is one frequently uttered when in company, resembling 

 the sound tehee, and another, a call-note, which may be likened to the syllables zu-kink up, zu-kink up, repeated 

 several times, and nearly always given forth when alone, either on the wing or feeding. Its usual harsh 

 warble, so well known to those who have frequented the forests in the south and west of Ceylon, is uttered 

 from the tip top of a high tree, to which the bird, with some show of good sense, invariably mounts when it 

 desires to make itself heard ! Its diet consists of fruits, seeds, and berries ; and when many trees are in bearing 

 in the same spot, all the Black Bulbuls in the neighbourhood flock to them in great numbers : it, however, 

 also feeds upon insects ; and I have observed it dart occasionally at them from its perch, although its usual 

 manner of capturing them is to seize them from the branches of trees, to which it will sometimes cling after 

 the manner of a Tree-creeper. 



Concerning its economy in India I find the following observations : — Jerdon writes that it lives in small 

 flocks in the dense woods, feeding on various fruits and berries, usually on the tops of trees ; it keeps up a 

 lively and agreeable warbling, which it often continues during its occasional flight from one tree or patch of 

 wood to another. Its flight is undulating, easy, and rapid. Mr. Bourdillon finds that they are gregarious and 

 very noisy, apparently preferring the tops of trees, though they also feed on the berries &c. found in secon- 

 dary jungle. Mr. Fairbank noticed that they only assembled in flocks during the month of June. 



