PICARIAN BIRDS AND PARROTS OF CEYLON. 209 
It would appear to have much the same nesting habits as 
C. festivus. The first brood is hatched early in the year, and 
I once found an addled egg with two young ones in September. 
Oftener only one egg is laid. 
The eggs measure about 1°16 by °86. 
Order ZYGODACTYLI, 
Family CAPITONID2. 
Barbets. 
The Barbets are found in the tropical regions cf Africa, Asia, 
and America. Four species occur in Ceylon ; two of them 
are peculiar to the Island. In general structure and nesting 
habits they are akin to Woodpeckers, but they feed almost 
entirely on fruit, and perch on branches, instead of clinging 
to the stem in a vertical position. The bill is generally stout, 
slightly curved, and fairly powerful. Prominent bristles 
overhang the nostrils and spring from the chin. The wings 
are short and rounded ; the tail is short and soft and composed 
of ten feathers. 
As in the Woodpeckers, the feet are zygodactylic, the first 
and fourth toes being directed backwards. The cry is a 
peculiarly monotonous call of from one to three syllables 
repeated at intervals. The nest hole is like that of a Wood- 
pecker, the entrance being generally neatly bevelled and 
rounded. 
The eggs are of a dull glossless white. 
In all Ceylon species the plumage is mainly green. The 
short wing quills and soft but rather scanty plumage give the 
birds the appearance of not being quite fledged. 
Rough Key to the Ceylon Capitonide. 
A.—Larger forms ; length over 8 inches ; no crimson on 
head and neck. 
(1) Length 9°75 ; whole head and neck brown with 
pale streaks. 
Thereiceryx zeylonicus (Common Indian Green 
Barbet). 
(2) Length 8°5 ; cheeks, chin, and throat blue. 
Cyanops flavifrons (Yellow-fronted Barbet). 
