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



eater strictly confined to the valleys of the larger rivers 

 -within the wet zone : thus it is common in the valley of the 

 Kaluganga from Gillimally to Kalutara; in the Kalani 

 Ganga from Colombo to the Kehelgama hills and its tribu- 

 tary streams. 



60. Ch^tura gigantea (Legge, B. of C. p. 314). 



It is difficult to place a limit within a province across 

 which a bird could fly in a couple of hours, so I am unable 

 in this instance to assign a specific locality or zone to this 

 fine Swift. It is rather more abundant on the whole at 

 high altitudes, about 5000 feet, than in the plains, but I have 

 also met with it in the Bintenna. 



61. Cypselus melba (Legge, B. of C. p. 317). 



Like the last, a bird of immense power of flight, and thus 

 difficult to locate. I have found it along the southern slopes 

 of the Peak Range right up to the Galagama Valley and 

 the Horton Plains. 



62. Cypselus affinis (Legge, B. of C. p. 319). 



I have met with this bird at irregular intervals in the 

 lower hill-country towards the east of the province, but only 

 as a visitor. 



63. Cypselus batassiensis (Legge, B. of C. p. 322). 

 Chiefly confined to the open country in the eastern centi'e 



of the province. It is rarely found at high altitudes, but 

 may occasionally be seen in small flocks in both the Rukwana 

 and Balangoda hill-ranges. 

 South India and Burmah. 



64. COLLOCALIA FRANCICA (Leggc, B. of C. p. 324). 



A common species in this province, and breeding in many 

 of the deeper rocky ravines of wet forests. I have met with 

 " breeding-stations " at 2000 feet and up to 5000 feet, but 

 in all instances directly in the neighbourhood of water. 

 Close to the province-boundary there is a large cave known 

 to the natives as Liniyagalla, or the Swifts'* Rock, where 

 many years ago the right to collect their nests was sold by 

 Government to a Chinaman. But this source of revenue 



