ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM COCOAWATTE ESTATE. 311 



134. Osmotrefon hicincta, Jerdon, the Orange-breasted Green 

 Pigeon. — Resident at 1,000 feet. A male killed from a flock on March 

 3rd was in a state of breeding. In September and October the birds 

 ascend to 2,000 feet or so when certain jungle-trees are fruiting, but I 

 do not think they range higher. 



135. Osmotreron pompadoura, Gmel., .the Pompadour Green 

 Pigeon. — Resident all the year round ; most common in the N.-E. 

 monsoon. Ranges up to 3,000 feet at that season. I found a nest 

 building in June, but the bird never laid. 



136. Gallus lafayetti^ Less., the Ceylon Jungle Fowl. — Com- 

 mon. Breeds chiefly in May and June ; at any rate the crow of 

 the old cock is most frequently heard then. The clutches I have 

 taken have always been three to four eggs. The average of eleven 

 now before me is 1|^" X If" ; the largest measures 2" x I/tj" ; the 

 smallest I^q" X ^^"' The eggs are generally covered all over 

 with small brown specks, but I have one without any of these, looking 

 exactly like a village hen's egg. 



1 may mention that on April 21st I found a nest of this bird con- 

 taining three extremely small abortive eggs without any yolk. They 

 were devoid of spots and had a very rough surface. 



Of the stupefying effect which the " nilho " seed is supposed to have 

 on these birds I have had no experience ; but I have twice seen appa- 

 rently healthy old cocks skulk under a bush and allow themselves to 

 be caught by hand. Whether this was due to intoxication caused by 

 eating " nilho " seeds I cannot say. I should think that Mr. Holds- 

 worth's suggestion that the bird occasionally eats some noxious fungus 

 growing in the same jungles as the " nilho '^ is probably right. 



If the " nilho " seed has any narcotic qualities, it seems strange 

 that it should not affect the bronze-winged doves, which also feed on 

 it greedily, crowding up-country in years when the plant is seeding 

 until the jungles resound with their lowing note. 



Colonel Legge says the adult male has the " legs and feet wax 

 yellow ;" I have occasionally shot an old cock with the legs of a dark 

 reddish flesh-colour. 



137. Galloperdix bicalcarata, Forster, the Ceylon Spur-fowl. — 

 Common, but very shy and almost impossible to shoot without a dog. 

 I find from my notes that I have taken eggs in every month from 



