elegant both in shape and colour, is still more remarkable for the
singularly soothing effect of its low and harmonious voice. A gentleman
who has spent many years in the jungle, in writing to me of this bird
and of the effects of its melodious song, says, that "its soft and
melancholy notes, as they came from some solitary place in the forest,
were the most gentle sounds I ever listened to. Some sentimental smokers
assert that the influence of the propensity is to make them feel _as if
they could freely forgive all who had ever offended them_; and I can say
with truth such has been the effect on my own nerves of the plaintive
murmurs of the neela-cobeya, that sometimes, when irritated, and not
without reason, by the perverseness of some of my native followers, the
feeling has almost instantly subsided into placidity on suddenly hearing
the loving tones of these beautiful birds."
[Footnote 1: Chalcophaps Indicus, _Linn._]
V. GALLINÆ. _The Ceylon Jungle-fowl_.--The jungle-fowl of Ceylon[1] is
shown by the peculiarity of its plumage to be not only distinct from the
Indian species, but peculiar to the island. It has never yet bred or
survived long in captivity, and no living specimens have been
successfully transmitted to Europe. It abounds in all parts of the
island, but chiefly in the lower ranges of mountains; and one of the
vivid memorials which are associated with our journeys through the
hills, is its clear cry, which sounds like a person calling "George
Joyce,"[2] and rises at early morning amidst mist and dew, giving life
to the scenery, that has scarcely yet been touched by the sun-light.
[Footnote 1: Gallus Lafayetti, _Lesson_.]
[Footnote 2: I apprehend that in the particular of the peculiar cry the
Ceylon jungle fowl differs from that of the Dekkan, where _I am told_
that it crows like a bantam cock.]
The female of this handsome bird was figured many years ago by Dr. GRAY
in his illustrations of "_Indian Zoology_," under the name of _G.
Stanleyi_. The cock bird subsequently received from LESSON, the name by
which the species is now known: but its habitat was not discovered,
until a specimen having been forwarded from Ceylon to Calcutta, Dr.
BLYTH recognised it as the long-sought-for male of Dr. Gray's specimen.
Another of the Gallinæ of Ceylon, remarkable for the delicate
pencillings of its plumage, as well as for the peculiarity of the double
spur, from which it has acquired its trivial name, is the _Galloperdix
bicalcaratus_, of which a figure is given from a drawing by Mr. Gould.
[Illustration: GALLOPERDIX BICALCARATUS.]
VI. GRALLÆ.--On reaching the marshy plains and shallow lagoons on either
side of the island, the astonishment of the stranger is excited by the
endless multitudes of stilt-birds and waders which stand in long array
within the wash of the water, or sweep in vast clouds above it.
Ibises[1], storks[2], egrets, spoonbills[3], herons[4], and the smaller
races of sand larks and plovers, are seen busily traversing the wet
sand, in search of the red worm which burrows there, or peering with
steady eye to watch the motions of the small fry and aquatic insects in
the ripple on the shore.
[Footnote 1: Tantalus leucocephalus, and Ibis falcinellus.]
[Footnote 2: The violet-headed Stork (Ciconia leticocephala).]
[Footnote 3: Platalea leucorodia, _Linn._]
[Footnote 4: Ardea cinerea. A. purpurea.]
VII. ANSERES.--Preeminent in size and beauty, the tall _flamingoes_[1],
with rose-coloured plumage, line the beach in long files. The Singhalese
have been led, from their colour and their military order, to designate
them the "_English Soldier birds_." Nothing can be more startling than
the sudden flight of these splendid creatures when alarmed; their strong
wings beating the air with a sound like distant thunder; and as they
soar over head, the flock which appeared almost white but a moment
before, is converted into crimson by the sudden display of the red
lining of their wings. A peculiarity in the beak of this bird has
scarcely attracted the attention it merits, as a striking illustration
of creative wisdom in adapting the organs of animals to their local
necessities.
[Illustration: FLAMINGO.]
