350 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, 
than in others; chin and throat rather grayer; the whole 
under surface from the breast down marked with roundish 
white spots, which are edged with darker brown ; on the vent, 
thighs, and lower tail coverts these spots change to bars. 
In young birds the crown and nape are white with black- 
brown ends and pale edges ; the feathers of the upper parts 
are lighter at the base and have pale tips ; the wing coverts 
are a good deal mixed with white ; the pale bands on the 
wing quills and tail are more numerous ; the breast bears 
tcaces of fulvous crossbars ; the edge of the wing lining is 
white. 
Bill lead colour, darker at the tip ; cere and naked skin of 
face lemon-yellow ; iris yellow ; legs and feet dingy-yellow. 
Males : length about 23; wing 15; tail 9°5; tarsus 3:25 ; 
mid-toe without claw 1:8; bill from gape 1:7 
Females are a little larger: length 24; wing 15-5. 
Distribution.—Fairly common all over the Island, but most 
abundant in the drier low-country forest tracts. Blanford 
unites in one species several races which range all over the 
Indian Empire, also south-east to Malaya, including the 
Archipelago, and eastwards to Japan. 
Habits, &c.—A forest species, generally found on large trees 
by the banks of rivers and streams, and round village tanks. 
From such trees the birds watch for their prey, which consists 
mainly of snakes, lizards, and frogs. They may also be seen 
soaring, often at a considerable height, and may then be 
recognized by their loud whistling cry and by the numerous 
light bars on the wings and tail. The birds appear to breed 
from about March to May. ‘The nest is a loose structure of 
twigs, scantily lined with green leaves, and placed in a tall tree. 
The eggs number one or two, and are dirty-white with rusty- 
red stains and blotches. They measure about 2°50 by 1°95. 
HALIAETUS LEUCOGASTER (Blanford, Vol. II1., p. 368 ; 
Legge, p. 67). 
The White-bellied Sea Eagle. 
Description.—Adult : The whole. head, neck, and lower 
parts are white, the neck and breast generally marked with 
