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



283. Gallinula phcenicura, Pennant. Korawaka, Cing., from 

 its cry, which this word precisely resembles. 



Abundant throughout Ceylon in all marshy places, tanks, 

 rivers, and even ditches. It constructs a nest similar in shape 

 and position to that of our English Water-hen, and deposits from 

 six to fourteen eggs of a pale fawn colour, thickly mottled with 

 dark pinkish brown and bluish markings. Axis 1 in. 7 lines, 

 diam. 1 in. 2 lines. 



284. Gallinula chloropus, Linn. 



Very rare : I only procured one specimen, that I shot in a 

 marsh near Pt. Pedro. 



285. Gallinula cristata, Lath. Willi-kukula, Cing. ; lit. 

 Marsh Fowl. 



Common in the south about Matura, frequenting the sedges, 

 and feeding mornings and evenings on the inundated grassy 

 lands or paddy fields. It is very rare northward, only one spe- 

 cimen falling under my notice : I shot it in the same locality as 

 the preceding. 



286. Porphvrio poliocephalus, Lath. Kittala, Cing. 



Abundant in secluded marshes. It is a shy wary bird, diffi- 

 cult to flush (unless the shooter comes suddenly upon it), pre- 

 ferring to skulk amongst the reeds, over and between which it 

 runs with great facility and swiftness. Its nest is constructed 

 like that of Gal. phcenicura ; the eggs a yellowish buff colour, 

 sparingly marked with smallish purple, faint blue, and olive-green 

 spots. 



287. Phcenicopterus roseus, Pallas. Inglis Koku, Tarn.; lit. 

 English Heron ; the birds when standing in lines, feeding, 

 resembling with their red wings and white bodies an English 

 regiment in full parade dress. Krop-gans, Dutch. 



Migratory, appearing in the north in November ; they are so 

 plentiful on the salt-lakes and estuaries of the northern and east- 

 ern provinces that I have seen the shores for miles white with 

 them, and when the assembled multitudes rose on the wing, it was 

 with a noise that drowned the roar of the surf which thundered 

 on the beach close by. They are said to breed near Hambantotte. 



288. Sarkidiornis melanonotus, Pennant. 



Not uncommon on the larger tanks in the Wanny ; it keeps 

 together in flocks, and I fancy breeds with us. 



