25 . 
STOP AROL A ( SORDIDA 
(THE' CEYLONESE BLUE FLYCATCHER) 
ADULT MALE AND FEMALE 
Length 5.8 to 6.2 inches; wing 2.85 to 3.1; tail 2.3 to 2.5; tarsus' .7 to 
.8; middle toe and claw .5 to .7; bill to gape .67 to .75. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This Flycatcher is entirely a hill bird, inhabiting Doth the Kandyan and 
the Southern mountains down to an elevation of somewhat under 2000 feet. 
It is not common at the Horton Plains, according to my observation, but it 
is abundant slightly lower down at Nbwera Ellia, and throughout the main 
range. It is numerous in jungles throughout all the coffee districts, par¬ 
ticularly in the Knuckles and in Uva. Lower down It is less frequent, ex¬ 
cept In the secluded woods through which • the affluents of the Mahawelli Gan- 
ga flow. It is found in the Singha Rajah and other forests oordering the 
Kukkul Korale, and at a similarly low elevation on the South-eastern slopes 
of the Uva ranges. 
HABITS 
This is a quiet bird, of less active movements than most Flycatchers, and 
is usnail, found frequenting the outskirts of forests, the edges of clearing; 
the borders of mountain streams,' or the sides of roads or paths in prefer¬ 
ence to the depths of the jungle. On a few occasions I have observed it In 
small flocks of half a dozen or more on the banks of oroad sunny torrents, 
but this is not usual. 
The male has a sweet little warble, which Is patiently whistled all day 
long, particularly in the breeding season, seated near its mate; the note is 
so clear and low that it seems to come from a distance, whereas the Dlru is 
sitting close at hand. 
It frequently perches on fallen trees, or low stumps, on which it will 
sit in perfect silence until disturbed, when it does not take the trouble to 
fly far, but simply flits to the nearest twig. It evinces little or no 
fear of man. 
Mr Bligh, who has had much opportunity of - observing Its habits during a 
long residence in the coffee districts. Informs me that it is not socially 
Inclined, that the males are very pugnacious, and that when two meet they 
utter their song in a high key and in a passionate hurried manner. He fur¬ 
ther writes:- "Its sweet plaintive notes are heard during many months of the 
