Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ci'i/lon. 1 15 



pearing at a distance like a clergyman in his black garments 

 and white neckcloth. Maana-koku, Mai. 



Common throughout the island on all the swampy lands. It 

 breeds in trees, in companies, laying several pure white chalky 

 eggs, the surface of which is curiously granulated. Axis 2 inches 

 9 lines, diam. 1 inch 10 lines. 



253. Anastomus oscitans, Bodd. Gombellu-koka, Cing. ; lit. 

 Snail-eater and Snail-koka ; — Bellu, Gombellu and Godabellu 

 being the Cingalese for snails of all kinds. 



Common on all marshes. At Matura I saw them in flocks of 

 several hundreds ; they were breeding in lofty trees, but I could 

 not obtain their eggs, though I offered a reward for them ; the 

 natives said they defended their nests with such pertinacity that 

 they feared to mount to them. 



254. Tantalus leucocephalus, Gmel. Datudua, Cing. ; lit. 

 Sickle-bill. Chang a vella nary, Mai. [Nary is the general 

 Tamul name for all storks.) Brand-gaus, Dutch ; lit. Brand 

 or Fire Goose, from the red feather in the tail. 



Found in company with the three preceding species : it is not 

 uncommon. 



255. Threskiornis melanocephala, Lath. Tatta-koku,C'mg.; 

 lit. Bald-head Koku. 



Common in the northern and north-western provinces ; feed- 

 ing and breeding together in flocks ; they lay four or six eggs in 

 a large nest of sticks. The eggs are chalky-white, sparingly 

 blotched here and there with dry blood-coloured marks, thickest 

 at the obtuse end. Axis 2 in. 7 lines, diam. 1 in. 9 lines. 



256. Ibis falcinellus, Linn. Rattu-datudua, Cing. ; lit. Black 

 Sickle-bill. Karapu cotan, Mai. ; lit. Black Snipe. Swartz- 

 whelp, Dutch ; lit. Black Curlew. Prater whelp, Port. 

 " Black Curlew " of English shooters. 



Not uncommon about Tangalle Lake and at Pt. Pedro. It 

 was often brought into the bazaar at the latter place for sale, 

 and I found it delicious eating. They feed just like curlews, 

 inserting their bills into the mud and water in search of worms. 



[To be continued.] 



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