96 SPOLIA ZEYLANTOA. 



(119) Pomatorhinus melanurus (the Ceylonese Scimitar Babbler). 



Resident, 



Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), I., p. 118: Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 501. 



Legge records having procured a specimen at Borella. I am 

 inclined to think this bird, which is peculiar to the Island, has been 

 driven inland ; I have never seen it, or heard its note, which is so 

 characteristic in Colombo or the neighbourhood. The plumage 

 above is dark brown ; conspicuous white streak over the eye ; under 

 parts white ; bill yellow, 1 • 23 in. in length and curved. 



Sub-family Sibiin^. 

 (226) Zosterops palpebrosa (the Common White-eye). Resident. 

 Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), I., p. 214; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 582. 

 The occurrence of this bird in Colombo is not as common as its 

 name seems to indicate. It frequents gardens, and moves about in 

 parties of six or more. It is a small dark-green bird, lighter under- 

 neath, with a conspicuous circle of white feathers round the eye. 



Sub-family LiOTRiCHiN.ai. 

 (243) ^githlna tiphia (the Common Bush Bulbul, or lora). 

 Resident. 



Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), I., p. 230; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 490. 

 This elegant little bird is frequently seen in the gardens of Colombo. 

 Its brilliant plumage and clear flute-like note, chee-too, must be 

 familiar to residents. The plumage above, including the wings, is 

 black, a white band across the wing, and under surface yellow. The 

 female is dark green above. 



Sub-family Bbachypodin^. 

 (278) Molpastes hsemorrhous (the Madras Red-vented Bulbul). 

 Resident. 



Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), I., p. 268 ; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 482. 

 The famihar Bulbul, with its smoky-brown plumage, its black 

 head surmounted by a tuft of feathers, and the bright red patch 

 under the tail, is probably as well known as any bird we have. Its 

 appearance in the compound, with its sprightly manners and cheerful 

 series of notes, is always a source of pleasure to an observer. 



(305) Pycnonotus luteolus (the White eye-browed Bulbul). Resident. 

 Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), I., p. 290; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 475. 

 Gwing to its partiality for thick bushy trees this bird is not 

 frequently seen, but for all that it is quite as common as the fore- 

 going species. The series of notes is uttered more precipitately 



