It is very sociable, actively working about the lower limbs of trees, and 
threading its way through the branches of low jungle in close fellowship, 
keeping up a conversational harsh chattecing, and moving on from tree to trte 
without separating. It has the quick movement of the last species, jerk¬ 
ing up its wings and tall, and restlessly jumping to and.fro on its perch, 
when engaged in parleying with its companions* Its notes pesemble those of 
the Garrulax, and it seems not to indulge in long periods of silence, but a 
continual low babble proceeding from the flock usually betrays its wherea¬ 
bouts in the jungle. 
Its flight is not quick, and is performed with vigorous beatings of the 
wings, simply to enable it to proceed about in search of its food from tree 
to tree. I found the stomachs of severa 1 examples killed in the month of 
August to contain portions of a large black beetle which was affecting the 
jungle in great numbers at the time. 
When located in damp timber forests, such as the Peak, Pasdun Korale, and 
Kukkul Korale jungles, it appears not to associate with any other species; 
a solitary flock is often met with after walking through the forest for some 
distance without seeing a single bird, or even hearing a note, notwithstand¬ 
ing the little troop is all life and animation, isolated as it is in the glo 
omiest recesses of the primeval woods, its members busily engaged in flitt¬ 
ing from branch to branch, while they keep up a sociable chattering as if 
they rejoiced in the loneliness of their retreat. 
MIDIFiCATION 
This bird breeds in the Western Province in Macch, April, and May; it 
constructs its nest of grass and small twigs, mixed perhaps with a few leaves 
and placed among; creepers surrounding the trunks of trees, or in u. low fork 
of a tree. It conceals its habitation, according to layard, with great 
care, and I am aware, myself, that very few nests have been found. 
It lays two or three eggs, of a deep greenish blue, pointed ovals in 
shape; two which were taken by Mr McVicar at Bolgodde measuring .95 by .75 
inches, and .92 by .74 inches. 
The drawing represents a male bird of this species from the Western Pro¬ 
vince. 
