Mr. E. L. Layard on the OrnitJwloyy of Ceylon. 109 



these markings are thickest at the obtuse end. The shape is 

 similar to those of the lapwing. 



228. LoBiVANELLUs GoENsis, Gmel. Kibulla, Cing. Alcaty, 

 Mai. 



In habits this species so nearly resembles the last, that nothing 

 more need be said upon it. Its eggs are rather larger, having 

 an axis of 1 inch 9 lines, and a diam. of 14 lines ; the markings 

 are similar in colour, but smaller and more thickly and generally • 

 spread. t 



229. Charadrius ViRGiNicus, Bech. Rana'Watua,C'mg. Cotarif 

 Mai. Sneppij, Port. Chnipe, Dutch. The Dutch and 

 Portuguese names are applied indiscriminately to all the 

 lesser waders. Golden Plover of lEuropean sportsmen. 



A bird of passage, appearing in September with the rains ; it 

 frequents ploughed lands in search of worms and grubs of all 

 kinds, and is not at all rare, particularly in the northern province. 



230. HiATicuLA Leschenaultii, Less. 

 Syh. Charadrius rufinelluSf Blyth, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. l§3j^,., 



231. HiATicuLA Cantiana, Lath. ^'^'''^' 



and 



232. HiATicuLA Philippina, Scop. Ola-watua, Cing. This 

 name is common to most of the waders. 



The mud plains of Mantotte and Bangalle on the western coast, 

 the shores and inlets of the Jaffna estuary, extending as far as 

 MuUetivoe on the eastern coast, and the salt pans of Harnban- 

 totte on the south of the island, afford vast feeding-places for 

 myriads of the lesser waders, who fly about in flocks of tens, or 

 tens of hundreds, over the creeks of brackish water which 

 meander through the naked and inhospitable wastes. Nor must 

 the numerous marshy mangrove-covered islands, formed by the 

 silt which accumulates at the mouths of the rivers, be forgotten, 

 nor the reedy margins of the tanks and lakes be overlooked, 

 while enumerating the resorts of the CharadriruSj Totamna, and 

 Tringina. Their piping cries mingle equally with the roar of the 

 surf as it thunders over the coral-reef or sandy beach, with the 

 moaning of the wind among the trees which surround the lonely 

 jungle tank, and with the voice of the husbandman as he urges his 

 toil-worn buffaloes through the teeming mud of his paddy-field. 

 To the true lover of nature I know no sounds more pleasing than 

 the wild cries of the sea birds which blend hai-moniously with 

 the rougher voices of her elements ; to myself they impart feel-. 



