31* 
MALACOCERCUS RUFESC.ENS 
(THE RUFOtJS BABBLER) 
ADULT MALE AMD FEMALE 
Length 9*3 to 10*8 Inches; wing 4 to 4.2; tall 4.2 to 4.6; tarsus 1.3 to 
1.4; middle toe and claw 1.05 to 1.1; bill to gape 1 to 1.1; hind toe .55, 
Its claw (straight) .37. The above limit to length Is that of an exception¬ 
al bird, as 10.5 inches Is rarely exceeded. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This Babbler was discovered by Dr Templeton R.A., a gentleman who did con¬ 
siderable work in the ornithology of the island during, his term of service 
In it prior to 1850. Its range is somewhat restricted, extending over the 
Western and damp portion of the Southern Province, and through the Western 
Highlands to the main range. In.the Colombo district it is not found near¬ 
er the sea than Killapana, at which point the country becomes wooded; from 
thence, throughout the whole interior of the Province to Kattregam, and l&nm 
thence throngh the Kukkul and Morowak Morales to the subsidiary hills thro’ 
which the Gindurah and Niwelle rivers flow, it is very common. 
It ascends the slopes of the wilderness of the Peak to the extreme limits 
of the forest, and ranges through the vast jungles reaching thence to the 
Horton Plains and Newera Ellia, throughout which latter district It Is tole¬ 
rably common. Mr Holdsworth only observed it there during the cool season, 
but I am inclined to think it is resident there, as I have obtained it in a „ 
state of breeding at the top of Totapella, and in the Peak forests I have- 
shot it at great altitudes in the height of the South-west monsoon. It is 
very abundant about Maduwella and Hanwella, and in the bamboo scrubs of the 
Haygam and Hewagam Morales, but North of the Melani Ganga its numbers begin 
to diminish, and I do not know of its occurrence beyond Morunegala. I nave 
never seen it in any of the Eastern highlands nor in the low country South 
of Hanutale, its range on that side not extending beyond the limit:; of the 
wet South-west hill region at Tagalla. 
HABITS 
The Red Jungle Thrush frequents thickets in the vicinity of cultivation, 
bamboo scrub, (to which it is as much, if not more, partial than aay of our 
babblers),thick jungle, and primeval forest. At times it associates 1 
large troops, and as a rule lives in parties of not less than a dozen, re¬ 
sembling in these respects the Laughing Thrush more than its other congeners 
