18/2.] MR. E.W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. 473 



has been reported on " sportsman's authority ; " and it is now con- 

 firmed by Mr. S. Bligh, who writes to me that he has just examined 

 a specimen quite recently killed at Nuwara Eliya. 



238. Gallinago nemoricola, Hodgson. 



239. Gallinago stenura, Temm. 



240. Gallinago scolopacina, Bonap. 



241. Gallinago gallinula, Linn. 



Of these four reputed Ceylon species G. stenura appears to be the 

 only one which has been positively identified. It is the Common 

 Snipe of sportsmen ; and I believe there are but few persons in the 

 island who are aware of the peculiarity in the tail-feathers by which 

 it can be at once distinguished from G. scolopacina, which it is 

 generally believed to be. G. stenura is found all over the island in 

 the winter months ; and although of course much more abundant in 

 paddy-growing districts, it is also numerous in swampy plains on the 

 upper hills. G. nemoricola was recorded from Nuwara Eliya by 

 Mr. Hugh Nevill as new to the island (J. R. A. S., C. B., 1867-70, 

 p. 138) ; but although he, I believe, examined the specimen, the 

 skin was not preserved, and he himself told me that he identified the 

 bird, after he had left the hills, by the coloured figure in Jerdon's 

 ' Illust. Ind. Ornith.,' from which work he has evidently taken his 

 description of the species. Although neither Layard nor Kelaart 

 mentions this bird, Jerdon speaks of it as being found on the " ele- 

 vated regions of Southern India and Ceylon," but does not give any 

 authority. In the case of G. gallinula, Layard thought that 

 "sportsman's authority" might be trusted, as the "Jack" would not 

 be easily confounded with the other Indian Snipes, and he had been 

 informed by a person likely to be acquainted with it that it was not 

 uncommon in the north a few years previously. None of these species 

 is unlikely to occur in Ceylon ; but, except in the case of G. stenura, 

 the evidence in their favour is not quite as clear as could be wished. 



242. Rhynch^ea bengalensis, Linn. 



Not uncommon in the low country during the winter. Layard 

 says some remain to breed, "the season of incubation being from 

 May to July." He tells me that he obtained many eggs of this spe- 

 cies. Jerdon also gives June and July as the breeding-time of this 

 bird in India. It apparently varies, however, as a bird caught near 

 Colombo, and sent alive to me on the 3Jst of December, was found 

 to have laid an egg in the basket in which it was packed. This egg 

 has been identified by Mr. Layard as that of the Painted Snipe, al- 

 though its ground-colour is rather paler than usual. 



Ceylon, India, Burmah to S. China, Africa. 



243. Limosa jEgocephala, Linn. 



Recorded by Layard. I have not met with it. 

 Ceylon, parts of continental Asia and Europe. 



