( :54 ) 



Just as tho Indo-Oeylonese Peafowl is replacod in Burma by a 

 distinct species {Pavo muticus) which ranges southwards to Java, 

 so the Paradise Flycatcher of India and Ceylon is represented in 

 Burma by an allied species (TerpsipJione affinis). 



The robins are closely related to the flycatchers on the one hand 

 and to the thrushes on the other. The Black Robin {Thamnohia 

 fulicata) and the Magpie Robin (Copsi/cJtus saularis) are, next to 

 the crows, the sparrows, and the babblers, tlie commonest birds 

 in Colombo and throughout the Island ; the Long-tailed Robin, 

 known to ornithologists by its Hindustani name " Shama," is a shy 

 jungle-bird. 



In the reverse half of the case are shown Weaver birds and 

 Munia Finches (Ploceidae), the Hill Munia ( Uroloncha kelaarti) 

 being peculiar ; Sparrows (Fringillidse), the House Sparrow 

 {Passer domesticus) ranging from Great Britain to South Asia ; 

 Swallows (Hirundinidffi) ; Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae) : the 

 Gray-headed Wagtail {Motacilla borealis) ranges all over Europe, 

 Asia, and North Africa, and may be seen on the Galle Face Parade 

 during the north-east season from September to May ; Larks 

 ( Alaudidae") ; Sun birds* (Nectariniidaj) and FJower-peckers 

 (Dicseidas), the former with long bills, the latter with short bills, 

 both families being distinguished from all other Passerine birds 

 by the serration of both mandibles of the beak ; the Indian Pitta 

 or Ground Thrush (Pittidae), a characteristic north-east migrant. 

 Finally, the bottom shelf of the case contains the Woodpeckersf 

 (Picidae), a very distinct family of birds well represented in 

 Ceylon. The type skins of Legge's Woodpecker {Brachypternus 

 intermedins) were presented by Sir W. H. Gregory. This variety 

 is believed to be a hybrid between the Golden-backed Woodpecker 

 {B. aurantius), and the common Red-backed Woodpecker (B, 

 erythronotus)^ which is peculiar to Ceylon. Layard's Wood- 

 pecker {Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) is also confined to Ceylon. 



BIRD CASE VI. 

 The case adjoining the one just described, commencing from 

 the top of the reverse side, contains more Passerine birds, namely, 

 the Crows, Jays, and Titmice (Corvidae), the Ceylonese Jay (Gissa 

 ornata), coloured chestnut and blue, being endemic. This bird is 

 sometimes known as the Ceylon Magpie. It is a forest bird of 

 shy habits, feeding a good deal on the ground [Gates]. 



* The Sun birds are the representatives in the Old World of the Humming birds 

 of the New World, and like the latter can poise themselves on the wing while 

 extracting nectar from flowers. They aro frequently seen in Colombo feeding 

 upon the Hibiscus flowers. 



t The Woodpeckers are Picarian birds, not Passerine. 



