PICARIAN BIRDS AND PARROTS OF CEYLON. 219 
Bill black ; iris crimson ; legs and feet blackish. 
Length about 12; wing 5°25; tail, outer feathers 3°5, 
central pair 5 to 6; tarsus *5; bill from gape 2. 
Distribution —A migrant species, arriving about the end of 
August and leaving in April. It spreads fairly well all over 
the low-country, and is found in the patanas up-country to 
about 5,000 feet. It occurs over a great part of the Indian 
Empire, being partially migratory in many districts, and 
extends almost throughout the Oriental region. 
Habits, &c.—In Ceylon it is found chiefly in open country, 
or about paddy fields, swamps, and hill patanas. Its habits 
are much the same as those of the last species. Its note is 
rather fuller and louder. Just before leaving the Island it 
collects in large flocks. It has not been known to breed in 
Ceylon. 
MELITTOPHAGUS SWINHOT! (Blanford, Vol. III., p. 114). 
MEROPS SWINHOEI (Legge, p. 313). 
The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater. 
Description.—Forehead, head above the eyes, hind-neck, 
and upper back chestnut ; a black streak runs from the gape 
of the bill under the eye to the ear coverts. Wing, wing 
coverts, and scapulars green, the primary and secondary quills 
with black tipsand rufous inner margins ; rump and upper tail 
coverts pale blue; tail green, the margins and tips of all but 
the central pair of feathers blackish ; chin and throat saffron- 
yellow ; fore-neck chestnut, bordered below by a_ black 
gorget band ; breast greenish, the tips of the feathers across 
which the black gorget runs are washed with pale yellow ; 
abdomen and lower tail coverts bluish-green. 
Bill black ; iris crimson ; legs and feet dark brown. 
Length 8°5; wing 4°2; tail 3°25; tarsus °43; bill from 
gape 1°7. 
Distribution —Rather locally distributed ; it is common on 
the banks of the Gin-ganga in the Galle District and on 
some rivers in the Western Province. Scattered colonies are 
also found in the North-Western Province, Sabaragamuwa, 
