308 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
Bill blood-red ; iris brown ; naked skin round the eye 
black ; legs red. 
Length about 46; wing 24; tail 9°5; tarsus about 8 ; bill 
from gape 8. 
Distribution.—An extremely rare migrant; has been seen 
in the south-east of the Island and, contrary to its usual 
habits, once found breeding in 1880 in the North-Western 
Province. Fairly common during the winter in northern 
India, rare in the south, and unknown in Burma. Breeds in 
temperate climates from Holland to Central Asia, wintering 
all over Africa and in South-western Asia. 
Habits.—In its. winter quarters this species is generally 
met with in flocks in open fields usually away from water. 
It feeds on locusts, reptiles, and small animals. The nest 
is a large structure of sticks placed in a tree or on a 
building. ‘The eggs are three to five in number, pure white, 
and measuring about 3 by 2°15. 
DissuRA EPIscopus (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 370 ; 
Legge, p. 1119). 
The White-necked Stork ; Parson Stork. 
Description.—The crown black; neck, lower abdomen, 
and tail white ; remainder of plumage black, glossed with 
purple on the upper back and breast, and with bronze-green 
on the lower back and upper abdomen. 
Bill black, tinged with red on the ridge and along the 
edges ; iris crimson ; bare skin of the face lead-coloured ; legs 
and feet red. 
Length 32; wing 18°5; tail 7°5; tarsus 6°5; bill from 
gape 6. Ceylon birds appear to be rather smaller than Indian. 
Distribution.—Fairly common in the dry zone of the low- 
country. It is found almost throughout India and Burma 
in the plains, and extends eastwards to Cochin-China and the 
Dutch East Indies. - 
Habits.—In Ceylon this Stork appears to prefer the neigh- 
bourhood of abandoned or secluded tanks in the heart of the 
jungle. 
