440 Notes on some Ceylonese Birds. 



liindly sent me. I have compared two specimens sent to me by 

 Mr. Legge with specimens from other parts of India and they 

 are absolutely identical. 



684.— Acridotheres tristis, Lin. 



There is a popular tradition dating from Mr. Blyth's time, 

 which Mr. Holdsworth reproduces, that Ceylon specimens of this 

 species are 7tmch darker than those obtained in India. I confess 

 I can't see it, and I venture to prophecy that if any one will 

 put together a sufficient number of specimens, he will agree with 

 me that there is not a pin to choose between them. 



843.— Glareola lactea, Tem. 



Must be added to Mr. Holdsworth's list of the Ceylonese 

 birds ; a young specimen has been sent me by Mr. V. Legge 

 who obtained it on the S. E. Coast of Ceylon. 



912 — Porzana ceylonica, Gm. 



Blyth's species amawoptera will not stand. I have two birds 

 now before me. A male from Cawnpore, and a male from 

 Ceylon, absolutely identical, and answering exactly to Dr. Jer- 

 don's description of which Mr. Blyth, Ibis, 1867, p. 310 says, 

 " a Ceylon specimen is described by Dr. Jerdon.^' On the other 

 hand I have a female from Ceylon corresponding exactly with 

 Blyth's amauroptera. My specimens both from Northern India, 

 and Ceylon are exceptionally good and perfect, and there is no 

 possible doubt of the identity of the birds from both localities. 



992 &is.— Onychoprion fuliginosa, Gmel. 



This is another species not included in Mr. Holdsworth's list 

 of which I have received a specimen shot at Boralasgama, 

 Western Province of Ceylon, by Mr. Vincent Legge. 



I do not know why Dr. Jerdon omitted this species from the 

 birds of India. It is not uncommon in the Indian Ocean, right 

 lip to the west coast of the peninsular, and northwards, though 

 I failed to procure it there, to the Mekran Coast. I saw one 

 shot near Pan well, in the Bombay Harbour, two others near the 

 coast off Teetul between Surat and Bombay, and another from 

 Minicoy. 



A fine male measured nearly 17 inches in length, but younger 

 birds with tails and bills less developed do not exceed 14"75 ; 

 wing, 11; a young bird only 9'6; tail, from vent, 7'1 ; a young 

 bird only 5"5j bill, at front, 1*7; a young bird, 1*5, from gape, 

 2-3; a young bird, 2; tarsus, 0-92, in a young bird, 0-8; mid- 

 toe and claw, 1 '2 ; in a young bird, 1 "05. The mid- toe claw is much 

 (Jm-ved, the inner edge conspicuously dilated. The bill is black. 



