170 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



dull white eyebrow from the lores to the ear coverts ; chin, 

 throat, and fore-neck white ; rest of lower parts bright yellow, 

 deepest on the vent and under tail coverts. 



In spring the lores change to dark brown, the white eyebrow 

 becomes broader and clearer, and the ear coverts dark slate- 

 colour ; the chin, throat, and fore -neck become black with 

 small white edges to the feathers, and there is a broad white 

 moustache stripe down the sides of the neck. Our birds 

 appear to leave before this change is much advanced. 



Females in winter resemble males ; in summer the dark 

 throat patch is represented by a row of dark brown spots on 

 each side of the throat and neck ; the lower parts are less 

 bright yellow. 



Young birds on their arrival resemble adults in winter, but 

 the chin and throat are tinged with yellow, and the rest of 

 the lower parts are less bright, at times almost white. 



Bill horn-colour, paler at the base of the lower mandible ; 

 iris brown ; legs and feet flesh -colour. 



Length about 7*5 ; wing 3"15 ; tail 3*7 ; tarsus '75 ; bill 

 from gape • 7 ; hind claw, measured straight from base to 

 tip -25. 



Distribution. — A regular migrant, arriving about the middle 

 of Sejptember, and staying near the coast for a few days after 

 its arrival. The birds then move on, some to the interior of 

 the northern forest tract, but the majority to the hUls. They 

 leave again about the end of March. 



This species has a wide range, breeding in the temperate 

 climates of Europe and Asia and on the Himalayas, and 

 wintering in Northern Africa and Southern Asia. 



Habits. — May occasionally be seen in the sandy beds of 

 rivers in the northern forest tract, but in the hills it is a very 

 famOiar species along the streams and water-courses. It is 

 fond of perching on the roofs of houses, on tree stumps and 

 bushes, as well as on rocks in the stream bed. When perched 

 or running it perpetually balances its tail. The flight is 

 undulating, but swift ; the note is a cheerful little "whistle. 

 It is by no means shy. 



