16 Lieut. W. V. Lcgge on the Distribution of 



nerati is rare iu swampy wooded lands ; C. niicropterus is also 

 rare in forests ; and Centropus chloroi'hynchus, another denizen 

 of the woods, has several times come under my notice both in 

 the lowlands near Kottowe and in the hills of the Morowa 

 and Kookool korles. The note of this shy bird is most ex- 

 traordinary, resembling the dropping of a stone into a deep 

 well, and is generally the only indication one has of its pre- 

 sence; for it is rarely or never seen. Centropus rujipennis 

 and Eudynamys orientalis are, of course, very common. The 

 former extends sparingly into the mountains. When uttering 

 its singular deep-sounding note this bird turns the head on 

 one side and darts ft downwards at each syllable, the mandi- 

 bles being opened wide, in order, as it would seem, to send 

 forth the loud ooop-ooop-ooop with greater ease. Zanclostomus 

 viridirostris is local, and skulks about the thick scrub growing 

 on some parts of the sea-shore. It is very shy, and seldom 

 allows itself to be seen for more than a minute at a time. 

 The handsome Phoenicophceus pyrrhocephalus inhabits thick 

 forest both in the low and hill districts. It betakes itself 

 to the ground at times, though it is thoroughly arboreal in 

 habits ; when disturbed it proceeds in short fiiglits from 

 tree to tree with a creaking note like that of the European 

 Magpie, elevating its tail as it alights on the branches. The 

 difference in the eye of the male and the female is very 

 remarkable ; but I think there is no doubt about the matter 

 (see my notes on the subject in last number of ' Stray Fea- 

 thers^). Polyphasia passerina is rare in wooded districts of 

 the low country, and concludes the list of Cuculinae observed 

 by myself in this district. 



One little Creeper, Dendrophila frontalis, is abundant in the 

 Morowa-Korle hills, and is at times met with in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the sea-coast. Tephrodornis affinis is resident 

 all the year round in this part of the island ; and Hemipus 

 picatu^ is common in wooded districts near Galle, as well as 

 in the lower hills. Dicrurus leucopygialis is abundant near 

 the sea-coast, and extends from that up to 500 or 600 feet. 

 It breeds in the well-known "jack " tree, fixing its nest, which 

 is a light cup-shaped structure of fine twigs and grass, iu the 



