19. 
CISSA iO R N A T A 
(THE CEYLONESE JAY) 
ADULT MALE AND FEMALE 
Length 18 to 18.5 inches; wing 6.5 to 6.7; tail 10.25 to 10.7; outer fea¬ 
thers 6.5 shorter than central; tarsus 1.6 to 1.8; middle toe and claw 1.5; 
bill to gape 1.5 to 1.6; expanse 20.5. 
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" DISTRIBUTION 
The Ceylon Jay inhabits the mountains of the central Province, including 
the detached Muneragala range beyond the South-eastern slopes or Madulslma, 
and all the Peak forests which descend into the Western Province and form 
the Northern slope of Saffragam. Beyond this district to the South and 
West respectively it is found in the jungles of the Rakwana district, the 
Morowak and Kukkul Korales, and the immense forests covering the low ranges 
between the Slngha Rajah jungles and the Kaluganga. This latter district 
comprises the lower part of the Kukkul Korale and the pasdun Korale, and the 
highest parts do not exceed 1700 feet. I found it in the valley of this wH 
wild and little known region during, the rainy month of August, at an eleva¬ 
tion considerably tinder 1000 feet, which leaves no doubt that it is a resi¬ 
dent there. Since the jungle in the Central Province has been felled to 
such an enormous extent for coffee planting, the jay has decreased very much 
in numbers below 4000 feet. Its chief home now is In the forests of the 
main range, the Newera El11a plateau, the Peak wilderness, the upper part of 
Haputale, and the summits of the Knuckles. In patina jungles, however, it 
is always liable to be found, particularly during the boisterous weather of 
the South-west Monsoon, when it is driven down from the mountains above. 
Layard writes of It, "This Is the most lovely of all our Ceylon olrus, am 
was discovered by me along the course of a mountain stream In the jungle 
near Alugamoa". 
HABITS 
This beautiful bird is of a shy disposition; It associates generally in 
parties of about half a dozen, and passes most of its time In the branches 
of tall trees, searching for lizards and large beetles, and partaking of 
fruit of many, kinds. It'is also often met with in low underwood,, and I ha\e 
several times flushed it from the ground, when it flies on to low branches, a. 
and speedily makes its way off. It is fond of the green lizard (Calotes), 
which I have on several occasions found in its stomach in large fragments. 
