Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 453 



embarkation for England, at the end of March 1853 ; it was shot 

 in the neighbourhood of Galle, along the course of the Gindurah 

 river, a little inland. 



201. CucuLUs TENuiROSTRis, Gray. 



Very abundant throughout the island; it is migratory, appearing 

 about Jaffna in the month of February. The rufous-bellied 

 variety is never seen with us. 



202. CucuLus DicRUoiDES, Hodgs. 



The principal habitat of this species seems to be the neighbour- 

 hood of Kandy, whence Mr. Thwaites has sent numerous speci- 

 mens. Dr. Kelaart does not appear to have met with it at Nuwera 

 Elia, as it is not included in his list. I procured it about Cotta, 

 in the low country. 



203. Zanclostomus viridirostris, Jerdon. Mal-coha^ Cing. ; 

 lit. Flower Coha. Handi-koota^ Cing., apud Daniell. Coosily 

 Mai. 



Very common in most parts of Ceylon, but abounding in the 

 northern province ; it is usually seen in pairs, flitting from tree 

 to tree. It is wary and difficult to shoot, as it creeps through 

 the thickest bushes and trees, and invariably flies out on the 

 contrary side to that on which the shooter stands. It feeds in 

 common with Eudynamys orientalis, on the fruit of the banian 

 tree. 



My most searching and continuous inquiries into the habits 

 of this and of 



204. Phoenicophaus pyrrhocephalus, Forst. Mal-Kandatta, 



Cing.,— 



failed in eliciting from the natives any information respecting 

 their nidification, 



P. pyrrhocephalus inhabits the densest jungles, never descend- 

 ing to the ground, but living amid the highest branches. It is 

 unknown in the northern districts; in fact, its range seems limited 

 to the mountain zone, and even there it is very local. 



Both these latter species are eaten by the natives, who consider 

 them great delicacies ; they sell from threepence to sixpence 

 each. Irides white. In life the feathers round the eye resemble 

 the finest crimson velvet. 



[To be continued.] 



