PYGXONOTUS ILEMORRHOUS. 483 



feathers, like the back ; and the whole nape and back are much paler than P. limnorrhous, the cap alone being 

 black;" wing 3-6 to 3-7 {Hume). P. atricapillus may be said, writes Mr. Hume, to be like P. nigropileus, but 

 with the throat, ear-coverts, breast, and abdomen uniform very pale greyish whity brown. 



Distribution. — This very common bird is found abundantly throughout the whole of the island to a general 

 altitude of about 3500 feet, and in Uva ranges to about 5900 feet, its highest point being the neighbourhood 

 of Hakgala, to which it extends from the Fort-MacDonald patnas, a portion of the Kandyan Province where 

 many low-country birds are located. It is most numerous in open and cultivated districts, particularly in the 

 west and south of the island and in the maritime portions of the eastern and northern divisions. In the 

 extensive forests of the east and north-central portions it inhabits chiefly those localities which have been 

 cleared and are now open or covered with low jungle; but in the depths of the woods it is less frequent than 

 the White-eyebrowed Bulbul. In Dumbara and other wide valleys of the Central Province it is almost as 

 common as in the low country, but it does not range so high on the Rambodde side as in Uva. Neither 

 Kelaart nor Mr. Holdsworth record it from Nuwara Elliya, nor have I myself observed it there : that it should 

 not occur even as a straggler or occasional visitant in the gardens of the residents, while it is not unfrequent 

 just lower down the valley at Hakgala, is perhaps a proof that it is not able to withstand the frost and cold at 

 nights on the plain. 



Of this Bulbul Jerdon says that it is one of the most common and generally-spread birds in the south of 

 India, extending throughout the southern part of the peninsula to the Nerbudda river, and beyond it appa- 

 rently to the north-west. It ascends the Nilghiris to about 6000 feet, and it is, says Dr. Fairbank, found at 

 the top of the Palanis, though it is more abundant at the bottom and on the adjacent plains; in the Khandala 

 district it is an inhabitant of the slopes of the bills, as well as the neighbouring portion of the Deccan. To 

 the north-west it extends as far as Sindh, to the avifauna of which- province Mr. Blanford has recently added 

 it, stating that it is found in the deserts of Umarkot. Captain Butler remarks that it is found all over the 

 bills and plains of Northern Guzerat, to which Mr. Hume adds, " Common at Sambhur and in the eastern 

 portions of Jodhpoor, also in Cutch and Kattiawar. In Western Jodhpoor it occurs for the most part only in 

 the rains." In Bengal it is replaced by the large and allied species P. pyyaus, which extends eastwards into 

 Burmah. 



Habits. — The Madras Bulbul affects gardens, compounds, cinnamon-plantations, the vicinity of roads, low 

 jungle, open scrubby land, and the edges of forest. It is a fearless and very sprightly bird, most active and 

 animated in its manners, erecting its conspicuous crest to full height as it sits on the top of a bush chirping to 

 its companions. It locates itself in close proximity to houses, and not unfrequently builds its nest in verandahs, 

 and is consequently a universal favourite with Europeans, who rate its attempts at singing so highly that it is 

 styled by many the " Ceylon Nightingale "\ As a matter of fact, however, its notes have but little music in 

 them ; but it is constantly uttering its quick chirruping warble, which, in the breeding-season, is to a certain 

 extent more melodious than at other times. Its food consists of insects, as well as fruit and seeds of all 

 kinds, the berry of the Lantana-\i\ant being a favourite diet, a fact which conduces to the propagation and 

 spreading of this horticultural pest. In the evening little parties of this Bulbul assemble, and after a great 

 deal of excitement and chattering they choose a roosting-place in some thick bush or umbrageous shrub. 



Jerdon remarks, in his ' Birds of India/ that in the Carnatic it is kept for fighting, and that it seizes its 

 antagonist by the red feathers, attempting to pull them out. It is said to imitate the notes of other birds 

 when caged. I am not aware that this habit has been much noticed in Ceylon ; but it is a great favourite as 

 a caged bird- with the natives, becoming excessively tame, and allowing itself to be carried about by hand. 



It is, according to the author of the ' Birds of India/ found in that country usually in pairs or in small 

 families, flying briskly about, restless and inquisitive, feeding chiefly on fruits, but occasionally descending to 

 the ground, and even hopping a step or two and picking up insects ; " it destroys various buds and blossoms, 

 and is very destructive to peas, strawberries, brazil-cherries {Phy satis peruviana) , and other soft fruit." 



Nidification. — In the western and southern portions of the island this bird breeds, as a rule, between 

 January and May, and on the eastern side during the north-east rains at the end of the year. It appears, 



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