45. 
EU LABES PTILOGENYS 
(DOCTOR TEMPLETON’S CEYLON MYNA) 
ADULT.MALE AND REMALE 
Length 10.75 to 11.1 inches; wing 5.9 to 6.25; tall 2.5 to 3; tarsus 1.3 
to 1.4; middle toe 1.1, Its claw (straight) .4; bill to gape 1.6; lappets .9 
In length, .7 In breadth, springing. from each side of the nape, and In old 
birds mating at th« base. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This Ceylon Myna is chiefly confined 'to'the mountains of the Kandyan Pro¬ 
vince, the Southern ranges, and the subsidiary high forests on the Soutn 
bank of the Glndurah, and the Northern portions of the Kukkul Korale wndch 
are conterminous with the Slngha Rajah or "Lion Kip,,” forests. On the East¬ 
ern and Southern slopes of the Central zone I have never found It below 1600 
feet, but this Is by no means the.case as regards the western slopes lying 
between Maskeliya and Pelladulla, through the continuous forests of which it 
descends Into the low country, and spreads over the three Korales, as well 
as the Kurtwite, and perhaps the adjoining borders of the Raygam Korale, 
wherever there Is tall forest. It Is tolerably common about Avlsawella, 
which is nearly bn the level of the sea, and in that neighbourhood I have 
procured It as far seaward as the 28th mile post from Colombo. 
Hr C. Bird, of the Ceylon Civil Service, informs me that It breeas yearly 
at Avlsawella, and I found It myself nesting In the timber forests of Mr C. 
de Soyza’s estate, Kuruwlte. 
In the main range and on the New era Ellla plateau it Is 
the cool season than at other times, but It does not appear 
tapella range to the upland of Horton Plains, as I nowhere 
the mossy forests of that region. 
morn abundant 
to Gross tbe 
observed it in 
in 
To- 
This Myna, which has always been considered one of the finest of the p aS . 
serine forms peculiar to Ceylon, was discovered by Dr Templeton, and the 
specimens he obtained were transmitted to Blyth for examination and descrip, 
tlon. Like the Ceylon Jay, its numbers'on the hills have decreased since 
the districts ho-, planted with coffee have been denuded of their primeval 
clothing, its chief stronghold at present being the large forests In the 
Main and Peak ranges; and should these be Invaded to a great extent by the 
woodman’s axe, the Myna will no doubt betake itself much more to the low 
country than it has done up to the present time. It Is not unlikely that 
