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



doubtfully distinct from M. Bengalensis, Dicrurus leucopygialis 

 from D. caerulescens, and Pomatorhinus melanura from P. Hors- 

 fieldi. Corvus splendens and Acridotheres tristis are of a much 

 darker hue in Ceylon than in Bengal and N. India ; so is Mi- 

 cropternus gularis of Ceylon as compared with the bird of 

 S. India. Hypsipetes Nilgiriensis is on the contrary paler in 

 Ceylon and more like the Himalayan H. psaroides. Acrocephalus 

 dumetorum (xviii. 815) has in Ceylon a distinguishing greenish 

 shade. The difference of Palumbus Elphinstonii of Ceylon from 

 that of the Nilgiris has been already indicated : and lastly, 

 Oriolus melanocephalus of Malabar and Ceylon may be constantly 

 distinguished from that of Bengal, Nepal, Assam, &c. by the 

 markings of the wings, as especially the quantity of yellow at the 

 tips of the tertiaries ; this being much more developed in the 

 Bengal race, in which it occupies the whole outer web of the 

 first and second tertiaries, and about | in. of the outer webs of 

 the two next, whereas in the Ceylon and Malabar race it forms 

 merely a series of small terminal spots to the tertiaries ; the yel- 

 low tips of the coverts of the primaries are also constantly re- 

 duced in size in O. melanocephalus of Malabar and Ceylon*.^^ 



O. melanocephalus is very abundant in all parts of the island, 

 and its glowing colouring adds much to the brilliancy of the 

 eastern landscape ; in my mind, palm trees, orioles, and white 

 egrets are always associated with tropical scenery, and I often 

 recall the delight I felt in my first shooting excursion in the 

 swamps and paddy fields near Colombo, when orioles and other 

 birds then new to me flitted from tree to tree before me. The 

 note of the oriole is a clear, flute-like whistle, uttered on the 

 wing as also when at rest : it is generally found in pairs, and is 

 very partial to the jambo and other densely clothed trees. 



114. Oriolus Indicus, Briss. 



A single pair only of these birds fell under my notice : they 

 were shot by a native at the back of the Bishop^s residence near 

 Colombo. 



115. Criniger Ictericus, Strickland. 



Abounds in the mountain zone. I have not seen it elsewhere. 

 Dr. Kelaart writes that it '' is a common species in the low 

 country -^^ he surely alludes to 



116. Pycnonotus FLAViRiATus, Strickland. Ca-cooroolla,Cvag., 



which is a very common species throughout the low country, 

 and not uncommon in the hills. From its frequenting the cin- 



* See also his " Remarks on the modes of variation of nearly affined 

 species or races of Birds chiefly inhabitants of India," 



