STRAY FEATHERS. 



Vol. I] DECEMBER, 1873. [No. 6. 



I HOPE during' the course of next year, in accordance with the 

 general scheme of this periodical, to puhlish a complete list of 

 the Birds of Ceylon, together with full descriptions and measure- 

 ments of all species not included in Dr. Jerdon's " Birds of 

 India." 



In the mean time, I think, it may be useful to put on record 

 a few notes written in the course of an examination I have just 

 made of a larg^e number of Ceylon specimens, some presented to 

 my museum by Vincent Leg-ge, Esq., R. A., and G. Nevil, Esq., 

 C. S., and some purchased for me by the latter gentleman, and 

 other friends. 



62.— Phodilus badius, Horsf. 



This species must now be added to the Avifauna of Ceylon, 

 Mr. Nevil, C. S., having sent me a specimen killed in the island, 

 the only one I believe as yet obtained there. The Ceylon bird 

 differs from the Nepal race, (which Mr. Gray has separated as 

 " nipalensis,") in its somewhat smaller size ; in the much closer 

 and darker banding of the lower surface of the quills ; in the dark 

 brown patch on the wing lining, at the base of the first two or 

 three primaries (this patch being bright chestnut in the Nepal 

 bird) ; in the dark brownish tint of the lesser wing coverts along 

 the ulna and of the whole crown; in the conspicuous black 

 banding, (almost obsolete in nijmlensis) of the outer webs of the 

 quills ; in the much closer banding of the tail, and in the darker 

 tint of the back and especially of the lower part of it. 



In fact the bird seems referable rather to the Malayan than 

 the Himalayan race. 



63.— Syrnium indranee, Syhes. 



I very much doubt whether the Ceylonese bird is Syrnmm 

 indranee ; but if it be so there can be no question as to the dis- 

 tinctness of this species and newarense. I have never yet suc- 

 ceeded in obtaining either a Malabar or Nilghiri specimen of this 



