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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



81. Pomatorhinus melanurus, the Scimitar-bill Babbler. To 

 be found at all elevations throughout the district, and about 

 equally distributed, but nowhere very common. It may be found 

 hopping Woodpecker-like up some mossy stem of a tree in the dense 

 jungle, or sneaking among the close lantana thickets, much after 

 the manner of the White Eye-browed Bulbul. 



82. Dumetia albogularis, the White-throated Wren-babbler. 

 Frequently to be met with in grass lands and "cane-brakes" of 

 rambuk grass that is not uncommon in paddy fields. It 

 associates in small flocks, and appears to be more numerous 

 tc wards sunset than during the heat of the day. At such times 

 I have observed swarms of them in the " cane-brakes" mentioned 

 above. They appear to remain throughout the year in this 

 district, but I have failed to procure either nests or young. 



83. Alcippe nigrifrons, the Ceylon Wren-babbler. Fairly 

 common throughout Balangoda. It affects the underwood and 

 dense cane (bata) clumps, using frequently the leaves of the latter 

 for building its nest. It breeds about the early part of the year, 

 and places its domed nest in the fork of a short tree, or bush, 

 near the ground, in which it deposits two broadly ovate eggs of 

 a white ground colour, speckled over with red-brown or chocolate- 

 brown spots. 



84. Pellorneum fuscicapillum, the Whistling Quaker-thrush. 

 Frequenting the bush jungle and thick underwood of the larger 

 forests. From its skulking habits and tame colours it is often 

 passed by unnoticed, where a less common and brighter tinted 

 bird would at once be seen. It builds in the district, and I was 

 fortunate enough to find two eggs. They are much like those of 

 the last-mentioned species, but longer and more oval in shape. 

 The speckles are more profuse, and very generally distributed. 

 The nest is cup-shaped, composed of fine roots, moss, and leaves, 

 and situated a few feet from the ground. I observed the nest in 

 March, and allowed the parents to rear the young ; but, unfortu- 

 nately, both nest and birds were destroyed by a heavy fall of 

 rain, before the latter had reached any age. 



85. Pyctorhis nasalis, the Black-billed Babbler. I have met 

 with it in the grass lands of the district, but I have not found it 

 common, or so numerous as on the Kandy side of the country. 



86. Orthotomus sutorius, the Indian Tailor-bird. Equally 

 distributed through the district, and resident all the year round, 

 but at no time very common. 



