66 



SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



overhanging water, and also that these animals are particularly 

 tame when they are in the water. As we paddled in a canoe round 

 the shores of the lagoon on the west side we were able to approach 

 within 6 or 8 feet of several fair-sized specimens, which were 

 resting on partially submerged stumps in the shallow water. They 

 remained in most cases quite motionless, but keeping their eyes 

 fixed on us as we passed or stopped to examine them. One large 

 specimen was seen to be resting (possibly asleep) lengthwise along 

 the branch of a tree overhanging the water, at a height of 10 or 

 12 feet. We tried to disturb it and see it move along the branch, 

 but it was some time before we succeeded. With regard to talagoyas , 

 th^re have been for some years in the Government Trainiag College 

 compound in Colombo several specimens, which I have observed 

 from time to time during the last two years. When I first noticed 

 them there were three, one large and two smaller. All these I have 

 seen searching the trunks of trees (especially the " mere de cacao") 

 to a height of 12 or 14 feet, and they probably went higher. 

 When occasionally chased by the dogs, they moved rapidly along 

 the ground with a very " waddling " gait and escaped up the nearest 

 tree or into a drain. q rp SYMONS. 



3. Note on Arrival of Migrant Birds in Colombo. — It may be of 

 interest to those who are observers of bird life in Ceylon to have a 

 list of observations of the first appearances in Colombo of migrant 

 birds for a number of years. No pretence is made of stating that 

 this list is in any way standard. It is probable that the birds arrived 

 several days before they were observed by us, and it is very possible 

 that other observers will be able to supply more accurate dates. 

 But as we believe no list has yet been published, it seemed advisable 

 to make a start and stimulate others to make any corrections 

 necessary. As will be seen, the list is by no means complete ; where 

 no date is inserted no observation was made, sometimes owing 

 to the absence of the observers from the Island : — 



It would be of considerable interest to have lists from other parts 



°^*^^^^^"^^- C. T. SYMONS. 



. W. A. CAVE. 