[Footnote 1: Phoenicopterus roseus, _Pallas_.]
The upper mandible, which is convex in other birds, is flattened in the
flamingo, whilst the lower, instead of being flat, is convex. To those
who have had an opportunity of witnessing the action of the bird in its
native haunts, the expediency of this arrangement is at once apparent.
To counteract the extraordinary length of its legs, it is provided with
a proportionately long neck, so that in feeding in shallow water the
crown of the head becomes inverted and the upper mandible brought into
contact with the bottom; where its flattened surface qualifies it for
performing the functions of the lower one in birds of the same class;
and the edges of both being laminated, it is thus enabled, like the
duck, by the aid of its fleshy tongue, to sift before swallowing its
food.
Floating on the surface of the deeper water, are fleets of the Anatidæ,
the Coromandel teal[1], the Indian hooded gull[2], the Caspian tern, and
a countless variety of ducks and smaller fowl--pintails[3], teal[4],
red-crested pochards[5], shovellers[6], and terns.[7] Pelicans[8] in
great numbers resort to the mouths of the rivers, taking up their
position at sunrise on some projecting rock, from which to dart on the
passing fish, and returning far inland at night to their retreats among
the trees, which overshadow some solitary river or deserted tank.
[Footnote 1: Nettapus coromandelianus, _Gm_.]
[Footnote 2: Larus brunnicephalus, _Jerd_.]
[Footnote 3: Dafila acuta, _Linn._]
[Footnote 4: Querquedula creeca, _Linn._]
[Footnote 5: Fuligula rufina, _Pallas_.]
[Footnote 6: Spatula clypeata, _Linn._]
[Footnote 7: Sterna minuta, _Linn._]
[Footnote 8: Pelicanus Philippensis, _Gmel_.]
I chanced upon one occasion to come unexpectedly upon one of these
remarkable breeding places during a visit which I made to the great tank
of Padivil, one of those gigantic constructions by which the early kings
of Ceylon have left imperishable records of their reigns.
It is situated in the depth of the forests to the north-west of
Trincomalie; and the tank is itself the basin of a broad and shallow
valley, enclosed between two lines of low hills, that gradually sink
into the plain as they approach towards the sea. The extreme breadth of
the included space may be twelve or fourteen miles, narrowing to eleven
at the spot where the retaining bund has been constructed across the
valley; and when this enormous embankment was in effectual repair, and
the reservoir filled by the rains, the water must have been thrown back
along the basin of the valley for at least fifteen miles. It is
difficult now to determine the precise distances, as the overgrowth of
wood and jungle has obliterated all lines left by the original level of
the lake at its junction with the forest. Even when we rode along it,
the centre of the tank was deeply submerged, so that notwithstanding the
partial escape, the water still covered an area of ten miles in
diameter. Even now its depth when full must be very considerable, for
high on the branches of the trees that grow in the area, the last flood
had left quantities of driftwood and withered grass; and the rocks and
banks were coated with the yeasty foam, that remains after the
subsidence of an agitated flood.
The bed of the tank was difficult to ride over, being still soft and
treacherous, although covered everywhere with tall and waving grass; and
in every direction it was poched into deep holes by the innumerable
elephants that had congregated to roll in the soft mud, to bathe in the
collected water, or to luxuriate in the rich herbage, under the cool
shade of the trees. The ground, too, was thrown up into hummocks like
great molehills which, the natives told us, were formed by a huge
earthworm, common in Ceylon, nearly two feet in length, and as thick as
a small snake. Through these inequalities the water was still running
off in natural drains towards the great channel in the centre, that
conducts it to the broken sluice; and across these it was sometimes
difficult to find a safe footing for our horses.
In a lonely spot, towards the very centre of the tank, we came
unexpectedly upon an extraordinary scene. A sheet of still water, two or
three hundred yards broad, and about half a mile long, was surrounded by
a line of tall forest-trees, whose branches stretched above its margin.
