Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 313 



rufous yellow darkening into deep rufous with very dark brown 

 edge. Vent and under tail-coverts rufous. Bill corneous. Legs 

 brown. 



I am indebted to the kindness of the Zoological officers of the 

 British Museum for the opportunity of examining and describing 

 this and other species. 



147. CissA PUELLA, Blyth & Layard^ J. A. S. xviii. KahibeUaj 

 - i, J Cing. 



' ■ This, the most lovely of all our Ceylon birds, was discovered 

 by me along the course of a mountain stream in the jungle 

 near Ambegamoa_, and described by Mr. Blyth, he. cit. Dr. 

 Kelaart writes that it is "common in Nuwera Elia, and fre- 

 quents the fields there, generally in small flocks, in search of 

 worms. ^' In such situations I never saw it ; all I have noticed 

 were in the most dense and lonely jungles. The last I procured 

 fell a victim to that curiosity so characteristic of all the jays. I 

 was creeping through some thick jungle to get a shot at a large 

 wood-pigeon, when the Cissa flew down from some lofty trees, 

 and coming close to me peered into my face. It came so near 

 that I refrained from firing, lest I should blow it to pieces; 

 neither did I wish to frighten it, lest I should drive it away 

 altogether ; I therefore waited till the bird had leisurely surveyed 

 me and flown to a little distance, still watching my movements. 

 This enabled me to shoot it. 



Nothing can exceed the beauty of this bird when in full plu- 

 mage, and with the cere of the eyes and legs still fresh ; the con- 

 trast between the blue of the former and the crimson of the latter 

 being very striking. It has a loud harsh note, not unlike that 

 of the European jay. 



Mr. Thwaites has forwarded several specimens procured in the 

 central province. 



148. CoRVUS CULMINATUS, Sykcs. Andang, Mai. ; lit. Grave 

 Crow. Goyegamma-caca, Cing. ; lit. High-caste, or Vellally 

 Crow. 



The carrion crow is everywhere common in Ceylon, being 

 found inland as well as on the sea-coast, the great resort of the 

 next species. It is found in the deep forests where C. splendens 

 never appears, and such is its acuteness of sight and scent, that 

 though the wounded deer may retire to the most tangled brake 

 to die, its covert is invariably revealed to the hunter by these 

 crows, who, congregating in small parties on the surrounding 

 trees, patiently wait till life is extinct to begin their repastiii 

 company with the jackals and wild hogs. rgfidid 



