BIRDS OF COLOMBO. 113 



Sub-family Scolopacin/E. 



(1484) Gallinago ccelestis (the Common Snipe). Migrant. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 286 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, pp. 821, 1218. 

 The familiar snipe of sportsmen takes its place in this list, as it 

 undoubtedly was formerly found in good numbers in the swampy 

 lands round Colombo, and has within the last month or so been 

 reported from the Ladies' golf links. I have heard of it being put 

 up in the grounds of the new Royal College and the racecourse. 



Family LARIDM. 



Sub-family Sternin^. 



(1496) Hydrochelidon hybrida (the Black-bellied Marsh Tern). 

 Resident. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 307 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, p. 996. 

 The commonest bird seen on the lake, and abundant on the 

 inland waters round the coast, and on the big tanks. The top of 

 the head is black ; upper plumage dark gray ; underneath white ; 

 abdomen "gray-black." In breeding plumage, the under parts 

 from breast downwards are very dark. 



(1501) Sterna media (the Smaller-crested Tern). Resident. 

 Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 313 ; Legge, Birds 



of Ceylon, p. 1030. 

 Common in the harbour and on the coast. Top of head black ; 

 upper plumage dark gray ; under parts white ; legs and feet 

 black ; hill orange red. Length about 15 in. 



(1502) Sterna bergii (the Large-crested Tern). Resident. 

 Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 314 ; Legge, Birds 



of Ceylon, p. 1026. 

 Plumage the same as the foregoing species, except that there is 

 a white spot on forehead ; bill " musky yellow tinged with green." 

 Length 20 in. 



Family FREGATID^. 



(1525) Fregata ariel (the Lesser Frigate Bird). 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 338 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, p. 1203. 



I have on several occasions seen this bird over the Galle Face. 

 Its powerful flight forms a subject about which much has been 

 written. I have noticed it flying about casually at a fair height, 

 and in a moment or so, with a very few strokes of its wings, it has 

 gone away quite out of sight. When descending it has a curious 

 way of folding its wings, it seemed to me, over its head, and swooping 

 down. 



Q 6(2)12 



