MYIOPHONUS (ARRENGA) BLIGHI, Holtdsw.

Bligh’s Whistling Thrush.

Arrenga Blight, Holdsworth, Proc. Zool. Soc. 187 2, p. 444, pl. xix.

 

Tuis very well-marked species is an interesting addition to the group of birds included in the genus
Myiophonus or Whistling Thrushes, of which six species were previously known. They have each a some-
what restricted habitat, being found respectively in Java and Sumatra, the Himalayas, China, Formosa,
Java, and Southern and Western India; and the subject of our present notice is peculiar to the Island of
Ceylon.

The Whistling Thrushes have been separated by some ornithologists into two groups, to one of which,
containing four species all having the bill yellow, the generic name Myiophonus has been restricted, whilst
the others, distinguished by having a black bill, have received subgeneric rank under the name of Arrenga.
It is doubtful, however, whether this distinctive character is of sufficient importance to make the separation
desirable. Bligh’s Whistling Thrush belongs to the black-billed group, and is remarkable for being very
much smaller than any of the other recognized forms.

Little is known of the habits of this bird; but so far as they have been observed, they agree generally
with those of the other Myiophoni. It has only been met with on the hills, at an elevation of from 4000 to
6000 feet, where it frequents dense jungle in the neighbourhood of watercourses, appearing for a few
moments perhaps close to some foaming torrent, or occasionally alighting on a rock in mid-stream. It is
very impatient of observation, and when intruded on gives utterance to a peculiarly long-drawn plaintive but
loud whistling note; at the same time the body is dipped and the tail slightly raised. It soon seeks shelter
under the thick jungle-foliage. The natural note of this Thrush, when undisturbed, is very beautiful, and so
closely resembles a soft human whistle as to deceive any but practised ears. This bird is probably not very
rare in the localities it frequents ; but it is far more commonly heard than seen, and the type specimens
(here represented of the natural size) are the only ones known to have been brought from the island.

The species was described by Mr. Holdsworth in his Catalogue of Ceylonese birds, published by the
Zoological Society of London in 1872, and was named after his friend Mr. Samuel Bligh, who first observed
and obtained a specimen of it.

I trust that I duly appreciate the great kindness of Mr. Holdsworth in intrusting to my care this typical
and unique species of a Ceylonese bird belonging to a group claiming considerable intimacy with
Petrocinela.

The figures are of the size of life.