The sun had not yet risen, when we perceived some white objects in large
numbers on the tops of the trees; and as we came nearer, we discovered
that a vast colony of pelicans had formed their settlement and
breeding-place in this solitary retreat. They literally covered the
trees in hundreds; and their heavy nests, like those of the swan,
constructed of large sticks, forming great platforms, were sustained by
the horizontal branches. Each nest contained three eggs, rather larger
than those of a goose; and the male bird stood placidly beside the
female as she sat upon them.
Nor was this all; along with the pelicans prodigious numbers of other
water-birds had selected this for their dwelling-place, and covered the
trees in thousands, standing on the topmost branches; tall flamingoes,
herons, egrets, storks, ibises, and other waders. We had disturbed them
thus early, before their habitual hour for betaking themselves to their
fishing-fields. By degrees, as the light increased, we saw them
beginning to move upon the trees; they looked around them on every side,
stretched their awkward legs behind them, extended their broad wings,
gradually rose in groups, and slowly soared away in the direction of the
seashore.
The pelicans were apparently later in their movements; they allowed us
to approach as near them as the swampy nature of the soil would permit;
and even when a gun was discharged amongst them, only those moved off
which the particles of shot disturbed. They were in such numbers at this
favourite place; that the water over which they had taken up their
residence was swarming with crocodiles, attracted by the frequent fall
of the young birds; and the natives refused, from fear of them, to wade
in for one of the larger pelicans which had fallen, struck by a rifle
ball. It was altogether a very remarkable sight.
Of the birds familiar to European sportsmen, partridges and quails are
to be had at all times; the woodcock has occasionally been shot in the
hills, and the ubiquitous snipe, which arrives in September from
Southern India, is identified not alone by the eccentricity of its
flight, but by retaining in high perfection the qualities which have
endeared it to the gastronome at home. But the magnificent pheasants,
which inhabit the Himalayan range and the woody hills of the Chin-Indian
peninsula, have no representative amongst the tribes that people the
woods of Ceylon; although a bird believed to be a pheasant has more than
once been seen in the jungle, close to Rangbodde, on the road to
Neuera-ellia.
* * * * *
_List of Ceylon Birds_.
In submitting this Catalogue of the birds of Ceylon, I am anxious to
state that the copious mass of its contents is mainly due to the
untiring energy and exertions of my friend, Mr. E.L. Layard. Nearly
every bird in the list has fallen by his gun; so that the most ample
facilities have been thus provided, not only for extending the limited
amount of knowledge which formerly existed on this branch of the zoology
of the island; but for correcting, by actual comparison with recent
specimens, the errors which had previously prevailed as to imperfectly
described species. The whole of Mr. Layard's fine collection is at
present in England.
ACCIPITRES.
Aquila
Bonelli, _Temm_.
pennata, _Gm_.
Spizaëtus
Nipalensis, _Hodgs_.
limnæëtus, _Horsf_.
Ictinaëtus
Malayensis, _Reinw_.
Hæmatornis
Bacha, _Daud_.
spilogaster, _Blyth_.
Pontoaëtus
leucogaster, _Gm_.
ichthyaëtus, _Horsf_.
Haliastur
Indus, _Bodd_.
Falco
peregrinus, _Linn._
peregrinator, _Sund_.
Tinnunculus
alaudarius, _Briss_.
Hypotriorchis
chicquera, _Daud_.
Baza
lophotes, _Cuv_.
Milvus
govinda, _Sykes_.
Elanus
melanopterus, _Daud_.
Astur
trivirgatus, _Temm_.
Accipiter
badius, _Gm_.
Circus
Swainsonii, _A. Smith_.
cinerascens, _Mont_.
melanoleucos, _Gm_.
_æruginosus, Linn_.
Athene
castonatus, _Blyth_.
scutulata, _Raffles_.
Ephialtes
scops, _Linn._
lempijii, _Horsf_.
sunia, _Hodgs_.
Ketupa
Ceylonensis, _Gm_.
Syrnium
Indranee, _Sykes_.
