270 Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 



A head of F. rufinay however,, which I received from Calcutta was 

 identified by a native as of a bird he knew and had killed on that 

 very piece of water^ though he had not seen them elsewhere. 



296. Spatula clypeata, Linn. 



Passing over the bridge crossing an arm of the above-named 

 lake, I surprised a female of this bird with her brood of twelve 

 young ones, most of which I captured ; the mother, though shot 

 at before I knew of the little ones, kept flying round me and 

 often dropping into the water and feigning lameness, to draw me 

 away from her ofi'spring : this occurred in the early part of 

 March. I have bought old birds from the shooters in November. 



297. PoDiCEPS Philippensis, Gmel. Mukelepan, Tam. ; lit. 

 Diver. 



Common on large tanks and even in Colombo lake. 



298, Larus brunnicephalijs, Jerd. Pullu, Tam. ; lit. Wormer. 

 Family name for Gulls and Terns. 



Common all round the coast and on the lakes and estuaries ; 

 it swims well and catches small fish. 



299. Larus ichthyaetus, Pallas. 



I saw two specimens of this fine and unmistakeable Gull on 

 the 11th of November 1851, at Pt. Pedro, after a severe storm ; 

 they were leisurely wending their way along the edge of the coral 

 reefs northward, and I watched them with the glass for five 

 minutes or more. 



300. Dromas ardeola, Payk. 



I place this bird here among the Terns, as I cannot help agree- 

 ing with Mr. Blyth in his remarks upon its affinities and posi- 

 tion. I have obtained several specimens, all at sea, with one 

 exception, which was on Calpentyn lake or estuary. A descrip- 

 tion of the egg which I formerly sent to Mr. Blyth, and his ob- 

 servation on the species, will be found in ^Contributions to 

 Ornithology,' published by Sir William Jardine. 



301. Sylochelidon Caspius, Lath. 



302. Gelochelidon Anglicus, Mont. 



303. Hydrochelidon Indicus, Stephens. 



304. Thalasseus cristatus, Stephens. 



305. Thalasseus Bengalensis, Lesson. 



