934 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
head. The tarsus is of moderate length, the front toes bear 
no trace of webbing, the hind toe is present but small. The 
plumage of the upper parts is of richer colour and more 
heavily mixed with black than is the case among the 
Totanine. All the species are more or less nocturnal in their 
habits. 
The sub-family is divided into three genera :— 
1. Scolopax (the Woodcocks), in which the legs are 
feathered to the tarsal joint, and the crown is banded across 
with black. Only one species, the typical Woodcock, 
occurs in Ceylon, being occasionally recorded from the hill 
districts. 
2. Gallinago (the Snipes).—In this genus the leg is naked 
for some little way above the tarsal joint, and the crown is 
streaked lengthwise by pale bands. Five species find their 
way into the Ceylon list, but only one—the Pin-tailed Snipe— 
is common ; the others are all rare stragglers. 
3. Rostratula (the Painted Snipes).—A curious genus which 
differs from the others in many ways. The bill is slender, but 
not so long as usual, slightly bent downwards at the tip, and 
not pitted. The birds are resident, whereas all our other 
members of the sub-family are migratory. The flight is weak, 
the wing quills are short and. broad, and marked with, beautiful 
buff-coloured ocellate spots. The female is larger than the 
male, with a well-marked and more gaudy attire ; accordingly 
young birds resemble the more soberly clad male in their 
plumage. Only one species occurs in the Island. 
Rough Key to Ceylon Scolopacine. 
I.—Bill straight ; crown barred crosswise ; legs feathered 
down to tarsal joint. Genus Scolopax. 
Scolopax rusticula (Woodcock). 
IL.—Tibia partly naked, head and back with pale stripes 
engthwise. Genus Gallinago. 
A.—Bill over 2 inches, a pale stripe down middle of crown. 
(a) Length about 12 inches, abdomen barred through- 
out, 
Gallinago nemoricola (Wood Snipe). 
