356 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
Bill black ; cere pale yellow ; iris in adults deep ruby-red, 
in young birds yellow ; legs and feet rich yellow. 
Length about 12°50; wing 10°5; tail 5°25; tarsus 1°3; 
mid-toe without claw 1; bill from gape 1:1. 
Distribution.—-Fairly widely distributed over the Island, 
probably a partial migrant, as in some districts it is commoner 
during the north-east monsoon. It is found throughout the 
greater part of India and Burma, ranges over the whole of 
Africa, and occurs locally in Southern Europe and South- 
western Asia. 
Habits, &c.—This handsome little species avoids heavy 
forest, and is partial to grassy lands, patanas, young planta- 
tions, and low chenas, provided they are thinly dotted over 
with large trees. It is a solitary bird, and nowhere abundant. 
It is most noticeable during the north-east monsoon, but 
undoubtedly breeds in the Island. On the wing it rather 
resembles a gull in appearance. It seldom soars or takes 
long flights, but frequently hovers like a kestrel. Its food 
consists of insects, mice, small lizards, &c. In the hills the 
breeding season appears to be from December to March, In- 
the low-country I once saw a bird in the Tangalia district 
beginning to build in July. The nest is like that of a crow, 
and is placed generally high up in a solitary tree. The eggs 
number two or three, and are almost perfect ovals. The 
ground colour is dull white, more or less densely blotched with 
brownish-red. Average size 1-55 by 1:20. 
Group IV .—Harrvers. 
The Harriers belong to a single large genus, various members 
of which are found in most tropical and temperate climates. 
Four species, all of which are migratory, occur in Ceylon. 
They are easily recognized by their appearance and flight. 
The form is slender ; the beak is small, curves regularly from 
the base, and has a very slight festoon. There is a ruff of 
small soft feathers across the throat and up the sides of the 
neck to behind the ear coverts. The tail is long and even at 
the tip, or slightly rounded. The wings are long and pointed. 
The tarsus is long and slender, and is feathered in front only 
