12G Mr. E. W. II. Iloldsworth on Ceylonese Birds. 



stomus ; but the known range of that bird in Ceylon is far less 

 than that in which the Devil-cry has been heard. I am able 

 to add something to the history of Prionochilus vincens, as 

 my friend Mr. Bligh has just obtained it on one of the coffee- 

 estates, at about 4000 feet. He has sent me a minutely accu- 

 rate description of the bird, and inquired if it were P. vincens, 

 of which he had heard, but had not seen a description^. The 

 birds were feeding on guavas and other fruit. He had also 

 just shot a specimen of that rare Eagle, Limnaetus kieneri, 

 which I believe has never before been met with so far south ; 

 and he adds that Java Sparrows had by some means found 

 their way to the Ceylon hills ; for he had been for some time 

 watching a flock on the estate. It is as well to record this, 

 as there can be little doubt about these strangers having been 

 introduced. 



To return to my subject in a few last lines, I think it 

 is a pity the demands on Mr. Legge^s time have prevented 

 his making many little corrections which would have added 

 to the value of his paper. He has made several alterations 

 in specific names in accordance with my catalogue, which he 

 told me he should do ; but Spilornis cheela and others still ap- 

 pear as Ceylonese birds, without just right to the title, and his 

 Tringa temminckii proved to be T. salina when examined in 

 this country. He has done good work, however, in the island ; 

 and, besides the interesting novelty Prionochilus vincens, has 

 added Poliornis teesa, Phylloscopus maynirostris , and Prinia 

 hodgsoni to the Ceylonese list. I trust that Mr. Legge may 

 be able to continue his labours and make many more such 

 discoveries. At the same time I venture to hope that he will 

 not think a few more particulars about dates and a little more 

 precision of expression will detract from the value of his papers 

 on Ceylonese birds. 



* Among the numerous birds brought home more than thirty years ago 

 from Ceylon by the late Mr. Hugh Cuming is a female of this species, in 

 the British Museum ; it is in bad coudition, and has been only recently 

 identified. 



