(760) Graucalus macei layardi.
The Ceylon Large Cuckoo-Shrike.
Graucalus layardi Blyth, Ibis, 1866, p. 368 (Ceylon).
Vernacular names. Pedda akurai (Tel.).
Description. Differs from the preceding races of this genus only in its very small size, the wing being on an average 145 mm.; the males vary from 145 to 150 mm. and the females from 140 to 145 mm.
Colours of soft parts as in the other races.
Distribution. Ceylon only. Birds from the extreme South of Travancore do not, as would seem likely, belong to this race.
Nidification. Nothing recorded beyond the fact that it is supposed to breed in June.
Habits. Those of the species. Legge says that it is found on high forest-trees near rivers, tanks or other natural openings in the forest. It seems to be a more shy, wild bird than its cousins in India and Burma.
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