Letters, Announcements, &^c. 527 



with the exception of Gi/ps bengalensis, Otogyps calvus, and 

 Neophron percnopterus, and a few Kites, Milvus govinda, I rarely 

 saw a large bird. Ketupa ceylonensis is common in the lower 

 valleys ; and I observed Asio brachyotus on the open hills. C%jp- 

 selus melba is numerous at the highest elevations ; and I got one 

 specimen of the pretty little Hirundo domicola, which hitherto has, 

 I believe, been only found in India on the Neilgherries. Capri- 

 mulgus monticolus is abundant ; and many beautiful birds, such 

 as Merops quinticolor, Coracias indica, Loi'iculus vernalis, Peri- 

 crocotus flammeus, and Dendr'ophilus frontalis, light up the forest 

 with their brilliant colours. The monotonous note of Mega- 

 lama viridis is heard in the forest during the whole day ; and 

 another pretty Barbet, Xantholcema malabarica, is not un- 

 common. Perhaps the most remarkable bird found in the 

 forests is the great Homraius bicornis, which sometimes assembles 

 in flocks, of from twenty to thirty, at some favourite fruit-tree. 

 Their deep croak and rushing wings are often heard in the 

 heavy forest as well as in the more open sholahs; and the small 

 Hornbill, Tockus gingalensis, is equally common with, and far 

 more easy of approach than his large cousin. Palceornis colum- 

 boides here replaces the Green Parrakeet of the Plains, but 

 prefers the jungle to the open country. Of Woodpeckers three 

 or four species are common, especially Chrysocolaptes sultaneus, 

 Hemicercus canente, and Gecinus striolatus ; but I only once saw 

 the fine Muelleripicus striolatus. The Shrikes were poorly repre- 

 sented by Tephrodornis sylvicola; but their absence was made 

 up for by Edolius malabaricus, Tchitrea paradisi, Pericrocotus 

 ferrugineus, Eulabes religiosa and other beautiful birds. On 

 the open grassy hills Pomatorhinus horsfieldi, Pratincola caprata, 

 Otocompsa jocosa and Corydalla rufula were common, while in 

 the tall forest Ixus luteolus, Criniger icterica, and Alcippe poeo- 

 cephala found a congenial abode. Of Warblers I saw but very 

 few species, and only obtained Phylloscopus viridanus. Single 

 specimens of Parus atriceps, Malacocercus subritfus, and Oreoccetes 

 cinclorhynchus are in my collection, also Oriolus kundu and 

 Hemipus jncatus, which is common about the little mountain- 

 streams. The fine large Carpophaga insignis is very common, 



