Recent Ornithulocjical Publications. 87 



harmony by the rich aud melodious toues of their clear and 

 musical calls. In the elevations of the Kandyau country there 

 are a few, such as the Robin of Neura-ellia {Pratincola atrata, 

 Kelaart) and the Long-tailed Thrush {Copsychus macna-us), 

 whose song rivals that of their European namesakes; but, far 

 beyond the attraction of their notes, the traveller rejoices in the 

 tlute-like voices of the Oriole, the Dayal-bird {Copsychus saula- 

 ris), and some others equally charming, when, at the first dawn 

 of day, they wake the forests wdth their clear reveille. 



" It is only on emerging from the dense forests and coming 

 into the vicinity of the lakes and pastures of the low country, 

 that birds become visible in great quantities. In the close 

 jungle one occasionally hears the call of the Coppersmith 

 {Megalaima indica), or the strokes of the Great Orange-coloured 

 ^^'oodpecker (Brachijpferniis aurantius) as it beats the decaying 

 trees in search of insects, while clinging to the bark with its 

 tinely-pointed claws and leaning for support upon the short 

 stiff feathers of its tail. And on the lofty branches of the 

 higher trees the Hornbill {Buceros pica), with its enormous 

 double casque, sits, to watch the motions of the tiny reptiles and 

 smaller birds on which it preys, tossing them into the air when 

 seized, and catching them in its gigantic mandibles as they fall.^' 



As we emerge from the deep shade and approach " the 

 park-like openings on the verge of the low country, quantities of 

 Pea-fowl [Pavo cristatus) are to be found, either feeding amongst 

 the seeds and nuts in the long grass, or sunning themselves on 

 the branches of the surrounding trees. Nothing to be met with 

 in England can give an idea either of the size or magnificence 

 of this matchless bird vv^hen seen in his native solitudes. Here 

 he generally selects some projecting branch from which his 

 plumage may hang free of foliage; and if there be a dead and 

 leafless bough, he is certain to choose it for his resting-place, 

 whence he droops his wings and suspends his gorgeous train, or 

 spreads it in the morning sun to drive off the damps and dews 

 of the night. 



" In some of the unfrequented portions of the eastern pro- 

 vince, to which Europeans rarely resort, and where the Pea-fowl 

 are unmolested by the natives, their number is so extraordinary 



