PASSERINE BTRPS OF CEYLON. 103 



primary is more than half the length of the second. The tail 

 is of medium length and slightly rounded, the tarsus is short, 

 but fairly stout, and is covered in front by transverse scales. 

 Orioles are arboreal in their habits, and feed on fruits and 

 berries. Their notes are rich and flute-like. 



Key to Ceylo7i Oriolidse. 



A. — Crown of head rich yellow. 



Oriolus indicus indicus (Black-naped Oriole). 



B. — Entire head, throat, and upper breast black. 



Oriolus luteolus luteolus (Indian Black-headed Oriole). 



Oriolus indicus indicus. 



The. Black-naped, Oriole. 



Oriolus indicus (Gates, Vol. T., p. 502); Oriolus diffustis (Legge, 

 p. 355). 



Description. — Male : Lores, a band through the eye and the 

 nape black ; remainder of body plumage bright yellow ; 

 wing coverts bright yellow, the inner webs of the greater 

 coverts and the whole of the primary coverts, except the tips, 

 black ; primaries black with yellowish -white tips and margins, 

 the secondaries wifch wider margins, and the innermost quills 

 almost wholly yellow ; tail feathers black with yellow tips, 

 which increase in width on the outer feathers. 



In females the yellow of the back is tinged with green. 



Bill pinky red ; iris rich blood red ; legs and feet lead 

 colour. 



Length 9 • 75 ; wing 6 ; tail 4 ; tai-sus 1 ; bill from gape I • 4. 



Distribution. — Layard notes two specimens shot in Colombo, 

 the only Ceylon record. The species appears to be a migrant 

 found in winter over a considerable part of the Indian Peninsula 

 but nowhere common. 



In Burma it is fairly abundant in Southern Pegu. The 

 summer quarters are in China and Mongolia. 



Habits. — Not much is on record concerning these, but it 

 appears to be a forest bird, and less partial to cultivated 

 districts than the next species. 



