104 SPOLTA ZEYLANICA. 



Family DICMIDM. 



(919) Dicseum erythrorhynchus (Tickell's Flower-pecker) . Resident . 



Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), II., p. 381 ; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 574. 



The smallest bird we have in Ceylon. Frequents the tops of tall 

 trees, and, in spite of being a common bird, is apt to be passed over 

 on account of its inconspicuous plumage. The colour generally is 

 ashy-olive, paler underneath. 



Family PITTIDM. 



(933) Pitta brachyura (the Indian Pitta), Migrant. 



Gates, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), II., p. 393 ; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 687. 



A migrant, arriving in Gctober. Gwing to its partiaHty for thick 

 bushes, is not often seen. It is by no means common in Colombo. 

 I have only two records. It is known as the " Painted Thrush," 

 from the variety of brilliant colours in its plumage, or the " Six 

 o'clock Bird ," from its peculiar note. 



Family CAPITONIDM. 



(1008) Thereiceryx zeylonicus (the Brown-headed Barbet). 

 Resident. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), III., p. 86 ; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 208, plate X. 



Gne of the commonest bii'ds of the low-country. Its cry, com- 

 mencing Avith a low gurgle and ending with notes which resemble 

 " kottoruwa-kottoruwa " (which, by the way, is its Sinhalese name) , 

 is familiar to everyone. Gccasionally seen in well-wooded gardens 

 in Colombo, but on the outskirts of the town its note can be heard 

 at any time of the day. 



(1015) Cyanops flavifrons (the Yellow -fronted Barbet). Resident. 



Blandford, Famia Br. Ind. (Birds), III., p. 94 ; Legge, Birds of 

 Ceylon, p. 212, plate X. 



Peculiar to Ceylon. It is reported from Colombo. 



(1019) Xantholsema hsematocephala (the Crimson-breasted Barbet, 

 or Coppersmith) . Resident. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), III., p. 98 ; Legge, Birds of 



Ceylon, p. 218. 



This bird is reported from Colombo, but so far I have not observed 

 it. I have thought at times that I have heard its note, wonJc-ivonk- 

 wonk, which sounds like blows on a hollow vessel, but am inclined 

 to believe I have mistaken it for the following bird, which, although 



