Mr. B. L. Layard^s Rambles in Ceyldn. 303 



I have added largely to my collection, and ascertained many habitats 

 that I did not know before. This morning I found the nest of Merops 

 erythrocephalus, Lath., in a steep bank; it was merely a hole dug 

 into the clay, about eighteen inches deep, terminating in a vaulted 

 chamber; the eggs, two in number, of a pure white and rounded 

 form, were laid on the bare ground ; several of the adult birds were 

 flying about, every now and then darting into their holes with flies 

 for their young, of which, in other places in the same bank, we found 

 several pairs. The only two other species we have in the island are 

 Merops viridis, L., anA Fhilippinensis, L.; the former is resident with 

 us throughout the year, the latter is migratory, as I told you in my 

 last. I do not think erythrocephalus migrates, but it is a bird so 

 entirely confined to the jungle, that I cannot say much of its habits 

 in this respect ; they keep much about the tops of the highest trees, 

 and never descend Uke the other species ; they do not seem grega- 

 rious, like viridis, which roosts together in flocks of several hun- 

 dreds, though several may be seen on the same tree, each occupying 

 its separate throne, from which it darts off in quest of insects. M. 

 viridis is almost confined to the northern province, where it is sin- 

 gularly abundant, much affecting the Euphorbia hedges about the 

 open country. It is the only species I have ever seen actually perch 

 on the ground, M. Philippinensis generally selecting a pebble, be it 

 ever so small. All the species utter a pleasing note, particularly 

 viridis, when selecting a place for their roosting quarters, generally 

 a low tree or bush, to which they return night after night. I never 

 found them occupying an elevated place. 



I see that Pomatorhinus melanurus, Blyth, is not uncommon here ; 

 it has a curious creeping motion up the branches of trees, not unlike 

 our Enghsh wryneck {Yunx Torquilla, L.). It is a bird more often 

 heard than seen, delighting in the low dense thickets that clothe the 

 sides of our Ceylon hills, creeping about in search of insects, and con- 

 tinually calling to each other to keep their small parties together. 

 Another bird has fallen under my notice here for the first time, the 

 discovery of which has given me great satisfaction ; it is, I am sure, 

 the long-lost Treron Pompadowa * of Brown's wretched figures, in 

 pi. 19, 20 of his ' Illustrations,' and of which Blyth has sent me fac- 

 similes. It is abundant here, feeding on berries which it swallows 

 whole ; its cry is very like that of T. bicincta, and I should not have 

 detected it had not C. shot some for the pot (where, by the way, they 

 are superexcellent), and thus revealed to me that they were distinct 

 from those in the low country. 



It may not be amiss to tell you somewhat of our pigeons. FirBt 

 then, in the low country about Colombo, we have Treron bicincfa, 

 Jerd., Chalcophaps indica, L., and Turtur suratensis. Lath., abun- 

 dantly ; and I shot a young pigeon in the Pasdoom Corle (during a 

 journey I once took thither with the late botanist, Dr. Gardner), 

 which I am sure was Turtur orientalis, Lath. 



* Since confirmed. ""■ 



