26* 
T U R D U S SP I LOP TER A 
(THE SPOTTED THRUSH) 
ADULT MALE AND FEMALE 
LEngth 8 to 8.7, average 8.4 inches; wing 3.8 to 4.1; tail 3 to 3.2; tar¬ 
sus 1.3 to 1.5; hind toe and claw 1.1, to 1.25; bill to gape 1.05 to 1.2. 
DISTRIBUTION 
The spotted thrush, which is the'Ceylon representative or the Indian 
Plain Backed Thrush, was discovered by the late Dr Templeton. It is an 
inhabitant of the Central hill region, from about 4000 feet downwards, being 
not at all. uncommon in Uva, and in the less elevated district, of Dumbara. 
From the base of the hills where it is sore frequent, it spreads outward § 
particularly in the forest districts, and in the Western and Southern parts 
of the island is found within a few miles of the sea. in Saffragam ana on 
the well wooded tract lying between Ratnapura and Dambulla, along the base 
of the Western ranges, as also in the Pasdun, Raygam, and Hewagaa Korales, 
it is more heard and seen than in other parts of the low country, and I and 
others have procured it within a few miles of Colombo. In the low hill jun¬ 
gles of the South-west it is scarcely less frequent. In the forests of the 
Vanniand those of the Friar’s Hood group I have procured it, but it is rarer 
in those parts than in the bamboo jungle of the Western Province. 
HABITS 
A shy retiring bird, this species frequents da/iap jungles, undergrowths In 
forests, and bamboo thickets, not often mounting to any height on trees, out 
passing its time near the ground, about which it hops, quietly picking up 
pupae, coleoptera, and other Insects, and when alarmed It runs very quickly 
through underwood, uttering a weak chirping note. The male has a very pret¬ 
ty whistle, ending in a human lik6 note, which it utters, seated on a low 
branch, for a considerable time at intervals during the day, but chiefly in 
the morning and evening. Both sexes have a weak, almost inaudible Uzsee", 
which they utter, as the blackbird does, while seeking for food. 
It does not often come into the open, but at sunset I have now and tnen 
seen it in little copses of guava and other small trees which are to be found 
in the meadows on the banks of some of tlie ?>/estern streams, and I once shot 
one whistling in a clump of the tall bamboo (Bambusa Thouarsi). 
The young bird quickly acquires its vocal powers, and whistles as sweetly 
In the soft gape stage ; as an adult. 
