518 
OETHOTOMUS SUTOEIUS, 
Ohs. Jerdon has pointed out that in specimens from Ceylon “ the ashy nape is inconspicuous, being nearly overlaid 
with rufous, and passing into the green of the back.” A comparison of my specimens with various examples from 
different parts of India demonstrates that, as a rule, the latter are of a darker green on the back, and have the 
forehead a deeper rufous, this colour not receding so far back as in the island birds, and also that frequently the 
ashy nape extends more forward. Then, again, as a rule, in the Indian birds the central tail-feathers are longer, 
consequently projecting further beyond the adjacent pair. These differences, however, are by no means constant, 
some examples from various parts of India coinciding exactly with ours. A Malabar example in my collection 
is in all respects the same, having the ashy nape similar to Kurunogala specimens, and the forehead and upper 
surface of precisely the same tint ; its measurements are : — ^wing 1-9 inch ; tail 2-o, central feathers 0-65 
longer than the next; bill to gape 0-65. A Deccan specimen has the tail 2-8 inches ; but this is exceptional, for 
one from Darjiling measures 2-4 inches, central feathers 0-65 longer than the next, bill to gape 0-65 : one from 
Debar, tail 2’4, central feathers O'o longer than the next ; another from Tenasserim 2'5, central feathers 
O'o beyond the rest. In the latter the rufous of the forehead does not recede so far back as in some Ceylonese 
birds, but the nape is not more cuiereous than in them. In the Darjiling specimen the nape is slightly darker 
than in most island birds, and in that from Debar it is considerably so. 
0. edela, Temm., from Java, is allied to the present species, and differs in having the cheeks and ear-coverts rufous as 
well as the forehead, and the upper surface greyish green ; wing 1-7 inch. 
Distribution . — The Tailor-bird is ubiquitous in Ceylon, inhabiting the whole island, without regard to the 
nature of the locality, from the sea-coast to the highest parts of the upper hills. It is uniformly diffused 
through the low country, being quite as common in the north and east as it is in the south. In the Kandy 
district and throughout the Central Province it is a well-known bird, and about Nuwara Eliya it is not 
uncommon. I found it in the Horton-Plain jungles and on the surrounding mountains, and have met with it 
in all parts of the main range that I have explored. 
In India this little bird is spread throughout the whole country to the Himalayas and thence into Burmah 
and Tenasserim, in which latter province Messrs. Hume and Davison say that it is generally distributed where 
the country is cultivated ; they procured it as far south as Mergui. It ranges into the hills of the southern 
part of the peninsula, but not to so great an altitude as in Ceylon. Miss Cockburn, in wilting from the 
Nilghiris to Mr. Hume, remarks that it is seldom met with on the highest ranges, but appears to prefer 
the warmer climates at about 3500 or 4000 feet. Mr. Fairbank, however, observed it at 5500 feet in the 
Palanis. In the Himalayas it breeds up to 4000 feet. In Guzerat and the Mount-Aboo district it is common, 
and in Sindh it has likewise been procured. 
Habits . — This interesting little bird, which is a great favourite among Europeans in Ceylon, appears to 
have no choice of situation, frequenting gardens, cultivated districts, and open country, as well as thick 
jungle and the depths of the forest. In the vicinity of habitations, however, it is particularly at home, 
occupying the grounds of European and native houses, and therein delighting in the broad foliage of the 
Lettuce -tree and other umbrageous shrubs, about which it hops during the heat of the day, swaying its tail 
to and fro and repeating its continued and rather tiresome notes. The male during the breeding-season is 
most persistent in giving forth his sharp te-ivike, twike, and his well-known metallic-sounding call somewhat 
like the sharpening of a saw, which he reiterates close to one’s verandah in some adjacent tree till it becomes 
deafening. The muscular action consequent on the display of these vocal power’s exposes the naked black 
skin (otherwise concealed) at the side of the throat, giving the appearairce of a dark stripe at this part. 
Jerdon likened its call to the syllables to-tvee, to-ivee, to-ioee. Although it usually consorts in pairs, it is not 
strictly a sociable bird, its companion being, for the most part, seen at some little distance off, now and then 
answering the notes with which it is hailed. x\.fter rearing its young brood, however, the little family go 
about in company for some months, flitting actively around and feeding on larvEe and insects which they secure 
among the leaves of trees. It is a bird of very restless habit, particularly in the breeding -season, and when 
watched at that period quickly disappears into the nearest thick foliage. 
Nidification . — The breeding-season in the west and south of the island lasts from about March until 
November, during which jreriod probably more than one brood is reared; in the Central Province it com- 
mences somewhat later, and in the north it is during the cool season or north-east monsoon. In the low 
