South-eastern Subdivision of Southern Ceylon. 287 



most numerous during the north-east monsoon. A fine male, 

 procured 10th July, 1873, measured in total length 11-75, 

 wing 5*5, tail 4, bill from forehead straight to tip 2*25 . My 

 experience accords with Mr. Holdsworth's in proving the 

 markings of this Hoopoe to vary considerably. In one male 

 example I have, there is no white spot on the 1st primary. 



47. Tephrodornis pondiceriana (Gm.). 



Plentiful in the maritime districts and in the Wellaway 

 Korle, more especially in the south-west monsoon. Its oc- 

 currence here at this latter season proves that a partial mi- 

 gration takes place from the south-w^est coast towards the 

 east at that time, and vice versa during the north-east mon- 

 soon, at which time it is most plentiful in the Galle district. 



48. Hemipus picatus, Sykes. 



This little Shrike is common in the low country as in the 

 hiUs. I met with it in this district often in the jungles of 

 the Wellaway Korle. In the western province, too, I have 

 procured it near Colombo during the south-west monsoon. 



49. Graucalus layardi, Blyth. 



This is a local species in Ceylon. It is found in but few 

 localities in the western province, and, as regards the Kandy 

 country, seems to be confined chiefly to the valley of Doom- 

 bera. In this district, however, it is very numerous. I met 

 with it frequently in the jungles of the Wellaway Korle, 

 where I found it afifecting dead trees in clearings and open 

 places. I see Lord Walden doubts the distinctness of this 

 bird from G. macm, Lesson (Ibis, 1873, p. 31 2); and Mr. Hume 

 thinks that age has much to do with the markings of the 

 under surface (Str. Feath. vol. i. p. 435). Jerdon^s diagnosis 

 (Ibis, 1872, p. 117), with regard to the markings of the under 

 wing and tips of rectrices, does not seem to hold good ; both 

 these characteristics, I think, vary with age. In two males 

 before me (they may not be fully adult) the under wing-coverts 

 are almost pure white ; under the metacarpal joint and ulna, 

 and on a few of the longer feathers, there are some light bars; 

 the three lateral rectrices, in one example, have white tips 

 from \ inch to y^ consecutively ; the two next have the 