Strix
Javanica, _Gm_.
PASSERES.
Batrachostomus
moniliger, _Layard_.
Caprimulgus
_Mahrattensis, Sykes_.
Kelaarti, _Blyth_.
Asiaticus, _Lath_.
Cypselus
batassiensis, _Gray_.
melba, _Linn._
affinis, _Gray_.
Macropteryx
coronatus, _Tickell_.
Collocalia
brevirostris, _McClel_.
Acanthylis
caudacuta, _Lath_.
Hirundo
panayana, _Gm_.
daurica, _Linn._
hyperythra, _Layard_.
domicola, _Jerdon_.
Coracias
Indica, _Linn._
Harpactes
fasciatus, _Gm_.
Eurystomus
orientalis, _Linn._
Halcyon
Capensis, _Linn._
atricapillus, _Gm_.
Smyrnensis, _Linn._
Ceyx
tridactyla, _Linn._
Alcedo
Bengalensis, _Gm_.
Ceryle
rudis, _Linn._
Merops
Philippinus, _Linn._
viridis, _Linn._
quincticolor, _Vieill_.
Upupa
nigripennis, _Gould_.
Nectarina
Zeylanica, _Linn._
minima, _Sykes_.
Asiatica, _Lath_.
Lotenia, _Linn._
Dicæum
minimum, _Tickell_.
Phyllornis
Malabarica, _Lath_.
Jerdoni, _Blyth_.
Dendrophila
frontalis, _Horsf_.
Piprisoma
agile, _Blyth_.
Orthotomus
longicauda, _Gm_.
Cisticola
cursitans, _Frankl_.
omalura, _Blyth_.
Drymoica
valida, _Blyth_.
inornata, _Sykes_.
Prinia
socialis, _Sykes_.
Acrocephalus
dumetorum, _Blyth_.
Phyllopneuste
nitidus, _Blyth_.
montanus, _Blyth_.
viridanus, _Blyth_.
Copsychus
saularis, _Linn._
Kittacincla
macrura, _Gm_.
Pratincola
caprata, _Linn._
atrata, _Kelaart_.
Calliope
cyanea, _Hodgs_.
Thamnobia
fulicata, _Linn._
Cyanecula
Suecica, _Linn._
Sylvia
affinis, _Blyth_.
Parus
cinereus, _Vieill_.
Zosterops
palpebrosus, _Temm_.
Iöra
Zeylanica, _Gm_.
typhia, _Linn._
Motacilla
sulphurea, _Becks_.
Indica, _Gm_.
Madraspatana, _Briss_.
Budytes
viridis, _Gm_.
Anthus
rutulus, _Vieill_.
Richardii, _Vieill_.
striolatus, _Blyth_.
Brachypteryx
Palliseri, _Kelaart_.
Alcippe
nigrifrons, _Blyth_.
Pitta
brachyura, _Jerd_.
Oreocincla
spiloptera, _Blyth_.
Merula
Wardii, _Jerd_.
Kinnisii, _Kelaart_.
Zoothera
imbricata, _Layard_.
Garrulax
cinereifrons, _Blyth_.
Pormatorhinus
melanurus, _Blyth_.
Malacocercus
rufescens, _Blyth_.
griseus, _Gm_.
striatus, _Swains_.
Pellorneum
fuscocapillum, _Blyth_.
Dumetia
albogularis, _Blyth_.
Chrysomma
Sinense, _Gm_.
Oriolus
melanocephalus, _Linn._
_Indicus, Briss_.
Criniger
ictericus, _Stickl_.
Pycnonotus
pencillatus, _Kelaart_.
flavirictus, _Strickl_.
hæmorrhous, _Gm_.
atricapillus, _Vieill_.
Hemipus
picatus, _Sykes_.
Hypsipetes
Nilgherriensis, _Jerd_.
Cyornis
rubeculoïdes, _Vig_.
Myiagra
azurea, _Bodd_.
Cryptolopha
cinereocapilla, _Vieill_.
