EUBIGULA MELANIOTEEA. 
479 
Towards its own kin it is extremely sociablej generally liviug in elose fellowship, particularly in the nesting- 
time. It is rarely disturbed without the little call-note loMe-ivh^ being speedily heard, and its companion 
is seen flying across the jungle-path or other spot in search of it. 
Nidification . — This Bulbul breeds in the southern and central portions of the island from April to 
September, probably rearing two broods. In the Kandyan Province Mr. Bligh has found its eggs in the 
former and I myself in the latter month. It usually builds in the fork of a low tree or bush near the ground, 
and sometimes even on a dead stump. I have taken the nest fixed in a horizontal bifurcation of a small 
branch which overhung a mountain-stream. It was a loosely-constructed fabric, but tolerably substantial 
notwithstanding, made in a cup-shape of fine roots, grass, bents, and very small twigs, among which were fixed 
some dead leaves, the interior being lined with fine grasses. The eggs were two in number, and the diameter 
of the nest inside was If in. by If in. in depth. In other nests brought to my notice there were three eggs ; 
one of these was constructed of grass and creeper-tendrils and placed on a low stump amidst some bushes. 
In the southern province I have received its eggs in the beginning of April. Mr. Bligh describes to me a 
nest which he found in Haputale on the top of an isolated hush about 6 feet from the ground. “ It was,” he 
writes, “barely daylight when it was discovered, and the old bird was on the nest; this I took; aud about half 
an hour afterwards, on returning to the spot, found the bereaved pair sitting by each other, their sides touching, 
close to the former position of the nest; and though I approached within two yards of them, they sat still, 
wearing the most dejected aspect — as well they might ! — causing me much to regret having removed it, 
although I was under the impression that it was the first nest of this species ever discovered.” It was, he 
remarks, a simple hut very strong little strueture for the materials used ; the outside was principally com- 
posed of small dead leaves with rough surfaces, next to which was a thin weaving of a kind of flower-stalk 
which partly entwined the leaves ; these stalks were a few inches in length, with a rough exterior, and of 
the thickness of very thin twine : to the minute barbs on the surface of these stalks was fixed here and there 
some spiders^ webs, which, combined with the peculiar nature of the stalks, which readily adhered to one 
another, formed a compact and strong material. The interior measured 2 inches in breadth by IJ inch in 
depth, and was lined with fine grass and fibres. 
The eggs vary but little in character : the ground-colour is reddish white, thickly covered with moderately- 
sized spots of reddish brown, dusky red. and red, under which lie a few specks of bluish grey ; in some 
specimens the markings are confluent at the large end : in shape they arc rather broad ovals, slightly pointed 
at one end, and average 0'78 to O'Sinch in length by 0'57 to 0‘59inch in breadth. 
In the Plate accompanying my article on Myiophoms hlighi is to he found a figure of a male of this 
species shot near Kanthelai Tank. 
Genus KELAAETIA. 
Bill with the upper mandible more curved than in Buhigula ; rictal bristles well developed. 
Wings rounded, with the 3rd and 4th quills shorter than in the last ; the 5th and 6th the longest. 
Tail nearly as long as the wings. Legs and feet robust. Tarsus scutellated. 
Feathers of the crown scale-like ; nuchal hairs long. 
