BIRDS OF CEYLON— WOOD 301 



one genus, Ceryle^ is found in America. Most varieties are fish- 

 eaters, though some species add to their diet or feed chiefly on insects, 

 lizards, and other food not living in or on the water. They all lay 

 their eggs in a tunnel excavated, like the bee-eater's nest, in a bank 

 generally near water. In it are laid round, glossy, white eggs. 

 Ceylon is abundantly supplied with these lovely birds, seven species, 

 of five genera, being found on the island, four of which are rather 

 common. 



The lovely little three-toed kingfisher {Ceyx e. erithaca, pi. 7) is 

 rather a rare variety, found also in Malaya and parts of India. It 

 is sometimes seen singly instead of the usual pair, on the banks of 

 forest streams, where it patiently awaits the advent of frogs, crabs, 

 or small fish. It digs a tunnel in the bank of a stream and lays 

 therein three small white eggs. 



Wait draws attention to the V-shaped black mark washed with 

 purple on the forehead at the base of the upper mandible, and adds 

 that the crown, nape, hind-neck, lower back, rump, and upper tail 

 coverts are deep orange-red with a metallic lilac gloss — a wonderful 

 display of gorgeous color. The remainder of the body is a medley of 

 brilliant cobalt blue, dark brown, and yellow. The length of this 

 small bird is only 5.35 inches, the long bill, legs, and feet being coral 

 red. The flight is very swift and the bird utters a shrill piping note 

 as it darts along. 



Another beautiful species is the white-breasted kingfisher {Hal- 

 cyon smyrnensis generosa), which has a blood-red bill, brown iris, 

 and coral-red legs (pi. 8). The predominant color of this charm- 

 ing bird is (upper parts) bright blue, and the breast and chin are 

 white. The length is 11 inches, twice that of the three-toed variety, 

 the bill being 2.6 inches from the gape. It is a common bird all 

 over the island, where it is seen on swamps, rivers, tanks, and paddy 

 fields. It feeds on lizards, the larger insects, worms, and frogs, as 

 well as on fish and crabs. It emits on the wing a loud rattling cry 

 and during the breeding season often perches on the top of a tree, 

 sounding now and then a peculiar whinnying note. The nest is 

 the usual hole in a bank, in which are laid several round, white 

 eggs. The sexes are nearly alike. 



The owls of Ceylon. — These nocturnal and very distinctive birds 

 of world-wide distribution are well represented on the island, at 

 least nine varieties being generally regarded as Sinhalese. Like 

 owls in other parts of the earth, the feathers are fluffy and soft, the 

 head being large and closely covered. 



The owls have large, humanlike eyes, adaj)ted for seeing well at 

 night and in gloomy places. The visual organs are protected and 

 assisted in sight by encircling disks of stiff feathers that are occa- 

 sionally decorated. 