Leucocerca
_compressirostris, Blyth_.
Tchitrea
paradisi, _Linn._
*Butalis
latirostris, _Raffles_.
Muttui, _Layard_.
Stoparola
melanops, _Vig_.
Pericrocotus
flammeus, _Forst_.
peregrinus, _Linn._
Campephaga
Macei, _Less_.
Sykesii, _Strickl_.
Artamus
fuscus, _Vieill_.
Edolius
paradiseus, _Gm_.
Dicrurus
macrocereus, _Vieill_.
edoliformis, _Blyth_.
longicaudatus, _A. Hoy_.
leucopygialis, _Blyth_.
_cærulescens_, _Linn._
Irena
puella, _Lath_.
Lanius
superciliosus, _Lath_.
_erythronotus, Vig_.
Tephrodornis
affinis, _Blyth_.
Cissa
puella, _Blyth & Layard_.
Corvus
splendens, _Vieill_.
culminatus, _Sykes_.
Eulabes
religiosa, _Linn._
ptilogenys, _Blyth_.
Pastor
roseus, _Linn._
Hetærornis
pagodarum, _Gm_.
_albifrontata, Layard_.
Acridotheres
tristis, _Linn._
Ploceus
manyar, _Horsf_.
baya, _Blyth_.
Munia
undulata, _Latr_.
_Malabarica, Linn_.
Malacca, _Linn._
rubronigra, _Hodgs_.
striata, _Linn._
Kelaarti, _Blyth_.
Passer
Indicus, _Jard. & Selb._
Alauda
gulgula, _Frank_.
_Malabarica, Scop_.
Pyrrhulauda
grisea, _Scop_.
Mirafra
affinis, _Jerd_.
Buceros
gingalensis, _Shaw_.
Malabaricus, _Jerd_.
SCANSORES.
Loriculus
Asiaticus, _Lath_.
Palæcornis
Alexandri, _Linn._
torquatus, _Briss_.
cyanocephalus, _Linn._
Calthropæ, _Layard_.
Megalaima
Indica, _Latr_.
Zeylanica, _Gmel_.
flavifrons, _Cuv_.
rubicapilla, _Gm_.
Picus
gymnophthalmus, Blth.
Mahrattensis, _Lath_.
_Macei, Vieill_.
Gecinus
chlorophanes, _Vieill_.
Brachypternus
aurantius, _Linn._
Ceylonus, _Forst_.
_rubescens, Vieill_.
Stricklandi, _Layard_.
Micropternus
gularis, _Jerd_.
Centropus
rufipennis, _Illiger_.
chlororhynchos, _Blyth_.
Oxylophus
melanoleucos, _Gm_.
Coromandus, _Linn._
Endynamys
orientalis, _Linn._
Cuculus
Poliocephalus, _Lath_.
striatus, _Drapiex_.
canorus, _Linn._
Polyphasia
tenuirostris, _Gray_.
Sonneratii, _Lath_.
Hierococcyx
varius, _Vahl_.
Surniculus
dicruroïdes, _Hodgs_.
Phoenicophaus
pyrrhocephalus, _Forst_.
Zanclostomus
viridirostris, _Jerd_.
COLUMBÆ.
Treron
bicincta, _Jerd_.
flavogularis, _Blyth_.
Pompadoura, _Gm_.
chlorogaster, _Blyth_.
Carpophaga
pusilla, _Blyth_.
Torringtoniæ, _Kelaart_.
Alsocomus
puniceus, _Tickel_.
Columba
intermedia, _Strickl_.
Turtur
risorius, _Linn._
Suratensis, _Lath_.
humilis, _Temm_.
orientalis, _Lath_.
Chalcophaps
Indicus, _Linn._
GALLINÆ.
Pavo
cristatus, _Linn._
Gallus
Lafayetti, _Lesson_.
Galloperdix
bicalcaratus, _Linn._
Francolinus
Ponticerianus, _Gm_.
Perdicula
agoondah, _Sykes_.
