438 
CITTOCINCLA MACEUEA. 
trace of the black, which demonstrates that this is merely a local race, and somewhat uncertain in its distinctive 
character. 
Distribution . — In the west of the island the Shama is very common from the Maha and Deduru oyas 
northward, and throughout the whole of the low country to the east and south-east of the hill-zone. Its 
charming notes are everywhere to be heard in the forests round Trincomalie, and it is nowhere more plentiful 
than on the Fort-Ostenburgh hills. In the jungles of the south-west it is much less common ; but is, notwith- 
standing, found close to Galle ; the same may be said of the Western Province generally, in which part it is 
cliiefly located in the ranges stretching from the Three and Four Koralcs northward to Kurunegala ; but here 
it frequents the densest underwood in the forests and impenetrable bamboo-jungle, and thus almost entnely 
escapes notice. From the low country it ranges through the sub-alpine forests to an altitude of about 3500 feet, 
being tolerably common in Dumbara, Hewahette, Maturata, and Uva generally, affecting chiefly the patna- 
woods which line the many streams and rivulets flowing into the tributaries of the Mahawelliganga. In the 
latter district and in Haputale it is found up to 4000 feet elevation, Layard first met with it in Lady Horton^s 
walk at Kandy. 
Of the distribution of the “Nightingale” in India, Jerdon writes It is common in all Malabar, 
especially in the upland districts, as in the Wyuaad, more rai’e in the Eastern Ghats, and not unfrequent in 
all the jungles of Central India to Midnaporc and Cuttock. It also frequents all the sub-IIinialayan forests, 
and extends to the hill-tracts of Assam, Sylhet, Burmah, and Malacca.” Mr. Hume more clearly defines its 
northern range when he says it is a pennanent resident of the warm and well-watered jungles of the “ sub- 
Himalayan region as far west as the Ganges, Southern and Eastern Bengal, Assam, Cachar, and Burmah.” 
In all these regions it is evidently local, occupying those districts only which are well covered with jungle. 
Inferring to the observations of late writers in ' Stray Feathers," we find that in the Palanis it is recorded from 
the eastern base of the range, and from the Travancore hills is not mentioned at all by Mr. Bourdillon; in 
Khandala it is said to inhabit the thick woods along the hills. From the jungles of Central India it extends 
through Chota Nagpur to Eastern Bengal and the base of the Himalayas; but Mr. Ball observes that it is 
extremely rare in the first-named locality, and occurs sparingly in the Eajmehal hills. It appears to be 
resident in this part of India, for Capt. Beavan records that it breeds in Manbhum. To the cast of the Bay 
of Bengal it is more common than in the district last under consideration ; in Cachar it appears, however, to 
be only a winter visitor. In Pegu it is, says Mr. Oates, very common on the hills, but in the more southern 
province of Tenasserim, though found throughout its wooded portions, docs not ascend the hills ; beyond this 
limit it extends through Malacca to the islands of Java and Sumatra. Its range, however, is continued equally 
far towards the east, for it is an inhabitant of China, Swinhoe (P. Z, S. 1871, p. 359) recording it from Hainan. 
Habits . — This showy bird is perhaps the best songster in Ceylon, its fine notes acquiring for it, with those 
who have made its acquaintance in the forests, a reputation equal to that which it has obtained in India. It 
frequents thick jungle, underwood in forest, and bamboo-scrub in portions of the island where this tree grows ; 
it passes its time near the ground, seldom mounting to any height, but perching on some low branch or stick, 
and there warbling forth its song. There is no doubt that in such localities as these the notes of the Shama, 
swelling forth from the impenetrable thickets, while the bird is hidden from view, naturally tend to inspire the 
listener with a stronger idea of their perfection than they perhaps really deserve. Far be it from me to wish 
to detract from its merits as a songster ; for though the power of its notes may perhaps be exaggerated, never- 
theless their absence from the wilds of Ceylon would be much missed, by the naturalist at any rate. Among 
those who have descanted on its melodious voice, none, perhaps, have paid the Shama a greater tribute of 
pi aisc than Tickell. He writes, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society " i — '^^In the mornings and evenings the 
notes are heard through the valleys, ceasing with twilight. The strains sweep with a gush of sweetness through 
tlie enchanting solitudes which this bird makes its favourite resort, at times when other birds arc silent in rest ; 
and in unison with the surrounding scenery, in which nature seems to have lavished every fantastic invention 
of beauty, the effect produced on the mind and ear can alone be appreciated by those who have witnessed the 
magnificence of a tropical forest."" Besides the notes which make up its song, described again by Jerdon as 
a most gushing melody, of great pow'er,"" this bird has others of a most varied character, among them being 
