470 
HYPSIPETES GANEESA. 
The dimeusions of aii example shot by Mr. Eairbaiik in the Palanis are : — Length 9'5 inches ; wing 4-6, expanse 
14'0 ; tail 4'0 ; tarsus 0'75 ; bill to gape I'l, Iris hazel, dyed with lake-red. 
Ihis species is allied to the northern form, H. psaroides, which differs in being generally paler, and more particularly 
as regards the lower parts and outer w'ebs of the wing-feathers ; the under tail-coverts are very broadly margined 
with white, and it is likewise a larger bird. The wings of 7 specimens in the national collection vary from 4‘8 
to 5T. It inhabits Bengal and the sub-Himalayan region. 
Mr. Hume has lately described an allied species to this latter, which inhabits the Tenasserim hills, as H. suhniger. It 
is smaller and everywhere much darker, with the interscapular region black. Males— length 8-5 to 8-9 inches, 
wing 4-5 to 4-85. ’ 
Distribution.—The Black Bulbul is found throughout all the low country of the southern half of the 
island, wherever there is forest or wild secondary jungle, particularly that growing on the sides of moderately- 
sized hills. It is especially abundant in the interior of the Western Province, where the hills are well wooded, 
as in many parts of the Eaygam and Hewagam Korales ; in Saffragam it is extraordinarily numerous, swarming 
in the Peak forests and ascending to the highest elevations in it. In the Pasdun Korale and the south- 
western hilly districts it is very common, extending into the Morowak and Kolonna Korales. It is also found 
throughout the Kandyan districts, and in the dry season frequents the upper forests in the main range and 
on the Nuwara-Elliya plateau. In the higher parts of Uva it is always stationary. As regards the forests of 
the northern half of the island, it may be said to wander about in them, being found here and there when 
perhaps little expected. I have seen it near Trincomalie during the north-east monsoon, and also in other 
localities between that station and Anaradjapura. Prom this latter place, and also from the forests near 
Puttalam, it is not recorded by Mr. Parker in the lists furnished to me by him, but it probably occurs in both. 
This species does not enjoy a wide distribution on the mainland, though it is very numerous in the 
southern hilly portions of the peninsula. It abounds, says Jerdon, on the summit of the Nilghiris from 
6000 to 8000 feet, and likewise frequents the district of Coorg. It extends along the Western GhMs to the 
Mahabaleshwar hills, where Col. Sykes hrst procured it, the dense woods of that region being given by him 
as Its habitat. Mr. Fairbank remarks that it is rarely found on the Mahabaleshwar plateau, though it is 
abundant on the Goa frontier; he found it on the tops of the Palanis and on the lower hills, and Mr. Bour- 
dillon speaks of it as being very abundant at higher elevations on the Travancore hills, but less so at their base. 
It is likewise found on the Assamboo hills. 
This large Bulbul frequents forest, jungly ravines, steep woods, and most places in which there 
are larp trees. It is a sociable and very restless bird, extremely noisy and lively in its movements, and 
possessing, for a Bulbul, very varied notes. Out of the breeding-season it congregates in vast flocks to feed 
on certain fruits, and, dashing about from tree to tree with loud notes, and with apparently no other object 
than that of chasing its companions for amusement, it fills the forest with a ceaseless din, completely drowning 
the voices of Ml other birds. Among its various notes is one frequently uttered when in company, resembling 
the sound tehee, and another, a call-note, which may be likened to the syllables zu-ldnk up, zu-kink up, repeated 
several times, and nearly alw’ays given forth when alone, either on the wing or feeding. Its usual harsh 
waible, so well known to those who have frequented the forests in the south and west of Ceylon, is uttered 
from the tip top of a high tree, to which the bird, with some show of good sense, invariably mounts when it 
desires to make itself heard ! Its diet consists of fruits, seeds, and berries ; and when many trees are in bearing 
in the same spot, all the Black Bulbuls in the neighbourhood flock to them in great numbers : it, however 
also feeds upon insects ; and I have observed it dart occasionally at them from its perch, althouo’h its usual 
manner of capturing them is to seize them from the branches of trees, to which it will sometimes clino' after 
the manner of a Tree-creeper. ° 
Concerning its economy in India I find the following observations :-Jerdon writes that it lives in small 
flocks in the dense woods, feeding on various fruits and berries, usually on the tops of trees; it keeps up a 
lively and agreeable warbling, which it often continues during its occasional flight from one tree or patch of 
wood to another. Its flight is undulating, easy, and rapid. Mr. Bourdillon finds that they are gregarious and 
very noisy, apparently preferring the tops of trees, though they also feed on the berries &c. found in sccon- 
aiy jungle. Mr. Fairbank noticed that they only assembled in flocks during the month of June. 
