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PELLOENEUM EUSCICAPILLTJJ1. 511 



most part, of forests and cheena-woods, but likewise frequents scrub, brushwood, low jungle, or overgrown 

 land in the vicinity of native cottages. It dwells entirely in the seclusion of such vegetation, feeding near 

 the ground in dense thickets or picking up beetles and insects from amongst decaying herbage ; it rarely 

 shows itself in the open except to flit across a jungle-road or forest-path. It is usually found in pairs, except 

 after breeding, when it combines with its newly-reared family to form a little troop, which comport themselves 

 much as Alcippe. Its note, which is one of the characteristic sounds of the Ceylon jungles, is a persistently 

 repeated whistle, resembling the words " to-meet-you." This is varied, on the part of the male in the breeding- 

 season, by a combination of ascending and descending bars, which form a pleasant little warble. In the short note 

 there is a peculiar intonation which partakes of the power of ventriloquy, and which renders, at times, the 

 determining of the bird's position a difficult matter. The Whistling Babbler is especially noisy in wet weather, 

 and during the breeding-season utters a low purr when the vicinity of its nest is approached. At this period 

 I have observed a pair seated on a low branch, bowing and courtesying to each other, with their tails carried 

 erect, and appearing to be most intent on rendering themselves mutually attractive. The stomach in this 

 species is muscular; and I have found large beetles therein, proving its digestive powers to be considerable. 



Nidification. — The nest of this species is exceedingly difficult to find, and scarcely any thing is known of 

 its nidification. Mr. Bligh succeeded in finding it in Haputale at an elevation of about 5500 feet. It was 

 placed in a bramble about 3 feet from the ground, and was cup-shaped, loosely constructed of moss and leaves ; 

 it contained three young. I found what I have reason to believe was a nest of this species at Agalewatta, 

 which was constructed chiefly of the dead leaves of a recently felled shrub, in which it was placed about 2 feet 

 from the ground; it was large and loosely made, resembling the nest of Alcippe, but lined with fine dry roots. 

 Although it contained no eggs, I observed the birds frequenting it, and have no doubt, therefore, as to its 

 ownership. Mr. Bligh writes me concerning a brood of four or five young which he found in the Central 

 Province ; they had just left the nest and were frequenting some thick brambles, in which he caught several 

 of them with ease. The parent birds, he remarks, " seemed as if they would have died of distress, trying to 

 draw me away by tumbling and fluttering about on the ground as if badly wounded, and nearly buffeting me 

 when I had the young in my hand." 



The figure in the Plate accompanying this article is that of a dark-coloured Western-Province specimen, 

 which was shot in the Three Korales. 



Genus PTCTOEHIS. 

 Bill short, curved, high at the base, tip entire. Nostrils rounded ; rictal bristles strong ; 

 orbits nude. Wings rounded, the 5th to the 7th quills subequal and longest. Tail long and 

 graduated. Legs and feet stout. The tarsus shielded with broad smooth scutse, anterior toes 

 moderately short ; hind toe and claw lengthened. 



