41. 
ZOSTEROPS CEYLON ENSIS 
(THE CEYLONESE WHITE EYE) 
ADULT MALE AND EEMALE 
Length 4.5 to 4.7 Inches; wing 2.1 to 2.3; tall 1.6 to 1.75; tarsus .7; 
middle toe and claw .5 to .55; bill to gape .57 to . 63. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This White Eye is a very abundant species in the main range, especially 
on the Newera Ell la plateau; it is numerous in all the circumjacent cofree 
districts down to about 3000 feet, and likewise in the Haputale, Badulla, 
and Madulsima ranges; beyond the valley of Dumbara it frequents the upper 
part of the Knuckles, and the East and lest Matale hills. In Maskeliya it 
is common,, and in the Peak fore,'ts I met'with it in great abundance down to 
an elevation of 2000 feet. On the South side of the great valley of Saffra- 
gam it reappears and inhabits the coffee districts of the Kolonna, Kukkul, 
and Morowak Korales, and ranges thence into the subsidiary hill forests be¬ 
tween the upper part of the Gindurah river and Galle. 
HABITS 
The hill White Eye frequents both the interior and the edges of forest, 
patina jungle, underwood, and low bushes in open places near woods, affect¬ 
ing the lateral branches of tall trees, the tops of smaller ones, and tne 
foliage of shrubs and undergrowth. It has no partiality for any situation 
In particular, but, consorting in very large flocks where insect life abo¬ 
unds, the birds composing . then may be found both high up and loo down in 
their leafy haunts, little parties clinging to the twigs of the smallest 
bushes, others searching the branches of saplings, while the foliage of the 
monarchs of the forest high overhead teems with dozens more,, the whole con¬ 
course moving on by twos and threes in quick succession, as the leaves are 
cleared of their insect pests, and all the tempting buds eagerly nipped off. 
It is seen much about the edges of paths in the jungle, and in such local¬ 
ities it exhibits an utter fearlessness of man, allowing so near an approach 
that I have often stopped to watch the movements of a pair feeding close to 
me, and being able to admire the handsome white eye fringe as well as if I 
had had its tiny owner In ray hand. 
Its principal note Is a sparrow like chirp, which it is particularly ener¬ 
getic in uttering when In large flocks. 
Mr Holdsworth writes of it - B As these birds are very common, and const- 
