NASALIS 
36* 
PY C T 0 R -H I S 
(THE BLACK BILLED BABBLER) 
ADULT MALE AND FEMALE 
Length 6.2 to 7 inches, average about 6.5; wing 2.5 to 2.85; tall vari¬ 
able, extreme length about 3.5, centre feathers 1.25 longer than the outer¬ 
most; tarsus .51 to 1.1; middle toe with its claw .85; bill to gape .65 to 
.7; the average length is 2.6; the limit above given relates to an excepti¬ 
onally large specimen shot in Uva. 
DISTRIBUTION 
The Black Billed Babbler is widely distributed throughout the island, 
particularly as regards the Southern half; but at the same time it is a lo¬ 
cal bird, being altogether absent from some parts, while it is tolerably 
common in others. Commencing with the Western Province, it is not uncommon 
in the sedgy overgrown portions of the Colombo Cinnamon Gardens, and occurs 
in such like situations throughout.the more open parts of the interior; fur¬ 
ther South I have found it in Amblamgoda and near Galla and Matara; but it 
does not become common until the dry low lying South-eastern country is 
reached, of nearly all parts of which it is an inhabitant. The open ele¬ 
vated regions of Madulslma and Uva are perhaps its headquarters, in all the 
patinas of which it is a very common bird, extending up to the vicinity or 
Hackgalla which has an elevation of 5800 feet. In the Eastern portions of 
Dumbara, and in the country lying between Bintenne and Batticaloa, it is al¬ 
so found, occurlng likewise in low cheena copses throughout the North-east, o 
or the country on the right bank of the Mahawelll Ganga. 
Layard writes that he obtained a few specimens in the Anuradhapura Vanni, 
and I have no do dot that it is found'in places as far North as the Elephant 
Pass. ! 
HABITS 
Swampy fern-brakes, grass fields interspersed vyith bushes, low jungles in 
cheenas, and patinas covered with maana grass, lantana, and thick cover are 
the localities chiefly frequented by this species. 
It Is a shy bird, except in the breeding season, resorting to underwood 
or long .grass during.the day, and not shewing itself until the evening, when 
it perches on the top of a bush, and gives out its loud, far sounding, and 
rather plaintive whistle of two notes, varied with a peculiar mewing call. 
It Is 1 generally < found In pairs, in which habit it differs from most of 
