173 Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 



an inhabitant of Ceylon. The specimen in question was shot in 

 the Jaffna district, in the island of Valenny. I know nothing 

 personaEy of its habits. 



51. Halcyon Smyrnensis, Linn. Calavy cooroovi, Mai.; lit. 

 Large-mouthed Bird. 



Very common and widely distributed, feeding indiscriminately 

 on fresh or saltwater fish, crabs, beetles, and buttei'flies. I have 

 seen them capture these last in the manner of flycatchers {Musci- 

 capidee), darting from a sprig and seizing them in the air, their 

 mandibles closing with a snap, audible at the distance of some 

 yards. One, which was unluckily introduced into an aviary, de- 

 stroyed most of the lesser captives ere he was detected as the cul- 

 prit ; he was at last caught in the act of seizing a small bird in 

 his powerful bill ; he beat it for a moment against his perch, and 

 then swallowed it whole. The nest of this species is found in 

 decaying trees ; the parent bird deposits two white eggs, axis 

 15 lines, diam. 13 lines, beautifully smooth and shining. I have 

 procured eggs in the north of the island in December, in the 

 south in April. 



52. Ceyx tridactyla, Linn. 



This lovely little bird is certainly one of our uncommon spe- 

 cies, and yet, at the same time, widely distributed. I have seen 

 it at (ialle, Trincomalee, Anarajahpoora, Matelle, Putlam, and 

 Ratnapoora. It delights equally in the headlong waters of the 

 mountain torrent, and the calm unruffled bosom of the jungle 

 tank; and glancing like a gemmed arrowpast the traveller journey- 

 ing along the narrow native road, its minute form evades his 

 quickest shot. I have only procured one specimen. 



53. Alcedo Bengalensis, Gmel. Mal-pillihudua*, Cing. ; lit. 

 Flower Kingfisher. 



Found throughout the island, feeding alike on small fresh 

 or saltwater fish, crustaceans, &c. It is captured in great 

 abundance during some seasons of the year, by Moormen who 

 resort to this country for that purpose, and transmit the skins 

 to China, where they are used for embellishing fans and other 

 fancy work. They are entrapped by a net placed under the 

 water covered with horse-hair nooses, and baited with a small 

 fish. 



54. Ceryle RUDis, Linn. 



Commonly distributed, feeding on fresh or saltwater fish, ac- 

 cording to its locality. Whilst other kingfishers pounce upon their 



* Pillihudua is the native name for all Kingfishers. 



