108 Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 



ground, often only the footprint of a bullock. I have found 

 the eggs from February to August, and equally fresh. 



Dr. Kelaart includes Cotumix Coromandelica, Gmel., in his 

 list, sed non vidi. 



224. Esacus recurvirostris, Cuv. Mosul-Krandi and Mosul- 

 Kanati, Mai. ; lit. Hare-eyed. 

 A rarish and wary bird, frequenting the open muddy plains of 

 Mantotte on the western coast, occasionally found about Pt. 

 Pedro, and I saw a specimen or two at Hambantotte. I think 

 it is migratory, appearing in December. I have seen them 

 coming from the seaward in that month. Its eggs, two in num- 

 ber, are deposited on the bare ground in a small hollow ; they 

 are of a pale nankeen colour, thickly covered with burnt-umber- 

 coloured blotches, largest and closest, at the obtuse end. Axis 

 2 inches ; diam. 1 in. 4 lines. 



225. (Edicxemits crepitans, Temm. 



Much more frequent and generally distributed than the pre- 

 ceding species. It is found also in flocks of fifteen or twenty, 

 whereas the former is a solitary bird, at most only found in 

 pairs, 



226. Cursorius Coromandelicus, Gmel. 



Found occasionally on the Wally plains during the month of 

 April. Dr. Kelaart includes Glareola orient alls, Leach, sed non 



227. Sarciophorus bilobus, Gmel. Kirella, Cing. Alcaty, 

 Mai. Verklikker, Dutch. Teteue, Port. 



This and the succeeding species are abundant all over the 

 island in the neighbourhood of water, and with their loud un- 

 tiring cries, which have been likened to the words, " Did he do 

 it ?" and " It's a pity to do it," are the plagues of the sportsman. 



The tank-shooter in particular, while stealing along in the 

 silence of the night to some secluded pool, where he knows he 

 shall probably find an elk or a bear, is startled by the shrill cry 

 of this ever-vigilant bird, as it springs from almost under his feet 

 and makes the night air ring again, while far and near the cry is 

 re-echoed, till every wild animal within hearing is on the alert, 

 roused by its well-known warning voice. 



The nest is merely a hollow stamped in the earth by the old 

 birds, and the eggs, from three to five in number, weigh 3 iiiss. 

 Axis 1 in. 6 lines ; diam. 1 in. 3 lines. Their colour is a rich 

 nankeen, plentifully spotted with rather large blotches, some of 

 which are dark brown, others gray, of a deeper or paler shade ; 



