PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON, 69 



tarsus is generally slim and fairly long, its hinder aspect is 

 smooth. The toes also are slim and longish and well adapted 

 for clinging round grass stems or thin sprays of foliage. The 

 Aving has ten primaries, the tail may have either ten or twelve 

 feathers. The sexes are generally alike, and when any diflEer- 

 ence does occur, it is small. 



All species have a complete autumn moult, in addition to 

 a partial or complete spring moult. The spring moult is 

 often accompanied by a distinct change in the shape and 

 length of the tail. Several of our resident forms belong to 

 species which undergo such a change. In this Island, however, 

 such forms have a breeding season, which extends intermittent- 

 ly for over half the year, and it is interesting to note that in 

 Ceylon birds the difference between the breeding and winter 

 plumage is far less marked than in specimens from further 

 north, where the breeding season is shorter and more defined. 



The majority of the species are migratory, breeding in 

 temperate regions and wintering further south. Not many of 

 the migrant species, however, penetrate as far south as Ceylon, 

 with the result that half the forms found with us are resident. 



The Warblers have received their family name from their 

 pleasing song, but as their vocal powers are generally exercised 

 only in the breeding season, and as these powers are sadly 

 lacking in our resident species, the name is rather misleading 

 as far as Ceylon is concerned. 



More than 100 species belonging to over 30 genera are found 

 within Indian limits. Seventeen different species or sub- 

 species have been recorded from Ceylon. 



As the plumage generally is plain, and as the generic and 

 specific distinctions are based on rather minute differences, 

 the group presents certain difficulties, unless carefully studied. 

 I have, however, endeavoured to make the key as simple 

 and easy as possible. The forms found in Ceylon may be 

 divided into three main groups : — 



I.— Reed, Grass, and Bush Warblers with 12 tail feathers, 

 short rounded feathers on the forehead, and without any 

 bristles beyond the usual rictal bristles. Of these, we have 

 eight species, nearly all of which arc resident. They are 



