518 OKTHOTOMUS SUTORIUS. 



Obs. Jerdon has pointed out that in specimens from Ceylon " the ashy nape is inconspicuous, being nearly overlaid 

 with rufous, and passing into the green of the back." A comparison of my specimens with various examples from 

 different parts of India demonstrates that, as a rule, the latter are of a darker green on the back, and have the 

 forehead a deeper rufous, this colour not receding so far back as in the island birds, and also that frequently the 

 ashy nape extends more forward. Then, again, as a rule, in the Indian birds the central tail-feathers are longer, 

 consequently projecting further beyond the adjacent pair. These differences, however, are by no means constant, 

 some examples from various parts of India coinciding exactly with ours. A Malabar example in my collection 

 is in all respects the same, having the ashy nape similar to Kurunegala specimens, and the forehead and upper 

 surface of precisely the same tint ; its measurements are : — wing 1*9 inch ; tail 2-5, central feathers 0'65 

 longer than the next ; bill to gape O05. A Deccan specimen has the tail 2*8 inches ; but this is exceptional, for 

 one from Darjiling measures 2-4 inches, central feathers 065 longer than the next, bill to gape 065 : one from 

 Behar, tail 2-4, central feathers 0*5 longer than the next ; another from Tenasserim 2 - 5, central feathers 

 ()•-") beyond the rest. In the latter the rufous of the forehead does not recede so far back as in some Ceylonese 

 birds, but the nape is not more cinereous than in them. In the Darjiling specimen the nape is slightly darker 

 than in most island birds, and in that from Behar it is considerably so. 



0. ((hln. Temm., from Java, is allied to the present species, and differs in having the cheeks and ear-coverts rufous as 

 well as the forehead, and the upper surface greyish green ; wing 1*7 inch. 



Distribution. — The Tailor-bird is ubiquitous in Ceylon, inhabiting the whole island, without regard to the 

 nature of the locality, from the sea-coast to the highest parts of the upper hills. It is uniformly diffused 

 through the low country, being quite as common in the north and east as it is in the south. In the Kandy 

 district and throughout the Central Province it is a well-known bird, and about Nuwara Eliya it is not 

 uncommon. I found it in the Horton-Plain jungles and on the surrounding mountains, and have met with it 

 in all parts of the main range that I have explored. 



In India this little bird is spread throughout the whole country to the Himalayas and thence into Burmah 

 and Tenasserim, in which latter province Messrs. Hume and Davison say that it is generally distributed where 

 the country is cultivated ; they procured it as far south as Mergui. It ranges into the hills of the southern 

 part of the peninsula, but not to so great an altitude as in Ceylon. Miss Cockburn, in writing from the 

 Nilghiris to Mr. Hume, remarks that it is seldom met with on the highest ranges, but appears to prefer 

 the warmer climates at about 3500 or 4000 feet. Mr. Fairbank, however, observed it at 5500 feet in the 

 Palanis. In the Himalayas it breeds up to 4000 feet. In Guzcrat and the Mount-Aboo district it is common, 

 and in Sindh it lias likewise been procured. 



Habits. — This interesting little bird, which is a great favourite among Europeans in Ceylon, appears to 

 have no choice of situation, frequenting gardens, cultivated districts, and open country, as well as thick 

 jungle and the depths of the forest. In the vicinity of habitations, however, it is particularly at home, 

 occupying the grounds of European and native houses, and therein delighting in the broad foliage of the 

 " Lettuce "-tree and other umbrageous shrubs, about which it hops during the heat of the day, swaying its tail 

 to and fro and repeating its continued and rather tiresome notes. The male during the breeding-season is 

 must persistent in giving forth his sharp te-wike, twike, and his well-known metallic-sounding call somewhat 

 like the sharpening of a saw, which he reiterates close to one's verandah in some adjacent tree till it becomes 

 deafening. The muscular action consequent on the display of these vocal powers exposes the naked black 

 skin (otherwise concealed) at the side of the throat, giving the appearance of a dark stripe at this part. 

 Jerdon "likened its call to the syllables to-wee, to-wee, to-ivee. Although it usually consorts in pairs, it is not 

 strictly a sociable bird, its companion being, for the most part, seen at some little distance off, now and then 

 answering the notes with which it is hailed. After rearing its young brood, however, the little family go 

 about in company for some months, flitting actively around and feeding on larvte and insects which they secure 

 among the leaves of trees. It is a bird of very restless habit, particularly in the breeding -season, and when 

 watched at that period quickly disappears into the nearest thick foliage. 



Nidification. — The breeding-season in the west and south of the island lasts from about March until 

 November, during which period probably more than one brood is reared; in the Central Province it com- 

 mences somewhat later, and in the north it is during the cool season or north-east monsoon. In the low 



