22 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
and occurs in the hill forests of the Malabar Coast. It may be 
recognized by the blue wing quills, and by the fact that the 
breast as well as the crown and upper back are dove-gray 
in males and greenish-gray in females. Length about 15; 
wing 6°5; tail 8°5. 
LoricuLus Inpicus (Blanford, Vol. LII., p. 262 ; 
Legge, p. 180). 
The Ceylonese Loriquet. 
Description.—General colour of upper parts green ; crown 
deep red passing into orange on the nape ; back and scapulars 
faintly washed with orange ; rump and upper tail coverts 
deep red ; wings and tail rather deeper green ; inner webs of 
wing quills dusky black, the outer primary almost wholly 
black ; cheeks and lower plumage paler green, the throat 
faintly washed with blue ; under surface of wing and tail quills 
verditer blue. 
In young birds the crown is green, the crimson tint being 
assumed. gradually. 
Bill orange-red, paler at the tip; cere yellow ; iris white ; 
legs and feet dusky yellow. 
Length 5°5; wing 3°7; tail 1°75; tarsus 45; bill from 
cere °5. 
Distribution —Peculiar to Ceylon ; widely distributed in 
many parts of the low-country, commonest in the south-west 
of the Island, almost wholly absent from the arid maritime 
region, and local in the northern forest tract. It is common 
in the hills up to about 4,000 feet, and during the north-east 
monsoon is found at even higher elevations. 
Habits, &c.—Found in native gardens or in any jungle 
which contains the fruit and flowers on which it feeds. It is 
a ravenous eater, and is especially fond of kitul toddy, on 
which it will gorge until stupefied. The flight is swift ; the 
ery is a shrill little scream. The breeding season lasts from 
March till June. For its nest it chooses a small natural 
cavity in a tree, excavating the interior to a depth of 2 to 4 
feet. The clutch consists of two or three eggs laid on a pad 
of green leaves spread about an inch thick at the bottom of 
the hole. They are white and glossless, and measure about 
‘75 by °62. 