Coturnix
Chinensis, _Linn._
Turnix ocellatus
_var._ Bengalensis, _Blyth_.
_var._ taigoor, _Sykes_.
GRALLÆ.
Esacus
recurvirostris, _Cuv_.
Oedienemus
crepitans, _Temm_.
Cursorius
Coromandelicus, _Gm_.
Lobivanellus
bilobus, _Gm_.
Göensis, _Gm_.
Charadrius
virginicus, _Bechs_.
Hiaticula
Philippensis, _Scop_.
Cantiana, _Lath_.
Leschenaultii, _Less_.
Strepsilas
Interpres, _Linn._
Ardea
purpurea, _Linn._
cinerea, _Linn._
asha, _Sykes_.
intermedia, _Wagler_.
garzetta, _Linn._
_alba, Linn_.
bubulcus, _Savig_.
Ardeola
leucoptera, _Bodd_.
Ardetta
cinnamomea, _Gm_.
flavicollis, _Lath_.
Sinensis, _Gm_.
Butoroides
Javanica, _Horsf_.
Platalea
leucorodia, _Linn._
Nycticorax
griseus, _Linn._
Tigrisoma
melanolopha, _Raffl_.
Mycteria
australis, _Shaw_.
Leptophilus
Javanica, _Horsf_.
Ciconia
leucocephala, _Gm_.
Anastomus
oscitans, _Bodd_.
Tantalus
leucocephalus, _Gm_.
Geronticus
melanocephalus, _Lath_.
Falcinellus
igneus, _Gm_.
Numenias
arquatus, _Linn._
phæopus, _Linn._
Totanus
fuscus, _Linn._
calidris, _Linn._
glottis, _Linn._
stagnalis, _Bechst_.
Actitis
glareola, _Gm_.
ochropus, _Linn._
hypoleucos, _Linn._
Tringa
minuta, _Leist_.
subarquata, _Gm_.
Limicola
platyrhyncha, _Temm_.
Limosa
ægocephala, _Linn._
Himantopus
candidus, _Bon_.
Recurvirostra
avocetta, _Linn._
Hæmatopus
ostralegus, _Linn._
Rhynchoea
Bengalensis, _Linn._
Scolopax
rusticola, _Linn._
Gallinago
stenura, _Temm_.
_scolopacina, Bon_.
_gallinula, Linn_.
Hydrophasianus
Sinensis, _Gm_.
Ortygometra
rubiginosa, _Temm_.
Corethura
Zeylanica, _Gm_.
Rallus
striatus, _Linn._
Indicus, _Blyth_.
Porphyrio
poliocephalus, _Lath_.
Porzana
pygmæa, _Nan_.
Gallinula
phoenicura, _Penn_.
chloropus, _Linn._
cristata, _Lath_.
ANSERES.
Phoenicopterus
ruber, _Linn._
Sarkidiornis
melanonotos, _Penn_.
Nettapus
Coromandelianus, _Gm_.
Anas
poecilorhyncha, _Penn_.
Dendrocygnus
arcuatus, _Cuv_.
Dafila
acuta, _Linn._
Querquedula
crecca, _Linn._
circia, _Linn._
_Fuligula
rufina, Pall_.
Spatula
clypeata, _Linn._
Podiceps
Philippensis, _Gm_.
Larus
brunnicephalus, _Jerd_.
ichthyaëtus, _Pall_.
Sylochelidon
Caspius, _Lath_.
Hydrochelidon
Indicus, _Steph_.
Gelochelidon
Anglicus, _Mont_.
Onychoprion
anasthætus, _Scop_.
Sterna
Javanica, _Horsf_.
melanogaster, _Temm_.
minuta, _Linn._
Seena
aurantia, _Gray_.
Thalasseus
Bengalensis, _Less_.
cristata, _Stepth_.
Dromas
ardeola, _Payk_.
Atagen
ariel, _Gould_.
Thalassidroma
_melanogaster, Gould_.
