52S DEYMCECA JEEDONI. 



Habits. — This bird frequents fern-brakes, the sides of overgrown ditches, long grass, and " hill-paddy " 

 fields. It is of a sneaking disposition, keeping as much as possible under cover, and when roused from its 

 haunts it flies along near the ground and cpiiekly reestablishes itself in some thick vegetation. It has none 

 of the bold habits of the Ceylon Wren- Warbler, although at eventide I have often heard it pouring out its 

 warble, but not from a prominent position, as is the custom of its insular ally. Its food consists of various 

 small Coleoptera and other minute insects. Its notes are moderately loud, but not so shrill as those of 

 D. valida. 



Nidification. — I have never found the nest of the present species, but have obtained fledgings in the Eastern 

 Province in September. It breeds, therefore, on that side of the island in July or August, and on the west 

 most probably from March until June. 



