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PEATINCOLA BICOLOE. 
In the south of India it is found commonly on the Nilghiris and the adjacent high ranges. Dr. Fairbank 
]irocured it at Kodoikanal, at the top of the Palanis. From the Nilghiris northwards it extends along the 
\Yestern Gh^ts to their termination, I conclude, as it appears to be found at Mahabaleshwar, which is at an 
elevation of 4700 feet above the sea. 
Habits , — The “ Nuwara-Elliya Ilobin” frequents the “plains” or open downs of the main range, gardens 
round the sanatarium, patnas in Uva, and bare or rocky localities in the districts above mentioned. It is 
usually found in pairs, and is a sprightly bird in its actions, with all the habits, flight, and note of a true Chat. 
It is constantly flitting from bush to bush or rock to rock, or perching on stakes, fences, and such like ; and 
while thus seated, raises and depresses its tail and darts out its wings in precisely the same manner as the 
Stonechat, and when so doing utters a quick Chat-like note. It is far from shy, flying only from bush to 
bush when pursued. In the early morning it is abroad almost before any other bird; and the male, perched 
on the top of a low bush, sends forth a sweet little warble, which, sounding out from the thick mists which at 
daybreak often envelop these lonely upland plains, falls on the ear of the traveller with an effect, perhaps, 
more pleasing than that produced by any other bird-sound which he hears in such elevated regions. In the 
evenings, shortly before sunset, these Chats display much restless activity, perching on elevated stones and 
rocks, and darting from one to another with much chirping and jerking of the tail and wings ; and I have even 
noticed them sitting on the telegraph-wires between “ Wilson^s Bungalow ” and Nuwara Elliya. Their food 
consists of insects and larvm of various kinds, which they take chiefly on the ground, flying down suddenly at 
them from their perch, and after devouring them realighting on adjacent bushes. The small rhododendrons 
growing about Nuwara Elliya and on all the surrounding plains form a favourite perch for this bird. 
Nidification . — The breeding-season of this species is during April, May, and June. I have not found the 
nest myself ; but it is said to be placed in holes of banks or old walls, and mention is made, in ‘Nests and Eggs," 
of a pair that built in an old up-turned basket. The structure is described by Mr. Hume as “ a large loose 
saucer-shaped pad, composed of grass and vegetable fibre;"" this is mixed with “ dead leaves, a little wool, or a 
piece or two of rag;"’ it appears to have little or no lining, and sometimes the egg-cavity is very slight. The 
number of eggs varies from three to five. In shape they are broad ovals, slightly pointed towards the small end ; 
the ground-colour is delicate bluish green, thickly freckled, speckled, and streaked with brownish red ; these 
markings sometimes form an ill-defined mottled cap at the large end, and a faint purple mottling often underlies 
the cap or zone. Dimensions from 0'72 to 0'82 by 0'53 to 0-63 inch. 
The young leave the nest almost before they can fly ; and I have found them hiding in the long grass on 
the Elephant Plains. 
Genus COPSYCHUS. 
Bill rather long, somewhat straight ; culmen decurved from the middle, tip notched and well 
bent. Nostrils exposed, basal, oval, the membrane bordered by the nasal tufts ; a few bristles at the 
edge of the lores, "^^ings with the 1st quill rather short, and the 2nd considerably shorter than 
the 3rd ; the 4th and 5th the longest. Tail rather long, graduated and round. Tarsus smooth, 
longer than the middle toe and claw. 
