Mr. E. L. Layard on the Ornithology of Ceylon. 127 



fearless birds, allowing me to approach and watch them closely 

 for some time before I shot. I fancy those at Tangalle had a 

 nest in the boughs of the tamarind, but though I searched 

 closely I could not find it. 



127. Crtptolopha cinereocapilla, Vieill. 



I procured this bird in plenty at Ambegamoa in March. 

 Dr. Kelaart found it at Nuwera Elia. I consider it as strictly a 

 hill species. It frequents high trees in small parties, and darts 

 at minute insects at rest on the leaves. 



128. BUTALIS LATIROSTRIS, RafflcS. 



A migratory visitant, appearing in Colombo in October ; it is 

 very common and widely distributed. It likes to sit on the out- 

 side branches of trees, from which it darts on its insect prey like 

 our English species. 



129. BuTALis MrxTui, Layard. 



Length 5 inches, of closed wing 3 inches, of tarsi nearly 7 lines, 

 bill (to the end of gape) 8^ lines ; upper mandible dark brown 

 with pale tip, lower mandible yellowish. General resemblance of 

 But. latirostris, but of a far more rufous colour ; this colour 

 most prevalent on the outer webs of the wing-primaries, the outer 

 tail-coverts, and sides of the breast and belly- Throat, belly and 

 vent white ; breast rufous ashy ; back of the head dark brown ; 

 irides light brown. 



I name this new species after my old and attached servant 

 Muttu, to whose patient perseverance and hunting skill I owe so 

 many of my best birds. This one he brought in one morning at 

 Pt. Pedro during the month of June : he described its habits 

 as precisely similar to B. latirostris. As a specimen it is unique. 



130. Stoporala melanops. Vigors. 



Rare ; only appearing in the hills. I procured it at Ambe- 

 gamoa, — Dr. Kelaart at Nuwera Eha. 



131. Pericrocotus flammeus. 



Is common, inhabiting high jungle. It does not, however, ex- 

 tend further into the Northern province than Vavoniavlancolom, 

 where it is entirely replaced by 



132. Pericrocotus peregrixus, Linn., 



which is however mingled with it in all localities. In habits 

 these two species are similar, hunting about trees for small in- 



