40 



was the whole clutch, as the bird was sitting. They are very 

 small for the bird, measuring only 1 inch in length by 9 lines, 

 in breadth, and are of an uniform? opaque greenish blue. Were 

 it not for their larger size, the eggs might be taken for those 

 of the Magpie Robin, Copsychus Saularis, 



In its habits this Babbler resembles both the Bengal and' 

 Madras birds, associating, like the former, generally in flocks , 

 of seven or eight, the whole following one after the other 

 when a member of the flock starts off to a neighbouring tree,, 

 and, like the latter, suddenly dropping from a branch to the 

 ground beneath^ followed by its companions who commence 

 examining with sundry eccentric hops, flapping of the wings, 

 and jerking of the tail, the leaves around them ; in search of 

 food; then quickly flying up again, they mount from one branch, 

 to another until they reach the top when they quickly depart 

 one after the other to the next tree. Two or three may 

 sometimes be seen together, uttering a low chattering, and^ 

 apparently without any aim hopping to and fro accross a 

 branch with quick beating of the wings and a circular motion 

 of the tail. 



In Ceylon it is popularly called the "Dung Thrush" although * 

 I have not often observed it resort to the same localities for 

 food which have gained for its Madras relative a similar nick- 

 name Its special delight is a grove of plantains about the 

 leaves of which it hops with wonderful agility. 



Pitta Brachyura (JerdonJ The short tailed Ground 

 Thrush, 



This beautiful bird arrives in the Western Province about 

 the begining of November, although it is found up country 

 somewhatearlier in the season. It is migratory to Ceylon, and 

 appears from Jerdon, to be a seasonal visitant to the Carnatic 



