278 Lieut. W. Y. Legge on the Birds of the 



5. CUNCUMA LEUCOGASTER (Grm.). 



This Eagle is local in this district, as, in fact, it is in all 

 other parts of the coast ; it is rarely found about the leways, 

 but frequents the coast-line almost entirely. I observed it 

 frequently in the Kattregam division of the Magam Pattu, to 

 the north of Kirinde, which is the next salt-station beyond 

 Hambantotta. Throughout Ceylon its favourite resorts are 

 the large brackish lakes near the shore, and the harbours 

 and arms of the sea with which the coast, particularly in the 

 north-east and north, is intersected. 



6. POLIOAETUS ICHTHYAETUS (Horsf.) . 



This fish-Eagle does not frequent the leways ; it is found 

 about the mouths of the large rivers, but it is not nearly so 

 abundant as it is in the east and north-east of the island. 

 In confinement I have fovmd this bird to be exceedingly noisy 

 and querulous ; but it thrives well in an aviary notwithstand- 

 ing. The markings of the tail in the immature dress change 

 very much with time during the first year, the mottled brown 

 portion of the centre paling into grey ; this colour being the 

 predominant hue, shows out the subterminal bar (which 

 likewise becomes pale) more plainly than in the early part of 

 the stage. The tawny hue of the breast fades out almost en- 

 tirely before the end of the first year. In this stage the iris 

 is yellow-brown ; in the adult, clear yellow beautifully mot- 

 tled with brown, 



7. Circus swainsoni, Smith. 



8. Circus cineraceus (Mont.). 



9. Circus .eruginosus (Linn.). 



I met with occasional examples of the two first-named Har- 

 riers, in March, about the open scrubby lauds along the coast, 

 C. cineraceus being more frequent here than in most parts of 

 the island. Circus ceruginosus is much less abundant here than 



ferred to, checla being the specific name used by Layard, whom I chiefly 

 followed in my identification of the birds of the south-western district. 

 My using the specific title of the northern and larger form was a great 

 blunder. 



