498 
MALACOCEECUS EUEESCEXS. 
the province, to Saffragam, and thence through the Kukkul and Morowak Korales to the subsidiary hills, 
through which the Gindurah and Niwellc rivers flow, it is very common. It ascends the slopes of the wilder- 
ness of the Peak to the extreme limits of the forest, and ranges through the vast jimgles reaching thence to 
Horton Plains and Nuwara Elliya, throughout which latter district it is tolerably common. Mr. Holdsworth 
only observed it there in the cool season ; but I am inclined to think it is resident there, as I have obtained it in 
a state of breeding at the top of Totapella, and in the Peak forests I have shot it at great altitudes in the 
height of the south-west monsoon. It is very abundant about Kaduwella and HanweUa, and in the bamboo- 
scrubs of the Eaygam and Hewagam Korales ; but north of the Kelaniganga its numbers begin to diminish, 
and I do not know of its occurrence beyond Kurunegala. I have never seen it in any of the eastern highlands, 
nor in the low eountry south of Haputale, its range on that side not extending beyond the limits of the wet 
south-west hill-region at Tangalla. 
Habits. The Red J ungle-Thrush frequents thickets in the vicinity of cultivation, bamhoo-scrub (to which 
it is as much, if not more, partial than any of our Babblers), thick jungle, and primeval forest. At times 
it associates in large troops, and, as a rule, lives in parties of not less than a dozen, resembling, in these 
respects, the Laughing Thrush more than its other congeners. It is very sociable, actively working about the 
lower limbs of trees, and threading its way through the branches of low jungle in close fellowship, keeping 
up a conversational, harsh chattering, and moving on from tree to tree without separation. It has the quick 
movements of the last species, jerking up its wings and tail, and restlessly jumping to and fro on its perch, 
when engaged in parleying with its companions. Its notes resemble those of Garrulax more than Malaco- 
cercus, and it seems not to indulge in long periods of silence, as does the latter ; but a continual low babble 
proceeding from the flock usually betrays its whereabouts in the jimgle. Its flight is not quick, and is per- 
formed with vigorous beatings of the wings, simply to enable it to proceed about in search of its food from 
tree to tree. I found the stomachs of several examples killed in the month of August to contain portions of a 
large black beetle which was affecting the jungle in great numbers at the time. When located in damp 
timber-forest, such as the Peak, Pasdun-Korale, and Kukkul-Korale jungles, it appears not to associate with 
any other species : a solitary flock is often met with after walking through the forest for some distance 
without seeing a single bird or even hearing a note ; notwithstanding the little troop is all life and animation, 
isolated as it is in the gloomiest recesses of the primeval wood, its members busily engaged in twitting from 
branch to branch, while they keep up a sociable chattering as if they rejoiced in the loneliness of their retreat 
Nidification . — This bird breeds in the Western Province in March, April, and May, and constructs a nest 
similar to the last, of grass and small twigs, mixed perhaps with a few leaves, and placed among creepers 
surrounding the trunks of trees or in a low fork of a tree. It conceals its habitation, according to Layard, 
with great care ; and I am aware myself that very few nests have been found. It lays two or three eggs', 
very similar to those of the last species, of a deep greenish blue, and pointed ovals in shape — two which were 
taken by Mr. MacVicar at Bolgodde measuring 0'95 by 0-75 inch, and 0'93 by 0-74 inch. 
The figure in the Plate accompanying this article represents a male bird of this species from the Western 
Province. 
