498 MALACOCEECUS RUFESCEXS. 



the province, to Saffragam, and thence through the Kukkul and Morowak Korales to the subsidiary hills, 

 through which the Giiulurah and Niwelle rivers flow, it is very common. It ascends the slopes of the wilder- 

 ness of the Peak to the extreme limits of the forest, and ranges through the vast jungles reaching thence to 

 Horton Plains and Nuwara Elliya, throughout which latter district it is tolerably common. Mr. Holdsworth 

 only observed it there in the cool season ; but I am inclined to think it is resident there, as I have obtained it in 

 a state of breeding at the top of Totapella, and in the Peak forests I have shot it at great altitudes in the 

 height of the south-west monsoon. It is very abundant about Kaduwella and Hanwella, and in the bamboo- 

 scrubs of the Raygam and Hewagam Korales ; but north of the Kelaniganga its numbers begin to diminish, 

 and I do not know of its occurrence beyond Kurunegala. I have never seen it in any of the eastern highlands, 

 nor in the low country south of Haputale, its range on that side not extending beyond the limits of the wet 

 south-west hill-region at Tangalla. 



Habits.- — The lied Juugle-Tlirush frequents thickets in the vicinity of cultivation, bamboo-scrub (to which 

 it is as much, if not more, partial than any of our Babblers), thick jungle, and primeval forest. At times 

 it associates in large troops, and, as a rule, lives in parties of not less than a dozen, resembling, in these 

 respects, the Laughing Thrush more than its other congeners. It is very sociable, actively working about the 

 lower limbs of trees, and threading its way through the branches of low jungle in close fellowship, keeping 

 up a conversational, harsh chattering, and moving on from tree to tree without separation. It has the quick 

 movements of the last species, jerking up its wings and tail, and restlessly jumping to and fro on its perch, 

 when engaged in parleying with its companions. Its notes resemble those of Garrulax more than Malaco- 

 cereus, and it seems not to indulge in long periods of silence, as does the latter ; but a continual low babble 

 proceeding from the flock usually betrays its whereabouts in the jungle. Its flight is not cpaiok, and is per- 

 formed with vigorous beatings of the wings, simply to enable it to proceed about in search of its food from 

 tree to tree. I found the stomachs of several examples killed in the month of August to contain portions of a 

 large black beetle which was affecting the jungle in great numbers at the time. When located in damp 

 timber-forest, such as the Peak, Pasdun-Korale, and Kukkul-Korale jungles, it appears not to associate with 

 any other species : a solitary flock is often met with after walking through the forest for some distance 

 without seeing a single bird or even hearing a note ; notwithstanding the little troop is all life and animation, 

 isolated as it is in the gloomiest recesses of the primeval wood, its members busily engaged in twitting from 

 branch to branch, while they keep up a sociable chattering as if they rejoiced in the loneliness of their retreat. 



Nidification. — This bird breeds in the Western Province in March, April, and May, and constructs a nest, 

 similar to the last, of grass and small twigs, mixed perhaps with a few leaves, and placed among creepers 

 surrounding the trunks of trees or in a low fork of a tree. It conceals its habitation, according to Layard, 

 with great care ; and I am aware myself that very few nests have been found. It lays two or three eggs, 

 very similar to those of the last species, of a deep greenish blue, and pointed ovals in shape — two which were 

 taken by Mr. MacVicar at Bolgodde measuring 0-95 by O7o inch, and 092 by - 74 inch. 



The figure in the Plate accompanying this article represents a male bird of this species from the Western 

 Province. 



