of the next species. I have heard it imitate cleverly the cry of the ser¬ 
pent-eagle, and the call of the Koel, and often listened to what were evi¬ 
dently attempts to mock other smaller inhabitants of the woods. 
It usually associates in pairs, and perches across the upper branches of 
lofty trees, whence it makes many a sudden dive upon passing beetles, and 
the many larger members of the insect kingdom which affect the Ceylon for¬ 
ests. Its flight is powerful and swift, and it is capable of darting thro’ 
thick foliage with great ease; on seizing an insect in the air it returns 
with it, or carries it to another perch, and beats it against the branches 
before devouring it. 
I have on several occasions in Saffragam found three or four pairs of 
these birds in scattered company, and once in the Opate hills came on a 
flock which seemed to be moving from one part of the forest to another; they 
were making their way along from tree to tree beneath a vast precipice, and 
uttering a loud whistle, which one bird took up from the other as they dis¬ 
appeared from my gaze through the dense foliage. 
It has an inveterate dislike of Owls, particularly the “Devil Bird 11 , whic 
is a fellow inhabitant of the gloomy wilds; and whenever it espies one of 
these birds which has neglected to seek a proper place of concealment it at¬ 
tacks it with loud cries, and is soon joined by a host of small birds, (Bul¬ 
buls, &c), which soon drive the luckless “Utama* to a distant part of the 
forest. 
NIDIFICATION 
This species breeds in the South of Ceylon in the beginning of April. I 
have seen the young just able to fly in the Opate forests at the end of’this 
month, but I have not been able to obtain any information concerning its 
nest or eggs. 
The figure in the picture accompanying this article is that of a very 
large male shat in the kottowe forest, having an exceptionally fine tail. 
