30. 
KELAARTIA PENICILLATA 
(THE YELLOW EARED BULBUL) 
MALE 
Length 7.5 to 8 inches; wing 3.2 to 3.4; tail 3.1 to 3.2; tarsus .75 to 
.8; middle toe and claw .8; hind toe and claw beneath .6; Dill to gape .85. 
Female somewhat smaller. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This handsome Bulbul is.a hill species, and more exclusively confined to 
the upper regions than any other of our peculiar birds, with the exception 
of Stoparola Sordida. It Is abundant in all the higher parts of the Cen¬ 
tral Province, from the altitude of the Horton Plains, and the Newera El11a 
plateau to about 3500 feet, at which elevation it is common in the Kandyan 
and other Western Districts. In Uva, however, it is not so numerous at 
that height, but is found more in the forests above 4000 feet. In the Knuc¬ 
kles It is plentiful In the upper forests, as 'well as In the wooded patinas. 
In the Southern ranges it is found in,the higher parts of the Morowak and 
Kolonna Korales. 
HABITS 
This showy Bulbul affects forests by choice, frequenting likewise the out¬ 
skirts of jungle surrounding coffee estates and patina woods which line moun¬ 
tain streams In the Central Province. It lives in low jungle and about 
underwood, more than in the upper branches of lofty trees, except when the 
latter are in fruit, and then It congregates In flocks, sometimes in company 
with the blackbird. A tree thus besieged by the feathered inhabitants of 
the Ceylon forest, presents a very lively scene. 
The sprightly Yellow Eared Bulbuls dart In and out, chasing one another, 
and greedily feeding on the fruit, which drops in a constant patter on the 
leaves beneath, while the more conspicuous Blackbird, equally active in its 
movements, flies hither and thither, endeavouring to drive away its smaller 
companions from the feast. 
It is shy in its disposition, and has a quick darting flight, during 
which it often utters its not unpleasing whistle, which resembles the sylla¬ 
bles Vhee, whee, whee* quickly repeated. 
Notwithstanding Its timid'nature It Is very inquisitive, and will often 
fly into a bush close to a bystander, peer at him, and then disappear as 
suddenly as It came. The resemblance in the style of head plumage in this 
bird to that of some of the Melephagidae from Australia is singular. 
