300 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1936 



Tlie blue-tailed bee-eater {Merops superciliosus javanicus) ^ a mi- 

 grant to Ceylon and found over most of the Asiatic Continent, is 

 shown on plate 4. Its length is 12 inches, and its plumage is a lovely 

 combination of dark green on the upper parts shading into light blue 

 green on rump and tail. The long pair of tail feathers are tipped 

 with black, the chin is yellow, the other underparts showing mixed 

 shades of green, chestnut, and brown. This species generally occurs 

 in small flocks and has a rather pleasant chirrup but no song. 



The other pictured variety (pi. 5) is the attractive, particolored 

 chestnut-headed bee-eater [Melittophagus e. erythrocephalus (Gme- 

 lin)] whose habits closely resemble the blue-tailed species. The sexes 

 are alike in colors; length, 8.5 inches; upper parts mostly chestnut, 

 wing and coverts green ; rump and upper tail coverts blue green ; chin 

 and throat yellow. The bill is black, iris crimson, legs and feet dark 

 brown. This species, according to Wait, prefers as a hunting ground 

 the rivers and tanks, and uses as a watch tower the branches of trees 

 lining the banks. From these points of vantage the birds secure their 

 quarry on the surface of the water, including small fry of all sorts. 



Ceylon swalloios. — The representative swallow pictured here (pi. 6) 

 is nirundo daurica hyperythra^ known as the Ceylon swallow. It is 

 a beautiful bird, a subspecies peculiar to the island, resembling the 

 other members of this well-known family as it is seen all over the 

 world. Every one of the four Sinhalese species belong to the genus 

 Hirundo or true swallows. The predominant color of this swallow 

 is a glossy steel blue or black; the entire lower plumage is a rufous 

 or pale brown ; the iris is dark brown. The most noticeable separate 

 markings are the relatively large patches of brown shaft streaks on 

 the chest and lower back. This bird frequents tanks, paddy-fields, 

 and open country, spending much time hawking for insects, often in 

 company with other swallow species. It does its extremely valuable 

 part in regulating the supply of pests that threaten to make this earth 

 uninhabitable for man. I wonder how long the races of man would 

 survive if all the swallows, martins, and birds of similar habits were 

 suddenly to cease their insectivorous labors. 



The Ceylon swallow has a loud twittering warble usually uttered 

 while on the wing. It may usually be distinguished from other 

 swallows when in company hunting because of its lower, slower, and 

 heavier flight. The nest is a bottle-shaped structure of solidified mud 

 attached to the under surface of an arch, overhanging rock, roof, or 

 cave. It is lined with feathers and in it are laid two or three white, 

 elongated oval eggs. 



Ceylon kingfishers. — The beautiful little kingfishers whose por- 

 traits appear in the accompanying plates present in large measure 

 the outward appearance and habits of this world-wide family. Only 



