PAS SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
Distribution —Fairly common on the north coast during 
the north-east monsoon, rarer on the east coast, and a mere 
straggler in the south and west. A winter visitor to the 
Indian Empire. The species breeds in temperate zone of the 
Old World, wintering in Africa and Southern Asia. 
Habits —Frequents shallow tidal flats, low shores round 
lagoons, or marshy land near the coast. In the north, of the 
Island it may be seen in large flocks on favourite feeding 
grounds. 
NUMENIUS PHAOPUS (Blanford, Vol. [V., p. 253 ; 
Legge, p. 910). 
The Whimbrel. 
Description Upper parts in general brown with paler 
edges to the feathers, most noticeable on the wing coverts. 
Forehead and crown darker with an indistinct paler line down 
the centre ; a pale band with narrow dark streaks from base 
of bill over the eye to the nape; lores and ear coverts dark 
brown. Primary coverts and primaries blackish-brown, tipped, 
except on the outer primaries, with white ; inner webs of all 
quills and both webs of inner quills notched with white. 
Lower back and rump white with brown drops. Upper tail 
coverts barred brown and whitish ; tail ashy-brown with 
darker crossbars. Chin and throat white; foreneck and 
breast whitish with darker shaft-stripes ; remainder of lower 
parts white, barred with brown on the flanks, wing lining, 
axillaries, and lower tail coverts. 
In winter the barrings and streaks on the lower back and 
under parts are less distinct than in summer. 
Bill black, the under mandible much paler near the base ; 
iris dark brown ; legs and feet blue-gray. 
Length 17; wing 9°5; tail 3°75; tarsus 2°3; bill 
3°25. 
Females are slightly larger than males. 
Distribution —Occurs during the north-east monsoon at 
various places round the coast. A winter visitor to the Indian 
coasts. Breeds in Europe and Northern Asia, extending in 
winter from North Africa to Australia. 
