340 Mr. F. Lewis on the Land-birds of 



of course, counting Kingfishers or Waders. To this might 

 be added a larger number, as found in the valleys of the 

 rivers in the dry forest-region; but possibly that may be 

 accounted for by the fact that the rivers in that locality are 

 always fringed with trees that, on account of the increased 

 moisture at their roots, are more healthy, and produce food 

 in the form of fruit, and food for insect-life, that in its turn 

 is devoured by insectivorous birds. 



The period of nidification generally corresponds to that 

 of the greatest vegetable activity, but this is by no means 

 true as regards all the species. It is also remarkable 

 that many birds are found building just before the burst 

 of the monsoon, for it cannot be assumed that birds hatched 

 at that time can ever be brought to maturity ; in fact, I have 

 on many occasions found dead nestlings and nests drowned 

 out by rain. 



In the following list I propose to give a description of the 

 local ranges and distribution of the birds of this portion of 

 Ceylon. I have followed, both in nomenclature as well 

 as classification, the names and arrangement adopted by 

 Col. W. V. Legge in his monograph of Ceylon birds, a work 

 that, I may presume to remark, is not only a monument 

 to the industry of its gifted author, but is an admirable 

 text-book of the ornithology of the island of Ceylon. 



ACCIPITRES. 



1. Circus cineraceus Mont. (Legge, ^ Birds of Ceylon,' 



p. 12). 



A migratory visitor and very variable in colour. I have 

 found it in the dry zone to the south of the province and in 

 the grassy country to the east, where it may be mistaken for 

 the next species. 



2. Circus macrurus (Legge, B. of C. p. 17). 



A regular migrant, arriving in large numbers in October 

 and spreading over the open country up to the highest hills. 

 It does not occur in forest-land, but is found in both marsh- 

 and grass-land, besides frequently visiting the tea-plantations, 