Plotus
melanogaster, _Gm_.
Pelicanus
Philippensis, _Gm_.
Graculus
Sinensis, _Shaw_.
pygmæus, _Pallas_.
NOTE.
The following is a list of the birds which are, as far as is at present
known, peculiar to the island; it will probably be determined at some
future day that some included in it have a wider geographical range.
Hæmatornis spilogaster. The "Ceylon eagle;" was discovered by Mr. Layard
in the Wanny, and by Dr. Kelaart at Trincomalie.
Athene castonotus. The chestnut-winged hawk owl. This pretty little owl
was added to the list of Ceylon birds by Dr. Templeton. Mr. Blyth is at
present of opinion that this bird is identical with Ath. Castanopterus,
_Horsf_. of Java as figured by Temminck: _P. Col._
Batrachostomus moniliger. The oil bird; was discovered amongst the
precipitous rocks of the Adam's Peak range by Mr. Layard. Another
specimen was sent about the same time to Sir James Emerson Tennent from
Avisavelle. Mr. Mitford has met with it at Ratnapoora.
Caprimulgus Kelaarti. Kelaart's nightjar; swarms on the marshy plains of
Neuera-ellia at dusk.
Hirundo hyperythra. The red-bellied swallow; was discovered in 1849, by
Mr. Layard at Ambepusse. They build a globular nest, with a round hole
at top. A pair built in the ring for a hanging lamp in Dr. Gardner's
study at Peradenia, and hatched their young, undisturbed by the daily
trimming and lighting of the lamp.
Cisticola omalura. Layard's mountain grass warbler; is found in
abundance on Horton Plain and Neuera-ellia, among the long Patena grass.
Drymoica valida. Layard's wren-warbler; frequents tufts of grass and low
bushes, feeding on insects.
Pratincola atrata. The Neuera-ellia robin; a melodious songster; added
to our catalogue by Dr. Kelaart.
Brachypteryx Palliseri. Ant thrush. A rare bird, added by Dr. Kelaart
from Dimboola and Neuera-ellia.
Pellorneum fuscocapillum. Mr. Layard found two specimens of this rare
thrush creeping about shrubs and bushes, feeding on insects.
Alcippe nigrifrons. This thrush frequents low impenetrable thickets, and
seems to be widely distributed.
Oreocincla spiloptera. The spotted thrush is only found in the mountain
zone about lofty trees.
Merula Kinnisii. The Neuera-ellia blackbird; was added by Dr. Kelaart.
Garrulax cinereifrons. The ashy-headed babbler; was found by Mr. Layard
near Ratnapoora.
Pomatorhinus melanurus. Mr. Layard states that the mountain babbler
frequents low, scraggy, impenetrable brush, along the margins of
deserted cheena land. This may turn out to be little more than a local
yet striking variety of P. Horsfieldii of the Indian Peninsula.
Malacocercus rufescens. The red dung thrush added by Dr. Templeton to
the Singhalese Fauna, is found in thick jungle in the southern and
midland districts.
Pycnonotus penicillatus. The yellow-eared bulbul; was found by Dr.
Kelaart at Neuera-ellia.
Butalis Muttui. This very handsome flycatcher was procured at Point
Pedro, by Mr. Layard.
Dicrurus edoliformis. Dr. Templeton found this kingcrow at the Bibloo
Oya. Mr. Layard has since got it at Ambogammoa.
Dicrurus leucopygialis. The Ceylon kingcrow was sent to Mr. Blyth from
the vicinity of Colombo, by Dr. Templeton. A species very closely allied
to D. coerulescens of the Indian continent.
Tephrodornis affinis. The Ceylon butcher-bird. A migatory species found
in the wooded grass lands in October.
Cissa puella. Layard's mountain jay. A most lovely bird, found along
mountain streams at Neuera-ellia and elsewhere.
Eulabes ptilogenys. Templeton's mynah. The largest and most beautiful of
the species. It is found in flocks perching on the highest trees,
feeding on berries.