28 



SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



Synopsis ot Passerine Families found in Ceylon. 



ACROMYODI. 



A. — Wing with ten primaries, the first being 

 small ; edges of mandibles not ser- 

 rated ; hinder part of tarsus smooth ; 

 nostrils clear of line of forehead. 



(a) Plumage of nestling resembles that of 



adult female, but paler. 



(1) Nostrils completely hidden by Corvidse 



bristles ; first primary over | (Crow 



length of second ; size large, family) 



length over 16 inches. 



(2) Nostrils completely hidden by Pandas 



bristles ; first primary not over (Tits) 



half length of second ; size small, 

 length 5^ inches. 



(3) Nostrils bare or overhung only Crateropodidse 



by a few hairs or plumelets ; (Babblers, 



inner and hind toe equal ; size Bulbuls, and 



medium or small. their allies) 



(4) Nostrils overhung by a few hairs ; Sittidm 



climbing birds ; hind toe much (Nut-hatches) 

 longer than inner ; size small. 



(5) Tail forked and with only ten Dicruridse 



feathers ; plumage mainly black. (Drongos) 



(b) Plumage of nestling resembles that 



of female, but brighter. 

 (1) Size smaUish, seldom reaching Sylviidse 



1\ inches. Plumage generally (Warblers) 

 plain. 



(c) Plumage of nestling cross-barred. 



(1) Size variable; bill strong, hooked, Laniidas 



and notched. (Shrikes) 



{({) Plumage of nestling normally streaked . 



(1) Rictal bristles present ; size Oriolidse 



medium ; plumage bright yellow (Orioles) 

 and black. 



